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Welcome back to term 3. This is a very important term

of study for all our students but especially for Year 12. It

is vital that students settle into a solid pattern of study as

soon as possible. The holidays are over, and now is the

time for the enjoyment and satisfaction that can be

achieved through diligent hard work. I remind all students

that school work is their full time occupation. Any part

time work should be just that ‘part’ time.

During the holidays I was fortunate to attend the CASPA

conference in Melbourne. It was such a refreshing

experience to meet and exchange ideas with other colleagues. The conference

enabled me to reflect on a deeper level, the meaning of the Year of Mercy. In

reflecting, I realized how many different blessings I have experienced in my life.

Since my birth, I have received so many welcoming gestures: from my loving and

caring family; from my workplace colleagues; and most importantly from my loving

God. At times I’m sure you would all agree that we all have endured hardships

and have received simple gestures of mercy from others. This has enabled us to

move forward. It is only when we receive and feel mercy from others that we

will truly will be able to give mercy.

Farewell Function

On Saturday 20 August, the college Board and P & F will host a farewell function

for Eamon Hannan, Edna Galvin and Lesley Fraser to be held at the college. All

past and present members of the St Patrick’s community are invited to attend to

thank Eamon, Edna and Lesley for their years of service to the St Pat’s community.

There is a flyer on page 11 with details. Please spread the word!

NAIDOC Week

As a nation we celebrated NAIDOC week in the last week of the holidays. It is a

celebration supporting our Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Communities.

As a college we are celebrating NAIDOC week this week and as a region at the

NAIDOC mass next Monday 18 July at St Joseph’s Church at 9:30 am. These

indigenous cultures have continuous links going back over 40 000 years. It is

amazing when you think that this culture is more than eight times older than our

earliest stories from the Old Testament. We need to celebrate this enduring

culture and connection to the land where we all live.

At Assembly yesterday, we recognised Indigenous people who have had a major

impact on Australian society. At lunch time we sampled a range of traditional

foods eg kangaroo, crocodile and emu meatball and sausages, quandong, lilly pilly

Dates to remember:

July 2016

14 Photo day

Subject Selection for Year 11

2017

17 Music Ministry

18 NAIDOC Mass

20 Reports uploaded to Parent

Lounge

18-22 St Pat’s Writes

22 Athletics Carnival

Enrolment forms for Year 11 2017

due

24-30 Catholic Education Week

28 Parent-Teacher interviews

30 Year 12 Formal

August 2016

2 National Aboriginal and Islander

Day

3 P & F Meeting 6:00 pm

Board Meeting 7:30 pm

4-5 Mackay district Athletics

6 QCS Workshop

11-14 Robotics excursion

15 Enrolment interviews commence

16-17 QCS Practice

21 Music ministry

22 Enrolment interviews commence

NUMBER FOR SMS

The number to send SMS

messages regarding student

absence is

0416 906 288

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and finger lime jam and damper washed down with butterfly pea flower, lemon

myrtle and wild hibiscus tea. Thank you Ms Bree Sinn, Mrs Deb Millar and their

helpers for organizing this activity for us and to Ms Kerry Braby’s class who made

Damper.

Netball and Rugby League Tours

Congratulations to our QISSN Netball girls and our Confraternity Rugby League

boys who all represented the college with distinction in the first week of the

school holidays at Rockhampton. Both teams did well and managers and coaches

were delighted with the teams’ commitment, behaviour and tenacity in high level

competition. Thank you to all managers, coaches, support staff, parents and

students involved. Our girls finished 16th out of 48 teams over the entire carnival

and our boys won the Bob Lindner Shield as Division 2 Champions.

Semester Reports

Staff have been busily marking and compiling reports for our students. These

reports will be uploaded to Parent Lounge next Wednesday 20 July. Bookings

for Parent – Teacher interviews on Thursday 28 July can also be made by Parent

Lounge. Please see Mrs Tracey McLeod’s column for instructions – (Page 6)

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Report Authority (ACARA)

On page 12 of this newsletter, ACARA has provided a Privacy Notice re the

information they require from schools so as to be able to provide the Index of

Community Socio-educational Advantage for schools. If parents do not want

their information provided to ACARA then please advise St Pat’s within the next

seven (7) days. You can email this advice to enquiries@stpats.qld.edu.au

St Patrick’s Family

Congratulations to Lauren Bella who was named in the

QISSN All Star team after the recent carnival. Lauren

was selected by Vicki Wilson and Tracey Bruce, who

watched all 48 teams play, as one of the ten best players

of the carnival. The last time St Pat’s had someone

selected in this team was 2004.

Congratulations to Caleb Sinn

who has been selected as the 2016 winner of The

Catholic Education Scholarship for Indigenous

Students. Caleb’s achievement will be celebrated at the

NAIDOC Mass next Monday.

Enrolments 2017

A reminder that our Choosing Subjects evening for incoming Year 11 students in

2017 is on this afternoon from 3:30 – 6:30 pm. Even if students think they know

the subjects they want to pursue next year, I strongly urge them to come and

speak to the teachers who will be teaching those subjects next year.

Readings at Mass, Sunday 17 July 2016 – 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading, Genesis 18 : 1-10 … Lord, do not bypass your servant.

Psalm, Ps 14:2-5 … The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

Second Reading, St Paul 1:24-28 … The mystery hidden for centuries has now been

revealed to his saints.

Gospel, Luke 10 : 38-42 … Martha took up the duties in the house. Mary chose the

better part.

Note from the Finance Department

If any parent has made deposits into our Bank Account with the

Reference ‘Harmony Plus Project’, please contact the Finance Office

so the amounts can be credited to the correct account.

Weekend Masses

I recently received the

following email from Mr

Allan Robins and would like

to share it with our

community. Congratulations

to the boys in our Table

Tennis team for their fine

sportsmanship.

Southside Cluster Saturday Vigil Mass

6:00 pm St Francis Xavier

6:00 pm St Mary’s

Sunday

7:00 am St Patrick’s

7:00 am St Therese’s

Northside Cluster Saturday Vigil Mass

6:00 pm St Joseph’s

6:00 pm St Brigid’s

Sunday

7:30 am St Brendan’s

9.00 am St Joseph’s

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REFLECTION

Who Is My Neighbour?

During two-week school break I really enjoyed the experience of building a boundary fence for

my home. The existing fence was in disrepair, and was not sufficient to keep my dog (who loves

nothing better than roaming the neighbourhood) in our yard. I do enjoy building and take great

pleasure in seeing the results of my work at the end of the day, seeing what I have achieved. My

English teachers would also be very happy, as whilst building the fence I recalled a poem by

Robert Frost, Mending Wall, particularly the final line of the Poem. ‘He says again, "Good fences make good neighbors." ’

(from ‘Mending Wall’ by Robert Frost).

You would think that building a fence would be like building a wall between neighbours, but to my surprise, in the

process of building the fence I got to know three of my neighbours better. I had to negotiate with one neighbour

because the fence was on our common boundary; he was very happy for me to build the fence as he was heading off

on a camping trip and would not be there for the hard work. Over the next couple of weeks two other neighbours

took an interest in the construction and came over for a chat. We got to know each other better and it was a nice

feel to make new friends.

On a spiritual level, building a relationship with your neighbour next door is the first step towards being a good

neighbour. As Jesus was asked ‘And who is my neighbour?’ (Luke 11:29) It is important to build relationships with those

around us so that we can build a community which supports each other. Like the old man in the poem observes “Good

fences make good neighbors.” Who would have thought? I just wanted to keep the dog safe!

It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit - Harry Truman US

President

People will be analysing Portugal’s win over France in the European cup for many weeks to

come, but for me it was a perfect example of what the right mindset and thorough

preparation can accomplish. Over the next 8 weeks, the Year 12 students will face what is

undoubtedly their biggest challenge. This is a taxing term. The social life of the Year 12’s

needs to be placed on ice and much is going to depend on how they manage their time. How

they emerge from the term, and the QCS exam, will depend less on possessing a particular

skill or level of intelligence than it will on their individual and collective mental strength. So

much will depend on the attitude they take to the challenge that awaits them - as well as

their commitment to rehearsal. Mindset is what defines a winner: mental strength,

determination, resilience and the ability to handle pressure. On paper, Portugal stood little

chance against France. The Portuguese team only really had one player who had achieved international renown. That

player, Cristiano Ronaldo, was sidelined early in the game because of injury. At the time many felt that whatever slim

chance Portugal might have had lay in ruins. The fact that the team was able to absorb the shock of the loss of a

national icon is testimony to their refusal to contemplate the possibility of defeat. No-one on the Portuguese team

plays beautiful football, but there is no disputing the ruthless determination to get the job done. What an incredible

team. What a sublime moment when everyone works together for the common good. Harry Truman, the US

President in the ‘40’s said “It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” Amen to

that. Portugal’s somewhat ordinary players (relative to the context and the company within which they found

themselves) accomplished something extraordinary. It’s a lesson to every school cohort and every team and to every

organisation. Talent matters, but determination and preparation matter even more. We used to call it ‘character’, but

that term has, lamentably, fallen from favour. Portugal’s victory is a reminder that we should never confuse great

intellect, or technical skill, with a winning mindset. This latter quality is probably best epitomised by the reaction of

two-time Olympic decathlon champion Daley Thompson when he said: “When I lost my decathlon World Record, I

took it like a man. I only cried for 10 hours.”

There can be little doubt that managing the hurdle of the QCS depends to an extent on training, on practicing what

has been heard. All too often I hear students say that they have heard a message repeatedly, but it’s meaningless until

it’s internalised to the point that it becomes a habit. Samuel Johnson said: “The chains of habit are too light to be felt

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until they are too heavy to be broken.” The value of training becoming a habit is illustrated by a story rugby coach

Clive Woodward tells when he was preparing the English team for their successful bid for the 2003 world cup. (Which

England won). He recalled applying many of the lessons he had learned one of which was hearing of the combat

experiences of the Royal Marines. The story goes that three young marines were introduced to Woodward’s squad

by their Brigadier with the words: “These men should be dead.” The marines then gave a graphic description of how,

despite relatively little combat experience, they fought their way out of a deadly skirmish. They told him it was a

situation they had gone over in the classroom, and in training, again and again. Even though it was happening for real,

the training kicked in and they got through it. It was partly a result of this experience (and others) that Woodward

developed T-CUP (Think Correctly Under Pressure) which became one of his mantras. The great and recently

deceased Muhammad Ali (arguably one of the greatest athletes of all time) once said: “I hated every minute of training,

but I said: Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”

Having said that, on Saturday 6 August, an opportunity will exist for those Year 12 students sitting the QCS to

attend a Workshop to be held at the school, the details of which will follow in subsequent newsletters and morning

notices.

2016 Early School Leavers survey

The Queensland Government is conducting its annual statewide survey of students who left school in Years 10, 11

and prior to completing Year 12 during 2015. The Early School Leavers survey is a short, confidential survey that

collects information about what young people are doing the year after leaving school. The information from the survey

helps our schools to understand the pathways young people follow after leaving school and to plan services to support

transitions into study or employment for our students.

Between July and August 2016, our students who left school in Years 10, 11 and prior to completing Year 12 last year,

can expect to receive an invitation to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland

Government Statistician’s Office to complete the survey. Please encourage early school leavers to take part. For

more information, visit www.education.qld.gov.au/nextstep/ or telephone toll free on 1800 068 587.

Aerospace Gateway Schools Direct Entry Scheme

Schools that offer Aerospace as a subject, such as St Pat’s, are able to create

a unique opportunity for those students who wish to study engineering at

the University of Queensland.

Background

The Aerospace Gateway Schools Direct Entry Scheme allows students at

participating secondary schools to apply for direct entry into selected

engineering and information technology programs at The University of

Queensland (UQ). Successful applicants will be made an offer of direct

entry into a specified degree program, normally early in Term 4. This offer guarantees successful applicants a place in

the specified program as long as the successful applicant has passed their Queensland Certificate of Education.

Degree Programs

The following degree programs are offered as part of the Aerospace Gateway Schools Direct Entry Scheme:

a) Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

b) Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Information Technology

c) Bachelor of Information Technology

Selection Criteria

The selection criteria for entry varies depending upon the program for which you are applying.

Entry into Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Bachelor of Information Technology

programs:

Applicants nominated must:

a) Be enrolled in Year 12 subjects English, Maths B and at least one of Physics or Chemistry

b) Have Year 12 results projected by the School Principal or nominee as follows:

(i) Will achieve a VHA in Maths B; and,

(ii) Will achieve an HA or above in four other Year 12 subjects.

Applications must be submitted to Mr Geoghegan by Friday 2 September 2016.

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Students at participating schools must complete the application form and submit it to their School Principal or nominee

by the closing date indicated on the application form. The participating schools will select students according to the

stated criteria and rank students where more than one nominations are received from the school.

Year 12 students encouraged to log into learning account

The QCAA is encouraging all Year 12 students to log into their learning account on the Student Connect website.

Students will need their LUI number (available from Reception) and password. Students who log into their learning

account before 31 August 2016 will be entered into a draw to win a Surface Pro 4!

The student connect website is: https://studentconnect.qcaa.qld.edu.au/

Brendon Brauer – Acting Assistant to the Principal: Pastoral Care

Over the next week all classes will be receiving their results from term two. Now is a good

time for our students to re-establish their goals and formulate a plan on how to achieve them.

It has been said that the difference between failure and success is our habits. In his best-seller,

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey stated, “Habits can be learned and

unlearned…. But it isn’t a quick fix. It involves a process and a tremendous commitment.”

Whilst some of our habits are good, some may in fact be bad and potentially destructive to

our success in school. Habits such as poor dietary habits, poor study methods and

procrastination would definitely fall into this category. Some students will be very satisfied with

their results from term two whilst some may not have achieved the results that they had hoped

for. Perhaps some of their bad habits prevented them from achieving their desired results. If

this is the case, now is the time to take action. Kurek Ashley stated that, “Once success becomes a habit, it’s not hard

to do anymore; it just becomes something you do.” Establishing a study routine will become a habit and it will be easier

to maintain consistency. Lack of consistency will also prevent students from achieving their goals. Too often we expect

instant results and if success isn’t forthcoming, we quit. In order to establish new habits, support is necessary. This

support can come from a mentor teacher, parent or friend. In week three we will be having our second parent teacher

interview for the year. This will be a perfect opportunity for parents and students to gain valuable feedback on their

progress, reflect on their habits (good and bad) and formulate a plan for academic success in Semester Two. Whilst

the holidays have been a good time to recover from a very busy end to term two, spend time with friends and family

and to catch up on favourite TV shows, now is the time to focus on maintaining or developing good habits for achieving

success in term three.

St Pat’s Inter-house Athletics Carnival

The St Pat’s inter-house athletics carnival will be held on Friday 22 July at Cathy Freeman Oval, Slade Point. For Rice

(Year 12 Boys) and McAuley (Year 12 girls) this will be their last opportunity to participate in a sporting carnival.

Students are reminded that this is a normal school day and attendance is compulsory.

A number of events will be held prior to the carnival; in particular boys shot putt, girl’s javelin and the 3000m running

event. Students need to be aware of the following early dates for some events.

Date Time Venue Event

Friday 15 July 12.50 pm St Pat’s SHOT PUTT Rice

Monday 18 July 12.50pm St Pat’s SHOT PUTT Colin

Tuesday 19 July 12.50pm St Pat’s JAVELIN Chisholm

Wednesday 20 July 12.50pm St Pat’s JAVELIN McAuley

3.30pm Mackay High School 3000m All houses

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Parent Lounge

We have changed the date that reports will be uploaded to Parent Lounge. Reports will now

be uploaded on Wednesday morning 20 July. If parents have forgotten their passwords

or wish to change their passwords, our IT department has included the instructions below.

Parent Teacher Interviews bookings can also be made through Parent Lounge from next

Wednesday. Bookings will close at 12:00 noon on Wednesday 27 July.

Password Change

To change your passwords in Parent Lounge, click the Parent details link at the top:

then change password:

Forgot Password

Click the Forgot Password link at the top

right of the main Parent lounge login screen:

Enter the username, email address and the security code:

IMPORTANT:

The email address must the same

email address as specified in their

parent records in TASS, or they

will not receive the password reset

information in their email.

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Sister Cities – Mackay-Matsuura Japanese Speech Contest

Mackay benefits from a very close sister city relationship with Matsuura, Japan which was

established on 22 July 1989. The purpose of these relationships is to:

Promote mutual friendship and goodwill between citizens of both cities

Cultivate better understanding and knowledge between both countries

Contribute to world peace and prosperity

(Mackay Regional Council)

At the end of last term and over the next few weeks, Year 11

and 12 Japanese students at St Patrick’s have and will continue

to work hard on preparations to enter the annual Mackay-

Matsuura Japanese Speech Contest. On 11 August this year, St

Patrick’s students representing Year 11 and Year 12 will

compete at CQ University in this event. The students are

required to write, memorise and present their speech to an

audience of family, friends, peers, and visiting students from

Matsuura and guests. They will then be judged by a panel of four

native Japanese speakers. The topic for 2016 is “Hey, I’m a

teenager”

Please come along and support these students on their

outstanding achievements. Entry is free. Times will be advised

closer to the date.

Bye Bye Baby

Last term year 12 Legal Studies classes explored units on Family and the Law. Some of the

topics covered included Marriage, Divorce, Child Custody, Surrogacy and Adoption. The

final topics for the term were Surrogacy and Adoption, both involving children, usually

babies. Mr Fitzgerald's Legal Studies class got some hands on practical experience of the

needs and requirements to take care of a new baby. Students bonded with the baby .... but

shortly after they had to give it away for adoption.

DATE: 9 August 2016 TIME: 5:30 PM

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NAIDOC Ambassador Awards 2016

Congratulations to Makhaya Quakawoot, Monique

Best and Shanae Best who were each nominated in the

NAIDOC Junior Ambassador Award’s evening for

2016. Each year during NAIDOC week, the Mackay

NAIDOC Committee host a NAIDOC Junior

Ambassador Gala evening to recognise and reward

young Indigenous community members between the

ages of 15-19 who are excelling in Academic, Cultural,

Art and Sporting achievements. Out of these entrants

they also award a Mr and Miss NAIDOC who through participation and

achievement are shown to be positive young role models for Indigenous youth

in the region. Participants are asked a series of questions relating to NAIDOC

history and what NAIDOC means to them as well as their future goals.

Makhaya was nominated for a NAIDOC Ambassador award for his

contributions and achievements in the local community. Monique and Shanae

were each nominated for the NAIDOC Sports Award based on their many

sporting achievements. Makhaya, Monique and Shanae each presented themselves beautifully on the night and were

commended on their achievements and contributions towards the local and school community. Congratulations guys,

you each represented St Patrick’s College with grace and dignity.

Cultural Events and Uniforms:

Next weekend will be the first of many performances for our cultural groups. Our dancers will

perform at the 2016 Rock Pop Mime on Saturday 23 July and both the Choir and Stage Band

will take part in the annual CQU Schools’ Jazz Festival on Sunday 24 July. In light of this, all

students must attend their scheduled rehearsals and prepare their uniforms or costumes.

Choristers and Stage Band Students need to see me asap to obtain a Performing Arts T-Shirt

for their daytime workshops at the Jazz Fest. They can either purchase a shirt ($20ea) or

borrow one (after a return policy contract is signed). Female choristers must also see Miss Larsen in the library to set

aside a choir uniform. Please see the requirements for both Stage Band and Choir Uniforms following:

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Stage Band

Girls Boys

Long black trousers

¾ sleeve black button-up shirt with collar

Black socks

Polished black school shoes

Red hair accessories (optional)

Gold jewellery (optional)

Red Vest (supplied prior to performance. Must

be returned straight after performance)

Long black trousers

Long sleeved black button-up shirt with collar

Black socks

Polished black school shoes

Red Vest (supplied prior to performance. Must

be returned straight after performance)

Choir

Girls Boys

Long Navy Skirt

Red choir top

Skin coloured stockings

Black enclosed court shoes (or small black

heels)

Red hair accessories (optional)

Red Lipstick

Gold jewellery (optional)

Long formal school trousers (grey)

Long sleeved white button-up shirt with collar

Blazer (borrow from reception)

Polished black school shoes

A note was given recently to the female choristers regarding the hire of choral uniforms. If you need a form, please see me or

email me at: srozekrans@stpats.qld.edu.au

Please come and support our groups next weekend! The Rock Pop Mime will be held at the Amphitheatre in the

Botanic Gardens on Saturday evening 23 July - entry is free. The CQU Jazz Fest Concert will be held in the Central

Queensland Conservatorium of Music Theatre on Sunday 24 July at 7:00 pm. Entry is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

We hope to see you there!

Band Jam:

A new performing opportunity for local teenage artists has emerged and I’m excited to announce that most of the

musicians are our very own students. Good luck to Felix Hadok-Quadrio (Year 11), Zoey Mills (Year 12), Monica

Adair (Year 12) and Oliver Carter-Beck (Year 12). If you are interested in attending this event, please see the flyer in

the Music Room.

JCU Experience 2016

On Monday and Tuesday, a number of Year 12 students attended the James Cook University

Experience at Townsville. The students travelled by bus to Townsville, and stayed at campus

College accommodation on Monday night. There was a range of activities including sporting

events, a scavenger hunt around the university campus, information sessions about courses,

and icecream on The Strand. Each student attended three information sessions of their choice.

The options included business, education, humanities and social science, law, nursing /

midwifery, pharmacy, psychology, rehabilitation science, science and engineering, social work,

sport and exercise science, and veterinary science.

A large number of schools from in and around Townsville attended the JCU Experience, and there was the opportunity

to mix with students from other schools, meet lecturers and current university students. The JCU Experience is a

great opportunity to experience student life, and can assist with making decisions about future career options.

For students who were unable to attend the JCU Experience there is an Open Day on Sunday 21 August from 11:00am

– 3:00 pm at the Townsville JCU campus which is open to all interested students to attend with family (see flyer

below).

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