Faith, Justice and Formation 

Identity at St Patrick’s College - Part 3: Formation

The Formation Vision and Wellbeing Framework work hand in hand for the holistic education of every boy.

I continue looking at Identity this week through the key area of Formation.  Technically, everything the boys and staff do is a form of Formation, as all activities, discussions, events and so on, help form the person.  Formation is defined by the College as ‘The path walked together growing our faith and understanding our beliefs and strengthening our relationships with self, others, creation and God.’ (SPC Formation Framework) This area taps into where students are at on their journey in life, and looks at pertinent values, issues, and faith development.  All of Formation contributes to the holistic education of our young men. 

The area of Formation is often known as or referred to as Spirituality. We talk of Reflection Days and Spirituality events.  There is much that can be unpacked around spirituality, but we define it as ‘The awakening of the spirit within ourselves through our relationships.  With challenge and surrender, in a dynamic context, we mature to embrace our whole self and reconcile our place in the world’ (St Patrick’s College Formation Vision). Effectively, our spirituality is every part of our being from context to gender to education.  Spirituality is all that awakens us in life. Everybody can access this in different ways, but as a faith community, the foundation of our spirituality is our Catholic Christian Tradition.  As a college, it is our role to raise young men to understand what spirituality/formation is, what it involves, how it can be accessed now and beyond school, and then, how to develop associated experiences of it.

Formation is also not just for the young.  We, as adults, continue to be formed through all our life experiences and through particular events we choose to take up.  I am sure none of us would say we are the same person we were at 21.  Maybe our values are the same, but our understanding and approach definitely evolve, just as they do for the students and staff at the College.

We offer students a graduated formation package outlined in our Formation Vision from Year 5 to Year 12 as well as for staff.  Over the years, we have also offered opportunities to parents and Old Boys to varied interest.  Each family should have a copy of this document, but you can also find it on the website here.  The cover page shown here points out the relationship between Formation and the EREA Touchstones, while outlining the core themes flowing through the program. The Formation Vision is also very closely tied into the Wellbeing Framework, especially connected to the Spirituality Dimension.  These two documents together help determine cohort themes, service work, and focus areas throughout the year.  Formation is not a one-off event.  It is the culmination of many activities, events, and discussions.

Here are some features and the structure of the St Patrick’s College Formation Program:

• Each Stage is connected to a Touchstone.
• Each event/program is different, but all build on the years before.
• There is an entry point for every student in every year’s program and many exit points to cater to a diverse range of students.
• It may not always appear that a student has taken something away from a Reflection Day or the like.  It is designed to sit with them, even without them knowing, and then come to the surface when needed after lying dormant for some time. Many students walk away profoundly affected; for many others, it can take time.
• Specific programs are never the same as normal class and school; they take place offsite, we dress in mufti and activities are never the same.
• All programs work towards the pinnacle of the Senior Retreat held at the end of Year 11, then in Year 12 we step into a more individual approach to help prepare the boys for life beyond school, ensuring they never forget to feed their soul.

By the time a student finishes their journey at St Patrick’s College, they will have covered all areas and be able to apply their experiences to life beyond school. 

In addition to these events, students are formed through their liturgical gatherings, assembly presentations, articles placed on Canvas or in the Especean, and their service and justice partnerships, which will be looked at next week.

Fingers crossed for a completion of the Formation Program in 2021.

Gillian Daley

Director of Identity