Principal's report

Remembrance Day

This week, staff and students paused to commemorate Remembrance Day, an important occasion in the life of our nation and in the history of St Patrick’s College.

At our Remembrance Day Service, we honoured the courage, sacrifice and service of all men and women who have served Australia in times of war, conflict and peacekeeping. In a particular way, we remembered the many Old Collegians who have served in the Defence Forces since St Patrick’s College commenced in 1893.

For our boys, Remembrance Day provides an important opportunity to reflect upon the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy today and to recognise that these have been shaped by the courage and sacrifice of generations who have gone before us.

The simple words “Lest We Forget” call us not only to remember, but also to live with gratitude. They remind us of our responsibility to honour the legacy of those who served by seeking to build a more peaceful, compassionate and just world.

We remember with pride and gratitude all members of the St Patrick’s College community who have served our nation.

Lest We Forget.

Valedictory Celebration | Class of 2026

Next week, following the completion of VCE examinations, our College community will gather to celebrate the Class of 2026 at our Valedictory Celebration.

Valedictory represents a significant milestone in the lives of our Year 12 students and their families. It provides us with an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts and achievements of these young men, to celebrate the friendships and memories they have made, and to recognise the parents, families and staff who have supported and accompanied them throughout their journey.

For our Year 12s, Valedictory marks both an ending and a beginning. Their time as students of St Patrick’s College draws to a close, but their connection with the College will endure as they become Old Collegians and begin the next chapter of their lives.

We hope they leave St Patrick’s with more than academic knowledge and qualifications. We hope they leave as young men of character, compassion, and community, ready to contribute generously to their families, communities and the wider world.

We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 next week, acknowledging all they have contributed to SPC and wishing each of them every success, happiness and fulfilment in the years ahead.

Congratulations and go well, Class of 2026.

Retirement 

As the year draws to a close, I’d like to inform you that Mr Mark Stahl has decided to retire following a remarkable career teaching in Catholic education. Mark predominantly taught in primary schools within the Ballarat Diocese; however, he returned to his secondary school, St Patrick’s College, in January 2020.  Mark’s last day of teaching will be on Friday, 20 November 2026.  

We wish Mark all the best in his retirement and thank him for his dedication and service to Catholic education and to all the many children he has taught over his significant career.