Principal's report

Performing Arts Awards Evening

I was thrilled to attend this week’s awards evening for the Performing Arts. The evening was held in our own new Performing Arts Centre and was a thoroughly entertaining evening, showcasing the talents of most of the boys involved in Music, Drama, Debating and Public Speaking.

Congratulations to all involved in our music ensembles, in our major musical production of ‘School of Rock’ earlier this year, the upcoming junior (Years 7-9) musical ‘The Lion King Jnr’ due to take to the stage in November, our debating teams and our public speakers! 

I am very proud of the standard of performance across all of these genres and really enjoyed those who performed for us as part of the awards evening. Special thanks to our staff who contribute so positively to our Performing Arts programs, especially to Ms Monique Allen, Ms Samantha Bashford-Leger, Mr Matthew Pankhurst and Mr Tim Snibson. 

Congratulations to the student leaders of our Performing Arts programs in 2024:

• Music Captain – Jack Williamson
• Music Vice Captains – Oscar Folkes, Charlie Richardson and Lachlan Hodge
• Drama Captains – Ted Turnbull-Gent and Josh Retallick
• Debating Captain – Gabriel Galias
• Debating Vice Captains – Alex Griffith and Nicholas Willis Pitt
• Public Speaking Captains – Joshua Retallick 
• Public Speaking Vice Captains – Gabriel Galias and Nicholas Willis Pitt

Well done on the contributions you have made to the arts this year and for your positive leadership in these areas!  

2025 Student Council Announcement 

Following the application and interview process over the last several weeks, I am pleased to announce the following student leadership roles for Term 4, 2024 and Terms 1-3, 2025.

I thank all students who applied for roles and commend their conviction in putting themselves forward for consideration.

Congratulations to those who have been appointed into leadership roles and therefore, to the Student Council at St Patrick’s College. We are looking forward to formally recognising these students at our Student Leadership Assembly early in Term 4, and I look forward to working with the new Student Council after the handover of leadership at this assembly.

I take a moment to acknowledge the tremendous leadership shown by the 2024 Student Council. They have been an absolute pleasure to work with and I thank them for their many contributions to the College and broader communities. Special mention and acknowledgement must be made of the 2024 College Captain, Noah Quick and the two Vice Captains, Paterson Meneely and Angus Rothe, with whom I have worked regularly. These three young men have been such positive and generous leaders, and it has been a joy to work with them over the last 12 months! Well done, gentlemen.  

BAS Soccer Shield

Congratulations to our senior soccer team who retained the BAS Soccer Shield this week with a fantastic 9-3 victory over Ballarat Clarendon College. In what was a hard-fought game, the talent and experience of our First XI shone through and we were able to take home the silverware. Well done to all students, coaches and support staff involved. It's been a big year for the First XI, reaching the ACC final and the Premier's Cup semi-final, so this was a wonderful way to cap off the season and a well-deserved title for our boys.

Holidays

Friday, 13 September marks the end of a very busy and productive Term 3 at St Patrick’s. For the majority of students from Years 7-11, three weeks of holidays awaits them, and I hope that everyone has a really enjoyable and relaxing time away from the College. 

Next week, our Year 12 and Year 11 VCE Unit 3-4 students will complete practice exams, which have been scheduled from Monday, 16 September to Thursday, 19 September. These practice exams are a really important part of the preparation that these students now need to focus on in the weeks leading up to the written VCE exams next term. I wish all well as they undertake these exams next week and then consolidate these via a regular revision and study program across the term break. 

Staff at the College will be participating in engaging and important formation days and professional learning from Monday to Wednesday. 

I acknowledge and thank everyone for a wonderful Term 3. It has been busy, and it has been productive. I am sure that everyone is looking forward to the break ahead. Stay safe and well, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to Term 4 on Monday, 7 October.