Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
McCurtin, Patrick

Educationist and administrator; born Tipperary, 1 February 1865; died Melbourne, 16 July 1938, aged 73.

Patrick McCurtin was one of the best prefects of studies the Australian province has ever seen, and perhaps the best all round educationist. He was a most dynamic and active presence in both NSW and Victoria, and made a deep impression on all colleagues, but especially non-Jesuits. The Teachers' Guild of NSW benefited by his services as member, councilor and president during the years, 1912-21. He was appreciated for his influence, wit and keen insight into all matters under discussion. He endeared himself to people by his unfailing courtesy and solicitude for the welfare of everyone.

From 1914-16 he was the Catholic representative on the Bursary Endowment Board of NSW, a strong voice, with 'breadth of view and clear outlook', seeking equality for Catholic schools. McCurtin was also active during the school holidays giving retreats.

McCurtin's early education was at Rockwell College before entering the Jesuits at Milltown Park, Dublin, 1 February 1883. After philosophy, in 1888, he was sent to Xavier College, Melbourne, until 1894, teaching senior classes and assisting the prefect of studies. He returned to Ireland for theology, and then was sent to Belvedere College, 1897-98, before his tertianship at Tronchiennes. He returned to Belvedere in 1899 and was prefect of studies for 1901 before he left for Australia again, arriving at St Patrick's College as prefect of studies in 1901.

When sending McCurtin to Australia, the Irish provincial, James Murphy, wrote to the mission superior, John Ryan, that he should be grateful to receive 'an invaluable man: most holy and edifying, earnest, active and unsparing, methodical and practical'.

From 1903-10 he was prefect of studies at Xavier College before his appointment as rector of St Aloysius' College, 1910-16. It was during these years that college rectors expressed considerable concern about the insufficient quality of Jesuit teachers, especially for the senior classes. Many fathers were considered too old or unwell. McCurtin was particularly concerned that St Aloysius' College was given poor quality teaching staff by a succession of mission superiors, and hence its reputation for inefficiency. He believed that superiors did not believe in the future of the college. He was concerned about the lack of professionalism of Jesuits in education, and the lagging response of Jesuits to progressive changes in educational theory and practice. Furthermore, there was not money for secular teachers, and Catholic teachers were hard to find. Despite his concerns, St Aloysius' College was registered as a first class school in NSW and ranked among the best schools. The public examination results were good and the spirit among the boys most pleasing.

The question of poor teaching staff at St Aloysius' College led to the dramatic resignation of McCurtin as rector in 1916, when the mission superior transferred Dominic Connell, 'one of our best masters', to become parish priest at Norwood, South Australia. At the time there were very few competent teachers on the staff, and finances were not good, which made the employment of lay teachers difficult. McCurtin believed that the image of the school would suffer.

Jesuit superiors, including the general, did not appreciate this resignation; so, after a further period as prefect of studies at Xavier College, and Riverview, 1917-21, he returned to Ireland, where, later on, he became superior of the Apostolic School at Mungret and rector of the Crescent College, Limerick, 1923-31.

Wishing to end his days in Australia he returned to do good work as headmaster at both Burke Hall and Kostka Hall. He died in St Evin's Hospital after sustaining a heart attack.

McCurtin was a striking figure, a small, slight, alert, active, dapper person, fond of flowers and beautiful things, orderly and methodical, artistic with exquisite handwriting, humorous, with great social charm. His Jesuit brethren found him to be a colleague with very definite opinions strongly held and, on occasion, vigorously expressed, but he was also a tolerant and kind character with a keen sense of humour. Because he was what he was, he found it difficult working with immediate superiors who did not possess his own qualities. As prefect of studies at Riverview, 1918-21, he experienced much frustration, anxiety and illness because of the disorderliness and apparent lack of enthusiasm for academic excellence.

He showed special interest in the Old Boys of all the colleges in which he served. While in Ireland he kept up a continual correspondence, especially with Xavier College and St Aloysius' College. Former students praised him for his fatherly care of the boys, his spirit of broadmindedness and tolerance and other good qualities that made him a universal favourite. They spoke of him as a dynamic personality, builder and developer, and a polished gentleman.

During his educational work, Patrick McCurtin was continually involved with educational issues, both for the development of Jesuit pedagogy and Catholic schooling in Australia.

Australia was fortunate in having the services of this man of considerable administrative ability and clear vision. He was totally professional in his approach to education, an attitude not always appreciated by his superiors. Together with James O'Dwyer, to whom he dedicated a marble altar in the Burke Hall chapel, he did improve the attitude of Australian Jesuits towards academic achievement, while his contact with educational organisations and State committees of education gave the Jesuits wider influence in the community.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)