Principal

Christian Leadership is About Noticing Who is Missing

At our recent 2027 Student Leadership Investiture, I spoke to our newly appointed student leaders about the true nature of leadership in an Edmund Rice school. While badges, titles and positions recognise responsibility, they do not in themselves make someone a leader. Leadership is not a badge worn on a blazer; it is something lived through our everyday choices and actions.

I shared with the boys the story of Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins and Usman Khawaja following the Ashes victory in 2022. When champagne began to flow during the team celebration, Khawaja quietly stepped away because of his Muslim faith. Cummins noticed, stopped the celebration, had the champagne put aside and invited his teammate back onto the podium. It was a small gesture, lasting only seconds, but it demonstrated an important characteristic of leadership: a leader notices who is missing and then does something about it.

This idea of “noticing” is deeply connected to our Edmund Rice tradition. Blessed Edmund Rice noticed young people living in poverty and disadvantage and, rather than walking past, acted to provide them with education and opportunity. His response began a movement that continues in Edmund Rice schools worldwide today.

Our four Touchstones — Liberating Education, Gospel Spirituality, Inclusive Community, and Justice and Solidarity — provide an important framework for understanding leadership. Good leaders encourage others, recognise their gifts and help them grow. The measure of leadership is therefore not simply what a leader achieves personally, but whether other people are better because that leader was present.

In Jesus, we also see a very different model of leadership from what the world sometimes presents. Jesus did not seek status or recognition. He noticed those on the margins — the sick, the poor, the outsider and those whom others had stopped seeing — and he moved towards them. For our student leaders, this poses an important question: not “Who is noticing me?” but rather, “Who am I noticing?”

I reminded the boys that some of their most important leadership moments this year may never be publicly recognised. Leadership may mean standing beside a student who feels alone, speaking when others remain silent, challenging behaviour that is inconsistent with our values, or simply saying, “That’s not how we treat people here.”

Leadership also requires humility. Our leaders will make mistakes, miss opportunities and sometimes wish they had responded differently. Good leaders are not people who never get things wrong; they are people willing to learn, apologise, listen, change direction and begin again. Their fellow students will ultimately judge their leadership less by speeches or badges than by the way they behave when no one is watching.

This is why leadership at St Patrick’s is not primarily about enforcing a standard; it is about setting one. Our student leaders have been entrusted with the confidence of their peers and with helping shape the culture of our College — making it more welcoming, courageous, compassionate and faithful to the Gospel.

Importantly, the message of the Investiture was not only for those receiving badges. Not every boy will hold a formal leadership position, but every boy can lead. Whenever a student chooses kindness over cruelty, courage over silence, service over self-interest, or inclusion over exclusion, he demonstrates leadership.

My final challenge to our leaders was simple: notice. Notice the person on the edge of the group. Notice the student who has become quiet. Notice the voice that is not being heard. Notice the opportunity to help another person know that he belongs.

And when uncertain about what leadership requires, ask two simple questions:

Who is missing?

What can I do about it?

Pat Cummins noticed. Edmund Rice noticed. Jesus noticed. May our young men have the wisdom and courage to do the same.

Student Leaders for 2027

Please use the link below to view photos taken at the Student Investiture Assembly.

Prefect Investiture Assembly

Staff News

• Our condolences to Mr Adrian Byrne and his wife and family on the passing of his father-in-law, Harry Day. Harry was a proud Vietnam War veteran and a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be sorely missed.

• From Monday 24 August, our TAS Assistant, Mr William Noulas, will be completing his final practicum to complete his teaching degree. He will be taking a range of TAS classes, and we are excited at the prospect of adding to the quantum of TAS teachers in NSW! Kieran Dewing will take on Mr Noulas’s TAS Assistant role.  We wish them both well as they support our students' learning in TAS.

   

• Mr Sacco and his wife welcomed a son into the world late last week. Mum and bub are doing very well. In his absence as he enjoys Parental Leave, Ms Carpenter will be the Acting Head of HSIE B.

   

• Mrs Karanfilovski and her husband welcomed their baby boy, Antoni, into the world on Saturday. Antoni Karanfilovski came into the world at 4.6 kg and 57 cm tall! Milena is besotted at being a big sister.

   

• Ms Kathleen Shortland has been appointed Acting Head of HSIE A for Term 4. Kathleen is an experienced and highly regarded member of the HSIE faculty who brings to the role a strong record of classroom practice, curriculum expertise and pastoral leadership. Her outstanding HSC results in both Modern and Ancient History, together with her extensive knowledge of NESA requirements and her work in developing the College’s new History Elective course for 2027, reflect her commitment to high-quality teaching and learning. Kathleen has also demonstrated her leadership capacity through her roles as Assistant Year Coordinator and Assistant Head of Sport, her support and mentoring of colleagues, and her contribution to a positive and collaborative professional culture within the College. 

   

• Mr Fontana has been appointed Acting Head of TAS from 31 August to 18 September 2026 whilst Mr Gibson is engaged in HSC marking. A highly regarded member of the TAS department, Mr Fontana brings extensive curriculum expertise, strong leadership capability, and a commitment to student achievement.

   

• Ms De Francesco has been appointed Acting Head of Performing Arts from 20 August to 4 September 2026 whilst Ms Duff is engaged in HSC Marking. An experienced Music educator and curriculum leader, Ms De Francesco brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Performing Arts Faculty and has made a significant contribution to College life through music programs, performances, and co-curricular activities.

   

• Ms Macolino has been appointed Acting Head of Identity (Senior School) from 20 August to 4 September 2026 whilst Mr Herro is engaged in HSC Marking. Ms Macolino has demonstrated a strong commitment to the College's Identity mission through her involvement in formation, social justice, and co-curricular initiatives.

   

• Mrs Young has been appointed Acting Head of Identity (Middle School) from 12 October to 13 November 2026 whilst Mr Menezes is on LSL. An experienced Catholic educator and Head of Religious Education - Stage 3, Mrs Young brings significant expertise in faith formation, liturgy, service, and Catholic leadership, which will greatly support the Identity Team and the ongoing development of students within the Middle School.

   

• Mr Dane Cousins will commence in a temporary full-time Religious Education Teacher position, covering Mrs Katrib's parental leave from 12 October 2026 until the end of Term 3, 2027. Mr Cousins brings experience in Catholic education and is committed to supporting students' academic, spiritual, and personal growth.

Uniform Shop Goes Online!

We are pleased to advise that the St Patrick’s College Uniform Shop is available for both in-store shopping and online ordering. Please note that online orders are available for pickup only from the Uniform Shop during trading hours.

Getting Started

To place an online order, please follow the instructions below:

1. Go to the Uniform Shop on the College website - link here St Patrick's College Uniform Shop

2.  Select “Sign up / Log in”.

3. Under “Registered Customers”, use your email address (please ensure the email address you use is the same email that is used for College communications) and select “Forgot your password?”.  You will receive an email to reset your password and log in to your account.

4. Once logged in, choose the uniform item, select the size, enter the student’s name and complete your order. You will receive a confirmation email once your payment has been processed.

5. We accept Visa, Mastercard and Apple Pay for online payments.

    

If you are unsure of this email address or the email you used wasn’t accepted, click on “Create an account” and enter your details to register. You will receive an email notification when it is approved. This may take two business days.

Helpful Ordering Tips

To help us process your order as efficiently as possible, we recommend that you:

• check your son’s sizing before placing an online order

• order early during peak periods, such as the commencement of the school year and the beginning of each term, as processing times may be longer due to increased demand.

• Once your order has been placed, you will receive an email when your order is ready for pickup.

• We strongly encourage your son to pick up his own order whenever possible.

• Payments can be made by cash or card.

• Paper order forms are no longer available.

• No orders or credit card details will be taken over the phone or via email.

Order Pickup

• Once your order has been placed, you will receive an email when your order is ready for pickup.
• We strongly encourage your son to pick up his own order whenever possible.

Fitting Requirements

Please note:

If trousers, grey shorts, blazers or swimwear are ordered online, your son will be required to try them on before pickup.

All other uniform items (including shirts, ties, socks, sportswear, caps, bags and accessories) may be collected by either a parent/carer or your son.

Visiting the Uniform Shop

Please note:

• Payments can be made by cash or card.
• Paper order forms are no longer available.

• No orders or credit card details will be taken over the phone or via email.

   

Uniform Shop Trading Hours

• Monday:       7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
• Thursday:     7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

• Friday:          7:30 AM – 12:30 PM

   

If you require assistance with creating an account, placing an order, or have any questions regarding uniform requirements, please contact the Uniform Shop and our staff will be happy to assist. Phone: (02) 8705 9240 and Email: uniformshop@spc.nsw.edu.au. 

Dr Vittoria Lavorato

Principal

SPC boys can do anything! 

**except divide by zero