On behalf of our community, I would like to extend a welcome to you and your family. Choosing the ‘right’ secondary school for your son/daughter is an important task. We invite you to add our website to your ‘favourites’ and to participate in our Open Day, Information evenings, College Tours and interviews with me to gain a fuller appreciation of the pastoral context we offer our students and their families. St Patrick’s College is a Year 7-12 co-educational facility that provides academic rigor and career pathway options for all students as well as providing a supportive and caring community.
The Parish and our College have welcomed many students and their families since the Sisters of Mercy came to Gympie in 1879 and the Christian Brothers later joined them in 1904. The charisms of Catherine McAuley and Edmund Rice form our strong educational community focussing on the spiritual, pastoral, academic and physical support of the students. This is reflected in our Mission today.
St. Patrick’s College aspires to be a community based on Gospel values of love, forgiveness, respect, sensitivity and justice.
We strive to:
Foster a deepening personal commitment to God.
Our connection to St Patrick’s Church and Parish is important as we recognise and contribute to our boarder faith community beyond our Year 8-12 co-educational facility. Our student leaders often lead student activities that engage in and contribute to, local and global communities. These, combined with our Religious Education program, Prayer life of the College and the lived ethos of the Sisters of Mercy and the Christian Brothers.
Witness to Gospel values and the Christian way of life in our dealings with each other and the wider community
In a respectful community such as ours, each student and community member strives to accept their individual responsibility of witnessing the Gospel values of the Catholic Church. These are at the core of our relationships with one another and are significant in supporting adolescent students in the global digital context in which we live. Our value of sensitivity of others, forgiveness and justice is modelled through our fundraising initiatives and projects.
Promote spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social and physical development
As life long learners, each member of our community is encouraged to develop their skills in all areas in the pursuit of personal excellence. In providing many diverse curriculum and co-curricular opportunities, students have the occasion for ‘their light to shine’. Each student’s light is different, so witnessing their development is a privilege.
Recognise and foster the talents and potential of each member of our College community
The Vision for Learning at St. Patrick’s College provides opportunity for each student through experiences that foster talent and provide challenge through the pursuit of wisdom. Our academic excellence, success in student pathways beyond school and partnerships with local businesses and other educational institutions demonstrates our commitment in meeting the needs of all members of our community.
I encourage you to explore our website to cultivate a sense of our Catholic community – a community that nurtures the growth of each member of our College community.
Warm regards,
Karen Harrison
PRINCIPAL