St Patrick's College Mackay - Term 3 24 August 2023

As we draw closer to the end of Term 3, I would like to remind students that this is the time for those timetables and study plans to be put into operation. Students should take advantage of the Student Free Day on Friday 1 September to plan and prepare.  Students should reduce extra outside work and social commitments as well, so that they can adequately complete their assessments and study for any upcoming exams.  

I will be on Sabbatical and Long Service Leave for the last three weeks of this term. During my absence, Mr Adam Skoczylas (Mercy Campus) and Mr Sean Geoghegan (Senior Campus) will be Acting Principals. They will of course, be supported by the remaining Leadership Team members, Mrs Tracey McLeod, Mr Brendan Gunning, Mr Scott McSherry and Mr Chris Sorbello. 

A great deal always happens in Term 3 at St Patrick’s College and this year has been no exception. It has been good to see the high level of student engagement in activities the College has offered. Our students have enjoyed great success this term on the sports fields, in STEM challenges, cultural performances, providing acts of service to the community and most importantly, in their application to their studies. I congratulate all students for their efforts so far in Term 3. 

Vale Fr Pat Mooney 

We were deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Fr Pat who celebrated 50 years of priesthood last year. During those years, he ministered in parishes in Mackay, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Blackall and Mt Morgan. Although he retired from full time ministry some years ago, Fr Pat was always willing to lend a hand whenever he was needed, sharing God’s word.  

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
May perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, 
rest in peace
Amen.

The Assumption of Our Lady 

On Monday 15 August, the Church celebrated the Feast Day of the Assumption of Our Lady when according to our faith, the Holy Mother, “having completed her course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory”. Although defined as an article of faith by Pope Pius XII just over half a century ago, the Assumption of Our Lady into heaven has been accepted from back to the earliest of Christian times. 

Cultural Department 

Our College Cultural Ensembles have had a very busy past couple of weeks competing at the Mackay Eisteddfod. I would like to congratulate the various ensembles on all their hard work and acknowledge the College Choir on again winning the Choral Aggregate trophy for 2023. Thank you also to our dedicated teachers and parents for supporting the students and helping them grow their love of music. 

Cultural Showcase Evening – Thursday 31 August  

I would like to invite and encourage everyone to attend the St Patrick’s College Cultural Showcase Evening on Thursday 31 August, at the Mercy Campus Hall, Penn Street, Mackay. Appetisers will be served from 5:30pm, with the Showcase commencing at 6:00pm. This is a spectacular evening of entertainment, as we celebrate our talented Cultural students and acknowledge their achievements from throughout 2023. I know you will be amazed at the musical talents of our students when you watch them perform and shine onstage next Thursday evening. 

QATSIF Graduation Ceremony 

Last Thursday 17 August, I attended the QATSIF Graduation Ceremony at CQUniversity with our Year 12 Graduating QATSIF recipients. I always enjoy attending this important ceremony with our students. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their achievements with Elders and special guests. Thank you to Mrs Leisa Scott and Ms Monique Russell for accompanying the students to this event. 

What is QATSIF? It is the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation created to increase educational choices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students entering Year 11 or 12. While the history behind the trust being established is heartbreaking (stolen wages), it recognises that students who obtain their QCE have a strong foundation on which to build their lives on.  

Women in STEM 

On Monday night, several students from across both campuses attended the Women in STEM event at Whitsunday Anglican School with Mrs Sandra Bayliss. This was a great opportunity for students to be inspired by four key speakers who shared their career journeys in their respective STEM fields. Students were able to enjoy hands-on activities with robotics and drones. Thank you to Mrs Bayliss for your dedication to the College and for inspiring our students to grow their skills and passion in this exciting area. 

RECENT SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS 

Aaron Payne Cup Champions 

Congratulations to our Open Boys Rugby League team who recently defeated Kirwan State High School in Townsville 32 - 10. The game was played as a curtain raiser to the game between the North Queensland Cowboys and Cronulla Sharks last Thursday. 

National Schoolboys Cup State Final 

At BB Print Stadium Mackay on Wednesday, the Open boys Rugby League team played Emmaus College Rockhampton for a position in the National Schoolboys Cup State Finals. After a tremendous effort, they came away with a convincing 28 – 6 win to now progress to the Phil Hall Cup which will be played in Townsville next week. 

Cowboys Challenge Shield 

Our Year 10 First XIII Rugby League team had a strong win against Ignatius Park Townsville recently winning 24 -10 in the Cowboys Challenge Shield. The boys had a strong win which saw them progress to play Dolphins Cup Champions Emmaus College Rockhampton. 

Queensland Schoolboys State Final 

Congratulations to the Year 10 boys who played with skill and determination to have a convincing win 44 – 0 against Emmaus College Rockhampton yesterday at BB Print Stadium.  

St Patrick’s College has had a very successful year.  All of our Rugby League teams and players can stand tall and proud with their achievements. A special mention to our sporting parents, who have encouraged, supported and travelled with our teams throughout this successful season.  

StreetSmarts AFLQ North Queensland Championships 

Recently students competed in the Junior and Senior division of the StreetSmarts AFLQ North Queensland Championships. Unfortunately, our teams didn’t come away with a win, but congratulations to all students involved for representing the College with grit and determination.  I would also like to thank and acknowledge Mr Daniel Skipper, support staff and parents for your commitment to our AFL teams at the College. 

Fostering a nurturing environment of respectful relationships within your family holds the key to not only harmonious living, but also improved academic outcomes for your children. As parents and caregivers, embracing the art of teaching children about respect at a young age sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy interactions and empathetic understanding. It will help cultivate a positive environment where communication flourishes, conflicts are resolved constructively, and bonds are fortified.

Teaching children to respect themselves and others will open up avenues for both personal growth and academic achievement. Fostering an environment where respect is not just a word, but a practiced behaviour, will empower young people with essential life skills. Effective communication, active listening, and the art of compromise, will provide your child with a solid foundation that will transcend family interactions and help them collaborate effectively with peers, teachers and the broader community.

Equipping children with an understanding of healthy versus unhealthy relationships is an important aspect of their development. It will guide them to make informed choices, foster positive connections, and set boundaries that contribute to their emotional wellbeing. Understanding the nuances between healthy and unhealthy relationships provides children with the essential tools to navigate their social world, build self-esteem, and cultivate meaningful relationships.

In this edition of SchoolTV, learn how to empower young people in healthy interactions to embrace differences and forge connections that honour their self-worth. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to this month's edition https://stpats.qld.schooltv.me/newsletter/respectful-relationships

For many years now, young people from Colleges around the Diocese of Rockhampton have been coming together to experience ACTS. ACTS is an opportunity for participants to gather with other students to explore significant questions about faith and life. It is an opportunity to share about what is personally important, as well as listening to the stories of others.

The Year 11 ACTS Camp, 'A Chance to Serve' was held 9-11 August, and focused on how we can develop our leadership skills and potential so that we can purposefully influence our world. Inspired by Jesus' model of servant leadership we can use our own giftedness to address the needs we see around us.

Thank you to Mrs Bennett for giving up her time and travelling to Yeppoon with our students. Feedback from the group was that the couple of days were a wonderful experience, and the students are planning to continue to meet into the future.

RSVP email: 324_Cultural@rok.catholic.edu.au

On the 22 July, 30 students along with 4 staff members from the St Patrick's College Auslan Club were privileged to travel to Townsville to perform the Australian National Anthem in Auslan for the North Queensland Cowboys vs Eels NRL game at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium. 

This was a valuable experience for the students to build their confidence in front of a large audience and a great opportunity to promote Auslan sign language to the wider community. Year 9 student, Bianca Maynard bravely took on the singing of the anthem and was praised for her efforts by the organisers at the stadium who have kindly asked us to return again next year. The students were given free tickets to the game and were treated with a shopping trip and markets before heading back home. St Patrick's College Auslan Club are always looking for ways to support the deaf community and getting students involved in learning this unique language.

Recently, the Certificate III Laboratory Skills students completed three days of intensive residential school training towards gaining competency in Certificate II in Lab testing and sampling. Practical testing has included. Water sampling, soil testing, forensic fingerprint analysis, sugar testing and blood typing. They will return next year for a similar experience to finalise all training for Certificate III in Lab skills. This will mean they are fully qualified for industry entry. 

A reminder that Friday 1 September is a Student Free Day.  Our staff will be involved in professional development on this day.

Vinnies Op-Shop and Father's Day Stall

The Vinnies Committee held an op-shop in Glennon Gardens this week to raise money for the Sister's of Mercy charity Mercy Works. Second-hand clothing and accessories, soft drinks and lollies were on sale with  live music also provided by the College music staff. Thank you to all who supported this cause!

The next Vinnies fundraiser for the term will be a small Father's Day Stall on Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 of August.  Softdrinks will be selling for $2.00. The Father's Day Raffle will be drawn on Tuesday 29 August. Please see Mrs Mullaney (Mercy Campus) or Mrs Wallace (Senior Campus) if you would like to purchase tickets.  Cash only please!

Mrs Sumpter’s Year 12 Certificate II in Hospitality class organised a High Tea for twenty-four staff at the St Patrick's Senior Campus recently.  The staff were treated to some delectable, sweet delights including chocolate profiteroles with gold leaf decoration, caramel tartlets, mini chocolate mousse pots, red velvet cupcakes and chocolate brownies. They also enjoyed sumptuous savouries including mini quiches, curried egg and lettuce and chicken pesto sandwiches, smoked salmon and cream cheese rounds and feta, ricotta and spinach filo triangles!

The high quality of the food and top service by the students was very impressive. The students have almost completed their course and are looking forward to gaining their Certificate II in Hospitality which will benefit them in future employment opportunities. 

Z Club members, Charlise and Lily, attended a ZONTA meeting at Ocean International where they updated members and students from other schools on the recent initiatives of the St Pat’s Z Club. The students enjoyed sharing their experiences as Z Club members and discussing how our College has contributed to ZONTA’s efforts in raising awareness for women’s rights and equality around the world. Thank you to everyone who has helped organise or participated in Z Club initiatives so far. We look forward to many more successful events!

Congratulations to our St Patrick’s College students, Erin Cureton and Pascoe Gould who competed in the Queensland School Soccer Championships 10 -12 Years held in Cairns during Week 4 Term 3. Both enjoyed their time at the titles and came away from the event with a wealth of soccer experience.

All conquering St Patrick’s College have regained the Cowboys Challenge Shield after toppling rivals Ignatius Park Townsville 24-10 in the 2023 trophy decider staged at the Mackay Junior League Fields.

Talented hooker and skipper Cooper Deguara was named the official Player of the Grand Final for his two try non-stop effort in a mighty team performance from the undefeated champions.

For coach Tom Gaviglio it was a deserved premiership in his first year at the helm with the Shield triumph erasing the memories of last season’s heart breaking loss to Kirwan State High after the bell.

Emerging forwards Mark Morrow, Ryan John, Caleb O’Brien and Declan Grady turned in superb performances along with fullback Hamish Donohue, half back Adam McSherry, five eighth Cooper Cavell, centre Norm Campbell and winger Trae Cora.

St Patrick’s lost Queensland Under 15 prop Sam Anderson early in the match with a damaged knee but led 14-0 at the break following tries by Deguara, Morrow and prop Kereama Gartner.  Utility Billy Cruden scored after the break to give St Patrick’s an 18-0 before Ignatius Park hit back with two quick tries.  Deguara sealed victory with a smart try to cap a best-on-ground display.

St Patrick’s will now meet Dolphins Cup champions Emmaus College Rockhampton.

In an absolute incredible display of determination, teamwork and talent, the St Patrick's College Year 7/8 mixed soccer team secured a thrilling 10-0 triumph over Mackay Christian College during their Week 7 match. This victory comes after a roller-coaster start to their season, reflecting students’ fortitude and resilience in the face of challenges.

As coaches, Mr Song, Mr Larkan and Mr Cureton had the honour to bare witnesses to this team’s growth and development firsthand. After suffering a defeat against Mackay Northern Beaches State High School during the first game of the season, our players took that loss, used it as fuel to reignite our potential to turn things around.

Last week's victory against our archrivals, Mackay State High School, was a turning point that stimulated our confidence. It gave us a sense of self-assurance; we knew that we had what it took to come out on top! It wasn’t just about winning; it was the fact that we were able to work together as a team and playing as a united front.

This game against Mackay Christian College will be etched in all our memories. The players were cohesive as a team, the passing, the ball control and the shooting were remarkable. The unbroken succession of goals truly showcased our genuine potential.

Moving forward into the season, we are playing in the first round of finals during Thursday of week 8. We are excited to see what the rest of the season holds for our exceptional athletes! 

Technology / BYOD Devices for 2024

If you are looking at purchasing a new device for your student for 2024, please find below our recommended specifications:

Windows 10/11 Based Device:
Processor: Intel i5 Gen12 or higher, or an AMD 5000 series or higher.
Memory: 16gig
Hard Disk: 512gig SSD
Wi-Fi Technology: Wi-Fi6
Battery: Greater than 6-7 hours of runtime
Charging: USB-C Charging Capability is highly recommended.
Warranty: 2 years minimum, longer warranty is ideal if going onto university from Year 12

Apple Mac Device:
These devices are also great to use, but if the student has selected Industrial Graphics or Design as a subject, you will need to purchase a Windows based device as Autodesk Inventor is not compatible with MacOS.

Microsoft Office 365:
All students can download a copy of Microsoft Office 365 for their BYOD (devices). The College offers licences for up to five devices (this includes PCs, Macs and tablets). It is available for download from https://www.office.com. Students can simply log in using their college-provided email address and password (eg. @rokstu.catholic.edu.au) and download the installation file from the main page. For help with any issues accessing the download, students can visit the IT office or College Library for assistance.

If you have any other questions in relation to technology products, you are welcome to contact the College IT team for advice on (07) 4994 8700 or 325-informationtechnology@rok.catholic.edu.au.

Next week, there will be a Public Open Day at the new JCU Clinical Training Centre, located at Discovery Lane, North Mackay.

An invitation has been extended for students and parents who would like a look around the new facility and chat to their staff about what James Cook University has to offer.  Please see below links for further information. 

JCU Roadshow Information and Registration

JCU UniX Roadshow, Mackay

Time: 3-6pm
Date: 30th August 2023
Location: JCU Mater Clinical Training Centre, Discover Lane, North Mackay QLD 4740

If you are unable to attend on your day, please try to swap with someone on another day.  If this is not possible, please contact the tuckshop co-ordinator Margaret Floyd on 0401 003 919 (mobile) or 4994 8770 (Mercy Tuckshop)

Council is currently undertaking community consultations to create a new Mackay Region Arts and Culture Plan.  We are hosting a community workshop sessions across the Mackay region.   

We want to identify any gaps in the region, be they geographical or types of art and culture that residents feel we don’t support sufficiently. We would also like to hear where we are doing well – so we can keep doing it.

If you feel that your part of the region misses out, now is the time to let us know; if you feel there are better ways we could be fostering grass-roots creative projects, we want to hear them, and if you want to see more of a particular type of art, now’s the time to make your voice heard.