Principal

Welcome Back to Semester 2!

Dear Students, Parents, and Carers,

Welcome back to Semester 2! I hope the mid-year break offered a chance to recharge and reconnect. As we return to school, there’s a renewed energy across our campus, and I’m excited for the learning, growth, and achievements that lie ahead.

This semester marks a pivotal time for many of our students:

• Year 12 students are preparing for their HSC Trial Examinations—a significant milestone that will help shape their final preparations. We are proud of their dedication and resilience, and we will continue to support them every step of the way. 

   

• Year 11 students are approaching the completion of their Preliminary Courses. This is a crucial time to consolidate learning and prepare for the transition into their HSC year. 

   

• Year 10 will soon begin the subject selection process for their senior studies. We encourage them to explore their interests, seek guidance, and make informed decisions about their future pathways.

   

• Years 5 to 9 are working on improving the areas of challenge identified in their Semester One reports. This is a wonderful opportunity to set personal goals, build confidence, and celebrate progress.

In addition to academic pursuits, Semester 2 offers a rich array of co-curricular opportunities. From sport and performing arts to debating, STEM clubs, and leadership programs, these activities are vital in developing well-rounded, confident, and connected learners. I encourage all students to get involved, try something new, and make the most of what’s on offer.

To our parents and carers, your involvement continues to be a cornerstone of our students’ success. Whether it’s attending school events, engaging with teachers, supporting learning at home, or simply checking in with your child about their goals and wellbeing—your partnership makes a meaningful difference.

Here are a few simple ways you can support learning at home:

• Establish a consistent routine that includes time for homework, reading, and rest.

• Create a quiet, distraction-free space for study and revision.

• Encourage goal setting and celebrate progress, no matter how small.

• Stay informed by reading school communications and attending parent events.

• Talk regularly with your son about what they’re learning and how they’re feeling.

• Reach out to teachers with questions or concerns—open communication is key.

Let’s make Semester 2 a time of purpose, growth, and community spirit. I look forward to celebrating every student's successes, big and small.

Staff News

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr James Martin as the new Director of Curriculum. 

James is a highly accomplished educational leader with over 20 years of experience across independent schools in Sydney. He currently serves as Head of Humanities at St Aloysius’ College, Milsons Point, where he has successfully introduced innovative curriculum structures and driven significant academic improvements through data-informed practice and strategic leadership.

James brings extensive experience in curriculum design and implementation, having led both NESA and International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) courses. He has overseen the development and registration of new Stage 4–6 courses, introduced deep learning units in collaboration with the AIS, and implemented wide-scale curriculum reform aligned with contemporary pedagogical theory and assessment practice. His leadership has also included mentoring early career teachers, establishing faculty-wide systems to support professional growth, and embedding a culture of collaboration and high standards.

A lifelong learner, James holds a Master of Educational Leadership (Macquarie University) for which he was awarded the University’s Award for Academic Excellence, as well as postgraduate qualifications in Commerce and Education. James has a keen interest and involvement in curriculum development and has made significant contributions to the Catholic Secondary Schools Association Trial HSC Examinations as the Convenor for Business Studies.

Educated in the Edmund Rice tradition, James resonates strongly with the College’s values and brings a servant-hearted, future-focused approach to academic leadership. We are confident that James will make a significant contribution to the ongoing development of rigorous, relevant, and inclusive curriculum at St Patrick’s College.

Please join me in warmly welcoming James Martin to the St Patrick’s College community. He will commence on Monday, 15 September 2025. I also take the opportunity to thank Mr Michael Cutrupi for his outstanding service to the College, especially in this role.

• Mr Peter Maxwell will be Acting Head of PDHPE for Terms 3 and 4, replacing Mr Damian Chase in this role. We welcome Mr Samuel Nolan to the College for Term 3 to replace Mr Chase’s teaching load while Mr Chase is on his secondment at another EREA NSW Colleges school. 

   

• We welcome back to Mr Mark O’Halloran, Mrs Felicity Warsop and Mr Adam Leslie who have returned from their respective leaves.  

   

• Mrs Mary Mouawad is joining the support staff in the position of Acting Enrolments Officer for Weeks 1-7 to replace Mrs Emily Saoud, who will be Acting Executive Assistant to the Principal for this time.  

   

• Mr Jean-Paul Boumelhem commenced on Tuesday, 22 July as Assistant Year Coordinator and Religious Education Teacher (replacing Mr Joshua Youssef).

   

• Ms Anastasia Poulos has changed her name and will now be known as Ms Anastasia Buda.

   

• Mrs Renee Buchanan has given birth to a beautiful little girl, Holly Mae, on 26 June: “A perfect little addition to our family”.

Parent Orbit App Launch: Important Information

We will be extending the timeline for the Parent Orbit App to go live and become fully operational in the coming weeks, allowing parents/carers more time to configure passwords and MFA. The exact dates of going live will be announced in future Especean issues.

To ensure a smooth transition, you must set up your password and multi-factor authentication (MFA) following the instructions that can be found in the link below.

Password and MFA Setup Guide

Your registered email address will be your username for accessing TASS Parent Lounge, the Parent Orbit App, and TrackOne. This enhancement not only strengthens security but also empowers you to manage your access credentials independently.

Unlike the previous SPC App, there is no need to subscribe to specific Co-curricular activities or cohorts to receive notifications. The new Parent Orbit App will deliver push notifications via SMS and display all relevant updates within the app itself, ensuring you never miss important information.

We have received some feedback regarding the number of systems that we now have for parents and carers and have therefore provided a guide below to clear up any confusion.

TASS Parent Lounge – Is the actual system that houses student information, the master system. Currently you will still use your six-digit code to log into this until we transition to the new username standard. This is best accessed using a computer HERE.

Parent Orbit App – Is the new and improved mobile version of the TASS Parent Lounge. It is not a different system, just the best way to get to the data using your mobile phone. We will transition to using this mobile app rather than the SPC App when we go live. NB: if you have configured your new username and password, you can start to use this app and remove the SPC App.

SPC App – The current mobile app that will transition to a student only app after going live. Currently, you can still access the Parent Lounge, notifications, and this newsletter via this app. This will still be available, but only for students.

We are confident that the Parent Orbit App will greatly improve your experience and streamline communication with the College. Should you encounter any difficulties or have questions, please do not hesitate to contact our IT Support team at itsupport@spc.nsw.edu.au. Your feedback and engagement are vital as we continue to enhance our services.

In Memoriam

We keep in our prayers Vaughn Arambatzis (Year 11) and his family, whose maternal grandfather, John Kanaris, passed away last week.

We pray for the families of Arthur Haddad (Year 12), and Old Boys Michael Saliba ('22) and Steven Saliba ('24), whose grandmother, Mrs Tammy Coorey, recently passed away.

Please keep Mr Wasfi Alshare and his family in your prayers as his brother-in-law died suddenly yesterday following a tragic car accident in Jordan.  

Fr Jack Evans (Chaplain) is unwell and currently in hospital. The whole community is asked to pray for his speedy recovery. 

Dr Vittoria Lavorato

Principal

SPC boys can do anything! 

**except divide by zero