Principal

Solemnity of Corpus Christi (22 June 2025)

This Sunday, we commemorated the solemn feast of Corpus Christi, also known as the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, which celebrates the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. As the Church teaches, the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” (Lumen Gentium).

Though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread and drink from one cup, showing that we are one body. We are united by sharing in the sacrifices at the altar through drinking and eating. “To Share” translates the Greek word koinonia, which comes to us from Latin as “communion.” Similarly, the bread we break and eat, and drink from the Chalice, is “sharing in the body and blood of Christ.” So, it is surely true that the Eucharist we celebrate is a time for us to experience deep fellowship with Christ.

Our sharing in the body and blood of Christ through the Eucharist is also an experience of our deep unity as Christ’s disciples. Communion forges a new community of disciples, one that Jesus himself prayed would be profoundly one, even as he is one with the Father. So, when we celebrate, we celebrate our communion with Jesus and with one another through Him.

The Eucharist we share is our life. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself.

For the early Christians, continuing to share this meal was a reminder of Jesus’ covenant of love and closeness; a reminder that they would share this meal again. Remembering what Jesus had done for them and how much He loved them was the reason they did not grow weary and lose heart. They faced immense persecution, were imprisoned, tortured, rejected, exiled, and eventually put to death.

Sharing this meal is a poignant reminder of Christ's suffering and the covenant of His selfless love. When we share in communion together, we, too, remember His selfless love poured out on the cross for our sin and shame. We remember the depths He plummeted in dying on the cross. We remember His triumphant victory over death! We remember that we, too, are victorious through Him, no matter what we face in life.

When we share in communion, we remember God’s immense love for us and His vast love for the whole body of Christ. Christ dwells within us, and He will never leave us.

The moment after which we receive the body and blood of Christ should be a treasured moment in which each soul is invited to be consumed by Christ whom we received. In other words, the act of receiving Holy Communion is not just the physical act we do; it must also become something God does in us. We must choose to not only consume our Lord but also allow Him to consume us with His Mercy. There is no better time to do this than the moments after receiving this priceless Gift. This is accomplished by making our lives a sacrifice to God.

Let us ponder these questions and commit ourselves to this depth of offering. What was that experience like? Did we have a complete focus on what we are doing? Did we offer ourselves to our Lord as a sacrifice of love? Did we place ourselves into the hands of our Lord in a sacrificial way? Did we allow our Lord to consume us with His merciful love? If we do, the Holy Communion we share will become the greatest act of Mercy in our lives.

How to Talk About Report Cards with Your Children

For the vast majority of boys in the College, their Semester 1 reports will soon be published. As a parent, I can recall spending a significant amount of time (over?!) thinking the best way to talk to my children about their report cards. Whether you have one child in the early stages of formal schooling or siblings across multiple grades, report cards are a great way to start a conversation about their learning. So, what is the best way to talk about report cards?

1. Take Time One-on-One

Find a quiet time and place to sit one-on-one with your child to discuss their report card.  Give them your undivided attention, without interruptions. Try to set aside enough time to have a relaxed discussion.

This can be challenging when you have more than one child to speak with; however, it is even more important if your kids tend to try to compare their report with their siblings.

2. Focus on Effort Over Grades

Most report cards provide a grade for effort as well as grades for academic achievement. An effort mark is by far one of the most critical aspects of every child’s report! It is the aspect of their schooling over which they have the most direct control.

Combined with the teacher’s comment, effort marks help you to understand your child’s attitude towards learning.

Focusing on effort over achievement won’t reduce your child’s motivation to work hard. Rewarding effort is significant for kids who ‘struggle’ academically. If your child is focused on trying their best and feels that their efforts are recognised and valued, they will be much more resilient learners. Resilient learners enjoy learning, continue to challenge themselves and are more comfortable making mistakes. These are extremely valuable, lifelong ‘soft skills’.

3. Address Comparison

Help your child understand that everyone is different. Everyone excels (and struggles) in different areas. Try to avoid comparisons between their report card and their siblings’ or classmates’ reports. Instead, focus on where they have tried their best, as well as the learning areas in which they achieved well or made a great improvement in.

Make it clear between siblings that comparison is pointless because they have each been graded on completely different outcomes!

4. Consider Setting an Individual Learning Goal

There’s a considerable amount of value in taking the time to sit with your child, reflect on their current report card, and then set an individual learning goal for the next term or semester.

If the child’s report identifies an area of challenge, whether academic or social, improving in this area could become a learning goal. If your child adores a particular subject area, they may want to focus on improving their effort or achievement in that area.

You may like to compare your child’s current report card to their previous one, to help them see their progress. This is one type of report card comparison that is helpful! Identify any areas of continued struggle and discuss why your child may still be falling short of their goals. Praise improvements made and their areas of growth.

5. Make a Plan

Out of your discussion, both you and your child may have identified areas that need some attention. Or you may have set a learning goal for the next term. With your child, decide on actionable steps they can take to address any concerns and/or progress towards their learning goal.

Such steps may include asking to meet with their teacher for suggestions of ways to meet challenges or setting a weekly goal for a little extra study or revision with your help.

You will then have an opportunity to sit with your son’s teacher/s to discuss his report. To make the most of parent-teacher meetings, parents should create a list of questions in advance. During the meeting, actively listen to the teacher, ask clarifying questions, and be open to feedback. Remember to maintain a respectful and calm tone and focus on collaborating with the teacher to support the child's learning.

When mentioning concerns, provide concrete examples to help the teacher understand the situation and work with the teacher to develop actionable steps for improvement. Be mindful of the time and allow other parents to start their interviews on time. In some cases, booking a follow-up time next term will be essential in implementing an improvement plan.

Staff News

There will be several temporary staff leadership appointments to cater for the leave of Ms Maria Capobianco, Mr Alex Fox, Mrs Constance Lukas, and Mrs Felicity Warsop. 

• Ms Maria Marrapodi will be the Acting Year 7 Coordinator, filling in for Ms Maria Capobianco during her leave in Week 9 this term, and Weeks 1-3 of Term 3.

   

• Mr Joshua Youssef will be the Acting Year 9 Coordinator, filling in for Mrs Felicity Warsop while she is on Long Service Leave over the next two weeks.

   

• Mr Rob Simpson will be the Acting Year 10 Coordinator, filling in for Mr Alex Fox who has commenced his Parental Leave.

   

• Mr Thomas Mullen has been appointed the Acting Assistant Year 7 Coordinator from Week 9 when Mrs Constance Lukas goes on Parental Leave.

   

• Mr Damian Chase will be on secondment from the College for the first six weeks of Term 3 as he takes up the position of Acting Deputy Principal at St Edward’s College, Gosford. We wish him well, and we know he has the depth of experience to lead this EREA college. Arrangements for the cover of his classes and leadership position at St Patrick’s are yet to be determined.

Using Parental Controls to Help Protect Your Child Online

For parents and carers of primary school students. Presented by eSafety Commissioner Team

Thursday 19 June 202512:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Click Here to Register

Dr Vittoria Lavorato

Principal

SPC boys can do anything! 

**except divide by zero