Shalom College SIT This week, I had enjoyed the opportunity to be a reviewer for the School Improvement Tool at Shalom College, Bundaberg. Participating in this process was deeply rewarding, and it offered a great opportunity to reflect on best practices in all of the 9 domains as per the ACER guidelines. It was a wonderful opportunity to network with other staff in our Diocese. I look forward to sharing key insights and learnings with our St Patrick’s community.
Catholic Education Week Catholic Education Week was celebrated in Catholic schools in Queensland from 26 July – 1 August 2026. This annual event is held to promote the special ethos of Catholic schools and to highlight the great things that take place in Catholic schools every day.
Thank you to our St Patrick’s College community for a wonderful Catholic Education Week. Embracing this year's theme, “Share your light, inspire others,” we enjoyed many highlights including the Mercy Campus House Day Mass and our student service projects – Cookies for Kindness, St Mary’s Disco, Staff Breakfast - which demonstrated our core values of faith, compassion, and service in action. I sincerely appreciate the participation of our students, staff, and families in making this such a memorable celebration.
Congratulations to our Spirit of Catholic Education Award nominee, Kacey Noy. We appreciate all you do for St Patrick’s college and our community.
Year 7, 8 and 9 Subject Selection Evening It was wonderful to see so many parents and students attend our Year 7, 8 & 9 Subject Information Evening last week. The feedback was very positive from parents who found the information presented very informative.
Mercy Campus House Day Last Wednesday, Mercy Campus began the day with a beautiful mass celebrated by Fr Mathias before students set off to various venues for a day of House spirit, camaraderie and fun. A special thank you to our House Coordinators for their organisation and to the parents who ensured their child attended – our participation was commendable.
Year 12 Formal This Saturday, our Year 12 students will attend the Formal at the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre. This momentous occasion is not just a celebration of their educational journey, but a significant milestone which they will share will family, friends and staff. I look forward to joining our senior students on this special occasion.
Assistant Principal Mission - Andrea Crocker
Living Our Mission: Sharing Our Light
The past fortnight has been a wonderful celebration of what it means to belong to the St Patrick's College community. Through prayer, worship, service, leadership and a healthy dose of friendly competition, our students and staff have embraced countless opportunities to live our College values of Compassion, Hope, Justice and Respect.
Last week, we proudly celebrated Catholic Education Week, embracing this year's theme, "Share Your Light, Inspire Others." The theme invited us to recognise the unique, God-given gifts each person possesses and to share those gifts generously, creating a ripple effect of kindness, hope and compassion throughout our College and wider community.
The week began with Staff Breakfasts at both campuses, bringing colleagues together in fellowship and gratitude before the busy week ahead. Throughout the week, our daily Shining Star Spotlights recognised students and staff who quietly live our College values through acts of kindness, service and leadership. These moments reminded us that the brightest lights are often found in simple, everyday actions that make a difference to others.
Students across both campuses also eagerly participated in our daily Homeroom Trivia, exploring our Catholic faith, the rich traditions of Catholic education and the inspiring lives of Blessed Edmund Rice and Venerable Catherine McAuley. Alongside this, our Pop-Up Prayer Spaces, open throughout the week in each campus library, provided a welcoming place for students to step away from the busyness of the day to pray, reflect and spend time in God's presence.
Tuesday encouraged us to intentionally recognise the goodness in one another through our "Postcards of Light" Gratitude Activity, where students wrote messages of appreciation to friends, classmates and staff. These simple yet powerful acts of gratitude reflected the heart of our Catholic tradition and reminded us that words of encouragement can have a lasting impact. The Mercy campus also came alive with music and laughter through our "Share Your Light" Acoustic Jam Sessions and Karaoke, celebrating the many talents within our community and creating opportunities for connection and joy.
Wednesday saw our Mercy Campus gather for Mass, grounding the week in prayer and the Eucharist before students enjoyed their annual House Day celebrations, reminding us that community is strengthened through shared experiences, teamwork and a willingness to simply have fun together.
Thursday was another wonderful celebration of community. Senior students enjoyed a Student BBQ, while the Leukaemia Foundation Bake Sale, organised by Sophia Dela Torre, demonstrated the generosity and social awareness of our students in supporting an important cause. Students also embraced a range of retro lunchtime sports and old-school games, and the atmosphere remained vibrant with another lunchtime acoustic session. Our Year 10 students at Mercy Campus took on staff in a spirited netball match. Although the teachers claimed victory, the friendly competition created plenty of laughter and school spirit. That evening, a group of our Year 11 students generously volunteered at the St Mary's Parish Disco, giving their time and energy in service of our younger parish members and demonstrating the joy of servant leadership.
The celebrations concluded on Friday with Cookies for Kindness supporting the work of St Vincent de Paul, providing another opportunity for students to place compassion into action. At the Senior Campus, the week finished with the much-anticipated Year 12 versus Staff Netball Match, where once again the teachers managed to hold onto the title - much to the amusement (and determination!) of our students.
Catholic Education Week was beautifully framed by two Youth Masses, beginning with the celebration at St Mary's Parish on Saturday evening and concluding at St Patrick's Parish this Sunday. It was wonderful to see so many students, staff and families gathering in prayer, reinforcing the strong partnership between our College and our parish communities. These celebrations remind us that our faith journey extends beyond the school gates and into the life of the wider Church.
As we move into this week, our focus shifts from celebrating our faith to living it through witness, service and renewal.
Our current Year 10 students will hear from senior students sharing their experiences of the ACTS Camp, offering a personal and inspiring insight into how the experience has strengthened their faith, leadership and sense of belonging. Their willingness to witness to their own faith journey is a powerful reminder that one person's story can inspire another to say "yes" to new opportunities for growth.
A number of students represented St Patrick's College at the CASA Together for Shelter Expo, serving with our Brekky Van ministry. While providing breakfast is an important part of the day, the true purpose of this outreach is to offer hospitality, dignity and genuine human connection to members of our community experiencing hardship. Through these simple acts of service, our students continue to embody the Gospel call to recognise Christ in every person they encounter.
This weekend, our staff will gather in the beautiful surrounds of Eungella for our annual Staff Retreat, themed "Called to Compassion: Seeing Through the Eyes of Christ." Inspired by the examples of Blessed Edmund Rice and Venerable Catherine McAuley, the retreat provides an opportunity to pause, pray and renew our shared commitment to Catholic education. By taking time to nurture our own faith, we are better equipped to accompany our young people with compassion, wisdom and hope.
As we reflect on the many experiences of the past fortnight, we are reminded that Catholic education is not defined by a single event or celebration. It is lived each day - in our classrooms, our parishes, our service to others and in the relationships we build. Whether through prayer, gratitude, service, leadership or simple acts of kindness, each member of our community has the opportunity to share their light and inspire others.
Thank you to our students, staff, families and parish communities for embracing these opportunities with such generosity. Together, we continue to build a College community where faith is celebrated, compassion is lived, and every person is encouraged to see through the eyes of Christ.
Sacramental Program
"The Sacraments are encounters with Christ that strengthen us for the journey of faith."
This October, St Patrick's College is pleased to partner with St Mary's Parish and St Patrick's Parish to offer our annual Sacramental Program.
We warmly invite eligible students and their families to continue their faith journey by preparing to receive the Sacraments in the heart of our parish communities. Together, as family, parish and school, we look forward to celebrating these important milestones and supporting our young people as they grow in faith, hope and love.
For more information please contact Mrs Andrea Crocker - Assistant Principal Mission (acting) at the College.
Assistant Principal Welfare - Brendan Gunning
SchoolTV
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental condition that affects how children regulate attention, impulses and activity levels. While many children can appear restless, distracted or forgetful at times, ADHD involves ongoing patterns that may impact learning, behaviour, organisation and relationships. These challenges can sometimes lead to frustration at home and school, particularly when a child is trying hard but struggling to meet expectations.
For families, understanding ADHD means recognising that these behaviours are not simply a matter of effort or discipline. ADHD is influenced by a combination of neurological, biological and environmental factors that affect how a child’s brain processes information and manages self-control. With the right support, structure and strategies, children with ADHD can develop the skills they need to succeed and thrive.
This edition of SchoolTV explores how families can better understand ADHD and support children to build confidence, strengthen emotional regulation and navigate everyday challenges more successfully.
As part of Bullying No Way Week (17–21 August), our Year 7 and 8 students will be participating in Kids Helpline's Largest Anti-Bullying Lesson, a live-streamed educational event designed specifically for secondary school students. This will be held on Monday 17 August, at 2pm.
Developed by qualified Kids Helpline counsellors who support young people experiencing bullying every day, this engaging and interactive lesson provides students with practical strategies to recognise, respond to, and help prevent bullying.
During the lesson, students will:
● Learn about the role that power plays in bullying and how understanding this can help stop bullying behaviours. ● Hear two real-life stories from young people who successfully addressed bullying they experienced. ● Learn a simple, counsellor-approved strategy they can use in everyday situations to respond confidently and safely. ● Communication will be sent home to Year 7 & 8 parents next week.
Year 9 students recently had the opportunity to enrich their study of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet through attending Bell Shakespeare’s performance at school. The production brought key scenes to life and helped students strengthen their understanding of the plot, characters, and themes they are exploring in English classes–even Mr. Larkan stepped up to take on the role of the Prince.
Seeing Romeo and Juliet performed on stage gave students valuable context for the play. Shakespeare’s language, staging, and dramatic action is quite complex, but watching the story unfold in performance contributes towards a deeper understanding of his work. The experience also complements classroom learning by allowing students to connect dramatic choices with concepts discussed in English classes. By viewing the story as an active performance rather than only a written text, students are better able to appreciate the power of Shakespeare’s language and the lasting relevance of his ideas.
This valuable experience will continue to support students as they unpack the play in class, develop their analytical responses, and build a deeper understanding of one of literature’s most enduring tragedies.
Write A Book In A Day
St Patrick’s College is excited to once again offer students in Years 7 to 10 the chance to participate in Write a Book in a Day, a creative and meaningful initiative that combines teamwork, imagination and generosity.
This event provides Years 7 to 10 students the opportunity to use their creative writing, and drawing/digital skills to produce an original book in just one day, all while supporting a great cause. Teams will fundraise for the chance to have their book judged by award-winning authors, with all proceeds going to The Kids’ Cancer Project to help fund vital research into childhood cancer. They will then work together to write, illustrate and publish a story that will be shared with children in hospitals across Australia, helping to bring some much-needed cheer to seriously ill children.
The writing day will take place on Wednesday 16 September, Week 10 of Term 3. If your child would like to take part, please ensure you accept the invitation through Parent Lounge or the Parent Orbit app by Friday 15 August. Further information, including sign-up details and team arrangements, will also be shared with students through morning notices.
We are looking forward to seeing our students embrace this exciting challenge and make a positive difference through their creativity.
St Vincent de Paul Committee - Ngaio Miller
Vinnies Committee Shares Kindness During Catholic Education Week
As part of our Catholic Education Week celebrations, the St Patrick's College Vinnies Committee spent time giving back to those who dedicate themselves to caring for others in our community.
Committee members baked cookies which were delivered as a small token of appreciation to our local first responders and community volunteers. We ended our Friday with year 10 Vinnies Committee students visiting the Mackay Police Station, Queensland Ambulance Service, CQ Rescue, Mackay Base Hospital, the local Fire Station, the Women's Centre, Neighbourhood Hub and the St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies).
These visits were an opportunity to thank the many people who work tirelessly to support those in need, often behind the scenes and at all hours of the day. The simple act of sharing homemade cookies and a heartfelt thank you reflected the spirit of Catholic Education Week and our College values of compassion, hope, justice and respect.
The Vinnies Committee is proud to recognise the invaluable contribution these organisations make to the Mackay community and hopes this small gesture reminded them just how much their dedication is appreciated.
Careers Advisor - Susan Mckay
QTAC - Important Information
QTAC opened on Tuesday!
All Year 12 students who are planning on studying next year are excitedly planning their preferences for university. Students who are ATAR eligible must also open an ATAR account.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Year 12 students who are applying to study at JCU next year can download a voucher from the JCU website to pay for their QTAC account application fee. This must be done before the students submit their QTAC application. Unfortunately, if they have already opened and paid for their QTAC account, they cannot use this voucher.
Students are reminded to check for early closing dates on some courses such as Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science and other Performing Arts courses.
2027 QTAC APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN Applications are now open for 2027 Admissions. This means, your students should already be planning their QTAC course preferences and getting organised to submit their QTAC Application.
QTAC STUDENT INFORMATION NIGHT QTAC is hosting a free online information session Thursday 20 August 6pm - 7pm, designed for applicants wanting to study in 2027. This session provides Hot Tips on a Successful QTAC Application.
2026 ATAR PORTAL REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN All ATAR eligible Queensland Year 12 students can now register for the ATAR Portal to receive their ATAR in December. Queensland ATARs for 2026 Year 12 students will be released 18 December. Students wishing to apply for study interstate will also be required to register for the ATAR Portal to provide us with the necessary consent for us to share their ATAR with interstate tertiary admissions centres.
News From The College
Cultural Showcase - Thursday 3 September 2026
Cross-Stitch Club
Stitch by stitch, the students doing cross stitch are quietly making progress on their little projects.
We’ve seen some beautiful finishes recently. All students (and staff) are welcome to come along and join in. Thursday, first break, Mercy Campus.
There’s only one rule: you must finish what you start.
It’s great to see the continuing enthusiasm, willingness to help others and pride in their accomplishments.
~ Mrs Formosa & Mrs Deguarra.
Community News
Raising Tech-Healthy Humans Seminar
Mackay Job Fair 2026
Event Details: 📅 Date: Tuesday 18 August 🕒 Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm 📍 Location: CQUniversity, 90/92 Sydney Street, Mackay
Why participate? ▶ Students will have the opportunity to apply on the spot for currently available casual and part-time positions with interviews being held on the day or scheduled by the business at the time. ▶ Students will have the opportunity to practice their interactions with potential employers and better understand the requirements for applying and interviewing for future roles. ▶ Current and future apprenticeships and traineeships will be featured with information on how, when and with whom they should apply. This is particularly critical as many of intakes have closed for 2026 and 2027 intakes are yet to be offered. Students will be able to prepare in advance and be ready to apply in a timely and appropriate manner. ▶ Feeback from past events was overwhelmingly positive, particularly from parents who found this process incredibly beneficial for children who were lacking confidence in job seeking in general. ▶ There will be support on site to help with resume compilation or interview guidance should a student require extra support.
Future Finder Live: Navigate Tomorrow, Explore Today
Today's young people are entering a world of work shaped by AI, emerging technologies and rapid change. As a parent or carer, understanding these shifts is key to helping your child navigate future opportunities with confidence.
Join us for Future Finder Live: Navigating Tomorrow, Exploring Today, a family-focused event designed to help families understand the future of work, explore regional career opportunities and make informed decisions about life beyond school.
Presented in partnership with Mackay Regional Council, the evening will feature a regional industry workforce panel with leaders from Technology & Innovation, Environment & Sustainability, Health & Community, and Trades & Services, sharing insights into future skills and workforce opportunities across the Greater Whitsunday region.
The event also features keynote speaker Jan Owen AM, one of Australia's leading futurists and youth advocates, who will explore the impact of AI, changing career pathways and what families need to know to prepare for the future.
By attending, you will: ● Hear insights from futurist and youth advocate Jan Owen AM DLitt . ● Understand how AI and technology are changing careers. ● Discover future workforce opportunities in our region. ● Learn the skills young people need to thrive. ● Gain practical tools to support career conversations at home.
Your ticket includes: ▶ Keynote presentation by Jan Owen AMDLitt . ▶ Regional industry workforce panel discussion ▶ Networking with young people pursuing diverse career pathways in our region ▶ Light refreshments
Future Finder Live is proudly delivered by Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) through the Greater Whitsunday Regional Jobs Committee, proudly funded by the Queensland Government, in partnership with Mackay Regional Council and BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA).
