We carry on the legacy of the Brothers who went before us by not only “giving to the poor in handfuls” (Blessed Edmund Rice), but by educating for liberation so that all members of our community may use their knowledge, influence and opportunity to improve the lives of others.
Through living the EREA Touchstones, St Patrick’s College liberates the whole person and educates for resilient and spirited men who are challenged to serve.
Service and justice at St Patrick’s College, Strathfield take on many forms in the areas of Awareness, Action and Advocacy. Our Curriculum is infused with opportunities to educate for justice and peace, and our Co-curriculum allows for this to grow more deeply. We also run programs of service and action for all students and staff at the College, including Shining Our Light (SOL) Service for Years 5 to 10. There is an invitation for justice to be lived and acted upon across the whole community from students to staff to parents and Old Boys.
As a community we raise funds for various partners of the College, most notably during Lent, and we make appeals including the Winter Appeal and Christmas Appeal donating goods for those in need. Each year group is also connected to a particular Justice Partner with whom they work and support during the year.
The College offers two Immersion experiences to older students:
- St Joseph’s Flexible Learning, Alice Springs
- Edmund Rice Life Training Centre, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea
All Year 11 students take part in the Social Justice Service Program, allowing them to work with and for those who live on the margins.
We commit ourselves to various initiatives and actions throughout the year, including Reconciliation Week and Refugee Week, we draw attention to the need for climate justice and gender equality, and we take up the cause for matters that come to light. We work with various organisations to assist them in their work, including St Vincent de Paul Night Patrol, the House of Welcome and the Exodus Foundation.
With a commitment to all that is just and full of love and compassion, the College is particularly dedicated to the following three areas: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Recognition and Reconciliation, the plight of Refugees in our world, and genuine sustainability and stewardship for all of God’s creation.
Along with the College Captain and Vice Captains we have two dedicated roles on the Prefect Body in this area – the Social Justice Prefect and the Sustainability Prefect.
parents shining our light (sol)
Our parent social justice group is Parents Shining Our Light who connect with the College’s Justice Partners and help raise awareness of justice issues. Their role is to advocate and support the College in promoting our Edmund Rice charism of ‘giving to the poor handfuls’. You can find the Terms of Reference here. All parents and friends are welcome to join the committee and/or participate in their initiatives.
Lenten observance
Each Lenten Season we are called to Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. To guide us in fasting from many luxuries in the modern world we offer you this Carbon Fast for each day in Lent which may support your efforts to show devotion to God and all he created – SPC Lenten Carbon Fast 2022 Plastic & Waste Free.