As we move into the Winter months, I hope that all members of our College community are healthy and well. While there is a lot of change afoot within St Paul’s, please remain confident in contacting our College if there is any way that we can assist you. In short, we are never too busy for you, our most important people!
Building Works Underway!
Within a matter of one weekend, our College has transformed into a hive of activity with building works well underway. Refurbishing the previous Resource Centre, redeveloping the main courtyard, and a senior learning centre/changeroom/toilets building, have generated excitement amongst staff and students, albeit withs some necessary challenges to movement around the College.
With Mossop (Builders) committed to engaging our students and staff throughout the building program, which is pleasing since they are key stakeholders in the process, I express my gratitude for the flexibility and understanding that staff and students have shown throughout the challenges of recent weeks.
Professional Development for Staff
As families are aware, Week 10 of this term is ‘student-free’ to enable staff to engage with professional development. In an environment moving to co-education, as well as the naturally progressing environment of education more broadly, our College’s commitment to continuous improvement and ongoing personal/professional development is essential, rendering this ‘student-free’ week crucial.
During our professional development week, our staff will engage in the following key sessions, among other administrative sessions:
- Positive Education: Concluding our 18 month journey with ‘Positivity Institute’, this work will allow our College to plan for the explicit and implicit journey through positive education for the benefit of students R-12.
- Dr Michael Nagel: A specialist in adolescent psychology, including specialised work around girls development and also boys development, Dr Nagel will come from the University of the Sunshine Coast to spend a whole-day adding to our understanding of co-education. As an expert in this field, we look forward to working with Dr Nagel, having already completed an introductory session with him via videoconferencing.
- Dr Craig Wattam: Executive Director of Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) is visiting St Paul’s to speak with our staff on key priorities for our governing body, as well as our move into co-education within the mission of our charism.
- Risk and Compliance, WHS: Understanding that a safe community is crucial for staff, students and families alike, our staff will engage in required and additional training in this area.
Mr Josh Foulis
Acting Principal
Recent News
Dear Families,
As we conclude Week 8 and head into the final week of school for Term 2, I would like to thank you again for all your support this term. As we begin the building projects across the high school, our primary amenities block is getting closer to completion. This will mark the end of the first of many building projects to take place in the next six months.
Mid-Year Reception Transition
This week we welcomed the newest members to our St Paul’s community. These young men collaborated with our current reception students and staff to engage in activities. These activities were designed to support the development of their social skills, resilience, and perseverance. As a school, we use these transition visits to help develop a strong focus on student wellbeing by providing a nurturing environment for them to explore, learn and have fun. It is a great way for students to prepare for their entry into school in Term 3.
As a school community, we value and recognise these transition experiences. We place a level of importance in developing strong partnerships with our families and by working together we strive to enrich the lives of the children in our care.
Not only are these transition days beneficial for the students, it allows families to connect as they are likely to have their sons spend the next 13 years of school together.
Primary First Aid – Week 9
We are pleased to announce the continuation of our partnership between St Paul’s College and St John SA to teach our students how to apply first aid. The First Aid in Schools Program is a community initiative delivered by qualified trainers from St John SA. The aim is to equip children with the first aid skills they need if faced with a medical emergency. The course is fun and informative with hands-on techniques and demonstrations. Students in Reception to Year 6 will participate in this course throughout Week 9. This compliments our focus on safety across the entire primary school.
After participating in the program, each student will receive a certificate of achievement and will be provided with some educational resources to be used at home or in the classroom. The First Aid in Schools Program is age-appropriate and integrates with the National Curriculum. The program is also delivered with the support of the South Australian Department for Education and Child Development.
Week 10 – Pupil free week
As we have done for several years now, the final week of Term 2 (Week 10) is a pupil free week. Please enjoy this three week break! I hope you all find some time during this period to spend with friends and family.
Whilst students do not attend school in Week 10, our staff remain onsite undertaking professional development. In conjunction with updating our OHSW certifications, we continue to foster our faith formations for staff and Catholic identity. Our staff will continue their ongoing work with the Positivity Institute and the college has dedicated a significant amount of time to work with Dr Michael Nagel. He will continue his program with us on working with boys and girls in co-educational settings.
Primary Music afternoon
During Term 2, the music classes have been working on a piece to perform at the music assembly. The items range from the receptions busting a move and keeping the beat to the Year 6s performing as a band on a variety of instruments. A highlight will be the Wind Immersion students who have excelled this semester.
Regards,
Mr Jake Stewart
Acting Head of Primary
As a parent, you are your child’s first educator, and your home is their first learning environment. Here is where firm foundations are built around emotional security and resilience. After their home, school is the next most important place for most children.
The experiences at school play an essential role in children’s lives, determining their academic and social futures. In the first five years, children develop physically, cognitively, and emotionally at a faster rate than at any other time.
Our Reception teachers work hard to embed positive attitudes towards school and learning; ensuring they make learning fun. In addition to this, setting expectations for behaviour and building a sound understanding of key concepts such as reading and numbers. They facilitate the characteristics of effective learning in developing the skills and attitudes required to help children become lifelong learners, focusing in on not just what children need to learn but how they learn it.
Our exploratory play based inquiry approach in Reception allows all children to develop the ability to become independent and capable learners for life. Students in the Reception class are encouraged to have a go and try something new, persist in the face of challenges, supported to have their own ideas, find more than one way of doing something and be proud of how they achieve something, not just the achievement itself.
Essentially, making links and connections between their learning. Being in our Reception classes is an exciting time of learning lots of new skills!
Mrs Lisa Daws
Leader of Learning R-6
A group of 12 students from Year 9 went to the Adelaide Convention Centre to listen to people talk about leadership and to do activities with other leaders from other school. Altitude day was a great experience because we got to meet new people from schools and make new friends. Throughout the day we learnt about teamwork, good leadership, persistence and more. We listened to three guest speakers that all spoke about their life story which inspired many people to push themselves and to do the right thing. Overall Altitude Day was really fun and inspiring.
Liam Poli
Year 9
On Friday 4 June, three teams of students competed against other schools from across the state in the preliminary round of the UN EVATT held at Flinders University.
These students made up our inaugural teams in the competition, as this is a new co-curricular offering for the College. The competition is open to students from Years 9 to 12, and there is already increased interest now that we have had teams participate. Our students are to be congratulated as they represented the College well.
Student teams represented countries in a Model UN Security Council, where they used teamwork, negotiation, public speaking, and diplomatic skills as members states of the United Nations. We congratulate Oscar Burrows (11GL4) and Ryan Du (11MA6), for advancing to the Semifinals, which will be held at Flinders University on Monday. Below is a short reflection from some of the students who participated in the preliminary round:
“The UN Evatt competition was an intriguing experience which provided myself as one of the participating students the opportunity to work with my partner in composing a structured and fluently spoken argument. The UN Evatt is the perfect activity to undertake as it encourages teamwork, critical and creative thinking, and the opportunity for students around Australia to boost their confidence”. Ryan Du (11MA6)
“UN Evatt was a thrilling experience in which you and a partner of your choice go through real-life scenarios and debate on them. My companion throughout the event, Sohrab, and I had the country of St Vincent and the Grenadines. Before we began the preliminary round, they thoroughly explained all the regulations and how everything would function. We are still unsure whether we have qualified to the next round yet, but we are hoping for the best”. Ahmad Ibrahimi (9DA1)
Mr Matthew Muscat
Senior Years Leader of Learning: LEAF
This year we are holding a number of transition events for our first girls starting at St Paul's in 2022. On Wednesday 9 June we welcomed girls commencing in Years 3-6 for an activity afternoon. The girls enjoyed getting to know one another and staff through the various fun activities, while their families had the opportunity to mingle over afternoon tea. It was wonderful to meet everyone and see the girls leave with smiles.
St Vincent de Paul is a Catholic Organisation aimed at serving those in need. Annually, St Paul’s College helps this worthwhile organisation through a variety of programs. Please help support the Vinnies Winter Appeal and donate winter woollies or non-perishable goods. The collection will continue until the 24th of June.
Thank you Kindly,
Mrs Maria Girolamo-Corbo and members of the SPC Justice Society
Please click here for:
Nick Gillard,
Sport and Co-Curricular Development Coordinator
Upcoming Events
Last Day of Term 2 - Reports Released
College Tour
Please see COLLEGE TOURS for further information and to register
2022 Reception girls activity morning
See GIRLS TRANSITION DATES page for further details