Focus Newsletter - Term 1 Issue 4 - 2025

Acting Principal Leader

Last week we celebrated two of our most important community events of the school year. On Monday 17 March we enjoyed wonderful celebrations for St Patrick's Day. Fr Wim Hoekstra, Parish Priest at Mary Queen of the Family Parish at Blacktown, joined us for an excellent College Mass to commence the day, featuring some of the best communal singing we have experienced for several years. We then moved to the main field for the annual Staff v Students Soccer Challenge match, before regathering in the Hall after lunch for our Patties Got Talent Show. The talent quest included a number of brilliant performances by students and staff, culminating in a rousing rendition of the crowd favourite Sweet Caroline by Mr Greg Beacroft.

Our theme for Term One had been an invitation for every single person to contribute their small part to build community, and on St Patrick’s Day we certainly saw that in action.

Every year on St Patrick’s Day we celebrate our Patrician heritage and traditions, our Catholic Faith, and our many talents. On community days like this we create moments that become memories – and as time passes, become part of Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown folklore.

Many thanks to our special guests for the day - Mrs Angela Hay, Head of Performance from CSPD, Br Nicholas Harsas, Patrician Provincial Leader, and retiring teacher, Mr Bruce Baker, who was officially farewelled after more than 40 years of service in Patrician schools.

The school spirit and excitement for the week did not end there, however, with the entire school mobilising again on Wednesday for our annual College Swimming Carnival at Blacktown Aquatic Centre.  The massive schedule of events was expertly managed by our staff and the atmosphere created by the student House Leaders was genuinely exciting. Many teachers thought the leadership and enthusiasm shown by the Year 12 students during the day was the best in recent memory.

Thanks to all staff members for their enthusiasm, involvement, and care of the students, despite the busyness of the week. In particular, thanks to Mr Joey Tramontana and his extended team of PDHPE staff who prepared, set up, and managed the carnival. Final results will be announced at our next College Assembly, early in Term 2.

Over the last fortnight we have held NAPLAN Testing for Years 7 and 9. These tests drew to a close last Friday, with the College Hall then being handed over for our Year 12 Assessment Block. From all reports, students in Years 7 and 9 worked very conscientiously throughout the various sections of NAPLAN and we trust this will be reflected in their results when they come back in a couple of weeks. Special thanks to Mr Mark Robinson for his excellent management of NAPLAN and the Year 12 examinations and assessments. For Year 12, this is their first hit-out for the year in formal examinations and the feedback from their various papers will be invaluable as they prepare for the HSC Trials and Examinations later in the year. We wish them well and trust that their efforts with classwork and revision will be rewarded.

Brian Edmonds
Acting Principal

Acting Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care

We had a number of community events over the last 2 weeks, with our St Patrick’s Day celebrations, College Swimming Carnival and the Project Compassion Mufti Day. I would like to thank and congratulate students and staff for making these events successful. These events are important in our College as they build community and a sense of belonging.

A reminder that satisfactory school attendance is one of our conditions for participation in school representative sport and extra-curricular activities such as excursions. The attendance of all students who nominate for school, PDSSSC, and subsequently NSWCCC representative teams, will be checked by the Assistant Principals before squads/teams are selected and announced. Students with poor attendance will not be included in these teams and a process of monitoring and review will be applied until the attendance rate of the student/s in question has improved. As the students are well aware, the same attendance rules apply to several of our elite competitions such as NRL Schoolboy Cup.

A reminder that hair must be neat and tidy. Hair must be of natural colour. Extremes of length or fashion are not acceptable. Student hairstyles that are not acceptable include – mullets, shaved sides, long or swept fringes, shaved lines, rat tails and all large tufts. Boys’ hair should be no longer than collar length and the fringe must be above the eyes. The school reserves the right to make rulings on the acceptability of any student hairstyles. It is expected that boys will be clean-shaven at all times. Students that do not comply with these guidelines may be sent home.

Finally, I would like to thank all the parents who have completed the Enhancing Catholic School Identity Survey. We still need parents to complete the survey in order to make the parent survey sample valid. If you can complete the survey, please do so as we would love to hear your voice.

Also, as we continue through Lent, I would like to remind people of our Project Compassion Appeal - we have raised over $1800 so far!

Victor Hunt
Acting Assistant Principal

Assistant Principal - Learning, Teaching and Innovation

Learning in VET: Certificate II in Construction Pathways
Last week a group of Year 11 students completed their NSW White Card Training as a component of their Year 11 Certificate II in Construction Pathways VET course. In NSW, a White Card is an official certification that is issued by SafeWork Australia. The receipt of a White Card is required for any workers who want to carry out construction work on work sites. People who need a White Card may include site managers, supervisors, surveyors, labourers and tradespeople, as well as workers whose employment causes them to routinely enter construction zones. The process of gaining a NSW White Card is the same for all individuals who undertake the training. We are very proud of all our Year 11 students who completed the course successfully. These students will now focus their attention on developing competent skills in their course, which will allow them to attend their mandatory 70 hours of workplace industry experience at various work sites. We are very fortunate to have appropriately qualified teachers to deliver the Construction course. Thank you Mr Haddad and Mr Cosic.

Compass Chronicle communications
All teachers at Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown have the opportunity to use Compass Chronicles to communicate with parents and caregivers. I have outlined the purpose of two of these chronicles below. 

The purpose of the “Classroom Behaviour Comment” is to make you aware of behaviours attributed to your son that are below our College expectations. The identified behaviours will not typically involve any further action, however, if a pattern of behaviour develops, sanctions may then apply.

The purpose of the “Classroom Affirmation Comment” is to positively affirm behaviours attributed to your son that meet or exceed our expectations. Continued demonstration of these behaviours would typically lead to the issuing of a merit award.

Notification of these chronicles can be viewed on your son's Compass profile. An email notification will also be sent to your nominated email address, as well as your son's school email address.

Questions related to either of these chronicles should be directed to the classroom teacher that records the chronicle entry.

Heath Borg
Assistant Principal

Religious Education and Mission

St Patrick’s Day Celebrations
On March 17, we celebrated the Solemnity of St Patrick as a College community.

Our day began with Mass, which was led by Father Wim Hoekstra. During Mass we grew in our knowledge and appreciation of the ministry of St Patrick. The highlight of the liturgy was the beautiful singing.  All of our guests commented on the reverence of our students, and on how their singing deepened the richness and solemnity of the occasion.

Our day was capped off with a Staff -v- Students soccer game, and our “Patties Got Talent” concert. It was wonderful to see our Year 12 students representing their peers in the soccer game, and our Year 7 students joining in the singing during the concert.

Year 8 Reflection Day
On Friday 28 March we held our Year 8 Reflection Day at the College. The Year 8 Reflection Day focused on God’s love and forgiveness, and our call to brotherhood.

The day was facilitated by our Student Faith in Action Team (FIAT) and Homeroom Teachers. Feedback from the students at the end of the day was extremely positive. 

School-Based Sacramental Program
We are proud to be able to offer the school-based Sacramental Program this year for any students who wish to receive the Catholic Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. We have already received expressions of interest from ten families, for which we are most grateful. Families wishing to take up this opportunity are encouraged to contact Mr Greg Beacroft at the College by phone on 8811 0300, or by email at gbeacroft@parra.catholic.edu.au .

Project Compassion
Our school is raising funds to help support Project Compassion, Caritas Australia’s annual fundraising campaign. Project Compassion brings together supporters from across Australia to address the challenges of poverty today, and drive lasting change for a better tomorrow. Join us to help support remote and vulnerable communities across Asia, Africa, the Pacific, and in Australia. Your generosity today can help communities to access clean water, food security, skills training, health and sanitation and disaster risk reduction training. Together with your support, we can create lasting change today, and for all future generations.

This year we will be using the Project Compassion Schools Online Donation Platform. This means you can donate directly to our school's project compassion total online safely. You can do this by clicking on the link below or using the QR below.

https://schools.projectcompassion.org.au/o/patrician-brothers-college-blacktown

You can read the FAQs for more information here: https://schools.projectcompassion.org.au/faqs

Our Mufti Day alone, on March 21, raised just on $1000, and we are well on target to achieving our goal of $2000 by the end of the term.

Thank you for your support.

Thursday Morning Mass
Thursday morning masses will continue to be celebrated at 8:15am each Thursday in the College Chapel until the end of the term.  They will resume early in Term 2.  All students, staff, and parents/carers are welcome to attend.  Parents and carers are asked to sign in at the College reception office before going to the Chapel.

Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club has expanded this year, and now runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:00am until 8:40am.  Our Faith in Action Team members serve breakfast cereal, fruit, cheese toasties, and juice.  All students are welcome to join us for breakfast at the Senior Cafe.

Anthony Pope
Acting Leader of Learning Religious Education

Dean of Knowledge Management and Analytics

At the end of this term, Year 12 completed their Semester One Assessments, and in Week 7 of Term 2, Year 10 have their Assessment Block.

Over the holidays, many students will probably start to summarise their notes for each subject. But is this the best way to study? Everyone learns and remembers in a different way, so different ideas are worth a try. There are a few websites that have some great suggestions, one great site is the State Library of Victoria web site, http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/learn-skills/study-skills

Below are two other sites that are worth a look as well.

http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/studyskills/studyskills/revision.html

http://learnonline.canberra.edu.au/course/view.php?id=2101

 As always, your son's teacher is a great place to start if you have any concerns.

Mark Robinson
Dean of Knowledge Management and Analytics

Pathways and Partnership Update

Helping your son to actively prepare for his post school pathway - Developing Enterprise Skills
Some may think that performing well at school is the most critical factor when planning for one’s post school pathway. Whilst it is imperative that students attend school each day, complete their course work and work to their full potential, it is important that selecting post school pathways is viewed in a holistic and conceptual manner. encompassing a variety of knowledge, skills and experiences.

In order for young people to be successful in their future working life, they must work on developing their enterprise skills. Sometimes called employability or human skills, enterprise skills are those transferable skills required in all types of work. They are skills that can be developed in a plethora of ways - in the classroom, at home, on the sporting field, in social situations and, of course, through employment.

Recently, students across numerous grades have been working on writing their resume to apply for their first casual job. Often students are worried they do not have work experience and question if this will impact them securing a position. This is where enterprise skills can become of great value.

                                                                                                                                   Australian Job Report (2023)

There are many ways that students can develop their enterprise/employability/human skills in the home environment. Our online resource Career Tools outline how casual conversations at home with your child is an effective way to develop enterprise/employability/human skills.

If you or your son have any questions related to career pathways or partnerships, please contact me via email at mlane1@parra.catholic.edu.au or by phone on 02 8811 0316.

Marie Lane
Pathways and Partnerships Leader

Resource Centre Update

St Patrick’s Day
On Monday 17 March we celebrate St Patrick's Day. In the days leading up to our College celebration multiple students decorated shamrocks to create decorations for the Resource Centre. I want to wish a big thank you to every student who participated, all the shamrocks were used as decoration for the day and really helped bring the Patrician Spirit.

May your troubles be less, your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.

I hope all students had a wonderful day celebrating our patron saint.

Harmony Day
On Friday 21 March, to finish up an exciting week, the Patrician Brothers’ College celebrated Harmony Day.

Harmony day is a day to celebrate all the different cultures that are a part of Australia. It is also an opportunity to pay tribute to the original inhabitants of the country, the Indigenous Australians.

 The Resource Centre celebrated at lunch with a nail-biting game of Kahoot! Thank you to all 38 students who participated and congratulations to Alessandro Maestrale, Kalisi Aualiitia and Cash Roffey who took the top 3 spots in the game.

A reminder about class texts
All students in Grades 8-10 and Year 11 English Standard Students have been provided with copies of the class texts for this term, a reminder that all class texts are due back to the Resource Centre by the end of term.

Students can stop by the Resource Centre any time to return their books.

It’s never too late to return a book!

Beth Head
Senior School Assistant - Resource Centre

St Patrick's Day

On Monday 17 March our school community enjoyed wonderful celebrations for St Patrick's Day. Fr Wim Hoekstra joined us for an excellent College Mass to commence the day, featuring some of the best singing we have experienced for several years. We then moved to the main field for the annual Staff v Students Soccer Challenge match, before regathering in the Hall after lunch for our Patties Got Talent Show.

Many thanks to our special guests for the day - Mrs Angela Hay from CSPD, Br Nicholas Harsas, Patrician Provincial Leader, and retiring teacher, Mr Bruce Baker and his family.

St Patrick - Pray for us.

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Merit Awards

Sports Update

PDSSSC First XI Cricket 

Round 2 v Parramatta Marist
We won the toss and batted in our Round 2 game against Parramatta Marist. It proved to be a wise decision as we were able to amass 3/171. Adil Tariq was the star reaching 99 not out (for the second time in his PDSSSC career). Rahil Prajapady (39) and Rahul Dhond (24) also made valuable contributions. 

The bowling attack were able to dismiss Parramatta for 100 runs. Adil Tariq capped off his man of the match performance taking 3 wickets for 8 runs. Jim Carden bowled well again, taking 3/17, while Sanjith Anreddy  (2/17) and Josh Jurgeit 2/14 also took wickets. 

In the field Josh Jurgeit took (3), Zac Armitage (2) and Jim Carden all proved to have safe hands taking good catches.

Round 3 v St Gregory's College Campbelltown A Grade
The team was once again decimated, this time by a Diocese Leadership Program. This was unfortunate as St Gregory's College are a traditional powerhouse of the cricket competition. 

We won the toss, batted and managed to set a total of 8/53. Sanjith Anreddy top scored with 20 and Muhilan Ganesan batted well for 18. Congratulations to Anav Gujral and Jeff Thomas also scored their first runs for the school.

St Gregs were able to chase down the total with Adil Tariq taking the only wicket.

While a number of big guns were sidelined we had some enthusiastic replacements keen to represent the College. Once again it was a wonderful example of the Patties spirit. Special thanks to Jay Vora, Naveen Panakkal, Anav Gujral, Aaran Srimurugathas.

Round 4 v St Gregory's College Campbelltown C Grade
We travelled for the second consecutive week to Campbelltown. Once again we won the toss and batted. This time, due to a wonderful performance from Daniel Sinclair (73) we managed to set the formidable total of 5/137. Adil Tariq (14) Rahil Prajapati (15) and Muhilan Ganesan (19) also contributed.

We were able to restrict St Gregs Cs to 8/115. Fine performances with the ball came from Daniel Sinclair (2/21) Muhilan Ganesan (1/16). Special congratulations to Zac Armitage (1/13), Vishnu Ajith (1/12), Jeff Thomas (1/7) and Daksh Soni (1/8) took their first wickets for the college.

Round 5 v St Gregory's College Campbelltown B Grade
History is made.

We played St Gregory's B Grade in the 5th round of the PDSSSC cricket competition. Back to full strength and full of confidence after victories in the last 2 weeks , we once again batted first and set the big total of 7/152. 

Joshua Jurgeitt then devastated the St Gregs batting lineup taking a history making 7 wickets for 5 runs, including a triple hat trick (5 wickets in consecutive balls). Rahil Prajapati also took 3/13, helping to dismiss the opposition for a dismal total of 20 runs.

Round 6 v St Dominic’s College Penrith
Despite the fact that we had won 3 consecutive games, we were the underdogs coming into the Round 6 game against St Dominic’s Penrith. St Doms won the toss and sent us into bat, a decision they would later regret. Excellent batting from Daniel Sinclair (85) and Josh Jurgeit (56) played a big role in setting a massive total of 3/184. Rahil Prajapati also chipped in with a well-made 29.

St Dom's were very competitive in the chase but our bowling attack and excellent catching  managed to restrict them to 180.

This was an excellent victory that continues to build the much needed momentum as we head towards the semi-finals.

Round 7 v St Pauls Greystanes
The Round 7 fixture against St Paul’s Greystanes was yet another history making performance from the team with Adil Tariq starring yet again with bat and scoring 133 runs (a history making achievement). That effort with 35 from Rahil Prajapadi and quick fire contributions from Josh Jurgeit, Daniel Sinclair, Muhilan Ganesan and Sanjith Anreddy saw the team accrue a massive total of 4/221.

A challenging run chase for St Paul’s was made more difficult by wonderful bowling performances from Tallis Cusens who took 1/21 (on debut for the First XI), Josh Jurgeit (1/14), Sanjith Anreddy (1/14), Zac Armitage (1/11) and Dilkesh Choat (1/6). The star of the innings however, was Jeff Thomas who took 3/19.

Rahil Prajipati (3 catches), Sanjith Anreddy (1 catch), Josh Jurgeit (1 stumping) and Daniel Sinclair (1 catch and 1 run out) fielded well.

We look forward to next week's semi-final against St Dominic's Penrith.

Dominic Cullen
Coach

PDSSSC Oz Tag Competion

Patrician Brothers' Blacktown sport teams continue to impress in the PDSSSC competition. This is particularly evident with our Junior, Intermediate and Senior OzTag teams remaining undefeated and all progressing through to the OzTag Semi-finals after dominant performances in the quarter-finals. 

Our Junior team defeated Santa Sophia 12-0 and our Intermediate team defeating Gilroy College 13-3 to progress through to the quarter-finals. St Patrick's Dundas forfeited, which saw our Seniors progress as well. With determination and a clear goal in sight, the boys are ready to give their best on the field and we wish all our OzTag teams good luck as they look to progress to the Grand Final.

James Bunoza - Junior Coach 
Chelsea Te Ariki - Intermediate Coach 
Chase Chapman - Senior Coach 

Swimming Carnival

On Wednesday 19 March the Patrician Brothers' College community gathered at Blacktown Aquatic Centre for the highly anticipated 2025 College Swimming Carnival. The event was filled with excitement, energy, and an incredible display of school spirit as students from all year groups competed and cheered in a celebration of involvement and unity.

This year’s carnival was driven by the enthusiasm of our Year 12 students, who led by example, ensuring participation was at an all-time high. Their leadership and commitment to fostering a sense of community were truly commendable. Equally impressive was the energy and eagerness of our Year 7 students, who embraced the Patrician spirit and dived into their first College sporting carnival with enthusiasm and determination.

A special mention must go to our four House Captains, whose leadership played a crucial role in rallying their houses throughout the day. Their dedication and encouragement ensured that every student, whether in the pool or cheering from the stands, felt included and motivated to give their best.

From thrilling races to fun novelty events, the carnival was a perfect mix of competition and fun. House spirit was on full display in the ‘Battle of the Houses’ War Cry competition, where each house gave their all to lift the roof and cheer for their colours.

Congratulations to all the staff and students who participated and contributed to the day’s success. The 2025 College Swimming Carnival was a testament to the pride, camaraderie, and communal excellence that define Patrician Brothers' College. We look forward to seeing this spirit continue in future events throughout the year.

Joseph Tramontana
Internal Sports Leader

Years 5 and 6 Soccer Day

Enrol Now - Year 7 2026