In 2025 our College theme has been, ‘Resolve to be good today, but better tomorrow’ inspired by the words of the foundress of the Mercy Sisters, Catherine McAuley. If we can then contemplate the foundresses of Padua , Sr Sebastian Whyte and Sr Bernard Whyte, 127 years ago planning the original Mercy Convent School, and we can appreciate that those amazing women poured out their love in so many actions to build a school from the ground up. We can that they certainly, each day, must have lived by this motto. There work continues today at Padua College the largest Co-educational Catholic High School in the Arch-Diocese of Melbourne, a vibrant and faith filled community that welcomes and embraces all.
As we come to the conclusion of the year it is time to recognise and thank many who have contributed to our successes this year.
To our students, well done on all you have achieved, in aspiring towards your own North Star, being the best, you can be to make a positive change in our world. Well-done of course to all the students who received awards at our end year assemblies!
Thanks also to our amazing staff, with many initiatives and developments in our curriculum thanks, to Andrew Ferguson and Chris Ryan Assistant Heads of Campus, Learning & Pedagogy, for all their efforts. This extends to the work done by our Aspire9 Team led by Ms Emma O’Dowd and Ms Lauren Ori offering so many opportunities for our Year 9 students to grow and learn.
I would also like to acknowledge the work of the many teams that ensured the support of our students during the year; the Learning Enhancement team led by Virginnia Dunwoodie and Bronwyn Keane, Careers and Pathway team, Maintenance Team, and the Well-being team and Student Administration, particularly, Cathy Denvir, Nikki Robertson, Anna McShane and Caroline Leaver.
As our students navigate their adolescent years, it is a great comfort to know that the pastoral care provided to our young people continues to be exemplary. Our House system ensures each student is known, I wish to thank and acknowledge our House Coordinator team which is led by Rebecca Haas and Jodie Williams as Assistant Heads of Campus – Student Wellbeing and Growth, and then comprised of Kate de Lacy, Sean Egan, Kate Swift, Barry Howle, Matthew Price, Anne Marie Furness, Josie Luppino and Josh Probyn Smith.
To our Year 9 group I wish you well as you move into the new Year 10-12 Campus, your enthusiasm and spirit has made Padua College and particularly the 7-9 Campus in the Coolock and Village a better place…thank you!
I wish all in the Padua Community a happy and Holy Christmas and we look forward to a year of success and achievement in 2026!
Wishing you continued blessing,
God Bless.
