Parents and Friends

Hello Parents and Friends of SPC,

My name is Jaslyn Hewitt-Shehadie and I am honoured to introduce myself as the new P&F President for our school community.  

I have inherited this position from the outgoing President, Elena Ierardo. Elena’s dedication to the school over her term as President created a culture of support and transparency between the parents, carers and the school. Under her leadership the P&F has raised an astounding amount of money each year which has contributed to numerous extra-curricular tours, new school resources, and various learning opportunities for our sons here at St Patrick’s.

I am blessed to have Elena’s support as I step into this role as she will be continuing to serve on the P&F Committee in her new role as Social Coordinator, with long standing members Lina Bartorilla and Lynette Trainor.

I accepted this new challenge with the desire to continue to build on the momentum Elena has gained over her tenure as President.  As a mother of two sons at the school who will be moving into Year 7 and Year 9 in 2026, the school’s values, vision, and mission—particularly how they support us in raising our sons—are at the forefront of my husband’s and my minds. Through our cousins and friends, we’ve seen many boys join St Patrick’s College and graduate as young gentlemen ready to “shine their light” on the world.

Married to an “Old Boy” myself, I can see how the culture that shaped him into the

wonderful, kindhearted gentleman he is when he graduated in 1994, is still prevalent in the school today.  Having an education based on scripture and structure is providing our sons a platform to succeed in both their studies and socially, as has been evident from the data presented in the school’s HSC results at the P&F Meetings by Dr Lavorato.  It is on this basis that we watch our sons grow and develop each year, with the school playing a leading role in shaping them into young men - just like the generations before them who have graduated from St Patrick’s College.

As parents - and with many families having both parents working - we understand the importance of a supportive community to help us raise our sons.  Having the right environment and culture is essential to their development, especially in a world where we are confronted with so much horrific news each day.  This is why it was important for me to continue all the great work Elena and the P&F have been doing by taking on this position.

Two quotes come to mind for me when I think about taking on this role and wanting to continue to evolve our work with the school through our Parents and Friends community. The first from Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” 

The second from Mahatma Gandhi, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”   The feeling I have when I leave each day after assisting at a barbeque at Breen Oval, or the Blue Black and Gold Dinner and now the Year 6 Thanksgiving Dinner, is one of exhaustion sometimes, but mainly I feel gratefulness and appreciation for the wonderful community and culture the school has which is shaping my sons.  Seeing the teachers’ dedication to Saturday sport and the wide range of extra-curricular activities they passionately organise reminds us how much they contribute to shaping our sons’ lives every day. I hope when the call out comes you all can assist our P&F team over the next twelve months with one hour of one of our most valuable assets - time.

I would also like to welcome and thank the 2026 P&F Committee:

Please feel free to reach out with any initiatives, recommendations or constructive feedback to myself directly or one of your year representatives who you may already have a strong relationship with.  

I look forward to collaborating with you, our parents and carers, Dr Lavorato, Mr Byrne, our teachers and administration staff to ensure that every voice is heard and valued as we strive together to continue to build on the SPC culture and provide our sons the best possible experiences at St Patrick’s College.

Jaslyn Hewitt-Shehadie

President - P&F Committee