Principal

This is it – the last Especean for this extraordinary year, from bushfires at the start of the year to living through a pandemic. We have had to change and adapt in so many ways. Our classrooms have pivoted to delivering a curriculum online for the first time and only in a matter of days, to returning to onsite learning but with all the restrictions that came with the pandemic. We have all had to adapt and change throughout the year. This has made us stronger and smarter, but let’s hope next year is a little bit smoother and with fewer restrictions. 

Thank you to all parents and guardians for supporting us throughout the year. You entrust your son to us for a high quality, holistic education which we always strive to deliver. Boys can sometimes be forgetful, not complete work or leave it to the last minute, but they are all good in nature and will find their way through the demands of school. They also have a deep love for their family and to do the right thing because of what you have taught them. 

Thank you to the boys for their support and love for the College.  Every day I walk around the playground at recess or lunch and I am amazed at the talented and fine young men we have at the College. They all say hello and are willing to have a conversation about the class they might have just had or the cricket game that happened on the weekend. 

And finally thank you to our staff, both teaching and support. It is great to work with professionals who always want the best for the students and the College. Without their dedication and commitment to boys’ education it would not be such a dynamic College. 

I would like to wish the following staff all the best as they leave St Patrick’s College to explore other adventures. From our teaching staff Belinda Angilletta, Kimberly Brancheau, Dover Dubosarsky, Thomas Han Stevenson, Jessica Jang, Tom Kirby and Steven Roberts. Thank you for all you have done for our students in the classroom and beyond. From our ancillary staff we are farewelling Agnes Dening and Nick Ingegneri. Thank you for the care and professionalism you have extended to the College in your support of staff and students.

The following staff are leaving us temporarily as they embark on an exciting time in their lives on parental leave Lisa Dib, Yolanda D’Onofrio, Chadia El-Edelbi, Vanessa Mansour and Helen Sharkey. Good luck and enjoy this next phase!

I hope you all have a happy and Holy Christmas and New Year. Be safe, thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing the boys and hopefully parents on Friday 29 January.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Agnes Dening for receiving the Rotary Club of Strathfield Pride of Workmanship last week.

Agnes Dening has worked as the Principal’s Executive Assistant for over 20 years at the College. She has worked for over 5 different Headmasters and Principals during this time. All with very different personalities and demands. She works with not just the Principal but the entire executive team and is also the office manager. She manages the office well with her team working in harmony for the benefit of our community.

Agnes always takes pride in everything she does. She is the utmost professional with every person she meets. As the Principals’ EA she must deal with staff, parents, boys and the wider community, her excellent skills in communication. She has great emotional intelligence to read a situation and act in a way where all parties feel respected and listened to.

Agnes always takes pride in everything she does, nothing seems to be a problem and she gets the job done with a smile and in a professional way. 

Agnes has the skills to offer people advice. She has an eye for detail and over her time at the College has read every letter and newsletter that has gone out to the community over the past 20 years. 

Over the past 20 years Agnes has been a shining light and has let her light shine. 

Agnes will conclude her time at the College at the end of the year, she is a great friend and colleague, and we wish her all the best in her retirement. 

Damian Chase

Acting Principal