Passing it on: Presenter Aidan Phelan talks about the lasting legacy that Patrick Cronin has left on the world.
Photo by
Michael Lloyd
Echuca College welcomed a presentation by the Pat Cronin Foundation on Monday, March 4, to educate Year 10 students about anti-violence practices.
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The Foundation was created to honour the memory of Patrick Cronin, a 19-year-old boy who was killed after being struck in the back of the head by a coward punch at the Windy Mile Hotel in 2016.
Echuca College was thrilled with how the presentation was received and the values it instilled in the students.
“I thought the kids got a lot out of it; they were very engaged, and it was a great lesson for them,” Echuca College wellbeing officer Kiarna Denahy said.
“I think it’s a great initiative, and it’s an important lesson for the kids to learn being only in Year 10; it sets them up to implement those practices in their future.”
“Their acronym, PAT was really constructive: pause, accept the emotion, and think about your options.”
Ecstatic: Echuca College principal Jessica Sargeant and Echuca College student services team member Dorinda Watson were happy their students were being educated on anti-violence practices.
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Supplied
Pat Cronin Foundation speaker Aidan Phelan, who also delivered a presentation in Rochester earlier on Monday morning, discussed how satisfying the cause was to him.
“It’s extremely gratifying; it’s one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had; we get a lot of feedback from teachers and schools that show that there has been an observable difference in the behaviour of the students following the presentations,” he said.
“It shows we are making a difference, which is hugely impactful.”
“I felt like it was a really good opportunity to reach out and bring this sort of stuff to kids who maybe haven’t had the role models or the guidance they needed to make better choices.”
Mr Phelan wanted to highlight the important aspects of the presentation and the significant takeaway for the students to take on board.
Focused: Year 10 students listen as guest speaker Aidan Phelan gives a talk at Echuca College.
Photo by
Michael Lloyd
“The key focus of our presentations is not only to raise awareness around the coward punch and social violence but also to equip students with the tools they need to recognise when perhaps their emotions are getting the better of them.”
“It’s for us to teach them how to navigate through situations where perhaps someone’s getting aggressive towards them and what they can do to navigate their way out of situations without violence occurring.”
Mr Phelan commented on the importance of the Pat Cronin Foundation’s work in schools around Victoria and how it contributes to Pat’s legacy.
“He (Pat) dedicated his life to doing things that helped other people, and that’s what this presentation does; it gives people the tools to prevent things like that from happening in the future, so I think that’s ultimately his legacy,” he said.
“It’s about teaching young people that there are better ways to handle those situations so that we never have to hear another Pat Cronin story.”
The Foundation will continue its presentations through regional Victoria, speaking on Wednesday, March 6 in Shepparton before travelling to Yarrawonga on Thursday, March 7 and Cobram on Friday, March 8.
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