Acting Principal’s Message

By Acting Principal, Mr Stephen Hill

As we reach the end of Term 3….

How often have you heard people use the rephrasing of the quote from 1 Corinthians 10:13 that God doesn’t give us any more than we can handle? As we come to the end of Term 3 and the second period of lockdown and remote learning, this statement of faith has truly been challenged. While the many challenges of Term 3 have been clear and present to each of us, I’m also sure that we have each seen or experienced many, many examples of individuals and the community as a whole using or sharing their mental, physical, and spiritual fortitude to respond in ways that few would have thought possible before the pandemic.

As a I have noted previously, in reflecting on what we have experienced and learnt during this second period of remote learning, I see that it has become even more evident to all of us here at St Patrick’s that it is the strength of our trusting and respectful relationships that binds us together to create a positive and engaged learning community.

To all our parents, your continued support for your son’s learning and the work done by St Patrick’s teaching and classroom support staff has been outstanding. The work-school-family balancing act that marked Term 3 for you is truly deserved of our admiration. I hope your son(s) knows how much you have given and done to make the most of this situation for his betterment.

To all the boys of St Patrick’s, I am amazed by your resilience and way in which you have accepted the reality of this situation and done your very best to continue to ensure that learning is taking place on a daily basis. In particular, I would like to recognise our Year 12 boys. In speaking with those of you who been onsite in recent days as part of the VCE essential assessment program, I can’t help but admire your positive and hope-filled attitude. May you be blessed with these two attributes for the rest of your lives!

I would like to conclude by acknowledging and thanking each and every staff member of St Patrick’s for all they have done this term:

• The efforts, knowledge and ability of our teachers and classroom support staff (our LSOs, the KRC Team, Music office, Instrumental Music Tutors, Mission Team, Careers and our Technicians) has ensured the continued development and implementation of a highly successful remote learning program in Term 3.
• The team in the IT Hub who continued to maintain all aspects of the College’s network and kept our IT systems functioning at the highest level throughout the term.
• The grounds and maintenance staff who completed many projects that have added to both the safety and operations of the school.
• The Finance Team who have continued their great work to ensure that any of our families under financial distress at this time are able to continue to send their son to St Patrick’s.
• Our Boarding staff have been onsite throughout this second period of online learning ensuring that the learning and wellbeing needs of some 30 boys have been met day-in, day-out.
• Our Administration, ERC, and College Shop staff who have also been onsite everyday providing valuable support to all staff and a point of continuity and connection to SPC families and staff.
• The Wellbeing, Re-engagement Centre and Indigenous Ed Teams who have been a point of contact for our most vulnerable students and their families.
• The Comms Team have kept staff, students and parents fully updated in the face of seemingly never-ending and constantly changing information.
• To Mark Mclean and his team of cleaners who have kept the highest standard of hygiene throughout the term.
• To all St Patrick’s staff who were redeployed throughout the term to support the needs of our at-risk and most vulnerable students by supervising these boys in the Pavilion throughout the term.

To our senior boys preparing for the GAT and the upcoming end of year VCE and VET exams, may the next two weeks be productive and a valuable time to consolidate learning. To the St Patrick’s staff who will be continuing their work throughout the break, please know that your contribution is highly valued and that your efforts will ensure that when the students return for Term 4 everything will be ready and in place for them to get the best learning outcome possible. And finally, to those enjoying a break in the coming weeks, may it be both restful and renewing as we enter Term 4.

Many thanks to all members of the St Patrick’s community for all that you have done to make Term 3 the very best it could be!

Mr Stephen Hill

Acting Principal