Junior School

Welcome back to the 2025 year. The boys have started well and we are excited for a productive term.

First Day

On Thursday, we had the joy of welcoming the newest members of our community - the Year 7 students and their families. We were proud to see how the boys engaged throughout the day, and we were thrilled by the strong turnout at both the morning tea with Year 7 families and the Junior School Information Evening.

During the Information Evening, I spoke about our College vision: Educating hope-filled, compassionate, and confident young men for their place in the world. This vision is a continuous journey throughout each student’s time at St Patrick’s College, and for our Year 7 students, that journey began this week. On behalf of the entire Junior School staff, I want to express how privileged we feel to be a part of this journey with them.

Throughout the day, our Year 7 boys spent valuable time in their Homeroom groups, familiarising themselves with their new surroundings, building rapport with their classmates and teachers, and navigating their student laptops. 

I’d like to extend a big thank you to our Year 7 Homeroom teachers and support staff who have done a terrific job providing a welcoming and positive experience for the boys. We sincerely hope that all our Year 7s came home with a smile on their face and feel more confident as they settle into their new school. As they continue to transition over the next few weeks, it’s important to remember that patience with themselves and with each other is key.

Year 7 Camp

We are excited for the Year 7 camp, which will begin next week. This camp is an integral part of the boys' transition to St Patrick’s College and is a long-standing tradition that many of our alumni fondly recall as a highlight of their time here. It will provide another fantastic opportunity for the boys to build friendships and deepen their connection to the school.

I am sure you’re aware of the forecast for next week—it will be warm! Please rest assured that we’ve been in touch with the camp staff, and adjustments to the program will be made as necessary to ensure the boys can engage fully, in accordance with the conditions.

Year 8 Welcome

Furthermore, we were thrilled to welcome our Year 8 boys back to school today. They were a fantastic cohort to work with last year, and we are excited to see them continue to grow, contribute, and serve as positive role models for our Year 7s in 2025. 

The importance of partnership

As we move through the year, I want to stress how important the partnership between staff and families is to the success of our students. This was something I touched on during the Information Evening last night. We are committed to making decisions that are in the best interest of your child, and we ask for your trust in that. Having open communication is also essential, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to your son’s Homeroom Teacher as a first point of contact if you have any questions or concerns along the way. By being proactive in our communication, we can make sure the boys have a great experience at St Patrick’s College.

Staffing in the Junior School

I’d also like to take this opportunity to introduce our Year Level Coordinators. The Year 7 Coordinators, Margie Dodd and Karina Dunne, and the Year 8 Coordinators, John Hearn and Sarah Lamanna, provide exceptional support and guidance for their respective year levels. Their dedication ensures a smooth transition for the boys and sets a strong foundation for the year ahead. Additionally, the Homeroom Teachers in the Junior School are:

Year 7:

7A – Ms Kate Millan

7B – Ms Daniela Harrington

7C – Mr Tim Delaney

7D – Ms Jenny Willis

7E – Ms Genna Miller & Ms Kate Simpkin

7F – Mr Ash Briody

7G – Ms Lauren Stevenson

7H – Ms Samantha Bashford – Leger 

7I – Ms Monique Allen

Year 8:

8A – Mr Marcus Ryan

8B – Ms Katrina Bird

8C – Mr Jordan Verbeek

8D – Ms Amanda Rossato

8E – Mr Brett Barfoot

8F – Mr Jason Whittington

8G – Mr Ian Fernee

8H – Mr Andrew Wilson

8I – Ms Colleen Pope

Thank you to all families for your support of the Junior School program. It’s been great to see the boys get off to such a positive start, and we look forward to seeing them continue to settle in and make the most of their time at St Patrick’s College.