Especean

Co-curricular

2023 Co-Curricular Selection Form 

The Co-curricular Selection Form for 2023 will be distributed electronically to all parents/carers of students in Year 6 through to Year 11 via TASS this Friday. It is imperative that parents/carers and students carefully read the information provided prior to making their choices. Most would be aware that the 2023 Co-curricular year in the Senior School commenced at the start of Term 4 this year and will conclude at the end of Term 3 2023. I would remind parents/carers that once boys indicate they are going to participate in an activity, they are making a binding commitment. Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries on 9763 1000. Boys were informed at the College Assembly last Friday that the selection forms were being sent to you this week.

 

Please note that selection forms are to be completed by no later than Friday 11 November 2022.

 

The expectations on students in relation to their involvement in the College’s Co-curricular Program are clearly stated in the Statement of Enrolment Understanding. To date, most students, parents, and carers adhere to these expectations as agreed upon at the pre-enrolment interview. In recent years, the College has been informed of several clashes relating to College Sport and outside club commitments. As such, there have been times when our students have been placed in unfortunate situations.

 

This year’s forms include information that outlines the time commitment, time of seasons and where competitions/performance take place that are associated with each activity. I trust this will assist parents/carers and boys with their considered selections.

Japan Rugby Tour – 2023

I am pleased to inform members of the College Rugby fraternity that Dr Lavorato has given conditional approval for a Rugby tour to take place over the Term 1 holidays in April 2023. It is envisaged that the proposed tour group would be made up of both Open and Development squads and will travel to Japan in preparation for next year’s Rugby season.

 

To ascertain the viability of this tour going ahead, an information evening is scheduled to take place on Monday 7 November in the Robson Auditorium commencing at 6:00 PM.

 

Expressions of interests will then be called for from parents and carers of boys who played rugby for the College last season. Given the short turnaround and the College’s ongoing commitment to summer activities, trials will not take place. Instead, a panel of selectors will put together two probable squads prior to inviting boys, via their parents/carers, to take up the opportunity to travel and play abroad. 

 

The Open’s squad will be comprised of boys from the 2022, 16s and Open’s age groups, while the Development squad will be comprised primarily of players from the 2022, 14s and 15s age groups. Clearly, both squads will consist of players that have demonstrated they can play at a high standard and have been committed to the College’s Rugby Program. 

 

Boys being considered for a position on the Rugby Tour will need to meet certain criteria, not least of all:

  • a proven track record of good behaviour both in the classroom and on the rugby field
  • a proven commitment to College Rugby in relation to attendance at training and Saturday fixtures
  • a boy will have clearly demonstrated a good attitude to training and a willingness to follow the coach’s instructions and work co-operatively with his teammates
  • a willingness to be actively involved in tour activities prior to departure
  • the College’s preference is that boys chosen to tour will be in Year 9 or above at the commencement of 2023
  • a boy will continue to represent the College in Rugby while he is enrolled at St Patrick’s if he is selected to tour. This is non-negotiable.

Obviously, a tour of Japan will come at an expense that some families may not find affordable. At present the projected cost is around $6000 per student, inclusive of tour gear, airport taxes and fees, entry to certain activities, most meals, all accommodation and transfers for the 12-day tour.

 

I would want the College community to note that a student’s unavailability to tour would not in any way hinder his chances of being selected in the College’s premier Rugby teams and hence no student or parent/carer should feel obliged or pressured to accept an invitation to tour.

 

Parents and carers are asked to notify Mr Rowlings at: samuel.rowlings@spc.nsw.edu.au if they and their son/s would like to attend the information evening on Monday 7 November by no later than 3:00 PM that day, so that the College can prepare accordingly. 

 

On behalf of Dr Lavorato, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the St Parick’s College Rugby fraternity the best of luck in their endeavours as ventures such as this will no doubt assist the development of Rugby within the College and create many positive life-long memories for those fortunate enough to tour.

 

Steve Fochesato 

Director of Co-curricular

Drumline Success!

A few weeks ago, the College’s Senior Drumline took part in the Australian Drumline Competition and represented the College with great skill, enthusiasm, and professionalism. The event was adjudicated by two eminent American percussion educators, Jeff Ausdemore and Dr Gifford Howarth. Both had some great words of encouragement for our boys, and by the end of proceedings, St Patrick’s College was placed fifth overall in Division B (out of 13!). A huge congratulations to them; they certainly have laid the foundations for further, solid performances in competitions to come, and we all look forward to more future successes.

 

Dr David Taylor

Ensemble Coordinator