Wellbeing - Senior School

2026 Saint of Origin

The 2026 Saint of Origin series between St Patrick's College and our cross‑town rival Santa Sabina College delivered intense competition, drama, and school spirit across the three events of volleyball, netball, and the Debate of Origin, with St Pat's ultimately retaining the shield after a close finish. The series kicked off on Tuesday the 25th of August with a volleyball game held at SPC. Playing in front of a home crowd, the St Pat's Year 12 side brought great energy and composure, beating Santa Sabina in straight sets to claim the first event of the series. The home‑ground advantage proved valuable, especially highlighted by Year 12 boys James H and Christian D lifting the team through rallies and chants.

However, Santa Sabina bounced back on Friday the 4th of September with a commanding performance on the netball court. Santa Sabina’s incredibly high level of netball skill proved too much for the St Pat’s side, levelling the aggregate score at one event apiece.

This set up a winner‑takes‑all debating round, regarded as the most anticipated and important event of the Saint of Origin. Both teams are given one hour to prepare, with each speaker presenting for 5–6 minutes. With the shield on the line, both schools brought forward highly skilled and well‑prepared speakers, with SPC’s team including first speaker Denzel T, second speaker Chris M, third speaker William T, and fourth speaker/writer, SPC debating captain Oscar M. SPC argued against the topic “that Santa Sabina College and St Patrick’s College should become one co‑educational College”, utilising a combination of humour and strong arguments to convey their points. The standard of debating was exceptionally high, and after much deliberation, the judges handed down a split decision, meaning SPC narrowly retained the shield, having entered the series as last year’s winners.

The Saint of Origin series continues to be a standout fixture on the Year 12 school calendar, bringing together students from both colleges in a celebration of sport, school pride, and academic excellence through debating. Above all, it is a celebration of our strengths and differences, as both communities unite in the shared excitement and connection provided by this annual competition.

Jack A                                                                                           Christopher M

Co-Curricular (Sport) Prefect                                                Co-Curricular (Cultural) Prefect