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Sydney Catholic Schools

Breaking barriers: Liam’s path to success with the CEF

For Liam*, completing high school was more than an academic milestone; it was a victory against overwhelming odds.

Thanks to the support of the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF), Liam was able to rise above personal challenges and thrive at Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield.

Liam’s story began with upheaval. Before starting high school, he and his younger brother returned to Sydney from Cairns after experiencing domestic violence at home.

Their grandmother stepped in, providing a safe haven, taking on the financial strain of their education, and delaying her retirement. Despite his grandmother’s dedication, the mounting costs of school fees and the emotional toll of family difficulties became too much to bear.

In 2021, Liam’s wellbeing coordinator, Mrs D’Amico, stepped in to help. Recognising the family’s challenges, she introduced them to the CEF, which provided a bursary that lifted the financial burden and allowed him to remain at Patrician Brothers’ College.

“The CEF and Mrs D’Amico’s support made all the difference,” Liam said. “It eased the pressure on my grandmother and let me focus on my education instead of worrying about how we’d manage.”

The CEF’s assistance extended far beyond finances. With the stability it offered, Liam embraced opportunities for personal and academic growth. Leadership roles such as becoming a Senior Prefect, helped him develop resilience, confidence, and a strong sense of responsibility.

“These experiences shaped me,” Liam shared. “They pushed me to be a better version of myself and taught me the importance of perseverance.”

Liam also credits his Catholic education for reinforcing values like respect, integrity, and faith. …

December 23, 2024|
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Pat’s break 30-year Grand Final drought in NRL Schoolboy Cup

Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield pulled off a fairytale ending in the Peter Mulholland Cup (NSW/VIC/ACT) competition, defeating The Hills Sports High 20-16 in Wednesday’s grand final.

Their army of fans included an elated Tony Farley, the Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools.

Patrician Brothers' Fairfield celebrate their NRL Schoolboy Cup win Pat’s players celebrate their win. Photo: Suresh Prasad

“Down 16-0 early in the second half, the Pats team put on a guts and glory display that saw them surge home with minutes to go and win the title against the toughest of teams,” Mr Farley said.

“It was great to be there and congratulations to the legendary Pat’s team, their coaching staff and supporters who made it such a memorable day.”

“What an epic comeback from the Patrician Brothers Fairfield team!” – Tony Farley 

Long road to victory

Pat’s last won the premiership trophy in 1992, defeating Harristown State High School Toowoomba by just one point, entering the 2022 Peter Mulholland Cup (NSW/VIC/ACT) grand final fresh off the back of a nail-biting 19-18 win against their Fairfield archfoe Westfield Sports High School.

Fans cheer on the players during the 2022 Peter Mulholland Cup Grand Final at Leichhardt OvalThey scored all of their tries in the second half of the grand final to pull off a dramatic, emotional victory against The Hills Sports High School. 

“All year we have been the underdogs, [coming] into the grand final as the one percenters,” remarked Player of the Match, Patrician Brothers’ second-row lock Joshua Alhazim.

“Without God’s blessing and the opportunity of attending such a great school we wouldn’t have won.” 

“Everything we have done over the last two years has …

September 1, 2022|
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Adding fun and opportunities to primary Maths

A challenge program at Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield is giving gifted Mathematics primary school students a chance to expand their problem-solving and number skills.

It is the second year that the college has run its Maths Challenge. 

Sixteen students from the following three College feeder primary schools took part in the 2022 program: 

Sydney Catholic Schools students work on a maths problem together

“The purpose of the program is to both excite and challenge the students’ knowledge about what it means to apply and use mathematics,” said Patrician Brothers’ Mathematics teacher and program facilitator, Peter Pham.

He said the challenge was designed to meet a need for extension opportunities in the primary school setting.

“It extends the students who have demonstrated the capacity to work up to three years ahead of their peers,” Mr Pham said.

“Rather than it being something tedious and repetitive, we wanted to show students that you can apply Mathematics to different situations” – Peter Pham

About the Maths Challenge

A Sydney Catholic Schools student learning maths in class

The Thursday sessions include a teaser question for the primary students, which is followed up with a problem for them to solve covering topics such as algebra, measurement, area, perimeter, indices, probability, and data analysis and evaluation.

“I give them time to attempt to solve the question themselves before providing guidance and going through solutions,” Mr Pham said.

“We want to develop a culture where …

July 21, 2022|
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Howzat?: New cricket facilities unveiled

Students at Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield can further hone their cricket skills thanks to eight newly refurbished batting nets.

The cricket facility was officially opened on Friday, February 18, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Tony Farley, Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, and Fairfield state MP, Guy Zangari.

The upgrade was made possible through two rounds of funding from the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership program.

Located alongside the College’s green fields and basketball courts, the cricket nets will be a major boost to the College’s students, who will enjoy regular use of the facility during PDHPE lessons and cricket training.

Peter Wade, Principal at Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield, said the new facility was the culmination of plenty of hard work from a collection of key people. 

“I would like to thank Tony Farley and Sydney Catholic Schools for their contribution to the project, as well as Guy Zangari for his ongoing support of the College,” Mr Wade said.

“A special mention also to Kerry Logue, the College’s Business Manager, and Craig Wasson, who is responsible for the College’s grounds and maintenance, for their assistance in bringing the facility to life.”

Mr Wade said the students at the College are now eyeing off what promises to be an exciting year of cricket. 

“We are looking forward to Sydney Catholic Schools’ competitive cricket season in Term 4 and we are confident that our College cricket teams will benefit greatly from the new facilities” – Peter Wade

“We are proud of all our sportsmen and always enjoy seeing them go on to greater things – perhaps our new facility will assist cricketing Patrician men in their progress to represent NSW or …

February 25, 2022|
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Revealed: HSC First in Course awards

Six students from Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) have received HSC First in Course honours in a year like no other.

Remarkably, in the Construction Examination Aquinas Catholic College Menai Year 12 graduates Oliver Wells and Brock Wilson, together with Clancy Catholic College West Hoxton’s Tony Khattar, topped the course in a three-way tie.  

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College Kensington student Diana Vlahos topped Biology, Bethany College Hurstville student Corina Choy topped Mathematics Standard 1, and Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield student Brent Macaraeg topped Italian Beginners. 

Two SCS students who studied external courses to their school also placed first in the state: Bethany Catholic College Hurstville student Jovanka Lim in Indonesian and Literature, and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College Kensington student Christina Solyom in Hungarian Continuers.

The awards place the students among NSW’s top achievers from the 76,399 students who sat one or more HSC courses this year. 

The students were today acknowledged in an online ceremony by Sarah Mitchell, Minister for Education and Early Learning. 

LEADERS OF THE PACK

It was a case of three of a kind in the Construction Examination, with Aquinas students Oliver Wells and Brock Wilson sharing first place with Clancy’s Tony Khattar.

The trio said it was an unexpected honour but one that they all worked extremely hard to achieve. 

“Receiving first in the course is a surreal feeling; it’s very fulfilling to see such a great result for the years of work” – Oliver Wells

“It’s an extremely proud achievement and being rewarded with this accolade for my hard work and commitment to my studies is very rewarding,” Brock said. 

“I can’t wait to see the opportunities and pathways this achievement may help to open.”

“The fact …

January 19, 2022|
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NRL Schoolboy Cup: Patrician Brothers defeat Holy Cross

In front of a crowd of over 1,000 students and fans, Patrician Brothers Fairfield defeated Holy Cross College 20-18 at Holy Cross campus in Round 2 of the NRL Schoolboy Cup.

Fans were revved up for the clash as Holy Cross celebrated their 40th anniversary of lifting the Schoolboy Cup off, you guessed it, Patrician Brothers Fairfield.

“Those last minutes, we knew we could do it” – Pats’ captain, Joshua Alhazim

The Sydney Catholic Schools’ derby was decided in the dying embers of the match with a gritty try to Pats’ captain Joshua Alhazim, reaping some revenge for their ‘Old Boys’ from 1981.

It was the away side that came out strongest, with Sam Samani exposing Holy Cross’ right wing, going over for two tries in quick succession.

Holy Cross hit back through debutant Cooper Wheelhouse who forced his way over the line after a powerful run by Will Carrol.

Again though, Pats’ would expose the right wing. This time Corey Akers dummied a pass before diving over the line and, with Taj’h Colquhuon converting, they were 14-6 up.

The home team managed to score and convert another try as Ati Teaupa crossed over to have Holy Cross only two down at the break.

It seemed that try gave Holy Cross confidence with captain Jaxson Rahme next to score and put the home team in front for the first time in the match with a converted try, 18-14.

But the drama was just getting started as both teams saw their no.7s sin-binned for the final 10 minutes of the game.

Pats’ captain Alhazim was the hero, crashing over the line to make it 18-18 before a cool headed Colquhuon converted for the win, 20-18.

“Those last minutes, we knew we could do it,” Alhazim said.

“It was a grind, we kept talking and we worked …

May 28, 2021|
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Band brings hope

Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield has brought the sound of music to a small town in Northern Italy via a video performance.  

The idea came about after School Bands Australia’s executive manager, Laura Demicelli, heard of a competition to sing or play Albizzate’s town song,Gente di Albizzate.

Mrs Demicelli had attended a school in Albizzate, a town in Northern Italy, and wanted to send the message to her childhood neighbours that “Music is more contagious than the virus” and “Together (even far away) we will make it.”

She thought it would help raise their spirits during the COVID-19 crisis.

So she approached Patrician Brothers, a school with which School Bands Australia already had an affiliation, and a band was formed from students in the school’s music program who performed the song.

WATCH THE PERFORMANCE

THE COLLEGE CONCERT BAND

Patrician Brothers’ College’s music program provides Year 7 boys with an instrument each for a term to help encourage their participation in the College’s Beginners, Intermediate and Concert bands.

“To see boys taking an instrument home and to fall in love with it, gives me great satisfaction,” Principal Peter Wade said.

“In just two short years we have developed a culture where it is ‘cool’ to be a member of the College Concert Band” – Peter Wade

The music program is coordinated by the high school’s director of Music, Adam Lockwood, and supported by School Bands Australia’s executive director, Martin Davison, and a number of roving musicians who provide in-class tuition to the more advanced students.

“The concert band program has breathed new life into our college,” Mr Wade said.

“The opportunity for boys to find their passion in …

February 23, 2021|
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Bold new agenda

A school once famous for breeding some of the greatest football stars has put the focus back on excelling in rugby league.

After a slow start at the turn of the century Andrew Neaves and Steve Nikolovski, two teachers at Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield, decided it was time to wind the clock back.

“Six years ago Steve and I made an effort to bring back the pride in that ‘blue and blue’ jersey and we’ve had some massive success in doing so,” said Mr Neaves.

“The boys that have come through this period have been outstanding young men and they’ve really helped with the (Patrician Brothers’ rugby league) program.”

Mr Neaves says the program has become a big drawcard for parents.

“There’s no two ways about it, the amount of boys that are here for sport and the success that has come off that is definitely a draw card,” he said.

“There’s boys all over the place that want to come in – not just (for) rugby league, but soccer and basketball also.

“Sport really brings the community and college together.”

School snags big name in coaching

The school’s latest coaching acquisition is Australian-born Samoan former NRL star Frank Pritchard, also known by the nicknames of Cranky and Frank the Tank.

“With the addition of Frank Pritchard at the college, we’ve brought in that NRL expertise and it’s doing wonders for the boys not only on the field but also off it, giving them some good life lessons,” said Mr Neaves.

“The work Frank is doing, not just on the field but also the work he’s doing with learning support and the indigenous population here, really adds something to the program that has probably lacked in the last few years.”

Stars of tomorrow

Currently contracted to the Parramatta Eels S.G. Ball team, Year 12 student Larry Muagututia …

October 23, 2020|
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