Principal

Pandemic Behaviour: Why some people do not follow the rules

A warm welcome back to Term 3 to all our boys, staff, and our families. Things took an unexpected turn during the first week of the vacation with the COVID-19 virus spreading across Sydney so quickly that we were forced into a two-week lockdown in an attempt to minimise the exposure to the highly infectious and deadly Delta strain. It threw all our plans into chaos but with patience and perseverance, we will get through this.

As I sit to write this article, the headlines were screaming about 13 NRL Dragons’ players who held a party on Saturday night. When the police arrived, some jumped the back fence and ran, one hid under a bed and incredibly, a couple of them left their wallets on the BBQ! Their conduct was impulsive, selfish, and stupid. And then there are the stories about the shop keepers in Bowral arrested three times in three days for not wearing masks and not implementing QR sign-in protocols. Rule-breaking is not a new phenomenon, but behavioural scientists say it is being exacerbated in the coronavirus pandemic by cultural, demographic, and psychological factors that can make the flouters seem more selfish and dangerous. What on earth is behind this kind of behaviour?

A major reason is individualism versus collectivism. People in individualist cultures tend to reject rules and ignore attempts by public health authorities to encourage behaviour change with risk messages or appeals for altruism. “If you say, for example, that wearing a mask will help protect others, people in individualistic cultures just care less,” said Michael Sanders, an expert at the Policy Institute at King’s College London. In collectivist cultures, people are more likely to do what is best for the group. At St Patrick’s College Strathfield, we strive for a collectivist culture, doing what is right for the common good. The principle of the common good is prominent in Catholic social teaching and applicable to a wide range of social and ethical issues. St Paul told the Christians at Corinth to work together “for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). The common good or collectivist culture is not a synonym for social justice, but the desire for justice and wholeness expressed in human community implies a commitment by the people of God to the common good. I urge all members of our community to work with us as we continue to implement COVID-19 restrictions at the College. Following Health Orders will lead to disappointment however, I trust this is not directed towards College staff who are working hard to implement the restrictions.

For our students, disappointment is inevitable in times like these. Dashed expectations coupled with the challenges brought on by the pandemic that affect students in different ways leaves them to navigate the uncertain present on their own. Some students may seek out activities that restore a sense of normalcy, or they could seek out the experiences they long for that the pandemic has since put a halt to. The trouble with the COVID-19 pandemic though, is that even a few students who break pandemic guidelines could set off a chain of infection that can - and has - cancelled classes and activities.

Pope Francis has presented “a plan for the rising up again” of humanity in the midst of a global crisis that has brought the world’s peoples and the economy to their knees. He shared it in a meditation in which he reflects on the coronavirus pandemic in the light of the resurrection of Jesus. “Un plan para resucitar” (“A plan for rising up again”) is the title he chose for the reflection. In it, he does not conceal his concern over the crisis caused by a pandemic that has infected more than two million people, caused the deaths of over 140,000 and wreaked havoc on the world’s economy. Pope Francis says our experience today mirrors in many ways that of the disciples of Jesus after his death and burial in the tomb. Like them, “we live surrounded by an atmosphere of pain and uncertainty,” and we ask, “Who will roll away the stone [from the tomb?]”.

He likens the stone that sealed the tomb of Jesus to the tombstones of the pandemic that “threatens to bury all hope” for the elderly living in total isolation, for families who lack food and for those on the front lines who are “exhausted and overwhelmed”. He recalls, however, that the women who followed Jesus did not allow themselves to be paralysed by anxiety and suffering. “They found ways to overcome every obstacle,” simply “by being and accompanying.” He notes that many today are following suit, including “doctors, nurses, people stocking the supermarket shelves, cleaners, caretakers, people who transport goods, public security officials, volunteers, priests, women religious, grandparents, teachers, and so many others.” But like the women, the pope said, they all ask: “Who will roll away the stone?”

Francis says many are participating in the passion of Christ today, either personally or at the side of others, and he reminds everyone: “We are not alone, the Lord goes before us on our journey, and removes the stones that paralyse us.” This is the hope that no one can take from us, the pope says. He describes the present moment as a “propitious time” to be open to the Spirit, who can “inspire us with a new imagination of what is possible.” He recalls that the Spirit does not allow itself “to be closed in or manipulated by fixed or outmoded methods or decadent structures” but rather moves us to “make new things.” At this moment in history, Francis says, “We have recognized the importance of joining the entire human family in the search for a sustainable and integral development.” We have also understood that “for better or worse all our actions affect others because everything is connected in our common home, and if the health authorities order that we remain confined in our home, it is the people who make this possible, aware of their co-responsibility in stopping the pandemic.” Quoting the book of Genesis, he writes that God himself is asking us, “Where is your brother?” He expressed the hope that our response would be marked by “hope, faith and charity.”

In these challenging times, may our responses to the challenging situations we face be guided by hope, faith, and charity; after all, we are Resurrection people!

Annual Report to the Community

The 2020 Annual Report is provided to the community of St Patrick’s College Strathfield as an account of the College's operations and achievements throughout the year. It provides a detailed account of the progress the College has made to provide high quality educational opportunities for all students, as set out in the College Annual Plan. It outlines the impact of key school strategies for improved learning and the benefit to all students from the expenditure of resources, including equity funding. Our plans are located on our website however a link to last year’s report is provided here. 2020 SPC Annual Report.

Community News

Please join me in congratulating Mrs Jacinta Young (Junior School) and her husband Brad on the arrival of their son, Theodore Bradley, born on Sunday, 27 June. We thank the Lord for his safe arrival and know this child will bring his family many blessings.

In Memoriam

It is with a heavy heart that we announce to the St Patrick’s College community, the passing of Peter Smith, father-in-law to Mr Damian Chase (Deputy Principal) and grandfather of Benjamin Chase (Year 9), during the term break. Mr Smith’s health struggle of late was brief and so this loss was sudden and painful. We ask you to keep Mr Chase, his wife Rebecca and children, Benjamin, and Emily in your prayers at this time.

We also pray for the following members of the St Patrick’s College community:

Samuel Barlow (Year 12) whose grandfather, Wensley Barlow Snr, passed away at the end of last term.
Archibald Behan (Year 5) for the loss of his grandfather, George Yusef, who also passed away at the end of last term.
the family of Sandra Anne Haddad, grandmother to Arthur Haddad (Year 8), Old Boy Charlie Haddad (Class of 2019) and mother of Old Boys Joseph Haddad (Class of 1978), Anthony Haddad (Class of 1981) and Lee Haddad (Class of 1991), who recently passed away.
Gregory Kokkinis (Year 11) whose grandfather, Gregory Kokkinis passed away last week.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace.

Amen.

Dr Vittoria Lavorato

Principal

SPC boys can do anything!

**except divide by zero