Co-curricular
A Week in Review....What A Week It Was!
The week just passed spoke volumes of the busyness of the College’s Co-curricular calendar and most importantly, the array of highly talented students we have at St Patrick’s across a variety of disciplines.
It was a significant week for our thespians who began by hosting the second round of Theatresports in the Robson Auditorium. The boys performed very well in what was a closely contested event. Despite their wit, quick thinking and creativity, our boys narrowly missed out on proceeding to the next round of competition.
As we are all aware, the College’s Performing Arts Production of Animal Farm took place at an exciting new venue this year. The Bryan Brown Theatre in Bankstown housed our amazing troupe of students who performed on four occasions, including a matinee performance for our Year 6 boys. I was fortunate to attend last Thursday’s performance and it was evident that all the hard work the cast and crew had put into this venture was well worth the endeavour. It was particularly pleasing to hear that Saturday night’s performance took place in front of ‘a full house’. I would like to take this opportunity to commend and congratulate Ms Duff, Mrs Ovijach, Ms Fisicaro, Ms Benham, Ms Doonan, Mr Heffernan and the entire cast and crew for what was a sensational stage adaptation of George Orwell’s renowned novel.
Friday night also saw St Patrick’s host Santa Sabina College in the annual ‘Debate of Origin’. It was great to see so many of our non-debating students attend the evening and support their fellow students. Thankfully, I managed to acquire a ‘ring-side’ seat and watched one of our Year 12 teams beat their opponents in the McGlade Library. This debate was of the highest standard, with both teams displaying good sportsmanship and producing convincing arguments to counter their opponent’s position. The entire Debating fraternity is to be congratulated on their performances this winter, where seven of our SPC teams finishing the regular season with 5 – 1 recorded wins. Best wishes are also extended to those teams, their coaches, and Mrs Lombardo as they progress through to the finals.
Saturday was soon upon us and so too were our winter sporting fixtures with many of our teams putting in great performances. I was also fortunate to see both our 1st and 2nd XI Football teams play at the highest standard and come away with great victories over Oakhill College.
Last Saturday’s fixture was the last for many of our teams who will not take to the fields or courts for a competitive fixture until Saturday 17 July in Term 3. Therefore, I would strongly encourage all our boys to continue training over the next five weeks and ensure they keep themselves fit and strong.
Steve Fochesato
Director of Co-curricular
Debaters Triumph!
Congratulations to all our debaters on an amazing Debate of Origin last Friday evening. SPC came away with seven wins to Santa Sabina’s five, giving us both the Debate of Origin win on aggregateand the highly coveted Tri-Series Shield for the Saint of Origin, with wins in both Debating and Volleyball. Our Captain of Debating, James Herberstein, started the evening with a warm welcome and acknowledgement of our Reconciliation Round, drawing a connection between our need for reconciliation with our Aboriginal brothers and sisters in the same spirit of dialogue and respect that infuses the sport of debating.
The Robson Auditorium was packed, spirits were high, the teams had great support from parents/carers, peers and teachers and the food was plentiful thanks to our generous parents and carers. The debaters gathered outside the chapel after the win for a resounding war cry to cap off the night. My sincerest thanks goes to the boys themselves and to the many supporters, coaches and volunteers on the night who helped create such a great atmosphere to celebrate this fine sport.
Congratulations also to our debating teams overall for an incredible regular season. Whilst we are awaiting news from CSDA regarding which teams will progress, it is likely that our six teams on a 5 – 1 record will face an elimination round next Wednesday 16 June or Friday 18 June. The six teams to likely move ahead will be the 7As, 8As and 8Bs, 9Bs,11As and 11Bs. This is a fantastic achievement for all our teams and a real credit to the dedication and commitment of the boys and their coaches.
We will be hosting CSDA semi-finals on Friday July 23 and hope to have some of our teams progress to that level of the competition and again see our supporters here for a great night of oratory skill.
Denise Lombardo
MIC Public Speaking and Debating
A Celebration of Organ and Choral Music
Last Sunday afternoon, the College Chapel was filled with joyous sounds when the new Chapel organ was blessed by Fr Jack Evans in the presence of Dr Lavorato, former Principal Dr Wattam, now Executive Director of Edmund Rice Education Australia, and other distinguished, invited guests, including several former Christian Brothers well known to the St Patrick's community.
The College Choir, and Old Boy musicians Angelo Nicolas (Class of 2019) and Matthew Dal Cin (Class of 2012), joined forces with the new Johannus organ to give praise to God through word and music. The accompaniments and highly technical organ repertoire pieces were played by Mr Mark Quarmby, St Patrick's Organ Tutor and the St Patrick's College Organ Scholar, Bailey Yeates of Year 10. Among the composers presented were J.S. Bach, Ralph Vaughan Williams, John Rutter, Louis Vierne, Edward Elgar, Max Reger and many others, whose pieces could be classed as ‘masterworks’ in organ performance.
It represented a tour de force of musical entertainment and a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon, especially given that the originally planned Blessing had been set for May of 2020 but, as with so much else, COVID-19 had delayed this special dedication and celebration.
To say that it was superb in every sense might be considered an understatement and as such, was a credit to the initiative and work of our Old Boys, students and so many members of staff at the College. Well done!
Giselle Grape
Choir Director
