Deputy Principal

As I return from Renewal Leave, I have been reflecting not only on the places I visited, but on what these experiences now ask of me as a leader at St Patrick’s College Strathfield. 

My journey began in South Africa at the Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders Leadership Symposium. Meeting educators from around the world reminded me that St Patrick’s belongs to a global community united by the Gospel and the mission of Blessed Edmund Rice. 

A central message was that leadership must be relational, not simply transactional. Schools require policies, structures and decisions, but Catholic leadership must always place people at the centre. It asks us to be present, listen carefully and know the person before judging the situation. 

The African philosophy of Ubuntu, “I am because we are,” captured this beautifully. We do not lead or flourish alone. Our humanity is connected to the humanity of others. 

This became real during my visit to Zambia, where my daughter joined me for the next stage of the journey. Together, we delivered St Patrick’s jerseys donated by members of our College community to a school that did not have its own sporting uniform. 

The jerseys will be used as training and playing jerseys, giving the students a shared identity and a stronger sense of belonging to their school community. Seeing the jerseys complete their journey from Strathfield to Zambia was a powerful reminder that solidarity is not only about what we give. It is about recognising our connection with others and affirming their dignity. 

I sincerely thank the students, families and staff who contributed. Your generosity brought the EREA Touchstone of Justice and Solidarity to life. The jerseys now represent a meaningful connection between two school communities, separated by distance but united through the wider Edmund Rice family. 

My daughter then travelled with me to Kruger National Park. Sharing this experience with her made it even more meaningful. In the stillness and beauty of the landscape, I was reminded of the invitation to find God in all things. 

Nothing in Kruger could be hurried. We had to wait, watch and pay attention. Leadership requires the same attentiveness. If we are constantly rushing, we may fail to notice the student who needs reassurance, the colleague who needs support or the family seeking understanding. 

Africa reminded me that leadership begins by noticing, grows through relationships and becomes authentic through action. 

As I return to St Patrick’s, I carry a simple challenge: 

Look carefully. Listen deeply. Recognise God in others. Then have the courage to act. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Alex Sinadinos who stepped in as Acting Deputy during my leave. I cannot thank him enough for the amazing job he did while I was away, and I look forward to working with him closely over the remainder of the year. 

Adrian Byrne 

Deputy Principal 

A Note of Thanks

As my time as Acting Deputy Principal comes to an end, I feel incredibly grateful and blessed to have had the opportunity to serve our College community in this role. I sincerely thank Dr Lavorato for her trust, guidance and unwavering support throughout this time. 

I am also very appreciative of the encouragement and support I have received from our students, families and staff. It has been a genuine privilege to serve the College in this capacity and an experience I value greatly. 

As I hand back to Mr Adrian Byrne, I warmly welcome him back and hope his time away has allowed him to rest, recharge and return feeling renewed. I know our community will be very pleased to have him back. 

Alexandros Sinadinos

Director-Principal Support