As you read this edition of the Inside Out, another group of students across New South Wales will have completed their HSC. In just over a month they will receive their results and begin to put in place the plans for future study, work or a gap year. The girls have been excellent in their attention to their exams and conducted themselves admirably throughout. They have been pleased with the various examinations and hold a modest sense of confidence in their performance. I would like to congratulate them on their efforts and thank our presiding officer, Mrs Thomson, for her professionalism and efficient administration throughout the period. From this time on, Year 10 and Middle School will enter their final assessment and exam periods. I wish the girls well and impress on them the need to prepare and invest the time to revise their work and studies.

There is a flurry of activity at the College at the moment with the 6 a side soccer competition each lunch time and preparations and rehearsals for the Performing Arts Challenge. Many girls are actively involved in a number of activities which give opportunity for the development of leadership and organisational skills.

Sadly, we will be farewelling Mrs Donna Jarvie at the end of the year. Mrs Jarvie is currently on long service leave but has decided to relocate up north and will leave St Patrick's at the end of the year. We wish her and the family the very best in their new community and thank her for all she has done for the girls at the College.

In the coming fortnight, we will be hosting a dinner for some local people who are here as refugees or asylum seekers. The dinner is to extend to them hospitality and inclusion as they try to build a new life in Australia after fleeing persecution and trauma in their home country. This event is very well placed as we learn of the new bill proposed by the federal government that any person arriving in Australia by boat, irrespective of whether they are legitimate refugees, will never be able to set foot on Australian soil. I am not convinced such a draconian measure will punish the people smugglers but more likely put further trauma on those already traumatised by the experience of escaping untenable living situations in their home country. 

As I was travelling into school this morning, the radio talk was about the privilege of having a driving licence. Privilege is an interesting concept. It is not uncommon for outgoing leaders to speak at their final address about the privilege of holding the position. In such circumstances, it can sometimes be perceived as a cliché and the sentiment of the speaker can subsequently be lost. I have had this sense of privilege this afternoon as I drove back to the College after watching Years 7 and 8, along with many children from our local primary schools perform in the “ Music Count Us In” event. Thanks to the vibrancy of Mrs Samyia this event, happening across the country, was a wonderful success. More is written about the event in this edition. I have had this experience multiple times in my position. During the STEM Challenge, Musical, Debating, Sporting achievements, Academic success and the list goes on. The privilege is that we share the joy because others have worked hard for the community. I didn’t personally execute any of these wonderful experiences. It was our staff who saw the opportunity and ran with it for the girls and the College. So I am always very grateful for the many extras our staff do for the girls and I feel it is a privilege to be part of our College community.

I will finish with a short reflection on light as we wish all of our Hindu families Happy Diwali, the festival of light.

O supreme lord
Lead me from the unreal to the real
Lead me from the darkness to the Light
Lead me from the temporary to the Eternal

Blessings 

Sue Lennox