Acting Principal’s Message

By Acting Principal, Mr Stephen Hill

We’re back! (well almost)

Almost nine weeks ago the State Government announced that all Victorian schools would be implementing the Remote Schooling program. COVID-19 has required all members of the St Patrick’s College community to adjust and respond to what is truly a unique situation. Shifting to a remote learning model has necessarily meant that every student, parent and staff member has made many adjustments over these past nine weeks to ensure that the learning needs of each boy is being met. This is an achievement that we can all be proud of!

We are genuinely excited about the return of all Year 11 and Year 12 students and select Year 10 boys to on-site learning from next Tuesday (May 26) and the return of all Years 7 – 10 students on Tuesday, June 9.

We have been greatly appreciative of the co-operation between staff, students and parents during this time. There have been many wonderful initiatives explored in this new setting and many lessons have been learned which will continue to shape and form the College for many years to come. From crisis, comes great opportunity and, as a College community, we will seek to harness these opportunities in the future.

In recent days, our focus has turned to the safety and wellbeing of all in our community as we welcome students back to school. As we did when the Remote Schooling program was announced, the College has again compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions which we hope will provide a concise, user-friendly summary of the important information for a return to on-site learning. We ask you to keep visiting the special COVID-19 page on the College website https://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/students-parents-staff/covid-19-coronavirus for all the latest information as the effects of the pandemic continue to unfold. Please do not hesitate to contact the College should you have any questions which are not answered in the FAQ.

In planning for the return to classroom learning, the College has considered it necessary to amend several key dates:

· Term 2 classes for all Years 7-12 students will now finish at 3.25 pm on Thursday, June 25

· Friday, June 26 will be a student free day for staff

· Term 3 classes will start on Monday, July 13. Students will be expected in class on this day. The first day of Term 3 will no longer be a student free day.

Please note that these dates represent a substantial change from previously published calendars.

Thank you again for all that you do to help us in the education of your son. We really can’t wait to welcome him back on-site!