Several years ago I attended a conference in Auckland about the changing face of learning environments. One of the key note addresses was by two young principals who had lead their schools throughout the earthquake in Christchurch a few years prior. Their story was compelling as they shared their attempts to keep their school students safe, inform concerned parents that their children were safe and support staff who were desperate to ensure their own children were safe in neighbouring schools during this natural disaster. School staff train, prepare and routinely participate in drills which aim to ensure all are ready should we ever need to use these skills in a real-life event. Inspite of all the training and preparation though, every emergency is unique and will need its own set of actions and responses specific to the conditions.

Last week our College had to put this training into operation. Your daughters were exceptional in their response and cooperation during the afternoon. They were sensitive to the change in their routine and very helpful in following direction and accommodating the disruptions. Throughout the afternoon the primary focus of all the staff was keeping all the girls safe. This was achieved thanks to their calm and supportive manner with the girls. I am very appreciative of their actions. Mobile phones and social media can be a risk factor in situations such as this at a school. I was very pleased to see that the privacy of all in the community was maintained and our students were discreet in their communications with others beyond the school. Again, we are very proud of the way your daughters managed themselves and supported each other during this time.

Emergency events unfortunately arrive when everyone least expects it, so we were pleased with how everyone in the immediate community responded so quickly and effectively to this situation. Thank you to the many parents who extended support and appreciation for the manner in which the College managed itself. I am sure some girls would have made contact with you in the course of the afternoon to explain something was happening. I appreciate the trust and confidence you placed in the College by allowing us to do what we needed to do at that time. I can reassure you that all of our actions would always be in the best interest and safety of your daughter. We may not be able to singularly seek your daughter out to pass on a message in the height of the emergency, but we can reassure you that your daughter will always be safe. That is a bigger priority for the College. So as life resumes to normal, thank you for your kind support. Should any girls have any ongoing distress due to this event, please inform her Year Coordinator, Mrs Wright or myself as it is crucial we provide some support for her.

On Sunday 12 August the Campbelltown Catholic Club celebrated its annual Mass and Communion Lunch. This year it is celebrating fifty years of service to the Macarthur area. It continues to be a strong supporter of Catholic services since its inception in 1968.This year the club donated $310,000 to Catholic Care, $325,000 to Catholic Schools, with St Patrick’s College receiving some of these funds to put towards the Building Fund and $134,486 to Diocesan activities. We are very fortunate to have the support and assistance of the Catholic Club. Thanks to the leadership of its Board under David Olsson and the management of the club under Michael Lavorato, all in the community will gain from their hard work.

The College Board has been working with the staff to plan a refurbishment of the Westview building. This building was constructed in the 1980s and whilst it has a good design it is now looking dated and tired. The first part of the refurbishment will be new Food Tech rooms, where the Year 7 and 9 lockers are currently held. For this reason all the lockers will need to be relocated so the maintenance staff can empty the rooms ready for refitting which will begin in term 4. The Year Coordinators will inform the girls when the move will happen in the coming weeks. After the Food Tech rooms are completed, the rooms at the end of the building will be refurbished and then the centre of the area, creating beautiful art rooms and a design centre.  We are very fortunate to have such a dynamic and supportive Board who are keen to provide the best facilities for the girls in their learning. More about the building will be available in the coming weeks.

We will have some changes in term 4 as we have a few staff taking long service leave. Mr Gattone and Dr Bourne will be taking leave over the term. I also will be having long service leave for term 4 and in my absence Mrs Wright will be acting Principal. We are currently processing the other acting positions and will inform you of these changes in the coming weeks. Finally, I regret to inform you that Mrs McGeachie will be finishing at the College at the end of the year. She has experienced some health concerns of late and will spend the needed time recuperating and restoring her health. We will have time to acknowledge the outstanding work Mrs McGeachie has done at the College in the fourth term. Nevertheless she will be a great loss to the College. She has moved us to an excellent place and the next person will be able to build on the legacy she has created. The College has been very fortunate to have had such a gifted and talented leader in learning and teaching for the last nine years.

I will leave you with a short reflection on Symphony.

Blessings

Sue Lennox - Principal 

There is no music so gentle,
No sound so sweet,
No praise so pleasant
Then the praise, sound and music
Of that simple word 'Love'.

The word itself is like a song,
It conjures images of all that is good.
On the lips it's like a soothing drink.
Let's dance, sing and play
The symphony of love.

Symphony - Celtic Parables - Robert Van De Weyer

A Reflection by Abby M

The Gospel passage known as the miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand shows that the very act of sharing a meal joins people together. To share our food with others invites conversation, anecdotes and joy. It’s a rare time of the day to collect ideas, drama, joy and hurt and allows people to feel included and wanted.

When Jesus fed the many with loaves of bread and fish, he wasn’t just feeding their tummies, he was feeding their very soul. We can see in our mind's eye as we read that story, the people became a community together in small groups, talking, laughing and sharing. The very act of the shared meals encourages us to share ourselves with others and them with us.

I recently attended the community Ministry Outreach Program in Glebe along with Annie, Khianna, Reagan and Flo, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. One of the places I had visited was Street Level, it’s a place where people can come together off the streets for a meal and a chat.

I think we all have pre-conceived ideas of the homeless, however what I had learnt, was that I was quite misinformed. I watched many types of people from all nationalities and all walks of life, coming together to eat, but it was obvious that they came to talk. They chatted to each other and to the people who run the place and they all shared so much.

And just for a few hours for two days, what I saw was just people, talking, laughing, helping. Just for one brief moment in my life I saw the world as it should be, and I found it amongst those who have nothing material, but they do have plenty of heart and soul. Just for a time they aren’t alone.

It was so eye opening to see all the types of people come into Street Level, mums, dads, grandparents and children. However, every single one of these people was mature, kind and polite, they always used their manners and had a story to share, the good and the bad, but these people truly understood the meaning of communio.

During our time on Ministry Outreach, our service was done out of care and pure kindness, not in the hopes of wanting something in return. I know myself that I wanted to experience the reality of humanity and people’s experiences rather than a sheltered view, and I believe that this experience had shown me life and truly opened my eyes. Thus, following in the footsteps of Jesus, like in the feeding of the five thousand, we can understand the true meaning of giving and the importance of being a community, to create a sense of happiness and to provide support to those who are impacted by daily stress, struggles and the chaos of modern life. By creating community, it provides a safe place of encouragement and love.

Abby M – Year 11 Student

Mrs McCann has taken some long overdue and well deserved Long Service Leave, and whilst we in the library are missing her and very envious, we wish her a restful break and look forward to her return at the end of the year.

The College Library

The closing date is fast approaching with the final day for logging your books being Friday 31 August. Remember to log each book you have read, and if you have forgotten your login or are having difficulties logging in, please come to the library and see Mrs Feely or Mrs Harradine.  Happy reading.

The College Library

Destiny Discover App for mobile devices has had an upgrade and as a result, when you open the current App, it will ask you to follow the link. Simply press on the https://reader.follettsoftware.com/DD-launcher/   link

Click the new Destiny Discover App and login with your College username and password. Once in, save the new App to your desktop.

You can then delete the old App.

The College Library

Our two representatives, Ellie F of Year 10 and Kayla I of Year 11, were a credit to their families, schools and themselves. They spoke with passion on their chosen topics and handled the impromptu topic, “Leadership” with aplomb. Well done to both girls.

Congratulations to this year’s winner and runner up, both of whom are students of St Gregory’s College.

Thank you Quota for the interest you take in the wonderful youth of our region and for providing the students with this positive and enriching encounter.

Marguerite Pulham - Debating/Public Speaking

On 9 November the College will be holding a special service to commemorate the end of World War I. Girls are making paper poppies to spell out 'LEST WE FORGET' in big letters for the Mary Sheil Centre. Others are working on cutting out letters to spell out battle names and multimedia for the day. 

We would love to hear from anyone in our community who has an ancestor who served in World War I.  We would like to honour them, record their story and use their photographs in our service.

I can be contacted at the College on 4629 2999 or via email fmusicorullo@saintpatricks.nsw.edu.au

Fran Musico Rullo - HSIE Teacher

We have had many lovely donations of squares and blankets from grandmothers of students and friends of the College, namely Mrs Pam Poole and Mrs Jan Vacchini, who have donated countless blankets and squares. We also would like to thank Mrs Judith Andrews, Mrs Jean Mills, Mrs Gayle Levi, Mrs Carlin, Mrs Pauline McLaren, Ms Sue Mills, Mrs J Baker and Mrs Costa for their donations of knitted squares.

Even a former student, Miss Chanlina Lam, who was active in the Knitting Group whilst at school, has found time during her busy uni schedule to knit a blanket for the group.

I would like to thank the 'Knitting Ladies' who volunteer their time each Thursday lunch to teach the girls to knit - Maxine Evans, Lorraine St John, Janine McLeod, Shirley Mills, Maureen McCann, Maureen O'Brien and Cathy Johnson.

Fran Musico Rullo - HSIE Teacher

A summary of the girls that achieved podium positions in their respective events include:

Mercedes S – 1^st Place 100m, 200m 400m and Long Jump.

Piper A - 1^st Place High Jump, Discus, 2^nd Place Long Jump, Shot and 3^rd Place Triple Jump.

Ruby D – 1^st Place 400m (New Diocesan Record) and 800m.

Katarina S – 1^st Place Shot and 2^nd Place High Jump.

Amy S – 1^st Place 1500m and 3^rd Place Long Jump.

Amy Y – 1^st Place Javelin.

Brianna C – 1^st Place Javelin.

Kayla M – 2^nd Place Javelin.

Elizabeth D – 2^nd Place Shot and Discus.

Natalie S - 2nd Place High Jump and 3^rd Place Shot.

Amelia M – 2^nd Place Discus.

Minduli T – 2^nd Place Discus.

Candice H – 2^nd Place Discus.

Jessica R – 3^rd Place 200m.

Dryandra M – 3^rd Place Javelin.

Senior 4x100m Relay Team – 2^nd Place.

As a result of these outstanding individual performances, a number of students achieved highly in the Overall Age Champion standings. Topping the individual performances were Piper A who was named Age Champion of the 15 years age group and Ruby D and Mercedes S who finished runners up in their respective age divisions.

Students who have now qualified to represent the Diocese of Wollongong at the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Athletics Championships to be held at Homebush include Piper A, Brianna C, Ruby D, Katarina S, Amy S, Mercedes S and Amy Y.  

A big thank you and congratulations must go to all students who attended the carnival and Mr Muller who managed the team on the day.

I would also like to make extra special mention of Mr Sovilj, whose service to the College has been outstanding over many years. He has selfishly given up his time to assist at both College carnivals and as a College representative at Diocesan events. His name is one of the first pencilled in every year when the Diocesan convenor allocates duties and positions. His professionalism, knowledge and passion for athletics are admirable and we are extremely lucky to have had him as part of our College community. A massive thank you from not only myself, but the entire College community both past and present for your support over the years. However, if the athletics bug continues to bite, you are more than welcome back anytime.

Scott Ashcroft - Sports and Activities Coordinator

27 August - College Group Photo Day
28 August - Sports Assembly
29 August - Dio Hockey
30 August - Year 8 MISA Debating, Year 10 Geography Excursion, Year 11 SOR Excursion, HSC Drama Examination
31 August - Father and Daughter Dinner Dance
3 - 7 September - Literacy and Numeracy Week
4 September - College Assembly
5 September - Indigenous Literacy Day, HSC Projects Showcase
6 September - College Assembly (Student Leadership Commissioning)
7 September - Middle School Dance (St Gregory's College), Year 10 Recycled Dinner Dance
11 September - Senior School Assembly
14 September - AIME Excursion Years 9 -10, Year 10 Dance Excursion
18 September - Macarthur Max Potential Showcase
21 September - CCC Athletics
25 September - Year 12 Assembly, Year 12 Graduation Dinner
26 September - Year 12 Graduation Mass and Awards
27 September - Year 12 Formal
28 September - Staff and Students Finish for Term 3
15 October - Staff and Students Return for Term 4