Headmaster’s Message – April 15, 2016

Dear Parents, Guardians, Friends and Students of St Patrick’s College,

Firstly, I would like to start with a warm welcome back to Term 2! The Easter season is now with us and provides an opportunity to enter this new term with a great sense of renewal and expectation. The promise of -new life-, present for us in the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, is a great source of energy that sustains each of us as we prepare for the busy year ahead. As a Catholic community, we are constantly reminded of the presence of God in our lives throughout this season – a relationship that offers us hope and joy in all we do and say. May the good news of our risen Christ continue to inspire our actions throughout the year at St Patrick’s College.

Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) in 2017

Throughout Term 2, there will be a great deal of energy going into the planning of a -gold-standard- VCAL program to be introduced at St Patrick’s College in 2017. – Under the direction of our Applied Learning Coordinator, Ms Lyn Maniz, the VCAL Program will see the College offer three certificates to students in Years 10-12 who have demonstrated the necessary skills and commitment to follow this pathway: Foundation, Intermediate and Senior Certificates.

St Patrick’s College has recognised that there is a strong demand for a comprehensive pathway for senior students who want to rigorously prepare themselves for participation in the workforce and enjoy a -hands-on- approach in their learning. Hence, the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning will be implemented next year and has the flexibility to enable students to design a study- program that suits their interests and learning needs.- There will be more information coming out to parents and students shortly so please watch this space.

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Staffing

In staffing news, we welcome Mr Andrew Oddie who joins us to replace Mr Luke Corden who is taking a well-earned period of Long Service Leave. We also heard the exciting news that Mr Andrew Agardy and Mrs Emma Carracher announced the arrival of their first son, Oszkár Patrick Agardy who was born April 1, and Mr Eamonn Nolan and his wife Steph who announced the arrival of Hamish Patrick, born on March 25 (Good Friday).

Have a great weekend.

Mr John Crowley

Headmaster