Established 1931; 86 years ago School roll 709 (July 2016) Phone +64 4-939 4224 Ministry of education institution number 252 | Ministry of Education Institution no. 252 Socio-economic decile 8 Founded 1931 Rector Gerard Tully | |
Type Integrated Boys Secondary (Years 9-13) (Catholic) Founded by The Society of Mary, NZ. Address 207 Fergusson Dr, Heretaunga, Upper Hutt 5018, New Zealand Motto Sectare Fidem ("Hold Fast to your Faith") Similar Silverstre School, St Patricks College, Upper Hutt College, Silverstre Golf Park, Hutt Internatio Boys' Sch | ||
St Patrick's College is a state-integrated Catholic boys' day and boarding Secondary School located in Silverstream, Upper Hutt, New Zealand. It was established by the Society of Mary (Marists) in 1931 when the original St Patrick's College, Wellington (established 1885) was intended to be moved to a larger site more suited to a boarding school. In fact both Colleges survived and today share not only a common history, motto and spirit but also a good natured rivalry and competition in many endeavours. Silverstreamers refer to the mother school simply as 'Town'.
Contents
- The Marist Tradition
- Demographics
- Notable alumni old Patricians or Silverstreamers
- Academia
- The Arts
- Broadcasting
- Business
- Politics Public service
- Religion
- Science
- Sport
- List of Former Rectors
- References
The Silverstream College, quite often referred to simply by the suburb title or 'stream', is situated in 7 hectares of grounds between the Hutt River and the Silverstream Railway Station close to the suburbs of Silverstream and Heretaunga. As an integrated school, St Patrick's College is funded by the Society of Mary, Catholic Schools Board Limited and the New Zealand Government.
In the 1980s, St Patrick's record was marred by a member of staff being involved in incidents of sexual abuse involving students. Reports of this sexual abuse were allegedly suppressed by the school Marist priests.
At its foundation much of the original College was transferred from the Wellington site including many of the Marist teachers, much of the memorabilia and the College colours. The brother Colleges today share an Old Boys' Association in recognition of their common heritage. School sports teams have enjoyed success in Rugby union, cricket and athletics. Football, hockey and basketball are popular winter sports at the college. Over the years of the College it has evolved from being primarily a boarding school into a largely day school with a small boarding facility. This demographic shift has resulted from several pressures including the huge increase in number of residents in the local area. In more recent years it has been necessary to cap the roll and introduce an enrolment scheme to ensure an equitable educational outcome for all local pupils. The College celebrated its 75th Jubilee in 2006.
St Patrick’s College as a Catholic School bases its educational philosophy on Christian teachings and on the Marist tradition under which the school was founded. In 2012 the St Patrick's College, Silverstream Foundation was established with an inaugural dinner. The Foundation will build a stronger college community where there are many opportunities for Old Boys, staff, parents and friends to become involved in college life.
The Marist Tradition
The Marist heritage incorporates three characteristic features in education. It stresses the uniqueness and value of the individual person, the importance of the Christian community and the involvement of parents and family in the education of students. This concept stems from the Christian principle that each child is unique, invaluable and created by God. All students have positive and special value and the school endeavours to meet their individual needs and develop their special talents. Teachers aim at formation of the total person so that each becomes free and responsible, an integrated human being. By experiencing the respect and genuine concern of the school community students learn to love and respect others.
The school in 2008 officially changed their house group system. There are now four houses in the school instead of the original 6. they consist of Patrick house, Chanel house, Marist house and the Trinity house. Each of these houses represent one corner of the school's crest.
Demographics
At the October 2011 Education Review Office (ERO) review, St Patrick's Silverstream had 712 students enrolled. Sixty-six percent of students identified as New Zealand European (Pākehā), 14 percent identified as Māori, ten percent as Pacific Islanders, five percent as Asian, and five percent as another ethnicity.
St Patrick's Silverstream has a socio-economic decile of 8 (step P), meaning it draws its school community from areas of moderately-high socioeconomic status when compared to other New Zealand schools. The school was recategorised from decile 9 (step Q) in January 2015, as part of the nationwide review of deciles following the 2013 census.
Notable alumni (old Patricians or Silverstreamers)
The college encourages former students to join the St. Patrick's College Old Boys Association (SPCOBA). The Association is based in Wellington and caters for Old Boys of both the Silverstream and Town colleges. Notable Old Silverstreamers include (with years attending the college in parentheses where available):
Academia
The Arts
Broadcasting
Business
Politics & Public service
Religion
Science
Sport
List of Former Rectors
The school Principal of the college is called the Rector. In order to be Rector of St. Patricks College, Silverstream it is a requirement that the person is a Baptised Catholic or a consecrated Marist. Very few New Zealand Catholic schools at this time have a Priest, or Religious Brother or Sister as the leader of their school.