Principal

Visit to the College by Ryan West (Class of 2025)

Last week, a recent Old Boy, Ryan West, visited us. He is studying for an engineering degree in Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).  Forged from a unique partnership between the ADF and the University of New South Wales, ADFA in Canberra offers world-class education plus cutting-edge military and leadership training. It’s where students can undertake military training while being paid to study for a world-class undergraduate degree.

As an ADFA student, Ryan receives a great salary, full medical and dental cover, and has all his tuition fees and student expenses covered by the ADF. He will graduate debt-free and walk straight into a rewarding career in the Navy, Army or Air Force.

For those interested in following in his footsteps, Ryan had words of advice for our current students: not to rely solely on academic skills and school reports. The program places equal importance on soft skills (fitness, psychological, character, personal and communication skills). We wish Ryan well and urge any student who wants more information to see Mrs Cupac, Head of Careers.

Celebrating Public Speaking Excellence

Public speaking competitions play a vital role in the development of students’ confidence, communication skills, and critical thinking. By preparing and delivering speeches, students learn how to structure ideas clearly, express their opinions persuasively, and engage an audience—skills that will benefit them throughout their academic journey and beyond. These competitions also encourage students to step outside their comfort zones, fostering resilience and self-assurance as they present their ideas to judges and peers.

On Friday, 13 March 2026, the Grand Finals of the CSDA Public Speaking Competition were held at St Patrick’s. We were proud to have two students representing our school in the Year 9 division: Marcus G and Xavier T. Their achievement in reaching the Grand Final is a testament to the hard work, preparation, and dedication they have shown throughout the competition.

We would like to extend our congratulations to Marcus G, who achieved an outstanding result by placing 2nd in the Year 9 division. This is a remarkable accomplishment at such a competitive level and reflects the quality of his speaking and preparation.

Well done to both Marcus and Xavier for representing our school with confidence and distinction. Their success highlights the importance of public speaking opportunities in schools and the many benefits they provide for students’ personal and academic growth.

We would also like to thank Mrs Maria Cesarano, our Manager in Charge of Debating and Public Speaking, for her leadership and dedication to the program. Our sincere appreciation goes to all the coaches who support our students, particularly Old Boy Daniel De Pasquale (’24) who coached Marcus and Xavier and helped guide them to this excellent achievement.

Honouring the Feast of St Patrick

On 17 March, the Church celebrates the Feast of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. St Patrick is remembered for his missionary work in Ireland and for spreading the message of the Gospel with courage, faith, and perseverance. His life continues to inspire Christians around the world to live with conviction and to share their faith through their actions and service to others.

For our school community, the feast of St Patrick holds particular significance. It is an opportunity to remember and honour the Irish heritage of the Christian Brothers who founded our school. Inspired by the vision of Blessed Edmund Rice, many of the early Christian Brothers who established and led schools across Australia came from Ireland, bringing with them a strong commitment to education, faith, and service.

Their dedication laid the foundations for the values that continue to shape our school today - care for others, a commitment to learning, and a desire to support those in need. As we celebrate the feast of St Patrick, we give thanks for the legacy of the Christian Brothers and the enduring influence of their Irish heritage within our school community.

Community News

We extend our condolences to:

• Cristiano H (Year 7) and Jacques H (Year 9) on the recent loss of their grandmother Mrs Laurette Youssef.

• Samuel L (Year 5) and Phillip L (Year 9) on the loss of their grandmother, Mrs Ruby Lahood. 

Dr Vittoria Lavorato

Principal

SPC boys can do anything! 

**except divide by zero