St Patrick's College Mackay - Term 3 - Week 10 - 19 September 2025

As we come to the end of this term and head into the two-week break, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students and staff. This term, our College has been a hive of activity, from the classroom to the sporting fields and the stage. The dedication, resilience, and talent on display have been truly inspiring. You've all worked incredibly hard, and now it's time to rest, recharge, and enjoy a well-deserved holiday with your families and friends.

I look forward to welcoming everyone back for Term 4 on Tuesday 7 October.

Mercy Day
Today, our Year 7-10 students joined us in honouring the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy, who were the original founders of our school. We were incredibly fortunate to have three Sisters of Mercy with us for the occasion. The day began with a meaningful Liturgy of the Word before we all headed to Mackay Harbour for a range of activities.

This day is a tribute to Catherine McAuley, a woman of extraordinary compassion who was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1778. In 1824, she opened the House of Mercy, a safe haven for homeless women, a place to care for the sick and dying, and a school for young girls. Catherine and her companions took their vows as the very first Sisters of Mercy in 1831.

When I reflect on this day, I feel very privileged that on a visit to Ireland, I walked the halls of Catherine McAuley's house in Dublin and saw where her incredible journey began. I urge anyone who travels to Dublin to visit 64 Baggot Street.

I would also like to acknowledge the immense contribution of our own Mercy Sisters who brought education to Mackay, arriving on the riverbank on February 21, 1880. From their earliest days, the Sisters saw education as a powerful tool for empowering individuals and helping them reach their full potential. They established a large convent on the bank of the Pioneer River, which not only housed many Sisters but also served as a boarding school. From this central hub on River Street, education spread throughout our region, with the Sisters traveling to Walkerston, Marian, South Mackay, and North Mackay. It is from this foundation that education has flourished in our community.

As we continue to carry their legacy forward, we remember the words of Catherine McAuley herself: "The simplest and most practical lesson I know... is to resolve to be good today, but better tomorrow."

Year 10 Wellbeing Day
It was wonderful to see our Year 10 students truly engaged yesterday, in the series of crucial workshops designed to equip them with the tools to navigate the challenges of adolescence. Sessions on resilience, physical health, and online safety, with support from partners like Headspace and the Queensland Police Service offered vital information to the students. We are particularly grateful to all the external providers who attended. The day was a testament to our commitment to the personal development of our students, and I am confident they have gained valuable knowledge and skills that will serve them well into the future.

Rats of Tobruk
Last Friday, I had the privilege of attending the Rats of Tobruk commemoration, an important event where several of our students joined me in honouring the extraordinary courage and resilience of those who served. I was incredibly proud to see our students participate so respectfully and represent our College with such maturity at this significant community event.

Term 3 Interim Reports
Interim reports, detailing the current progress of students in Years 7 – 10, will be available through Parent Lounge today. This interim report is provided mid-way through the semester as a guide to parents and students.

Safeguarding
Last week, the Senior Leadership Team attended a Strategic Planning Day in Rockhampton to plan our School Improvement Plan. We also were joined by our Student Protection Team to undergo two days of student protection training, reinforcing our strong commitment to child safety.

Student Parking
Students are reminded not to park their vehicle in the 1-2 hour parking bays around the boundaries of the College. As you would appreciate, these spaces are intended for short term use by shopper’s and customer’s visiting local businesses. I urge all students who drive to school to help assist us in maintaining good community relationships with our neighbouring businesses. Please note that I have received notice that these parking areas will be monitored by Mackay Regional Council. Students, please look for longer term parking spaces or alternatively use public transport.

Recently, I had the pleasure of joining the Year 9 Basketball Excellence class for a dynamic lesson focused on passing, held at the Mackay Basketball Stadium. This practical session was expertly led by our skilled teacher Joanne Ciantar-Schatkowski, with invaluable assistance from Kobey Chikunda, our dedicated Teacher Aide and a reigning superstar of the Mackay Meteors.

The 45-minute session was intense and highly engaging, with students drilling their passing techniques and building teamwork under expert guidance. I quickly discovered just how demanding the practice was, after 45 minutes, I had nothing left in the tank! Joanne’s coaching combined skill development and game strategy, creating a vibrant learning environment. Kobey’s professional insights and encouragement elevated the experience, linking school sport with elite competition.

It was inspiring to see the students’ enthusiasm and determination as they honed their skills on the court. Experiences like this are vital to our approach at St Patrick’s College, blending practical application with classroom learning to foster sporting excellence.

This visit to the Mackay Basketball Stadium not only supported our Year 9 athletes’ growth but also strengthened community connections with local professionals, enriching the curriculum. We look forward to more lessons that challenge and inspire our students.

There's no such thing as perfect parenting. But by understanding different parenting styles, we can better support our children in healthier and more effective ways.

Most of us parent as a blend of our own upbringing, lived experiences and external influences such as books, podcasts or parenting websites. And while parenting is always a challenge, it can become even more complex through divorce, separation, blended families, trauma or bereavement. Not to mention life's many other hurdles.

The concept of "parenting styles" was first introduced in the 1960s by Diana Baumrind, a clinical and developmental psychologist. She identified four main categories of parenting. Each style shapes a child's development in different ways and comes with both strengths and challenges.

Although well-intentioned, each parenting approach can have drawbacks in a child's development. Every child is unique, and their needs change as they grow. An authoritative style may suit younger children, but teenagers often require a greater balance of guidance and independence. The goal is to create a secure environment where children feel respected, heard, and supported.

By learning more about the different styles and how they influence children, you can make informed choices about the approach that best suits your family. And remember, styles are not fixed. They can evolve over time as your child grows and their needs change.

We invite you to watch this Special Report and complete the quiz to discover your own parenting style. You might also like to compare your results with your partner's and reflect together on the different approaches you each bring to parenting.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://stpats.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-parenting-styles

In today's world, where distractions are abundant and the pressure to excel is high, guiding children to develop healthy study habits is more important than ever. As students aspire to achieve academic success, the cornerstone of that achievement lies not just in their intelligence or drive, but in the study habits they cultivate.

It's essential for students to recognise that good study habits aren't merely about spending extra hours hitting the books. It's more about quality over quantity and having a more balanced approach. Emphasising the value of a routine is essential. Consistent study times establish a sense of structure and discipline, turning studying into a natural part of their daily routine rather than a burdensome task.

Additionally, how students approach their study sessions is equally important. Taking regular breaks is a crucial part of this process in maintaining focus and preventing burnout.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and consistent physical activity are indispensable elements that will significantly impact your child's ability to study effectively. Fostering these healthy habits is one of the most valuable gifts we can offer children, paving the way for a lifetime of learning and achievement.

This Special Report will help you support your young person as they embark on studying for exams.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://stpats.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-healthy-study-habits-au

Imagine you were given 9 hours to write, illustrate and publish a novel. But here’s the catch, you also have to include a special set of parameters that are only revealed that day. This is what 32 dedicated students accomplished on Wednesday. These students, spanning from Years 7 to 10, not only showcased their literary and artistic talents; they also raised vital funds for The Kids' Cancer Project.

"Our biggest challenge was trying to get everyone’s ideas into the story," said Hannah. "It was really exciting to be able to use and acknowledge everybody’s strengths," Charlotte added.

All books written during the competition are digitised and will be distributed to children in hospitals across Australia, offering a much-needed escape and a source of entertainment during their treatment. The books will also be judged by a panel of leading Australian authors, and illustrators, as well as members of the Children’s Book Council of Australia, adding an extra layer of motivation for the students.

"The best part was working with my friends and seeing what we could create together," Addisyn said. The Navy Team also explained, "We had been planning our story, but we didn't know the full parameters yet, so it was a bit of a mystery. The challenge made it even more enjoyable!"

The students' efforts extended beyond the writing room. To get their books judged and contribute to the cause, each team needed to raise a minimum of $240. The St Patrick's College teams had rallied the community, raising an impressive $4,500 through their individual efforts, a raffle and a bake sale. Every dollar raised went directly to The Kids' Cancer Project, an independent national charity that funds life-saving childhood cancer research.

This initiative truly highlighted the spirit of St Patrick’s College Mackay and its commitment to nurturing students who make a positive impact on the world. Their collective efforts have showcased not only remarkable teamwork and creativity but also a profound sense of compassion to help those in need. Well done to all the students involved in this year’s Write A Book In A Day initiative.

As we approach the due date for finalisation of fee accounts, we’d like to share a clear overview of our billing and payment arrangements.

🧾 Billing Timeline
Annual fee statements are issued by Week 2 of Term 1. Families can choose between two payment options:

🟢 Option 1: Full Payment
- Due within 30 days of the statement issue date.
- Eligible for a 2.5% Prompt Payment Discount.

🔵 Option 2: Payment Plan
- Must be arranged before the Term 1 statement due date (unless enrolment occurs after this date).
- Plans can be weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or term-based.
- Payment plans must be completed by Week 4 of Term 4. For Year 12 students, fees must be paid in full by Week 4 of Term 3.
- Eligible for a 1.5% Payment Plan Discount if all conditions are met.

Payment methods: Parent Orbit App, Parent Lounge, Direct Debit Authority, Bpay, or in person via cash, EFTPOS, or credit card.

Want to spread your payments out? Payments can commence early and credited to your account in advance. Contact us to arrange early payment plans.

🧾 Policy
The College has a policy that will be enforced regarding outstanding college fees. Students will not be permitted to represent the College at events unless fees are paid in full, or a working payment plan is in place, along with full payment for the trip and associated program costs.

🆘 Need Help?
We understand that financial circumstances can vary. Families experiencing hardship are encouraged to contact the College Finance Office to discuss their options.

📞 Finance Office Contact:
Phone: (07) 4994 8700
Email: spcm_finance@rok.catholic.edu.au

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs)
Allows high school students (usually in Years 10, 11 or 12) to earn a wage, train towards a nationally recognised qualification and study towards their Queensland Certificate of Education at the same time.

Use your SAT to kick-start your career and learn invaluable, real-life workplace skills and hands-on industry experience.

Specific requirements
There are specific requirements for SATs that apply to:
- age limits
- paid work and minimum hours
- parental consent
- school support and timetables.
Some of the training and/or work must take place during school hours.

Read more about eligibility and requirements.

NB: If studying certificate courses at school covered by Career Ready (VETiS) funding and doing a SAT you may need to pay Fee for Services FFS price for the certificate course while at school.

SAT and Certificate students will need a USI number to be enrolled into a certificate course or to start a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship. To apply for a USI number or find my USI number: usi.gov.au/students/get-a-usi.

White Card Course: If you work on a construction site in Australia (e.g. Architect, Engineering, Construction, building industry) then you need to complete an accredited General Construction Induction Training (GCIT) course (CPCWHS1001 - Prepare to work safely in the construction industry). Upon successful completion, you will be issued with a white card which you will present at site inductions.

Work Experience
Year 12 students: May participate in work experience until the 21st of November 2025

Christmas holiday: All other students over 14yrs of age may participate in work experience until the 12 December 2025 and beginning in 2026 the week starting the 12 January. (First day of school 2026 the week of the 27 January).

Application forms need to be submitted to the College by Term 4, Week 7 and the Agreement needs to be signed by all parties by the beginning of Week 8.

Current Year 9’s: All Career students will be participating in compulsory work experience early next year, please consider what you would like to have experience in and where you would like to go.

St Patrick’s College - Career Connections
Current course and career opportunities will be regularly updated on the St Patrick’s College Website under the Community tab.

Available Course information on our St Patrick’s College website
- Working Safely at Heights
- White Card Course
- First Aid Course
- Chemical Certification ACDC Course
- Standard 11 Generic Coal Mine Induction (Surface) program
- Barista Training
- Confined Space Entry with Gas Testing Training

For more information please contact VET Coordinator Helen_moohin@rok.catholic.edu.au

What a fantastic effort by our senior boys’ cricket team at the StreetSmart Secondary School T20 Competition in Brisbane over the weekend! Under the steady leadership of captain Lachlan Newbery, the team gave it their all, representing our school with pride, passion, and outstanding sportsmanship.

The tournament started with a bang, thanks to Calvin Poelstra, the youngest member of the squad, who delivered a career-best performance, taking 6 wickets for just 6 runs off 4 overs. His explosive opening set the tone for what was to be a highly competitive weekend.

As the saying goes, "catches win matches", and our team proved that true with some spectacular grabs throughout the competition. A standout moment was Kooper Tomlinson’s incredible caught-and-bowled effort in Game 1, just one of many plays that highlighted the team's skill and commitment.

After a dominant victory in their opening match, the team continued their momentum into Day 2, securing a spot in the semi-finals. Despite mixed results in the finals campaign, they proudly finished 4th overall, a commendable achievement against strong opposition.

Congratulations to the entire team for their dedication, teamwork, and grit. A heartfelt thank you also goes to Mrs Beardmore, Mrs Krause, and Mr Dudas for their time, support, and guidance throughout the tournament.

Top Performers
Calvin Poelstra – 6/6 off 4 overs
Will Keen – 1/3 off 2 overs
Ben Garner – 43 runs (41 balls)
Marshall Maher – 36 runs (37 balls)
Max Campbell – 31 runs (29 balls)

Team List
Lachlan Newbery (c)
Liam Anderson
Max Campbell
Ricky Deguara
Ben Garner
Nate Jackson
Will Keen
Marshall Maher
Cooper Newbery
Calvin Poelstra
Kooper Tomlinson

Our Year 12 Certificate III in Business students recently showcased their hard work and creativity during Market Day. Working in groups, students designed and managed their own market stalls, presenting products developed in response to the needs and wants of potential customers.

Students were assessed on a range of industry-relevant skills, including communication with customers, teamwork, meeting customer needs, and applying design principles when creating their marketing materials. In addition, they were required to demonstrate strong business skills by managing budgets, covering costs, and considering profit margins.

This year, students chose to support Zonta Australia, a charity that advocates for issues of significance to women and girls at a national level. Their efforts not only provided valuable hands-on business experience but also contributed to an important cause.

Some of our Year 8 students recently attended an engaging workshop on the exploration of heavy hydraulics in mining, hosted by QMEA (Queensland Minerals & Energy Academy) and Thiess Mining. During the day, students discovered a wide range of career opportunities in the mining industry and were challenged to apply their creative, collaborative, problem-solving and design skills. They built a robotic arm powered by water and then designed their own innovative attachments that could be used to complete real-world tasks on a mine site. We are proud to share that one of our teams was selected for the Best Innovative Design of the Day, showcasing the creativity, collaboration and talent of our students.

Our Year 10 Business and Accounting students recently brought their learning to life through a simulated Travel Expo. As part of their assessment, students designed, planned, and delivered a travel experience tailored to a specific customer demographic. They showcased their creativity by developing professional booths and confidently engaging with “clients” made up of teachers and fellow students. This experience not only highlighted their innovation and teamwork but also helped them strengthen essential skills in marketing, communication, problem-solving, and customer service. The Expo was a fantastic opportunity for students to apply their classroom knowledge in a realistic and engaging way.

Between 4 – 19 July, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Cambridge University to attend the Oxford Royale Summer School, where I studied a Law and Politics course alongside students from over 50 different nationalities.

From the very first day, I knew this was going to be an unforgettable experience. Walking into lectures and discussions surrounded by people from so many different backgrounds was both daunting and exciting, but I quickly realised that the diversity of perspectives was exactly what made learning so rich and challenging.

Throughout the program, I explored criminal and civil law systems, as well as the politics shaping today’s world. One of my proudest moments was winning a debate on the ‘Right to Offend’ at the historic Cambridge Union. Standing in the very place where world leaders and renowned thinkers have spoken before me was surreal. That debate pushed me to think critically and speak with confidence under pressure.

I was also given the chance to act as Lead Prosecutor in a mock murder trial. That experience gave me a real taste of advocacy and courtroom dynamics—I could see myself pursuing this in the future. By the end of the program, I was honoured to graduate top of my class, an achievement that reflected the hard work and passion I put into every challenge.

Another highlight was delivering the graduation address to my peers. In that speech, I reflected on courage, connection, and the importance of saying ‘yes’ to opportunities. I wanted my peers to walk away knowing that stepping outside your comfort zone is where the real growth happens.

What made the experience most meaningful, though, was the people. Being in a room full of students from every corner of the globe reminded me how much of a privilege it is to access education and to learn from others’ voices and stories.

Looking ahead, I hope to take the skills, insights, and global perspective I gained in Cambridge into my future studies and leadership roles. I am committed to continuing to challenge myself, pursue opportunities beyond my comfort zone, and inspire others in my community to do the same.

We would like to highlight one of our students, Mikayla Green who continues to exemplify the values of critical thinking, leadership, and academic excellence.

As part of her role as Youth Member for Mackay, she has authored a thoughtful and carefully researched blog post titled “The Conversation We’re Not Having: Addressing Pornography’s Role in Violence Against Women”. The piece explores a sensitive and important social issue, encouraging respectful dialogue and awareness among young people. Due to the nature of the topic, the blog is accessible via the following link for those who wish to engage with the discussion:

“The Conversation We’re Not Having: Addressing Pornography’s Role in Violence Against Women”

In addition to her advocacy work, we congratulate her on graduating from the prestigious Oxford Royale Cambridge Summer School Law and Politics program, where she was top of her class and had the honour of delivering the graduation speech. Her achievements are a shining example of the academic excellence and leadership we nurture at St Patrick’s College Mackay.

When you volunteer in a Tuckshop you become part of a special community that is both unique and welcoming. Working in a team encourages new friendships and connections within the school environment, and you may even learn new skills and expertise.

To volunteer your time at the Tuckshop, please email us at spcm_enquiries@rok.catholic.edu.au or contact the College on 4994 8700. 

Any amount of time would be greatly appreciated.

UNLOCK YOUR FUTURE TODAY | St Patrick's College Senior Campus is now taking enrolments for 2026.
Enquire today for subject offerings.

𝙀𝙣𝙧𝙤𝙡 𝙉𝙤𝙬! https://enrol.spcmrok.catholic.edu.au/secondary.../start