When a boy begins at St Patrick's College he also becomes a member of one of the four College Houses.

The Houses are arranged in vertical forms so that juniors mix with seniors from their first day. Each student is a member of one house for his entire time at the College, and receives pastoral care and spiritual guidance as a member of his house.  Activities include inter-house sporting and cultural events, as well as administrative routines.

Each House is run by a House Dean, who is a full-time member of the teaching staff. The House Dean is the main point of contact with parents regarding their son's progress and welfare, and may also organise meetings and social occasions at which parents get an opportunity to exchange views and develop friendships. The House Dean is assisted by tutors who are part of the teaching staff and who provide an additional level of individual support.

The four College Houses are based on the four quadrants of the College Crest. 

PATRICK reminds us of our patron, St Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland and, according to legend, drove the snakes from that country.  He also used the shamrock to teach the people of Ireland the concept of the Trinity. 

Patrick House takes the emerald green of Ireland as its colour.

 

CHANEL is named for St Peter Chanel, Oceania's first Saint.  The boat in the College Crest represents the journey the Marist missionary Chanel made to the island of Furuna where he was martyred.  Shortly after his death the entire island converted to Christianity. 

Chanel House takes navy blue as its colour, representing the oceans the missionaries crossed to bring Christianity to us.

 

MARIST owes its name to the founders of our College, the Marist Fathers, whose vision and passion led to the formation of the College.  This house reminds us that Mary is mother to us all, and that we should look to her as our example for living.

Marist House takes silver as its colour.

TRINITY derives from the Holy Trinity, symbolised in the Sign of the Cross.  Trinity reminds us of the resurrection of Christ and the three in one: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Trinity House takes gold as its colour, seen as the background to the red cross on the crest.