ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD
| CONTENTS. ........................................................... 001 | PRINCIPAL........................................................... 002 | DEPUTY PRINCIPAL.............................................004 | OPENING MASS.................................................. 005 | FOUNDER’S DAY.................................................006 | ASH WEDNESDAY AND HOLY WEEK LITURGIES...........................................................008 | LUCEAT LAUREATE AWARD...............................009 | DIRECTOR OF IDENTITY....................................... 010 | ARCHBISHOP AWARD..........................................011 | SOCIAL JUSTICE PREFECT...................................013 | FIJI IMMERSION ....................................................014 | ALICE SPRINGS IMMERSION .............................015 | DIRECTOR OF SENIOR SCHOOL (YEARS 9-12).......016 | YEAR 12 COLLAGE.................................................018 | YEAR 12 GRADUATION.......................................020 | STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM.............................022 | COLLEGE CAPTAIN’S FINAL ADDRESS..............023 | YEAR 12 AWARDS................................................024 | LEAVING CLASS OF 2024...................................026 | YEAR 11 COORDINATOR..................................... 038 | YEAR 11 AWARDS.................................................039 | YEAR 11 COLLAGE.................................................040 | 2025 COLLEGE CAPTAIN ELECT.........................041 | YEAR 11 HOMEROOMS.........................................042 | YEAR 10 COORDINATOR.....................................046 | YEAR 10 AWARDS.................................................047 | YEAR 10 HOMEROOMS.......................................048 | YEAR 9 COORDINATOR.......................................052 | YEAR 9 AWARDS..................................................053 | YEAR 9 HOMEROOMS.........................................054 | DIRECTOR OF MIDDLE SCHOOL (YEARS 5-8)......058 | YEAR 8 COORDINATOR.......................................059 | YEAR 8 AWARDS.................................................060 | YEAR 8 HOMEROOMS..........................................061 | YEAR 7 COORDINATOR.......................................065 | YEAR 7 AWARDS.................................................066 | YEAR 7 HOMEROOMS..........................................067 | PRIMARY SCHOOL COLLAGE.............................071 | YEAR 6 COORDINATOR.......................................072 | YEAR 6 AWARDS..................................................073 | YEAR 6 HOMEROOMS..........................................074 | YEAR 5 COORDINATOR.......................................076 | YEAR 5 AWARDS...................................................077 | YEAR 5 HOMEROOMS.........................................078 | FIRST DAY OF YEAR 5 COLLAGE........................080 | MOTHER’S DAY................................................... 082 | FATHER’S DAY..................................................... 083 | COLLEGE HISTORY..............................................084 | DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM............................086 | HEAD OF CURRICULUM (JUNIOR SCHOOL)....087 | HIGH ACHIEVERS’ ASSEMBLY..........................088 | DIRECTOR OF LEARNING AND INNOVATION.......................................................090 | SENIOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION........................091 | RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (STAGE 3)...................092 | ENGLISH................................................................093 | ENGLISH CREATIVE WRITING.............................094 | MATHEMATICS.................................................... 096 | SCIENCE................................................................ 097 | HUMAN SOCIETY AND ITS ENVIRONMENT (HSIE) A. .............................................................. 098 | HUMAN SOCIETY AND ITS ENVIRONMENT (HSIE) B............................................................... 099 | LANGUAGES......................................................... 100 | PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PDHPE)........................101 | PERFORMING ARTS..............................................102 | VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING........103 | TECHNOLOGICAL AND APPLIED STUDIES........104 | VISUAL ARTS.........................................................105 | INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY MAJOR WORKS .....106 | DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY MAJOR WORKS ....108 | YEAR 12 VISUAL ARTS MAJOR WORKS..............110 | DIVERSE LEARNING...............................................112 | CAREERS ................................................................113 | DIRECTOR OF CO-CURRICULAR.........................114 | PERFORMING ARTS CAPTAIN..............................115 | PERFORMING ARTS PRODUCTION.....................116 | ENSEMBLE COORDINATOR..................................119 | ENSEMBLES...........................................................120 | CHESS.................................................................... 124 | CHESS CAPTAIN...................................................125 | DEBATING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING....................127 | DEBATING CAPTAIN..............................................128 | CO-CURRICULAR (SECONDARY)........................131 | SENIOR SWIMMING CARNIVAL..........................132 | SENIOR ATHLETICS CARNIVAL...........................134 | JUNIOR SWIMMING CARNIVAL..........................136 | JUNIOR ATHLETICS CARNIVAL............................137 | CO-CURRICULAR (STAGE 3)...............................138 | PRIMARY SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES.............139 | BASEBALL.............................................................. 140 | BASEBALL CAPTAIN..............................................141 | BASKETBALL.......................................................... 144 | BASKETBALL CAPTAIN ........................................146 | CRICKET.................................................................158 | CRICKET CAPTAIN................................................160 | GOLF. ...................................................................... 167 | SWIMMING............................................................168 | SWIMMING CAPTAIN...........................................169 | ATHLETICS AND CROSS COUNTRY.....................172 | ATHLETICS AND CROSS COUNTRY CAPTIAN......173 | FOOTBALL. .............................................................. 177 | FOOTBALL CAPTAIN .............................................180 | RUGBY. ..................................................................198 | RUGBY CAPTAIN.................................................200 | TENNIS.................................................................... 212 | TENNIS CAPTAIN...................................................214 | SPC LEADERSHIP TEAM.....................................220 | STAFF. ..................................................................... 221 | SPC STAFF 2024..................................................222 | SPC ROLL CALL....................................................225 | PHOTO KEYS.........................................................229 | IN MEMORIAM.......................................................231 CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Producing this year’s edition of The Lumen has been a collaborative effort, made possible by the generosity and dedication of many members of the St Patrick’s College Strathfield community. Sincere thanks are extended to all who contributed their time and talents — writing reports, capturing memorable moments through photography, and assisting with proofreading. The Lumen stands as a testament to the commitment and spirit of our community. We also gratefully acknowledge the team at Mela Creative. LUMEN COMMITTEE Anthony Calavassy Nikki Fochesato Felicia Ho Vittoria Lavorato Michaela Marshall Megan Santiago PHOTOGRAPHY Nikki Fochesato COVER This image of a student holding a candle captures the heart of our 2025 College motto, “Let Your Light Shine.” As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, we believe that every young man is called to be a light in the world — a bearer of faith, justice, compassion, and courage. The candle symbolises Christ’s presence and the inner light of each student — a light nurtured through prayer, learning, and service. At St Patrick’s, we empower our boys to grow into men of integrity who shine their light in the classroom, on the field, in the community, and beyond. This image reflects a moment of reflection and commitment — a reminder that each student is called not to hide their gifts, but to share them boldly and faithfully with the world.
002 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 GOSPEL SPRIRITUALITY PRINCIPAL As we conclude another year at St Patrick’s College, I am pleased to reflect on our accomplishments and share the vision guiding our students and staff. This year has been marked by significant growth, dedication, and a renewed commitment to providing an enriching and holistic education for each of our boys. We started the year with a warm welcome to new staff members and families joining our community. Our Leadership Team, reinforced with new roles and expertise, ensured that all areas, from student wellbeing to curriculum development, received attention and innovation. We’re grateful to all staff who joined us this year, bringing enthusiasm and expertise already making a lasting impact. We began the year with a Middle School and Senior School structure and with the inclusion of two dedicated Directors, additional Year Coordinators and Assistant Year Coordinators, and the implementation of a fortnightly Pastoral Care Lesson (PCL), we have strengthened our unrelenting focus on student wellbeing. Our student survey results would show we have improved in many measures that we targeted. In response to broader challenges in attracting qualified educators, we successfully filled all vacancies and have continued to work with universities to support upcoming educators. This strategic move strengthens our commitment to quality teaching, ensuring continuity and stability for our students. We have welcomed more practicum students to the College and engaged some of them as Learning Support Officers. This has created a strong pool of enthusiastic and talented people to join the staff. This year, we introduced new curricula in Mathematics, English, and Italian across Years 5-10, as well as a revamped TAS program in Computing Technology for Stage 5. These programs are designed to keep our students engaged and to foster academic excellence, and we are proud of the seamless integration achieved by our dedicated teaching teams. Our Year 12 (2023) cohort upheld a legacy of excellence with improvements in HSC performance, placing our college among the top 105 in the state. We celebrated a median ATAR of 83.10, a notable increase from the previous year. Our students also thrived in vocational pathways, securing industry placements and apprenticeships, further highlighting our commitment to diverse career pathways. At the time of writing this report, our current Year 12 students concluded the HSC, last examination being Physics, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements in early 2025. We extend special congratulations to Angus Reen (2023), who was accepted into the prestigious UNSW Co-op Scholarship Program in Mechatronic Engineering. This achievement reflects his hard work and the college’s support in fostering student potential. Our co-curricular offerings remained robust, providing students with numerous opportunities for growth outside the classroom. Highlights included our much-loved swimming carnivals, celebrated not only for athletic excellence but also for community building and school spirit. Our Year 12 students led the day with enthusiasm, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Our musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, sold out for all three nights and was a marvellous showcase of talent. Our Performing Arts Evening at Marie Bashir PS was also a feast for the ears, and many of our ensembles went on to win awards at the Band Championships, where we won a Gold, Silver and Bronze medal. This year’s school camps for Year 5 and Year 9 students reinforced the importance of building connections. These Harmony Day Celebrations with Malietau Davis, Mr Tatola, Dr Lavorato, Mr Byrne and Jonathan Jr Udit
003 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 GOSPEL SPRIRITUALITY Dr V Lavorato Principal experiences foster resilience, independence, and community spirit—qualities that will serve our students well into the future. Our College community embraced the spiritual foundation of our mission with special events like the Opening School Mass, our High Achievers’ Assembly, Grandparents Mass, Mothers’ Day, Fathers’ Day Mass, and the Year 5 Welcome Mass. Each occasion reminded us of our collective commitment to growth, compassion, and the values of our Catholic faith. With a focus on positive habit formation inspired by the book Atomic Habits by James Clear, students were encouraged to cultivate small, constructive habits that contribute to their academic success and personal development. The implementation of a Grade Point Average (GPA) and Student Attribute Average (SAA) tracking system this year allowed us to celebrate students’ dedication and quickly support those needing assistance. In addition, our structured “Kiss and Ride” program improved school traffic safety, demonstrating the importance of community cooperation and respect for school policies. This year, we proudly observed International Women’s Day, guiding students to recognise and respect the women in their lives and community. Through discussions on gender equality and positive masculinity, we continue to nurture empathetic young men who value inclusion and respect. NAIDOC week was the opportunity to launch our Reconciliation Action Plan and the employment of our first Aboriginal Education Worker is just another step towards provision for First Nations students. The season of Lent invited us into reflection and community support, with special programs encouraging students to engage in self-improvement, compassion, and generosity. These observances underpin our commitment to nurturing spiritually and morally grounded individuals. The year also saw targeted efforts to enhance literacy, especially with the implementation of new programs for reading development. With reading as a cornerstone skill, we have invested in literacy programs that build comprehension and critical thinking, preparing our boys for future academic and professional success. Many staff participated in professional learning in The Writing Revolution and we will be consolidating our efforts in 2025. As we look forward to the new academic year, our resolve to provide a supportive and challenging environment remains steadfast. We aim to continue our academic, spiritual, and personal development initiatives, ensuring that each student grows into a well-rounded individual ready to contribute to society. Thank you to every parent, staff member, and student for your dedication, resilience, and trust in St Patrick’s College. Together, we have created a community that celebrates learning, compassion, and achievement. Here’s to a successful 2025! 2023 Proxime Accessit, Angus Reen with Dr Lavorato
GOSPEL SPRIRITUALITY 004 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 DEPUTY PRINCIPAL Mr A Byrne Deputy Principal As I reflect on the past year, our school has experienced a period of remarkable stability and progress. The unwavering commitment of our staff, students, and community has fostered an environment of excellence and growth that we can all be proud of. I must pay tribute to the Class of 2024 who have set a new standard for leadership within our school. Their dedication, innovation, and compassion have left an indelible mark on our community. From organising whole school events to their mentoring of younger students, these graduating seniors have truly embodied the values we hold dear. Their legacy will continue to inspire those leaders who are still to come, and they indeed will leave the College gates, ‘letting their lights shine.’ I must thank our dedicated staff. They continue to provide our students with expert guidance both in and out of the classroom. They have worked hard to implement and plan for new syllabuses and ensure that every child is catered for. Their commitment to the College Co-curricular Program ensures that we are fulfilling our commitment to our parent body and catering for the whole child. This year marked a significant milestone as we successfully implemented our new transition programs for students entering Middle School and Senior School. These carefully crafted initiatives have eased the academic and social challenges often associated with these pivotal transitions, resulting in improved student wellbeing and academic performance which was evident in the outcomes of our Perspectives Surveys. I would particularly like to thank Mr Simpson, Mr Sinadinos, and the Year Coordinators for their leadership in this area. I would also like to thank the staff in Stage 3 (Years 5 and 6). After a few years of transition, they have been ably led by Mrs Sarah Tatola and Mr Daniel Fields as well as Mr Alexandros Sinadinos. We are seeing improved student outcomes particularly in numeracy through targeted intervention. This holds our students in good stead as they progress into high school. Finally, I would like to thank our parent community. I thank you for entrusting the care of your sons to us. I thank you for continuing to foster a sense of community. I would especially like to thank our Parents’ and Friends’ Executive and the leadership of their President, Eleana Ierardo. The dedication of our Parents’ and Friends’ Executive ensures that all the students in the College are supported. I look forward to more parents getting involved in helping out at College events, this will only make our community stronger. Mr Adrian Byrne Accepting His Farewell Gift From His Year 12 Economics Class Year 12 Students Aiden Elias, Luke Bromfield, Tadhg Murphy, Jack Roberts, Kelly Rohan R U OK Day with Dion Scibetta, Isley Lillo, Ethan Harb, Kane Kassis, Elie Badran, Alfie Avery, Javior Vranjes 2024 Parents’ And Friends’ Executive
GOSPEL SPRIRITUALITY 005 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 OPENING MASS 003 005 006 004 002 007 008 009 001 010 “Our Opening Mass celebrated the light of Christ that helps all of us grow!”
GOSPEL SPRIRITUALITY 006 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 001 003 005 007 002 004 006 008 FOUNDER’S DAY
GOSPEL SPRIRITUALITY 007 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 009 011 013 015 010 012 014 016
GOSPEL SPRIRITUALITY 008 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 ASH WEDNESDAY AND HOLY WEEK LITURGY 001 003 006 012 013 007 014 008 009 002 004 005 010 011 “From the symbol of the bush fire on Ash Wednesday to the connection with creation and new life at the Holy Week Liturgy we engaged with the cycle of life and our Church.” Ms G Daley, Directory of Identity
GOSPEL SPRIRITUALITY 009 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 LUCEAT LAUREATE AWARD Dr V Lavorato Principal The College presented our 2024 Luceat Laureate Award Winner at the annual Speech Night and Prize Giving held at the Quay Centre, Homebush on Tuesday 3 December 2024. Below is an excerpt from the address given by College Principal, Dr Vittoria Lavorato: Each year we have a theme for Speech Night and tonight, that theme is FAITH. It is only fitting that on such a night, I announce, and we honour our 2024 Luceat Award winner – Dr Daniel White, known by all who know, love and respect him, as Dr Dan White, one of our finest Old Boys. Dan White was born and raised in Fairfield during the 1950s and 60s. He received his early primary education from the Sisters of St Joseph and the Patrician Brothers. In 1964, Dan enrolled in Year 5 at St Patrick’s College, where his brothers David, Paul and John, also attended. During his time at St Patrick’s, Dan was active in sports, playing Rugby League, Cricket and Golf, and was a member of the College Debating team. He completed his Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1971, achieving first place in Science (which sparked his particular interest in Geology), as well as top marks in Economics and Geography. His academic success earned him a Commonwealth Scholarship, which helped him pursue his university education and set him on the path toward a career in education. Nearly 50 years ago, Dan married his wife Sue, in the College Chapel. After a distinguished career in Catholic Education, spanning over 50 years, ‘Dr Dan’ retired as the Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Sydney in 2019, after ten years of leadership and service to one of the ‘highest performing’ comprehensive educational systems in Australia. Prior to his appointment, Dan was the Director of Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of Hobart for six years and was a senior educational leader in the Parramatta and Bathurst dioceses. His teaching experience embraced several Catholic primary schools in Western Sydney, where he was a primary principal for nine years. Following his undergraduate studies in Education, Dan attained two Master’s degrees in Leadership and Religious Education and completed his Doctorate in Brain-Based Learning and Pedagogical practice in 2005. More recently, he participated in the Oxford University Advanced Management and Leadership program. Dan is the author or co-author of eight educational resource books, focusing particularly on the Sacred Scriptures and higher- order learning and thinking strategies. His most recent publications include Into the Desert and Ancient Words. His current research project involves exploring the cultural context of first-century Palestine and its implications for understanding the Scriptures. Over the past 25 years, Dan has served on several prominent educational authorities, including the NSW Board of Studies (now NESA), the Tasmanian Qualifications Authority, the National Catholic Education Commission, and the Senate of the Australian Catholic University. Dan is a Fellow of both the Australian College of Educators and the Australian Council for Educational Leaders. In 2019, he was awarded ‘The Phyllis Evans Medal’ by the Teachers’ Guild of NSW for being a ‘Distinguished Educator’ and an Order of Australia Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2022. His photo also hangs in the College’s Hall of Fame near our Diverse Learning Centre. The only award missing after the Order of Australia was a Luceat Award and we will be bestowing this on him tonight. Dan currently provides consultancy and professional learning support for school communities and educational systems across Australia and the Asia Pacific region. He is also the Deputy Chair of the Sandhurst Catholic Education Board, a member of the Sandhurst Diocese Early Childhood Board and actively supports Catholic Mission Australia as an ‘Ambassador’ and is a member of Catholic Mission’s College of Consultors. Dr Dan White receives the Luceat Award for his outstanding contribution to Catholic education. This award recognises his exceptional dedication to the improvement and expansion of Catholic education, his leadership in shaping educational systems and his scholarly contributions to educational theory and practice. He has made an impact on both national and international education systems, particularly within the Catholic community. In short, this is a fitting tribute to a career defined by excellence, commitment and service to the development of future generations through education. 2024 Luceat Laureate Award Winner - Dr Daniel White
JUSTICE & SOLIDARITY 010 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 This year focused on the EREA Touchstone of Liberating Education shaping so much of our celebration, formation and giving. With the 2024 College Theme - “It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown, it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree.” (Matt 13:32) – guiding us, we looked at how we grow physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. We grew as individuals and as a community, as the theme reminded us of the potential within all of us; because from little things big things grow. It talks of a liberating education that is about using our knowledge and opportunities that have grown over time in this place, to be a ‘tree’ for others. This can mean being someone’s strength, protection, guide, shelter or even example of what can flourish with care and desire for growth in the right environment. If we become a tree or example, then we can’t just live happily knowing we are ok. We must help others to grow, to succeed, to flourish. This is what a liberating education means. Each Identity event or activity throughout the year allowed us the opportunity to make a difference and become our best self, just as God created us. We celebrated liturgically, reflected in our faith formation, and generously gave our resources and time to those in need. We also revisited many programs for a renewed start in 2025 including a new leadership structure in Identity, as we assessed where we are headed. Highlights this year included: • The launch of the SPC Reconciliation Action Plan during Reconciliation Week. We gathered on Breen Oval as one, and our friends from CBHS Lewisham shared traditional dance and a smoking ceremony with us. The hands of all students and staff across the College were painted on to make up the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags uniting us. Junior School Captain, Marcus Donovan shared his experiences of reconciliation, and many others shared thoughts at our assembly. We also welcomed our first Aboriginal Education Worker, Kyle Wallace, in Term 4. • Our first ecological immersion to Fiji took place at the end of Term 3. We embarked on a journey to learn about the impacts of climate change on our Pacific Islands neighbours and learn our role in addressing this, while working for a cleaner and greener world. • We developed a Laudato si’ Action Plan to be implemented in 2025. • Our parents supported us by delivering donated goods to our Justice Partners and engaging in Parent SOL. • SOL Service was reviewed and has been revitalised to continue in 2025. • The generosity throughout all fundraising activities and appeals. I thank Ms Marrapodi for here work as the Justice & Peace Coordinator this year, as well as Mrs Warsop who was our First Nations Facilitator. Thank-you also to Ms Osorio Narvaez, our Head of RE (Stage 3) and Ms Porter, the Head of RE, who I also thank for stepping into my role during my secondment with EREA in Term 3. Thanks to our wonderful Fr Jack and all visiting priests for the year, and thank-you to those staff who drove the Justice based co-curricular – Ms Osorio Narvaez, Mrs Cupac, Mrs Zambrano and Mrs Lonard. There are many exciting things to come in the new year, but 2024 was a good one that helped us remember who we are and how our liberation is tied up with that of others. DIRECTOR OF IDENTITY Ms G Daley Director of Identity RAP Assembly At The Local High School In Fiji The Winter Appeal Haul (Ms Daley, Mrs Lonard, Christopher Gittani, William Chahin, Thomas Coorey, Daniel De Pasquale, Kevin Quach, Kain De Lisser Howarth, Joshua Santangelo)
JUSTICE & SOLIDARITY 011 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 Ms G Daley Director of Identity ARCHBISHOP’S AWARD FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE Christian Katrib is an outstanding young man who is fully committed to the St Patrick’s College, Strathfield community, as well as that of his parish, St Joseph’s Maronite Catholic Church Croydon. He is heavily involved in all aspects of school life from academics to sport, and he shows a keen interest in service, excelling in the service program, as well as being one of the College Vice-Captains. He is well respected by his peers, being held in high regard for his commitment to faith. Christian is a regular attendee of school Masses and helps lead various prayer groups and initiatives like the Rosary and the Angelus, as well as being an Extra-Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion. He continues to witness to his faith in various ways in his parish being part of their Altar Service group, Church Events Committee and ‘Maronite Flame Trees Youth Group’. Christian is a mature, reliable, respectful and positive young man who exhibits integrity, justice and love in every single aspect of his life. Christian Katrib and the Archbishop Daniel Bechara (Year 11) Reading the Citation Christian Katrib Receiving his Award
JUSTICE & SOLIDARITY 012 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTION GROUP Second Row: Mrs Jessica Lonard (Teacher), Jacob Sutunc, Thomas Coorey, Luka Raspudic, Andreas Blatsos, Jacob Chahin, Mrs Linda Zambrano (Teacher) Front Row: Elijah Hoang, Daniel De Pasquale, Nicholas Ishak, Roman Petrolo, Samuel Jun, Joshua Santangelo, Anthony Karnaout JUNIOR SCHOOL JUSTICE Second Row: Ms Milena Osorio Narvaez (Teacher), Lucas Asfour, Nicolae Ionita, Lucas Rahme, Maxwell Leung Front Row: Jacob Tran, Ayaan Gupta, Matthew Nader, Michael Pizzuti, Jacob Karnaout FAITH IN ACTION TEAM Second Row: Ms Joanne Cupac (Teacher), Dash Nguyen, Xavier Amalan, Noah Young, Pasquale Albanese, Nathan Touma, Ryan Stanmore Front Row: Jonathan Brown, Lachlan Feige, Andrew Parra, Nathaniel Hoang, Adriano Guerrieri, Alex Jun
JUSTICE & SOLIDARITY 013 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 It has been a busy year for Social Justice at St Pat’s! Since Term 4 of 2023, the College community has participated in several social justice initiatives. During the annual Christmas, Lenten, and Winter Appeals, the College community raised an incredible $70,000 and donated thousands of food items, toiletries, and blankets. These contributions supported a range of wonderful organisations, including St Vincent de Paul, House of Welcome, and the Women’s Refuge Centre. Additionally, funds raised through the Lenten Appeal benefited two local schools for students with disabilities: Chalmers Road and Lucas Gardens. This year also saw many events receive greater interest than ever before! A record number of students participated in Clean Up Australia Day. Similarly, the Winter Sleep Out was once again at capacity. Students experienced the realities of homelessness, along with activities that redefined how participants approach homelessness as an issue. Notably, Reconciliation Week featured the launch of the SPC Reconciliation Action Plan. This year also included immersions, with Year 11 boys’ travelling to Alice Springs during the July holidays. They connected with our partners at St Joseph’s Flexible Learning Centre, authentically experiencing Aboriginal culture. Unfortunately, the Papua New Guinea Immersion could not take place; however, the inaugural Fiji immersion occurred later this year. Select Year 10 and 11 students were able to witness the effects of climate change in the Pacific firsthand, deepening their understanding of this global issue. As usual, the Social Justice Action Group, Faith in Action Team, and Junior School Justice remained hard at work behind the scenes, ensuring all the aforementioned initiatives ran smoothly. I would like to thank all the boys involved, as well as Ms Lonard, Mrs Zambrano, Ms Cupac, and Ms Osorio Narvaez for their contributions to these groups. I would also like to thank Daniel De Pasquale (Sustainability Prefect), Joshua Santangelo (Inclusive Community Prefect), and William Chahin (Faith Formation Prefect) for their support and initiative. Thanks must also go to Ms Daley (Director of Identity) and Ms Porter (Acting Director of Identity) for all the work they do for social justice at the College. US President Theodore Roosevelt once said: “Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding out the right and upholding it, wherever found, against the wrong.” This year, the College has certainly upheld the right against the wrong. SOCIAL JUSTICE PREFECT Thomas Coorey Social Justice Prefect Marcus Donovan (Year 6) Addresses The School At The Rap Launch Year 11 Students On The Alice Springs Immersion The College Chapel Filled With Christmas Appeal Donations
JUSTICE & SOLIDARITY 014 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 Changing Our Carbon Footprint From 26 September to 5 October, ten Year 11 students, eleven Year 10 students, and three members of staff shared one mission: Assess Australia’s environmental impact on the Pacific and make a change. The inaugural 2024 Fiji Immersion offered us an eye-opening opportunity to witness the environmental impact of Western civilisation firsthand. Over ten days, we travelled through the stunning mountains, waterfalls, cliffs, and coral reefs of Taveuni. It was bliss—a world untouched by urban sprawl, a detox from our hyper-technical reality. But something felt wrong. An essence of the Australia we thought we’d left behind followed us, taking the unwelcome form of climate change. In 2023 alone, 434,533 Australians travelled to Fiji’s islands. Unfortunately, the Indigenous environmental philosophy of reciprocity—giving more than taking—did not make the journey with them. During our stay, we had several chances to give back, from cleaning Prince Charles Beach to rehabilitating coral reefs. Each activity was an incredible experience. But here’s the problem: we shouldn’t have had to do this. At school, students aren’t praised for picking up half of their rubbish, so why were the locals thanking us for collecting only a portion of the pollution created by Australians, among others? Per capita, Australians are among the world’s highest CO₂ emitters, meaning we are contributing to rising sea levels. Locals recounted stories of coastlines encroaching on their properties, displacing families and entire villages—meaning we are causing real and immediate harm. We need to take accountability for our actions, and we need to be the solution. In just ten days, we accomplished a lot: rebuilding a nurse’s station, donating to schools while enjoying time together, and reducing pollution. But our journey doesn’t end there. As a community, we should continue on this path, adopting and expanding the environmental practices we learned in Fiji. This is the goal. We must strive to be stewards of the Earth. This immersion— and those to come—should be just the beginning. It was an eye-opening experience that changed many hearts. Michael Bridge Year 11 Student Cleaning Paradise Making Friends (at South Taveuni High School) The Natural Beauty (Ben Gainsford, Ryan Scullion, Logan Barry, Oliver Sullivan, Luke Woods, Felix Ryder; bottom - Zachary Crisafulli, Mr Porra, Lachlan Wodson, Alex Lean) FIJI IMMERSION The Nurse’s Home
JUSTICE & SOLIDARITY 015 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 Learning for a Better Future for All With the excitement of the spiritual journey ahead, a group of ten St Pat’s boys, along with two members of staff, Mr Fox and Mr Biviano, began our path to connect and immerse our lives within the vibrant culture of Alice Springs and its surrounds. Faced with the challenge of leaving loved ones and all technology behind, we found ourselves completely devoted to the way of life and tradition of the sacred land. It was amazing to see the recognition of the school badge, as on our journey to Alice Springs, interactions with numerous Old Boys in public and the sharing of their past experiences at the College opened our eyes to the lifelong impact that commitments such as this immersion will have on our collective. We were welcomed warmly by the staff and students at St Joseph’s Flexible Learning Centre, as a Smoking Ceremony and Morning Pick Up runs established our first interactions with the students, which built upon the relationships we had developed with them in the lead-up to this time. The connections between the two groups only became stronger as we bonded over our common passion for sports, with the fellas introducing us to a game called ‘Box Footy,’ which involved a mix between basketball and AFL where points were scored by kicking the footy off the backboard. Throughout the course of the rest of the week, we immersed ourselves in the culture, as we participated in art classes in which we created boomerangs with our own unique designs based on traditional First Nations dot painting. We also visited spiritual sites such as Simpson’s Gap, Ellery Creek, and Ormiston Gorge. While on these trips, we learned about the significance of the land, and our bond with the St Joey’s fellas grew through their enthusiastic passing on of knowledge. The immersion enabled our group to forge a profound connection with the culture and grasp the significance of First Nations Dreaming. Visiting sites such as Uluru and Kata Tjuta unveiled the formidable presence of these natural landmarks, which are pivotal to the link between the Dreamtime and the Land. Hearing stories like “Liru and Kunia” (Battle of the Snakes) illuminated the importance of sacred sites such as Uluru in First Nations culture, as every facet of the land is ingrained with its own story. Without a doubt, this immersion has provided all of us with lifelong memories and relationships with the fellas that are truly unforgettable. It is a stepping stone for our pathway into being better stewards of our society and sharing our collective understanding of the culture of our First Nations Peoples. We left with not only knowledge, but also newfound friends. ALICE SPRINGS IMMERSION Patrick Bressa Year 11 Student Full Mob Indigenous Artwork Session Uluru
ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY 016 2024 has been a period of remarkable growth and achievement for our students in the domain of wellbeing. The re-structuring of cohorts into Middle and Senior School saw development of our Wellbeing Program, which includes Pastoral Care Lessons (PCLs). These PCLs have played a pivotal role in supporting students’ mental, emotional, and academic development, combining with Year Coordinator Meetings and guest presentations to provide tailored guidance for our students to navigate the challenges of Years 9-12 with confidence and resilience. In addition to the Wellbeing Program, our students have excelled in various domains of the Co-curricular Program. In sports, our teams have achieved significant victories, showcasing their dedication and teamwork while many have received top honors in national and international competitions. Similarly, students have shone during musical and dramatic performances on stage, and in public speaking forums. Academically, our students have continued to blossom, reflecting their hard work and intellectual prowess. The introduction of the Student Attributes Average (SAA) data has been instrumental in helping Year Coordinators track student learning and achievement. By closely monitoring student progress and learning patterns, we have been able to provide more effective targeted support and interventions, aiming that each student reaches their full potential. Overall, the combination of a robust Wellbeing Program, the dedication of wellbeing staff in shaping PCL activities, and the strategic use of SAA data has created an environment where students thrive. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing them continue to excel in all their future endeavours during 2025. I take this opportunity to thank the Year Coordinators, Homeroom teachers and Counsellors for their ongoing support of the students under their care. DIRECTOR OF SENIOR SCHOOL (YEARS 9-12) Mr R Simpson Director of Senior School (Years 9-12) Gianni Controneo And Thomas Coorey Visit Junior School On R U Ok Day Thaleson Dominis Working In The Junior School
INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY 017 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 YEAR 12 COORDINATOR It can be overwhelming to reach the end of one road and not necessarily know what comes next, and that is okay. It is natural to feel uncertain about the future, but it is important to make the most of the opportunities that come your way. Four years ago, I was given the opportunity to take on the role of Year 9 Coordinator in 2021. I witnessed incredible growth between then and now in each student individually and in the group as a whole. It was a pleasure working with the cohort during that time. People often compliment me on being a guiding figure for the Class of 2024. Whilst I am sure I played a part in this, ultimately, it is about each student individually. It was up to you to make those decisions, seize those opportunities, and leave a lasting impression. One of the goals set by our student leaders was to build camaraderie within the cohort and it warmed my heart to watch that come to life over our years together. That was not me making it happen; it came from each one of you. Whether it was working together to organise a surprise celebration for your Year Coordinator’s birthday, building College spirit at school carnivals and events like Back to Breen Day, or waking up in the early hours to watch the sunrise together during your final week of classes, these moments showcase the spirit you all helped foster. Cherish those memories and the relationships that came with them. You will never have a time like that again. You may not realise it at the time, but often it is the little things that leave the biggest impressions. One of my favourite song lyrics goes “my favourite things in life aren’t even things at all, but they are the things that keep my heart full.” Class of 2024, it is safe to say that when I look back on our time together, my heart is certainly full. To all the staff who worked with Year 12, in class, on co-curricular activities, immersions and tours, and everything in between, thank you. I look forward to seeing all that the future holds for the Class of 2024 and the great things you are all destined to achieve. Mr M Herro Year 12 Coordinator 2024 Co-Curricular Captains During The Reconciliation Round: Luke Bromfield (Debating), Alex Conti (Rugby), Kieran Low (Tennis), Matteo Vaccaro (Football), Anthony Karnaout (Chess), Henry O’Reilly (Performing Arts) The Year 12 Debaters Preparing During Their Training Session The 2024 “Saint Of Origin” Netball Team Warming Up To Compete Against Santa Sabina College Luke Sultana, Jeremy Simonetto, Christian Coorey, Alex Conti
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INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY 019 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 YEAR 12 Seventh Row: Francesco Mazzucco, Matthew Boys, Andrea Marando, Patrick Harris, Archie Heads, Jacob Digiglio, Hamish Britten, Justin Ryan, Simon Khoury, Jack Dinham, Declan Trainor, Harrison Bamford, Jasper O’Connell, Nathan Devine, Nathan Campbell, Yun Yi, Jamie Cipollone, Isaac Edmonds, Kelly Rohan, Tom Milligan, William Hanna, James Kazzi, Habib Ghosn, Marcus Signorelli, Jamie Carroll, Hugo Moulton, Jason Hickry Sixth Row: Alexander O’Beid, Jack Roberts, Matthew Kotob, Matthew Boustani, Luke Bromfield, Elijah Brown, Kieran Low, Thomas Coorey, Zachary Ferris, Benjamin Chase, Gianluca Bilotta, Isaac Wahbe, Damian Lee, Matthew Gibson, Jack Gillies, James Marchant, Peter Di Mento, Alexander Giannopoulos, Alexander Bechara, Christian Stojanovski, Patrick Doolin, Joshua McKeown, Alessio Aguirre, Carlo Cavallaro, Daniel Stringer, John Mouawad Fifth Row: Joseph El Turk, Patrick Miholic, Isaac Robinson, Oliver O’Rourke, Thomas BouAntoun, George Mikhael, Isaac Abounader, Elijah Tan, Max D’Ambrosio, Aiden Elias, James Raheb, Lincoln Milson, Liam Aglieco, Joseph Polifroni, Lin-Yong Feng, Dylan Bradley, Jaiken Poon, Elie Badran, Christopher Sioud, Jesse Bruscino, Angus Sunga, Dante Wong, Oscar O’Neill, Noah Mangraviti, Tadhg Murphy, Aidan Kipreotis, Nicholas Shehata Fourth Row: Mathieu Nguyen, Oscar Arnold-Auland, William Chahin, Kevin Quach, Hamish Muir, Christian Sassine, Sebastien Garzaniti, Xavier Caristo, Callum O’Neill, Julian Mazzotta, Noah Shehadie, Mitchell Woods, Alessandro Lombardo, Luke Costello, Alex Conti, Jacob Chidiac, Marco Tropiano, Lachlan Sattout, Matteo Vaccaro, Peter Krsticevic, Lucas Tohmeh, Anthony Douaihy, Kain De Lisser-Howarth, Quentin Zhou, Anthony Mannah, Shaurya Sharma, Simon Taouk, Joel Hallifax Third Row: Julian Geronimo, Joshua Yip, Christopher Gittani, Samuel Avvenevole, Jack Fague, Ethan Harb, Brooklyn Pinto, Campbell Lahoud, John Paul Kayem, Matthew Conti, Gianni Cotroneo, Antonio Barbanera, Hayden Zhong, Domenic Taranto, Josef Obeid, Daniel Ayoub, Jack Spina, Jonathan Elias, Christian Afonso, Jackson Cleary, Christian Coorey, Lachlan Weston, Darren Chou, Nicholas Ishak, Steven Saliba, Samuel Ticli, Luke Sultana Second Row: Daniel De Pasquale, Alessio Secivanovic, Ethan Basseal, Oliver Burgess, Michael Magdic, Lucas Mascitelli, Jaime Pagliuca, Mason Daly, Isaac Weissel, Nicholas Grieco, Jonathan Lepessiotis, William Moussa, Nathaniel Sebastian, Christian Jeitani, Anthony Loulach, Patrik Udovicic, Jeremy Simonetto, Christian Elias, Marcus Semaan, Marcus Abal, Luke Sioud, Nicholas Rahme, Christopher Kouknas, Nicholas Aoun, Anthony Karnaout, Luca Brice Front Row: Henry O’Reilly, James Tannous, Lachlan Bissett, Oliver Peres, Joshua Santangelo, Mr Nicholas Phillipson, Ms Natalie Rocca, Mr George Sacco, Mr Michael Pilkington, Mrs Adriana Karanfilovski, Mrs Leanne Doonan, Charbel Francis, Mr Matthew Herro (Year 12 Coordinator), Michael Sakr, Dr Vittoria Lavorato (Principal), Christian Katrib, Ms Lara Benham, Mr Andrew Viney, Mr Jonny Menck, Ms Megan Santiago, Ms Jasmine Porter, Mr Andrew Simone, Marco De Angeli, Ethan De Marco, Nicholas Hatem, George Cooney, Elijah Hoang Absent: Joseph Issa
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ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY 022 STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM Third Row: Gianni Cotroneo, Elie Badran, Patrick Doolin, William Hanna, James Kazzi, Luke Bromfield, Thomas Coorey, Elijah Tan, Matteo Vaccaro Second Row: Ms Megan Santiago (Wellbeing Coordinator), Ethan Harb, Nathaniel Sebastian, Aiden Elias, William Chahin, Christian Coorey, Xavier Caristo, Mr Matthew Herro (Year 12 Coordinator) Front Row: Jeremy Simonetto, Christopher Gittani, Charbel Francis, Michael Sakr, Dr Vittoria Lavorato (Principal), Christian Katrib, Alex Conti, Daniel De Pasquale, Joshua Santangelo
INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY 023 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 COLLEGE CAPTAIN’S FINAL ADDRESS When I think back to my first memory associated with St Patrick’s College, I go back to a phone call I received from mum. Informing me of the news that I’ve been accepted into the blue, black and gold community. And my reaction involved me spinning around and around vibrantly, where I fell and thought to have broken my thumb for weeks. I think back and wonder why? Why was I so excited? So happy? All I really knew about this place, was that it was of such importance that mum had me practicing my responses to potential interview questions at the age of 11. Now in hindsight, my journey through SPC has been an immense blessing. Despite the various challenges in my personal life, this community in its entirety has never failed to support my family and I. As reflected on in my graduation address, the growth, both personally and as the Class of 2024, that has accompanied each obstacle, displays the true essence of what our College is all about, encouraging all to let their light shine through love and integrity, which perfectly encapsulated our theme for the year – “It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown, it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree.” I’d like to thank all the staff and executive team members, who’ve been a part of our journey. In particular, I’d like to thank Mr Herro, for all his hard work as our Year Coordinator. You all, in unison with the broader SPC community, have played a part in enriching the cohort and I’s endeavours, particularly in our final year of the College. To the graduating Class of 2024, thank you for our story. I cannot Michael Sakr 2024 College Captain express how grateful I am to have led you throughout our final year in the gates of SPC. From the moment, we put on the black tie, we truly lived up to the vibrant school spirit that undermines the SPC culture, embracing the love and unity that stands at the forefront of our community. We can conclude this chapter of our lives, knowing that we have led the entire community in flying colours and with the comfort of the brotherly relationships that will live with us, many years into the future. So, in reflection, if I were to go back in time and receive that phone call from Mum again, telling me I’ve been accepted here into SPC, I would happily break my whole arm in celebration and joy, because being a part of the Class of 2024 and of this College community, is a blessing not many get to experience. From the bottom of my heart - Thank you. Luceat Lux Vestra! Dr Vittoria Lavorato And Michael Sakr Michael Sakr Addresses The Assembly
ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 YEAR 12 AWARDS YEAR 12 – SPECIAL AWARDS THE REV BR J L KELTY PRIZE FOR CAPTAIN OF THE COLLEGE Michael Sakr THE J J WALSH PRIZE FOR VICE-CAPTAIN OF THE COLLEGE Charbel Francis and Christian Katrib THE LACHLAN HEYWORTH PRIZE FOR SCHOOL SPIRIT Daniel De Pasquale THE ORIEL MCLUCAS PRIZE FOR LEADERSHIP IN AND INVOLVEMENT WITH THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY Elie Badran, Anthony Karnaout, Luke Bromfield, Tadhg Murphy, Thomas Coorey, Joshua Santangelo Christopher Gittani, Jeremy Simonetto THE ARCHBISHOP OF SYDNEY AWARD FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE Christian Katrib THE BREWER PRIZE FOR GENERAL PROFICIENCY IN STUDY AND SPORT Alex Conti THE CLASS OF 1970 AWARD FOR CONSISTENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT Jeremy Simonetto THE ST GABRIEL’S SCHOOL AWARD FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE Anthony Karnaout THE BLUE BLACK GOLD AWARD FOR EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTION TO CO-CURRICULAR Thomas Coorey and Daniel De Pasquale THE REV J V COGHLAN PRIZE FOR CAPTAIN OF DEBATING Luke Bromfield THE PRIZE FOR DEBATING Jeremy Simonetto COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS PRODUCTION AWARD FOR SERVICES TO THE PERFORMANCE OF ‘CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY’ Samuel Avvenevole THE CONCERT BAND AWARD Henry O’Reilly ORCHESTRA PRIZE Mathieu Nguyen ADF LONG TAN YOUTH LEADERSHIP AND TEAMWORK AWARD Elijah Tan ADF 2024 FUTURE INNOVATORS AWARD Max D’Ambrosio YEAR 12 – ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS THE HAYES-MCGLOIN PRIZE FOR SENIOR RELIGIOUS STUDIES Studies of Religion II: Luke Sultana Studies of Religion I: Jeremy Simonetto MCNEVIN MEMORIAL PRIZES FOR ENGLISH English Extension 2 Joel Hallifax English Extension 1 Thomas Coorey English Advanced Jeremy Simonetto English Standard John Mouawad REV BR ENGLISH MEMORIAL PRIZES FOR MATHEMATICS Mathematics Extension 2: Christopher Gittani Mathematics Extension 1: Alexander Bechara Jeremy Simonetto Mathematics Advanced: William Hanna Tadhg Murphy Mathematics Standard 2: Marcus Abal Anthony Loulach Dr Vittoria Lavorato And Harrison Bamford Dr Vittoria Lavorato And Tadhg Murphy INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY 024
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