Acting Deputy Principal
What Makes St Patrick’s Unique as a School
What I have noticed about St Patrick’s is that education here is more than ticking boxes on a syllabus, it’s a journey of growth, grounded in the values of Edmund Rice. Yes, we follow the NSW curriculum and meet all NESA standards, but what truly sets us apart is the heart behind what we teach, the purpose that drives us, and the community we create together.
Faith in Every Lesson
In an EREA school, faith isn’t something that happens only in Religious Education classes, it’s woven into everything we do. Students are encouraged to see the world through a lens of compassion, justice, and reflection. Whether they’re studying drama, science, or history, we invite them to ask deeper questions:
What does this mean for others?
How can I use this knowledge to serve?
This way of learning doesn’t just build academic skills; it shapes young people who are critical thinkers and care about the common good.
Formation Over Information
While many schools focus mainly on academic results, we believe education should form the whole person. I can see how the College nurtures emotional intelligence, leadership, and a sense of responsibility to others.
Take the recent Senior Retreat. It wasn’t just a break from routine; it was a deliberate investment in what we believe matters most. When we take students away from their usual classes, we’re sending a clear message: time spent on deepening spirituality, reflection, connection, and personal growth is just as important as time spent on academics.
The retreat gave students space to pause, breathe, and think deeply about the kind of person they want to become beyond the gates of St Patrick’s. Through journaling, group discussions, creative activities, and spiritual reflection, they explored questions that shape character and purpose. Many shared how much they valued slowing down and reconnecting with friends. Watching our staff gently guide students through this process was a privilege and a reminder that what we dedicate time to tells our young men what we truly value.
Beyond the Classroom – Character Through Sport
Our commitment to formation is evident not only in retreats but also in the way we approach sport. At St Patrick’s, sport is about more than winning, it’s about resilience, teamwork, and character.
Take basketball as an example. In a recent game, with only 26 seconds left in the final quarter, the coach called a timeout. His message was simple but powerful: “Play together. Keep your chin up.” Even when the scoreboard isn’t in our favour, we fight until the end, because that’s what builds strength, integrity and unity.
Similarly, at the recent New Zealand Rugby Tour evening, it was emphasised that the tour was about far more than playing rugby. It was about developing young men, teaching them to lead, to support one another, and to represent their college with pride and humility. These experiences shape character in ways that last a lifetime.
I believe education should prepare students not only for exams but for life. Our mission is to form young men who lead with heart and serve with care and courage. That’s what makes St Patrick’s different. That’s what makes St Patrick’s unique.
Jodie Connor
Acting Deputy Principal