Principal

Welcome Back to Term 2

As we return from the joy and rest of the Easter break, I warmly welcome all members of our College community back for the new term. I hope that the season of Easter was a time of renewal, reflection and connection with family and loved ones.

Easter reminds us of the enduring message of hope, new life and transformation. In the life of a school, these themes resonate deeply. Each term offers a fresh opportunity—to begin again, to set new goals, and to recommit ourselves to the values that shape who we are as a learning community. For our young men, it is a time to approach their studies with purpose, their relationships with kindness, and their responsibilities with integrity.

The term ahead is both busy and purposeful. As we move into the Winter sports season, our fields and courts will once again come alive with energy, teamwork and College spirit. Participation in sport remains a vital part of our students' formation, fostering resilience, discipline and camaraderie.

At the same time, students will be engaged in several important assessments that will inform their Semester One reports. These assessments provide valuable opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning and progress, and I encourage all boys to approach their studies with focus, organisation and a commitment to personal excellence.

Over the break, many of our students had the opportunity to represent the College with distinction, and I take this opportunity to acknowledge the staff who supported them. Our sincere thanks to Macquire Tatola, Sarah Tatola, Damian Chase, Robert Simpson, Sio Tatola and Jack McCann and the rest of the First XV coaching staff for their generous commitment in accompanying our boys on the Rugby Tour of New Zealand. 

Matthew Pasternasky and Antonio Morris then joined Macquire and Sarah Tatola with the Year 6 Rugby Team in Armidale. The boys went on to win six out of their six games and played with “toughness and finesse”.

Your leadership, care and presence ensured that the tour was not only a wonderful sporting experience, but also a formative journey in character, teamwork and brotherhood. The time, energy and expertise you gave so willingly are deeply appreciated, and the positive impact on our young men will endure well beyond the final whistle.

Our heartfelt appreciation also goes to Jason Falzon, Jordan Bottalico, Brendan Conneely, John Locke and the First XI and Primary coaching staff for their outstanding commitment in accompanying our boys across a demanding round of football fixtures. Your leadership, guidance and care were instrumental in what has been a remarkable period of success—highlighted by our senior boys being crowned Sydney FC Plate Champions, and our Year 6 team’s undefeated campaign at the EREA Football Tournament in Brisbane, culminating in a memorable penalty shoot-out victory against St Joseph’s College, Nudgee in the final. We are genuinely grateful for the time, expertise and passion you have invested in our students, fostering not only excellence in performance but also resilience, teamwork and pride in representing the College.

For our staff and parents/carers, thank you for your continued support and partnership. The strength of our College lies in the shared commitment to the formation of each boy in our care. Together, we help them to flourish not only as learners, but as young men of character and faith.

May the hope of Easter continue to guide us this term, and may it inspire us to “let your light shine” in all that we do.

Welcome back, and every blessing for the term ahead.

Rising Fuel Prices and the Impact on Schools

In recent months, families across our community have felt the pressure of rising fuel prices. While this is most visible in the weekly household budget, it is important to recognise that these increases are also having a significant impact on school life—particularly in the areas of camps, excursions, and co-curricular opportunities.

Camps and excursions are a vital part of the educational experience we offer our young men. They provide opportunities for growth beyond the classroom—developing independence, resilience, teamwork, and a deeper connection with their peers and teachers. Whether it is a Year 9 camp, a subject-based excursion, or a co-curricular sporting trip, these experiences are formative and, in many cases, unforgettable.

However, the reality is that transport is a major component of these programs. As fuel costs rise, so too do the costs associated with buses, travel providers, and logistics. Schools, like families, must carefully manage these increased expenses. In some cases, this means that the cost of camps and excursions may rise. In others, schools are faced with difficult decisions about modifying programs, reducing frequency, or seeking alternative arrangements.

We are very mindful of the financial pressures that many families are currently navigating. At the same time, we remain deeply committed to providing these important opportunities for our students. Wherever possible, we will continue to plan and deliver camps and excursions in a way that is both educationally meaningful and financially responsible.

In this context, we ask for your support in simple but meaningful ways. Where possible, we encourage students to make use of public transport in travelling to and from school. In addition, families may wish to consider carpooling arrangements with other College families. These small, collective actions can help ease the financial burden, reduce traffic congestion, and contribute positively to our shared stewardship of resources.

Your support in prioritising your son’s participation in these experiences is greatly appreciated. Regular attendance at camps and excursions is not simply an “add-on” to school life—it is an integral part of a holistic education. These shared experiences strengthen friendships, build character, and contribute significantly to each boy’s sense of belonging within the College.

As always, if your family is experiencing difficulty in meeting these costs, we encourage you to contact the College. We are committed to working in partnership with families to ensure that every student has access to the full life of the school.

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding as we navigate these challenges together.

Community News

I would like to share that Adam Watson, our Director of Co-Curricular, will be concluding his time at the College at the end of Week 5 this term for personal reasons.

Adam’s last day will be Friday 22 May 2026. Throughout his time with us, Adam has played an important role in shaping a vibrant and inclusive Co-Curricular Program, creating many meaningful opportunities for our students beyond the classroom.

We are deeply grateful for his energy, care and commitment to our community, and we wish him every success and happiness in the next chapter.

• Mr Justin Knight will be Acting Year Coordinator for Term 2, replacing Ms Romina Fisicaro for Term 2 while she is on Long Service Leave. 

• Ms Danielle Laoulach will be Acting Assistant Year Coordinator for Term 2, replacing Mr Knight in his substantive position. 

We welcome the following new staff to the College: 

• Ms Maria Dolce, Learning Support teacher (replacing Ms Karen Spires)

• Mr Gianluca Santoro, Languages teacher for Term 2, replacing Ms Romina Fisicaro for Term 2. 

   

We welcome back the following staff returning from extended leave: 

• Mrs Jasmine Porter, Head of Religious Education 

• Ms Demi Arenas, Primary Teacher

We also congratulate:

• Mr Thomas Mullen and his wife Simone, who celebrated their wedding last weekend. We wish them all the best for a long and happy life together.  

   

• Ms Yolanda D'Onofrio who is expecting her third child in September.

In Memoriam

Please keep in your prayers:

• Ryan S (Year 12), Aidan S (Year 10) and Conor S (Year 9) on the recent passing of their grandfather, Mr Michael Powell. 

   

• Stephen F (Year 10) and former staff Member, John Finneran on the loss of their grandmother and mother, Mrs Ivy Finneran. 

   

• Daksh S (Year 9) on the recent passing of his grandfather, Mr Venkataman Bharawajan Subrmanyam.

Dr Vittoria Lavorato

Principal

SPC boys can do anything! 

**except divide by zero