St Patrick’s College, Strathfield, founded in 1928 is a Catholic independent boys school under the care of the Christian Brothers. It caters for boys from Year 5 through to Year 12 and both the Junior and secondary campuses are found on the same site in Strathfield.
Facilities: Well-equipped classrooms, many of which include modern audio-visual facilities, specialist rooms equipped for the sciences, computing in its many forms, design and technology including CAD design, technics and industrial technology, visual arts, music classes, band and individual tuition in instruments. There are two well-stocked libraries for each of the Junior and Secondary schools.
The College has four on-site playing fields, a fully equipped gymnasium with weight and fitness training facilities, a heated swimming pool, tennis courts, cricket nets, a band room, individual music rehearsal and tuition rooms, and a hall.
Electives Years 7 to 10: The usual core subjects are compulsory, including Religious Education, with electives including Italian, French, Careers Education, Design and Technology, Music, Visual Arts, Drama, Commerce, Australian History, Geography, Civic and Citizenship, Information Software Technology, Graphic Technology, and Industrial Technology (Timber).
Electives Years 11 and 12: Core English (all courses), Mathematics (all courses), Studies of Religion (all courses), Economics, Geography, Business Studies, Ancient History, Modern History, Extension History, Legal Studies, French Continuers, Italian Continuers, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Senior Science, Engineering Studies, Design and Technology, Industrial Technology, Software Design and Development, Information Processes and Technology, PD/Health/PE, Drama, Music (all courses), Visual Arts, Photography, Video and Digital Imaging (CEC), Construction (VET), Entertainment (VET), Information Technology (VET). All courses offered are subject to viable student numbers.
Extracurricular activities: All boys are required to participate in some form of sport or extracurricular activity in each year they are enrolled at the College. Offered are rugby union, football, cricket, basketball, tennis, swimming, baseball, softball, cross-country, athletics, debating, public speaking, drama, musical, Mock Trial, band, choir, Tournament of Minds and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
Welfare and personal development: Every member of staff is responsible for and committed to the welfare and development of the boys. This is facilitated by the pastoral care co-ordinator, the Year and home-room teams and through the expert assistance of two fully trained, full-time counsellors and a full-time chaplain. Leadership and self-discipline are fostered through the Peer Support scheme and through six house captains and vice-captains, together with the appointment of the College body of prefects who assist in caring for the welfare of boys at a peer level.
Special features: The College meets special educational needs through its special education department and co-ordinator, who caters for boys in need of a small class and individual remedial tuition. The same unit prepares work on a similar basis for the gifted and talented student. Accelerated progression is also part of the day-to-day curriculum. Enrolment at the College is from birth, with the normal intake in Year 5. The College has extensive waiting lists that extend well into the future. However, places do exist and casual vacancies do become available from time to time.
A number of Crichton scholarships are offered on the recommendation of a parish priest or school principal for boys whose parents are unable to choose St Patrick’s for their son’s education because of financial difficulties. Such scholarships are awarded subject to verification of financial information. McGlade Scholarships are offered for academic excellence to eligible candidates based on appropriate registration and the outcome of an examination.