Headmaster’s Message – September 8, 2016

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

I was particularly mindful this week of the energy levels of our Year 12 students. With the final few weeks of formal classes now upon us, it is only natural that stress levels begin to rise. In order to maintain an environment that is calm, supportive and productive to achieving the best possible results, it is essential for students to listen carefully to the advice being given by their teachers, Coordinators and Director of the Senior School, and to put this advice into action. For my part, I want to highlight the crucial importance of organisation throughout these final weeks. Being organised sharpens the mind to what needs to be done and, more importantly, provides a tool for development of a blueprint for achievement. I encourage all students to continue open dialogue with the highly experienced team we have in the Senior School as a means of assisting you in the thorough preparation for your upcoming examinations. On behalf of the entire St Patrick’s College community, we offer the following prayer of hope for all of our Year 12 students throughout the following weeks:

Loving God, we pray together as one that all of our Year 12 students may be granted the gifts of continued strength, energy, perseverance, vision and commitment as they walk the final stages of their secondary school journey. We know you are always with us unconditionally. We pray that they will be held in the palm of your hand, in a loving embrace, able to meet the challenges that lay ahead with confidence and grace.

On September 26 I will be travelling to New Delhi, India, for an immersion program with Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders where I will spend some time working in, and getting to know, a school inspired by the Charism of Edmund Rice. Immediately following this immersion, I will travel to Kolkata, at the same time as Blessed Mother Theresa will be Canonised, to attend a Conference involving leaders from Edmund Rice schools throughout the world. The Vision of Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders is to commit to dialogue around a common understanding of what it means to offer a Catholic education in the Charism of Edmund Rice. I have no doubt this experience will be a profound and challenging one for me, and I look forward to sharing the ensuing conversations with our community at St Patrick’s College upon my return on October 17. Throughout my absence Mr Stephen Hill be acting Headmaster of the College.

Last Friday, the College held a very successful Father’s Day Mass and Breakfast. I was thrilled that so many fathers, carers, grandfathers and students could attend. I was reminded by Father James about the significance that all fathers and carers play in our lives, and I encouraged all students present to reflect on this relationship and articulate the memories and influences that have helped to shape the person they are today. We were also particularly mindful of those students who have lost their fathers, praying as a community to our loving God for continued strength for families going through incredibly difficult times at the moment.

John Crowley

Headmaster

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