6 March 2025

This morning our female staff and students gathered for a special International Women’s Day Breakfast to hear from two inspiring guest speakers: Lauren Amato, a geotechnical engineer, and Rosie Panetta, a media presenter and match day emcee.

Over a light breakfast, students asked insightful questions as our speakers shared their backgrounds, personal journeys, and the challenges they have overcome to achieve success in male-dominated fields. Their stories encouraged students to believe in themselves, support one another and pursue their goals.
 

2025 was another amazing year of two fantastic days for our community.

Primary Years sports day saw hundreds of families enter our school gates to celebrate with children in a range of novelty games and sprints. The teachers once again took home the R-6 relay race and Dally house took home the primary years honours as champion house.

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded the age champion award for Sports Day. This is a testament to not only their successes on the day but also their effort and attitude toward getting the most out of themselves in PE lessons throughout the year.

Our secondary sports day was one of the best in recent history, with all houses competing hard. We had the closest finish for the top 3 houses we have seen in years!

Charlize I broke the record for the most total points as age group champion with a huge 80 points (8 first place ribbons). While the Under 15 boys age group champion race between speedsters Jono M and Rowan M came down to the wire.

Dally house dominated the Tug O War and took home the novelty shield. Gleeson house were the 2025 best improvers and ultimately claimed the handicap shield. 

The final standings were:
5th – Nagle (1234)
4th – O’Loughlin (1458)
3rd – Gleeson (1570)
2nd – Marlow (1593)
1st – DALLY (1614)

Age group champions:

Nick Gillard - Sport & Cocurricular Development Coordinator

Shrove Tuesday, also called Pancake Day, is the day before Ash Wednesday and marks the start of Lent. The term "shrove" comes from the word "shrive," meaning to confess sins. Traditionally, people would use up rich foods like eggs and sugar by making pancakes before beginning their Lenten fast.

The primary and secondary school followed tradition by celebrating Shrove Tuesday with pancakes. Students were reminded that this day is not only about food, but also about community and preparing for the spiritual journey ahead.

Ash Wednesday is a significant time as it officially marks the season of Lent. As staff and students received the ashes, they were asked to think about what they wanted to change in their lives. Some questions for us all to consider:

Do we need to be more patient? More understanding? More generous? More loving? These ashes remind us that we are always growing and that with God’s help, we have the power to become the best versions of ourselves, fittingly aligning with our College theme this year: Striving For Excellence. 

Lent is a period of preparation to celebrate Jesus' Resurrection at Easter. The number 40 is symbolic throughout the Gospel, as is referenced with Jesus’ 40 days in the desert, fasting and tempted by the devil, before returning on Palm Sunday as Mesiah, so soon before his death. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ's will more faithfully. This is especially important in our Jubilee Year as we are asked to renew our faith and be Pilgrims of Hope.

The Catholic Identity Team

In Week 4, the Year 12 Outdoor Education students headed to Yorke Peninsula for a four-day Surfing Skill Development Experience. Based at Corny Point Caravan Park, they surfed at Berry Bay North and South, refining their surfing techniques while also developing other essential outdoor skills.

Preparation was key. The week before, students took part in a Basic Skills Day at Middleton Beach, learning about paddling, board positioning, and efficient pop-up techniques. These skills were put to the test on the Yorke Peninsula, where students filmed their progress and completed skill audits to help with their first reflective practice task. They were also lucky enough to share the waves with pods of dolphins and even spotted a seal cruising nearby.

Beyond surfing, students took responsibility for planning their own meals. They created shopping lists, considering nutrition, ease of cooking, and the challenge of no refrigeration. They also planned their clothing and equipment to ensure they were prepared for all conditions and could enjoy the trip safely.

The experience wasn’t just about surfing—students also had the chance to learn from Ed Stanek of the Daly Heads Surf Reserve and Max Barr from the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board. They discussed human interactions with the environment and conservation efforts, including revegetation projects, track construction, rubbish removal, The Osprey Project, and The Marna Banggara Project at Daly Head, Gleesons Landing, and Thidna Conservation Park.

Students also developed their outdoor living skills, practicing tent setup and Trangia stove cooking. These practical skills, combined with the challenges and rewards of surfing, made for a memorable and rewarding experience. The trip was a fantastic opportunity to push limits, connect with nature, and learn valuable skills.

Jessica Stace - Leader of Learning - Health and Physical Education

Shrove Tuesday

The Primary Years students celebrated Shrove Tuesday with a pancake morning tea filled with delicious pancakes and a spirit of giving. The event was held to raise funds for Project Compassion, a charity that supports communities in need. Shrove Tuesday highlights compassion and solidarity for those less fortunate.

Ash Wednesday

The Year 6 Ambassadors attended Parish Mass at St Pius X Catholic Church for Ash Wednesday.  They proudly represented our community as they collected ashes for the College's Ash Wednesday liturgies. Their attendance highlighted their role as leaders and role models within the school, fostering a sense of unity and faith.

All Primary students marked the significance of Ash Wednesday with a beautiful liturgy hosted by the Year 3 students. The service was a meaningful way for students to reflect on the season of Lent, with the Year 3 students guiding their peers in prayer and reflection, helping to deepen their understanding of this important time in the liturgical calendar.

Primary Years Social Justice Group

The Primary Years Social Justice Group is hosting an ice block fundraiser to support Project Compassion, with all proceeds going to help those living in poverty. The ice blocks will be sold for $1 each, making it an affordable and fun way for students to contribute to this worthy cause. The fundraiser will take place during lunchtime on Wednesday, 12th March.

Miranda McGlaughlin - Leader of Identity and Mission Primary Years

To mark the start of our Environmental Sustainability initiatives at St Paul's College, our youngest members of the SPC Environmental Sustainability Committee attended Green Adelaide's Seaside Safari program. Through a number of expert-led and hands-on activities, the students learnt more about Adelaide's coastal landscapes and human impacts, including manmade waterways, dune degradation and native species. By investigating and understanding ways we can manage these spaces, both on the coast and inland, this learning aims to help support our school initiatives from R-12 in the future. 

Amber Dias - HASS/Environment Sustainability Key Teacher

On 20th February, we had the privilege of welcoming Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, to St Paul’s College for a Q&A session with our student leaders from Years 6-12.

Our students were engaged, asking thoughtful questions on leadership, service, and the future of our state. It was an excellent opportunity for them to learn from such an esteemed leader and be inspired to embrace opportunities and make a difference.

A sincere thank you to Her Excellency for sharing her time and wisdom with us!

The beginning of 2025 has been extremely busy as all school years are! However, to make sure our Receptions and Year 6 students are feeling settled into the year. They were greeted by their buddies from the secondary years. Our Receptions loved hearing stories read to them by the Year 7's and our Year 6 students loved getting to run around with the Year 12s playing a range of games and activities. The St Paul's Buddy Program will look to grow throughout 2025 as an initiative to support our students across the college.

Carlo Librino - Director of Identity & Mission

On 4th March our Year 8 and 9 Student leaders, and a budding Year 7 leader attended the Secondary Youth Leadership Conference held at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Students were challenged to consider their roles as Student leaders and broaden the impact they have in these important roles. As servant leaders of our St Paul's community, our Student leaders learned more about how they can harness their leadership skills while hearing from inspirational leaders across the country. We are grateful for their commitment to the college and enhancing the student experience. 

Genevieve Turnbull - Leader of Wellbeing - Middle Years 7-9

On Monday 3 March our Year 12 students travelled to Port Hughes to embark on a three day Retreat. 

The theme of this year's Year 12 Retreat was 'Anchors of Hope', reflecting on how young men can anchor themselves in the readiness to complete their final year of schooling. The final cohort of all boys, embarked on many activities, unpacking the masks we wear, the baggage each of us brings with us each day and developing skills to manage this. The boys also had a surprise visit from Mr Belton, who generously took time out of his week to drive down to Port Hughes and provide the boys with a session on 'What type of Man do you want to be'. It was a fantastic experience for our boys, to set them on their way in preparation for the remainder of the year, galvanising themselves as a year level and making lifelong memories!

We hope that our Year 12s can carry this theme of Anchoring themselves in Hope for the remainder of their schooling journey and take these lessons with them as they move into the wider world. A massive shout out to all of the staff who took time out of their lives to attend the retreat, who without, this experience would not have happened. 

Mr Carlo Librino
Director of Identity and Mission