In 2009 Four Corners aired a story ‘Code of Silence’. It was about two girls who were sexually exploited in a hotel room by a team of NRL players. After spending some time with a few players in the bar, the girls agreed to continue their party with the two players in a room. What they didn’t agree to was the subsequent introduction of the rest of the team turning up through windows and unlocked doors to either engage themselves in activities or film the activities that transpired. What horrified the community about this event was the breakdown of trust between the girls and the two original players and the perception of the rest of the team that the girls would be ‘up for it’. Whilst it would be considered risky behaviour of the girls to continue the party, at no point did this include consent for the whole team to join in. 

The recent media story about the internet ring of boys and young men sharing and seeking nude images of young women is essentially the same story but in a technological context. In this story, young women took the risk to send images of themselves to their partner or boyfriend. Again they are exploited as their image is then traded with many others through the internet. At no point did these girls consent to having their image shared with others. Whilst their decision to send their photo was unwise and foolhardy, whom amongst us has never made a silly or regrettable decision? After seven years, why do we continue to find women exploited in this way? When will we, as a society, stop persecuting our young women and challenge this depraved and predatory behaviour? Melinda Tankard Reist has been arguing for some time that the easy access to pornography is changing our societal norms. I recently heard a report about the changes in brain development as young people become desensitised to human relationship with over exposure to the pornography that is easily accessible on the internet now.  Pornography is now a public health crisis.

It has never been harder to be a young person or a parent these days. We need young people to be respectful, to make healthy decisions, to feel safe and show empathy and compassion. We need parents to really know their children, to provide support and have the difficult conversation around pornography, sex and how to relate respectfully.

I will leave you with a shortwriting by Naomi Shihab Nys :

SHOULDERS
A man crosses the street in rain,
Stepping gently, looking two times north and south,
Because his son is asleep on his shoulder.

No car must splash him.
No car drive too near his shadow.
This man carries the world’s most sensitive cargo
But he’s not marked
Nowhere does his jacket say FRAGILE,
HANDLE WITH CARE.

His ear fills up with breathing.
He hears the hum of a boy’s dream
deep inside him.

We’re not going to be able 
to live in this world
if we’re not willing to do what he’s doing
with one another.
The road will only be wide.
The rain will never stop falling.

Blessings

Sue Lennox

Feature from Olivia and Abigail's Winning Book Cover Design

Olivia and Abigail created the winning design for our 2016 edition of ‘Our Place,’ a visual story of our school’s heritage composed as part of our ‘Voices of the Past’ unit in Term 1.

Congratulations to Amadee and Anna for winning the 7 Connect People’s Choice Award for their exhibit in our ‘Ancient Legacies’ unit for Term 2. Their creative and colourful exhibit, which showed how the Ancient Chinese Zodiac has evolved into its current form, was most popular with our voters across Year 7. Other wonderful inventions featured in the exhibition were silk, tea, pottery, kites, paper and gunpowder.

We thank all Year 7 students for their enthusiastic participation in the Connect program so far this year and hope they enjoy the new challenges their Semester 2 studies will bring. 

Claire McGillicuddy - English Teacher

Rachel, Jorja, Gemma, Natalie and Emma at the Vietnam Veterans Day commemoration at Mawson Park on August 18

We honoured the Australians, South Vietnamese, Americans and New Zealanders who fought in the war by raising their flags and singing their national anthems. The service was dedicated to those who had fought and lost their lives in the Battle of Long Tan.

After the service we attended a small luncheon at Campbelltown RSL where all the veterans had come to have lunch together. The RSL had many different artefacts such as weapons, photographs, uniforms and badges from the Vietnam and second world war on display. All of us took our time to marvel at these artefacts and to take time to appreciate what the experience of the soldiers must have been like. Inside there were many veterans who came up to thank us for attending and even some who shared some stories with us about their experiences. Without a doubt hearing the stories and experiences from people who had been through the Vietnam war was the highlight of the day for all of us.

The commemoration was an amazing experience that I was lucky enough to attend and be involved with. I would like to thank Mrs Fetterplace for organising this experience for us and accompanying us to the service. Having an interest and studying this topic prior to attending gave us a deeper insight to the soldiers' experiences and gave us a view to what the emotional side of the Vietnam War was like.

Natalie M - Year 10 Student

Mia with the Hon Bill Shorten MP

On 16 August, I departed for Canberra as a part of the group of winning entries. During the three days I was there, I was privileged enough to experience the 50^th Commemoration of the Battle of Long Tan, meet politicians such as Bill Shorten, visit the War Memorial and see the Last Post Ceremony. I also got to visit the new and old Parliament House and watch the only Australian movie about the Australian experience in Vietnam.

Through this trip, I was able to get a new understanding of what the veterans experienced during the war, receive a better idea of the response which the veterans received when they came back including the lack of commemorative services and recognition for them. I also made a lot of new friends whom I have a similar interest with and made memories which I will cherish and keep forever.

Mia K -  Year 10 Student 

Image courtesy of Joshua Combes - Creative Arts Coordinator

Bring your assessment tasks, homework, class notes or questions. Dedicated English teachers are available to help. All students from Years 7 to 12 are welcome.

Image courtesy of Joshua Combes - Creative Arts Coordinator

Come along to Room LH1 on Wednesdays at lunch time. If you love reading and are ready for a challenge, launch into the world of the classics and join the Literature Club. All students from Years 7 to 12 are welcome to join. Drop in next Wednesday and ask our mentors for a starter pack.

Image courtesy of Joshua Combes - Creative Arts Coordinator

All are welcome to join us for "The Pi Club" every Friday at lunch time in Room 33.

Bishop Peter offered words of wisdom to the students and emphasized the need for effort as well as balance in their lives. Mixed with a range of light-hearted jokes, Bishop Peter's words were taken on board by all the students. St Patrick's College was represented by Brontee, Joanna , Iesha, Portia and Karen.

Margot V - Australian Oz Tag Representative

A naturally talented all round athlete (as well as a very accomplished dancer), Margot began her high level of representation when she was selected in the Australian Womens U20 Oztag side to compete in New Zealand. After five test series, both teams finished with two wins and a draw which meant an extra 10 minutes of play was added to the final match. Unfortunately for Australia, New Zealand scored first and took the trophy. Margot was then selected in the Supertag team to play a full field exhibition match at the end of the tournament at Trusts Arena in Auckland. Added to this already outstanding achievement, Margot was also selected in the NSW/ACT U18 AFL team to compete at the Youth Girls National Championships in Melbourne. Congratulations Margot on a fantastic year.

Scott Ashcroft - Sports and Activities Coordinator

Mercedes S - New Diocesan Long Jump record holder and 2nd Place in the 16 Years Age Championship

While the overall team performance was extremely pleasing, there were a number of individual performances of note on the day and these students have now earned the right to compete for the Diocese of Wollongong at the NSWCCC Athletics Championships:

Elizabeth D – 1^st place in Shot Put

Ruby D – 1^st place in the 400m and 1500m

Charlotte H – 2^nd place in the 200m

Angelique H – 1^st place in High Jump

Kayla M – 1^st place in Discus

Sarah P – 1^st place in Javelin

Joanne S – 1^st place in 800m

Mercedes S – 1^st place in the 100m, 200m, Long Jump and High Jump

Amadee T – 1^st place in Shot Put

Alexandra W – 1^st place in Discus

Also of note, in relation to individual performances, Mercedes S broke a long standing record in the 16 Years Long Jump to record a result of 5.38m, a 3cm improvement on the old record. Added to this, we also had Ruby D win the Overall Age Champion in the 14 Years age group and Mercedes S and Joanne S place second in their respective age groups.

A massive thank you must go to our team manager Mrs Tacca-Baudana and her assistance for ensuring all events were filled and that students were organised and prepared to compete. A big thank you must also go to Mr Sovilj for once again volunteering to act as a College official. He does a fantastic job and is highly regarded by those in the Diocese athletics community as a result.

The 2016 St Patrick’s College Athletics team consisted of:
Piper A, Tara B, Paris B, Ana C, Ruby D, Elizabeth D, Jermaine D, Zoe D, Bindi-Miai F, Kayla G, Charlotte H, Angelique H, Taylor J, Samantha J, Kira J, Rhiannon K, Darcey M, Dryandra M, Kayla M, Emma O, Sarah P, Monique P, Jessica R, Teresa S, Joanne S, Amy S, Mercedes S, Rachael T, Loretta T, Amadee T, Nureka T, Margot V, Emily W, Alexandra W and Kayla W.

Scott Ashcroft - Sport and Activities Coordinator

Father Daughter Dinner Dance
Friday 9 September 2016
6:30pm for 7:00pm start
Mary Sheil Centre
$35.00 per person

Bookings: www.trybooking/220700

Building work going well... Progress so far

Image courtesy of Joshua Combes - Creative Arts Coordinator

29 August - Start of Literacy Numeracy Week, Year 9 MISA Public Speaking
30 August - Senior School Parent Forum (9am and 7pm)
31 August - HSC Projects Showcase 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Year 11 Hospitality Incursion
1 September - MISA Debating Round 7, Elevate Young Leaders Forum
2 September - Year 12 Business Studies Excursion
3 September - Year 12 Music Performance Rehearsals
8 September - Year 12 Chemistry Excursion
9 September - Father Daughter Dinner Dance
12 - 16 September - Year 11 Preliminary Exams
13 September - Year 9 and 10 Drama Excursion
16 September - Aboriginal Education Excursion
20 September - Year 12 Assembly, Year 12 Graduation Dinner
21 September - Year 12 Graduation Mass
22 September - Year 12 Formal
23 September - STAFF AND STUDENTS FINISH FOR TERM 3
10 October - STAFF AND STUDENTS RETURN FOR TERM 4