Principal's report

St Patrick’s Day

As is our tradition, the College gathered to celebrate the Feast Day of St Patrick on Tuesday, 17 March. This is always a terrific expression of the many strengths of the College community and a day that students and staff look forward to each year! 

The day commenced, appropriately, with a beautiful Mass led by the Most Reverend Paul Bird, Bishop of Ballarat, and concelebrated by the College Chaplain, Fr Eladio Lizada and Fr Eugene McKinnon (SPC 1966). The Mass was Bishop Paul’s last official engagement with the College, and we were blessed and honoured that he was able to be a part of our St Patrick’s Day celebrations two days out from his retirement.

The St Patrick’s Day Assembly saw the presentation of Year 12 badges to all our students in Year 12, as well as SPC badges to our new staff. 

The weather unfortunately wasn’t ideal for most of the day, but it certainly did not put a dampener on the enthusiasm and spirit evident in the boys across the various activities conducted, including house trivia, the BBQ lunch and the house singing competition held at the end of the day. 

Many thanks to all involved in organising and running such a big day for the College. Thanks to all involved in the Mass, Assembly, the catering (including the Shamrock green donuts), and the house activities. Thanks also to the College grounds and maintenance team for their tremendous work in setting up the venues for the day. 

I hope that everyone enjoyed this year’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations! 

ACC Athletics Success

On behalf of the College community, I congratulate the SPC Athletics Team on their success at the Associated Catholic Colleges (ACC) Athletics Championships held in Melbourne on Tuesday. I was thrilled to hear from the Coordinator of Athletics, Mrs Amanda Rossato at the end of the day that the team had won the Division 2 Championships, ahead of Salesian College and Mazenod College in second and third places respectively. 

It is worthy of note that we won the U.14 and Open age groups, as well as the Senior and Junior divisions. 

Well done to all involved, and special congratulations to Archie Elliott (Captain) and Archie Todd (Vice-Captain) for their work and example as the student leaders of Athletics! Thanks also to the team of staff who helped the team prepare for and compete on the day, ably led by Mrs Amanda Rossato. 

National Rowing Championships – Tasmania            

I wish the crews who are competing in the National Rowing Championships at Lake Barrington International Rowing course in Tasmania next week all the very best. It takes a tremendous effort for crews to prepare to compete at this level and I know that the College community will be with them every stroke in their events at the Nationals! 

A number of SPC crews performed strongly at the Junior Boys’ State Championships held at Nagambie recently and again, we acknowledge these efforts and congratulate them on their achievements not only at this regatta but throughout the season. 

Well done to all our rowers – and good luck to George Charles (Rowing Captain) and all rowers at the Nationals next week. Thanks to Ms Rebecca Gribble, Rowing Coordinator, Mr Dave O’Doherty, Senior Coach, and to all rowing coaches for their tremendous work with our rowers this season.

NAPLAN

Over the last couple of weeks, students in Years 7 and 9 have completed the annual NAPLAN assessments here at the College. Despite the technical hiccups which impacted the NAPLAN tests in schools across the nation on the first day, the NAPLAN tests have been completed successfully in all other scheduled sessions here at SPC. 

These tests provide parents, students and schools with a good snapshot of key literacy and numeracy skills and knowledge each two years across Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. It is one measure only of student achievement and growth and schools use this data with other data sets to track students on their educational journey. 

Many thanks to the staff involved in overseeing this year’s NAPLAN tests. In particular, I would like to thank Mr Shaun Dunstan and the IT Team, Mr Luke Corden, Head of Learning – Assessment and Curriculum, and Mr Tom Nash, Head of Middle School.  

Mass for the Episcopal Installation and Ordination of Bishop-elect Mark Freeman

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the Mass for the Episcopal Installation and Ordination of Bishop-elect Mark Freeman, the ninth Bishop of Ballarat, with College Captain George Charles, Vice-Captain Cam Belleville and Acting Assistant Principal - Faith and Identity Mitch Leviston. It was a beautiful occasion that featured Mitch singing the prayer 'Veni Creator Spiritus' and one that we were grateful to be invited and involved with. I look forward to welcoming our new Bishop, and Patron of the College, to the school in due course.