As this is our last newsletter for the year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our students, parents and staff for all their contributions and hard work this year. It has been a privilege for me to lead the College and I look forward to working with our Leadership Team in 2025 to serve you again. May the Christmas Season bring only happiness and joy to you and your family.
I would like to introduce our 2025 Student Leaders – Mercy Campus.
Congratulations to all our St Patrick’s College Student Leaders. I look forward to working with all in 2025.
College Office The office closes Friday 13 December 2024 and will reopen on Monday 20 January 2025. If you have any queries during the time the office is closed, please email: spcm_enquiries@rok.catholic.edu.au.
IMPORTANT DATES 2025: Commencement Date Tuesday 28 January - Year 7, Year 11 and all new students in Years 8, 9 and 10. Wednesday 29 January– All students attend. Photo Day Thursday 30 January – School photos – Mercy Campus Friday 31 January – School photos – Senior Campus Investiture Mass Thursday 13 February – Opening Mass
Year 9 Leadership Camp Our Year 9 Leadership Camp was held at Cool Waters Yeppoon last week and was great success. The camp activities focused on team development to enhance best leadership practices, such as valuing people and building relationships. Students were challenged to step out of their comfort zones and discover new strengths within themselves and their peers. They returned with new skills and great memories. Thank you to all the staff who accompanied the students on this journey.
Departing Staff I wish to farewell and thank the following staff who have contributed positively to our St Patrick’s College Community and wish them all the best on their future pathways:
Janelle Flanagan, Anne Fehlaber, Kirsty Mitchell, Tammy Gilmour, Sarah Gibbs, Brianna Buxton, Abby Matsen, Abbi Johnson, Shuwei Song, Isobel Saunders.
Assistant Principal Welfare - Chris Sorbello
Year 9 Leadership Camp
Sports Department - Matthew Sanders
Sports News
At St Patrick’s College Mackay (SPCM), emphasis is placed on participation and building skills in an extensive range of sports. Outside of the Physical Education curriculum, students have the opportunity to participate in Interhouse and Interschool competitions.
Interhouse Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics Carnivals are held annually. Students represent their houses – Argos, Badila, Midas, Oraya, Pindar and Triton while participating in the various events offered. The carnivals are fun, active days where students demonstrate cohesive teamwork, exuberant team spirit and the pursuit of individual excellence. There is a strong emphasis on participation which sees everyone have a go, have fun and earn points for their house.
District School Sport Students are also eligible to nominate and compete in district and regional sport pathways right through to national representation.
SPCM is a member of Southern Suburbs District (12 Years only) and Mackay District School Sport.
Students are required to submit nominations for representative trials and from these nominations selected students are given the opportunity to compete at district level to earn a place in the Southern Suburbs (12 Years) or Mackay District team at the Capricornia Regional Carnivals and trials.
Information about the nomination for representative sports is distributed to the students via daily notices including Parent Lounge and can be obtained at the Sports Office at either campus. All students must be nominated to the College PRIOR to the nomination dates. Students must not nominate directly to the District or Capricornia. Success at these carnivals can lead to State and National representation.
The representative pathway for District School Sport through SPCM is as follows:
SPCM School Teams Competitions and Pathways In addition to the district representative pathways SPCM students can trial and compete for our school teams at various other competitions which cater for all skill levels.
St Patrick’s School Sport AFL Basketball Cricket Hockey Football (Soccer) Futsal Hockey Netball Rugby League Rugby Union Surf Lifesaving Touch Football Volleyball
School Teams pathways are also available for students who excel in their sport and are selected to represent the College in their chosen sport including but not limited to Champion Basketball School of Queensland (CBSQ), Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball (QISSN), Confraternity Carnival (QISSRL), QLD All Schools Touch football, Vicki Wilson Netball, and Queensland Schools Cup Beach Volleyball.
With a team of experienced and passionate staff, SPCM Sport offers an inclusive and welcoming environment for our students to participate in physical activity and competitive sport.
Year 12 As 2024 draws to an end we wish our Year 12's the very best as they undertake the next phase of their journey through life. This year’s seniors have been a fine group of young men and women, who have been great sporting role models for our younger students. Whilst their relationship with school as a student concludes, we would like to think that they can reflect on their experiences and appreciate the opportunities their parents, teachers and coaches have given them. May they all continue to keep active and play their chosen sport competitively for many years to come.
Basketball This year has been an exciting one for the Champion Basketball Schools Queensland (CBSQ) teams at St Patrick's College, showcasing the talent and determination of our junior (Years 9 and 10) and sophomore (Years 7 and 8) boys and girls' teams at their respective tournaments on the Gold Coast this term.
The junior girls competed fiercely in the Championship Division, facing off against the top 12 teams in the state. They demonstrated remarkable resilience, losing only one game in what was aptly named "the pool of death" due to the high caliber of competition. Their journey through the semi-finals was impressive, but they ultimately faced John Paul College in the final, where they fell short of victory. Led by Jamiey Doevendans and captain Alley Simpson, the team’s effort was commendable, and they should be proud of their achievements this season.
On the boys' side, our team played in Division 2 under the guidance of coach Scott McKenzie and assistant coach Kobey Sager. Captains Taj Goodwin and Usai Bickey led their teammates through a successful pool round, making it to a hard-fought grand final against Mansfield State High School. In a nail-biting finish, they narrowly lost by just one point, showcasing their competitive spirit throughout the tournament.
The sophomore teams made their mark in their first year of entry, competing in Divisions 3 and 5 for girls and boys, respectively. The girls' team, led by Jamiey Doevendans and captained by Indy Jorgensen, had a strong showing during the pool rounds with an impressive average winning margin of 20 points. They faced A.B. Paterson College in the final, emerging victorious with a thrilling one-point win. Meanwhile, the boys also experienced success in their pool rounds, led by co-captains Kade Naylor and Archie Roney, and coached by Charli Kenny. The boys overcame the adversity of sickness and injury, facing St Thomas Moore in their final match, where they claimed gold with a decisive victory.
In terms of final standings for CBSQ this year: - Open Boys: 4th in Division 2 - Open Girls: Bronze in Division 1 - Junior Boys: Silver in Division 2 - Junior Girls: Silver in Division 1 - Sophomore Boys: Gold in Division 5 - Sophomore Girls: Gold in Division 3
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all basketball staff volunteers, parents, and families for their unwavering support throughout the season. Your dedication has played a crucial role in our teams' successes. We look forward to an even more exciting season in 2025 as we continue to build on this year's achievements!
Library - Stephen Crocker
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Summer is here. Balmy days and cool nights. It can be a busy time of year too but here at the Mercy Campus Library we wanted to promote some relaxation - palm trees, surfboards, Eskys, easy-chairs, and of course, plenty of books! With the lead up to Christmas and the wind down to the end of the school year, set some time aside for the three R’s – Relax, Recuperate and Read.
On behalf of the library staff, have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and we look forward to next year and celebrating all things reading.
News from the College
Year 7 and Year 8 Activity Week
Students participated in a fun-filled week of activities to end the school year. Curriculum activities were planned to engage students in a relaxed classroom environment with service activities included as part of our annual Year 7 and 8 Activity Week. Activities ranged from making origami, escape rooms, slipping and sliding down the inflating slides to baking gingerbread cookies and delivering them to local charities. A Christmas Liturgy and carols sing off were a highlight of the week with a BBQ lunch enjoyed by staff and students.
2025 Photo Day Information
Senior Campus – Friday 31 January 2025 (and any Mercy Campus students who cannot attend on Thursday 30 January 2025)
Mercy Campus – Thursday 30 January 2025 (and any Senior Campus students who were unable to attend on Friday 31 January 2025)
Office News
Parent Orbit An email was sent on 5 December to all parent's regarding the announcement of our new mobile app for St Patrick's College, Parent Orbit, which is now ready for you to download and use.
We will be decommissioning our current St Patrick's College App as of Friday, 31 January 2025. We suggest you have the Parent Orbit app downloaded by this date.
The Parent Orbit app, which is connected to Parent Lounge, will improve our communication with each other as it offers a quick and easy way to receive notifications, view academic reports, book Parent/Teacher interviews, add Student Absences, view and pay School Fees, accept or decline excursions via the Events and Activities, check your child/s timetable/s, update details, email class teachers and much more.
If you are already using the Parent Orbit App for another school such as St Mary's Catholic Primary School or St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, please follow the steps below.
Open the App, tap on the school name at the top of the screen, tap on Manage Accounts at the bottom of the screen, click on the button 'Add another Account', enter our school code spcm (all lowercase) and submit.
This will add St Patrick's College's account to your list in the App.
For new users, you can download the App by scanning the QR code, click on this link Parent Orbit while on your mobile device or visit your app store.
Click the install button. After the App is installed, St Patrick's College will be loaded as an account. Click on St Patrick's College and then tap the login button.
Once you are in the App enter your Username and Password. Your Username is your Parent Code and your password is the same password that you use to login to Parent Lounge. If you cannot remember your Parent Lounge password, click here to access the "Forget Password?" feature in Parent Lounge and follow the prompts to reset your password. Please contact our College office on 4994 8700 if you require further assistance.
Please take the time to explore the App as it offers many useful features. It is very intuitive and will help keep us connected to support the education of your sons and/or daughters.
House Shirts St Patrick's College Mercy Campus has updated its House shirts for 2025 and beyond. The new House shirts will be a compulsory purchase for all Year 7 students in 2025, while they will remain optional for students in other year levels. The updated shirts are available for purchase at Intersport Mackay.
Parent/Student Consent Thank you to the parents who have updated their child/s media consent via Parent Lounge. We still have a large number of students who do not have media consent. This prohibits us from publishing your child’s photo in our newsletter, on Facebook or any other form of media. Student’s images are only ever used with the child’s first name or initial and surname to protect their identity. For instructions on how to update the consents via Parent Lounge please refer to our Newsletter published on 25 October 2024.
Tuckshop Volunteers Needed!
When you volunteer in a Tuckshop you become part of a special community that is both unique and welcoming. Working in a team encourages new friendships and connections within the school environment, and you may even learn new skills and expertise.
To volunteer your time at the Tuckshop, please email us at spcm_enquiries@rok.catholic.edu.au or contact the College on 4994 8700.
Any amount of time would be greatly appreciated.
Brekky Van Sponsors
Thank You to Our Brekky Van Sponsors
A big thank you to all the students and staff volunteers who assisted in making sure our Brekky Van ran consistently this year. This incredible service-learning opportunity for the students to make them aware of those in our community who are suffering in many ways our lovely friends are always welcoming with their smiles, stories and music. We encourage the Year 10 cohort of 2025 to engage in this service-learning opportunity which gives so much more to our community than a hearty breakfast.
VET / Careers Department
Careers News
How the program works The Link and Launch officers at participating host schools support young people who have completed Year 12 but have not transitioned to further study, training, or work. They assist in exploring options such as free apprenticeships for under 25s, fee-free TAFE programs, Skilling Queenslanders for Work, alternative university entry, employment opportunities, and government participation programs like Transition to Work. More details can be found at education.qld.gov.au/students/student-engagement/link-and-launch.
2025 Year 10 Work Experience All Year 10 students will participate in compulsory work experience during Term Two. Application forms will be distributed on the first day of school. Students are encouraged to think about their interests and desired placements.
White Card Course Students aiming to work in construction-related fields must complete the accredited General Construction Induction Training (CPCWHS1001). A white card is issued upon successful completion.
School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SAT) The Vocational Education and Training (VET) Department prioritises a student-first approach, catering to the diverse needs of our learners. Increasingly, students in Years 10, 11, and 12 are considering alternative pathways through school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SAT).
These programs enable students to embark on their apprenticeships or complete traineeships while still attending school, effectively integrating paid work, training, and academic studies. Participation in SAT provides the opportunity to earn industry-recognized national qualifications and receive credits toward their Queensland Certificate of Education.
St Patrick’s College Careers Connect Career opportunities will be regularly updated on the new St Patrick’s College App - Parent Orbit.
Work Experience Guidelines According to the Education (Work Experience) Act 1996, students must meet the following criteria: - Must be 14 years old. - Allowed a maximum of 30 unpaid work experience days per calendar year. - Must have worker's compensation and liability insurance (Agreement). - Must obtain necessary White and Blue Cards as required by the industry. - Complete both school and workplace inductions prior to work experience. Excluded Activities include: - Driving of any watercraft exceeding 8 metres in length - Repair, service, refuelling, maintenance, possession, operation, use or legal control of any aircraft by the Insured Agency, except for the participation in repair, service, maintenance by work experience students of the Insured Agency, who must be under the direct supervision of a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer or Australian Defence Force equivalent at all times - Air traffic control, except for the observation by Australian Defence Force work experience students of the Insured Agency who must be under direct supervision of a suitably qualified Australian Defence Force member at all times - Driving of any vehicle on a public road or thoroughfare or any airport runway or tarmac - Activities associated with railway track laying, track upgrading or track maintenance - Construction or maintenance of railway locomotives or railway stock, except for the participation by work experience students of the Insured Agency at Queensland Rail workshops and Rollingstock Maintenance Depots, Aurizon workshops or Downer EDI Rail workshops where those work experience students must be under the direct supervision of a qualified and experienced Queensland Rail, Aurizon or Downer EDI Rail employee at all times - Underground mining - Oil and/or gas fields and oil and/or gas refineries; except for the participation by work experience and/or vocational placement students of the Insured Agency at Coal Seam Gas (CSG) industry and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry workplace sites where those work experience and/or vocational placement students must be under the direct supervision of a qualified and experienced CSG or LNG industry employee at all times - Use, handling and storage of firearms and explosive devices - Abseiling - Rock and/or mountain climbing (with the exception of indoor rock wall climbing under the direct supervision of a qualified and experienced person at all times as per the minimum qualifications for supervisors outlined in the Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment (CARA) activity guidelines for Climbing (artificial or rock) and Abseiling) - White water rafting and canoeing - Bungee jumping and its associated activities - Underwater diving using either scuba or snorkeling equipment, where the student is not participating in an activity fully supervised driving of any watercraft exceeding 8 metres in length.
Acknowledgments A special thank you to the supporting businesses and organisations, who continue to offer our students valuable work ready skills;
Mackay Manufacturing Hub Manufacturing Skills Queensland Gateway to Industry Schools Program UNIQ You CSQ Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy Bluedog Training Blueprint Skills Generation Connect n Grow Binnacle Central Queensland University James Cook University Institute of Faith Education UAVAIR
Wishing all families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Applications close 10 January 2025, unless filled prior. Commencement date: As soon as possible.
Community News
TS Pioneer Navy Cadets
Innovation in Aviation - School Holiday Program - 13 and 14 January 2025
With school holidays upon us we are excited to share that bop industries are once again hosting a two-day Innovation in Aviation program at Aviation Australia’s Brisbane campus during January. These programs are perfectly suited to students from Years 4 to 10.
A limited number of discounted tickets are available for students enrolled in an Aerospace Gateway to Industry School - $99 for two days ($120 for non-gateway students).
What: Innovation in Aviation - What do you think flying will look like in the future? Over the course of an action-packed two-day program students will get hands-on with a range of challenges and activities to design what the future of flying will look like. When: Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th January 2025 Where: Aviation Australia, 15 Boronia Rd, Brisbane Airport Who: Primary Stream = Years 4-6 Students Senior Stream = Years 7-10 Students Cost: AGISP discounted rate of $99 for the two-day program
