St Patrick's College, Strathfield

St Patrick's College
Location
Strathfield, New South Wales
Australia
Coordinates 33°52′25″S 151°04′32″E / 33.873615°S 151.075632°E / -33.873615; 151.075632
Information
Type Private, Single-sex, Day school
Motto Latin: Luceat Lux Vestra
(Matthew 5:16:"Let Your Light Shine")
Denomination Roman Catholic, Christian Brothers
Established 1928
Founder Patrick Ignatius Hickey
Chairperson Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Ph.D
Principal Craig Wattam, Ph.D
Chaplain Jack Evans
Staff ~140[1]
Enrolment <2,000 (5–12)[2]
Colour(s) Blue, Black and Gold             
Website St Patrick's College

St Patrick's College, also referred to informally as "SPC" or "St Pats", is an Australian independent Roman Catholic day school for boys located in Strathfield in the inner west of Sydney. In 2015 Business Insider Australia listed the college as an exclusive school for boys in Sydney, just short of the top 10 in the city[3].

Founded as a Christian Brothers school in the tradition of Edmund Rice in 1928, the college currently caters for approximately 1430 students from Years 5 to 12.[2]

St Patrick's College is a member of the Independent Schools Association, the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia,[4] and the Junior School Heads Association of Australia.[5]

History

In 1926 Christian Brothers’ Provincial, Br P I Hickey had the vision of building a new Catholic boys school on the outskirts of Strathfield. More specifically he proposed that this school be built within the perimeter of the Christian Brothers’ Training College, ‘Mount St Mary’ and would thereby serve as an ideal practising school for student Brothers training there.

Breen Oval c.1941

The idea was met with some criticism, mainly due to the remoteness of the area which was largely surrounded by bush and cattle tracks, had little road access, and was situated a fair distance away from local railway stations. Br Hickey remained undeterred however and pushed ahead with his building plans.[6]

St Patrick's College was founded on 20 January 1928 and was officially blessed and opened by Dr M Kelly, Archbishop of Sydney. Thirty nine students were enrolled and split into three grades to be taught by Brothers L S Carroll, P K Kent and J R Crichton. The acting Principal in this first year was Provincial Consulter and Master of Method, Br M B Hanrahan. The school itself consisted of six large classrooms, and four other rooms designed for Physics, Chemistry, Art and technical training such as Woodwork. At the end of the first year over 100 students were enrolled at St Patrick’s College. Today enrolment at the College exceeds 1,400 students.[6]

Towards the end of the 1980s, there was a steady decline in the number of Christian Brothers teaching within Edmund Rice Schools such as St Patrick’s. After the departure of Br J Giacon as Principal in 1992 the time had come to appoint a lay Principal, the first in any Christian Brothers’ school in NSW. And so in 1993, after an extensive process, Mr Grahame Smollett was given the responsibility of leading the College into a new era. He was to remain in office for the next 15 years, making him the longest serving Principal in the College’s history.[6]

Past Principals

  • 1928: Br M B Hanrahan
  • 1929–1932: Br E S Crowle
  • 1933–1935: Br M R Breen
  • 1936–1941: Br J V Coghlan
  • 1942–1943: Br B Quirke
  • 1944: Br M M O'Connor
  • 1945–1950: Br J V Coghlan
  • 1951–1952: Br R B Garvey
  • 1953–1955: Br J A McGlade
  • 1956–1961: Br J G Hodda
  • 1962–1963: Br J P Hannigan
  • 1964–1966: Br H C Gygar
  • 1967–1974: Br T I Casey
  • 1975–1980: Br W R Greening
  • 1981–1987: Br J P O'Shea
  • 1988–1992: Br J Giacon
  • 1993–2007: Mr G K Smollett
  • 2008–2015: Mr B T Roberts
  • 2016: Mr J Murphy
  • 2017–present: Dr C Wattam[7]

College Houses

History

Ultimately when encouraged by their peers, students gain confidence and feel empowered to give their best. The system dates back to the 1930s when boys were placed into four coloured houses for the annual swimming and athletic carnivals; red, gold, green and blue.[8]

During the 1970s the College expanded the four houses to six and named each after a significant person whose presence at the College had been pivotal to its evolvement; Br Berg, Br Coghlan, Br Crichton, Br Hanrahan, Br Hickey, and Fr Power (Parish Priest of St Martha’s). A further development was made in 1996 when on the beatification of Edmund Rice, Founder of the Christian Brothers, Power house was changed to Rice house.[8]

In 2012 the College Cup was launched and redefined the way in which the house system is used at St Patrick’s College. To foster healthy competition amongst the boys, house points are awarded throughout the school year based on an individual’s efforts in areas of academic achievement, co-curricular involvement and school spirit. These are then tallied with the results from the swimming and athletic carnivals and a house is declared the overall winner.[8]

College Cup Winners

  • 2012 – Berg House (Inaugural)
  • 2013 – Coghlan House
  • 2014 – Hickey House
  • 2015 – Hickey House
  • 2016 – Hickey House
  • 2017 – Coghlan House
  • 2018 - Crichton House

Berg House (White)

Berg House appropriately pays tribute to the values and contribution made to the College by Br Brian Berg, the first Old Boy Brother to teach at St Patrick’s. Brian Berg completed his Leaving Certificate at SPC in 1948 and entered into the Christian Brothers in 1950.[9]

Coghlan House (Gold)

Coghlan House honours the memory of Br Coghlan, Principal of St Patrick’s College for two terms, 1936–1941 and 1945–1950. He played a leading role in developing the College’s identity and whilst he may not have laid the first stone, he introduced the strong foundations upon which the College has flourished.[10]

Crichton House (Black)

Crichton House is named after Br John Rewi Crichton, who, for many years, was a devoted and much loved teacher at St Patrick’s College.[11]

Hanrahan House (Red)

Hanrahan House recognises the efforts of an outstanding educationist by the name of Br Michael Benignus Hanrahan. As the first Principal of St Patrick’s College he led the school from 1928 to 1929.[12]

Hickey House (Green)

Hickey House honours a man who holds a significant place in the College’s history. In fact without the vision of Br Patrick Ignatius Hickey; St Patrick’s College would not exist today.[13]

Rice House (Blue)

Rice house pays tribute to our Founder, Blessed Edmund Rice, an exceptional human being who dedicated his life to God and the education of the poor and marginalised boys in Ireland.[14]

Facilities

The facilities at St Patrick's include:

  • Four grassed sporting fields with full time grounds maintenance staff
  • Nine educational buildings
  • Two libraries
  • One staff building
  • An indoor gymnasium with courts to accommodate basketball, volleyball and badminton
  • Olympic standard gymnastic apparatus
  • Synthetic and turf practice cricket nets
  • One outdoor 33 metre swimming pool
  • Modern change room facilities
  • Four tennis courts/outdoor basketball courts
  • A fully equipped weights facility manned by an experienced fitness trainer
  • One hall
  • One amphitheatre
  • Five science labs and three prep rooms
  • Diverse Learning Centre
  • Auditorium

Co-curriculum

St Patrick's College from Kessel Square

The school competes in such activities as rugby union, cricket, baseball, soccer, swimming, basketball, softball, golf, athletics and tennis in the Independent Schools Association competition and against CAS and GPS member schools. The junior school also competes in an AFL tournament in a local comp that plays on Friday nights.

The college performs an annual musical and drama production featuring its students and others from Santa Sabina College. Recent productions include Peter Pan (2018), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2017), Oliver! (2015, Miss Saigon (2013), Little Shop of Horrors (2012), The Wiz (2011), Guys and Dolls (2010), High School Musical (2009), Les Misérables (2007), Grease (2006), Disco Inferno (2005), Footloose (2004) and Jesus Christ Superstar (2003).[15] Recent dramatic productions include "Lord of the Flies" (2017), "The Crucible" (2016), "The Comedy of Errors" (2014), "Boy Overboard" (2013), The Chocolate War (2012), Much Ado About Nothing (2011), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (2010), A Few Good Men (2009), The Wasps (2008), The Taming of the Shrew (2007) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (2006).[16]

The college competes annually with the nearby Trinity Grammar School for the Black and Green Shield which was conceived in 2005. It is based on the cumulative results of all winter sports games (rugby and football) between the schools on a designated weekend. The college has taken the shield each year since its inception, bar one.

Other annual sporting events include the junior school's rugby tour to Armidale where two rugby teams compete against those from other schools and colleges from New South Wales and Queensland, the Christian Brothers Schools' Cricket Carnival held during the Christmas holidays at St. Joseph's Nudgee College at Brisbane, which the college has won three times, in 1995, 2009 and 2014.

The school is a founding member of the Catholic Schools Debating Association (CSDA). One of the shields for premiers is named after a long-serving deputy headmaster, Michael Robson, for his decades of service to the association.

The college also has an extensive social justice program, annually raising funds for a Lenten focus charity with practical assistance from the boys. Focus areas include the Saint Vincent de Paul Society "Night Patrol" and the financial assistance of Christian Brother's schools serving disabled or economically and socially disadvantaged communities.

College Anthem

The College anthem was composed in 1958, with words by Br Robert Charles Hill and music by Br Colin Declan Smith – both members of the SPC Community. A choir of over 600 voices first performed it at Speech Night in the Sydney Town Hall in 1958.[17]

College Crest

The college's crest was designed in 1938 and is made up of three components:

  • Shield: With its chevrons and bars it is a symbol of strength and fortitude
  • Motto: Those who wear the crest pledge fidelity to the college motto Luceat Lux Vestra, Latin for "Let Your Light Shine".
  • Star: Seen mounting the crest, it signifies that the college lights the way to knowledge and to the God.[18]

Alumni

St Patrick's alumni are traditionally known as "Old Boys",[19] the St Patrick's alumni association being called the Old Boys' Union.

The reinvigoration of the St Patrick’s College Old Boys’ Association (SPOB) in 2016, has further improved the relationship between past and present. It provides a contact point for several different Old Boy sporting clubs like Cricket, Rugby and Football and other special interest groups such as Returned Servicemen, Careers (including work experience and mentoring) and the Vestra Bursary Fund.[20]

St Patricks Rugby Club

St Patrick's Rugby Club was established in 1964 as a rugby league club as that was the code of football played at the college at the time. In 1965 the college changed to rugby union, the club followed suit the following year and entered the Western Suburbs Under 20 competition. The club originally played in a white jersey with black collar and now play in a black jumper with a gold collar, as does the college First XV. The club plays in the New South Wales Suburban Rugby Union and has won four club championships and two first grade premierships. Since its promotion to Kentwell Cup First Division in 1974 is one of only two clubs to never have been relegated. The club plays its home games at Hudson Park, Strathfield.[19][21]

Notable Alumni

Academia, science and medicine

Bureaucracy, politics and the law

Business

  • Greg Coffey, a London hedge fund manager known as the "Wizard of Oz". Worth roughly $734 million USD.
  • John Symond AM, Australian financial executive and founder of Aussie Home Loans[39]
  • Phil Salter[40], co-founder of Salmat (an ASX listed company that provides multi-channel marketing to numerous corporations and, most notably, the Government of Australia)
  • Peter Mattick AM[41] , co-founder and former Interim Chief Executive Officer of Salmat
  • Rod de Aboitiz[42][43], former Chief Financial Officer of Rothschild Australia
  • James Symond[44], Chief Executive Officer of Aussie Home Loans
  • Guy G. Russo, managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at McDonald’s Australia 1999-2005, President McDonald’s Greater China 2005-2007, Managing Director at Kmart, Chief Executive Officer of the Department Stores division for Wesfarmers 2016 to present. [45]

Clergy

  • Most Reverend Bede V. Heather DD LSS BA, Bishop Emeritus of Parramatta; former co-chairman of the Catholic/Baptist International Dialogue and first Bishop of Parramatta 1986-1997.[46]
  • Most Reverend Patrick L. Murphy, former Vice-President and Rector of the Post Graduate House at St Patrick's Seminary, former President of St Patrick's Seminary, former Episcopal Vicar for Education, former Chairman of the Sydney Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Board and former Chairman of the Catholic Education Commission of NSW. Furthermore, he was the first Bishop of Broken Bay 1986-1996.[47]

Entertainment, media and the arts

Sport

See also

References

  1. ↑ "College Staff". Community. St Patrick's College. 2007. Retrieved 11 December 2007.
  2. 1 2 Australian School Choice- St Patrick's College Archived 5 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine. (accessed:27 June 2007)
  3. ↑ Kimmorley, Sarah (2015-06-04). "CHEAT SHEET: The top 10 private schools for boys in Sydney". Business Insider Australia. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  4. ↑ "AHISA Schools". New South Wales. Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia. November 2007. Archived from the original on 2 November 2007. Retrieved 11 December 2007.
  5. ↑ "JSHAA New South Wales Directory of Members". New South Wales Branch. Junior School Heads' Association of Australia. 2007. Archived from the original on 18 December 2007. Retrieved 11 December 2007.
  6. 1 2 3 "History | St Patrick's College Strathfield". www.spc.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  7. ↑ "Past Principals". St Patrick's College Strathfield. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 "College Houses | St Patrick's College Strathfield". www.spc.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  9. ↑ "Berg House | St Patrick's College Strathfield". www.spc.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  10. ↑ "Coghlan House | St Patrick's College Strathfield". www.spc.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  11. ↑ "Crichton House | St Patrick's College Strathfield". www.spc.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  12. ↑ "Hanrahan House | St Patrick's College Strathfield". www.spc.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  13. ↑ "Hickey House | St Patrick's College Strathfield". www.spc.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  14. ↑ "Rice House | St Patrick's College Strathfield". www.spc.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  15. ↑ "St Patrick's College Strathfield/Drama". St Patrick's College Strathfield. 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  16. ↑ College Musical Archived 22 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
  17. ↑ "Crest, Anthem and War Cry | St Patrick's College Strathfield". www.spc.nsw.edu.au. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  18. ↑ "History". About SPC. St Patrick's College. 2007. Retrieved 11 December 2007.
  19. 1 2 Old boys page on the St Patricks College website
  20. ↑ "Old Boys Association". St Patrick's College. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  21. ↑ St Patrick's Rugby Club website
  22. ↑ "Tributes flow at Vice-Chancellor's retirement dinner". media.uow.edu.au. mcoade. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  23. ↑ "2013 Annual Report Heart Research Australia" (PDF).
  24. ↑ "The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales · Page 9". The Sydney Morning Herald. 18 May 1994. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  25. ↑ Nicky Phillips (13 October 2015). "Making something of junk earns geneticist top award". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  26. ↑ "Prof John Mattick – Staff Research Profile". Garvan Institute. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  27. ↑ "Peter W. Sheehan Scholarship". www.acu.edu.au. Rachel Clark. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  28. ↑ "Our History - Audit Office of New South Wales". www.audit.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  29. ↑ Brown, Malcolm (1 January 2018). "Gerald Gleeson: The man who became Neville Wran's 'Mr Fixit'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  30. ↑ "Kookaburra Kids | Supporting kids living in families affected by mental illness". kookaburrakids.org.au. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  31. ↑ "Lifeline Australia Directors". www.lifeline.org.au. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  32. 1 2 3 List of alumni for various schools, crikey.com.au Archived 29 December 2005 at the Wayback Machine.
  33. ↑ Murphy, Damien (30 August 2005). "A thirst for power but ill-equipped to bounce back from stupidity". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  34. ↑ Services, Archives and Records Management. "Honorary awards - ARMS - The University of Sydney". sydney.edu.au. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  35. 1 2 3 4 Bibby, Paul (11 December 2007). "St Pat's old boys making their mark". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  36. ↑ "Mick Clough". Wikipedia. 29 January 2018.
  37. ↑ "Mr Paul Gerard Lynch, MP". Members of Parliament. Parliament of New South Wales. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  38. ↑ "John Pierce Professional Profile". LinkedIn.
  39. ↑ Symond finds success as Aussie dream lives on at The Age
  40. ↑ "Salmat co-founder Phil Salter's human touch brought success without the hustle". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  41. ↑ "Stocks". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  42. ↑ Whitbourn, Michaela; McClymont, Kate (26 March 2014). "Arthur Sinodinos' lawyer calls ICAC witness a 'smart arse'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  43. ↑ McClymont, Kate; Whitbourn, Michaela; Nicholls, Sean (15 March 2014). "Deception claims as shareholders name Sinodinos in Obeid lawsuit". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  44. ↑ "Aussie Home Loans appoints CEO". www.aussie.com.au. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  45. ↑ "Guy Russo". www.wesfarmers.com.au. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  46. ↑ "Most Rev Bede Vincent Heather DD LSS BA". www.parra.catholic.org.au. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  47. ↑ "Diocese of Broken Bay | Bishop Patrick Murphy". www.dbb.org.au. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  48. ↑ Nepales, Ruben V. (11 February 2006). "Life after 'Rockstar". news.inq7.net Entertainment Column.
  49. ↑ Thomas Keneally
  50. ↑ St Pats Rugby Archive
  51. ↑ Peter Skrzynecki's Biography
  52. ↑ "John Ballesty". espnscrum.com. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  53. ↑ "Matt Williams – Personally Speaking Bureau". Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  54. ↑ "Brian McCowage Olympic Results". sports-reference.com. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  55. ↑ "SGFRA Referee Adrian Arndt Makes His Mark – St George Football Association". sgfa.com.au. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.