Junior School Report

By Mr Gavin Webb, Director of the Junior School

Welcome to the 2021 school year at St Patrick’s College, especially to the Year 7’s and new Year 8 students. No doubt the summer break was full of rest and great experiences with your loved ones, be it on a holiday or just spending quality time at home. In light of everyone’s experiences last year at school we all await with excitement at what 2021 will deliver, albeit with some caution about what may actually unfold. 2020 taught us many things, resilience, adapting to new circumstances and never taking anything for granted being three that come to mind. Let’s all attack 2021 with effort and enthusiasm.

2021 has started in a typically very busy manner in the Junior School, here is a snippet of what has occurred thus far.

• Friday, January 29 saw 240 Year 7’s enter the College gates for the first time as a “Patty boy”. Many boys got drenched on the way in, but this did not diminish their smiles or nerves! The boys spent the majority of the day with their Pastoral Tutor. Lockers were allocated, a visit to the library was had, musical instrument demonstrations by staff were given, a Q & A walking tour with a Year 12 student and Laptops were handed out. As well as all this the Year 7 cohort were given an official welcome by our new Principal, Mr Steven O’Connor, in the Chapel.
• A successful Year 7 Parent Information Night was held on Monday, February 1. Thanks to all families who came on the night and particular thanks to the Pastoral Tutors who presented.
• House Assembly sign up meetings for the SPC Swimming Carnival, to be held on Wednesday, February 24, were held during session 3 on Tuesday, February 2. The House Captains spoke, and the boys were then entered into events.
• College photos were taken, class and individual, on the front lawn.
• Recess meetings for term 1 BAS after school sport.
• Beginning new subjects and being introduced to new staff.

New staff

A big, warm welcome to the following staff who have joined SPC (Junior School) in 2021.

Paul Tucker – Head of Languages

Amanda Gray – Computing

Kathryn Ward – English

Luke Ryan – Enhanced Learning Trainee

Trent Moodley – Learning Support Officer

It is always wonderful to see new faces at the College and we look forward to the expertise and knowledge they will pass onto the boys.

Key dates – Term 1

SPC is quite a busy place, especially in Term 1. It is vital that you and your son are aware of what is happening on a day-to-day basis, be it with homework or a major College event. A reminder that all permissions are done electronically via PAM (Parent Access Module) and to ring the College by 8:30am if your son is going to be absent on a particular day. Besides this the Pastoral Tutor is the first port of call. The table below highlights just some of the key dates in Term 1.

Monday , February 8	Year 7 Camp – Log Cabin Lodge, Creswick
Tuesday , February 9	Academic Assembly (whole College)
Friday, February 12	Year 7 Camp concludes
Wednesday, February 17	Ash Wednesday Liturgy
Tuesday, February 23	House Assembly – Athletics Carnival sign up
Wednesday, February 24	SPC Swimming Carnival
Tuesday, March 9	Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews
Wednesday, March 17	St. Patrick’s Day Mass
Wednesday, March 24	SPC Athletics Carnival

 

Year 7 Camp – Log Cabin Lodge, Creswick

The time honoured Year 7 Camp at Log Cabin Lodge, Creswick, will be held in Week 3 of Term 1. Our Year 7 Co-Ordinator’s Ms Margie Dodd and Jacinta Burge and Director of Junior School, Mr. Gavin Webb, will be present throughout the week with the respective Pastoral Tutors.

• 7A, B (M. Stahl, P. Tucker)

Monday, February 8

• 7C, E (J. Willis, R. Browning, C. Young)

Tuesday, February 9

• 7D, F (J. Ryan, B. Dix)

Wednesday, February 10

• 7G, H (K. Bird, B. Earl)

Thursday, February 11

• 7I, J (E. Desfosses, A. Thomsitt)

Friday, February 12

Please do not hesitate to contact the College if you have any questions.

Final word

Both Year 7 and 8 students have made a very positive start to the year. The boys have been punctual to class, the uniform has generally been well worn and they have brought the required belongings/materials to class. Relationships are being built on or beginning to form for those that have just met this year, this is crucial to your son’s success at school as well as being organised, communicating well and getting enough sleep!

Regards

Mr Gavin Webb

Director of Junior School