Headmaster’s Message – February 10, 2017

Dear Parents, Carers, Friends, and Students of St Patrick’s College,

Year 7 and 9 Information Evening

What a busy start to Term 1! I was absolutely delighted to see the number of parents and carers who were present at the recent Years 7 and 9 information evenings. I believe we had nearly 100% of Year 7 parents in attendance, and the vast majority of those with boys in Year 9. It reflects very clearly the important relationship between the College and home. It also indicates what an important support you, as parents, play in the life and learning of your son at St Patrick’s College. As the year progresses, can I remind you all of the importance of maintaining close contact with your son’s Pastoral Care Tutor, as well as their relevant Year Level Coordinator. These people are your first port of call for any questions you may have. Your active presence in your son’s learning is always appreciated by teachers.

2018 Enrolments

While many are still catching their breath after the opening of the 2017 school year, attention has already turned to enrolling new students for 2018. Enrolments for Year 7 in 2018 closes at 4pm on Friday, February 17. It is important that anyone wishing to provide their sons with a St Patrick’s College education have their application in by this time or they will run the risk of missing out on a place. Our scholarship program for 2018 is also now in operation with applications closing on Sunday, February 19.

More details on enrolments can be found at this link: https://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/en/prospective-families/enrolment-process/

More details on scholarships can be found at this link: https://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/en/prospective-families/scholarships/

Opening Mass and Year 12 Retreat.

Last week our 2017 Year 12 cohort commenced their year with a beautiful Eucharistic celebration with our newly appointed Chaplain, Father Anthony. I want to formally acknowledge our Year 12 students for offering such a warm welcome to Father Anthony, and for participating so fully in the Mass and the Retreat that followed. Our 2017 Year 12s are an impressive group of young men, and the College looks forward to the leadership they provide to our younger students over the course of the year. We pray together for all our Year 12 students, that they may experience a year full of joy, hard work and success. We pray for God’s blessing on their efforts and to grant them the gifts of perseverance and dedication.

Staffing Update

It is with great enthusiasm that we warmly welcome the following new staff to St Patrick’s College:

Keenan Waterbury, HaPE Trainee

Shelly-Ann du Plooy, Housmaster Phyland Farley

Melanie Buckingham, Art

Matt Miller, English/Humanities

Rebecca Petrie, Psychologist

Kerry Grant, Teacher Assistant

Kerryn Parkinson, Funded Students Facilitator

Shannon Thompson, Japanese

Janelle Spierings, Science

Robyn Cocomazzo, Maths

Robert Bourke-Finn, English

Claire O’Brien, Instrumental Music Teacher

Daniel Willey, Religious Education/English

Nyarth Yanwei, Chef (working through Chartwells)

On behalf of the entire College community we wish each of our new staff members all the very best as they begin the year.

College Positions of Leadership for 2017

I attach the following list of teaching staff who fill a leadership position at St Patrick’s College for your information:

–

Position	–
Director of Administration	Damian Kinnersly
Director of Boarding	Michael Silcock
Director of ICT	Mark Holland
Director of Junior School	John Richards
Director of Middle School	Michael Busscher
Director of Mission	Geoff Brodie
Director of Senior School	Elizabeth Ryan
Director of the Kelty Resource Centre	Julia Petrov
Head of Sport	Gavin Webb
Head of Co-curricular Performance	Greg Shawcross
Head of Arts Faculty	Peter Hutchins
Head of English Faculty	Joe Magee
Head of HaPE Faculty	Jarrett Giampaolo
Head of Humanities Faculty	Jennifer Casey
Head of Computing Faculty	Ian Fernee
Head of Languages Faculty	Margaret McIntyre
Head of Maths Faculty	Hamish McCrum
Head of Music Faculty	Fiona Wilson
Head of RE Faculty	Michael Toohey
Head of Science Faculty	Kara Hart
Head of Technologies Faculty	Peter Ryan
1:1 E-Learning Coordinator Years 10 – 12	Ian Fernee
1:1 E-Learning Coordinator Years 7 – 9	Nicole Hexter
Academic Extension Coordinator	Clare Kavanagh
Applied Learning Coordinator	Lyn Maniz
Daily Extras Coordinator	Daniel Sutton
Domain Leader – Faith in Action	Art Nichols
Domain Leader – Liturgy	Ann-Maree Driscoll
Domain Leader – Student Formation	Nathaniel Winfield
Enhanced Learning Coordinator	Helen McLennan (2016)
Funded Students Facilitator	Maria Richards
Funded Students Facilitator	Kerryn Parkinson
Funded Students Facilitator	Melissa Delaland
Literacy Coordinator	Sarah Sharp
Professional Practice Coordinator	Stephen Hill
VCE Coordinator	Mark O’Loughlan
VETiS Coordinator	John Sullivan
Pastoral Care Coordinator	Brad Murray
Year Level Coordinator 7	Jacinta Burge
Year Level Coordinator 7	Gerry Willis
Year Level Coordinator 8	Chris Gleeson
Year Level Coordinator 8	Leigh McKee
Year Level Coordinator 9	Stuart Harridge
Year Level Coordinator 9	Ashleigh Knight
Year Level Coordinator 10	Howard Clark
Year Level Coordinator 10	Matt Taylor
Year Level Coordinator 11	Joe Carmody
Year Level Coordinator 11	Jeremy Daniel
Year Level Coordinator 12	Andrew Chamings
Year Level Coordinator 12	Brooke Brown
Senior Housemaster	Tamara Westwood
Housemaster	Shelly-Ann du Plooy
Weekend Housemaster	Ewen Larsen
Weekend Housemaster	Daniel Willey

–

Sport

Coordinator of Australian Rules Football	Howard Clark
Assistant to the Coordinator of Football	Jarrett Giampaolo
Coach of First XVIII	Howard Clark
First XVIII Performance Coach	Joe Carmody
Coordinator of Basketball	Tam Westwood
Coach of Basketball	Eric Hayes
Coordinator of Cricket	Luke Corden
Coach of Cricket First XI	Luke Corden
Junior Cricket Coordinator	Gerry Willis
Coordinator of Rugby	TBA
Coach of Rugby First Grade	Mike Silcock
Coordinator of Athletics	John Richards
Coordinator of Rowing	Jamie Bobrowski
Coordinator of Soccer	Andrew Agardy
Coach of First XI Soccer	James Robinson
Referee Coordinator of Soccer	Juri Kaczkowski
Coordinator of Swimming	James Elford

Year 7 Camps

Over these first few weeks, 246 eager new Year 7 students will attend a three-day orientation camp. This camp is a fantastic opportunity for all students to meet their Pastoral Teachers, and to make some new friends to ensure their transition into St Patrick’s is as smooth as possible. I have heard some great reports that the -war cries-, a St Patrick’s College tradition, have been very impressive so far.

Boarders’ Family Mass and Dinner

Next Friday, we look forward to our Boarding community joining together with our parents and carers to formally welcome the 2017 school year with an opening Mass and dinner. This year, we have over 25 new boarders so this is an important evening to welcome new students and their families to St Patrick’s College.

Buildings Update

I am thrilled to announce that our new boarding precinct has formally commenced its construction. The successful builders, Resicare, are now on site and preparing the ground for the pouring of the slab over the next few weeks. Stage 1 of the project will be built throughout 2017 and will include a three-storey accommodation wing, together with a link to McCunnie House. Stage 2, to be completed throughout the first six months of 2018, will see the construction of the dining and kitchen areas. It is a very special time to be boarding at St Patrick’s and this new facility will see us providing state-of-the-art accommodation to all students in our boarding community.

In addition, our students are now occupying the new Food technology Centre. Featuring two purpose built Food Technology areas, the facility is second to none and will offer our students the opportunity to learn important skills in food preparation and cooking for many years to come.

Royal Commission

Finally, I am certain parents and carers are aware that- the next sitting of the- Royal Commission is taking place over the next three weeks in Sydney.- – As I have said many times over the past two years, it is important to openly and honestly acknowledge this part of our history,- one that is incredibly distressing to victims and survivors, their families, our school community and the wider Ballarat community.

We continue to work with victims and survivors as- a reflection of our deep sorrow for what has happened and to walk in solidarity together.

As a school in the Edmund Rice Tradition, we continue to remain ever vigilant in our commitment to ensuring the safest possible environment for all students in our care and to ensure we maintain the strongest commitments to child safe practices. As parents and carers, you can find important information on our website at www.stpats.vic.edu.au which details our commitment to the new Child Safe Standards. Please take the time to visit these resources to familiarise yourself with our procedures and policies to ensure the safety and care of all students.

Have great weekend,

John Crowley

HEADMASTER