24 February 2022

Dear Friends of St Paul’s,

Our start to the 2022 school year continues to be extremely positive, despite all the world problems that surround us! Like all society we have been impacted by the COVID scenario but nowhere near as bad as other schools or communities, and our processes are well and truly established and working well. As always, we ask that if any family has any concerns, please contact us and we will assist you in any way we can. Our community relationships have always been built around trust and our commitment to our three-way partnership (student/ family/ college) remains as strong as ever.

Communication is always the key, and we will continue to be proactive in this space and ask that you feel free to contact us whenever you need.

Lent

As a Catholic College in the Edmund Rice tradition, we are very aware of our mission and obligations in remaining authentically Catholic while being extremely inclusive and welcoming families from all different faith backgrounds. Next Tuesday and Wednesday, we enter the most significant period in our church’s calendar – LENT. Lent is a season of preparation and perspective! We celebrate on “Shrove” or “Pancake” Tuesday and move into the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday. On both Tuesday and Wednesday, we will share with our staff and students a clear explanation of the significance of these days and this season.

The preparation we refer to in preparing for Lent is that which explains the build-up to the greatest feast in our calendar – EASTER. The death and resurrection of Jesus is an event that not only changed the world at the time but is one that is even more than ever, relevant to all of us. We must help all our students understand that the world they are growing up into often teaches a set of false values, beliefs that are so very different, in essence totally opposite to what St Paul’s College and all great religions and faith traditions teach. All great religions have the same set of core beliefs like treating every person equally, having a sense of gratitude for what we do have, growing with a sense of humility, acknowledging that the world is not all about the “me”, growing in hope and even more importantly empathy for those who struggle far more than us. Lent is such a great time to practice these virtues and make a positive difference in the lives of others. It is in doing this that we help ourselves and live a far more fulfilled and happy life.

Building program

The world around us is constantly challenging us and throwing the odd “curveball” to make our lives interesting- to say the least! Stage one of our redevelopment program that the College has undertaken for the last 18 months is nearing completion. The main courtyard looks terrific and is now all open for use (but has several issues to be rectified) and the new Senior Centre and amenities block is getting closer to the finish line – hopefully before the end of the term.

We are so very grateful for the way the entire community has accepted and acted so positively during this difficult period of transition. The promise of what is to come is very exciting and will be a just reward for everyone for their patience and understanding. Thank you all.

Take Care.

God Bless

Paul Belton
Principal

Our College’s only carpark continues to be a matter requiring improvement to address access for cars at the two key times of each day (morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up). This is intensified as our College welcomes more families to our community in 2022.

As previously communicated to families, this matter is so significant that St Paul’s College remains in meaningful communication with local Council, and we are working towards a long-term solution within the next 18 months.

One short-term solution to ease traffic in our carpark has been staff parking on the College sports fields; this decision has reduced cars in the carpark to manage increased drop-off/pick-up that occurs at the start of the school year.

While we are grateful to staff for making this sacrifice, of course this is not a sustainable solution because it impedes on play spaces, damages playing fields and simply cannot occur as the weather changes (soft grounds after rain).

Prompted by these reasons, and knowing that the resurfacing of our Tennis-Courts will soon remove a crucial Primary Years play space until the end of Term 1, our staff will return to parking in the College carpark from Monday 28 February. This will significantly minimise the available carparking for families before and after school, and it will also challenge the function of the carpark as a ‘kiss and drop’ (drop-off and pick-up), for which it was never intended.

The following are the expectations of families/cars during the busiest morning and afternoon periods (drop-off and pick-up) periods:

• Use surrounding streets and areas to drop-off and pick-up, to avoid carpark (where possible/age-appropriate/safe).
• Avoid crossing Grand Junction Road to enter Blacks Road – use Sudholz Road to manage this.
• Enter carpark from Blacks Road, via Grand Junction Road (avoid crossing Blacks Road to enter carpark) – use Dally Road onto Lurline Road onto Grand Junction Road to manage this.
• Only stop to pick-up your child(ren) in the carpark when reaching the Callan Hall entrance – students will only be permitted to wait outside the Callan Hall entrance. No pick-up will occur at any other part of the carpark.
• Do not overtake in the carpark, not for any reason – it is one lane. Overtaking is a most significant risk for child safety.
• Giveaway to cars exiting a carpark (allow room for that car to reverse).

Our College has allocated a staff member to the carpark each afternoon (busiest period) to assist in managing these expectations; however, we know that calm, rational and understanding adults are the best way to fast-track everybody’s experience and above all, keep our young people safe.

The College carpark situation is imperfect and is being addressed, albeit not as quickly as the College would hope and despite best efforts. Our combined understanding and patience will assist most positive experiences for families at pick-up and drop-off times.

With any suggestions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact me: jfoulis@stpauls.sa.edu.au or by phone at the College

Josh Foulis
Deputy Principal