Last Friday we hosted the debating for the CSDA competition. It was delightful to see so many of our ex-students return to assist with adjudicating and coaching the younger teams. They stood out as articulate, responsive women who have the world ahead of them. These young women are a credit to their families and the College. 

Six years at St Patrick’s College produces women who are confident, self assured and competent. I see this regularly in the various arenas around the community. Whilst at St Patrick’s they can develop without pressure or bias into the person they truly can become. They are given support and encouragement and develop resilience to meet the challenges of the years beyond school. This is what the young girls I have interviewed see and want. They are girls of determination and have a clear understanding of where they want to be when they grow up. These girls will be a great asset to our community and I hold great optimism for the ongoing strength of the College as it continues to offer programs that enable the girls to bloom.  

Last week Mr Scott Ashcroft competed in the Australian Ironman Triathlon Championships held in Port Macquarie. The Ironman Triathlon consists of a 3.8km swim, a 180km ride and a 42.2km run. He achieved an outstanding result finishing in 9 hours and 15 minutes which placed him 8th overall in a strong field that included at least 15 full time professional athletes. Being the first male to finish in the 35-39 year age group means that Mr Ashcroft now wears the title of Australian Ironman Champion for the next twelve months and has qualified to represent Australia at the World Ironman Championships in Kona, Hawaii in October. Mr Ashcroft is still an amateur competitor and has prepared for this event whilst holding down a full time job, as well as family responsibilities. Well done Mr Ashcroft and we wish you good counsel as you decide your next direction with this.

Year 7, 9 and 11 students have been very busy of late. Year 11 have just come out of an examination period and will enjoy the balance and space only a retreat can offer. Please keep them and the staff in your thoughts during this time. With the staging of the NAPLAN exams this week, the girls in Years 7 and 9 have been busy writing, reading and calculating across the three days. I hope the girls have found the examinations clear and straight forward and that their results will reflect their capacities accurately.

Last Saturday we hosted the annual Mother Daughter High Tea. It was again a great event with over 300 people attending. The food was plentiful and delicious and the stalls provided many last minute Mother’s Day gift items for the girls to purchase. This year we also had entertainment which was well received by many of the audience. I would like to extend my thanks to the P&F executive Jodi Stuart, Monique Keogh, Fiona Evans and George Gatt for their excellent work over the year and for this event. Sadly, Secretary Fiona Evans will be retiring effective immediately from the P&F and President Jodi Stuart will be finishing at the end of the year. I would like to thank Fiona for her work over the years and wish her the best as she finishes at the College. If we are unable to fill these roles by the end of the year, we will not be able to run the High Tea, Father Daughter Dinner dance, College Dances or BBQ support in 2016. These events are not hugely difficult if you have a few parents who are prepared to assist. I ask that you seriously consider your ability to assist the P&F at this time and that you contact me or Jodi Stuart for some further information.

I will finish with a Mother's Day prayer. I hope all of our mothers and mother figures had a lovely day last Sunday and that the family continue to show their love and appreciation to you for the remainder of the year.

I may not pray often, and I may not pray enough but when I do, this is all I ask of you… 
God, please give me a heart just like hers
She loves unconditionally, no matter what, no matter who…
God, give me courage to be like her
She's very brave, she makes me unafraid…
God, give me wisdom just like hers
She knows everything, big and small, she's there to help through it all…
God, give me strength just like hers
She's been knocked down, Yet she stands strong for another round…
God, give me beauty just like hers
When she smiles it gives me that feeling that everything will be okay,
And all my problems disappear for awhile…
God, give me generosity just like hers
She helps the helpless, She never thinks of herself and she's so unselfish…
God, someday, if I'm at least half the mum she was to me,
I'll know that you were listening
On the day that I prayed.
Amen