Headmaster’s Message – November 10, 2017

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

With our Year 11 students commencing their formal examination period today, it seems almost unbelievable that we are in early November with the end of the school year now well in sight. On behalf of the community we wish all of our Year 11 students the very best as they prepare for their examinations, and as they enter into the formal Head Start Program shortly.- I continue to highlight the importance of appropriate organisation throughout this examination period, and to encourage all students to seek the assistance of teachers prior to their examinations if they require help or have questions.

Our Year 12 students continue to sit their final VCE Examinations in the OCA Pavilion. From all reports both teachers and students seem happy with the examinations thus far and we continue to pray for each student to approach each of their examinations with great energy and focus.

As a Catholic community we also pray for our colleagues and families of Damascus College with the sad passing of one of their much loved staff members, Bill O’Loughlin. Bill was a past student of St Patrick’s College, having attended SPC in 1971. Bill was a dedicated and highly respected teacher at Damascus, and taught at many other Catholic schools across a long career in education. We have communicated our deepest condolences to the community of Damascus College and continue to pray for Bill’s family at this difficult time.

On Tuesday November 28 at 7pm in the OCA Pavilion, the College extends a warm invitation to all parents and carers to participate in an important discussion around setting our goals for the next strategic plan at St Patrick’s College: 2018-2020. It is our intention to engage in some small group discussion with parents and carers to identify key areas for future growth at the College. These small groups will be led by members of the College Leadership Team and the evening will conclude at approximately 8.30pm. I hope that you will be able to join us to ensure we include the voice of all parents and carers in this most important journey of school improvement.

Next Saturday evening the College will hold the inaugural Big Boarding Reunion. Commencing at 5pm at the College, past boarding students will have the opportunity to catch up with former classmates and friends and enjoy a wonderful evening of memories. Please don’t miss out on this opportunity to attend what promises to be a highlight of the year. Please forward any enquiries to our Director of Community Development, Mr Paul Nolan at pnolan@stpats.vic.edu.au

In my quiet time I enjoy reading the words of Pope Francis and the hope he is constantly offering to the world and for the Church. In doing so, I am often reminded of the call of our own Touchstones and Charter as a school in Edmund Rice Tradition. In particular, I read the following inspirational and thought provoking piece from Pope Francis yesterday:

– The Lord is knocking at the door of our hearts. Have we put a sign on the door saying: -Do not Disturb-?

One of our most precious Touchstones is that of Inclusivity. In seeking to be a community that is Inclusive, we are called to be people who can see the needs of others, people who seek to embrace all around them as unique individuals with dignity, gifts and talents reflecting the image of God.-

We pray to our loving God to be a community whose hearts remain open to a future where everyone is included and never left outside.- –

I hope your weekend is an enjoyable one.

John Crowley

HEADMASTER