I have always believed it takes a village to raise a child. As such, we are committed to catering to the needs of the whole person — to social justice, to the teachings of Jesus as found in the Gospels, to education as a means of liberation and being inclusive. Our diversity is something in which we are most proud and something that we celebrate.
At St Patrick’s College, we value the importance of respect, trust, honesty, inclusion and community. The opportunities to live, work and play together as a whole community are truly special occasions.
Our dedicated staff are committed to providing a caring and respectful environment that reflects Christian values and ensures all boys in our care are happy and successful in their endeavours.
It is our hope that all boys who join our Boarding family can experience a broad range of academic, spiritual, sporting, cultural and social justice opportunities. That he can grow to participate and contribute to society in a positive manner with values of integrity, hard work and compassion.
I look forward to welcoming you into the St Patrick’s College Boarding community.
— Mr James Hopper, Director of Boarding
Our boys live in purpose-designed rooms surrounded by first-class recreational, dining and study facilities, offering a seamless integration of academic and residential life.
With a maximum of two boys per room, our accommodation is more akin to their own bedrooms at home rather than a dormitory environment. Each bedroom is equipped with modern amenities to ensure a conducive living space, while our shared bathrooms feature individual cubicles for comfort and privacy.
One of the highlights of our boarding house is the communal areas, where students can forge lifelong friendships, engage in meaningful discussions, and strengthen their faith. Our lounge and dining rooms provide areas for boys to relax, socialise and unwind, while students can find solace in the College chapel.
Students also have supervised access to our state-of-the-art facilities, including the College library, music rooms, indoor sports complex, weights training facility, sports fields and information technology laboratories, fostering a well-rounded educational experience.
James joined St Patrick’s College in 2023 after 14 years at the helm of boarding at St Francis de Sales Regional College in Leeton, NSW. Inspired by his own education at St Francis and the Marist Brothers who encouraged him to be the best person he could be for the greater good, James brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to SPC.
James has a strong connection to boarding at St Patrick’s College, with his own sons having boarded at the College between 2011 and 2016. He is passionate about nurturing the mind, body and spirit of students, and works collaboratively with the boarding team to create a supportive atmosphere for young men to grow and thrive.
Deanna joined St Patrick’s College in 2023, six years after her own sons attended SPC as boarding students. Deanna is committed to providing comprehensive support services to ensure the wellbeing and success of every student. Dee understands that each boy is unique, with his own strengths, challenges and needs, and aims to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where each student feels supported, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Liam is a boarding Head of House and also has an involvement in the day school as a VCE English teacher and Year 11 Coordinator. He has been teaching at St Patrick’s College for nine years and lives on site with his wife Steph (also a teacher at SPC) and his two children. Liam is a SPC ‘old boy’ and has a strong family connection to the school that goes back a number of decades.
Contact the College Registrar on 5331 1688 or email enrolments@stpats.vic.edu.au.
CRICOS Provider No. 00620E
The community of St Patrick’s College Ballarat acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which the school is built, the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We recognise their ongoing connection to the land and waterways, pay respect to Elders past and present, and commit to supporting emerging leaders from all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations.
St Patrick’s College Ballarat © Copyright 2025 | Website by 61 Design
Plus $2,000 worth of prizes for secondary school students.
