Our Padua College community is 24/7

Working in a school environment presents many joys and challenges. Unlike with some occupations, the end of the workday is not an end to your work persona. With Padua College the largest Catholic college in the Archdiocese of Melbourne with around 2600 students that equals to a guestimate of close to 10,000 people including all parents/guardians and families at any one moment who will know you and see you across our Mornington Peninsula. The ability to take one mask off, one mask on is not an option!

I am very privileged in my position to experience the rich community of the Paduan Mornington Peninsula, often un-guarded and mostly out of school hours.

Only on a weekend just passed that my wife and I was served by Padua students at a restaurant in Mount Martha on a Friday evening. The very next morning as the sun rose with my beanie and ugg boots on that I was served at a newsagency by an ex-Paduan student who I had taught. The remainder of the day I spent a few hours shoulder to shoulder with dozens of Padua parents as the temperature struggled to hit double digits at the Mornington netball courts.

In both cases with the young people above, they were up for a chat asking what is on for the weekend and how are things going with me and my family. They very much initiated the conversations and on a very mature level.

We have a great community, and we have great young people who are or have been connected to Padua College.

A current showcase of our great young people at Padua College is recently hearing that on a weekend (in her own time) that one of our Mission Captains – Charlee Dornom (Year 11) spent a few hours door knocking around her local Mornington area collecting coats for our Vinnies Winter Appeal. She ended up with 6 bags full. Who says that young people today are self-absorbed and spend all day on technology!

Another example comes from our other Mission Captain - Thomas McInnes (Year 12). Thomas recently won the Mornington Peninsula Shire Youth Recognition Awards, 2025 Youth Leader of The Year. Thomas was awarded this for his leadership roles at school, in the community and for his volunteering roles.

Padua College was very heavily represented in the nominations:

• Thomas McGough - nominated for 'Community Contributor'
• Emily McGough - nominated for 'The Arts' and 'Young Leader'
• Charlee Dornom- nominated for 'Young Leader'

I am also very privileged to be a member of the Padua College School Advisory Council (SAC) – Community Engagement subcommittee. Community members who belong to this, do so off their own back. A want to give back to the Padua community. Some are current parents, some are retired sharing their wisdom and talents.

Just recently members from this SAC subcommittee have been supporting our Vinnies Winter Appeal. Placing notices in our Peninsula Parish bulletins and driving around the Mornington Peninsula in their own time collecting donated items. A first for Padua this year, our celebrated Vinnies Quiz evening hosted by senior students will go ahead in partnership with our Community Engagement subcommittee. Save the date – Friday August 29^th! Always a fun filled evening supporting a great cause.

Did you know that outside the Melbourne CBD that the Mornington Peninsula has the highest level of homelessness?

Being part of the Padua College community is a 24/7 responsibility, and we are very fortunate to have so many committed students, staff and families and strongly connected members all with a want to serve their local community.

Mercy Seeds of Justice Conference experience

I had the recent privilege of attending the Seeds of Justice Student Conference alongside five of my fellow seniors. Held at the Holy Cross Centre in Templestowe on 15–16 May, the experience was both eye-opening and deeply moving. Surrounded by like-minded peers from Mercy Schools across Victoria, we explored the challenges faced by refugees and stateless individuals through powerful firsthand accounts and expert discussions. The theme, Voices of the Displaced: Journeys of Hope and Justice, resonated deeply, reminding us of the urgency of advocacy and meaningful action. While the conversations were extremely thought-provoking, the conference also brought us together; we shared laughter, built connections, and strengthened our commitment to social justice. I left feeling inspired and grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an impactful event. Lastly, a special thank you to Ms. Mo and Ms. Modd for making this experience so exciting for all of us.

Abby Richards, Year 11 Mercy

Student Photo Permissions

At times, photographs or videos of our students will be published in newsletters, on the school intranet or website, or in our social media. Copies of our Standard Collection Notice and Privacy Policy are available on the College website in the Enrolments section of our Policies page. Please note that consent to use these images in this way, if provided at enrolment, may be withdrawn at any time by contacting our marketing team via email: marketing@padua.vic.edu.au .