Acting Deputy Principal

Sacred Spaces: Creating Places of Peace and Belonging

In the busy rhythm of school life, filled with lessons, activities, and conversations, there is a quiet need that often goes unnoticed: the need for sacred spaces. These are places, both physical and emotional, where students and staff can pause, reflect, pray, and reconnect with themselves and others. At St Patrick’s College, Strathfield, I can see how intentional the College is about creating these spaces, because we believe that peace and belonging are essential to learning and formation.

The Chapel: A Heartbeat of Stillness

Our College Chapel is more than a building—it is a sanctuary. Whether students enter for liturgy, quiet prayer, or silent reflection, the Chapel offers a space where the noise of the world fades and the presence of God becomes tangible. It is here that many find comfort, clarity, and courage. In moments of celebration or sorrow, the Chapel holds our community together in faith.

Wellbeing Spaces: Where Care Meets Calm

Beyond spiritual reflection, emotional wellbeing is nurtured in dedicated spaces across the campus. Our wellbeing rooms are designed to be calm, welcoming environments where students can take a breath, seek support, or simply be. These spaces affirm that every student’s emotional journey matters, and that care is not just reactive—it is proactive and embedded in our culture.

Quiet Corners and Thoughtful Classrooms

Sacred space doesn’t always require walls or signs. Sometimes, it’s a quiet corner in a classroom, a shaded bench in the playground, or a teacher’s desk where a student feels safe to speak. These micro-moments of peace are created by the people who inhabit them—teachers who listen, peers who include, and leaders who model compassion.

Jodie Connor

Acting Deputy Principal