Author Archives: St Patrick's Technical College

Living by one of our College Values, ‘service’, students in Year 10 and 11 engaged in volunteer work with Treasure Boxes. A not-for-profit organisation, Treasure Boxes provides critical items for babies, children, and teens, such as bedding, clothing, and toys.

CEO and Founder Rikki Cooke spoke to our students about the critical support the charity provides for the community. Students toured the facilities and undertook various jobs assisting the many volunteers working within the warehouse.

It was a wonderful opportunity for students to learn, engage, and assist in helping a vital service and for our College to build community connections with an organisation carrying out valuable work for people in South Australia.

We had a fantastic turnout for our holiday Try-A-Trade program. A one-day taster program for students across Years 7 to 10 looking to explore a career pathway in the food and hospitality or plumbing and electrical industries.

Our program is a great opportunity to assist students in making informed decisions about their career pathways by providing an immersive experience with various hands-on activities. Thank you to our training providers Adelaide Institute of Hospitality and PEER for delivering the programs and to the young people for attending and engaging in the experience.

If you are interested in participating in our Try-A-Trade programs, the College will be offering opportunities in 2024, so keep an eye out on our website > https://stpatstech.sa.edu.au/try-a-trade/

As part of trade pathway explorations, the Year 11 Hair & Beauty and Food & Hospitality students recently visited Vasse Virgin, an all-natural and handmade soap and skin care business located on the grounds of the Seppeltsfield Winery. Students have been looking at the relationship between local communities and businesses.

Participating in a Lip Balm Workshop using natural ingredients, including honey, shea butter, beeswax, and olive oil, students were learning the science behind the process, by weighing, measuring, and blending ingredients to produce their own products to take home.

Vasse Virgin hand craft natural skincare with Australian extra virgin olive oil in an open factory where visitors can view production, participate in hands-on workshops, and learn of the benefits of natural and therapeutic products.

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The proud College history was recently shared at a QnA panel interview at our Staff Retreat Day. Sincere thanks to the special guests who shared their stories; inaugural Principal Rob Thomas, inaugural Business Development Manager Patrick Kelly, former board member and chairperson Tricia Hicks, foundation and current staff member Vanessa Morley, and old scholars Taylah Suridge and Jared Archer.

Hearing their stories was captivating and a wonderful reminder of our special and unique mission. Rich in history, our College has helped shape the lives of many students in the north of Adelaide, eager to learn trade skills and to commence a trade career.

Our panel has helped us to understand where we’ve come from, and our ‘why’. This is imperative as it guides our College forward.

Thank you to our special guests for the invaluable insight and for your diligence in creating and being a part of a successful and unique College.

Thinking of others is central to many initiatives at St Patrick’s Technical College. Our College takes seriously its core value of service, and like many counterparts in Catholic schools across the state, our Year 11 students have been busy fundraising and donating items for the community.

The College’s Skills for Life and Mentoring programs see students explore the history and work of various charities and organisations. Students then plan and implement projects to help those in need.

Over the course of the year, our students have been responsible for several activities supporting the vital work of St Vincent de Paul Society, Project Compassion, Catherine House, and ASCEND Youth Suicide Prevention through Centacare.

Students have been generous with their time, baking cupcakes, cooking BBQs, making soup, washing cars, selling lucky squares, and gathering donations of clothes and personal hygiene items.

Pastoral Care Mentor Ms Loveder has been mentoring students in the development of their entrepreneurial skills. As part of the process, students have developed their awareness of the need to empathise with those they intend to support. They have proposed various outreach activities, prototyped, streamlined their ideas and processes, and tested prototypes before producing final products and releasing to the public.

The theme of ‘Homelessness’ was selected by the Year 11 Automotive students with the aim to make a positive impact on others, to show they care and provide tangible support to people in need.

“Students came up with their own ideas for outreach work,” Ms Loveder said.

“What many educators realise is that this is also a great opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills.

“They did their own research, spoke with teachers and the College’s Community, Spirituality, and Identity Leader, to then plan, organise, and fine-tune any food preparation and packing.”

Students took on real-life roles to engage them in active learning, including problem-solving, research, planning, and implementation.

Recently, students made and delivered morning tea for the Vinnie’s Women’s Crisis Centre, with reward folders created for the children. A BBQ was cooked and served at the Men’s Crisis Centre, all of which was much appreciated by the residents. Students then evaluated the process for future success.

This is not the first-time the College has engaged in supporting vital support centres. Over several years, students and staff have carried out maintenance and upgrades at the Women’s Crisis Centre and Vinnies in Elizabeth.

This year, students have used their practical skills to prototype the construction of gates, seating, and kennels. This demonstrates another way of thinking about the critical and creative thinking skills and community connection being developed in students as citizens of the future.

Congratulations to Year 12 student Kane Materne, WINNER of the Murraylands Training and Employment (mteSA) 2023 School Based Apprentice of the Year Award.

Kane was recognised for his outstanding commitment to his trade learning and career at mteSA’s annual Employee Awards held on Friday night, 8 September.

Kane is in his second year as a school-based carpentry apprentice employed by mteSA and hosted by Saxony Building. He is a valuable team member learning all skills from demolition works, concreting, 1st fix and 2nd fix carpentry (both steel frame and timber), roofing, wall cladding, hanging plasterboard and in some cases even tiling.

Congratulations Kane on your award!

On Thursday 31 August, the College had the privilege of hosting delegates from the Republic of Korea who were keen to learn about our trade-focused College, in particular our training programs and apprenticeship model.

It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our College and provide a dialogue around vocational education, skill-based learning, and diverse career pathways.  

Thank you to Cho, CEO of the International Institute of Employment and Development, under the Korean Ministry of Labour, Kim, Associate Research Fellow, Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET), under the Korean Ministry of Education and LEE, Director, Human Resource Development Korea (HRDK).

Year 11 students were involved in a valuable Road Awareness Program (RAP) presented by the Metropolitan Fire Service.

Students heard from MFS Fireman Duane Schultz on his experiences working in road crash rescue, and from serious crash survivor Daniel Woolley, who was left with lifelong injuries and disabilities as a result.

The aim of the presentation is to assist students in evaluating their attitudes and behaviours as drivers and road users, reduce the number of lives lost on our roads to zero, and keeping our mates and family safe.

Students assessed what type of driver/road user they were prior to the RAP presentation, and what they intend to be moving forward.

Year 10 student Indiana Tamke has created her own career path as a young person passionate about the hair and beauty industry.

A qualified lash technician and an entrepreneur with a hair braiding business and pamper parties for kids, this talented teen has already been acknowledged by industry for her skills and ambitions. Recognised in the Top 10 ‘Girls who Soar’ 2022 SA Woman Australia Awards, receiving an encouragement award for her achievements and aspirations.

Indiana created her first side hustle at 13 years of age, selling relishes and jams at local markets. Adding hair braiding to her repertoire, as a young dancer inspired to braid her own hair, she is now a hair artist crafting colourful braids and styles for all to enjoy.

“I started braiding around 14 and got to do the Adelaide and Gawler Shows. Last year I then introduced colours in braiding, and it’s just kicked off from there.”

Her business Upstyle – Hair, Lash, Beauty was created to provide a service that was affordable and to “make people feel good about themselves”.

“I do it all myself… I get my lashes done and do my hair, and I just wanted to do if for other people.”

“I love making everyone feel very confident and excited when they come over and it’s a very family-friendly environment where you can bring your kids.”

Indiana’s skills and talents caught the eye of Heart ‘n’ Soul Hair Studio at a recent week of work experience in the Gawler business.

“I did work experience and the manager was talking to me in the colour room about an apprenticeship and I said “yes”. I still wanted to finish my schooling for my SACE and then she offered me a school-based apprenticeship.”

Indiana’s passion and attributes are empowering her to become a future leader in her industry.

“I’m most proud of how far I’ve come in the beauty industry. That I’ve gained my apprenticeship and already started doing what a second-year apprentice would do.”

“If you are thinking about starting a trade career or business, don’t let anyone bring you down about what you love. Follow your dreams!” #sptcstudentstories