Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
SALUTATION
Grace to you and peace.
HEARTS ON FIRE: CELEBRATING PENTECOST TOGETHER
On Tuesday 3rd June, our entire school community gathered at Sacred Heart Church to celebrate Pentecost – the moment in our Christian story when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and the Church was born. It was a joy to witness all 315 students from Prep to Grade 6 reverently engaged in this special Mass, so beautifully led by Fr Vinco Muriyadan.
This year, our Pentecost celebration carried an added depth thanks to a new initiative: whole-school Liturgical Singing. Every fortnight, our students spend 20 minutes on Monday mornings learning and practising hymns so they can participate more confidently and joyfully in Mass. The results of this were on full display – the singing from our students was truly outstanding and filled the church with warmth and unity. A heartfelt thank you to Mrs Wahl for her leadership of this beautiful new tradition, and to Mrs Belinda Taylor for her thoughtful organisation of the Mass.
A special highlight of the morning was seeing our Grade 5 students sitting with and supporting our Preps. These young leaders embraced the opportunity to guide their younger peers in what was, for many of them, their first whole-school Mass experience. It was a simple but powerful image of what leadership looks like at St Thomas More’s – gentle, supportive, and grounded in love.
As the final hymn, Hearts on Fire, rang out through Sacred Heart Church, it reminded us that Pentecost is not just a story of long ago. The Holy Spirit is still at work – calling us to live with courage, compassion and purpose. May we, as a school community, continue to set hearts on fire with the joy and hope of Christ.
BRIDGING NOW TO NEXT - NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK BREAKFAST
Last Wednesday morning, our four School Captains, accompanied by Ms Cornish and Mrs Ross, attended the 2025 National Reconciliation Week Breakfast hosted at the Tailrace Centre in Riverside. The event, coordinated by Reconciliation Tasmania, brought together students, educators, community leaders and advocates from across northern Tasmania to reflect on this year’s powerful theme: “Bridging Now to Next.”
The breakfast featured a range of inspiring speakers including Thomas Mayo, respected author, signatory of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and passionate advocate for First Nations justice. He spoke with strength and clarity about the need for continued truth-telling, treaty-making, and the building of genuine relationships rooted in respect. Attendees also heard from Kate Warner, former Governor of Tasmania and co-author of the state’s landmark report on Truth-Telling and Treaty. Both speakers reminded us that reconciliation is not a single step but a lifelong journey.
A standout moment of the morning was the powerful musical performance by DENNI (Madam Pakana), a Tasmanian Aboriginal artist whose lyrics called us to connection, courage, and cultural pride. Her voice carried more than melody — it carried a message of belonging and hope.
Our School Captains were deeply moved by the experience. They returned to school feeling not only informed but emboldened to be bridge-builders—young leaders committed to living out the principles of inclusion, justice and welcome in our own school community. The breakfast reminded us all that we each have a role to play in creating a future built on understanding and unity.
BAND SOIRÉE - SEMESTER ONE!
On Wednesday evening (4th June), Josephite Hall once again came alive with the joyful sounds of brass, woodwind, and percussion as our students took to the stage for the Semester 1 Band Soirée.
St Patrick’s College continues to generously offer a Music Tuition program to Catholic primary schools in Launceston, with visiting tutors supporting our young musicians each week. Whether rehearsing individually or in small groups, our students have steadily honed their skills across the semester—and Wednesday’s performance was a testament to their effort, growth, and enthusiasm for music.
The evening was not only a showcase of musical progress, but also a celebration of community—families, friends, and staff all gathered to enjoy the rhythms and melodies created by our students. For many of them, this was their first time performing live on stage, and they did so with courage, confidence, and pride. Ms Mowat even put me on the spot to play a full cowbell piece for the final song with the Development Band! The pressure was on, but I was ably guided through by my tremendous band mates.
Congratulations to all our musicians on a terrific performance, and thank you to Mrs Fiona Mowat and the team from St Patrick’s College for their continued commitment to fostering music education in our school.
FINAL GREETING
May the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
God bless,
Mr Casimir Douglas
Principal
