Principal's report

Welcome to 2025

I am delighted to extend a very warm welcome to all members of the St Patrick’s College community to the 2025 school year. I trust that everyone enjoyed a lovely Christmas and a relaxing summer holiday wherever they were. In extending this welcome, I especially welcome those students who are new to the College this week and hope that their first days at the College were enjoyable, engaging and encouraging. It is a big step to start high school or to move to a new school at any time. It is always exciting to welcome our new students, and I look forward to getting to know these young men and to witnessing their achievements and growth in the years ahead! 

We also warmly welcome a number of staff who join the College in 2025:

Mr John Morley (Science), Mr Jed Millard (HaPE & Humanities), Ms Adele Ayken (Humanities), Ms Rebecca Warr (RE & Art), Ms Tess Jennings (English & VM/VET), Mrs Sue-Ellen Jirik (Maths & RE), Ms Kate Simpkin (English & RE), Mr Ashley Briody (Technology), Ms Ashleigh Brown (English & Humanities & Enhanced Learning), Mr Marcus Ryan (English & Drama), Mr Ian Lovel (Maths), Ms Natalie Love (Science), Ms Maxine Harrison (English), Ms Kathryn Fraser (Science & Academic Enrichment and Extension), Mr Kirsten Rice (RE & Art), and Mr Chris Ellison (English).          

We are pleased to welcome Paddy O’Brien, Yr 12 2024, as a HaPE Trainee, and Paterson Meneely, Yr 12 2024, as a Mission & Identity Trainee. We also welcome back the following staff, following leave in 2024: Ms Rylee Booth, Mrs Katrina Bird and Mrs Steph Young.

As we commence 2025, we reaffirm our commitment to the values that guide us: Faith, Tradition, Excellence, and Joy. These pillars form the foundation of St Pat’s and give us a shared purpose and understanding of who we are and what we are all about as a school as we embark on another year of growth, learning, and community.

Faith: Faith is the cornerstone of our College. It calls us to seek God’s presence in our daily lives and to live out the Gospel values of compassion, justice, and love. This year, we continue our work with our students and encourage them to deepen their relationship with God, to nurture their spiritual life, and to look for ways to embody the Catholic ethos and understand what this means to them. Whether it’s through prayer, acts of kindness or generosity, service to others, or moments of quiet reflection and appreciation, we pray that faith inspires and enhances everything our students do.

Tradition: Our College is built upon a rich tradition that stretches back generations over 130 years. As students and staff of St Patrick’s, we are custodians of the College and the Edmund Rice legacy—a tradition of education grounded in care, justice, and inclusion. We stand on the shoulders of many great people – Christian Brothers, staff and students. Together, we honour this heritage by embracing our responsibility to serve and support one another, while striving to make our community welcoming to all. Tradition is not just about remembering the past; it is about bringing those values into the present and future in meaningful ways and honouring the achievements and great work of those who have gone before us by making the most of every opportunity, and through our achievements, contributing to the tradition and the story of this great school.

Excellence: Excellence challenges us to give our best in all areas of life—academically, socially, and personally. To our students, excellence is not about perfection but it’s more about effort and growth. It is about setting goals, learning from mistakes, and striving to be the best version of yourself. I thank the College staff, for the excellence they bring to their roles every day. Their dedication and professionalism transforms lives and nurtures and promotes a culture of high expectations and inspires amazing outcomes in so many areas. Together in 2025, let us continue to aim for excellence in all that we do.

Joy: Finally, let us not forget joy. Joy is often hard to define but it is what makes this community special—it is found in the friendships, the laughter shared in the classrooms, and the celebrations of collective achievements. Joy reminds us to cherish every moment, to find positivity, even in challenges, and to lift one another’s spirits. Let us bring joy to our work, our learning, and our interactions with each other throughout the year.

As we begin 2025, I invite each St Patrick’s student to reflect on how these pillars—Faith, Tradition, Excellence, and Joy—can shape their contributions to the College community and their journey this year. Together, we can continue to make St Patrick’s College a place where every individual feels valued, supported, and inspired to thrive.

May 2025 be a year of faith-filled growth, rich traditions, striving for excellence, and genuine joy for us all. 

God bless.