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Enjoying tradie life, third year plumbing apprentice and St Pat’s Old Scholar (Class of ’20), Chad Davis is embracing his plumbing career.

“I absolutely love everything about my trade – meeting new clients, being able to assist them when in need, and being the best I can.”

“My week will consist of unblocking drains, installing hot water systems, diagnosing all plumbing related problems and then fixing them.”

Employed by local family owned and operated business Playford Plumbing and Gas, Chad undertook several work experience placements with the business before securing his apprenticeship.

“During work experience at St Pat’s, I had opportunities to try a range of different trades and find a trade that was fitting to me,” Chad said.

“I commenced at the college as a construction student, but because of the flexibility of the curriculum, I was able to try a range of trades and found that plumbing was what I wanted to do as a career.

“After gaining my apprenticeship, finishing Year 12 was still important to me and having the ongoing support of all my teachers. Commencing as a school-based apprentice meant I was able to still complete my Year 12 (SACE) studies.”

The College’s apprenticeship and traineeship manager, Alicea Sherin, says school-based apprenticeships are allowing students to gain practical skills, learn and earn on the job, and at the same time work towards completing the SACE.

“Rather than dropping out of school to seek a full-time apprenticeship, students are continuing with their secondary schooling and achieving a higher level of learning.

“There’s a level of maturity that comes along with a school-based apprenticeship – the students are already out in the workplace, so they understand the importance of work expectations and responsibility.”

With tradie demand on the rise across the country and with the current climate of worker and skill shortage, there is a bank of opportunities for young people to commence their trade careers.

Already 23 students at the College have successfully secured apprenticeships this school year. Like Chad, of those, six students have commenced their first trade career in plumbing.

“We are witnessing an increased number of employers contacting the College to promote employment and work experience opportunities within their business,” Sherin says.

“Opportunities for students to undertake work trials, work experience, and apply for apprenticeship opportunities, which are then published on our digital job noticeboard accessible by students, parents, and teachers.

“Students are very keen to enter the plumbing industry and are actively seeking these employment opportunities.

“Once they have identified through work experience the type of plumbing they want to work in, and have gained their drivers licence to meet employer’s employment needs, students have the opportunity to register their interest in applying for an apprenticeship opportunity.”

As for as long as he can remember, Chad has always wanted to be on the tools and is thankful for his trade learning.

“At St Pat’s, there was more hands-on trade explicit learning. I am a person who learns better with their hands and for me a mainstream school couldn’t do that,” Chad said.

“The trade curriculum was relevant, and it kept me engaged. I feel university is not for everyone and personally, I feel a trade school pathway was more for me.”

Students interested in a plumbing career can commence trade learning at the college and enrol in the plumbing program undertaking a Certificate II in Plumbing (pre-apprenticeship).

Students who successfully gain an apprenticeship will either remain enrolled at the college, completing their Year 10, 11 or 12 SACE requirements as a school-based apprentice or trainee, or will choose to exit the college due to gaining a full-time apprenticeship or employment.

For the first time in its history, St Patrick’s Technical College has awarded two female students with the College’s 2022 top awards.

The prestigious Max Davids Award – Apprentice of the Year, is named in recognition of the significant contribution made by Max Davids in the founding and development of the college. This was awarded to Metals and Engineering student Rebecca Hlinak (pictured above) at the 2022 Graduation & Awards Dinner.

The award is presented to a student in recognition of demonstrated skills excellence and outstanding employability skills, as evidence through the attainment of a school-based apprenticeship, in conjunction with the successful completion of the SACE.

The Principal’s Award – Student of the Year, was awarded to Construction student Ella Damare (pictured below). It is presented to a student who the College Principal Mr Danny Deptula, after consultation with staff, considers to be the College’s most outstanding campus-based student.

Principal Danny Deptula said the Principal’s Award recognised a student who had demonstrated outstanding academic and trade training performance as well as an unwavering commitment to achieving their goals and their SACE.

“Most importantly, our College’s top awards recognise students who exemplify the values of our College: Welcome, Hope, Service, Respect and Celebrate,” Mr Deptula said.

“All of our graduates and award winners are fine examples of the successful outcomes attained by the students of St Patrick’s Technical College. With the right attitude, many of our 2022 graduates will go on to take their place amongst our amazing success stories.”

St Patrick’s Technical College continues to positively change the lives of young adults and be very successful in supporting students to reach their apprenticeship goals.

“Never underestimate the power of finding happiness through continual learning and education through an apprenticeship or as a skilled tradesperson,” Mr Deptula said.

“An apprenticeship can lead to happiness as an awesome skilled tradesperson. A profession that can take you anywhere and set you up to successfully navigate whatever it is that the world throws at us economically.

“An apprenticeship is just another name for a different type of 4-year degree. A degree which requires a high degree of skills and academics where you get to use both your brain and your hands at the same time.”

During the evening 17 individual awards were presented to outstanding students and apprentices as part of the College’s annual Awards Program valued at more than $10,000 thanks to the generosity and support of sponsors.

We are excited to announce our new #StPatsTech College Leaders for 2023. This week our leaders were commissioned into their new roles to commence an important act of service – advocating for the student body, continuing to build positive relationships, and representing the College in the wider community.

Congratulations to Layla Syed, our new College Captain, and to Shanara Healy, Mitchell Tidswell and Jayden Carmody, as our College Vice Captains.

It was a privilege to welcome Matt Burnell MP, Federal Member for Spence, to our celebrations and bestow a few words of wisdom as a leader in our community. Mr Burnell reciprocated the message of the important role our leaders will head and how their relationships with their peers will influence, inspire, and help them to become their best selves.

A new Aboriginal Flag, Australian Flag, and Torres Strait Island Flag were presented to our College Captain.

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Every Thursday, Year 12 students work on their ‘Trade Skills’ with the opportunity to learn new skills across various trade areas. Students have been undertaking tiling, installing bathroom fixtures, improving on their existing carpentry and oxy welding skills, and assisting in the production of various College projects.

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We are excited to announce and congratulate the following St Patrick’s Technical College students and alumnus as FINALISTS in this year’s SA Training Awards.

𝗥𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗰𝗮 𝗛𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗸
Year 12 Metals & Engineering student
𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁
Click here to read Rebecca’s bio and the other finalists.
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𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗮 𝗦𝘆𝗲𝗱
Year 11 Food & Hospitality student
𝗩𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁
Click here to read Layla’s bio and the other finalists.
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𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗮𝗰 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗵
Class of 2018 Old Scholar
𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁
Click here to read Isaac’s bio and the other finalists.

As the cooler months rolled in, students at St Patrick’s Technical College commenced the planning and coordinating of activities to support the important work of Vinnies.

The Religious Education program provided Year 10 students with the opportunity to explore the history and work of the St Vincent de Paul Society, and as a final activity, students formed groups to plan various projects.

Students organised clothing baskets in classrooms and called upon their peers to make donations of non-perishable food items. Baskets were filled to the brim, with donations distributed through the local Elizabeth Vinnies branch.

Other groups coordinated lunchtime BBQs, raising money for various Vinnies programs, and a winter clothes drive was aimed at staff who so generously supported this great cause. Thanks to the Fred’s Van service, the donated scarves, gloves, beanies, blankets, and socks have already made their way to people in need of a little more warmth this winter.

The college values its special relationship with Vinnies and are always looking for ways to deepen the connection.

Ladies at the Vinnies Women’s Crisis Centre were recently pampered by the Year 11 Food & Hospitality and Hair & Beauty students. Creating a memorable day, the ladies enjoyed hair and beauty services, a special morning tea, and activity packs and games were given to the children staying at the centre.

St Patrick’s Technical College takes seriously its core value of service. At some stage in their school journey at the Edinburgh North college, all students will be involved in a project or activity to help people in the local community by supporting the vital work of Vinnies.

Archbishop Patrick O’Regan picked up a few handy trade tips during a recent visit to St Patrick’s Technical College. It was wonderful to welcome the Archbishop to the College, to engage with students in their trade classes and officiate a special Year 10 Liturgy.

Joined by Dr. Neil McGoran, Director of Catholic Education South Australia, the Archbishop met with many students involved in hands-on trade activities in the Construction, Metals & Engineering, Electrotechnology, and Automotive workshops and classrooms. Students were keen to share their learning with the Archbishop and to demonstrate their various trade skills.

After visiting the classes, the Archbishop led a special Liturgy for the Year 10 students focussing on the gifts and talents that marked each student. Archbishop O’Regan challenged students to always use these gifts in the service of others and to be brave like their College patron, Saint Patrick.

The College also welcomed Old Scholar Rhys Ferrari (Class of ’16) to address the assembly, encouraging students to be motivated, committed, and to seize opportunities. Rhys spoke of his amazing story since leaving school, having completed his Electronics apprenticeship, and now working on a range of defence projects as a technician with BAE Systems Australia. Last year, Rhys was appointed as a member of the College Board. Sharing his student journey and his incredible trade career story with the students, has encouraged them to find their inspiration and passion.

The visit of Archbishop O’Regan to the College once again highlighted the importance of St Patrick’s Technical College in providing a unique experience in our Catholic school system for young people in the north of Adelaide.

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