News & Events

Respect and Women in our Community

Thursday 15 August marks an important day (a Day of Obligation) in the global Catholic Church, as it is the Solemnity of the Assumption, and I am grateful to Acting Deputy Principal Mr Frank Ranaldo, for his reflection in this edition of our Newsletter.

I am grateful to Fr John, Parish Priest of our Dernancourt Parish, who continues to partner with our school, devoting so much of his time and energy for the benefit of our students and staff. Fr John joined us for our Feast of the Assumption Mass, where his Homily challenged us to consider how we celebrate birthdays and Mother’s Day, as known examples of celebrating women who are special to us, and for all that they have done for us. In our Church, we similarly celebrate Mary and especially on the Feast of the Assumption.

While concluding the gathering after Mass, I asked students and staff to consider the term’s focus on ‘respect’, especially considering women in our world, our lives and our college community. We know that so much gender injustice and inequality remain throughout our world, and our St Paul’s community must be a true representation of what a respectful environment should look like.

Importantly, we must not consider the likes of Mary to be only supporting Christ, nor the likes of Nano Nagle in only supporting our founder Blessed Edmund Rice. Instead, respect for these women and all women in our world, demands acknowledgement of women’s individual journey, strength, bravery, successes, and challenges. Only when our world recognises women in such a way, will our world realise the equality deserving of all people. 

Again, we respect what we value. In this way, our challenge is to ensure that on the Feast of the Assumption and always, our respect for women is a model to our society and world.

Congratulations again, Mr Paul Belton!

Understanding that Paul Belton has received significant accolades from Catholic Education SA (locally) and Catholic Secondary Principals Association (CaSPA, nationally), it is my pleasure to advise that Paul has been awarded the ACEL SA Educational Leadership Medal, as one of three recipients in the state for 2024. Once again well-deserved and worth celebrating!

Congratulations, Paul! We look forward to welcoming Mr Belton upon his return from leave to begin Week 6, from Monday 26 August.