Dear Friends and Families of St Paul’s,
Our Year 12s are currently undertaking their end of year SACE exams or finalising their last major externally assessed assignments. We take immense pride in our Year 12 students, their dedication and hard work not only reflects their preparation, but also the strong foundation they have built over their years at St Paul’s College. We are confident that their results will showcase their efforts and the high standard of education they have received.
While this is in many ways the culmination of thirteen years of education, it is in no way the be all and end all of education. Personally, it is my belief that far too much pressure is placed on students to attain an exceptionally high ATAR. While some students certainly wish to gain direct entry into the University course of their choice (or their number one preference as it is called), it should never be considered a failure if not attained now.
In today’s educational world and society in general there are multiple pathways into whatever career a young person may dream of undertaking. To finish secondary schooling with a solid values base and strong set of beliefs is far more important. Psychologists and other experts suggest that today’s students will have multiple different careers during their lifetime. If this is true, why does society, families and individuals put themselves under so much pressure? Surely every student and every individual working hard to become the best they can be is enough.
EREA Touchstones
Everyone in our community would have heard, read or seen information regarding the four Edmund Rice Education Australia Touchstones. These are Gospel Spirituality, Inclusive Community, Justice and Solidarity and Liberating Education.
Liberation means to be set free. We could suggest that a Liberating Education is one that allows every person the “freedom” to become whatever it is they wish to become. EREA’s definition of a Liberating Education, however, is somewhat different.
As a Catholic College in the Edmund Rice Tradition, we believe that: “We open hearts and minds, through quality teaching and learning experiences, so that through critical reflection and engagement each person is hope-filled and free to build a better world for all.”
That definition does not speak of ATAR’s or SACE completion but rather our school’s hope that we, in partnership with families, produce graduates who have strong enough values to know that life is not all about them as an individual, but rather each one of us has an obligation to contribute to making the world a better place. I am sure you would all agree our world needs young people like this.
I believe this is what St Paul’s is excellent at embedding in all we do. Our pastoral care and wellbeing initiatives must encourage all students to become the absolute best version of themselves. The academics obviously support this but do not define who we are. Sometimes this is a hard pitch to convince young girls and boys or parents of this, but it is what we believe.
EREA will soon be finalising and distributing the latest iteration of our Charter. The content and emphases may be altered a little but the essence of what it means to us as a community will not alter. We are a community built around mutual respect and unconditional love for each other. This respect is the basis of our Common Ground document and binds us all to the Touchstones and the College values of Faith, Relationships, Excellence, and Diversity.
As the year draws very quickly to a close and we welcome many new families and students, we also say farewell and thank you to the families who are leaving us for the last time. We hope that the students and families will remain connected to our community and hold fond memories of their time at the College. We hope that they all take with them Certa Bonum Certamen or “Fight the Good Fight” of faith which will help us all make a positive contribution to the world around us.
Take care.
God Bless
Paul Belton.
Congratulations to Year 10 students Alessandra and Caitlinn for their success in the ANZAC School Spirit Prize competition for 2024! This initiative encourages young South Australians to explore and honour the ANZAC spirit through thorough research and reflection.
