Welcome to the first edition of the Inside Out for 2021. It was good to see the girls arrive last week ready for a productive and focused new year. We are all hoping the difficulties and changeability of the last year is behind us and this year will allow us back on track to the normal we have had in the past. Having said that, our first parent evening was through the week and we were constrained by the regulations, so parents were in separate rooms to receive the information. I am grateful to the staff and IT teams who worked to make this happen. I am also grateful to the parents who attended and raised their questions with staff on the night. We have the Year 7 parent evening approaching and we are thrilled that we will be able to host a dinner as we would normally, thanks to the recent change in regulations. A COVID Safety Plan will be created for this event. We will keep our parents informed as we get closer to the evening.

The start of this school year has been once again busy. We welcomed a number of new students in Years 8 -11, in addition to our new Year 7s and some new staff. I would like to welcome you all to the College. I believe you will find St Patrick’s to be a very warm and welcoming place and that in this environment you will be able to achieve your best and feel fulfilled.

At the end of 2020, Mrs Ibbett accepted a year contract at another school as an Assistant Principal. This is a very exciting opportunity for her which sadly means she will not be at St Patrick’s for 2021. This has necessitated a few changes at the College as a result. Mrs Claire McGillicuddy will be the Acting Curriculum Administrator, Ms Sarah Hilder will take the role of Acting Literacy Coordinator and Mrs Bleyerveen and Mr Duncan will take the classes that were to be covered by Mrs Ibbett. I am grateful that these staff have taken the extra classes and responsibilities. I am confident they will do a superb job. We also welcome back from parental leave Mrs Thomas, Mrs Dowie and Ms Dunn. It will be great to have them all back onboard.

Our new staff are :

Mrs Christine Lahood who will be teaching Mathematics, Mrs Catherine Waud who will be in the HSIE faculty and Ms Melissa Pereira who will be teaching PDHPE. We are very pleased to have such talented staff and look forward to their contributions to our community.

You will have noticed that out building project for the front of the College is delayed. It was to have been finished in February however various unforeseen difficulties have arisen in the course of the project and the expected date of completion in not until the end of term. The most pressing inconvenience has been the drive through facilities during this time. We have had an exponential increase in the number of pick up and drop offs over the last year which is probably attributable to COVID. When we have finished this project, we will have a designated kiss and drop zone at the front of the College on St John’s Road. Unfortunately the Council has limited the number of car places we could accommodate there which, when added to the growth in this mode of transport of late, will require parents to be patient and mindful of others if they choose to use this facility from Term 2. Alternately, it may be easier if girls use the public transport system if this is available to them.  Thank you for your patience and support as we have had to change our own onsite processes for the pick up and drop off over this term. We believe we now have the safest system for girls and parents operating onsite. We appreciate your patience and assistance in making this system work safely for all.

Last week we hosted the High Achievers assembly for the Class of 2020. Unfortunately we couldn’t invite all the girls back due to the restrictions, as they are no longer enrolled at the College, but we still had a great assembly that recognised the excellent achievements of the girls in a pandemic year. It is so inspiring to hear what the girls are now moving into and the benefit they gained through the acquisition of the skills and support at the College. The senior school girls stayed back in the assembly to ask questions of the visitors. They found this opportunity valuable and insightful for them in their own journey to the HSC. Congratulations to Imogen who was our dux with an ATAR of 93.95 and who delivered a great speech to all in our community. We wish all in the Class of 2020 the very best in their future. Dr Bourne has included in this edition of the Inside Out a report on the 2020 HSC results.

As we begin 2021, all staff have started their lessons asking girls to identify their goals for their course for the year. The girls will have an opportunity to reflect on these and then the teacher will bring the student back to this goal over the semester. Teachers will also communicate with you where they believe your daughter needs to apply added work or if she needs to be affirmed for some great work or participation as she progresses to her goal. We are working with the girls to name a target so that they commit to this. There is always a great sense of satisfaction when anyone achieves a target as a result of hard work and effort. We ask that you raise this with your daughter in the coming weeks and have a conversation about her targets. Encourage her to aim high and support her to achieve this target. As we are both working in partnership with you to encourage your daughter to do her best, contact us at the College at any time if you have a query or advice for us regarding  your daughter.

We are moving quickly toward Lent and will again be celebrating Ash Wednesday next week. I will leave you with a short reflection on the Season of Lent.

Blessings

Sue Lennox - Principal 

Prayer for Lent

Loving God,
As the season of Lent unfolds, you call us to return again and again.

As you invite us to reflect on your love made visible in the
person of Jesus, align our lives more closely with you through
prayer, fasting and generous giving.

Bless our desire to accompany Jesus’ suffering here and now in
the crucified people of our world.

With your grace, may we live Lent fully and move with
transformed hearts into the abundant life of Easter morning.

Amen.

Author: Sister Chris Koellhoffer