From the Principal

Dear families,

I am pleased to be back after an enriching time away, having participated in the DOBCEL Spiritual Heritage Pilgrimage in Ireland, followed by some long service leave to explore England and Scotland. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Thea for her excellent leadership as Acting Principal during my absence. 

One of the highlights of my pilgrimage was attending Mass at Glenstal Abbey, Ireland's only Benedictine monastery. The Benedictine monks, following the ancient Rule of St. Benedict, live lives marked by prayer, work, and community. The Mass, sung in Gregorian chant, held the traditions of many centuries of Catholicism, and was a scene perhaps similar to life in the ruins at Glendalough in its working days, an ancient monastic site our group visited. The simplicity and reverence of the monks' lives were a reminder of the strength that comes from discipline, silence, and communal worship—qualities that continue to inspire Catholic education today. Their focus on simplicity was a striking contrast to the commercialism of modern society, which often leaves us yearning for more rather than appreciating what we have.

Another profoundly moving experience was visiting the resting place of Blessed Edmund Rice in Waterford. As you know, our school at Drummond Street was founded by the Christian Brothers, the order Edmund Rice established to serve the poor and marginalised through education. Standing at his final resting place, I was deeply moved by the humility and dedication of a man whose vision of education as a pathway to justice and empowerment continues to shape our mission here at St Patrick’s.

Along the way, I also had the privilege of visiting St Patrick’s Cross at the Rock of Cashel, a historic site tied to Ireland’s conversion to Christianity, and climbing Croagh Patrick, where St Patrick is said to have fasted for 40 days. Both experiences were profound reminders of the enduring legacy of our faith.

I would also like to acknowledge the incredible work that went into our recent Arts Show. The creativity and talent on display were truly inspiring, and it was wonderful to see the school community come together to celebrate the arts from abroad. My sincere thanks go to the teachers, students and families for their hard work and support in making the event such a success.

This pilgrimage has deepened my connection to the saints, religious orders and the rich heritage that has shaped Catholic education for over 150 years. I return with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement to continue our important work together.

Staffing Announcement 

I would like to inform you that Kai Barclay, who has been a dedicated member of the St Patrick’s Primary School community since 2015, has accepted a teaching position at St Francis Xavier. He will be commencing his new role at the start of the 2025 school year.

On behalf of all the staff at St Patrick’s, we extend our congratulations to Kai. His contributions over the years have made a lasting impact on both students and colleagues, and we will greatly miss his presence here.

We sincerely wish Kai all the best as he embarks on this new chapter and hope his time at St Francis Xavier is both personally and professionally rewarding.  

Hats Off to Our Teachers on World Teachers' Day!

As we celebrate World Teachers' Day 2024 tomorrow, we want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to all of our wonderful teachers. This year’s theme, “Hats off to teachers,” is a perfect reminder of the many roles they play in the lives of our students—mentor, guide, caregiver and inspiration.

Their commitment to nurturing and empowering every student is truly remarkable. Whether in the classroom, on the playground, or behind the scenes, they continually go above and beyond to create a supportive, engaging, and inclusive learning environment for all.

We are grateful for their tireless efforts, passion for teaching, and the care they put into helping each student succeed. So tomorrow, we tip our hats to our teachers—thank you for all you do!

100th Year Celebrations

Tomorrow we're very much looking forward to our 100 Years Cocktail Party at Oscars. Thank you for your support of the event - it is set to be a great night to celebrate our wonderful, longstanding school community. 

On the 22nd of November, we will celebrate our Centenary with our current students and families. Classes will contribute to a Time Capsule and we will celebrate Mass at 12:00 pm at the Cathedral and have a picnic lunch back at school afterwards.

On Monday 25th of November (note change of date), students are invited to dress up in clothes similar to those worn 100 years ago. Think old, possibly raggy and keep it simple.

More information will be provided in future issues of The Drum.

Community Conversations

Last year we held our first Community Conversations where we discussed current and future educational directions for our school. It was a highly beneficial process for all involved with the discussion points guiding our way throughout 2024. We would love your involvement and voice in this year's discussions on Wednesday 13th November. There will be two sessions running: 9am and 5pm in the school library.

Please complete this form to register a session.

A summary from our 2023 Community Conversations from Tony.

Save the Date

Our Semester 1 Celebration of Learning morning was a great success and received glowing feedback from those who attended. We will be holding a Semester 2 Celebration of Learning morning on Wednesday 4th December between 9-10am. 

Summer Uniform

It's great to return and seeing students wearing their uniform with pride. Students are wearing hats for outdoor activities with access (and encouragement!) to apply sunscreen. If your child has allergies to some sunscreens, it is recommended that they bring some from home to leave in their school bags over summer that is suitable for their skin. 

SchoolTV 

This week you'll find extra information on a special report entitled 'The Cost of Living Crisis'. 

Accompanying this special report is a short video offering some conversation points and transparency around potential life adjustments. 

Click on the link below to access a wealth of videos, articles, and resources on the aforementioned topic.

All Editions | St Patrick's School - Ballarat (schooltv.me) 

Kind regards,

Ben Shields