Junior School

Term 1 Reflection

The first term of the academic year is a journey – particularly in the Junior School – especially for our Year7 students. Think back to the first few weeks— where are my classrooms? How does the timetable work? How do I use my combination lock? How to I tie my tie? Now, just a few months later, it’s amazing to see how much more confident the Year 7 boys have become in navigating their way around the College and developing a sense of belonging as a member of the St. Pat’s community. The boys have supported each other, been patient with themselves, and have handled the challenges of Term 1 with maturity. 

The Junior School is busy – it is always is – this is a good thing. Personally, what I like seeing most as a member of staff is the boys being active participants in the College community. Whether it’s through the Board Games Club, Performing Arts, Junior Cricket, Swimming, Athletics, Year 7 and Year 8 Camps, Chess, or any of the other activities, it's been amazing to watch the boys throw themselves into these opportunities with such energy. 

Throughout Term 1, the key message to the boys was to "Start Well." We wanted them to begin the year strong, with focus and determination. The effort the boys have put in, combined with the support from staff and families, has helped make this a productive and positive term. Now, they’re ready to dig in and keep pushing forward as the year progresses.

Finally, I acknowledge and thank the staff in the Junior School. Their dedication and hard work are a big part of what makes the Junior School such a great place. The respect the boys have for their teachers and support staff is evident every day, and that mutual respect has created such a positive culture. It’s a pleasure to work with such a committed and passionate team.

Yesterday, the Year 8 cohort met for an assembly to reflect on Term 1. Mr Hearn and Mrs Lamanna, our Year 8 coordinators, took the time to commend the boys for a fantastic start to the year. They specifically praised the Year 8s for their positive engagement during the Year 8 Camp, where they showed great enthusiasm and teamwork. It was clear from their words that they were proud of how the boys represented themselves and the College.

The boys were also fortunate to hear from Mr Hayes, who shared a heartfelt message about what St Patrick's College means to him. Mr Hayes, a proud Old Collegian who has been part of the St Pat’s community for more than 20 years, spoke about how the College shaped him into the person he is today and why it holds such a special place in his heart. He encouraged the boys to make the most of their time at SPC, emphasising that the opportunities here are something to be valued.

Personally, I shared one of my fondest observations of Mr Hayes—his dedication to the "one percenters." These are the small things that can be easy to overlook, like picking up rubbish or putting chairs on tables, but Mr Hayes consistently takes the initiative. His commitment to these little tasks reflects his passion for the College and the experience of the SPC community. 

If the boys take a page from Mr Hayes' book and focus on those small details, they’ll see improvement in many areas of their school and personal life. The boys were fully engaged with Mr Hayes' presentation and had plenty of thoughtful questions for him at the end. It was a truly inspiring session, and I’m sure the boys walked away with a greater appreciation for their time at St Pat’s. On another note, thanks to Year 8 students Abraham Muller, Jack Ward and Jake Crack for facilitating the assembly – well done, boys.

Year 7 Homeroom Leaders

We are excited to announce a leadership opportunity for our Year 7 students to consider – a Homeroom Leader. The role of a Homeroom Leader is an important one, as it involves representing peers and contributing positively to the Junior School community. The responsibilities of a Homeroom Leader include: 

• Speaking at College assemblies 
• Supporting the Homeroom with day-to-day updates (e.g. classes and events) 
• Reading the Daily Notices to the Homeroom group 
• Reporting on co-curricular activities both within and outside of the College 
• Supporting the upkeep of their respective Homeroom 
• Meeting with Year Level Coordinators and Head of Junior School on a fortnightly basis 

More information regarding the nomination process this will be emailed to families and students in the early weeks of Term 2.

GRIT Award Winners - March

Congratulations are extended to the winners of the March GRIT Award. GRIT is a vital personal trait at St Pat’s, combining effort and talent to develop resilience and determination—qualities essential for success in life. These students have demonstrated outstanding commitment and perseverance throughout the month, and we commend them for embodying the values of GRIT.

Please see the list of awardees below: