Quick bites

Melodic Music

It's wonderful to see our Music students enjoying their outstanding new facilities in the Performing Arts Centre. Pictured is our Stage Band rehearsing in the Ensemble Room and Junior School students trying out some instrum during their Music classes. Thanks to SPC Head of Music Matthew Pankhurst for sharing the images! 

St Patrick's Day Lunch

You are warmly invited to our joint St Patrick's Day Lunch and Class of 1964 60-Year Reunion on Friday 15 March at 12pm at the College's OCA Pavilion, overlooking the Main Oval. Come along and listen to our 2017 College Captain Mitch Tuddenham share his passion for Anthropology and his time spent abroad last year in Africa. Tickets are $35 per person for a two-course meal and drinks are at bar prices. We would love to see you there! Click here to book your tickets via TryBooking.

International Women's Day event - You're invited!

Help us celebrate International Women's Day by joining us for afternoon tea in our new Performing Arts Centre on Friday, 8 March.

Hear from Offspring Project founder Kristi Davidson about the inspiring work her Geelong-based charity is doing to liberate and empower women in India.

This free event begins at 1.30pm. For catering purposes, please RSVP by Wednesday, 6 March, via TryBooking: https://www.trybooking.com/CPLNM

Respect Cup 2024

Keeping with the theme of International Women's Day, don't forget the annual football Respect Cup will be held on Wednesday, 6 March at Mars Stadium, Ballarat. St Pat's and St Joey's will provide the curtain raiser at 11am, before the main match between Loreto and Sacred Heart at 1pm. Gates open at 10.30am and all are welcome. Here's hoping the Cup is returned to Ballarat! 

NAPLAN

Years 7 and 9 Students

At St Patrick’s College, we are committed to providing excellence in teaching and learning. The monitoring, assessment and reporting of student achievement and progress forms an integral part of our instructional approach. 

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 based on the Australian Curriculum. The data we gather from these assessments informs our instructional approach and allows us to tailor our programs to the learning needs of each and every student, whose education is entrusted to us.

Dates and Time

All students in Years 7 and 9 will be participating in four different online tests on the dates and times listed below: 

LOCATION

In 2024, students will be conducting NAPLAN in two large groups; the Pavilion and Bernard Heinz Theatre (BHT). As we can not fit an entire year level in one location, the year levels will be split as such:

If a student is absent for any of the tests, there are three catch-up sessions organised for later in the week.

EQUIPMENT 

On each of the testing days, students MUST have

• Their laptop (fully charged) 
• A set of headphones (except for the Reading test). 

Pen and paper will be provided in each test for any working out/drafting etc that students may like to do. 

NAPLAN tests are one aspect of each school’s assessment and reporting process, and do not replace the extensive, ongoing assessments made by teachers about each student’s performance.

Students are not expected to study for NAPLAN. Parents can support their child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a part of their school program, and reminding them to simply do their best. It is important also for students to be aware that NAPLAN testing is primarily used to inform teachers in their own practice. Teachers will provide an opportunity in class to experience the online platform and become familiar with the types of questions on the test, but there is no requirement for formal practice. 

Further information has been sent to parents of Years 7 and 9 students, but if you have any questions regarding NAPLAN, please feel free to reach out to the SPC NAPLAN Coordinator Luke Corden for more information.

Project Compassion

The season of Lent began this week with Ash Wednesday, which also marked the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. 

Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. 

Please give generously to Caritas Australia this Lenten season and help vulnerable people around the world, now and for all future generations.

With your support, Caritas Australia has been able to assist communities around the world through income generation, water and sanitation, food security, education and disaster risk reduction programs. 

Project Compassion 2024 reminds us that the good we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow.

You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes at school — Faith in Action volunteers will also be visiting classrooms — and online. 

Click on the QR code below or visit:

St Patrick's College - Ballarat - Caritas | Project Compassion Schools 

OCA Class Reunions

Our OCA Class Reunion dates have been announced for 2024.

If you are an Old Collegian of one of the following years, we warmly invite you to come and enjoy a great night to catching up and reminiscing with your former classmates:

• Friday, 15 March – St Patrick’s Day Lunch and Class of 1964 60-Year Reunion
• Saturday, 23 March – Class of 2014 10-Year Reunion
• Friday, 19 April – Class of 2019 Five-Year Reunion
• Saturday, 27 April – Class of 2004 20-Year Reunion
• Saturday, 4 May – Class of 1994 30-Year Reunion
• Saturday, 18 May – Class of 1984 40-Year Reunion
• Saturday, 1 June – Class of 1974 50-Year Reunion
• Tuesday, 26 November – Class of 2023 One-Year Reunion

For more information and to book your tickets, please check out this link - https://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/old-collegians/upcoming-events/

To update your contact details to ensure you receive communications about our forthcoming events, please click here - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/spcupdate

If you have any queries, please contact the College’s Alumni and Foundation Officer Lorrie Liston via phone at 5322 4442 or email at lliston@stpats.vic.edu.au 

Canteen volunteers needed

Do you have some free time and a willingness to help in the College Canteen? If so, we would love to hear from you!

Prior to Covid-19, we had a long list of Canteen volunteers, but unfortunately this number has dropped off significantly in recent years. 

Canteen duties include serving students, basic food preparation, handling a small amount of cash and using an EFTPOS machine. We provide support and guidance in all areas.

Volunteers require a current Working with Children Check, and need to complete a brief induction, which we assist you with once you have registered your interest.

The Canteen cannot operate without the support of volunteers and we thank you for considering joining our wonderful community.

Click here to register your interest in becoming a Canteen volunteer

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call our Canteen Manager Jo on 0447 194 218 or 5322 4481. Please note, if you are already on the Canteen volunteer list, you do not need to re-register.

Term Dates 2024

Term 1                                                                        

Public Holiday: Monday, 11 March

Classes Conclude: Thursday, 28 March

Term 2

All Students Commence:  Tuesday, 16 April

Classes Conclude: Friday, 28 June

Public Holidays: Thursday, 25 April (ANZAC Day), Monday 10 June (King’s Birthday)

Term 3           

All Students Commence: Monday, 15 July

Boarders' Exeat: Monday, 19 August          

Classes Conclude: Friday, 13 September

VCE Practice Exams Monday, 16 September – Friday, 20 September

Term 4 

All Students Commence: Monday, 7 October

Boarders' Exeat: Monday, 4 November and Tuesday, 5 November (Melbourne Cup)

Classes Conclude: Tuesday, 10 December