Faith, Justice and Formation 

Shining Our Light in the Community

As you would know, the College has many great justice partnerships, many of which see our students give of their time in service on weekends and during the holidays as part of SOL Service and Year 11 Social Justice Service. To highlight a few of these activities and organisations the boys share their experiences here.

CatholicCare - Over the break, I was part of a group of Year 10 students who visited CatholicCare’s Centacare Industries. Centacare is an initiative that aims to provide training and support to adults with intellectual disabilities, and we were given the opportunity to meet and interact with them over the course of a day. Immediately, when we walked in the door, we felt welcome – despite some not being able to speak or communicate well, everyone was incredibly friendly and happy that we were there. We engaged in many activities together, and all the boys experienced first-hand not just the disability but the amazing ability of those at the centre. Overall, it was an enriching experience, and I think all of us left with our faces smiling and minds open.  

Jeremy Simonetto (Year 10)

Lucas Gardens - Over the course of the first two days of the Term 2 break, a dozen Year 11 students, were privileged enough to help out at Lucas Gardens School in Five Dock (a school for students with disabilities), as a part of our Social Justice Service. During our time at Lucas Gardens, we helped run a small athletics carnival, for both junior and senior students, and participated in class activities throughout the day with the students. Overall, the experience was extremely eye-opening. The boys and I have all definitely taken away experiences that will stick with us, whilst developing a newfound respect for the hard work put in by the teachers at Lucas Gardens, to enable the school to run in the manner it does.   Angus Reen (Year 11)

Exodus Foundation - While on my Social Justice Service at the Exodus Foundation (Rev Bill Crews Foundation) during the Term 2 holidays, I was really excited to volunteer my time to serve people less fortunate than I am. It was a great experience because I felt good after the day, seeing all the faces of people I helped for the two days that I served. The service was very fulfilling and made me happy to know that I’ve helped people who sleep rough and live on the margins of society. The staff there were wonderful and being able to do it with my friends made the experience more memorable. 

Sam Poyaoan (Year 11)

St Vincent De Paul (SVDP) Night PatrolWhen going out on Night Patrol I felt as if I was a part of something big and representing the community of St Patricks College. Performing a good deed for those who are in need of assistance really put into perspective how lucky I am to have such a loving group of family and friends who are always there when I’m in need, no matter the circumstance. Giving up a few hours of our evening to spend time with and help feed those on the margins was nothing compared to the smiles we saw on the faces of the people we met, young and old. James Giardina (Year 11)

St Merkorious’ Charity - St Merkorious’ Charity is an organisation that aims to tackle poverty and food insecurity with a continued spirit of love, compassion and tolerance, powered by volunteers such as St Patrick’s College. Each holidays, groups of boys volunteer for five hour shifts at this charity. Boys engage in activities such as packing meals for the homeless, organising their warehouse and cleaning items so that they are fit for use. Furthermore, the camaraderie between the boys is strengthened, as they work for a common goal centred on selfless service. St Merkorious’ Charity was an eye-opening experience allowing us to humbly serve others; a great experience for both the volunteers and the poor who are being aided. Justin Speranza (Year 11)

Matthew Talbot Hostel - Matthew Talbot is a hostel in Woolloomooloo run by St Vincent de Paul for men without a home. Our student service involves setting up the dining room for dinner and helping serve the men their meal every second Wednesday evening. We engage in conversation and clean up after the meal, all opening our eyes to a side of life we would rarely encounter. (several students)

Cana Farm Market Stall at Sport 

Cana Farm is one of the College’s justice partners. Their mission is to care for and support those people who suffer from illness, addiction and homelessness and are struggling to integrate into the community. The farm offers a safe place to belong in a positive community.  

Our staff have long supported them in purchasing their fresh veggie boxes and other products each month. Now you have the opportunity to check out and purchase any of their items including olive oil, dukkah, jam, and candles. They make great gifts and general home pantry staples. Look out for the Parent SOL stall next to the barbeque at Breen Oval at sport this Saturday. Enjoy some lovely products while supporting a worthy cause at the same time. We make no profits from these sales. (See some of the products here).   

SOL (Shining Our Light) Service 2022

This is a simple reminder that all boys from Year 5 to Year 10 are required to complete SOL Service as part of their enrolment at the College. It is at the heart of what it is to be an Edmund Rice community and person.

All service for 2022 is to be completed by 4 November at which point each student will need to hand in pages 23/24 with their name on it, from the College Diary. 

Throughout the whole year each student should be informing their homeroom teacher or class teacher (Junior School) of their service so it can be recorded on the central spreadsheet. They need to show their signed diary page.

All documents regarding SOL Service are on the Parent Lounge on TASS, under Identity. Please have a refresher of the program by having a look at them. Students can also access the documents on Canvas, and they are pinned up in every homeroom.

We are running a ‘normal’ year of SOL Service thus many compensations that were made last year due to lockdown are not applicable this year. Here are some key points to take note of:

• Page 22 of the Diary is College Cup. This is NOT SOL Service, thus activities on this page do not count.
• The program is a graduated program thus students must do the activities for their Stage e.g., a Year 10 student cannot get points for altar serving which is only for Years 5 and 6. This doesn’t stop us from doing great things, but hopefully helps nudge us out of our comfort zones.
• If a service activity is not on the list for a Stage (see Parent Lounge) it will not count, unless it has been approved by me through communication to the SOLservice@spc.nsw.edu.au email.
• The completion or non-completion of SOL Service will appear on each student’s final report for the year.
• Late records of service will not be accepted. (There are a lot of steps to ensure all is recorded correctly so please help us by being on time.)
• Encourage your son/s to follow up on activities with me or any other relevant person, rather than you just organising it for him. Hopefully it helps teach skills beyond good deeds also.

I encourage you to have a chat with your son about where he is at in his service. I see so much of what many boys do, and also who doesn’t take any initiative. Please remember the program is about integrity. If your son hasn’t started yet don’t cover for him but encourage him to get started and look for some options – read the documents and lists together before emailing me.

• Stage 3 (Years 5 and 6) – 8 Points    
• Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8) – 10 Points
• Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) – 15 Points

Thank you for your support.

Gillian Daley

Director of Identity

Winter Sleep Out Reflection

On Friday 22 July, several staff and nearly 200 students from across all year groups engaged in the Winter Sleep Out, which raised over $11,000 for homeless services in Sydney. The night was incredibly informative, as we engaged in discussions about what could be the cause of homelessness, some misconceptions about homelessness and what we can do to support those who are homeless. Following this, the group packed many selfcare toiletry packages to be sent out to homeless people, using the items donated from the 2022 Winter Appeal. To top off the night, all the staff and students present took on the challenge of sleeping rough for one night. By this we mean, sleeping outside with only a sleeping bag and some cardboard for support. The next morning, the group shared their experiences such as feeling cold, putting up with the sensor lights in the school that constantly turn on and off throughout the night, trucks driving past as well as a general sense of vulnerability being outside. Each of us reflected on what we had just been through and realised how fortunate each of us are to have warm, comfortable beds to return to in our own homes. Overall, the Winter Sleep Out was definitely an eye-opening experience to the reality of our world and is certainly an event I would recommend each boy to participate in if provided with the opportunity in the future.

Joseph Tannous

Year 12 Student – Member of SJAG