As we make our way through the term I would like to draw your attention to some key events that are coming up over the next few weeks. Each of these are significant and I believe you will find them very informative and worthwhile.

29 February - College Open Day will be held. It is a great day that showcases what we do at the College and why we provide such an advantage to the girls in the Macarthur area. Please encourage your friends and family members who still have not decided where their daughter will go for high school to come and see what St Pat’s has to offer.

3 March - Danielle Miller has been booked to speak at the College at 7pm in the Mary Sheil Centre. For a gold coin donation, you will hear tips and suggestions on how to raise amazing girls. Danielle is a very informative and engaging speaker who parents just love to listen to. Please bring your daughters, friends and family members. Each year the College P&F offer to parents a speaker who has the experience and profile to inform parents on the raising of adolescent girls. You will not be disappointed with Danielle Miller.

5 March - International Women's Day Breakfast. This is hosted in the Mary Sheil Centre beginning at 7am. A panel of three ex-students speak about what they are doing since leaving St Patrick’s and how they have benefited from their years at St Pat’s. It is always inspiring and very entertaining. Breakfast is included and we are normally finished by 8.45am. Girls who come with their mothers are free so bring your daughter and come along.

11 March - Year 5 workshops. If you have a daughter in Year 5, I suggest you register her for the Year 5 workshop day. They girls gain a good insight into all girls’ education in high school. It is always a great day.

16 March - Our P&F AGM meeting will be held in the Benedict Centre at 7.30pm. All positions will be declared vacant and should you wish to be nominated for a position, please contact the College Reception for a nomination form. New members are always welcome and we would particularly like to encourage the new members of our College community to consider joining our P&F committee.

18 March - We will all be travelling to St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney to celebrate the opening school Mass and our 180th anniversary in Campbelltown. Whilst you won’t be able to join the train we have chartered for the girls, you are very welcome to join us in the Cathedral. Bishop Brian Mascord, Bishop of Wollongong, Sr Patty Fawkner, Good Samaritan Congregational leader, and the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AO QC are some of the special guests who will be joining us on the day. You will receive the permission note on Friday which has all the details for the day. All girls are to have the College hat and blazer for the event. The girls will not be able to come unless they have both these items with them on the day, so please ensure they locate both items prior to the day. 

21 March - We are holding the St Patrick's Emerald Gala Ball in The Cube, Campbelltown Catholic Club. This is our only fundraiser for the College Scholarship Fund. It is vital work so that we can continue to offer assistance to families in need. If you are able to provide prizes or would like to join us, please contact the College office.

This week the girls in Year 12 received information about the newly introduced LEAP program. It is a coaching program offered to girls who want to optimise their results in their HSC year. It will support the girls and assist them in navigating the stress and rigours of the HSC. If you have a daughter in Year 12 and would like her to apply to be part of this program, then please encourage her to approach Ms Glase. Once we have Year 12 settled into their groups, we hope to be able to offer this service to Year 11.

Finally we will be celebrating Ash Wednesday on 26 February. I will leave you with this Lenten prayer which prepares us for the season of Lent that is before us.

Blessings

Sue Lennox - Principal 

Almighty and Everlasting God,
You have given the human race
Jesus Christ our Saviour as a model of humility.
He fulfilled Your Will by becoming Man
And giving His life on the Cross.
Help us to bear witness to You
By following His example of suffering
And make us worthy to share in His Resurrection.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son.