Junior School

Junior School News - Term 1 Week 1, 2022

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all of our St Patrick’s College families, existing and new, to the 2022 school year! After what can only be described as a unique year in 2021, we begin another exciting chapter in the learning journey of our students with a renewed sense of hopefulness.

In the Junior School, we are committed to the four College touchstones (Liberating Education, Gospel Spirituality, Inclusive Community, and Justice and Solidarity) and we seek to live by each of these in our actions and decisions that we make on a daily basis; whilst encouraging our boys and families to do the same. This has never been more important for us than it is now, given some of the recent challenges that are being faced. Additionally, please be assured that the boys will be positioned at the centre of everything we do in the Junior School.

In times of uncertainty or difficulty, there are always stories of bravery, selflessness and service by those who understand their ability to make a difference; to positively impact others who have been affected or who are less fortunate, as demonstrated by the example of our founder, Blessed Edmund Rice. Throughout the Junior School, our focus is on kindness; towards all people, at all times, in our thoughts, words and actions. Although we understand that this can be hard for students! As adults, we sometimes find it challenging ourselves to master the art of kindness, and it is something to be mastered; identified, understood and consciously practised, until it becomes part of who we are.

Author, Shaunti Feldhahn, conducted various studies on the impact of kindness and found that all it takes is 30 days of consistently thinking kind thoughts, using kind words and acting with kindness to become kind, but it takes all three elements working in concert with each other; one or two is not enough. So, we are asking you, our parent body, to come on this kindness adventure with us!

On behalf of the teachers in the Junior School, I would like to pass on a sincere congratulations to all students for their smooth transition to the new academic year. There has already been a lovely sense of camaraderie on the playground and in the classrooms.

As a staff, we are looking forward to working with your boys, in partnership with you, to make the most of their time at St Patrick’s College throughout the course of 2022. In light of this, please refer to the list below outlining all class teachers and their relevant email address, should you need to contact a member of our staff.

 It is our absolute privilege that you have entrusted your son to our care for his educational journey. If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via phone on 8705 9247 or email at glenn.stephenson@spc.nsw.edu.au and I will endeavour to assist in any way that I can.

May God bless you,

Mr Glenn Stephenson

Director of Junior School