Senior School

Year 12 SWOTVAC

As we move into a significant period of the term, our focus turns to both celebration and preparation. For our Year 12 students, this fortnight marks the culmination of their St Patrick’s College journey. Their Final Day provides an opportunity for joy, gratitude and reflection as they celebrate the friendships, experiences and achievements that have shaped their time at the College. While there is much to be proud of, their VCE examinations remain ahead, and our attention now turns to finishing strongly.

The Year 12 SWOTVAC period begins on Monday and concludes the following Monday. During this time, it is considered best practice for students to continue attending school and their scheduled classes, where teachers will be available to provide guidance, revision support and individual feedback. Students may choose to study from home if they prefer, however we strongly encourage boys to make use of the expertise and structure available at school throughout this period.

The VCE examination period commences on Tuesday, 27 October and concludes on Wednesday, 18 November. We wish all Year 12 students and Year 11 Accelerators every success as they prepare for and undertake their examinations. For the full VCE exam timetable, please see below.

Years 10 & 11 Exams

Students in Years 10 and 11 should also be looking ahead. End-of-year examinations will begin on Friday, 13 November and continue through to Thursday, 19 November. 

Friday, 20 November will be a student-free day to allow staff to complete marking and report writing. 

Now is the ideal time for students to establish effective revision habits, organise study schedules, seek support from their teachers and begin consolidating their learning from across the year. 

Consistent preparation over the coming weeks will place students in the strongest position for success when examinations arrive. As always, we encourage all students to approach this period with purpose, persistence and a commitment to making the most of every opportunity.

Outdoor and Environmental Studies – 2026 Wrap

As our Outdoor and Environmental Studies (OES) camps and excursions come to a close for 2026, it's a great opportunity to reflect on another fantastic year of outdoor adventures. From the mountains of the Grampians and Mt Stirling to the waters of Queenscliff and the streets of Ballarat, our Year 11 and 12 students have enjoyed a wide range of experiences that have challenged them, developed new skills and brought their classroom learning to life.

Our Year 12 students enjoyed a range of memorable experiences, including an Indigenous cultural tour and hike through the Grampians (Gariwerd), SCUBA diving at Queenscliff, where students successfully achieved their Open Water Diving Certification, and cross-country skiing/snow camping at Mt Stirling. These experiences provided plenty of opportunities for students to step outside their comfort zones, build resilience and put their classroom learning into practice.

Our Year 11 students were equally busy, beginning with ziplining at Lorne, followed by camping and hiking in the Grampians, rock climbing at the spectacular Mt Arapiles (Djurite), and finishing the year with an urban walk through Ballarat, exploring the relationships between people and our local environments.

A huge congratulations to all students for their enthusiasm, willingness to have a go and the way they represented the College throughout these experiences. It has been fantastic to see the boys challenge themselves, support one another and grow in confidence along the way.

Finally, a massive thank you to the many staff who generously gave up their time to accompany our students on these adventures, often spending several days and nights away from their own families. We also extend our appreciation to the staff working behind the scenes to make these experiences possible. Without their support, our OES program simply wouldn't be able to offer such valuable opportunities.

We look forward to another exciting year of adventures in 2027.

Should you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to reach out.

• Matt Miller, Head of Senior School
• Tess Jennings and Rebekah Curtis Lester, Year 10 Leaders 
• Liam Davie and Steve Biggin, Year 11 Leaders 
• Chris Gleeson and Shane Murphy, Year 12 Leaders 
• Andrew Chamings, VCE Coordinator