Acting Deputy Principal
Faith in Action – Seeing God in Each Other
In our Year 7 Religious Education classroom, something truly inspiring is unfolding. Through the unit Affirming Human Dignity, students are not only learning about faith, they're living it. This unit invites them to explore what it means to be human through the lens of Christian belief: that every person is made in the image and likeness of God.
This foundational idea, that each person reflects the divine, has sparked rich and meaningful conversations about kindness, inclusion, and moral decision-making. When students begin to see God in each other, their attitudes shift. They become more thoughtful, more compassionate, and more aware of the impact their choices have on others. It’s a joy to witness their growth, not just academically, but spiritually and emotionally.
Recognising Human Dignity
We began by exploring the principle of human dignity, helping students understand that every person has inherent worth. They identified core rights and responsibilities shared by all people and reflected on how these shape the way we live together in community. This led to powerful discussions about justice, respect, and the importance of standing up for others.
Our students have shown great curiosity and maturity in their thinking. When asked to explore the topic further, they posed thoughtful questions such as:
Why is human dignity important?
Where can I find out more about human rights?
How can we show human dignity to others?
What would happen if we don’t respect others?
What would the world be like without human dignity?
These questions reflect the depth of their engagement and their desire to understand how faith connects to real-world issues.
At the heart of our learning has been the call to live in right relationship with others. Guided by the Golden Rule, "Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12) students examined how their values and attitudes influence their behaviour. They considered how sin damages relationships and how forgiveness and empathy can restore them.
Our Year 7 students have embraced this challenge with enthusiasm and integrity. Their willingness to reflect, ask questions, and support one another is a testament to the strength of their character and the values we nurture at St Patrick’s College, Strathfield.
At St Patrick’s, we are committed to forming young men who live with faith, compassion, and a strong sense of justice. Inspired by the values of Edmund Rice, our College provides a wide range of opportunities that help students grow in moral awareness, develop their conscience, and respond to the needs of others.
This term alone, students have:
Deepened their understanding of global solidarity through the Fiji Immersion Program
Engaged in personal and spiritual reflection during Reflection Days
Explored real-world social justice issues during Justice Partnership Days.
These experiences challenge students to think critically about their values and actions, encouraging them to make ethical choices that affirm the dignity of every person.
Alongside these special events, the ongoing SOL (Service Outreach Learning) program continues to offer meaningful ways for students to serve the wider community and live out their faith in practical, compassionate ways.
Our students are not only learning what it means to be human, they are showing us, every day, how great it is to be part of a community that sees God in each other.
Jodie Connor
Acting Deputy Principal