News & Events

Dear Friends and families of St Paul’s

School Board – School Advisory Council – Council Chair

Over recent years with a number of changes occurring within Edmund Rice Education Australia and its governance of schools across the country our School Board changed its name and structure to a School Advisory Council (SAC.)

In a specific sense this meant that our school is not a legal identity in itself but rather governed by EREA. This changes the nature and purpose of the Council to that of an advisory nature. This does not demean the Council’s purpose and effectiveness as opposed to removing liability for the College.

Over the last two years the EREA governance structure has changed also and while the Trustees of Edmund Rice Australia (TEREA) have the ultimate responsibility for all EREA entities we as St Paul’s are immediately governed by Edmund Rice Colleges Ltd. This entity includes all the Colleges in SA, Qld, WA, and Tas. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is Mr Christopher Wooley who is based in Queensland.

Recently our school Advisory Council has changed Chairs. Previously we had an old scholar, Mr Chris Edge, as our Chair. The Edge family (4 boys attended St Paul’s) have made an exceptional contribution to the College and Chris himself was an amazing support to both me personally and the College during some difficult and challenging times. I cannot thank Chris enough for his guidance and support over his time as Chair. He stayed on much longer than he was supposed to and saw us through the completion of the MacKillop building and into our new era as a co-educational College.

The new Chair of the SAC is Mrs. Catherine Greenley. Catherine is a former National Director of Governance in EREA and has always been a huge supporter and advocate for St Paul’s. We are delighted she has taken on this responsibility. The official letter of appointment from our CEO Mr Chris Wooley can be found here.

National Referendum

As everyone would be aware Australia is in the middle of a national debate regarding the upcoming Referendum. As a College, we would not normally get involved in politics and represent any particular side of a debate. This referendum is no different in that it is generating much debate and controversy given the extremely sensitive nature of the debate. Our EREA CEO has forwarded a letter to all EREA College Ltd schools and that can be found here.

R U OK Day

This week is the national R U OK Day. This is a tremendous initiative and so especially important not only at St Paul’s but also in the broader community. We pride ourselves here at St Paul’s on our pastoral care for our students, but occasionally we feel that even so, it is never enough. Life becomes more challenging for all of us, staff, students, and families. We do our absolute best work when our three-way partnership (student, family, and school) is not only on the same page but are incredibly open and honest in sharing all relevant information that can help us all support students.

Hence, we do hope that everyone is ok, and that students and families have confidence in the College in its total commitment to supporting each other through any difficulties. Please talk to us.

Take Care, God Bless

Paul Belton

Dear Friends and families of St Paul’s,

Another fortnight, another endlessly busy schedule of events and wonderful experiences for our students and our staff.

End of Winter Co-curricular

We have now completed our winter co-curricular sport season. This year our numbers of teams and activities have grown, providing even more opportunities for student to both compete against other schools and become involved in activities of personal interest.

On behalf of the whole College community, I cannot thank enough the absolutely formidable work done by Mr Nick Gillard (Sports and Cocurricular Development Co-Ordinator) for his tireless efforts to keep this important domain of our college life operating. Nick steps into coaching mode what we need staff at trainings or games on short notice, the co-ordinates parents and old scholars with their involvement and works relentlessly to build the capacity of the College in making sure we cater for the enormous diversity of interests in this area. Likewise, I would like to thank enormously all the staff, old scholars and family members who coach teams or who help supervise activities for the benefit of the students. It all helps contribute to the wonderful family life we experience here at St Paul’s.

There are many teams and achievements we could name now but that is important to do more wholistically at assemblies and award ceremonies later in the year.

College Activities

In the last fortnight we have held an extremely exciting primary book week parade and fair. These are so energetic and so exciting to be a part of. To see the faces and costumes of the students and staff is enjoyable. The fun and laughter, the singing and dancing and the great learning that takes place adds to the beauty of being an R-12 College.

We have also had a further series of activities, such as Outdoor Education Bushwalk activities, Year 10 and 11 Subject Selection meetings, Year 8 Retreat, Year 11 student meeting to explain the Prefect selection process, Year 9 Assembly to inform student of leadership opportunities, MY Graduation and Rites of passage celebration, Year 10 Camp, a Fathers’ day staff and a College Parents and Friends Quiz Night (tomorrow – Friday night!)

There is still an opportunity to purchase tickets for the quiz night so pleased support our Parents and Friends’ group who have done an amazing job in preparing for this.

That all looks, and is hectic, but that is school life and in particular term three. We are very busily preparing for next Year and the subject selection process, together with our growth in student numbers also requires us to be interviewing for several staff positions. Some of these are new positions, such as Head of Secondary and 2 Leaders of Wellbeing (MY’s and SY’s) and some are for extra teaching requirements that we need. We are pleased to say that the quality of staff that we continue to attract to St Paul’s is exceptional and we will approach the new 2024 year with much energy and excitement.

Fathers’ Day

To all the fathers and male father-figures in our community we wish you an incredibly happy, healthy, and love-filled day for Sunday. There is a beautiful African saying that states, “It takes a whole village to raise a child” and while this is absolutely true, we know just how key role models are for all children, both male and female. We need our young people to grow into beautiful young adults who know life is not about them and that they have an obligation to contribute to making our society a better place. We know this must come from home and the fathers in our community play an enormous role in bringing that to fruition.

I hope all the dads and father-figures get spoiled and have a wonderful day. Thank you so much for the sacrifices you make so that the children of St Paul’s can get the wonderful Edmund Rice education they do here St Paul’s.

Take Care and God Bless

Paul Belton

Dear families and friends of St Paul’s,

As Week 4 of Term 3 draws to a close we can already stop and reflect on the myriad of events and experiences that have taken place so far this term.

This week as a whole College community we celebrated the Feast of the Assumption in the gymnasium. This feast has for centuries been known in the Catholic Church as a Holy Day of Obligation. This meant that it was one of several days in the Church’s year (outside all Sundays) whereby all Catholics were expected to attend Mass. Times change in regards to many aspects of the Catholic Church, but one thing that hasn’t is the doctrine, the absolute belief, that Mary, the mother of Jesus was taken to Heaven body and soul.

Mary was an extraordinary person, the best example ever of a person saying yes to a calling from God. An impressive example of total commitment to God and a life dedicated to the nurturing of Jesus. This feast is one we always celebrate at St Paul’s for several reasons. Firstly, the fact of it being the special feast day for Mary. Secondly, the Christian Brothers all around the world and from the time of Blessed Edmund Rice have always had an incredibly special devotion to Mary, calling on her and praying to her to support them in their work of education. Thirdly, it provides us as a community a reason to celebrate and pray for all our mothers' none of us would be here without our mums, and to celebrate all the special women in our lives. We say an especially big thank you to all the wonderful female staff we have at St Paul’s and give thanks for the ongoing love, care, and compassion they bring to their roles.

Careers Night and Subject Expos

While still only early in term three we are working particularly diligently on preparing for next year, and beyond. At this point in the year, we hold both a Careers evening and also Subject Expos, both of which are aimed at helping our students think about their future pathways and what subjects, marks, grades etc. they need to chase their dreams. While some if not many may hope and dream to represent Australia in their chosen sport, we all know that they need to have a plan “B.”

Our sincere thanks go to Ms Jo-Anne Williams (VET & Careers Co-ordinator) Mr Peter Staley (Trade Training Centre Manager) and to Mr Matthew Muscat (Head of Teaching & Learning 7-12) and the Leaders of Learning for the huge amount of work they put into these events. From my experience St Paul’s is as good, if not, better than any school I know of, in supporting students throughout these processes. As always, we ask both students and their families to contact us and seek any clarification and advice that they need throughout this term in relation to this.

College Musical

This week is also “College Musical Week.” Another musical extravaganza, “Gumshoe” has been produced by Mr Damian Antenucci, Mr Paul Elliott, Ms Donna Nguyen and their band of willing actors, musicians, and support staff. An enormous amount of work goes into one of these productions, and while it is very demanding, we know of the joy it brings to those involved and their families.

It gives us intense pleasure to see this joy and to see great confidence emerge in some students who otherwise may not experience that. We very much say thanks to everyone involved.

Science Week and Co-curricular

This week is also National Science Week. This is another opportunity for teachers and students to explore this great area of both nature and human-made scientific phenomena. We have a large number of budding scientists in our midst who will no doubt make a significant contribution to society like so many other St Paul’s old scholars before them.

We are getting close to the end of the winter co-curricular season and our senior volleyballers are the latest in experiencing much success at a state-wide knockout competition. We will write in more detail about all the winter successes but at this time our most sincere thanks go to Mr Nick Gillard for all his coordination of this and to all students, families, and staff for their support in making it all happen.

Take care.

God Bless

Paul Belton

Dear families and friends of St Paul’s,

Welcome back to Term 3. I hope all those who were able to had a great break and have returned full of energy for another exciting term at the College. It is certainly great for me personally to be back after having term 2 on leave. In saying that I’d very much like to thank all the staff and in particular Mr Josh Foulis and Mr Joe Hicks for stepping up into the senior leadership positions of Principal and Deputy. They and all the staff continue to do a wonderful job in serving and caring deeply for our community.

In terms of my leave, I was very blessed with the opportunity to travel to Dublin, Ireland to meet with leaders of Edmund Rice schools from around the world. EREBB (Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders) is a very significant organization comprising 280 schools and over 200,000 students in over 20 countries around the world. It was an amazing experience and certainly reaffirmed both my personal commitment to the vision of Blessed Edmund and my understanding of the importance of the work we do here at St Paul’s and what the network does around the world.

My time away gave me lots of opportunities to reflect on both the what and the how of all we do here at St Paul’s. As the words of our four EREA Touchstones tell us we aim to “Provide a liberating education in an inclusive community based on justice and solidarity in the context of a Gospel spirituality.” This drives more than the what and the how as it is more importantly based on the “why?”

We are a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice Tradition which means we must, in order to live this out and be authentic to our vocation, reach out to those around us who need us the most. There are many forms of “poverty” in our world, and it is not just about finances. Many suffer from poverty in the spiritual, emotional, and psychological sense as well as financially. Our world is not a particularly fair or just place. Our aim is to educate our students so that they are liberated to see, acknowledge and act to improve these injustices.

Our Edmund Rice network across the world works in areas such as the slums of Africa, with the very poor in India, the troubled in South Africa through to the wealthiest in Australia and other places. We are both big enough and motivated enough to make a significant difference in the world. We hope to develop links and relationships with other schools around the world to help and share our stories of support.

Term 3

As with each and every term in a school’s life, this term will be another busy and challenging one. While we have only just passed “halfway” in 2023, we are working tirelessly in preparing for 2024. We will grow in size again and this will mean we will need more staff at all levels from Leadership to teachers to ESO’s in different areas. We will be advertising new positions in various media and searching out the very best staff to assist in our mission. In addition to this, there will be a myriad of educational opportunities for the students as well as co-curricular ones.

This week we held our Academic Assembly and congratulated over 200 students who had achieved academic awards from semester one. This is a wonderful achievement, growing in size each year and a credit to both students and the academic leaders amongst our staff.

Term 3 is also the last full term for our Year 12 cohort. They will be extremely busy finalising all major assignments and other work. Their time with us comes to an end very quickly and we know they are acutely aware of this. It can be a stressful time for them, but it is a time when we see the very best in our care of them by the staff and the great respect that exists between us all.

Finally, I must apologise for being “missing in action” again over the next couple of weeks. Unfortunately, I need to have some surgery but hope to be back online in a few days and back at school in a bit over a week (please God!)

Take Care, God Bless

Paul Belton

As we conclude Term 2 for 2023, we also conclude Semester One and reflect on the rich learning experiences that have occurred within and beyond formal learning spaces. As much as improving personal capability, students have improved their own character through social interaction and the many opportunities afforded them at St Paul’s, largely thanks to the most exceptional staff who have facilitated these opportunities.

Semester 1 Academic Reports (released on the final day of this term) will offer opportunities to reflect on successes and set goals for the remainder of 2023. I plead with families to continually discuss academic progress and achievement, to refocus positive learning habits and centralise learning as essential (far more focused and effective than simply discussing ‘going to school’).

One personal celebration is the many examples of families being onsite as we continue to move past habits formed during COVID restrictions, and reengage families as essential members of a student’s learning experience and growth journey. Our Mother’s Day Liturgy, Middle Years Learning Expo and Primary Years Music Afternoon are examples of tremendous parent involvement.

Similarly, new leadership and many new members of our vibrant Parents and Friends Association has given life to reinstated family engagement since the restrictions of past years; new members are always encouraged, and the Term 3 P&F Quiz Night will showcase a tremendous example of what this Association (and families) does for our community.

Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week have been important parts of the past term and demonstrated our continually improved commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as well as associated traditions and expertise that offer so much to all Australians as a most significant part of our shared history. Student knowledge and engagement with these rich traditions will continue to be part of our St Paul’s story, while so much growth remains as an exciting opportunity for further growth, partnership, healing, and learning.

Knowing who we are as a community and having started Term 2 with our Founder’s feast day, Blessed Edmund Rice Day back in the first week of term, it is most appropriate that this frames our reflection on the term. Embodying the touchstones of Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA), Edmund calls us to a Liberating Education, based on Gospel Spirituality, within an Inclusive Community to Justice and Solidarity. Where have you witnessed this in the past Term and where has your child’s experience reflected this? What instances of learning, co-curricular, wellbeing, relationship and spirituality can you recall, as we collectively give thanks for a rich term of experience and growth? What of these questions can be a discussion point with your child(ren), knowing that these questions address who we are, well beyond what we do?

In thanking our staff for their exceptional commitment, expertise, and hard work throughout this Term, I also thank our students who are at the centre of our community, as well as our families who breathe life into the journey that our community provides for young people. May the upcoming school holiday period be a time for connection, reflection, and readiness for Term 3.

Josh Foulis
Acting Principal

There is no requirement to speak of one particular matter as we move well through the middle of Term 2, especially since there is so much to celebrate throughout the College, calling for gratitude from our community.

In a great celebration of students, the Primary Years assembly on Tuesday (19 June) witnessed many achievements across academic success, contributions exuding our College values (Faith, Relationships, Excellence, Diversity), and service evident in Jump Rope for Heart.

At the same time, our most senior students in Year 12 immersed themselves in their three-day Year 12 Retreat, where staff led a most formative experience on the theme ‘The End is a New Beginning’. To be so vulnerable with peers while considering the daunting next steps into life (without the daily support of St Paul’s College), is both brave and truly reflective, within a world that is decreasingly ‘present’.

These experiences are only two examples across our College and demonstrate the great breadth of celebration, within varying parts of life’s journey, that benefit our students.

In the coming weeks, our College also prepares for Semester One reports. This is one snapshot of learning over 6 months, knowing that individual feedback that has been given throughout the Semester is far more targeted, timely, and beneficial (since it is more regular). I request each family to use the Semester Report as an opportunity to positively and consecutively celebrate areas of strength and achievement while setting goals for the remainder of 2023.

Quite outrageously, families in Australia have traditionally asked questions such as, “Why didn’t you do better” and “What’s this grade for?”. This perhaps represents many experiences of parents that is now very outdated and unhelpful, since it has no direction on how to improve! Instead, let us seek means for improvement and remain positive, by way of helping our young people improve.

In the same way, I pleaded with our Year 12 students when I had the pleasure of presenting to their Retreat this week, let us ask our students “how they want to be” (positive, kind, fun, inspiring, honest) instead of only “what the want to be” (fireman, lawyer, engineer, teacher). What we are is hard to define and sometimes a long journey to achieve; how we are as people is a proposition each day.

Josh Foulis
Acting Principal

Congratulations to Mr Damian Antenucci on receiving the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to secondary education. A most enormous recognition and most appropriate.
Damian taught at Kilmara College from 1977 to 1987, where he was the Director and Producer of School Musicals.
Since 1988, he has taught here at St Paul’s College, fulfilling many roles including: Head of Senior School, Head of Pastoral Care, Director and Producer of School Musicals, Coach of Badminton and the First 18 Football team, and mathematics teacher. These are only some of the ways Damian has served our community!
Damian was also a founding member of St Paul’s Old Scholars Football Club in 1992. Since that time, he has been Treasurer, President, and Coach.
As we know, old scholars remember Damian fondly and he is greatly admired by his colleagues. He has been a wonderful contributor to Catholic Education since 1977, and this honour is very well deserved.
 

On-track for Online

Since our last College newsletter, a fortnight ago, we have lived the exceptional beauty of ‘diversity’, one of our four values at St Paul’s College.

National Reconciliation Week was most pivotal in our community’s ongoing commitment to genuine Reconciliation. Additionally, we have celebrated Carnevale as our Italian language program came to life. Only two weeks, and so much to show for.

While we live our commitment to relationship and respect for diversity each day, social media continues to challenge this commitment when we seek the worst of ourselves and others. For its many benefits, we also understand that criticism and negativity feed on social media, the standard communication for society, and yet a challenging medium to navigate for young people as the grow up, learn about themselves and establish their identity.

Often families and staff alike are supporting young people with challenging behavioral choices made online and on social media. Education about online safety and positive online behaviors, is something that the classroom and society must continue to prioritise.

In doing so, we must have forthright conversations with young people and ensure transparency if they are using online applications and social media.

Social Media Resource – Helping parents with an enormous task!

Recently, I have worked with Tasmin London, Executive Director of ySafe. Yasmin and ySafe are especially helpful in their diverse approach to this complex issue of online safety.

Their website is an ‘Online Safety Hub’ and unlike so many other websites that address online safety, it provides clear and concise information:

“Children today are growing up in an increasingly online world and it's essential that we are doing all that we can to support and guide their digital journey. The Online Safety Hub supports the school community by providing practical insights and advice directly from internationally-renowned Online Safety & Digital Wellness Experts.” – ySafe Website.

The website can be accessed HERE and I urge all member of our community to explore this amazing resource, particularly:

• The guides and practical suggestions for any parent wanting to help their child be safe online: Click here for ySafe parents' guide
• The review of online applications/programs, which clearly explains many popular programs that young people use and their risks, alongside helpful information about who and why they are used:  Click here for ySafe app-reviews

Knowing that families and schools can’t assist young people with online safety unless we know about what and how they are engaging online, here is one example of the ‘known risks’ for an applications/programs available on the ySafe website – this example is for TikTok.

As we work hard to support our young people, let’s also use the valuable resources available to us. I urge you to visit the ySafe Website and discuss it with your family/child. Above all, let’s keep working together for the safety of our young people, including online safety.

Please engage our staff wherever we may assist your young person (or your family) with resources or conversation that may help us navigate the online challenges we share. Above all, please speak openly and honestly with your young person(s) and share their online presence.

Josh Foulis
Acting Principal 

Next week, the College and our Nation celebrates National Reconciliation Week. ‘Be a Voice for Generations’ is the theme for national reconciliation Week in 2023 and that theme is echoed by our annual College them of ‘Empowering Voices’.

National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May until 3 June and it is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

At St Paul’s College, we continually acknowledge and respect the Kaurna people whose land we share and who have a most exceptional and ongoing story that can educate our practices, policies, relationships and people. But first, we must commit to understanding and reconciliation.

Throughout National Reconciliation Week, our College will participate in several ways and students will be invited to partake in many activities, including a whole-school assembly that starts with a smoking ceremony and welcome to country on Monday morning to begin the week.

Just as students will be increasing their focus on understanding and reconciliation during NRW, I urge you to seek every opportunity to discuss the week and its theme with your young person(s).

Update on Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA)

As you will have noted in previous communications, EREA have undertaken significant change to governance structures. While this may not obviously impact the daily undertaking in our school community, the close work that we do with our governing body is exceptionally supportive and greatly assist our College as a Catholic College in the Edmund Rice Tradition.

Now governed by EREA Colleges Ltd, we extend a warm welcome from St Paul’s College to Mr Chris Woolley as the CEO of EREA Colleges Ltd. Following his appointment in February, Chris started in this position last week and his leadership will enormously benefit our College and likewise the many communities within EREA Colleges Ltd.

Chris is a senior executive with 25 years’ experience in management, education, law and policy in both the private and public sectors. He comes to EREA from Queensland Catholic Education Commission, where he was most recently the Acting Executive Director, and substantively the Chief Operating Officer and Company Secretary since 2016. Chris has broad experience in a faith-based setting, with work focused on mission and identity. Chris also brings significant leadership experience in complex strategy, governance, and assurance functions.

Chris is obviously excited for his journey that includes great support for our community:

 “I look forward to serving and leading in a system setting and working directly with a wonderful network of colleges, people and communities across Australia. This new role enables me to build on a special connection with EREA, with my father, uncles, brothers, myself, and my sons all having had the opportunity to attend Catholic schools founded in the Edmund Rice tradition. I am privileged and humbled to serve EREA as it renews its commitment to governance structures and processes which best support its school communities.”

Chris looks forward to visiting St Paul’s College for the first time in June.

High Expectations – attending always and on time

As outlined in the College’s Our Common Ground, respectful relationships set the foundation for our lives at St Paul’s College. For this reason, respect needs to be central for every student, staff member and family and there are very simple ways to show a commitment to respect that can easily improve outcomes.

Perhaps the easiest way to demonstrate respect and commit to success is by ensuring that students attend always, and on time. Attendance and punctuality may seem trivial or assumed, but we know that as winter creeps in and the year grows longer, there is a risk to be late to school/class and perhaps even a risk to attendance.

Simply reminding ourselves that the only we to be successful at school is to be at school, motivates us to prioritise attendance. By extension, being punctual leads to success because it shows others and ourselves that we are committed to learning and committed to the community – we care.

Students and families are reminded that attendance and punctuality are absolutely demanded of students (and likewise staff), with thanks for prioritising these as obvious signs of respect and commitment.

Josh Foulis
Acting Principal