News & Events

Catholic Education Week 2025

Alongside 100 other Catholic schools across South Australia, last week our college celebrated Catholic Education Week.

As a Catholic College in the Edmund Rice Tradition, we are most fortunate to be connected with both Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) and Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) This connection affords our students and staff with immeasurable opportunities and a broader mission, as we educate young people to be thriving people, capable learners, and leaders for the world God desires.

The week celebrated the work of almost 9000 staff across 101 Catholic schools in SA, educating approximately 52,000 students in the 180th year of Catholic schools in our state. With that in mind, I celebrate the staff of St Paul’s College for their work within our college and broader Church.

Above all, our Christ-centered community remains a source of life and meaning for St Paul’s College, and Catholic education Week served as a great reminder of why we do what we do, for our young people and their families.

I hope that all members of our community see themselves as part of the vision and mission of Catholic Education and so too celebrate the work of St Paul’s College and Catholic Education more broadly.

Learning Conversations

With gratitude to families and staff alike, Learning Conversations across the college last week provided an essential opportunity to review the academic and holistic progress of students.

There were 270 Learning Conversations in our Primary Years and 1,269 across our Middle and Senior Years (7-12), which demonstrate exceptional commitment from our families towards the development of their children.

Understanding that ongoing communication between students, families and educators is essential to a successful journey for any young person, I am grateful to all families who attended Learning Conversations and our staff who diligently prepared for meaningful discussions.

Josh Foulis - Deputy Principal

We are excited to share that building works have officially commenced on our new Technologies Precinct. Click to watch the video for further information. 

In the April school holidays Alessandra and Caitlinn had the privilege of attending the ANZAC Spirit School Prize Study Tour.

By Alessandra -

"For the April holidays, Caitlinn and myself had the privilege of attending the 2025 Premier's ANZAC Spirit School Prize Study Tour. We had the opportunity to spend two weeks accompanied by 17 other students to travel from the south to north of Vietnam, exploring all of the historical sites relative to the Vietnam War. We visited key locations such as the War Remnants Museum and Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City, a Children's Orphanage in Vung Tau, the Demilitarised Zone which separates the north and south of Vietnam, as well as the Night Markets in Hoi An for some enjoyable shopping. We participated in activities such as a painting class, cooking class, an ANZAC service as Long Tan as well as a ANZAC Day Tribute at dawn whilst in Ha Long Bay.

Whilst in Vietnam I learnt so much about myself! It challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone and try new things, with people that I barely knew. It was a great chance to develop new friendships, resilience, personal belief, and grow in gratitude for the lifestyle in which we are lucky enough to have here in Australia. Learning about the challenges of the war in which not only the Australian soldiers experienced, but also the Vietnamese, it widened my perspective of how easy life really is for us, and how much we should each cherish all that we have. My experience in Vietnam not only brought me closer to the ANZAC soldiers who once stood where we did to represent our nation, but also brought me closer to the person I hope to become in the future."

The Fallen 18 by Alessandra Pergoleto

The howling wind sends shivers down my spine,
The cold tenderness, a history that is not mine.
I look to the trees, where they once stood.
Having to do something that I know I never could.
I imagine the day, as though I was there.
An ache fills my chest, ignited like a flare.

Guns, military, artillery galore.
A battle to shake any person to the core.

In my head I hear the voices of an echoing cry,
Something which for many was a final goodbye.
As we stand in remembrance, here in this day.

The spirits of the fallen no longer at bay.

Let us honour and never forget.
Those who fought in battle, having had no regret.

By Caitlinn -

"When arriving in Vietnam, I quickly realised how different life was compared to Australia. The food, its people, the heat and humidity and the smells of the country were new to me. I became overwhelmed very quickly. As the trip progressed, I began to make new friends and became more adventurous, trying new foods while also beginning to worry less about home. I learned how to live in the present, grateful for new opportunities and new experiences.

The purpose of our trip was to learn more about the Vietnam War, the effect it had on the local people and the experiences of the Australian service men and women who served there. Our visit to the Long Tan memorial was emotional, seeing just how close the Viet Cong came to taking over the 1st Australian Task Force at Nui Dat. The maze of underground tunnels at Cu Chi employed by the Viet Cong were nothing short of impressive. We visited an orphanage where we spent time playing with young children and sharing gifts brought from home.

I fell in love with the moonlight markets at Hoi An in central Vietnam. We were also treated to a cruise through one of the seven wonders of the world at Ha Long Bay in northeastern Vietnam. Cruising among the massive mountains protruding out of the ocean was magical and a sight I will never be able to forget.

My trip to Vietnam has taught me to be more grateful for the life I have, fresh food, clean drinking water, quality education and living conditions. I am excited for more opportunities to learn about life in other countries and to travel the world in the future."

Last week, our Year 9 students and families came together for a moving ceremony as part of The Rite Journey program.
An emotional part of the evening was the heartfelt exchange between students and their families. Letters of gratitude, pride, love and hope were shared — a powerful and memorable moment of connection. 💌
We are so proud of our young people as they embrace the program with courage, purpose, and a deep sense of who they are becoming.
 

Our Lenten Season and Easter

Since Ash Wednesday, our Catholic church and our college community has journeyed through Lent, as a time for deep reflection and sacrifice, in preparation for the ultimate sacrifice on Good Friday when Jesus dies on the cross.

As we continue through Lent, we reflect on ourselves, our loved ones and our St Paul’s community. We pray for one another and that we may sacrifice parts of our world for the betterment of others.

The Sunday following Good Friday is Easter and for our Catholic community, Easter is most important. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, offering hope and eternal life. New life is often celebrated with the symbol of easter eggs, and we remember the great meaning of this symbol and gesture.

With new life comes rejuvenation and joy, and St Paul’s College wishes all members of our community a truly Happy Easter during the upcoming School Holidays.

As we end our prayers at St Paul’s…

Live Jesus in Our Hearts: Forever

World Autism Understanding Day 2025

The 2nd of April was World Autism Understanding Day, a welcome opportunity to learn more about Autism and with that greater understanding, to then celebrate people who live with Autism, ultimately leading to action. “If you learn I am Autistic”, is the theme for 2025”.

Quoting from Autism SA, “Autism is a neurological developmental difference that affects the way an individual relates to the environment and people in it. The effects differ from individual to individual, which is why the term ‘spectrum’ is used. It reflects the fact that everyone’s lived experience of autism is different.  Individuals on the spectrum may have skills in particular areas, while finding other aspects of life particularly challenging.”

St Paul’s College proudly supports many students living with Autism, understanding the many strengths that these students bring to our community and assisting these students to overcome their unique challenges. This further motivates our support for WAUD.

The infographic below from AutismSA, provides some great facts as a starting point, and I encourage you to CLICK HERE for more information about World Autism Awareness Day and Autism more generally.

Celebrating Diversity and Belonging at St Paul’s

Archbishop Leonard Faulkner once said that, “There is unity in diversity,” and here at St Paul’s, we are incredibly proud of our diversity. We truly believe that each young person is unique in their own special way!

Throughout this week, we have been recognising and celebrating both Harmony Week and Neurodiversity Celebration Week. As a community, we are proud to have 40% of students who speak English as an additional or second language or dialect, and to have 45 different languages spoken in the homes of our students. Furthermore, we are a community that values neurodiversity and strives for inclusion in every aspect of our College life.

You might see your child attending school with some very ‘odd’ socks tomorrow to celebrate this as we recognise World Down Syndrome Day. This is just one small but significant way we show our support for the individuals who make up our vibrant, diverse community. We encourage everyone to embrace these moments of celebration, to learn from each other, and to continue building an environment where all students feel accepted, valued, and understood.

Together, we make St Paul’s a place where differences are not just accepted, but celebrated, and where the strength of our diversity truly shines. By embracing these values, we are fostering a stronger sense of belonging within our school community.

It is our hope that this in turn will develop graduates who are part of a more inclusive and compassionate society, and can do their bit to make the world a better place!

At last week’s academic assembly, we had the privilege of celebrating the outstanding achievements of the class of 2024. I posed two key questions to the students: Why do you learn what you learn? and What is the purpose of a school?

I explained that it begins with the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Declaration for Education, which focuses on developing active, informed citizens and confident, creative individuals. This framework underpins the Australian Curriculum and the South Australian Certificate of Education, outlining the key capabilities that students should develop.

Our skilled teachers then take these curriculum outlines and shape learning experiences through expert pedagogies, tailored to their individual teaching styles and the needs of their students.

I also unpacked what it means to be an active and informed citizen, emphasising that critical thinking involves understanding right from wrong and being able to assess information thoughtfully. I reminded students that, given the recent media attention our school has received, it’s crucial to think critically and understand that the media often presents only one side of the story.

What matters most, I emphasised, is our internal knowledge of who we are. We are a strong, supportive, and inclusive community that not only delivers excellent academic outcomes but also teaches morals and values and supports personal growth. The class of 2024 exemplifies this, and they are ready to make a positive impact in their local community and beyond.

In closing, I encouraged students to take pride in their history, in who we are, and in wearing the St Paul’s crest. Be proud of our legacy and excited for the one you will create.

Certa Bonum Certamen – Let’s continue to fight the good fight, together.

Patrick Harmer - Principal

What aspects of St Paul’s drew you to the role of Principal?

The St Paul’s community is rich in history and has achieved so much over its first 65 years. I am drawn to this opportunity because I see great potential in St Paul’s current context and what lies ahead. I look forward to working in partnership with students, staff, and families to shape an exciting future for the College.