Principal's report

Welcome back!

Welcome to Term 4.  It is lovely to be back onsite and to feel the excitement of the last term of the year, along with the sunshine, of course.

The holidays were as busy as ever for staff and students with an international trip to Japan and a cricket trip to Mildura. We also provided the Year 12s with an important opportunity to sit VCE practice exams as they prepare for their exams this term, and our Year 10s had an opportunity to gain insight into industry with their work experience program.  

Key staff also attended the Henty and Elmore Field Days, a great way to promote our wonderful school and boarding facilities to the wider community.  I thank everyone for all they did during the holidays, especially those who provided these opportunities to our boys, and I hope there was time to relax and unwind as well.

We have hit the ground running this week. Our VCE Arts and Technology Exhibition is now on display in the Pavilion, following the opening night showcase on Wednesday.  The work that our students do is truly remarkable!  Yesterday we welcomed many new and existing families onsite for the College Open Day.  It was great to see the students and staff in action giving our new families and insight into life at St Pat’s.

Next week I fly to the NT with our Director of Boarding, Mr James Hopper, to visit the Clontarf Academies in Darwin and Alice Springs.  This visit is a great way to meet some of our Indigenous families and potential students and establish connections with the Clontarf Academies in these areas. Unfortunately, it means I will not be in Ballarat to attend the end of season sports gatherings for basketball, soccer and rugby, but I wish all those involved a great time, and I thank both staff and students for their contributions to these wonderful sporting programs in 2024.  

I ask students to keep on track as the end of the year approaches.  It’s easy to let our minds wander to the long summer holidays. I myself am looking forward to an extended holiday on the NSW coast with my family, however we are not there yet.  I met with the Year 12 students yesterday to remind them especially of this as they approach their final days of classes and prepare for their exams. I wish these tremendous young men all the very best in the next few months.  It has been a privilege to watch them grow throughout their time at SPC. I look forward to celebrating the start of their next chapter with them at their Valedictory dinner in November, but in the meantime, I ask them to focus on their final weeks of classes, and then their exams, as they will not get this opportunity again.

As I have mentioned a few times, the current Student Council have been exemplary. I thank Noah Quick, Paterson Meneely and Angus Rothe for their leadership and dedication to their roles. I look forward to farewelling and acknowledging our current Student Council at the Student Leadership Assembly next Thursday and to welcoming in our 2025 Student Council.  It will be wonderful to hear our 2025 College Captain, Hugo Johnston, address our community for the first time.

I wish all our students the best this term and I look forward to celebrating all their successes with them.

October: Mental Health Awareness  

During the course of October, a number of organisations promote the importance of mental health. As a Catholic school for boys, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to nurture the holistic development of our young men. While academic achievement, spiritual growth, and character formation are core to our mission, it is equally essential to focus on the physical and mental wellbeing of our students. 

Men’s health is an essential part of forming young men into holistic individuals. At the heart of our faith is the call to honour the dignity of each person as created in the image of God, and this extends to caring for our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.

Men's health is not merely a personal issue but a community one, impacting relationships, learning, and overall, the culture of our society.

At St Pat’s and in the Edmund Rice tradition, we are called to care for the whole person —body, mind, heart and soul. Addressing men’s health involves fostering habits that support both physical and emotional fitness and mental resilience. Encouraging regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and open conversations about mental health contributes to lifelong wellness. These practices align with our Christian values of self-care and respect for the dignity of the human person.

Mental health is a critical component often overlooked in the lives of young men. With societal pressures and expectations to remain stoic, many boys may feel reluctant to express vulnerability or seek help. As a school, we counteract this by creating a culture where emotional wellbeing is discussed openly and without stigma. By doing so, we prepare our students not only to excel in their studies but to grow into healthy, well-rounded men capable of serving others with compassion.

In embracing men’s health as part of our educational mission, we reflect the Gospel values of love, respect, and care for one another. Together, we can build a school community where every young man can thrive — body, mind, and spirit.

I am once again, very pleased that St Pat’s is supporting the annual MENtal Brekky on Friday, 18 October. This breakfast, organised and promoted by the Chris Yeung Fund, is an important gathering which focuses positively on the importance of mental health. The Chris Yeung Fund was formed to enable financial, personal, and a holistic support structure for fathers of students from St Patrick’s College Ballarat who may be experiencing a mental health illness that may place their son’s education at risk, and to broaden awareness of men’s mental health within the community.

Many thanks to those on the Chris Yeung committee for the great work they do to promote awareness around this important issue and the support they provide those who are impacted by this. Thanks also to those in the College and Ballarat communities who support the fund and attend this annual event. Today is the last day to secure tickets, so if you're interested in attending, click on the link below!