Vol 32 ǀ No. 38 ǀ 4 December 2019
This week marks the beginning of Advent; that time in our Christian calendar where we prepare for the coming of God in the person of Jesus. We prepare ourselves spiritually and physically and we adorn our homes with the signs and symbols of our faith. These are inclusive of gifts – the gift that the Christ child is to all of us, and the gifts that the magi who followed the star presented to the infant Jesus in the manger. These preparations all happen in the southern hemisphere at the end of our school year and as the darkness has given way to the strongest light we have in the year; the heat of an Australian summer!
ANNUAL SPEECH NIGHT & PRIZE GIVING
THURSDAY 5 DECEMBER 2019
QUAYCENTRE SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK Attendance in College summer uniform is compulsory for every student.
Please be seated by 7.00pm for 7.15pm start. SPEECH NIGHT PARKING & ROAD CLOSURES
Parking at Sydney Olympic Park, Quaycentre Homebush for Speech Night will be available in the P3 parking area only. The cost will be $5.00 per hour, with a maximum cost of $25.00. Please note when there are multiple or large events, all parking on the day will be $25. The parking station available to the College is indicated in the below map. For more information clink on the link which will direct you to Sydney Olympic Park map and road closures https://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/map/ NORMAL START TIME for Next Day - FRIDAY 6 DECEMBER
All boys across Years 5 to 11 will commence classes as normal at 8.35am on
Friday 6 December. Weekly Mass in the College Chapel will also commence
as normal on Friday morning before school.
OPTIONAL YEAR 7 TO 10 PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS
Parent/Teacher interviews for Senior School will occur on Wednesday 11 December from 9.00am -12.30pm. Parents have been emailed information regarding booking these interviews using the Edval Interviews website. Bookings close on Monday 9 December. If you have not received an email please contact the Administration Coordinator at the College.
UNIFORM SHOP - SUMMER HOLIDAY TRADING HOURS
Please click on the link for the summer holiday trading hours www.spc.nsw.edu.au Please also find the uniform guidelines, price list booklet and online order form on the uniform shop website www.spc.nsw.edu.au We wish you all a blessed and safe Christmas and New Year. Thank you for your support over the year.
From 1 December, phone detection cameras will be in operation on NSW roads.
Warning letters relating to camera-detected offences will be issued for the first three months. Following this period, the penalty for offending drivers is five demerit points and a $344 fine ($457 in a school zone). The penalty increases to 10 demerit points during double demerit periods. Know the rules. www.mobilephoneroadrules.com.au
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
For my final Especean message for 2019, I would like to take the opportunity to express my gratitude to everyone who has contributed to a great year in the Junior School – students, parents and staff alike.
END OF TERM, THE HOLIDAYS AND YEAR 12-2020 HSC PREPARATIONS
I would like to encourage all boys of Year 11 to use the upcoming holidays wisely and not to let the time pass without having done substantial preparation for the 2020 HSC. Preparation for the Year 12 Assessment Block, which commences Monday 2 March, is essential. There will be enough time to enjoy the upcoming festive season and holidays with family and friends as well as time for constructive study. It certainly has been a very busy fourth term for all and the boys are obviously looking forward to the break. I wish all parents and boys a joyful and peaceful
Christmas, a Happy New Year and a safe return to first term in 2020. God Bless.
Michael Cutrupi - Director of Curriculum
Over the past several weeks, coordinators and specialists have been involved in using data and providing feedback on the construction of classes for 2020. It is essential that as professionals we engage in rich and genuine discussion around the structure and composition of all classes to best meet the learning needs of your son at St Patrick’s College.
TRANSITION TO SENIOR STUDY
Last week, students in Year 10 completed the mandatory NESA program “All My Own Work” as part of a three-day program entitled “Transition to Senior Study Through Scholarship, Service and Justice”. The NESA program is designed to educate students about approaches to sound scholarship, including the value of doing their own work, acknowledging sources, collaborating and working with others and using copyrighted materials correctly.
Climate change is a hot topic, but it is undeniable that the world is burning. On Friday 29 November, twenty four students from SJAG and FIAT accompanied by Mr Abourizk attended the School Climate Strike. The strike was a peaceful protest in the form of a ‘sit in’ calling for direct action from the government.
Last Saturday a team of students represented St Patrick’s at an Ethics Olympiad which was held at Santa Sabina College for students in Years 7-9. The Ethics Olympiad provided students with a unique opportunity to engage with other students as they dealt with interesting and important ethical issues.
Last Wednesday the Senior Saxophone Ensemble serenaded the College community at the Festival of Carols. The ensemble performed a mixture of traditional and contemporary carols under the gum trees to welcome students and their families, as they arrived for the Carol service. Well done to the boys on a fine performance.
Derek Rose - Bandmaster
On Friday 29 November a group of students participated in a friendly Chess Tournament against Santa Sabina College. Thirteen boys were selected to participate, including the winner and runner-up from the recent Junior School Chess Competition.
SENIOR SCHOOL
SPORT REPORT
Well that’s a wrap…. As 2019 draws to the end I would like to take this opportunity to commend all boys for their school spirit, sportsmanship and commitment during the course of this year. Thank you to the coaching staff and to the parents for their support. I am very much looking forward to a bigger and brighter new sporting year.
JUNIOR SCHOOL
SPORT REPORT
With the end of the term and year only days away, it would not be unreasonable to think that it is time for the boys to slow down and rest. This is far from the case for the boys in the Junior School.
" May the birth of Jesus bring joy, goodness and harmony to your homes. "
Francis Street
Strathfield NSW 2135
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