Wellbeing report – May 1, 2015

Dear Parents, Friends and Students of St Patrick’s College,

Uniform: The start of the new term saw the great majority of boys looking very smart in their winter uniform.

Thank you to all the parents who went through the regular ritual of dragging out last year’s winter gear, discovering what still fitted or was in good condition, and got their son’s looking their best for Day 1. Those few boys who are not correctly attired are being followed up.-

ANZAC Day: Last week we had the opportunity as a College community to stop and reflect on the sacrifices made by all servicemen and women by holding an ANZAC Day commemorative service on Tuesday, April21 . Many thanks to Major Brian Broadribb who, following his military service, was appointed to the staff of SPC in 1981 by Headmaster Br Bill Wilding. During the next 19 plus years , Brian was commanding officer of the SPC Cadet Unit for 11 years, commenced and operated the College Archives and was the Editor of the College Annual for 16 years, and was Residential Registrar of Boarding 1981-1996, then Director until 1999. He was a member of the College Foundation Committee, assisted Br Naughtin in research – for six years for the College Centenary History Book, was a Centenary Committee Member and Public Relations Officer for College. – Brian retired from the College in 2000 and his son Ben also attended SPC between 1982-87. Brian’s ANZAC day reflection was well received by the staff and students of the College and we are most grateful for his attendance. I thank Major Brian Broadribb, the many student readers and musicians for making this a solemn moment of recollection transforming the hearts and minds of our young people. Our College Captains and student leaders represented the College by attending services in Ballarat and Melbourne. I thank these students for representing the College so well.-

Feast of Blessed Edmund Rice: Next Tuesday, May 5 we celebrate the Feast of Blessed Edmund Rice with a College Mass followed by a walk-a-thon and -‘St Pat’s Has Talent’ for all students and staff. So what are we celebrating? It is about the man, his legacy, our identity as a school and the example he gives us for our own lives. – In the media saturated world of our students, where the cult of the celebrity, the sporting hero, the superstar and the reality TV contestant seems to dominate their view of what it means to be successful, the story of Edmund Rice is an inspiring antidote to any misplaced ideas about what it means to be a successful person with a meaningful life. That is because he was no superstar, but as an ordinary man, followed the dictates of his heart when moved with compassion for the poor young uneducated boys of Waterford, responding in a practical way by feeding, clothing and teaching them. And not driven by fame, status or money, but by an uncomplicated faith in Jesus and his sense of compassion, he started and inspired a movement, the Christian Brothers, which has improved the lives of millions, and still does so today through the various Edmund Rice ministries, including St Patrick’s College.-

I remind parents and students that Edmund Rice Day is a compulsory day for all students. Obviously there will be legitimate circumstances such as illness that may prevent some students from attending. For these situations parents are asked to contact the school on the day of the absence and leave a detailed message on the absentee line. This should be followed up with a note when the student returns.-

Students are reminded that money raised needs to be returned to the College by Tuesday, May 5. Students are also reminded to wear sensible clothing on the day so that they are able to fully participate including a jacket in case of inclement weather and appropriate shoes for walking. Attached is the programme for students including the outline of the day and information about donations, wet weather procedures and break times. A reminder that the canteen is not available at recess but will open at lunch along with a sausage sizzle run by the Student Council.

More details on the student programme for the day can be found at this link

Best wishes for the week ahead.

Kind regards

Jon Franzin

Deputy Headmaster -“ Wellbeing-