Junior School

I hope that all Year 5 families have had the chance to share the beautiful Grandparents’ Day Reflection video with their loved ones. I consider myself lucky to still have a living grandparent: my wonderful grandmother, who coincidentally celebrated another birthday on Friday as we at the College marked Grandparents’ Day. My grandmother is one of the most grateful and positive people I’ve ever known. She has had a hard life in many ways but chooses to see the best in people and events rather than dwell on the hardships. I hope that some of Nanna’s goodness and positivity shines through me from time to time, and through my children in turn. She is a great gift to the world; I know many of you will feel the same way about your loved ones. I would love to hear how they responded to sharing the reflection video with your sons.

Congratulations to Mr Locke on running another successful Athletics Carnival last Thursday, an event that was by no means assured of going ahead until the very day that it did! We were so glad to get the boys down on the Breen Oval stands and out on the track after all the uncertainty and cancellations caused by the pandemic. A carnival, even one affected by social distancing, is always a fun way to spend a day with primary school children, and the House system is such an important part of life at the College, I was so pleased the boys had the chance to barrack and earn points for their Houses. In the end, Hickey carried the trophy come the end of the day, and I might add they truly impressed during the war cry challenges too!

Junior School students took the field for the first round of the winter season on Saturday and turned in many shining performances for a very successful round of results. I would like to share a story with you that captures something of the spirit we try to cultivate in St Patrick’s Junior School boys. Noticing that their opponents couldn’t field a viable team, two St Patrick’s Year 5 Football players volunteered to give up their first opportunity to play in College colours and play for the opposition so that the boys from Barker would not miss out on a fair game. We often talk about growing into a young man who lives to serve others, who follows Jesus by walking in the footsteps of Edmund Rice. I feel like I saw an example of what that looks like for young boys on Saturday. Those boys willingly gave up something that mattered to them for the sake of others. Well done, Luca and William.

God bless,

Ben Munday

Director of Junior School