Wellbeing - Senior School
R U OK?
On Thursday 11 September we are supporting R U OK? Day to remind everyone to stay connected and make asking ‘Are you OK?’ a part of our everyday. That way if someone we know is struggling with something big or small, they’ll know we care.
When we genuinely ask, ‘Are you OK?’ and are prepared to talk to them about how they’re feeling and what’s going on in their life, we can help someone who might be struggling to feel connected and supported, long before they’re in crisis.
You don’t need to be an expert to ask someone, ‘Are you OK?’. Try and make time for regular chats about life’s ups and downs so you can build trust. That way when someone is struggling, they will know that you care and will feel comfortable opening up to you.
It also helps to choose the right time and place for a meaningful conversation:
When on breaks from work or study
When exercising together
When connecting or doing activities together online
When you’re spending time together socially
When you’re doing an activity side-by-side
When you’re sharing a meal
When you’re travelling together, even a short trip can be a good time to talk.
We’ll be sharing information and resources with students during Pastoral Care Lessons to help give them the confidence to ask, ‘Are you OK?’ and meaningfully connect with the people in their world.
We are also privileged to have Old Boy John Brogden addressing the Assembly on Thursday.
Ask R U OK? because a conversation could change a life.
If you need immediate crisis or emotional support, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
R U OK? is a national charity dedicated to inspiring all of us to have regular, meaningful conversations to support anyone going through a difficult time. You can learn more at ruok.org.au.
Robert Simpson
Director of Senior School
2025 Saint of Origin
Following SPC’s loss of the Saint of Origin shield to our cross-town rivals, Santa Sabina last year, the annual competition was reinvigorated for 2025. Beginning with netball away, team SPC showed tremendous grit against a Santa side highly experienced in the sport, boasting state-representative athletes within their line-up. Despite these challenges, game one ultimately ended in a respectable 19–18 loss.
In volleyball, matches returned to home soil, hosted in the College Gymnasium. With strong support from both schools’ Year 12 cohorts, SPC delivered a dominant performance. Clinching the first two sets in quick succession, 21–10 and 21–11 respectively, the match was over in less than 30 minutes—a commanding showcase which tied the series at 1–1.
Finally, the tiebreaker event— the debate. In a packed Robson Auditorium, the topic was that “hype is more powerful than actual quality,” with SPC as the affirmative side and Santa Sabina as the negative. Following a tense back-and-forth between each side’s three speakers, filled with witty arguments and clever rebuttals, a split decision was all that separated the two. With two adjudicators to one in favour of the affirmative, SPC clinched the 2025 Debate of Origin, reclaiming the tri-series for the first time since 2023.
A tremendous thank you goes to Ms Santiago, who oversaw the organisation of the entire tri-series, and to Mrs Lombardo for her facilitation of the debate. Their efforts made the Saint of Origin possible for our cohort.
Dominic Short | Debating Captain and Learning and Technology Prefect