Faith, Justice and Formation

Reflections on Papua New Guinea Adult Immersion

Arriving at Sydney Airport at 3:50 AM on the first Monday of the September/October holidays after a busy term and looking down the barrel of three separate flights and certain delays, I was wondering whether I had made a mistake in signing up for this immersion to Papua New Guinea. Touching down in Tokua (Rabaul) Airport as the sun was setting over the picturesque landscape of East New Britain, with Br Bernard White and a truckload of students from the Edmund Rice Life Training Centre waiting to greet us, I knew that I had made the correct choice. Sitting in the back of the truck on the drive to our accommodation next to the school in Vuvu, I was taking in the familiar sights, smells and feelings. To say I was glad to be back in Papua New Guinea was an understatement. 

Over the week that Ms Daley, Mr Menck, Mrs Bronwyn Ilott (friend of the College) and I spent in the East New Britain province, we were treated to a variety of experiences. We began our immersion by spending the day in and around the school observing what the first and second-year students would be working on in a standard school day. One group of students were using their woodworking skills to build coffins, which is a significant source of income for the school. Another group were working with Sister Concept in the outdoor, bush-style, kitchen to bake the buns for the day’s lunch. A third group were in the computer room, working on their touch-typing skills and writing a letter to one of the governors of the province. The third and fourth-year students were predominantly out on job placements, however those that remained on site were helping with the maintenance of various tools and equipment at the school. It was certainly interesting to see how the students’ learning was directly integrated with tangible skills that serve them and the community in their daily lives. Over the week we experienced much more.

The rich culture shown in the community highlights that we do not need much to ensure that we are happy, fulfilled and included. The singing at mass, the welcoming arms of the local community and the appreciation for the simple things are just some of the examples of how the local Papua New Guinean culture shines through. I was certainly grateful to make the return trip and reconnect with those experiences and hold them in my heart.

The students at the Edmund Rice Life Training Centre and the others in the local community are excited for the return of the St Patrick’s immersion group (Year 11 students) in 2023, as is the College, and it was a privilege to be part of the staff group who continued the connection that has been in place for so many years. 

Matthew Herro

Year 10 Coordinator

Worn Up – Recycle your old School Uniforms

Did you know that 95% of all textile waste in landfill is recyclable? And that 10% of all global CO2 production comes from textile production? Because over 700 tonnes of uniforms end up in landfill each year, we are on a journey to keep non-wearable SPC uniforms from the same fate.

You can help reduce the impact of textile waste by returning your old school uniforms to the St Patrick’s College Uniform Shop for recycling by Worn Up. If each school in NSW collected one item from each student, we would save 1,219, 572 items from going into landfill. Be part of the solution!

We have a collection booked for the last week of school, so please bring in any unwearable uniform by the end of Week 7 (25 November) for recycling. It can be placed in the dedicated bin at the Uniform Shop.

Hannah Smith

Mathematics Teacher | Social Justice Action Group (SJAG) - Environment  

FIFA World Cup Fundraiser to support the visit of our Friends from Alice Springs

In Week 5 of this term, we will be hosting some of our friends from St Joseph’s Flexible Learning Centre in Alice Springs. Several of our Year 11 students visited Alice Springs earlier this year showing kindness and hospitality, regardless of their situation. Their visit provides us with an opportunity to return this hospitality by welcoming them into our community. 

In order to ensure they really enjoy their time, the immersion group, along with the help of 12 Rice 2, are inviting all Year 12 students to join us on Wednesday 23 November to watch Australia’s first match in the FIFA World Cup, to raise funds for our visitors coming in Week 5. 

The match starts at 6:00 AM and a hot breakfast will be provided at half time. We ask everyone who comes along to pay $20 to cover the cost of breakfast and to raise as much as we can to look after the fellas while they are with us. Further details will be provided to the students in coming days. World Cups don’t come around very often, and neither does the chance to support our nation live. We can really make this atmosphere special; I hope to see as many of you present as possible so we can build up a crowd. 

In my first address, I spoke about the importance of revitalising our College spirit and community. I encourage everyone to get behind this initiative. Not only will it support our friends, but it would also be a good chance for us all just to be together in support of a good cause.

Alessandro Romeo 

College Captain