Welcome to the new school year at St Patrick's and a very special welcome to the new families joining us in 2024.

Our New Year has begun with great gusto and energy.

Bustling with anticipation and huge smiles, our Year 7 girls have begun their journey with us. Managing timetables, room changes, the first week of sport and activities, as well as their lockers, they seem to be finding their St Pat’s “legs” very well. As I walk around the school, I am met with cheerful smiles and “good mornings” from the girls. I am also appreciating the natural beauty of the grounds and facilities of the College on my daily morning walks.

We have held our Distinguished Achievers Assembly celebrating our class of 2023. These young women were very impressive as they spoke, not only about their career trajectories, but also in the very sensible and practical advice they gave the girls on how to achieve success.

We also welcomed a large number of families with their daughters to the all important Year 11 Information Evening. As these young women begin Stage 6 - the last part of their secondary learning journey - there are many NESA regulated rules that parents and students can often find difficult to navigate. My thanks to the staff, led by Dr Bourne and Ms Wright, who coordinated this evening.

The more conversations that I have with parents and families, the more I am discovering our connections through my extended family or circumstances that make the saying “there are only 6 degrees of separation between people” very real. Thank you for making me feel welcome and please do come and introduce yourself to me.

Please know that you are always welcome to be part of any of our school events such as the upcoming very relaxed Picnic on the Playground for students and families at lunchtime on 12 February.

One of the things that I have noticed immediately about St Patrick’s is the sense of it being a genuine community of care. One of the great advantages of being the size that we are, is that every girl can be known as an individual and I have already seen the care and respect that staff show in working with your daughters. It is certainly living out the quote from the Rule of St Benedict that “the strong have something to strive for and the weak have nothing to fear”.

In preparation for Open Day on 24 February, this week I commenced visits to the local Catholic Primary Schools. I have begun to get a feel for the greater Campbelltown community and the new emerging suburbs. Ms Sciffer, our Community Engagement Coordinator, has accompanied me on these visits and has been a font of knowledge! The St Patrick’s students who have also accompanied me have been articulate and very proud, not only of their old primary school, but of St Patrick’s and speak quite eloquently about the many opportunities they have at the College. Parents, you should be very proud of them!  

I would also like to welcome staff who are new to the College in 2024:

Melina Altman      School Psychologist

Nathalie Antoun   Teacher’s Aide

Jessica Esaid        HSIE Teacher

Fiona Johnson      Science/Mathematics Teacher

Chanlina Lam       Languages Coordinator

Makayla Milross    PDHPE Teacher

Carly Orfali          English Teacher

Emily Pedder        Legal Studies Teacher

Christina Silvano  TAS Coordinator

Lauren Tilbury      Pastoral Support Worker

Chloe Waud         Administration Assistant

I feel very lucky to be part of this vibrant community!

God bless you and your families and friends in the coming weeks.

Take care,

Mary Leask

Principal