Deputy Principal

Over my first six months at the College, I have experienced a lot of various parts of the Curriculum and Co-curricular programs we offer here at St Patrick’s. Last Friday night was a real highlight for me as I got to witness the HSC Drama Trial Examination performances. Oliver Clarke, Jake Milligan, James Mouawad and Joseph O’Brien are our Year 12 Drama students this year and they are some of the most talented performers I have ever seen. 

Their group performance titled 'In the name of', saw them work together to tell the audience a story of how all forms of religious beliefs have been used to push personal agendas, and that religion can be hijacked by groups to push their own causes such as terrorism, war, and politics. The students then performed their individual performances. Joseph made us laugh with his performance after his heart had been broken and he turned to cactus plants to help him through this time. Jake told a story to a stranger about losing his first-born child and the lengths he went to in order to keep his job. This monologue had us on the edge of our seats for its entirety. James took us on a journey of the value of life and all animals being created equal but some more than others. This was a thought-provoking monologue which asked many questions that society finds hard to answer. Oliver then led the audience on an emotional roller coaster as he told the story of a dysfunctional family reuniting after the passing of their father. A cold and confronting story that the family would have preferred not to relive.

It was a great evening, and the young men were marked by external markers from Reddam House and Santa Sabina College. The students will find this independent marking such a valuable resource as they move towards their HSC performance in two weeks. A special mention to Ms Rebecca Duff, our Leader of Learning – Performing Arts, who is also our Year 12 Drama teacher. The performances of the young men in her class are a true reflection of the hours of dedication she shows to the commitment of these young men, and it shone through in their performances on the night.

Adrian Byrne

Deputy Principal