Welcome to the new year. It is hard to believe we have returned to begin a new year and that we have now transitioned into the 20’s. I am aware that a number of our families would have had little rest over Christmas. The bushfires were a constant threat and if you were not trying to protect your own property, you may have been out saving the property of others. If you have been directly or indirectly affected by these fires and are feeling the strain as a result, please come and have a conversation with us at the College so we can be of assistance. If your daughter is possibly feeling the burden of the family pressure, please let us know so we can provide some support or at least keep a watchful eye on her over this term. We are a community that cares and supports, so please let us know.

Aside from the pain and the ongoing concerns that are plaguing our country and communities at the moment, we have had a great start to the year. Clearly the girls were delighted to see their friends again and have embraced the new school year with enthusiasm. Even the new Mobile Phone Policy has been accepted by the girls with great maturity. As some girls conveyed to me through the week, “Well, Mrs Lennox, I now have to manage my addiction to my phone but I know it is the best for my education!” I am sure it will work very well for the girls. If you need to contact your daughter urgently, please call reception and I can assure you they will convey the urgent message to your daughter asap. The new policy requires all phones to be keep in the student lockers for the duration of the school day. Penalties apply to those who access it during the day. Consequences escalate with multiple breaches.

Included in this edition is an overview of our HSC results. Once again, the girls did very well and I believe all have been accepted into the courses they wanted in university. We are hosting a High Achievers Assembly for the girls on 12 February. All girls from the cohort have been invited back to congratulate the girls who achieved significant results. Further to this, on Monday night at the NSW Catholic Schools Sports Awards night, Amy S won the most outstanding female sports woman award throughout NSW for 2019. This is a very prestigious accolade for Amy and we will recognise this achievement at the High Achievers award ceremony.

Also included in this edition are the photos of our new staff. I would like to warmly welcome them to St Patrick's.

Mrs Kirrily Cousins - Japanese teacher

Mrs Shayne Denford - Library Technician

Mr Christopher Duncan - Aboriginal Education Assistant

Miss Gina Lee - Maths teacher

Mrs Alicia Pollicina - TAS/Hospitality teacher

Mrs Tanya Robertson - Design and Technology Teacher

Miss Abbey Stapley - Science Teacher

Miss Mary Trinh - Science Teacher

Miss Ellen Wilson - RE teacher

I am confident they will be a great addition to our team of staff.  In addition to the staff, we have a number of new students. The Year 7 girls and quite a number in Years 8, 9 and 10. To all these girls and their families, I extend a very warm welcome. I expect you will be embraced by those in this community and find you soon are very much part of the furniture. If there are any difficulties, please let us know early so they can be corrected. I look forward to watching all the girls grow and flourish over the years in their St Pat’s community.

We will again host an International Women’s Day Breakfast on 5 March. As an all-girls school, it is very important that we celebrate occasions such as this. We will have a panel of ex-students at the breakfast. They will share their experiences since leaving the College and girls will have the opportunity to question them about their choices and their lives. I encourage you to join us in the morning from 7.00am. The cost is $15 per ticket, which includes a very generous breakfast.

As we focus on Benedictine PAX for this year, I share with you the prayer that is said daily by the Pax Christi members in the United Kingdom.

Blessings

Sue Lennox - Principal 

Thank you loving God
For the gift of life
For this wonderful world which
we all share
For the joy of love and friendship
For the challenge of helping to build
your kingdom.

Strengthen
My determination to work for a world
of peace and justice
My conviction that, whatever our
nationality or race,
we are all global citizens, one in Christ
My courage to challenge the
powerful with the values of the Gospel
My commitment to find nonviolent
ways of resolving conflict—personal, local,
national and international
My efforts to forgive injuries and to love
those I find it hard to love.

Teach me
To share the gifts you have given me
To speak out for the victims of injustice
who have no voice
To reject the violence which runs
through much of our world today.

Holy Spirit of God
Renew my hope for a world free from the cruelty and
evil of war, so that we may all come to share in God’s
peace and justice.

Pax Christi Daily Prayer