Principal

Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to the beginning of a new school year. This is always a significant moment for our community, full of anticipation, new routines, and the hope that each child will feel known, supported, and ready to learn.

In Term 4 last year, I was on Professional Renewal Leave, and I had the opportunity to undertake a pilgrimage in the footsteps of St Paul, travelling through places connected to his journeys and letters to early Christian communities. What stayed with me most was not simply the history but the heart of his message: people matter, community matters, and steady perseverance can achieve far more than quick wins or short bursts of effort.

Paul wrote to real communities facing real challenges, learning how to live with courage, kindness, and purpose. That feels very relevant to school life. A thriving school is not built only through programs and policies, but through relationships: the way we speak to one another, the values we model, and the shared commitment we bring to the growth of children and young people.

As the year begins, our focus is on helping every student settle well - academically, socially, and emotionally. We want students to experience high expectations alongside genuine care: to be challenged to do their best, and to know they are supported when learning feels difficult. Progress in education is often gradual, built day by day through consistent routines, encouragement, practice, and trust.

We are grateful for the partnership we share with families. When school and homework together - communicating openly, reinforcing expectations, and celebrating effort - students flourish. Thank you in advance for your support with establishing strong routines, ensuring regular attendance, and engaging with your child about their learning and wellbeing.

To mark the start of the year, please join me in a brief prayer inspired by St Paul:

My hope for this year is that we continue to be a community marked by patience, encouragement, and shared purpose - where every student is helped to grow not only in knowledge and skills, but in character, confidence, and compassion.

We look forward to working closely with you throughout the year and to the many opportunities ahead.

Encouraging Positivity and Strength

As parents/carers, your role in fostering a positive mindset is invaluable. Remind your son of his unique strengths and capabilities. Encourage him to embrace new experiences, make new friends, and face challenges with resilience. Your words and actions play a crucial role in shaping his perspective on the school year ahead.

Active Parental Involvement

Research consistently shows that parents who actively engage in their children's education significantly contribute to their success. To help your child excel this school year, consider the following proactive steps:

1. Establish a Consistent Sleep Routine: Transitioning from the relaxed summer schedule to a school routine can be challenging. Ensure your son gets sufficient rest by gradually adjusting bedtime and wake-up times.

    

2. Open Lines of Communication: Connect with your son's homeroom teacher early in the school year. Introduce yourself, express your commitment to being involved, and establish a partnership for your son's learning journey. Regularly check in on their subjects, homework, activities, and overall progress.

    

3. Prioritise Nutrition: A well-balanced diet is essential for concentration and academic success. Provide healthy meals to ensure your son is fuelled and ready to tackle the day's challenges.

    

4. Create a Dedicated Study Space: Designate a quiet and organised area at home for schoolwork and homework. Minimise distractions to emphasise the importance of education in your family. Show interest in their work and offer praise for their efforts.

    

5. Cultivate a Love for Reading: Spend at least 20 minutes a day reading with your son. This simple practice not only reinforces the importance of literacy but also provides an opportunity for shared exploration and adventure.

As we embark on this new school year together, let's continue to work collaboratively to ensure the success and well-being of every student. Your involvement and support make a significant impact on their educational journey. We look forward to a year filled with growth, learning, and shared achievements.

A Warm Welcome

We would like to warmly welcome all the new families joining our school community, and a hearty welcome back to all our returning families! We are thrilled to have your boys at our school and look forward to nurturing their academic and personal growth.

Staff Updates

We are delighted to introduce new members of our teaching staff who bring with them a wealth of experience and fresh ideas. We believe they will be a great addition to our dedicated team. There have also been changes to our leadership structure across the College, particularly with the additional resourcing of experienced staff in the Student Wellbeing space.

Firstly, our Leadership Team. I am joined and supported in this team by the following fabulous people:

There have also been some changes and additions to our some of our Middle Leadership positions. In the Wellbeing Team:

* denotes a newly created position

Our Identity Team comprises: 

Our Co-Curricular Team comprises:

* denotes a newly created position

And finally, the staff who are new to the College, replacing staff who have left or employed as a result of growth in our overall student population in the secondary school.

We are thrilled to introduce these newest members of our staff this year. Each of them brings a wealth of experience, a love of learning, and a commitment to fostering your child's academic and personal growth. They will be joining their respective teams with some common traits: a passion for their subject area and a dedication to student success. We are excited to see their positive impact on our students.

2025 HSC Results

Last year’s school leavers did exceptionally well, and we are proud to be ranked as 67th in the state (an improvement on 89th in 2024) given that we are a comprehensive school. A fulsome HSC report will soon be published but the highlights are as follows:

• 104 boys (58% of candidates) got an ATAR > 80 (an improvement on the 50% in 2024)
• 61 boys (34% of candidates) got an ATAR > 90 (an improvement on 29% in 2024)
• 31 boys (17% of candidates) got an ATAR > 95 (an improvement on 14% in 2024)
• 8 All Rounders: Michael Atra, Christopher Costa, Awtel (Arthur) Haddad, Joshua Malone, Lucas Martin, Joseph Rigon, Dominic Short and Daniel Terrone.
• College Dux on 99.35: Lucas Martin
• Joseph Rigon, Top Achiever, 10th in the State Business Studies
• Nicholas Macher, Top Achiever, 6th in the State Industrial Technology
• Ethan Aflak, Top Achiever, 3rd  in the State Information and Digital Technology
• 94% of all subjects studies in our school were above the State average (an improvement on 91% in 2024).
• 16 courses (47%) had students who only achieved a Band 5 or 6).
• James Morkos has been offered a place in undergraduate Medicine at the University of Newcastle. His ATAR, and support for his UCAT and interview by Ms Cupac, were instrumental in him achieving this amazing feat.

• Luke Bounassif was offered a place in the UNSW Coop Scholarship program. With only eight places available statewide, this is an outstanding achievement. Luke will undertake a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Accounting and Finance. We congratulate Luke and wish him every success as he embarks on this exciting journey! 

   

We all look forward to acknowledging our High Achievers on 6 February 2026.

Parent Involvement - Home-School Communication

Please make sure to read the Especean each week and check our College website regularly for updates on College events and activities. 

Parents/carers can access much information from the Parent Orbit app.

The Parent Orbit app is one of the most critical channels for Parent/College communication. It is free and easy to download from the App Store or Google Play.

The Parent Orbit app is the repository of all the vital information a parent/carer needs to support their son properly and place it in one easy-to-access location. 

Instructions have already been sent to existing families, and our new families will receive direct information from our IT support services.

The Especean will always be our focal point of summarising our information each week, and the Parent Orbit app and Student Café are the most appropriate places to share resources and information. We look forward to hearing the feedback from our community as we commence its use. 

Of course, we celebrate our students’ successes on social media, and we would love it if you took the time to follow us on social media: 

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. Here's to a fantastic school year. 

Community News

• Condolences to the Harb family, Daniel Harb ('22) and Ethan Harb ('24) on the loss of their mother, Eliane Harb. Her nephews are also SPC students, Elijah Tannous (Year 7) and Old Boy Bryan Nader ('25). Eliane was laid to rest in the days just before Christmas, and they would appreciate our community keeping them in your prayers. 

• Condolences are also extended to Ms Catherine Miholic (our Print Room Assistant) and her son, Old Boy Patrick Miholic ('24), on the loss of her beloved mother and grandmother, Anna Callaghan.

• Mr Bottalico is a dad once again with the safe arrival of Phoebe Louise! 

• Congratulations to Mr McCann on his recent engagement.

• Congratulations are also extended to Artima Thongthip who was married in the holiday break to her partner, Marco Bianchino. Wishing you a long and happy union!

• I was also delighted when George Sacco shared the news that he and Elise are expecting a baby in August.

• Congratulations to Ms Daley on her recent graduation obtaining a new tertiary qualification. 

   

Dr Vittoria Lavorato

Principal

SPC boys can do anything! 

**except divide by zero