Quick bites

Congratulations, Will Card!

A big congratulations to Year 12 student Will Card, who was recently selected for Victoria Storm's U18 touch football team.

Will, who began playing touch football in Year 7, was selected for the state team following three rounds of trials involving about 50 boys.

He will head to Coffs Harbour at the end of September for the National Youth Championships.

Will said he enjoyed the pace and skill required to play touch football, and was excited to be given the opportunity to play for Victoria.

"I'm looking forward to playing against people at a higher standard of competition and learning a lot of new things from being in a representative side," he said.

Shamrock magazine - Advertising opportunities

Promote your business to our huge SPC community in the next edition of our much-loved and popular Shamrock magazine, due out in December.

Our advertising rates are extremely affordable, with a full-page ad costing as little as $300. To find out more, click on the button below and contact the College’s Lorrie Liston on 5322 4442 or via email at lliston@stpats.vic.edu.au

Flanagan Art Prize - Call for sponsorship

We are thrilled to announce the return of the highly regarded Flanagan Art Prize at St Patrick's College in 2025. 

From 2008-2017, St Patrick’s College successfully organised and hosted the Flanagan Art Prize, named in honour of Old Collegian and former curator of the Australian War Memorial Noel Flanagan, before altering our approach in 2019 and 2021 and offering an Artist-in-Residence opportunity at St Pat's.

Next year, we are bringing back the major exhibition and would love your support!

With preparations underway, we are seeking expressions of interest from members of our school community who may wish to sponsor this highly-anticipated event. The 2025 art prize will offer $18,000 in prizes across three entry categories, including the Flanagan Art Prize, Young Flanagan Art Prize and Clontarf Academy Art Prize for indigenous students.

If you are a business owner, work for a community-minded organisation or are simply an art enthusiast, this is a fantastic opportunity to support the arts and gain valuable exposure within the College community and broader Ballarat region. 

Sponsorship opportunities are available are various levels, each offering unique benefits including prominent branding and recognition throughout the event.

Your support will play a crucial role in making next year's Flanagan Art Prize a success!

To express your interest or to learn more, please contact our Development Office on 5331 1688 or email development@stpats.vic.edu.au

VCE Arts & Technology Showcase

We are excited to invite the St Patrick's College community to our annual VCE Arts and Technology Showcase on Wednesday, 9 October from 7pm to 9pm.

This event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the creativity, innovation, and hard work of our senior students as they present their final projects in art, design, media, and technology. From visual art displays to cutting-edge technology projects, this showcase will highlight the diverse talents of our students and their dedication to excellence. Please note this is a ticketed free event. Register below. We look forward to seeing you there!

2026 Scholarship Program

To encourage and recognise the pursuit of excellence in all areas of school life, St Patrick’s College offers scholarships in the categories of academic excellence, art, performing arts, music, sport, leadership and general excellence.

Scholarships will be offered to successful students entering Years 7, 10 and 11 at St Patrick’s College for the 2026 school year.

Scholarships allow for remission of part tuition fees throughout a student’s secondary education and are subject to satisfactory progress and review.

All students applying for a scholarship must sit an exam conducted by Academic Assessment Services to be considered for the program on Saturday, 1 March 2025 at the College. Register below:

2025 OCA Year 12 Scholarships

Applications are now invited for the St Patrick's College Old Collegians' Association (OCA) Year 12 scholarships. 

The scholarships are open to Year 12 students who are the son or grandson of an Old Collegian and have not previously received a scholarship from the College.

Two successful applicants will receive 50 per cent off their Year 12 student fees. 

Criteria:

The OCA scholarship is targeted to the ‘all-rounder’ student who has made a positive contribution to the College, not necessarily the smartest student, best athlete or preeminent musician. Students who have demonstrated great character, compassion and community are encouraged to apply.  

Successful applicants are required to:

• Maintain their high values throughout their final year of schooling 
• Repay the scholarship should he leave the school before the end of the school year 
• Speak at the end-of-year OCA meeting 

Applications close at 5pm on Thursday, 24 October 2024.

History/Religious Education Tour

In June, we announced a joint History/Religious Education study tour (in the steps of St Paul) to Turkey, Greece and Rome for the mid-year holidays of 2025. Sadly, the prices for the trip have come back and it has been decided that the cost is too much to ask of families at this time. The reason for the high price is primarily the cost of travelling during the peak tourist season in Europe.  However, we are still committed to the trip. Therefore, we have asked the travel agent to provide us with further quotes to run the tour at a different time of the year. We are awaiting prices to potentially travel at either of the three following times: 

• September school holidays 2025
• December (after exams and before Christmas) 2025 
• Easter school holidays 2026

As previously mentioned, we are committed to the tour and believe that the potential educational opportunities that could flow from this tour are worth pursuing. We will keep you informed and hope that the change in time will make this tour more affordable. 

- Mitch Leviston (Head of Religious Education) & Jen Casey (Head of Humanities) 

Catch up vaccinations

The City of Ballarat Immunisation Nurses recently visited the College to administer vaccines to Year 7 and Year 10 students. If your child missed their vaccination on the day they can book a FREE appointment during the school holidays.

 Appointments can be made by calling City of Ballarat Immunisation on 5320 5720 or clicking the button below.

2024 Term 4 Dates 

All Students Commence: Monday, 7 October

Boarders' Exeat: Monday, 4 November and Tuesday, 5 November (Melbourne Cup)

Classes Conclude: Tuesday, 10 December

2025 Term Dates   

Term 1                        

Years 7 & 12 Commence:  Thursday, 30 January

All Students Commence:  Friday, 31 January

Public Holiday:  Monday, 10 March

Classes Conclude:  Friday, 4 April

Term 2 

Classes commence:  Tuesday, 22 April

Public Holidays:  Friday, 25 April (ANZAC Day) & Monday, 9 June (King’s Birthday)

Classes Conclude: Friday, 4 July

Term 3

All Students Commence:  Tuesday, 22 July

Boarders’ Exeat:  Monday, 18 August

Classes Conclude:  Friday, 12 September

VCE Practice Exams:  Monday, 15 September – Friday, 19 September

Term 4 

All Students Commence:  Monday, 6 October

Boarders' Exeat:  Monday, 3 November & Tuesday, 4 November (Melbourne Cup)

Year 10-11 Head Start:  Monday, 24 November – Tuesday, 9 December

Classes Conclude:  Tuesday, 9 December