You will have received a letter from Mr Paul Colyer, Chair of the Board, informing you of the new Principal for St Patricks College, Mrs Mary Leask. Mary will be a wonderful leader for this beautiful community for all the reasons outlined in Mr Colyer’s letter. It is very reassuring that a woman of such experience and wisdom will be taking over this role in 2024. I wish her the very best and know you will warmly welcome her with true Benedictine hospitality when she joins the community in January next year.

I am excited to inform you that the building project in the COLA is nearing completion. It has been impacted by delays in materials and the job that should have been completed by Easter is now finishing at the end of this term. The roofing is being installed in the next few weeks, planter boxes and final fixtures are being completed and then the final clean and painting of the flooring will see it ready for occupancy. We are very grateful for the work of architects Alleanza and builders Cowyn who have been exceptional in their professionalism and collaboration with the College.

After a lengthy process of discernment and consideration, we have settled on the new student leadership team for 2023-2024. The leaders are:

College Captain:  Gabrielle V

Benedict Captain:  Abigail B

Scholastica Captain:  Ava C

Sport Captain:  Mirae Q

CAPA Captain:  Myah B

Community Captain:  Meghan W

This week, we inducted the new leaders into their roles at the College. I would like to express my gratitude to the outgoing team who have been very energetic and committed to their service at the College. To the incoming team, I congratulate them in their new roles and look forward to witnessing the impact they will have in making a positive difference in the community over the coming year.

Finally, the Alumni have two important opportunities they would like to share with the community. You can have your name and the year you graduated from the College immortalised by buying a brick that will be laid in the Alumni Walk in the College grounds. The details are further in this edition and I encourage you to take this opportunity to celebrate your time at the College. The money raised by the Alumni through this project will provide a scholarship for a student entering Year 11. Secondly, the College will be hosting its annual reunion for all years on Saturday 14 October 2023. It will be held at the College from 5pm to 7pm. Further details are in this edition and I warmly invite all alumni to attend this special event.

I will leave you with a reflection, ‘A blessing for one who holds power’ from Benedictus, A Book of Blessings, by John O’Donohue.

Blessings, 

Sue Lennox

May the gift of leadership awaken in you as a vocation,

Keep you mindful of the providence that calls you to serve.

May you have the wisdom to read time clearly

And know when the seed of change will flourish.

In your heart may there be a sanctuary

For the stillness where clarity is born.

May you welcome your own vulnerability

As the ground where healing and truth join.

May integrity of soul be your first ideal,

The source that will guide and bless your work.