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
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