Acting Headmaster’s Message – October 6, 2016

Welcome back to Term Four! The Term Three break seemed to come at just the right time for students and staff alike, providing a much needed opportunity for all to enjoy some quality time with family and friends and to begin planning and preparing for all that Term Four brings.

As noted in the last edition of the Crest, College Headmaster, John Crowley, is currently in India as part of the Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders immersion program where he is spending time working in, and getting to know, a school inspired by the Charism of Edmund Rice.

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VCE trial exams

I would like to acknowledge and thank all staff who contributed to the successful VCE trial exams which took place during the Term Three break for their assistance, supervision, correction and upcoming feedback. St Patrick’s is truly blessed to have so many teachers who go above and beyond to support the learning needs and academic outcomes of our boys.

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2016 VCE Visual Arts and Technology Showcase

On Wednesday I attended the VCE Visual Arts and Technology Showcase in the College Pavilion. The evening showcased the best student work from VCE Units 3/4 Product Design and Technology, Studio Arts, Systems Engineering and Visual Communication and Design

Many of the parents and fellow students who attended the evening commented on the high quality of work on display. I would like to acknowledge our VCE Visual Arts and Technology teachers who helped to inspire and encourage the work of the boys. I would also like to recognise the work of Mr Roger Knight, VCE Units 3/4 Systems Engineering teacher, who coordinated this year’s Showcase.

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2016 Year 12 and finishing well

Our Year 12 boys met on Thursday to discuss the many aspects that collectively form the end of Year 12. With just eight days of classes remaining for 2016, the Year 12 boys where presented with, and reminded of, the key messages for this exciting time:

• We finish as we started (your focus should be on the goal of completing a successful Year 12 and maximising your outcome)

• While not every result for each piece of 2016 assessment may have been what you wanted, much of this can be redeemed by using the next few weeks to be as well prepared as possible for the upcoming exams

• Everything you do, every interaction with your peers and with your teachers counts. What is the last impression you want to leave as a St Patrick’s student? What do you want to see on any written reference?

• Other students learn from your example. You have the opportunity to set the standard for other students to aspire to.

• Your teachers have personally invested heavily in getting the best personal and academic outcome for each of you. If you are not using their knowledge and expertise in the coming critical weeks, you are doing yourself a disservice.

• We celebrate when we have something to celebrate. We will do this as a community, students, parents and staff alike, on Friday, November 18 at the Valedictory Dinner

• Actions have consequences. Don’t put yourself in a position whereby we have to respond to a choice you made knowing that it would require a response from the school.

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Tsuzuki International Scholarship

Three Year 10 students, Jakob Busscher, Damian Johnson and Oliver Singe, are currently enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend a term living and studying in Japan as part of the Tsuzuki International Scholarship offered by the College in conjunction with Linden Hall High School. The scholarship provides support and financial assistance for highly capable Year 10 students to travel to Japan for an intensive cultural education experience.

The Tsuzuki International Scholarship is the result of a collaboration between St Patrick’s and Linden Hall High School in Fukuoka, Japan. Linden Hall is a co-educational day and boarding school which provides a full 12-year educational program and aims to cultivate internationally minded people who are able to freely use English. The school adopts an English immersion program in which all subjects besides Japanese are taught in English.

I’m sure that Jakob, Damian and Oliver will make the most of this wonderful opportunity and thoroughly enjoy Term Four living in Fukuoka as boarding school students at Linden Hall.

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World Teachers’ Day – Wednesday, October 5

World Teachers’ Day celebrated the work of teachers, acknowledging the important contribution they make to the community.- Inaugurated on October 5, 1994 by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, World Teachers’ Day is celebrated annually in over 100 countries. The day allows students, parents and community members to show their appreciation for teachers and the positive impact they make on society.

At this week’s staff briefing, I offered the following blessing to our teachers:

• May our teachers follow the example of Christ the teacher and teach with authority and compassion.

• May our teachers be empowered by the Holy Spirit to make full use of the gifts and talents that they have received from our gracious God and;

• May our teachers guide and guard all the young men who have been entrusted to their care and responsibility.

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Stephen Hill

Acting Headmaster