St Patrick's College, Strathfield

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Singie (talk | contribs) at 10:35, 19 March 2006. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

St Patrick's College is an all boys Catholic school, in Strathfield, New South Wales, Australia. It is located in Sydney's inner-west and offers education from years 5 through to 12.

St Patrick's College, Strathfield
St Patrick's College Crest
St Patrick's College Crest
Motto Luceat Lux Vestra
"Let your light shine"
Established 1928
Type Independent Catholic School
Headmaster Graeme Smollett
Chairman of the College Board Peter Tilbrook
Location Strathfield NSW, Australia
Students Around 1400 (2005)
School Colours Blue, Black & Gold
Campus Strathfield, Sydney
Homepage http://www.spc.nsw.edu.au

The school was established in 1928 by the Christian Brothers for youth in Sydney and to provide teaching experience for student Brothers. It began with 39 boys and today has 1400 students. The headquarters of the Brothers province was located behind the college ovals and today is the Strathfield campus of Australian Catholic University. Each year the McDonald Scholarship is awarded to a year 12 student planning on studying teaching at the campus. The 2006 recipients of this scholarship are Andrew Evans and Matthew Sidoti

History

From the outset it provided a wide curriculum that included the sciences, music, art, drama, woodwork and technical drawing. It began with two science laboratories and now there are seven. Acquisition of land during the depression of the early thirties provided the College with a top class sportsfield for cricket, rugby and athletics. A Gymnasium, swimming pool, practice wickets and four additional sports fields supply further facilities.

The school has two libraries for juniors and seniors, the latter carrying books and films and an extensive archives. Both have modern computer facilities. What began as a single building in 1928 has now grown to more than ten with an administration centre employing ten people. Eight rooms have become more than fifty. In 1960 a school chapel was erected accommodating 250 people. The College Honour Boards list the names of fifty ex-student priests or Christian Brothers and of men who have attained distinction in professional fields or public life.

The motto of the College is "Luceat Lux Vestra", latin for "Let your Light Shine". The present headmaster is Mr Grahame Smollett and the deputy headmaster is Mr Michael Robson.

The school is currently one of the best performing all-boys Catholic school in Sydney academically and contiunes to dominate the Independent Schools Association sporting competitions. For instance, the school's First XI and Second XI cricket team won the 2005/2006 cricket competitions and the tennis teams have successfully retained the tennis shield for over ten years.

File:Aerialf3.jpg
An aerial view of the school grounds

Buildings

The buildings (eg the Hanrahan Building) and facilities (the Dean Gymnasium) are named after the following, all of whom taught at the College.

  • Brother Michael Benignus Hanrahan, M.A. (1877 - 1953)
  • Brother John Vincent Coghlan (1894 - 1987)
  • Brother Patrick Ignatius Hickey (1863 - 1927)
  • Brother James Gerald Hodda, B.A., B.Sc. (1917 - 1998)
  • Brother Graham Eric Raymer (1926 - 1953)
  • Brother John P Rewi Crichton, M.B.E. (1894 - 1985)
  • Brother James A McGlade, O.B.E., B.A., M.A.C.E. (1914 - )
  • Mr Anthony E Good (1918 - 1998)
  • Brother Patrick Finian Markwell, B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed. (1923 - 1985)
  • Mr T E Healey, B.A. (Q'land) (1907 - 1999)
  • Brother Bruce C Dean (1924 - 1999)
  • Brother Patrick Leo Duffy (1902 - 1979)
  • Brother Bernard Mark Dynes (1916 - 1989)

Notable Old Boys

See also