3 April 2025

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.

Term 1 Reporting

As we continue to Strive for Excellence, the upcoming school holidays provide an opportunity for all students to reflect on their efforts so far this year. As well as celebrating success and achievement, identifying areas for improvement is also a critical aspect of ongoing personal growth. The Term 1 interim report provides a snapshot of student progress thus far and students are encouraged to lead the conversation with their families regarding their academic progress, putting necessary steps in place to achieve their personal best in preparation for Term 2.

Term 1 reports will be released via SEQTA at 4pm on the final day of term (Friday, 11 April), and subject-specific parent/teacher conversations will be held in Term 2 (Week 3).

Terms 2 and 3 – Winter Uniform

With Term 2 fast approaching, a reminder of formal winter uniform expectations for students, which includes:

• St Paul’s College blazer (compulsory) and required to be worn to and from school, whenever full winter uniform is required.
• Choice of St Paul’s College blue-striped long-sleeved shirt (shirt must be tucked-in), for Year 7 to Year 11 students.
• Choice of St Paul’s College white long-sleeved Year 12 shirt (shirt must be tucked-in), for Year 12 students only.
• St Paul’s College charcoal school pants.
• St Paul’s College winter skirt, no shorter than knee length.
• St Paul’s College black knitted jumper. (With yellow stripe on neckline)
• St Paul’s College tie (Year 7 to Year 11).
• St Paul’s College Year 12 tie (Year 12 students only).
• Grey St Paul’s College crew socks, with yellow band, or black tights (under skirt).

For more specific information regarding uniform and grooming expectations, the St Paul’s Uniform Policy can be found here.

Should families need to purchase additional items, Uniform Shop information and trading hours can be accessed here.

If there are reasonable circumstances for which your child is unable to wear the full and correct uniform, the College requests that families communicate this with Home Group Teachers via SEQTA direct message, written note, or verbal communication.

Return to School

All students will return to school on Monday 28 April.  Friday 2 May (Week 1) is a significant day in our college calendar as we celebrate Edmund Rice Day as a community. More information regarding Edmund Rice Day will be communicated to students and families in due course. 

Dear Families,

End of Term Reflections and Easter Blessings

As we approach the final week of what has been a busy and rewarding term, it is a wonderful time to reflect on all that has been achieved. Our students have engaged in rich learning experiences, embraced new challenges and demonstrated resilience and enthusiasm in all they do. As we move towards the well-earned term break, I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to rest, recharge and spend quality time with family and friends.

Next week, we enter one of the most significant times in the Catholic calendar – Holy Week. Beginning this Sunday with Palm Sunday, we journey through the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our students will be engaging in meaningful learning experiences and reflections that deepen their understanding of this sacred time. Holy Week reminds us of the power of faith, hope and renewal, and it is a time for us to come together as a community in prayer.

Although Easter Sunday falls during our term break, we will celebrate the joy of the resurrection as a school community at the beginning of next term with a special Easter Liturgy. The tradition of sharing Easter eggs is one that holds deep significance.  Eggs symbolise new life and the promise of new beginnings, just as Jesus' resurrection brings hope and renewal to all. As we enjoy our Easter celebrations, may we also take a moment to reflect on the deeper meaning of this season and the gift of new life it represents.

For our Year 6 students, there is still one exciting adventure ahead before the break – their camp at Aldinga from Monday to Wednesday next week. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to engage in learning beyond the classroom, build independence and develop resilience. The camp experience fosters teamwork, problem-solving and a deep appreciation for nature, all of which contribute positively to student wellbeing. We wish our Year 6s a wonderful time filled with adventure, learning and lasting memories.

As we head towards the last week of the term, I extend my heartfelt thanks to our Primary Years staff, students and families for their continued commitment, support and engagement in our vibrant school community. May the upcoming break be a time of relaxation and joy and may Easter bring renewed hope and blessings to all. I look forward to welcoming everyone back next term, refreshed and ready for another exciting term of learning and growth in the Primary Years.

Wishing you all a safe, happy and blessed Easter.

Marianne Loftus - Head of Primary Years

Twilight Music in the Courtyard – Next Week!

Wednesday, 9 April. 5-6:30pm

Venue: St Paul's College, Courtyard. (Wet Weather: Callan Hall)

Performers: Secondary co-curricular ensembles and Yr 10 and SACE Music ensembles

Parents and Friends - BBQ

Middle School Music Classroom Music News

Our Middle years music students have been actively engaging in creative and hands-on projects that develop their musical skills, critical listening, and performance abilities. From composing digital beats to analysing iconic songs, students are exploring music in innovative ways while refining their technical and creative skills.

Year 7 Music Students Create ‘Digital-Beat’ Masterpieces

This term, our Year 7 music students have been exploring beat, rhythm and composition through an exciting body percussion and digital music project. Using Incredibox, they crafted unique backing tracks and combined them with expressive body percussion performances. Throughout the process, students developed rhythmic coordination, experimented with musical layers, and refined their timing and creativity. They also reflected on their work, analysing how beat, rhythm, texture, and structure shaped their final pieces. This hands-on project has been a fantastic way for students to engage with music in an innovative way as well as the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and performance skills.

Year 8 Students Take the Mic in Rock Star Interviews

Our Year 8 music students have stepped into the world of radio broadcasting with their Rock Star Interview project. As DJs, they explored the differences between original songs and their cover versions, analysing elements like instrumentation, texture, timbre and artistic interpretation.

Students crafted engaging scripts and performed lively interviews, discussing how artists reimagine music. This task developed their critical listening skills, creativity, understanding of music vocabulary and performance confidence.

Veronica Marrie - Music & Performance Coordinator

Over the past three Mondays, our Primary Years students and families were invited to participate in the Water Walk, an awareness-raising initiative by Project Compassion.  This event aims to highlight the challenges many people in developing countries face when accessing clean water.

Five of our dedicated students who attended each Monday morning, running or walking laps, have been awarded gifts to recognise their efforts.  Not only did they complete the most laps, but they did so with positive attitudes, demonstrating great commitment and involvement in our Primary community. 

A huge thank you to Primary staff members Mrs Field, Mr Thoday, Mrs Barone, Miss Vassiliou, Miss Armitage, and Miss Anthony for supporting and committing their time to this event.  I would also like to extend a big thank you to Mr Wood for his ongoing collaboration and support, which helped make this event possible.

As a school community, we look forward to engaging in more social justice actions throughout the year.

Miranda McGlaughlin - Identity and Mission Leader Primary Years 

Student Drop off and Pick Up Areas

Our College staff car park 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). We have had many examples of cars being blocked in due to double parking. Please note that the staff carpark is not the preferred location for students drop off and pickup.

Please refer to the map pictured for locations of drop-off and pick-up zones around the College (highlighted in yellow).

The following are the expectations of families during the busiest morning and afternoon (drop-off and pick-up) periods:

• Use drop-off and pick-up zones or surrounding streets to avoid the carpark
• It is preferable for secondary students to enter via the main double gates on Blacks Rd
• If using the carpark, pull into an empty space or continue driving through. Do not double park behind a parked vehicle
• If no spaces are available, please loop around
• Giveaway to cars exiting a carpark (allow room for that car to reverse)

Our combined understanding and patience will assist in facilitating pick up and drop off for all families. 

A huge congratulations to Rowan M (Year 9) and Darcey R (Year 8) for earning a spot on the State Team for the Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships! Rowan will compete in the Under-15 team, and Darcey will represent the Under-13s when the event takes place in late April.

Rowan has an exciting week ahead, also set to compete in the 2025 Australian Junior (Under Age) Athletics Championships in Perth.

Also, a big congratulations to Mila C (Year 9), who will be representing Australia as part of Team Australia for cheerleading. She will be competing in the International Cheerleading Union (ICU) World Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida, at the end of April, held at the ESPN Sports Centre.

We wish them the best of luck!

Congratulations to the winners of our Soccer Raffle:

• RAA Lounge AUFC - Grace Lynott
• Adelaide 36ers Montrezl Harrell Jumper- Delaney Family 
• Rory Sloane Jumper - Ferda Sen (please contact school for collection)
• Lloyd Pope Jumper - Greiger Family 
• PSV Jumper - Daniele Family 
• AUFC Merch pack #1 - Viscentin Family
• AUFC Merc Pack #2 - Tim Martin
• Adelaide 36ers Kendric Davis Jumper - De Palma Family 

All prizes will be presented a house assemblies in week 11. 

Are you interested in completing your Premiers Reading Challenge in 2025?

Are you in Year 7 to 12?

How to complete the Challenge?

To complete the Premier’s Reading Challenge students, need to read 12 books by the end of Book Week (end of August)

1. Students will need a Student Reading Record. This is available from the Resource Centre (if you have not come into the resource centre with your class to do the PRC)
2. Read 12 books. Eligible books include e-books, audio books, class/shared reading. * Year 7 to Year 9: Students must read 4 books from the Premier’s Reading Challenge booklist and 8 personal choice books.* Year 10 to Year 12: Students must read 12 personal choice books.
3. Student PRC records can be kept in the resource centre while completing the challenge (so you don’t lose it)
4. Complete the Student Reading Record with the title and author for each book. A parent, caregiver, teacher or librarian must sign off on each book to verify it has been read. (Don’t wait until you have read all 12- sign off as you read them)
5. Completed Student Reading Record are lodged with the library by the end of August.
6. Receive an award in late November. 

See Miss Rogers or Ms Haskey in the Resource Centre if you have any questions.

All secondary years boys and primary sports have concluded for Term 1. Girls sport will conclude after this weekend's games. We wish them all the best for the final game of the term.

Click here to access Week 10 fixture

Enrolment applications for students commencing Reception and Year 7 in 2027 are due by the end of term (11 April 2025). Although priority is given to sibling enrolments, we do require a completed application form for each younger sibling.

You can access an enrolment application form on the College website here or please don't hesitate to contact our Enrolments Office with any questions: enrolments@stpauls.sa.edu.au

The Uniform Shop will close for the school holidays on Friday, 11 April at 4:00 pm and will reopen on Tuesday, 22 April at 9:00 am.

Extended Holiday Trading Hours:

Tuesday, 22 April – Thursday, 24 April – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

We will return to regular hours on Monday, 28 April.

Winter Uniform Reminder

Students will change to winter uniform next term, so now is a great time to check that you have everything required to start the term correctly.

Please remember that a booking appointment is required if you require multiple items.

Book here

Monday to Thursday, between 3.20pm and 4.20pm, students from Years 5 to 12 are welcome to attend Homework Club in the Resource Centre. Staffing for Week 11 will be:

Week 11

Monday - Mr Cummings (Health & PE) & Mr McCaffrey (Maths & Science)
Tuesday - Mr Hrycek (Maths) and Mr Genner (Maths)
Wednesday - Mr Domiszewski (English, Geography, Religion)
Thursday - Mr Dodson (Religion, English, History, Geography)