Principal’s Message

October 7, 2022

by Principal, Mr Steven O’Connor

Welcome to Term 4

It is always a good thing when students and staff return to school following a break. There is a sense of fresh energy and enthusiasm amongst people and it has been a joy to witness that this week, as we commence the final term for the 2022 school year. I hope that everyone enjoyed a restful and safe break and on this basis, that the opportunities ahead during Term 4 will be taken up and maximised by all.

Of course, we continue to keep the students and staff from Loreto College involved in the terrible vehicle accident during the holidays in our prayers and thoughts. The College offered its full support to our friends at Loreto in the days immediately after the accident and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead. A number of the families directly affected by the accident also have sons here at St Pat’s and we have made contact with these families and will continue to support them as we move forward through the term.

Staffing News

We welcome a few staff back to the College from long service leave:

  • Ms Kristine Smardon
  • Mr Joe Magee
  • Mr John Davey
  • Ms Annette Clark

It is good to have these staff back with us and I hope that they enjoyed their time away from the busy routine of the College last term.

I would like to welcome the following staff to the College:

  • Mr Brian Kirby – Teacher, long service leave cover for Term 4 2022
  • Mr Sean Willmott – Groundskeeper, commencing 17 October 2022
  • Ms Allison Gibson-Snare – Learning Diversity Facilitator, commencing 14 November 2022
  • Mr Gregory Morrison – Learning Diversity Facilitator, commencing 14 November 2022

Mr John Sullivan is enjoying long service this term and Ms Kat Ward is taking on Mr Sullivan’s role of Year Level Coordinator for the term. Ms Wendy Sheridan is also covering staff on leave during Term 4.

At the end of last term, I received Mr Brendan Scott’s resignation from his role as Senior Coach and Boat Shed Manager following his appointment as the 1st XVII coach at St Kevin’s College in Melbourne. Brendan has been involved in the Rowing program at St Patrick’s for several years and I thank him for his many contributions during this time and wish him every success for his new role at St Kevin’s. In light of this development, I have appointed Mr David O’Doherty to replace Mr Scott as Senior Coach and Boat Shed Manager for the up-coming season.

 

Student Leadership Assembly

On Tuesday, 4 October we acknowledged the incredible leadership of the current Student Council, led with great honour and integrity by James Clark (College Captain) and Zenon Czulij and Isaac Hucker (Vice Captains) as they completed their term as our student leaders. I thank James, Zenon and Isaac, along with all members of the Student Council for their wonderful leadership during the last 12 months. It has been a pleasure and honour to work with such fine young men.

The assembly saw the transfer of the leadership banner and the investiture of our new Student Council, led by the newly appointed College Captain, Samuel Clark, and Vice Captains Lachlan Brodie and Matthew O’Brien.

   

It was an important gathering and celebration and it was further enhanced by the presence and words of Nick O’Brien, College Captain from 2011. Nick’s words of encouragement and support were well received by our students, especially our student leaders.

I was very proud of our young men on Tuesday. Another cycle ends and begins at the same time.

 

VCE Exams and Preparation

For our Year 12 students, the beginning of the end commenced this week. The final day of classes for our Year 12s is Wednesday, 19 October and then they will undertake and complete their VCE exams beyond this. I ask that the College community keep our Year 12 students (and those students in Year 11 completing a 3-4 VCE sequence this year) in their thoughts and prayers in the days and weeks ahead.

This week, I attended the opening night of the VCE Arts/Technology Showcase in the OCA Pavilion. I was incredibly proud of the work that has been designed and produced by so many of our senior students across these subject areas. Congratulations to all involved. An enormous amount of time goes into these SATs or major works and they presented extremely well at this week’s Showcase event. Congratulations to all students involved and special thanks to the teachers who taught these students: Ms Jo Hall, Mr Matt Taylor, Mr Peter Ryan and Mr Roger Knight. A special vote of thanks to Mr Knight for organising and presenting the Showcase this year! Well done, everyone!

ACC Chess Success         

Twelve students represented the College in the ACC Junior and Intermediate competitions for chess this week at Parade College. Both teams placed second in the competition, which was a great effort considering most of the players are new to chess! Congratulations to Alex Lopez, Lachlan Corte, Charlton Hand and Zane Rutherford all of whom, played extremely well and represented the College very well. Thanks also to Mr Winfield for his work with and support of the boys.