News
From the Principal
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.
St Paul’s College Car Park: Drop-off and Pick-up (Kiss and Drop)
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.
From the Principal
Dear Friends of St Paul’s,
Welcome Back to the 2022 academic year! As we have mentioned many times over the last 18 months 2022 marks the beginning of a new era for St Paul’s in us becoming a co-educational College in the Edmund Rice tradition. We begin this new era with a greats sense of appreciation and gratitude for all those who have gone before us, staff, students, and families. We well and truly stand on the shoulders of you all. It is also because of our great tradition that we approach this era with great confidence and excitement.
Many people have contributed to the extensive and thorough preparation for this year, and I would like to sincerely thank them all, EREA, CESA, our own staff and community as well as the present student population who have all worked with us – in difficult situations too with the school being a building site. It is so wonderful to be able to welcome students (albeit not all) back into the school for 2022. The COVID scenario, while not being great for the students doing on-line learning, has made the first few days for all the new students in Reception, 1 and 2 as well as the year 7’s and 8 somewhat easier. It has also given us increased opportunity to engage with students and help them settle in.
Day 1
To welcome our students back on day one of any year is always a wonderful experience. Whether it is all the little Reception students to the new year 7s and 8s the excitement on the faces of the students (and parents!) is always particularly special. This year however, with many of these being young girls, it was even more significant and emotional. By the end of the day, we were all delighted with just how wonderful it had been, and for all the staff, the culmination of 18 months of diligent planning and extremely hard work. It will go down in our history as one of the most significant and certainly one of the most emotional!
New Facilities
Another great part of the welcome back to the new year has been the opportunity for the students to enjoy the new courtyard, the renovated Wilson Building (housing Inclusive Ed., Library, ICT), and the new primary bathrooms (for the girls in 7/8 also). The new sports and senior centre have suffered delays, like most building projects, due to COVID caused labor and material supplies. We are expecting to have it completed in time for us to move in prior to the end of the term. It is going to be a sensational addition to the college resources, and we look forward to showing these off to our extended St Paul’s community.
Welcome from the Deputy Principal
In a historical year for St Paul’s College, with co-education beginning and so many new families joining our community, I excitedly add my welcome to the 2022 school year: Together We grow.
Staff Preparations for 2022
The contributions of so many new staff across various roles have been an absolute joy to witness in the opening weeks of the year as staff readied the College to welcome students. Rivalling this highlight has been the welcoming, selfless, and caring way that continuing staff have embraced new colleagues to ensure they are most comfortable and prepared for students.
As families of St Paul’s, you will have already witnessed the year’s theme in motion as staff model their growth together, into the new era of St Paul’s College.
Welcome to the 2022 school year
2022 Back to School
Dear Parents/Caregivers,
I hope you and your children are enjoying the school holidays. Above all, I hope you are safe and well during these challenging times.
We very much look forward to the upcoming 2022 school year, where our College’s greatest priorities remain safety, wellbeing and learning for your child. This time is especially exciting as St Paul’s move into co-education, while welcoming many more families to our community. Amidst the challenges presented by COIVID-19, we cannot lose site of the importance of this historical beginning.
2022 Student Leaders
Dear Friends of St Paul’s,
It is with much pleasure that we inform our extended St Paul’s community the names of the Student Leadership Group (Prefects) for 2022.
In doing so, I thank Nick Callary and the Leaders of House for their work with this process.
These young men have a very important role in 2002 as we enter a whole new chapter of life at the College as a co-educational school.
- Lucas S - College Captain
- Aiden F - College Vice-Captain
- Harison D - House Captain / Prefect - Dally
- Chetas B - House Captain/ Prefect – Gleeson
- Konstantinos D - House Captain / Prefect – Marlow
- Thomas S - House captain / Prefect – Nagle
- Ryzar G - House Captain / Prefect – O’Loughlin
Please join with us in congratulating these boys – and all who were courageous enough to nominate for the process.
The team was formally welcomed at the Year 12 Grad Mass.
Mr Paul Belton
Principal
Photo: Lucas and Aiden
Introducing Nagle House
Excitingly, our College will experience a significant increase in students for 2022. Within this growth, student wellbeing, safety and learning must remain central to the liberating education that we offer as a College in the Edmund Rice tradition. In 2022, St Paul’s College will welcome the addition of a fifth house: Nagle House. This is named after Nano Nagle, founder of the Presentation Sisters and a crucial influence on Blessed Edmund Rice, founder of St Paul’s College, the Presentation Brothers, and the Christian Brothers. Nagle is an important person in the life of our charism and therefore, our College.
Andy Thomas Space Foundation Mentor Visit
Professor Jenny Mortimer, a plant scientist from the Waite Institute, Nicola Sasanelli, CEO of Andy Thomas Space Foundation, and Imogen, our Challenge Liaison, visited the Year 7 classes Wednesday morning.
Kovid, James, Liam and Kavisha had this to report about the visit:
Congratulations Senior Robotics Team
Congratulations to the Paladins of St Paul’s Senior Robotics team who were part of the winning Alliance at the First Tech Challenge (FTC) tournament.
Paired with Gleeson College, they set a tournament record with their 101 - 54 victory in the grand final. Caleb, our team Captain was named Gracious Professional of the tournament.
Click to read Caleb's recount of the event!
