August 10, 2021 – College update on COVID-19

Dear Parents, Carers and Guardians of St Patrick’s College,

Thank you for supporting and assisting us in the past few turbulent days as we have, with only a few hours’ notice each time, been thrust into a sudden lockdown, and then been returned to on-site learning.

The constant change and uncertainty can become stressful for all involved and we are doing all we can to minimise the impact the COVID-19 crisis is having on our boys’ educational outcomes.

We are mindful that the cumulative effect of constant rolling lockdowns means boys are spending more and more time away from the optimum in-class learning environment.

Therefore, when we do have welcome periods where on-site learning is possible, we need to maximise that time.

Next Monday, August 16, was originally scheduled as a student-free day to allow time for a boarders’ exeat and for a staff professional development day.

The College now believes it would be of greater benefit to all if this day were now used as a normal day of learning. As such, the student-free day is cancelled and classes will operate as per a normal Monday timetable on this day.

We hope this grants us the opportunity to catch up a bit on some of that important face-to-face learning and will serve our students better as the end of the year approaches.

Of further interest to our senior VCE students is that the General Achievement Task (GAT) which had been scheduled for Thursday, August 12 has now been postponed to a date which is yet to be determined.

Again, following this change, classes will be held as per a normal Thursday timetable for all boys who were due to sit the GAT.

We reiterate our thanks and appreciation for your continued support and understanding as we strive to raise our fine young boys to the status of great men.

Steven O’Connor

Principal