St Patrick's College Mackay - Term 1 Week 10 - 29 March 2024

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and Happy Easter. Easter symbolises springtime and renewal. “It's Easter” means a time for joy, family and fun, hope you get a basketful of all three this year! We hope this Easter is the start of a joyous and prosperous spring for you!

What is Easter?
Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus following his crucifixion. Easter represents rebirth and renewal, as we remember the death and resurrection of our Christ. It is a time of reflection, redemption and hope.

I invite you all to take time in your very hectic lives to take the opportunity to attend one the many Masses that are being offered throughout our local parish churches during Holy Week, the Easter Vigil on Saturday night or the Easter Sunday Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord. It is a time of renewal and awakening for all. I would also like to wish our community a safe and happy holiday.

I remind parents and students, that the first day of Term 2 is Monday 15 April.

Diocesan Principals’ Conference
Last week, I attended the Diocesan Leadership Conference. The conference was excellent, with guest speakers and workshops about: Trauma Responsive Communication, Formative Assessment and Catholic Identity Recontextualisation.

The conference was an excellent opportunity to talk with Principals from across the diocese along with the Diocesan Leadership team. I also attended the Chrism Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. The Chrism Mass celebrates Easter and includes the blessing of oils and renewal of all religious vows.

Mercy Campus Cross Country
‘The five S’s of sports training are Stamina, Speed, Strength, Skill, and Spirit; but the greatest of these is Spirit.” -Ken Doherty.

Today Mercy Campus students participated in their Cross Country. I would like to thank Mrs Margie Ackermann, Teresa Dreghorn, Michelle Bettini and the Sports Department for organising this event. It was great to see all students in their house colours, being active and enjoying the event. Senior Campus Cross Country will be held Monday Week 2.

Congratulations
Congratulations to two of our Year 11 students, Libby Arnold and Charlotte Mau, who recently applied to the 2024 Mackay Matsuura Youth Ambassador Scholarship Program. As successful applicants, the students will go on exchange to Japan during the September School Holidays.

Rats of Tobruk
Congratulations to all students who attended the Rats of Tobruk Ceremony held at Queens Park this week. St Pat’s is a ‘Rats’ school and I felt proud and honoured to accompany our students to this ceremony. Well done to our College Leaders, College Choir and Bugle trumpet student Tayt Rowe who all represented our College to an excellent standard.

Fees and Levies
All parents are reminded that it is an expectation of the College that all fees and levies are paid in a timely fashion. If families are having difficulties in meeting payments, they are encouraged to speak to myself or Mr David McKie (the College Bursar), so that alternative arrangements can be made.

Tuition fees and levies are a priority over co-curricular excursions and trips. To be eligible to attend sporting or cultural tours, families are expected to be meeting tuition and levy requirements as a first priority.

Student Protection Contacts
St Patrick’s College has seven Student Protection contacts who are available at any time to speak with students. These contacts are:

With Easter break fast approaching, many teenagers find themselves with more free time on their hands. One common way to pass the time is by spending hours on end in front of a screen, whether it's on a phone, tablet, computer, or TV. While technology can be a great tool for entertainment, communication, and learning, excessive screen time can have negative effects on our well-being. It's important for both teenagers and parents to be mindful of their screen time use during the holidays to ensure a healthy balance.

Research on the mental health impact of screen time has shown a range of effects, both positive and negative, on individuals, particularly teenagers. While technology offers many benefits, excessive screen time has been associated with various mental health challenges. Here are some statistics that shed light on the relationship between screen time and mental health.

Depression and Anxiety: Studies have found a correlation between high levels of screen time and increased rates of depression and anxiety among teenagers. A study published in JAMA Pediatrics revealed that adolescents who spent more than 7 hours per day on screens were more likely to report symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Sleep Disturbances: Excessive screen time, particularly in the evening, can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to sleep disturbances. Research indicates that the blue light emitted by screens can interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep, making it harder for individuals to fall asleep and negatively impacting the quality of their rest.
Social Isolation: Spending excessive time on screens, especially on social media, has been linked to feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Research has shown that heavy social media use can result in decreased face-to-face social interactions, leading to a sense of disconnectedness and lower overall well-being.
Risk of Addiction: Screen time, particularly when related to gaming or social media, can be addictive for some individuals. The constant stimulation and instant gratification provided by screens can lead to compulsive behaviours and a reliance on screens for mood regulation, potentially contributing to addictive patterns and impacting mental health.
Cognitive Development: Prolonged screen time has been associated with potential delays in cognitive development, particularly in younger children. Excessive screen use may hinder the development of critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and attention span, impacting academic performance and overall cognitive abilities.

While these statistics highlight the potential negative effects of excessive screen time on mental health, it's important to note that moderation and balance are key. By being aware of their screen time habits and making conscious efforts to limit usage, individuals, especially teenagers, can mitigate the risks and maintain their mental well-being in the digital age. It can be tempting to spend all day glued to their devices, especially when there's no school to attend. It's crucial for teenagers to take breaks from screens, engage in outdoor activities, spend time with friends and family, and pursue hobbies that don't involve technology. Setting limits on screen time can help teenagers maintain a healthy balance and prevent the negative consequences of excessive device use.

Parents play a key role in helping their teenagers manage their screen time. Setting clear rules and expectations around screen time use, such as designating device-free times or areas in the house, can help teenagers establish healthy habits. Encouraging alternative activities, such as reading a book, going for a walk, or playing a board game together as a family, can provide enjoyable and screen-free ways to spend time during the holidays.

It's also important for parents to model healthy screen time behaviour themselves. By showing their teenagers that they prioritize face-to-face interactions, physical activity, and hobbies that don't involve screens, parents can set a positive example for their children to follow.

Ultimately, finding a balance between screen time and other activities is key to ensuring a healthy and fulfilling Easter break for both teenagers and parents. By being mindful of their screen time use and making an effort to engage in a variety of activities, teenagers can make the most of their time off school and create lasting memories with their loved ones.

11th Consecutive Year of Engagement on the Gold Coast
We're thrilled to announce the kick-off of preparations for the Champion Basketball Schools Competition on the Gold Coast! For the 11th consecutive year, St Pat’s CBSQ Basketball is gearing up to field six teams spanning across year 7-12. This includes sophomore (year 7/8) boys and girls, junior secondary (year 9/10) boys and girls, and opens (all ages) boys and girls categories.

Last year showcased our historical success, with champions crowned in both open age groups and a commendable second-place finish in junior boys. This year, we're ready to reclaim our titles and set new benchmarks for excellence.

Trials are set to commence in week 2 of term 2 to select the travelling team groups. These trials serve as the foundation for assembling our teams who will travel to the Gold Coast to represent St Patrick’s College against another 160 teams from across the state.

Our recent information evening on the 25 March was a resounding success, with an enthusiastic turnout of parents and players alike. The overwhelming support underscores the dedication and passion within our CBSQ Basketball community.

We're excited to introduce our esteemed coaching line-up for the upcoming season:

Jamiey Doevendans will lead all girls' teams, offering a developmental pathway to NBL1 opportunities. His expertise and guidance will undoubtedly nurture our players to reach their full potential. This will be Jamiey’s 11th year of involvement in our program- a feat we are incredibly proud of and grateful for!

Scott McKenzie has over 10 years of QBL/NBL1 coaching experience, Scott takes the helm for junior boys. His wealth of knowledge and strategic awareness will be instrumental in shaping our junior squad.

Kye Medhurst has basketball career that exceeds most- including representative and NBL1 duties- Kye will come onboard in his first year of full-time program commitment. He will work alongside Scott in our Junior Boys program, adding valuable insight and experience to the program.

Rachel McKenzie is the cornerstone of our program since its rebirth and expansion in 2021, Rachel will coach the open boys. Her tenure as both coach and coordinator reflects her unwavering commitment to CBSQ Basketball's success. With a lifelong experience in basketball- Rachel is excited to continue giving back to the school and basketball community in 2024.

Charli Kenny had an incredibly successful junior basketball career, Charli will join St Pat’s to coach and lead our sophomore boys team, should we gain entry into the CBSQ competition. Her experience is vast- with representative, state and NBL1 achievements and commitments and we welcome her onboard this year as our program expands.

As we embark on this journey, we're also eagerly anticipating the extension into the sophomore competition, pending entry approval from BQ. This expansion represents a significant milestone for our program and opens new avenues for growth and development.

Together, with the support of our dedicated coaches, passionate players, and loyal school community, we're poised to make this season one for the record books. Let's channel our collective energy and determination to bring home more trophies and accolades to CBSQ Basketball!

Stay tuned for further updates as we gear up for an exhilarating season ahead.

CBSQ Basketball - Where Champions are Made!