St Patrick’s College celebrated Edmund Rice Day on Tuesday, 5 May, highlighting the faith, compassion and community that continues to shape life at SPC.

The day began with a whole-school Mass, before students and staff hit the pavement for our annual walkathon, raising funds for our justice partners: Edmund Rice Foundation Australia, Caritas Australia, OnTrack Foundation, and Mirror of Hope CBO.

The festivities continued in the afternoon with a fundraising lunch, House activities and everybody’s favourite talent quest, ‘St Pat’s Got Talent’. 

This year, nine acts—including three-time winner Ryan Cook—entertained the crowd with their musical talents, however it was Year 10 student Oscar Down who took home the trophy with a rendition of My Way, made famous by Frank Sinatra.

Old Collegian and former St Pat’s Got Talent winner Harry Lamb (SPC 2012-2017) — fresh off the set of Australian Idol, where he made the top 10 — shared a special video message to the boys ahead of the competition.

“As an Old Boy, it’s so special to stay connected to the College and I love seeing everything you guys get involved in,” he said.

“A big good luck to all the boys who are getting up for St Pat’s Has Talent today. It’s obviously super nerve wracking but it’s also so much fun and exciting being up on stage so take every moment you can and really make the most of it.”

 

 

Deputy Principal – Community, Mr John Richards, praised the efforts and courage of all boys who took to the stage.

“It takes a great deal of courage to step onto a stage and perform in front of your peers, and everyone who participated should be incredibly proud of themselves,” he said.

“The standard of performances was outstanding, but more importantly, the boys showed confidence, vulnerability and a willingness to put themselves out there. That’s not easy to do, particularly in front of a large audience.”

Acting Principal Dr Michael Carroll said Edmund Rice Day was a powerful reminder of the values that sit at the heart of St Patrick’s College.

“As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, our mission of supporting those at the margins is core to who we are,” he said.

“The various events and activities, commencing with our Mass, were a true celebration of who we are as a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition.

“Our school and hundreds of Edmund Rice schools across the world have a common charism that provides us with the foundation to guide us. The Touchstones of Gospel Spirituality, Liberating Education, Inclusive Community and Justice and Solidarity are the cornerstones by which we enact the Charism of Edmund Rice.”

We look forward to presenting the funds raised from Edmund Rice Day to our justice partners at our Faith in Action Assembly next term.