NEW PHONE NUMBER FOR THE COLLEGE

The phone number is

4994 8700

Janelle Agius – Principal Welcome back to Term 2. Anzac Day Congratulations to all students who represented the College in marches commemorating ANZAC day on Thursday throughout the Mackay region.

St Patrick’s College had over 200 students and staff representing the College at the many different services around the district. I wish to state how proud I was walking with students who displayed so much pride in their uniform and respect for the many men and women who served Australia and New Zealand.

Year 11 Foundation of Learning Camp This week, the Year 11 cohort will be attending their Leadership camp on Hamilton Island. This will be an opportunity for development of a personal identity for students, as well as the development of their leadership qualities. Students will utilise the facilities of the Island while interacting with staff. I would like to thank all staff who volunteered their time to help with the supervision at the camp. A special mention to Ms Kerry Braby for her organisation of the camp as well as Mr Dean Andric, Mr Mark Casey, Mr Martin Hollis, Ms Erika Brauer, Mr Marcus McConnell and Mr Stephen Mortimer for their presentations. Mid Semester Reports and Parent Teacher night The Mid Semester Reports are now available through Parent Lounge. This report is a brief progress report. Students should already have more detailed feedback from exams and assignments that they can show you to keep you informed of their progress. Parent teacher night is on Thursday 16 May. Bookings for Parent Teacher Interviews are now open through Parent Lounge. The time available for interviews is limited and appointments would need to be made at other times for extensive interviews.

3 May 2019 Dates to remember

MAY 2019

6 Labour Day Holiday

7-9 Year 12 Indigenous Camp

10 Rice House Day

15 School Photograph Day

16 Parent Teacher Interviews

17-19 CEY Pilgrimage

19 Music Ministry

22 Year 11 Exams commence

23 Year 11 Exams finishes

24 Mackay Catholic Deb Ball

24 Year 11 Unit 1 ends

27 Year 11 Unit 2 begins

NUMBER FOR SMS

The number to send SMS Messages regarding

student absence is

0416 906 288

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Sri Lanka Prayer Service A time of prayer for the victims of the Sri Lanka bomb attacks was organised last Friday afternoon. Father Don White had the support for this Prayer Service of Mayor Greg Williamson, on behalf of the Mackay Community. The time of prayer was to pray for and remember all those who have died or been affected by the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka. This prayer service was held at St Patrick’s Church River St on Friday 26 April from 5:30pm – 6:15pm. Students and staff of St Patrick’s College attended this meaningful Service. 73rd Annual Macrossan and Amiet Mackay Eisteddfod A reminder that entries for the Mackay Eisteddfod are now open and can be completed online. Go to the Mackay Eisteddfod website for full schedule (under resources) and link to the comps online entries page. If you have any questions, please feel free to email the Mackay Eisteddfod on eisteddfod.mackay@bigpond.com or call during office hours (Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9:00am to 12:30pm. Entries close Wednesday 15 May (no late entries). 2019 Next Step survey The Queensland Government is conducting its annual statewide survey of all students who completed Year 12 in 2018. The Next Step survey is a brief, confidential survey that gains a comprehensive picture of the employment, study and life choices made by Queensland school completers in the year after they finish Year 12. Between March and June, all our students who completed Year 12 last year, can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey, or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. Please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate. Thank you for your support of the Next Step survey in 2019. Further information on Next Step is available online at Next Step Survey or on toll free telephone 1800 068 587. Enrolment Processes for 2020 The dates are below for your information if you have a student in Year 10 or you know of others who may be interested in enrolling in the College next year.

6 June Introduction to Senior Schooling will commence at 6:30pm in St Patrick’s Hall. Canapés will be served from 6:00pm. All prospective Year 11 students, accompanied by at least one parent, are strongly advised to attend. Enrolment forms and information will be distributed at this meeting.

25 July Subject Selection Evening from 3:30pm – 6:30pm in St Patrick’s Hall. Attend at a time to suit your family.

31 July Due date for Enrolment and Subject Selection forms to be returned to St Patrick’s College.

5 August Notification of enrolment interview date posted in week beginning 5 August.

12 August Formal enrolment and subject advisory interviews with a member of the College Leadership Team will begin during the week of 12 August.

End term 3 Notification of acceptance.

28 November Orientation Day.

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Safety of Students Please remember the safety of students when dropping off and picking students up. No student should disembark from a vehicle unless the vehicle is appropriately parked. Reports of students disembarking from vehicles whilst stopped at the traffic light queue have been received. We ask parents to please park correctly for safety of students and the general community.

Fr Don White - Parish News St Vincent de Paul – St Peters Prison Aid Conference St Vincent de Paul – St Peters Prison Aid Conference committee are looking for Volunteer Bus Drivers. Volunteers must have a LR Licence and be available to offer their assistance for three to four Sundays a year. Please contact the St Vincent de Paul Regional Office on 4957 3955 for further information.

Sean Geoghegan – Deputy Principal

Parent Teacher Evenings – a Teacher’s perspective. It is with the forthcoming Parent-Teacher evening in mind, that I reproduce what Patrick Welsh, an American teacher, had to say in an article he wrote for ‘USA Today’. High school is when parents should be most vigilant. Parent involvement with teachers tends to taper off after kids get into high school and some high schools have given up altogether on formal meetings. Over the years, however, students have told me that it was usually in the ninth and tenth grades when their friends made the choices that took them into the party culture of alcohol, marijuana and minimal effort in school. Parents usually were clueless about the direction in which their kids were heading. More than ever, those are the years when parents and teachers need to pool information and insights about their charges. At day's end, I had a much better understanding of my students and knew that I had given some parents a better understanding of what was going on with their kids. This year I have 130 students, try as I might, there is no way I can know what is going on in the lives of every one of them. But after meeting their parents, students are no longer just names in a grade book. They become real people from families that are deeply concerned about them. After a parent conference, I can't help but take special notice of them. That's not favoritism; it's just human nature. Even if it is only for five or ten minutes, the time parents take to spend with teachers can have an enormous impact on their children's attitude toward learning and success in the classroom. I'm talking about face-to-face meetings, not telephone conversations or using guidance counsellors as intermediaries. I've repeatedly seen vigilance pay off for parents who take the time to help teachers better understand their children. Hearing from a parent about a recent divorce or death, for example, has helped me understand why a fine student suddenly has come apart. I remember the mother, for example, who told me that her son, a 6-foot, 4-inch bruiser who sat in the back looking as if he wanted to kill me, was terrified because the girls in the class seemed to understand the poems we were studying much more easily than he could. Because of that feedback, I realised that I had totally misread the kid, and was able to reach out to him. Despite my angst, I usually come away from the parent conferences just plain inspired. One father's broken English and his two jobs didn't keep him from meeting with me and probing every detail about the work of his son, who had straight As even though he had come from Africa four months before. Then there are the parents of kids who are outstanding academically and socially and who, at least in theory, I don't need to see. With these parents I often feel the roles are reversed, as I try to figure out what combination of genes and nurturing produced their wonderful offspring. This will be the first of our Parent Teacher evenings. If you are hesitant or undecided about the value of attending, give some consideration to the truths contained within Patrick Welsh’s words. Year 12 QCS and Vocational Preparation in Term 2 The Year 12 cohort are traditionally very well served by the Year 11 attendance at the Hamilton Island camp that took place from the 1 - 3 May. It provides staff with a rare ‘open sky’ opportunity to move away from subject teaching and to

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focus exclusively and uninterruptedly on exam and workplace readiness. ‘OP’ students will receive intensive preparation (and testing) for two of the three QCS Tests. The results of one of these tests will be immediately available to students and will be recorded in their individualised learning account which was set up at the beginning of the year. School attendance is critical in this second week of Term 2, as specialised and differentiated programs have been planned for the different academic strands within the College. The QCS test is mandatory for all those students who are OP eligible, in other words for those whose suite of subjects includes at least five OP subjects. The QCS Test produces a group average and that average is negatively affected by those students who do not apply themselves with the required diligence. The QCS is optional for those Year 12 students whose subject choice comprises mostly vocational subjects. Because the majority of vocational students have opted out of sitting the QCS Test, those students will experience a program geared very specifically to work preparedness. Reminder regarding applications for special provision for the QCS QCAA recognises that some students have a medical condition, impairment, or exceptional circumstances that may affect their access to the test or their demonstration of achievement in the test. QCAA attempts to minimise such barriers by making special provision available to these students. Schools approve special provision for school-based assessment. Special provision for the QCS Test, however, is approved by the QCAA.

Two types of special provision are available before the QCS Test: special arrangements and exemption. Special arrangements are practical adjustments to the test conditions, e.g. restbreaks, A3-size test materials, use of word processing software. Exemption allows a student to be absent from the test and retain their eligibility for an OP. Special provision does not affect OP-eligibility or alter the method of OP calculation. There will be no record of special provision on the student’s Senior Statement, Statement of Results or Statement of Achievement. The school may submit an application on the student’s behalf. QCAA relies on the following information to help make fair, equitable and reasonable decisions: information provided by school staff about the impact of students’ impairments/circumstances medical or other independent documentation. Schools should make all students aware that special provision is available. Any student who believes they have a reason to apply for special provision may do so. A student may submit an application directly if they have a reason for not submitting their application through their school (e.g. if they have a medical condition they do not wish to disclose to school staff). In this case, the student or their parent/carer should phone (07) 3864 0227 for information and an application form. Documentation Applications are assessed using the supporting documentation provided. All documentation, including medical supporting documentation, must: • state the name or nature of the medical condition or impairment • describe how the student will be affected by the impairment at the time of the test • be provided by a suitably qualified person (as indicated in the relevant application categories) who is not related to

the student and who is not employed by the school. Applications submitted without appropriate documentation are not likely to be approved. Applications are due, at the QCAA not St Patrick’s College, by Tuesday, 21 May 2019.

QCS Equipment Kit

A perennial issue that the College faces at the time of QCS is that there is an array of equipment that students are required to bring for these exams. Experience has shown us that students do not: a) procure the right equipment; and b) bring the appropriate equipment on the day. In order to remediate this issue, the College is providing an Equipment Kit at the price of $15.00. We urge all parents to order by completing the attached Order Form at the end of this Newsletter.

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Stephen Mortimer – Assistant to the Principal: Religious Education Readings at Mass, Sunday 5 April 2019 – 3rd Sunday of Easter First Reading, Acts of the Apostles…. We are witnesses of these words, and so is the Holy Spirit. Psalm 29:2. 4-6, 11-13. R. v.2, I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me. Second Reading, Book of Apocalypse …. The Lamb that was sacrificed is worthy to be given power, wealth, glory and blessing. Gospel, John 21:1-19 … Jesus stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. Readings at Mass, Sunday 12 April 2019 – 4th Sunday of Easter First Reading, Acts of the Apostles 13:14, 43-52 …. We are now turning to the gentiles. Psalm 99:1-3, 5, We are his people, the sheep of his flock. Second Reading, Book of the Apocalypse …. The Lamb who is at the throne will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water. Gospel, John 10:27-30 …. I give my sheep eternal life.

Weekend Masses

Tracey McLeod– Assistant to the Principal: Welfare and Administration Excursion to Mackay Base Hospital (P.A.R.T.Y. Program) St Patrick’s College students have been invited to participate in an excursion to Mackay Base Hospital as part of a trauma prevention program. The P.A.R.T.Y. Program (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth) exposes students to an experience of life post trauma with the view to altering their perceptions of risk-related activities such as drink driving. Young people are grossly over represented in trauma statistics in terms of both death and disability. Programs such as the P.A.R.T.Y. Program aim to change behaviour and assist students to identify risks and make safer choices. The date for the excursion is Friday June 7 from 8:50am to 3:05pm at Mackay Base Hospital. Students will be transported to and from the venue by the College Bus. Only twenty-five students will be attending, accompanied by two to three College staff. The first twenty-five students who register their interest in this excursion will be eligible to attend. Nominations are being taken this week and interested students are asked to register their interest at the College Reception. Students are required to be at College to catch the bus at 8:30am and will return to the College at approximately 3:20pm. During the day, students will meet emergency service professionals, doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and people who have experienced trauma - and survived. This program is offered to all interested students and may be particularly beneficial for students interested in studying medicine and healthcare sciences. I would encourage you to seriously consider your child's participation in the P.A.R.T.Y. Program. However, in spite of overwhelming evidence to support its positive impact on those who attend, the material covered at the hospital is of a serious and sometimes confronting nature. It is important that your child be excluded from the excursion if you feel they

Southside Cluster Northside Cluster

Saturday Vigil Mass Saturday Vigil Mass 6:00 pm St Mary’s 6:00 pm St Joseph’s 6:00 pm St Francis Xavier 6:00 pm St Brigid’s

Sunday Sunday 7:00 am St Patrick’s 7:30 am St Brendan’s 7:00 pm St Therese, Alligator Creek 9:00 am St Joseph’s 9:00 am St Francis Xavier 9:00 am St Michael’s Sarina 6:00 pm St Patrick’s Church

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have experienced a recent traumatic event (within the last two years) that would make participation in the P.A.R.T.Y. Program difficult. Please contact Mrs McLeod or Mrs Duthler for more information. Important Dates for Report Cards and Parent Teacher Interviews Friday April 26: 8:30am Report Cards were uploaded to Parent Lounge and Student Café. Bookings are now open

for Parent Teacher Interviews. Wednesday May 15: 9:00am Bookings close for Parent Teacher Interviews Thursday May 16: Parent Teacher Interviews Wednesday May 22: Year 11 exam block commences Friday May 24: Year 11 exam block ends Monday May 27: Unit 2 commences for Year 11 Wednesday June 5: Last day Year 11 students can submit subject change forms Parent Teacher Interviews Appointments for Parent Teacher Interviews must be made through Parent Lounge. All parents are welcomed and encouraged to make appointments. The proximity to Year 11 exams and the start of Unit 2 makes it especially important for parents of Year 11 students. Please note - interview times for the following teachers: Mr Glen Smith - Tuesday 21 May Mrs Tracey McLeod - email Tracey_McLeod@rok.catholic.edu.au to arrange an appointment time Mr Tony Quartly - email Anthony_Quartly@rok.catholic.edu.au to arrange an appointment time

Cathie Williams – Business Coordinator

Central Queensland University (CQU) – School Business Challenge Championships St Patrick’s College students participated in the recent School Business Challenge. This is an annual event sponsored by CQU. Year 12 students, Danielle Gutschlag (Captain), Danielle Burgess, Bridie Fenech and Annabelle Orrah worked as a team to answer forty multiple choice questions from the areas of Accounting, Economics and Law, Business Management and, current affairs/general knowledge. The team placed second in this event.

Chad Buckby – Sports Coordinator The Young Athletes Travel Subsidy The Young Athletes Travel Subsidy (travel subsidy) aims to foster the development of young athletes and support elite athlete pathways by providing financial assistance to help alleviate the costs associated with attending championship events. The travel subsidy provides financial assistance through three event tiers and supports attendance at specific state, national and international events. Officials (such as coaches, referees and scorers) officiating at eligible events can also apply for assistance if they meet the eligibility criteria.

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Who is eligible? Applicants eligible to apply for support after attending the event are those who:

• competed or officiated (as a coach, referee or scorer) at an eligible Queensland state or state school event, Australian national or national school event or international event in the past 6 months

• have been residents of Queensland for at least 12 months preceding the event • were under the age of 18 at the start of the event • travelled a road distance of at least 250km (one-way) from their place of residence to the event location (check

road distances using RACQ’s trip planner) • flew or travelled by rail a radial distance of at least 250km (one-way) from their place of residence to the event

location (check radial distances) • have participation at the event confirmed by the regional/state/national coach or manager.

Applications must be correctly submitted within six months of attending the event to be eligible. Check the eligible event list for event details. You will receive an email with a PDF of the application if you have submitted the application successfully. Visit https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/athletes/yats/applying for more information.

Janelle Flanagan – Zonta Club Coordinator St Patrick’s College Z Club On Monday, 29 April, St Patrick’s College Z Club welcomed Bridget Mather, Zonta District 22 Lieutenant Governor, to induct new executives for 2019. Directors of the club were also presented and all members took an oath of service. Ms Mather spoke about the important role that Zonta plays in the wider community and encouraged the club to take part in different events in the local area. The club enjoyed lunch provided by Zonta Mackay. Congratulations to the Executive Committee for 2019. The following students have been selected and inducted: President: Phoenix Kretschmer Secretary: Oliver Downes Treasurer: Steffanie Ogilvie Members of St Patrick’s College Z Club were encouraged to attend a candle lighting ceremony at the Rotunda in Jubilee Park on Wednesday 1 May 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Members joined with the wider Mackay community in remembrance of lives lost to domestic and family violence.

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Simon Korneliussen – Vocational and Educational Training Coordinator Human Powered Vehicles (HPV) update St Patrick’s Colleges’ Human Powered Vehicle finally arrived this week. Students were keen to try it out with many students having a turn at powering the vehicle, but there is still a lot of work ahead. We need to ensure the vehicle passes scrutineering, therefore, plenty of research needs to happen to ensure this occurs. We also need to design a colourful exterior to make us ‘stand out from the crowd’.

We are looking for some support from the St Patrick’s College Community. This could be either in monetary form or it could be just helping with the producing of an identity for the vehicle such as assistance with painting, stickers and finishing work. The College team are also looking at purchasing clothing for the competitors. If you can help the College in any way, we will put all Sponsors’ identity on the HPV to showcase your business. On Friday, 17 May at the Palmyra track, we will be conducting a test and tune with local media in attendance. The Mayor, Greg Williamson, is looking for people to race as well! This is a very exciting project and everyone is welcome to attend!

The official Race Day is in June at Palmyra Raceway and more information will follow in future newsletters. Check out the website for track information: https://www.whitsundaystemchallenge.com.au/

Prepare for Work students this week The Year 12 Prepare for Work students are enjoying a couple of days of team building activities and they welcomed guest speakers. On Wednesday, we were fortunate enough to listen to Maurice Fatnowna, CEO of the Mackay Cutters. Maurie told the students about his own life journey and treated the students to some wonderful reflections on his life experiences. It really was a privilege to listen to him and a huge thank you to Maurice for giving up his time. The students also had fun in groups trying to solve the Planks exercise, which proved a tough task indeed. Three groups managed to complete the problem through various techniques while working together effectively as a team. Listening to each other and understanding each individual in the team is very important to allow for cooperation and compromise to resolve issues. This allows team members to become great employees!

Guylaine Leduc – French Teacher

Speaking Exam: Year 11 French students will have a Speaking Exam in Week 4 on Tuesday, 14 May which will be held during class time.

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Community Notices Leukaemia Foundation Mackay Marina Fun Run Every year the Leukaemia Foundation Mackay Marina Fun Run Committee ask for any interested student volunteers to assist with the setting up and manning of water stops at this worthwhile event. St Patrick’s College students are encouraged to participate in Community volunteering. This event will be held on Sunday 2 June 2019 from approximately 5:00am until 8:30am. Participating students will be able to use this activity on their references as Community involvement. If you wish to volunteer, please register your interest at the College Reception. An enjoyable morning is guaranteed for all involved.

Express your interest to volunteer for an environmental project on Great Keppel Island

• Are you aged between 18 and 28? • Would you like to learn some practical D.I.Y. skills while participating in a community project? • Do you love the natural environment? • Are you interested in helping to protect the indigenous cultural values of the beautiful Keppel Bay Islands

off the Capricorn Coast in Central Queensland?

Bunnings and Landcare Australia are collaborating with Woppaburra Elders, Capricornia Catchments, Gen Yadaba, and Livingstone Shire Council to facilitate a D.I.Y. environmental project on Great Keppel Island. Project Aims

• To provide young people with the opportunity to actively participate in a D.I.Y. project, through the construction of a raised boardwalk over an aboriginal midden located between Monkey and Long Beach.

• To protect indigenous cultural heritage values of Keppel Island. The midden contains artefacts that date back to over 300 years ago. The midden is currently at risk due to erosion.

Volunteer Opportunity Participants will have the opportunity to develop practical, hands on D.I.Y. skills, hear from Woppaburra Elders about the Island’s indigenous cultural heritage, and learn about the ecological values of the Keppel Bay Islands and surrounding reefs. When: Saturday 18th May – Sunday 19th May, 2019. Where: Staying overnight at the Great Keppel Island Holiday Village – Shared accommodation Transport: Freedom Fast Cats

• Depart: Saturday, 18 May at 8:45am for strict 9:15am departure Pier One, Rosslyn Bay Harbour • Return: Sunday, 19 May at 4:30pm

Meals: All meals provided at no cost to volunteers Fitness: A reasonable level of fitness is required Places are limited and we are looking for a variety of participants. So, please register as soon as possible. Deadline to register is 5pm on 23 April. Further details will be provided to successful applicants.

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