Co-Curricular

As we move through the final stages of Term 3, it has been wonderful to pause and recognise the contribution of so many boys, staff and families across the co-curricular life of the College. Over the past week, presentation nights for Chess, Football, Rugby, Tennis and Junior School Sport have provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on seasons completed, celebrate highlights, acknowledge challenges and recognise the commitment shown by our students from beginning to end.

Congratulations to all boys involved in these programs throughout the year. Co-Curricular achievement is not only measured in wins, placings or awards, but in the decision to keep turning up, support teammates, represent the College with pride and finish what was started.

Thank you to the many staff who have organised, coached, managed and supervised these activities, and to the parents/carers and families who attended presentation nights and supported our boys throughout the season. These occasions remind us that strong co-curricular programs are built through partnership and shared commitment.

At Assembly this week we also acknowledged students who participated in five or more co-curricular activities across the year. This is a significant achievement, and the two students who achieved involvement in seven co-curricular activities deserve special recognition for an outstanding level of engagement.

At the time of writing, the ISA Athletics Carnival was still to be conducted on Tuesday of this week. We congratulate the team on their preparation and representation of the College, with any significant achievements to be acknowledged in the next edition.

A special thank you must also go to our Year 12 students. Many wonderful messages shared across the presentation nights highlighted the influence our seniors have had on the culture of the College, particularly within the co-curricular space. Younger boys look closely at how senior students train, compete, perform, encourage others and carry themselves when representing St Patrick’s.

Culture and co-curricular life go hand in hand. Culture is not simply what we say at the end of a season; it is what we live throughout it. The real test is whether our words about pride, commitment, respect, resilience and brotherhood are seen in the small moments: turning up consistently, encouraging a teammate, listening to a coach, competing hard but fairly and staying connected when things become difficult.

In sport, the great teams are remembered not only for what they win, but for what they stand for. The Penrith Panthers’ recent NRL success is a strong example of legacy built through standards, consistency, connection and habits repeated over time. That is the challenge for all of us: to ensure the statements made at the end of a season become more than words.

For our Year 12 students, the privilege has been to leave something behind that others can build upon. Their involvement, leadership and example have made a positive contribution to the College, and their legacy will be seen in the younger boys who now understand a little more clearly what it means to commit, contribute and represent St Patrick’s with pride.

Lachlan Fear

Director of Co-Curricular

Congratulations to our Year 12 Mooting Team

Congratulations to our first Year 12 Mooting Team, who represented the College in the National Bond University High School Mooting Competition.

Mooting is a simulated appeals court proceeding in which students take on the role of legal advocates, researching a legal problem, developing arguments and presenting their case before a judge. Students are required to think critically, respond to questioning and apply legal principles in a highly challenging environment.

Participation in the competition provides an excellent co-curricular opportunity for senior students to develop and extend their advocacy, public speaking, collaboration and critical-thinking skills.

We congratulate our students Christian B, Oliver H, and Thomas B (class of 2026) on embracing this opportunity and representing the College in our first Year 12 Mooting Team.

Gillian Carpenter

Director of Learning and Innovation