St Patrick's College Mackay - Term 1 - Week 4 - 20 February 2026

This week on the Senior Campus, I highlighted to the students our Vision Statement: “Inspired by Jesus Christ and the Catholic Tradition, we foster the holistic development of students to champion compassion, hope, justice, and respect.” I encouraged students to reflect on their personal moral compass - considering the values that motivate their decisions and the core beliefs that underpin their actions. Our core values and beliefs serve as guiding principles in our behaviour and decision-making, helping us discern right from wrong.

This discussion is closely linked to our identity as a Catholic College and our mission. As Principal, my role is to lead with moral purpose, ensuring fairness and equity for all - students, staff, and families. Our College is committed to supporting every student in our community to learn successfully and to strive towards their personal goals and aspirations. It is a privilege to witness young people develop the skills, attributes, and values.

Opening Mass and Investiture of Leaders
The St Patrick’s College community came together at the MECC last Thursday for our Opening Mass and the official commissioning of our 2026 student leaders. We are sincerely grateful to Bishop Michael McCarthy, Fr Matthias Ogwo, and Fr Sijo for presiding over the ceremony. We were delighted to welcome several distinguished guests, including Diocesan Director Mr Michael McCusker, Assistant Director: Schools Northern Region Mr David Paul, Assistant Director: Mission Kellie Jenkinson, Mayor Greg Williamson, Sr Denise Hinton, Sr Marise Casey and various members of our wider community who joined us for this milestone event.

It was also wonderful to welcome our bursary winners from the 2025 cohort and wish them all the best for their future endeavours.

St Patrick’s Medal – The Bishop Bernard Wallace Award for Dux of the College
This award acknowledges the College Patron, St Patrick, the great Irish Saint and The Most Reverend Bernard Wallace, past Bishop of Rockhampton. Bishop Wallace had a great interest in education. The criteria for this award is based on a student’s ATAR score.

This year, two students received the prestigious award of Dux of the College. The winners of the Bishop Bernard Wallace Award were Alice Camilleri and Lucas Chimes.

McGarry Bursaries
In 2025, St Patrick’s celebrated its best-ever ATAR results, with 27 students achieving scores above 90 and three students achieving scores above 99. Our 2025 cohort set a new benchmark for excellence. They have been a tremendous credit to themselves and the greater community.

Following our Opening Mass, we presented the McGarry Bursaries. A bequest by the late Miss Joan McGarry has established perpetual bursaries to be presented each year to St Patrick’s College students. The trust is established in honour of Miss McGarry’s parents, the late Fred and Rose McGarry and her brother, the late Jim McGarry. As per the guidelines of the bequest, bursaries were awarded in the areas of Academic Achievement. As well, in recognition of Joan McGarry’s lifelong dedication to her profession of nursing, the student with the highest ATAR entering Nursing also receives a bursary. The intention of the bequest is that students receive the bursary once properly enrolled in a tertiary course after Year 12, with study to commence in the year of the bequest.

These bursaries are not about money – although the money is substantial – the bursaries are about a gift to the future, a belief in young people, a hope to make things better for young people. An extraordinary gift to our whole community.

Every year when we celebrate these bursaries, it is important that we reflect on the fact that we have a debt of gratitude and a responsibility to all those who have gone before us at St Patrick’s. There is a proud tradition of spreading and sharing the good news at this college and we become part of that tradition and we continue to create that tradition this year.

Congratulations to all our McGarry Bursary recipients. I wish you all the best in your future studies and hope that you continue to keep in touch with us here at St Pat’s.

McGarry Bursary Recipients
*  Lucas Chimes Bachelor of Engineering Honours
*  Alice Camilleri Biomedical Science with Provision entry to Doctor of Medicine
*  Lance Allan Bachelor of Aerospace / Electrical Engineering
*  Owen Franettovich Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
*  Jiajian Guo Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
*  Jamison Mifsud Dual Bachelor of IT and Engineering
*  Jake Rickards Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Master of Engineering
*  Claudia Illguth Bachelor of Commerce
*  Jillian Panganiban Bachelor of Architectural Design/Master of Architecture
*  Lucy McKendry Bachelor of Nutrition Sciences/Master of Dietetics Studies
*  Shaylee Noy Bachelor of Education Secondary
*  Sylvie Cahill Bachelor of Engineering Honours
*  Tess Radke Bachelor of Pharmacy Honours
*  Mikayla Green Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of International Relations
*  Nate Derbin Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (Honours)
*  John Jones-Trifelly Bachelor of Engineering Honours
*  Libby Arnold Bachelor of Engineering Honours
*  Trinity Sturdy Bachelor of Medical Imaging
*  Gabrielle North Bachelor of Pharmacy Honours
*  Tailor Meredith Bachelor of Dental Surgery
*  Cassie Wellby Bachelor of Law (Honours)

The Joan McGarry Nursing Bursary
*  Katherine Ziekenheiner Bachelor of Nursing Science

The Class of 1974 Bursary is sponsored by members of the Class of 1974, who have collectively made an outstanding contribution to the Mackay community and beyond – in the clergy, politics, business, law, trades and other fields. Through their generosity, a bursary which provides a rebate from the student’s college fees, has been made available to a current St Patrick’s College Year 12 student. This student will have demonstrated great dedication and commitment throughout Year 11. The recipient of the Class of 1974 Bursary was Paige Tonga. Mr Damian Carroll, who was a member of this class, presented the Bursary to Paige on behalf of the class of 1974.

Aspire to Teach Awards
The Aspire to Teach Awards are a Catholic Education Award and the purpose of the award is to promote the career of teaching for students in the Senior Phase of Learning. This award is presented to a male and female student.

These students will have demonstrated the following:
- Witnesses to his/her Christian faith
- Displays qualities of a good teacher eg. care, compassion, positivity, collaborative, helpful, supportive and mentoring peers
- Good academic and behaviour record
- Broad involvement in college and cocurricular activities
- Evidence of student leadership

The recipients of the Aspire to Teach Awards were Milly Mayfield and Izaac Noy.

College Board
On Wednesday 4 February, our first Board Meeting of the year was held. We bid farewell and say thank you to: Parent Representative Mr Kris Arnold, Spiritual Representative Mr Brendan Gunning and Student Representatives Keira Higgs and John Jones-Trifelly. We welcome Mrs Andrea Crocker as Spiritual Representative and Eva Hooper and Dominic Sorbello as Student Representatives. All Board Members were commissioned at the Opening Mass by Bishop Michael. I look forward to working with you all.

Meet the Teachers BBQ and Parent Engagement Session
Thank you to the many families who joined us on Tuesday at the Meet the Teachers BBQ – it was a record attendance. Parents took part in a Parent Engagement Session with Mrs Tracey McLeod, Assistant Principal: Administration, who provided valuable insight into how parents and staff can continue to work in partnership to support every student.

Save the date for the next Parent Engagement session on Tuesday 5 May.

Bishop’s Inservice Day
Our entire staff joined together today for professional and spiritual growth at our annual Bishop’s Inservice Day. The theme for this year’s gathering focused on Religious Identity and Culture. It was a privilege to hear from Bishop Michael McCarthy and the Diocesan Director of Catholic Education, Mr Michael McCusker who both shared some inspiring insights with us. Our sincere thanks to Assistant Director: Mission Kellie Jenkinson and the team from the Catholic Education Office Rockhampton.

The day included filmed workshops presented by Damien Price and Colm Flynn, and a shared lunch where staff enjoyed time for community and conversation. The day concluded on a high note with a beautiful music ministry led by our very own Molly Bettridge.

This event is always a highlight for personal faith development and formation. Our staff truly appreciated the chance to step away from their daily routines to focus their attention and gain new insights. We extend our sincere thanks to Bishop Michael for gifting us this day each year.

St Patrick’s College Open Night
I warmly invite all families considering joining our college community in 2027 to come along to our Open Night on Tuesday 17 March. If you know of any families considering their school options for 2027, please pass on these details to them.

Between 4pm and 7pm, our doors will be wide open for you to wander through the campus, chat with our wonderful staff and students, and get a true feel for the unique opportunities waiting for your child here. We are now taking online enrolment applications for 2027.

ENROL NOW: https://enrol.spcmrok.catholic.edu.au/secondary-school-enrolment/start

Recently, we have become aware of an online trend called the “Splash” or “Assassin” game, which encourages participants to “splash” or throw water on others—often while filming or sharing the interaction online. While many students may see this as light-hearted fun, this game can lead to safety concerns and situations that cause embarrassment or distress for those involved.

At St Patrick’s College, our priority is always the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of every student. Any activity that risks physical harm, discomfort, or unwanted attention is not in keeping with the values of compassion, hope, justice and respect that define our college community. When others are splashed unexpectedly, particularly in public or while in the College uniform, it can be unsafe and disrespectful—and it does not reflect the high standards of conduct we expect from our students.

As senior students, it is important during this phase of learning that we focus on our academic commitments and not be sidetracked by unnecessary influences. Therefore, the College does not endorse this type of behaviour.

I encourage all students to make thoughtful choices online and in the community - looking out for one another and taking pride in being positive representatives of our college. Parents and carers can support this by having open conversations at home about online behaviour and the importance of respect in all settings.

Together, let’s keep St Patrick’s a community where every action, both on and offline, reflects our shared values of compassion, responsibility, and safety.

Janelle Agius
Principal

Falling the day before Ash Wednesday, Shrove Tuesday is a tradition dating back to the 16th century. Historically, it served as the final opportunity to indulge before the fasting season of Lent. It was the perfect time to clear the pantry of ingredients forbidden during the fast—such as eggs, milk, and fats—which happen to be the essential components of a great pancake!

Across both campuses, students enjoyed pancakes while raising money for Caritas, with the Seniors even hosting a lively pancake eating competition. As we begin the Lenten season, we are called to seek and serve Christ through a renewed commitment to prayer, generosity, and compassion for those in need.

The St Patrick’s College community came together in prayer to observe Ash Wednesday, marking the official start of Lent. During our gathering, we reflected on the invitation to refocus our hearts on God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It is our hope that this Lenten journey brings a season of spiritual growth and grace to everyone in the St Pat’s community.

Throughout the coming weeks, we invite all students and staff to support Caritas Australia via Project Compassion. This year’s theme, "Unite Against Poverty," encourages us to act with collective generosity. Donation boxes have now been distributed to all homerooms for those wishing to contribute.

As we set sail into a new school year, our College is once again preparing to celebrate the achievements that make our learning community so strong. On Monday 23 February, we will host our Academic Awards Night, recognising students who have excelled academically or shown unwavering diligence in their studies. This event is a proud tradition, a moment to pause on calm waters and acknowledge the hard work, determination, and spirit that keep our community moving forward.

Looking slightly ahead on the horizon, NAPLAN testing for Years 7 and 9 will take place on 11–12 March. A letter will be sent home next week with all the key details. To ensure our students are confident and well-prepared for the journey, we’ll be running literacy and numeracy masterclasses:

* Year 7 – Monday sessions
* Year 9 – Tuesday sessions

These sessions will help students revisit core skills and navigate the online testing environment smoothly, setting them up for success as they chart their course through NAPLAN.

With everyone on deck, students, staff, and families alike — we look forward to another year of smooth sailing guided by shared commitment, curiosity, and pride in our College’s learning tradition.

The SRC has started the year with real momentum, meeting regularly and already coordinating a range of activities that are bringing great energy to the Senior Campus. 

They’ve taken the lead in running assemblies and supporting a number of initiatives, setting a positive tone for the term. Planning has started for the upcoming aquatics carnival, happening on Tuesday 3 March - always a highlight on the calendar. St Patrick’s Day is also just around the corner and students can look forward to some fun filled activities organised by the SRC after we celebrate our Feast Day Mass.

📘 The Power of Showing Up

Attendance + Participation = Student Connectedness. Our 2026 Pastoral Goal
A strong sense of belonging is one of the most important factors in student wellbeing and learning. When students attend regularly and participate actively, whether it be classes or carnivals, they feel more connected, confident, and ready to succeed.

🌟 Why Attendance Matters

Regular attendance helps students:
* Keep up with learning and routines
* Build strong relationships with teachers and peers
* Develop confidence and security through consistent structure
* Access classroom opportunities that only happen in person
* Maintain steady progress from lesson to lesson, day to day.
Every day counts - small absences add up quite quickly.

🌈 Participation Brings Learning to Life

When students join in, they:
* Build confidence by contributing ideas
* Strengthen communication and social skills
* Work collaboratively with classmates
* Take ownership of their learning
* Form stronger connections with teachers
* Feel valued and included in the College community
* Participation helps students move from just attending school to truly belonging.

💙 Connectedness Leads to Success

Students who feel connected are more likely to:
* Attend regularly
* Enjoy learning
* Show positive behaviour
* Engage actively in class and activities
* Develop resilience
* Achieve stronger academic outcomes
Connectedness grows when students feel noticed, supported, valued, and involved.

🏡 How Families Can Support

You can help your child stay connected by:
* Creating consistent routines at home
* Encouraging a positive attitude toward school
* Talking daily about learning and friendships
* Celebrating effort, not just results
* Communicating early if support is needed
* Modelling the importance of showing up
Small, consistent steps at home make a big difference.

🤝 Working Together

When students show up, they have the opportunity to learn.
When they participate, they build relationships.
When they feel connected, they thrive.

Thank you for supporting our 2026 shared Pastoral Goal of helping every student feel confident, supported, and part of our St Patrick’s College community.

Our Cultural Program gives students the opportunity to get involved in music, performance and the creative arts through college ensembles and performance groups. It’s a great way to build confidence, make friends, develop skills and be part of the life of the College.
Rehearsals begin in Week 4, and we’d love to see lots of students involved.

SIGN UP NOW!

Sign-up is a simple two-step process:

1. Students select their ensemble(s) via Student Café (Extra-Curricular → Show Available Groups).
2. Parents/Guardians confirm permissions* and accept the Terms and Conditions via Parent Lounge or the Orbit App.

*Please note: student selection must be followed by parent/guardian approval for enrolment to be complete.

2026 REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

Our Vinnies team helped spread the love across the College last week with a special Valentine’s Day fundraiser! Students had the opportunity to purchase cookies, chocolates, and lollipops for their friends and Valentines, with all sweet treats delivered during homeroom on Friday 13 February. The excitement and smiles across classrooms showed just how much everyone enjoyed the fun and thoughtful surprise.

A big thank you to everyone who supported the event, and an extra shout-out to the hardworking Vinnies students and staff team who organised and delivered everything so smoothly. Their teamwork and generosity helped make this fundraiser such a wonderful success.

All money raised will go to Caritas Australia, our focus project for Term 1. The Vinnies team is already planning ahead for the Aquatics Carnival in Week 6, where they’ll be selling lollies, soft drinks, and chocolates to continue their important fundraising efforts.

St Patrick’s College Mackay has a long history of offering excellence in education as a Catholic Coeducational College in the Diocese of Rockhampton catering for Years 7 to 12.

Families looking for a quality Catholic Secondary education in Mackay are invited to attend the St Patrick’s College Mackay Open Night being held on Tuesday 17 March at the Mercy Campus in Penn Street, Mackay from 4.00pm to 7.00pm.

Prospective parents and students are warmly invited to join us for an enjoyable and informative evening filled with activities and opportunities. Explore our diverse range of subject displays, chat to teachers about our curriculum, whilst admiring students’ work and classroom activities.

Don’t miss the opportunity to discover valuable information about our vocational and sporting programs. Throughout the evening, you’ll also enjoy dynamic performances from the College Cultural ensembles, showcasing the incredible talent and creativity of our students in captivating live performances.

For those attending there is a Treasure Map prize draw at 6:30pm at the Pavilion offering:

*  First Prize - $200 City Beach Gift Voucher
*  Second Prize - $100 City Beach Gift Voucher
*  Third Prize - $50 City Beach Gift Voucher

Why enrol at St Patrick’s College? St Patrick’s is a partnership between students, staff and parents, providing an environment of learning, personal growth and faith development while recognising students as young adults.

St Patrick’s College holds as its central character the motto ‘Seek and Serve Christ’.

With strong academic, vocational, sporting, cultural and spiritual, programs, St Patrick’s College offers positive experiences for students in a dynamic and exciting dual campus environment.

The College is ideally located close to Mackay’s burgeoning Sports precinct with Multi Sports Basketball and Netball Stadium, BB Print Stadium, Junior League Fields, Harrup Park cricket fields, netball courts plus soccer and hockey fields nearby as well as the Paget Business District.

If you would like more information regarding enrolment at St Patrick’s College Mackay, please visit our website www.stpats.qld.edu.au or call (07) 4994 8700.

The annual Mocktail event for Year 12 students, held at the MECC, organised by The Seniors Club Inc. is coming up soon. The Mocktail function is a wonderful event that has operated in Mackay for the last 33 years with approximately 1200 local Year 12 students attending. This is a unique, interschool event for year 12 students from local schools, ranging from Bowen to Sarina, in the form of an alcohol and drug free dance party. Professional DJ’s provide dance and club music throughout the evening. The main entertainment will be the Schools Talent Competition. Snack foods (sliders, hot dogs, chips, etc.) and non-alcoholic drinks are available for purchase from the MECC. Please note that the MECC accepts Card Only, no cash. A Storage Room will operate for students to place their valuables (bags, shoes, phones, etc.) at the cost of $5. Teacher supervisors from each school will be present throughout the night as well as security guards who will provide security both inside and outside the venue. The Mocktail operates on a lock-out system, so once a student chooses to leave the building, they are not allowed to return. Tickets are limited and sold on a first served/purchased basis.

Rules in place for the 2026 Mocktail:

* Semi formal clothing with appropriate footwear.
* WH&S: No bare feet allowed (ladies, it is advisable to bring a second, sensible pair of shoes for dancing).
* The MECC is a public building and therefore smoking and vaping is banned inside the venue according to Queensland Smoking Laws.
* Although the MECC is a licenced venue, this event is a non-alcoholic event and no alcohol will be served.
* It is an offense to bring your own alcohol onto a licenced premises and anyone who does so is open to charges against the Qld Liquor Act.
* Lock-out system in place – once a student leaves the venue, they are not allowed back in the venue.
* Inappropriate behaviour may result in parents being called and asked to collect their student or if necessary, they may be escorted home by the police.
* Tickets are available to Year 12 students only and only sold through the school that the student attends.
* Students are only able to purchase one (1) Mocktail ticket per person from their school.
* Schools may withhold from selling a student a ticket or withdraw a student’s ticket after being sold, if they so choose to do so.

Mocktail Event Details:

* Date: Friday 13th March
* Venue: MECC, Alfred St, Mackay
* Time: 7pm – 11pm NB. Students are required to arrive at the venue between 7 and 8pm.
* Cost: $30 a ticket
* Ticket Purchasing: Tickets can be purchased on Parent Lounge up until Friday 27 February and collected from Mon 9 - Wed 11 March from the College Board Room.

Don’t forget to bring your Ticket with you to the MECC on the night!

On Tuesday night, families joined staff members for our first Parent Engagement Session titled ‘Parent’s Survival Guide’ and our Meet the Teacher BBQ. It was a fantastic evening dedicated to strengthening the partnership between home and school.

The highlight of the night was our interactive session designed to take the "puzzle" out of college life. Parents gained vital insights into:

* Mastering our College Orbit App for real-time updates.
* Navigating reporting systems to track student progress.
* Best practices for partnering with staff to support student success.

Following the presentation, all attending enjoyed a complimentary BBQ. This relaxed atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for parents and teachers to mingle and talk.

Thank you to everyone who attended and brought such great community spirit to the evening. A special thank you to our Tuckshop team and staff for cooking and serving on the night.

We look forward to seeing everyone at our next Parent Engagement Session ‘Navigating Your Academic Journey’ on Tuesday 5 May, 6:00pm in the St Patrick’s Senior Campus Auditorium. Parking and entry via Gregory Street.

You're Invited
We warmly invite all parents and guardians to the next meeting of the Parent Engagement Committee, which will be held on Tuesday 3 March. The session will run from 5:15 pm to 6:00 pm in the Senior Campus Boardroom. If you have been considering joining the committee or would like to contribute more actively to our college community, this is the perfect opportunity to attend and submit your nomination.

We look forward to seeing both new and familiar faces there as we work together to support our students.

A Friendly Reminder: Parking and Student Safety
To ensure the safety of our students and maintain positive relationships with our local community, we kindly ask all parents to be mindful of parking during drop-off and pick-up times. Please refrain from parking in the College bus stop, as this area must remain clear for our transport services. Additionally, we ask that you avoid blocking the driveways of our neighbouring residences or using car parks reserved for nearby businesses. 

We truly appreciate your cooperation and courtesy in helping us remain a considerate and safe neighbour within our local area.

Bus smartcards play an important role in supporting student safety and wellbeing. They enable us to accurately record travel, view tap on and tap off locations, and quickly access parent contact details if needed. Smartcards also help us monitor student numbers and gain a clearer understanding of any changing travel patterns.

For 2026, the initial smartcard issued to each student will be provided free of charge. Replacement cards are available for $5 each. We would also like to remind parents and carers about the convenient mobile app that allows them to link and manage their child’s smartcard. Through the app, they can:

• Monitor travel activity• Top up card funds• Receive important updates

If parents require assistance, they can contact us on 4957 3330 or email school.mtc@wearekinetic.com. They are also welcome to visit our depot at 12 Titanium Drive, Paget.

Kinetic Mackay School Team