Welcome the sun!! After the most extraordinary weather over the last two weeks, we are so pleased to see the sun shinning through. I do hope that you and the family were able to keep safe and that you didn’t experience any damage to your property. We are aware that a number of our families have been impacted by flooding which is problematic. Please let the College know if you need any support or assistance during this time.

Last Tuesday was International Women’s Day. We had planned to mark this day last week but the rain and the anticipated east coast low made it too dangerous to proceed. I am aware that International Women’s Day will trigger mixed emotions across communities. I know that as a strong advocate for the equality of women in society I always have to temper my rhetoric as there are some in our communities for whom the conversation of feminism and the promotion of women’s rights generates strong opposition or they just turn off. I would like to add this is across genders and generations. Last year I was invited to speak about girls' education at a forum and I began the address by speaking about the inequity that is still present in the community. One of the opening statements from the audience was “You are wrong! Things are much better now.” It was in that moment I was shut down and the research and data that supported the fact of inequality was made invalid. That was the voice of only one member in that organisation and there were numerous supportive comments that followed, however women have experienced this for many years. Speaking on equal rights is not about advantaging one gender above another, it is about allowing all to be winners in this space.

The theme for 2022 International Women’s Day is “ Break the Bias”. Biases regulate women’s behaviour, opportunity and access at every point of contact between the sexes. A frequent refrain has been that women only need to be more confident and self-assured to overcome bias-fuelled disadvantage. But this would place the blame for the inequality and disparity of opportunity at the feet of women. Once again it is an example of victim blaming rather that seeing the real cause of this inequality. In this culture, girls and women are encouraged to overcompensate for the inequalities of life. A culture of self-improvement and empowerment distracts us from contesting the structural and cultural inequalities that continue to marginalise women (Seers and Hogg, 2022).

Rather, what is needed is a collective societal push to correct the bias driven inequalities that women face, from kindergarten to Parliament House. We need to invest in building and sustaining social structures and policies that support, ensure and reinforce women’s safety, well-being and power (Gill and Orgad, 2022). Only then will we break the bias and allow individual girls to be just as happy and successful as an equally confident and self -assured male child emerging into the world we have shaped for them.

At St Patrick’s College, we support and encourage the girls to be articulate and confident in their skin. There are no biases at the College so the environment is safe and encouraging for them to develop into the person they have the potential to become. It empowers them as they face adversity and injustice, however, there is an ongoing need for all of us to challenge the biases in our society so that in a generation, our daughters’ daughters are not facing the same inequities that our current young women are having to deal with today.

I will leave you with a prayer used for International Women’s Day.

Blessings

Sue Lennox - Principal

Lord, make me an instrument of peace:
Bless all women who daily strive to bring peace to their communities, their homes and their hearts. Give them strength to continue to turn swords into ploughshares.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love:
We pray for all women who face prejudice, inequality and gender disparities. Help us to see and to face the discrimination against women in all the many forms it may take.

Where there is injury, pardon:
Comfort all women who suffer from the pain of war, violence, and abuse. Help them to become instruments of their own reconciliation and peace.

Where there is division, unity:
Forgive all women and men who let differences breed hate and discrimination. Let your example of valuing all of creation help us to see that we are equal partners in the stewardship of your world.

Where there is darkness, light; where there is untruth, truth:
Comfort all women who struggle in the darkness of abuse, poverty, and loneliness. May we stand with them in light to acknowledge their suffering and strive to remove the burdens of shame or embarrassment.

Where there is doubt, true faith:
We pray for all women who live in fear of their husbands, fathers, and forces that control their lives. Help them to be empowered to be their true selves through your everlasting love and faith.

Where there is despair, hope:
We pray for all women who live in the despair of poverty, violence, trafficking, slavery, and abuse. May the light of your love bring them hope.

Where there is sadness, new joy:
Help us to see the strength and goodness in all women and men.
Transform our hearts to celebrate the love and grace of all people.

Amen

Source: www.godpsacelight.com

His writing of the Breastplate of St Patrick was another significant contribution. According to tradition, St Patrick wrote it in 433 AD for divine protection before successfully converting the Irish King Leoghaire and his subjects from paganism to Christianity. (The term breastplate refers to a piece of armour worn in battle.) More recent scholars suggest its author was anonymous. In any case, this prayer certainly reflects the spirit with which St Patrick brought our faith to Ireland! St Patrick's Breastplate, also known as The Lorica of Saint Patrick was popular enough to inspire a hymn based on this text as well. (This prayer has also been called The Deer’s Cry). The words of the shorter version of the prayer are as follows:

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Louise Barry - Religious Education Coordinator

Each year the theme of this ecumenical prayer service highlights the experiences of women throughout the world with a focus on a specific part of the world. This year prayers were offered for the women of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The experiences of three women formed the main part of the prayer service. Theirs were stories of bravery, resilience, forgiveness, and support.

The Scripture reading of the day was taken from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah (29:1-14). Senior Pastor, Ryan Graham, spoke eloquently about this Scripture passage which includes the words, “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Pastor Graham broke open the Word by talking about the “present purpose” the exiled Jewish people were expected to have in order to make the best of their situation. Present purpose requires total faith and trust in God whose purposes for us are for all that is good and true.

Interestingly, the rest of this Scripture passage links perfectly to our Year of Prayer. The Lord says, “When you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me.” (Jer. 29:13-14) Clearly, prayer is a seeking for God in our lives in order to live in right relationship with God.

The senior girls represented our College with pride, and they exercised the Benedictine value of hospitality by taking on the role of welcomers as participants arrived as well as helping to serve morning tea at the conclusion of the service. Their presence was much appreciated, and our girls received high praise for the way they entered into the prayer.

The World Day of Prayer is an annual event that takes place on the first Friday in March.

Angelo Gattone - Mission Coordinator

Agenda:
Parent-College Partnership
Supporting assessment and homework
General Business

The Parent Forum enables parents and carers to meet, share ideas and provide feedback to the College. It gives parents and carers a voice and enables them to contribute to College decision-making. The forum fosters a partnership between parents/carers and the College. We look forward to meeting you at the forum.

Follow this link to RSVP by 14 March.

Due to their success, effort and dedication to these competitions, Sarah M and Charlotte D were acknowledged by Education Perfect as some of the select few students in the world to achieve 30,000+ points. The 30,000+ points equate to answering over 30,000 questions across the EP World Series Competitions.

The power of Education Perfect is how it extends students and develops their knowledge and understanding of the subjects they are studying. Both Sarah and Charlotte are to be congratulated for their great efforts in 2021 and we look forward to more students from St Patrick’s College being recognised for the work in 2022.

Julian Nash - LOTE Coordinator

With over 100 entries, it was a very difficult challenge to choose just ten entries that would represent our College in the JTAN Competition. With nine other schools in the state and 74 entries in total being judged, we are very pleased to announce that Megan H was the overall winner of Stage 4 in NSW. The judges commented that Megan’s work was a “sophisticated choice of vintage imagery. The colours were strong but not lurid and it captures a scene that is immediately evocative”. 

Sophie M was awarded Highly Commended for her entry. Special mention to all the girls who had their work selected: Shreya M, Angelea V,  Claire P, Oreoluwa A, Sophie V, Deborah F and Chloe R, who won the St Patrick’s College Teacher’s Choice Award.

Kirrily Cousins - Japanese Teacher

On the day of the game, after taking into consideration the wet weather and the MSC being in use, the board members, duty team and Ms Cornett decided that instead of holding two half-round of handball AND indoor soccer, the class would only compete in one full round of handball.

Chloe B, first aid officer of the duty team, stated, “It was annoying that we had to miss out on soccer because of the MSC problem. The MSC hall was full of tables and chairs that we weren't allowed to move, so we had to think of another plan. After a chat with our teacher and some other girls, we resorted to setting up at the handball court and playing through some light rain as we couldn't find an empty room to play indoor soccer in.”

Court One:
Team Two managed to score 16 points, beating their opponents in Team Three who only scored 9 points. The best and fairest player for this court was Fale'ofa A of Team Two.

Court Two:
In the first half of the match, Team Four crushed Team Five on the courts, scoring several more points. BUT after a quick pep talk at halftime, Team Five made a comeback and managed to TIE with Team Five. Team Four found being drawn with Team Five shocking based on their prior poor performance. The best and fairest player for this court was Mirae Q of Team Four.

Writers: Maira K & Samantha S
Photographer: Emily T

At St Patrick’s College, it is suggested that the following times be used as a guide, being mindful that time allocated to homework each day will differ from student to student:

Guidelines and recommendations for parents

Homework is a part of schoolwork that requires family and teachers working together. Unfortunately, homework can be a source of stress for many families. Stress can be higher when parents lack confidence in their ability to help with homework, when homework is not valued, and when there is a need to balance downtime with schoolwork. The following advice to families draws on the work of homework researcher Professor Cathy Vatterott (Rethinking Homework).

Parents are encouraged to …

• Provide an appropriate space to do homework.
• Ask about what your daughter is studying in school.
• Ask your daughter to show you any homework assignments.
• Assist with organising homework materials.
• Help with formulating a plan for completing homework.
• Encourage self-checking and working with classmates to study or peer-edit.

Parents may if they wish …

• Help interpret homework or assessment task directions.
• Proofread work, pointing out errors.
• If your daughter has trouble with literacy, read aloud required reading or instructions.
• Give practice quizzes to help prepare for tests.
• Help brainstorm ideas for projects.
• Praise your daughter for completing homework.

Parents should not …

• Attempt to teach new concepts or skills your daughter is unfamiliar with.
• Complete homework or assessments for your daughter.
• Allow their daughter to sacrifice sleep to complete homework.

Communicating with teachers

If your daughter cannot complete the homework because they don’t understand the work:

• Write a note in the student diary to the class teacher or email the class teacher. For example: “Janet doesn’t understand how to do the problems. Please explain this to her again and allow her to redo the task.”

If homework seems excessive:

• Document how much time was spent on the task or a particular part of the task.
• Email or phone the class teacher and let them know the amount of time your daughter has spent on their homework or a particular assessment task.

If literacy or numeracy skills, learning difficulties or disabilities are hampering homework completion:

• Write a note in the diary, or email or phone the class teacher and ask for modifications or adjustments to the task.

If homework, more generally, is causing stress or conflict, please inform the College:

• Email or phone the Pastoral Advisor.

If homework is too easy:

• If homework is frequently completed to a high standard within a short time frame, then speak with the class teacher about the need to stretch your daughter academically.

The College acknowledges the diversity among families and daily life and that the successful implementation of homework will differ from family to family. Involvement by parents will vary depending on time available, work commitments and the ability of the student.

Debra Bourne - Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching

To download the fact sheet, please CLICK HERE

Jacqueline Benney - Learning Enhancement Coordinator

Students in Years 10 and 11 studying History are invited to apply. The application process is rigorous requiring a 1000 word essay, a copy of a marked History assessment and a letter of commendation from the College. Students will need to show how they have contributed to Anzac commemoration in the College and the local community.

For more information see the PAMS website

Applications close 28 March

Students should see myself or Mr White to discuss their application.

Fran Musico-Rullo - HSIE Teacher

Congratulations to the following girls who were selected in College Touch teams but did not get the opportunity to participate.

13 Years
Anastasia M, Amelia C, Chloe C, Charlize F, Charlie H, Olivia L, Gabriella L, Mikaela S, Victoria S, Amelia K and Olivia J.
15 Years
Jiselle P, Ella D, Scarlett N, Nyala R, Kiah G, Mariah A, Desiah P, Siena B, Ava S, Evie R, Kiarna H, Ava S and Cora W.
Open
Madison M, Olivia Z, Sandrine M, Lara M, Darcy E, Amy Y, Olivia H, Eden G, Aaliyah B, Ava H, Mia F, Mirae Q and Sianna F.

Scott Ashcroft - Sports and Activities Coordinator

The aim of the challenge is to encourage a love of reading for pleasure in students and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read more, and read more widely.

The challenge involves reading a total of 20 books by 19 August 2022. Students who manage to complete the challenge will receive a certificate.

If you would like to participate, please register your interest with Mrs Denford in the Library, (sdenford@saintpatricks.nsw.edu.au) and pick up your Welcome Pack.

The College Library

Campbelltown City Library offers a range of services to support students – from study spaces, HSC lectures and subject-specific study guides for students from Years 7 – 12.

HSC lectures and workshops are offered throughout the year plus you can use their databases to find reference material for your assessments.

Did you know the library has the following tools available – 3D printers, podcast equipment, a Green screen, discovery kits and even cake tins!

There is also a range of e-resources that can be accessed from home including: ebooks, e-magazines, online comics, films and documentaries. All you need is a library card.

For more information about joining or visiting Campbelltown City Library visit their website at: www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/libraries

Liverpool City Library is hosting a free online program for HSC students called HSC Habits.

The next session, Considering Careers, will be held on Thursday 17 March 2022.

This session will look at what comes after the HSC, asking are you building a roadmap to the future career you want? You can learn how to get the most out of your senior years by planning ahead.

This session will run online from 6pm – 7.30pm. Bookings are essential.

For more information about the HSC Habits program, or to make a booking, click here.

For Modern and Ancient History students, Liverpool City Library is offering an Express Skills eResearch Session. In the workshop you will learn how to locate quality eResources, navigate the Library catalogue and find the information you need to answer research questions and assignments.

The workshop will be held on Thursday 24 March at Liverpool City Library, from 4 – 4.50pm. Bookings are essential.

For more information or to make a booking click here.

The College Library

Try this experiment. Take a jar, some rocks, some pebbles, and sand. What happens if you put the sand in first then the pebbles? The rocks won’t fit. But if you do it the other way, put the rocks in first, then pop in the pebbles around the sides of the rocks, then sprinkle in the sand it all fits in no problem at all.

What does this mean? It is an analogy for how to make the most of blocks of time. If you do the big tasks first (the rocks), you will find time for the smaller tasks (the pebbles) and you’ll easily sprinkle in the sand (the little fiddly things). So if you deal with the rocks first you’ll still find time for the other tasks to fit around it.

But it doesn’t work the other way. If you deal first with the minutiae, the small things, you end up giving short shrift to the more important tasks and deplete your energy on these little things. And the little things will expand to fill the time available.

If you find this technique too challenging, you can set yourself a strict half-hour or so to knock over as many of the little things as possible before you start. Once time is up, you then use the block of time to work on the big important tasks. So draw up a table with three columns and put all your work into these columns:

ROCKS are the important and urgent tasks.

PEBBLES are the tasks that may also be important but are not as urgent.

SAND is the little fiddly tasks that you can slot in anywhere.

Do the rocks first, then the pebbles, then the sand.

Another approach you might like to try is the Rule of Three.

Rule of Three Technique

Circle the top three tasks that need to be done. What is most important and most urgent?
Put them in order from 1 to 3.
Start at the first task and complete it before moving on to the second.
Once all three tasks are completed, look through your list again to choose the new top three tasks.
Don’t cheat yourself – you have to complete fully the first task before moving to the second.

First, write a list of everything you need to do. Circle the top three tasks that need to be done. What is most important and most urgent? Put them in order from 1 to 3. Start at the first task and complete it before moving on to the second. Once all three tasks are completed, look through your list again to choose the new top three tasks. Don’t cheat yourself – you have to complete fully the first task before moving to the second.

Download the PDF file that outlines these techniques here.

There are many different methods of prioritising. You need to try different ones and see what works for you. You will find more in the Time Management Skills unit on Study Samurai Library

Dr Prue Salter of Enhnaced Learning Educational Services

About the program

The program combines engaging hands-on experiments and activities with inquiry-based learning to inspire curiosity and help support the development of problem-solving in girls.

Enthusiastically delivered by our qualified female educators, the program will provide a supportive environment to encourage girls to become confident and active learners.

Book now (starts Thurs 5 May)

The program will also incorporate a tour of ANSTOs important science and engineering facilities in Sydney to reinforce interest in STEM. Participants will have the opportunity to meet some of Australia’s leading female scientists and engineers!

The STEAM Club for Girls builds on the success of the online STEAM Club program that engaged students across Australia in 2020, 2021 and is back for 2022.