Curriculum and Learning

Celebrating Excellence in Design – Daniel Bechara SHAPE 2026

St Patrick’s College is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Old Boy Daniel Bechara (’25) whose Major Design Project has been selected for inclusion in the prestigious SHAPE 2026 Exhibition.

SHAPE is an annual exhibition presented by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) in partnership with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). It showcases exemplary Major Design Projects from across New South Wales in the HSC Design and Technology course, with only a select number chosen from thousands submitted each year.

Daniel’s project was recognised for its exceptional level of innovation, technical skill, and depth of design thinking. Importantly, his work has been developed with a clear focus on improving outcomes for the broader community, particularly for older Australians and people living with disability. By responding to real world needs with thoughtful, user-centred design, Daniel has demonstrated how practical solutions can enhance accessibility, independence, and quality of life. His ability to connect practical solutions with authentic user needs reflects both his maturity as a designer and his commitment to producing work of substance.

As part of the exhibition experience, Daniel had the opportunity to present and discuss his project with key stakeholders, including Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, The Hon. Steven Whan, MP, highlighting both the quality of his work and its relevance to contemporary community needs.

The SHAPE exhibition provides a platform for the state’s top Design and Technology students to showcase their work to industry professionals, educators, and the broader community. Selection is a significant honour and often serves as a springboard into future pathways in design, engineering, and related fields.

We congratulate Daniel on this outstanding achievement and recognise the support of our TAS staff who guided him throughout his project journey. His success reflects the strength of Design and Technology at St Patrick’s College and continues to inspire and benefit our current students, highlighting the opportunities they have to develop and apply critical thinking skills.

Daniel’s project is currently on public display at UTS as part of the SHAPE Exhibition until 11 April, and we encourage members of our community to visit.

Year 9 Music Soiree

Congratulations to Year 9 Music students Luke F (piano), Harry H (guitar and voice), Daniel F (violin), Mark A (trumpet), Mark I (bass guitar), and Knox G (guitar) on their outstanding performances at the Year 9 Soiree on Monday 23 March. Their dedication, courage, and commitment to their developing craft were evident throughout the evening. Each student brought individuality and musicality to the stage, resulting in an engaging and memorable program for the audience. The boys should be extremely proud of their achievements and the effort invested in their preparation.

Year 10 Drama Showcase

On Tuesday 24 March, the Year 10 Drama Showcase highlighted the creativity and growing confidence of students Julian R, Xavier B, Dimitri S, Lucas B, Thomas S, Anthony R, Jerry D, and Raphael C. As their first performance of the year, the showcase provided an important opportunity to demonstrate their developing skills in monologue performance. Students approached their work with maturity and focus, exploring complex ideas and characterisation with increasing depth. Drama continues to offer a valuable platform for building confidence, empathy, and collaboration, fostering skills that extend well beyond the classroom. Well done Year 10!

James Martin

Director of Curriculum