Focus Newsletter - Term 2 Issue 3 - 2025

Acting Principal Leader

Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students,

Next weekend is Pentecost Sunday, where the Church celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, who tradition says had been gathered in a room, almost certainly still processing their thoughts and emotions only weeks after the tumultuous events of Holy Week and the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. In what is often described as the birthday of the Church, the Holy Spirit inspired the apostles with gifts of courage and wisdom that they would need to navigate the challenges of sharing the Good News in what was a dangerous and challenging time in terms of religious, political and cultural pressures.

Few if any of us will ever face the same challenges and fears that the apostles must have experienced in the months and years that followed. Our faith is tested in different ways, less dramatic but possibly more insidious. In a modern world that sometimes seems to be driven by social media, economic rationalism, political correctness, and the 24-hour news cycle, it is all too easy for us to forget the human connections and Gospel values that Jesus lived and shared. As we hear in the Eucharistic Prayer – may the Spirit come to all of us “like the dewfall”, in ways that are quiet, mysterious and unseen, so that our belief may become stronger, even in difficult and confusing times.

Reconciliation Week Breakfast
Last week we hosted the 2025 Reconciliation Week Breakfast event organised by the RAP Team from CSPD. While this was not a school event as such, we were strongly represented by Liam Robertson and Brayden Hughes of Year 12, who shared MC duties and conducted a panel interview with the two special guests, a group of our senior students who performed a series of cultural dances, and about 70 students and family members who made up a significant section of the audience.

This event was a gesture of the strong commitment of CSPD and Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown to our local indigenous families, which has been further highlighted in several initiatives that have been announced by CSPD in relation to increased access for indigenous students to our school system.

Literacy
At school level – I would like to take this opportunity to commend the work of Mr Heath Borg, our Assistant Principal for Learning and Teaching, in developing and implementing a Writing for Purpose project across the school in the first two terms of this year. We are all acutely aware of the importance of upskilling our students in literacy skills to maximise their employment options when they leave school, and Mr Borg has been working on a number of fronts to ensure that every student in our school is working hard to improve their quantity and quality of writing. This project allows for variations across subjects, where the purpose and application of writing can be vastly different. For our junior students the initial focus has been on maintaining neat and organised workbooks for every subject, with clear evidence of writing that displays critical thinking rather than simple note-taking. Further steps in the project will roll out in coming terms and then into 2026.  For our senior students, we are focusing on developing their capacity to produce extended responses to examination and assessment questions where specific information and connections are required by HSC curriculums.

Our Instructional Leaders, Mr Clarkstone and Mrs Bicanic, our Leaders of Learning, and all teachers are working hard with our students on this project and we are confident that parents will share and support our determination to deliver the best possible learning and literacy outcomes for our students.

Brian Edmonds
Acting Principal

Patties Old Boy Feature

Last week we were honored to welcome back one of our former students from the very early days of Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown, Stephan Wellink.

Stephan had contacted our office with a very generous offer to donate several items of memorabilia, including his premiership blazer from the Under 15 MCS Rugby League team in 1969. He also donated copies of a book he had recently co-written titled “The Natural” which is a biography of the former Wallaby and Kangaroo dual-international and Parramatta Eels legend Richard “Dick” Thornett, 

Stephan’s life since leaving Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown has included several interesting and successful chapters. Stephan Wellink is a writer, producer and director whose award-winning documentaries have screened at film festivals, on television and subscription streaming services in many parts of the world. His documentaries included the stories of Rod Taylor: Pulling No Punches (2016), Jerry Lewis: The Man Behind the Clown (2016), Sam Spiegel: Conquering Hollywood (2018), Pushing the Boundaries: The Mavis Bramston Show (2022) and The Sculpture (2023). Currently in post-production is TYCHO Beyond the Baton about Maestro Tommy Tycho AM MBE.

His biography of Richard ‘Dick’ Thornett, which was recently launched at Parramatta Leagues Club to an audience including Eels legends Steve Ella, Michael Cronin, Peter Wynn, Denis Fitzgerald, Bob O'Reilly, Eric Grothe and Kevin Junee from the Roosters.

In a previous life, Stephan was a dedicated and talented scientist, applying his knowledge of biotechnology, innovation systems and technology transfer at the CSIRO and then as the Director of Research and Innovation at the University of Technology, Sydney.

Stephan was very excited to take a tour of the 2025 Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown site and related several warm anecdotes of his time at school as we walked the campus and imagined where buildings and play areas were situated in past years. He paid special attention to the honour boards in the Hall listing past College Duxes, Captains and Sportsmen of the Year, and of course, the images and names of Patrician Brothers who had led the College over the decades since he was a student. This was a fascinating walk through the “Passing parade” of our College and we will take great pride in adding his premiership blazer to our growing archival display.

Brian Edmonds and Heath Borg

Acting Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care

We have had an eventful last two weeks with the CSPD Reconciliation Breakfast, NRL Schoolboy Cup game, Year 7 Zoo Excursion and many more events. I would like to thank all the staff and students involved in all these exciting activities.

Attendance
A continued 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.

Leaving Early Procedures
If your son needs to leave school early on any particular day, parents or carers need to write a note in their son’s diary indicating the reason for early sign-out from school and the exact time of departure. This note must be shown to the relevant Student Formation Leader who will co-sign the note to give approval. If there is no note and/or it has not been approved by the SFL, the student administration office staff will not allow the student to leave school. The only exception to this procedure will be students whose parents have been contacted by the office staff for other reasons, such as illness or injury.

Great Feast of Pentecost
Finally, this Sunday, we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost. Fifty days after Easter, Pentecost marks the moment the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, transforming a group of frightened individuals into bold messengers of the Gospel. Filled with courage and clarity, they went out to share the good news of Christ with the world. Pentecost invites us to reflect on the gifts of the Spirit - wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence, and wonder. These are the gifts we seek to nurture in our students, our staff, and ourselves. In the busyness of school life, Pentecost reminds us to pause, breathe, and listen to the Spirit guiding us in both small decisions and great ones.

As we conclude the Easter season, may the Spirit of Pentecost renew our hearts and inspire us to continue our mission: to be a faith-filled, inclusive, and hope-driven community.

Victor Hunt
Acting Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care

Assistant Principal - Learning, Teaching and Innovation

A short reflection
In life, at a bare minimum, the standards we hold ourselves to should complement the standards that our community expects of us. As individuals, when we exceed both personal and community expectations, we can expect to experience personal growth, a more connected community, and a culture of support in the pursuit of excellence. In the search for growth and improvement, there is always a beginning and, ultimately, an end goal, with many individual milestones along the way.

An end goal or destination is critical when setting goals. However, philosophically, the individual milestones along the way can be considered even more important, as their achievement allows individuals and communities to experience success throughout the journey. These successes build skills and fuel the desire for further achievement, ultimately contributing to a cyclical culture of success in reaching set goals.

On a separate note; It has been a privilege visiting classrooms over the past four weeks and witnessing the students engaged in our Writing for Purpose Literacy strategy. Keep up the great work boys.

God bless.

Heath Borg
Assistant Principal
Learning, Teaching and Innovation

Religious Education and Mission

Thursday Morning Masses
It has been uplifting to see so many of our students and staff, and even some parents, at our Thursday morning Masses this term.  Each week one of our Year Groups takes on the ministry of proclaiming the Word by reading the First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, and Prayers of the Faithful. Last Thursday it was our Year 11 students that led in ministry, and it was great to see many of their peers join them for Mass.  Mass begins in the Chapel at 8:15am every Thursday morning.  All staff, students, parents, and carers are welcome: parents and carers are asked to sign in at the Reception Office before coming down for Mass.

Religious Education Update
This year we have been introducing the new Parramatta Diocese Catholic Studies curriculum in Years 7-10, which is called Encountering Jesus. We have been proud of our students’ commitment to their studies, and especially to the increased focus on writing for purpose.  Our students in Years 7 and 8 explored belonging and identity in Term 1 through their study of Saint Patrick, Bishop Daniel Delany, and the Sacraments of Initiation.  This term, their focus has been on Christian ethics and moral decision-making. Our students in Years 9 and 10 focused on the interpretation of scripture and its application to our own lives in Term 1, and this term they have been studying the nature and origins of good and evil.

All students are reminded that they need their Catholic Studies workbook and stationery for every lesson, and that they should be recording their class notes and learning activities neatly, beginning with clear underlined headings and the date at the start of each new learning activity. Parents and carers are encouraged to check their son’s workbook regularly to see their progress.  Organised bookwork helps students to study for assessment, and leads to more effective learning.  Please reach out to your son’s Catholic Studies teacher, or myself, if you have any questions or concerns.

Anthony Pope
Acting Leader of Learning - Religious Education 

Dean of Knowledge Management and Analytics

Year 10 Assessment Block
On Tuesday 10 June, Year 10 will start their Assessment Block. This is a chance for each student to demonstrate what they have learnt this semester. The timetable for the Assessments Block is on Compass, in the Year 10 folder under School Documents. If your son is unable to attend an assessment, they will be required to complete an Illness/Misadventure Form and attach the supporting evidence. The assessment that was missed will be completed on their return to school. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.


Mark Robinson
Dean of Knowledge Management and Analytics

Pathways and Partnership Update

Chatter DOES Matter – UNSW Gateway Workshop Inspires Year 12 Futures 
Last week, Year 12 students participated in the UNSW Gateway Chatter That Matters workshop. Students explored their values, strengths and post-school aspirations through thought-provoking conversations and reflective activities. Guided by UNSW Gateway ambassadors, students tackled big questions like “Would you rather be liked or respected?”—a great starting point for further conversations at home. 

The workshop also introduced students to the UNSW Year 12 Gateway Program and Gateway Admission Pathway. Through registering for the UNSW Gateway online program, Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown students can access free HSC support, tutoring, and instant access to the HSC4ME app - featuring practice exams, study notes, videos, and more, all developed by senior teachers and HSC markers. As a UNSW Gateway partner school, Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown students are eligible to apply for early admission through the Gateway Admission Pathway, with reduced ATAR requirements and tailored application timelines.

Applications are now open.

To learn more, visit: UNSW Gateway | Early Admission Pathway | UNSW Sydney

What’s Next? 
Students who could not attend the workshops can still register for the Gateway Program via the UNSW Gateway website.

Once students have registered, they can log-in to the OpenLearning website where they:  

• will have full access to all our free online resources
• can register for our on-campus days

Important Upcoming Dates :
Learn about the Year 12 Gateway Program and how it will work for you. 

• OpenLearning site launches: 5 May 2025
• Gateway Online Program: 23 – 26 June 2025
• On-campus Days: School holidays, 9 – 10 July 2025

Marie Lane
Pathways and Partnerships Leader

Resource Centre Update

Chess Tournament
The prestigious and highly competitive Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown 2025 Chess Tournament is drawing to a close, with the top 8 officially decided in games last week.

The matches for the top 8 were as follows;

Mathias (Tasi) Faamausili (Year 7) vs Jeremy Espinas (Year 11)
Alby Bento (Year 11) vs Corey Rasmussen (Year 9)
Adhrit Anjay (Year 8) vs Osborn Chen (Year 8)
Naman Rawat (Year 7) vs Alex Thuaux (Year 8)

 I would like to extend a big thank you to all the students who have participated in the tournament this year. The level of sportsmanship displayed during games has been wonderful and the amount of support from students, both in and out of the competition, has been admirable.

Once determined, the Top 2 will move on to our championship round. The date of the championship games is yet to be determined, so students are asked to keep an eye out for notifications on Compass.

HSC Study Help at Blacktown Library
Blacktown Library is offering a range of HSC Study Lectures to all Year 12 students in mid to late June and mid-September.

Lectures are $10 per person and limited spots are available so you need to book in advance.

During these lectures you can learn study strategies, exam tips and more from experienced HSC teachers, markers, textbook authors and study skill experts.

The following lectures and courses are available;

Wednesday June 11th  5:30-7:30pm HSC Biology Revision Lecture
Tuesday June 17th  5:30-7:30pm Mathematics Standard 2: A guide to the examination
Monday June 23rd  5:30-7:30pm HSC English Essay writing skills lecture
Tuesday June 24th  5:30-7:30pm HSC Business Studies Lecture
Monday June 30th  5:30-7:30pm HSC English Paper 1: Texts and Human Experiences - Standard and Advanced

Along with lectures, in late Term 3, mental health sessions will also be available for FREE. These sessions will cover the mental health spectrum, explore what stress is, provide tips for managing stress, and introduce Headspace programs and support resources.

Tuesday September 9th  4:30-6:00pm HSC Street Management session at Blacktown Library
Thursday September 18th  4:30-6:00pm HSC Street Management session at Our Library, The Mount Druitt Hub

 And finally, Blacktown Library is also offering FREE study sessions on the following dates. These study sessions do not need to be booked in advance like the rest of the lectures.

 Tuesday September 23rd  4:30-7:00pm
Tuesday September 30th  4:30-7:00pm

For more information about any of the above sessions or to book your spot at a lecture you can visit

https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au//Services/Blacktown-City-Libraries/Whats-On/HSC-Study-Help

Or call Blacktown Library on 9839 6620

Beth Head
Senior School Assistant - Resource Centre

Debating

Catholic Schools Debating Association Debating - 2025

The ability to discuss and debate ideas is important to a healthy society where ideas can flourish. Debating is all about communication - whether that’s speaking in an emphatic and convincing manner, or listening to the opposition's arguments to develop counter-arguments. It requires creative and critical thinking to come up with arguments on topics that you may not necessarily agree with. It’s about team work and supporting each other.

All of these skills were developed through the 2025 Debating competition.

The College has a proud tradition and reputation within the CSDA competition and 2025 was no different. The debating competition consisted of 6 round debates that took place on Wednesday nights, where we hosted or travelled to different schools to debate. There are over 70 schools who participates in the debating competition from all over metropolitan Sydney and to make it through to the elimination rounds is extremely challenging; a team is required to win at least 5 of the 6 debates.

We had a successful season, however, we did not have any teams make it through to the elimination rounds. Special mention this year must go to the Year 7 team, who in their first season (and for many of them first time debating) won 4 out of their 6 debates.

All of the boys who participated in this year's competition represented the College with distinction in the way they approached the debates. Thanks must also go to the boys who volunteered their time to be chairpersons, timekeepers and ushers.

Debating would not happen without the tireless work of the coaches and adjudicators who gave up their lunchtimes to coach and their Wednesday nights to come and support the boys. Special thanks to Mr Pope, Mrs Paton, Miss Lombo, Mr Clarkstone, Ms Grosvenor and Ms Levi. Thank you also to the parents and many staff members who came to support the students each week.

We are looking forward an even better debating season in 2026.

The following students represented the College in debating this year:

Year 7 - Barnabas Hansen, Kushagra Ajay, Abinesh Janarthanan, Taegan Ratnam, Joel Alessi, Cody Huriwaka Woods

Year 8 - Jay Pandya, Angadbir Singh Brar, Zeshan Khokhar, Marcus De Villa

Year 9 - Abhinav Jose, Tanvir Saini, Charan Datla, Sri Ram Tati

Year 10 - Jordan Laidlaw, Tavin Suresh, Danesh Udachi, Aarya Jhally, Sammerjot Singh

Year 11 - Dominic Gallagher, Aaran Srimuragathas, Anav Gujral, Jeziah Fauula-Vaa Nathan Senpin, Alby Bento, Vishnu Ajith, Uno Bautista, Suliman Wahidi

Year 12 - Jay Vora, George Tannous, Jason Lotoaniu, Louis Quinsay, Daksh Soni, Daniel Cinya, Rubal Sraw

Debating Helpers  Idhant Vedula (Year 7), Neilratan Ahuja (Year 10), Jainam Patel (Year 10), Corey Rasmussen (Year 9), Nathan D’Souza, Michael Tofu-Tau (Year 11)

Zorica Bicanic
Debating Coordinator

Merit Awards

Sports Report

NRL Schoolboy Cup Report

Round 2

Patrician Brothers' College v Holy Cross Ryde

After a convincing win in Round 1 the team had to wait four weeks for their next match against our fellow Patricians from Holy Cross College, Ryde.

The match commenced with a strong start from our team, as Johannan Ah Kee executed a well-timed dummy half play, allowing Riley Davis to score on the second tackle. Just two minutes later, Asa Visesio crossed the line, leading many spectators to speculate that the match could result in a significant scoreline.

However, as the game progressed, our team made several errors and gave away some ill-disciplined penalties, which allowed Holy Cross tback into the contest. Despite this, Jayden Dabit managed to score our third try, taking us into the half-time break with a score of 16 to 0.

In the second half, Isaiah Wynbergen Titoko added to our tally after impressive lead-up work by Chris Petrus. Holy Cross then responded with two well-executed tries, demonstrating their dominance in possession for a considerable period.

In the final minutes of the match, a skillful offload by Charlie Xuereb set up Riley Davis, who then passed to the speedy Cameron Bamblett, bringing the final score to 28 to 10 in our favour.

Overall, it was a solid performance by our team, and we remain undefeated as we head into our final round match against All Saints from Maitland, scheduled for the 17th of June.

Greg Beacroft
Head of Rugby League

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