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