Faith, Justice and Formation

Service Learning at St Patrick’s College and Being an Ideal Graduate

The Service Learning Program at the College has many purposes. The two core elements are:

The development of compassion for the powerless and commitment to care for ‘the other’, helping to make a better world for all. It is basically about putting others at the centre of your life.
The development of life skills including organisation, planning, time-management, responsibility, commitment, confidence and much more.

While parents will no doubt help their sons throughout the service they engage in over their time at the College, it is ultimately the responsibility of each student to complete the program each year. It is wonderful to see boys and young men develop the ability to talk to adults, ensure they make the shifts they book in for and organise their calendar recognising that once you make a commitment you don’t ditch it for something better that comes along. The hope for our world is that students listen and understand what is being asked of them and then follow through with attention to detail and a level of human dignity being demonstrated.

Well done to all students who served others over the past holidays, and who continue to do so on a regular basis. Service learning should not be about ticking boxes but genuinely caring about others so that it becomes a natural part of life. Filling in records shouldn’t be that you just get to the minimum points or hours and stop. The hope is that we give as much as we can.

I remind everyone of the deadline for both Service Learning Programs at St Patrick’s College.

Shining Our Light (SOL) Service for Years 5 – 10 is due on Monday 2 November. (This means the diary page is complete with signatures and stamps where required, student reflection complete and parent reflection and signature, and everything is recorded by the class/homeroom teacher. The diary page is to be ripped out and handed up with a name and homeroom on it).

Social Justice Service (SJS) is due on Monday 16 November. (This means the booklet is complete with stamps and signatures, the details have been recorded by the Homeroom Teacher, the reflections are complete, the parents have reflected and signed the booklet).

There will be NO extensions. Please organise everything before the due date. There is a flow-on effect for reports and awards and thus lateness will not be accepted. Everything can always be handed up early if needed.

Those who attain awards will have them presented at school or at Speech Night. Those who do not complete the program will have a consequence. All completion or failure to complete will be recorded in Academic Reports and in student records. Students have just less than three weeks to finalise everything. Please don’t lie about things – even if I don’t know about it, God does. It also doesn’t teach good lessons for now and the future. Everything is learned behaviour. Please do not put any of us in the awkward position of being denied some activities or being turned down due to lateness. It is each student’s responsibility to know what is expected of them.

All details for SOL Service can be found on the TASS Parent Lounge/Parent Orbit App under Identity and on the students’ cohort CANVAS pages. All questions can be directed to SOLservice@spc.nsw.edu.au.

Congratulations to all students who authentically engage in the program which helps to shape our Ideal SPC Graduates. The following six areas show that an ideal graduate:

is guided by faith and has a continuing relationship with Jesus
is challenged to serve and contribute to community
is authentic and relational
strives for excellence
is a global citizen who uses the opportunities afforded him
is a life-long learner.

To see this document in more detail go to the College website - Ideal Graduate - St Patrick's College, Strathfield.

This is core to who we are as Edmund Rice people and as Catholics. It’s about helping the world, God’s creation, and about growing as an individual who will contribute positively to society.

Thank you for your support.

Empty Jar Drive

We would like your old jars to help with providing food for those in need.

What we want – empty jars that have been washed and have a lid. They are not to be smaller than 250ml volume (that is, 1 cup).

Please drop these into the box outside my office in the Hickey Building or take them to the Staff at College Reception. We will collect jars until the second last week of term.

Thanks for your support.

Growing Good Men – Invitation from St Patrick’s Parish, Mortlake

The parish at Mortlake and Fr Tom Stevens have collaborated with Your Choicez to offer a program about and for young men. This organisation is well known in education circles, and I commend this program to all families and young men. It is a great opportunity to work together as families to grow good young men, grounded in faith and reality. Below is the information to save the date and book in.

Gillian Daley

Director of Identity

SAVE THE DATE – Monday 26 October and Thursday 29 October, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Young Men’s Conversation Evenings - What does it mean to be a good man today?

Join us for two relaxed and honest evenings, facilitated by Your Choicez, exploring healthy masculinity, respectful relationships, and how we can build a culture of care, dignity and support.

There will be an opportunity to listen, talk, ask questions and share ideas in a welcoming environment.

Open to teenagers, young men in their 20s, and parents/carers.

Fr Tom Stevens