As we move to the end of another school year, our thoughts always turn back to the year that has passed. As teachers we always ask ourselves about what we have done during the year and most importantly have we made a difference in the lives of our students? The College is a very busy place as we look to offer as many opportunities as we can to the girls. This also means it is a busy place for the staff and over recent weeks we have had a number of significant events where we have asked staff to give of their time, above and beyond the classroom. Yet what makes it all worthwhile is the response from the girls and the “thank yous” received for this. After the Year 8 camp, Mr Baca received an email from one of the students which said:

“I feel this camp was a chance for our year group to come together. I felt I was able to connect and appreciate those that I may not have been able to connect with previously. This camp really brought out different skills and qualities within everyone. It was a great chance to disconnect from school life and reality and to appreciate the moment I was in.”

And then last week we had the Year 9 Reflection Day and again a student responded to Mr Combes with:

I was quite eager to email you about the amount of gratitude I have towards you  for creating an experience for all the girls to connect and to have the time to properly express the beauty in each other because you along with the company of everyone made today an enjoyable time to realise how important some things are, and how you have personally helped people like myself through your guidance of self today.

It is comments like this that keep us going by knowing we are making a difference.

This week sees us welcome our newest members to the College with our Orientation Day for Year 7 2019. This day is always one filled with excitement but also some apprehension about what it will be like in high school. The girls arrive clinging to the friends they know or have met earlier in the week, being shy and reserved and by the time they leave they have met teachers and student leaders, sung the College War Cry and Song and met new girls that will become their friends as they begin their high school journey. As a College we are always so delighted to see these young faces knowing they are now part of the St Patrick’s community.

And so I leave you with a prayer for these young ladies as they begin at St Patrick's.

Blessings

Karen Wright - Acting Principal 

Lord Jesus, I ask for Your help as I begin at this new school.
Allow me to experience Your presence in the many blessings You put before me.
Open my eyes to the new challenges and exciting opportunities that this new school brings.
Open my heart and mind to new friends and new teachers.
Give me a generous spirit to be enthusiastic with my studies and courage to accept new opportunities.
Help me to be attentive to my teachers and let me experience Your presence in my new friends.
Jesus, inspire me to do my best this year!