Acting Deputy Principal

Yesterday, I visited a Year 10 Homeroom as part of a new initiative where Senior Staff meet with various classes during morning Homeroom.

During the meeting, I shared with the boys that one of the things I love most about St Pat’s, among many things, is the diverse opportunities and pathways that students at our school can pursue. This means that boys can become anything they want to be — from an engineer to a musician, an electrician to a doctor. The choices are broad, and the opportunities are endless.

Part of this is belief — fostering in our boys the belief that they can do anything they put their minds to. But that isn’t the whole story. A good deal of it involves having the opportunity to experience and develop the necessary skills and background knowledge for boys to achieve their personal calling.

Never more than in the past fortnight have I seen this sense of opportunity so apparent. Reflecting on all that I’ve been involved in recently, I am in awe of just how many opportunities exist for our boys. A snapshot of this includes:

• Seeing the success of our budding chefs in both the ACC and BAS Culinary Competitions—their completed dishes were amazing!
• Experiencing the talents of our superb musicians in ‘SPC in Concert’ this week.
• Having the opportunity to witness our VCE Music students working closely with Professor Joshua Hyde, Old Collegian and internationally acclaimed musician.
• Watching our incredible Indigenous football team playing in the Taatee Shield and raising awareness around reconciliation.
• Finalising planning for the international tour to Japan and meeting with students who will be taking part in a Japanese exchange.
• Seeing the finished product of the Creative Writing Club’s ‘Write a Book in a Day,’ which supports The Kids’ Cancer Research Project.
• Hearing about the success of all our co-curricular sports and performing arts at this week’s Winter Co-Curricular assembly.
• Meeting our future 2026 Year 7 students at the Junior School Parent Information Evening.
• Taking part in the ‘Break the Cycle’ student-led fundraiser, which raises awareness around gender-based violence and raises funds for the Raven Collective, an organisation that supports women experiencing domestic violence.
• Participating in the whole-school ‘Faith in Action’ Mass and seeing the growing collection of non-perishable foods being brought in by our boys.
• Discussing issues that matter to students with the Year 12 Student Council.

And importantly, seeing the incredible learning that takes place day by day, minute by minute, in our classrooms and learning spaces across the college. 

Through involvement in a wide range of specialised programs and learning experiences, our boys can truly live out their own version of the college vision:

Educating hope-filled, compassionate, and confident young men for their place in the world.

I encourage every student to take up every opportunity that they are presented with as a student at St Patrick's College. I would also like to offer my heartfelt congratulations and thanks to the community for your ongoing support of all we do with and for our boys.