Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

As we head into the final weeks of the school year, it is natural for energy levels to dip. Assessments are wrapping up, the weather is warming and the summer break is in sight. Yet this is exactly the time when the habits our boys practise matter most. How we finish the year often shapes how we begin the next.

Finishing strong: the little things matter

At St Patrick's College, we hold high expectations of our boys. We do this not for the sake of rules, but because we believe in what they are capable of. The way a young man wears his uniform, arrives on time, attends every day and treats the people around him says a great deal about the standards he sets for himself.

These may seem like small things, but they are rarely small in their effect. A boy who takes pride in his presentation and turns up consistently is building the discipline, reliability and self-respect that will serve him well beyond the College gates. When standards slip in the small things, the bigger things often follow.

We ask families to partner with us in these final weeks. Please check that your son leaves home in correct uniform, is at school every day unless genuinely unwell, and finishes the year with the same commitment he started it with. When home and school send the same message, boys hear it clearly.

Save the Date: Growing Up Online with Susan McLean

Tuesday 16 February 2027  | Performing Arts Centre  |  Free for all parents and carers

We are very pleased to announce that Susan McLean, Australia's leading expert in cybersafety and young people, will present a parent information evening at the College early next year. The evening is free of charge, and we warmly encourage all parents and carers to attend.

A former Victoria Police officer and the first in the state appointed to a role focused on cybersafety and young people, Susan is known for her practical, no-nonsense approach. Her session, Growing Up Online, will look at the positive side of technology alongside what every parent needs to know, including:

• the reality and risks of the online world, and the importance of digital reputation
• Australia's new social media restrictions and what they mean for families
• the apps and platforms young people are using right now
• online grooming, cyberbullying, sextortion and AI-generated images, including the warning signs and the law
• managing gaming and devices at home, and practical tips to help keep your son safe

Sextortion in particular is a crime that is increasingly targeting teenage boys, so this is an evening we strongly encourage every St Patrick's family to prioritise. Even the most switched-on parent will come away with something new.

More details will be sent to families in Term 1, but please save the date in your calendars now and see the flyer below for further information.

Back yourself: Sean Bell visits Year 10

On Friday 23 October, we are delighted to welcome Sean Bell as keynote speaker at our MENtal Brekky. Sean will also stay on to deliver a special presentation to our Year 10 cohort.

His message is simple and powerful: back yourself, take action and take ownership of where you are heading. Drawing on his own experiences, Sean will speak with the boys about:

• building belief and confidence by being willing to have a go
• responding positively when things become difficult or don't go to plan
• recognising the influence of our habits, environment and the people we surround ourselves with
• taking ownership of our choices, standards and future direction

Year 10 is an important stage. Our boys are growing in independence, making more significant choices and beginning to think seriously about their pathways. Sean's message is a timely reminder that they don't need to have everything figured out, but they do need to be willing to take the next step, learn from setbacks and take responsibility for the young men they are becoming.

We encourage Year 10 parents to ask your son about the presentation afterwards. A simple question such as “What stuck with you?” or “What's one thing you want to have a go at?” can open up a great conversation at home.

Switching off to tune in: changes to personal devices in 2027

Technology is an important part of our boys' lives, and it will continue to be part of their learning and their future. But as devices become a bigger part of everyday life, they can also become a significant distraction.

The government has indicated that the current mobile phone restrictions in schools will be expanded to include other personal devices. From 2027, this is expected to include wireless headphones and earbuds (such as AirPods), smartwatches (which should be used for telling the time only) and other wearable technology.

We know this will be an adjustment for some boys. We ask parents to support the College as we implement these changes, and to talk with your son about why they matter. School is a place to be present: to listen, to learn, to connect with friends face to face and to give their full attention to what is in front of them. Switching off during the school day is not about taking something away; it is about giving boys the space to get the most out of their time in the classroom and with each other.

Further information about how these changes will be implemented at the College will be shared with families before the start of the 2027 school year.

Finishing well

Whether it is wearing the uniform with pride, backing yourself to have a go or putting the phone and earbuds away, it all comes down to ownership. We are proud of the young men our boys are becoming, and we look forward to working with you to help them finish 2026 strong.

As always, if you have any concerns about your son's wellbeing, please don't hesitate to contact his Homeroom teacher, Year Level Coordinator or me directly.

Understanding the "Manosphere": A Guide for Families

Many parents have heard the term "manosphere" but aren't sure what it means or how it might be reaching their son. It refers to online communities and influencers that promote a narrow, often hostile idea of what it means to be a man. They frequently blame women and feminism for the real struggles young men face, such as loneliness, uncertainty about the future, or feeling unseen. Algorithms mean boys can be shown this content without ever going looking for it.

This week the ABC published a practical Q&A, written by Georgia Hitch and Anna Levy for the series The State of Man. It brings together three respected Australian experts:

• Dr Billy Garvey, developmental paediatrician
• Dr Zac Seidler, clinical psychologist and men's health researcher with Movember
• Genevieve Sheppard from Our Watch, the national organisation working to prevent violence against women

The article explains what the manosphere is, the warning signs to watch for (new language, quoting the same few influencers, growing resentment, pulling away from family and friends), and, most importantly, how to talk with your son about it. The experts' message is reassuring: your relationship with your son is the strongest protection he has. They encourage parents to stay close, be curious rather than combative, and remember that this is an ongoing conversation, not a single talk. As Dr Garvey puts it, "If we lecture them, we lose them."

There is also guidance for parents of younger boys, and a list of helpful resources at the end.

At St Patrick's College, we know the boys in our care are navigating a complex online world. We encourage every family to take a few minutes to read this article. If you have concerns about your son, please contact me or your son's homeroom teacher. We are always here to work alongside you.

📖 Read the article: What is the manosphere? How can you help someone drawn in? Your questions answered