Dear Families and friends of St Paul’s,
Welcome back to the 2023 academic year at St Paul’s. As you may have seen or heard already our theme for the year is “Empowering Voices.” In a Catholic College in the Edmund Rice tradition, this is not only important but an intrinsic characteristic we hold dear.
Our current College Strategic Plan (available on the College website HERE) has five strategic directions and one of these is Empowering Voices. The meaning of the two words themselves is important as they give a clear indication that all members of our extended community, parents, caregivers, students, staff, and old scholars should feel able, encouraged and empowered to make a positive contribution to this great community. Having been encouraged, it is our commitment that the voices will then be listened to. Through this commitment we will ensure that child protection, safeguarding and an excellent education are at the forefront of our work.
In a rapidly changing world, our students need to be able to express their understandings of what is important to them and to also be able to influence all things that have an impact on them. What is crucial for us collectively is to provide the Catholic, Edmund Rice Education values and lens through which the students can come to understand and enact what will make our College and our world a better place for all.
Many different and varied opportunities will be provided for everyone to ensure this theme is being actively lived out.
A Great Start to the Year.
We have begun this year with significant growth again, in both staff and student numbers. Our student population has exceeded one thousand for the first time in the College’s history. With this increase has come the employment of another thirty new members of staff. The quality of staff has again already been evident, and they have all collectively brought great passion, skills and commitment to the vision of the College. We are here to enable every student with the very best opportunities to empower the students to fulfil their unique God-given potential through active participation in the community. This is so clear whenever we meet.
Our beginning of year Mass was nothing short of inspirational. With the COVID world denying us of many opportunity to gather together we were blessed to have all 1200 members of the community gathered in the gymnasium to celebrate the Eucharist together. We were blessed to have Fr Philip Marshall preside and his amazing ability to communicate with the very young, and the not-so-young was inspirational.
In addition to the Opening Mass we have held parent information sessions, a Yr 4 camp to AFL Max and our very beautiful Reception Rite of Passage / Welcome ceremony. This week our co-curricular program kicks off and our School Advisory Council meets to discuss our aims for the year and provide direction and challenge to the Leadership team of the College.
We encourage members of the community to make contact with us should you wish to join a committee such as the School Advisory Committee and Parents and Friends Committee. We are always on the look-out for people with lots of passion and energy!
2023 promises to be a very challenging but exciting and rewarding year for this great College. I encourage everyone to get involved in some way or another.
God bless.
Paul Belton
Dear Families and friends of St Paul’s,
Welcome back to the 2023 academic year at St Paul’s. As you may have seen or heard already our theme for the year is “Empowering Voices.” In a Catholic College in the Edmund Rice tradition, this is not only important but an intrinsic characteristic we hold dear.
Our current College Strategic Plan (available on the College website HERE) has five strategic directions and one of these is Empowering Voices. The meaning of the two words themselves is important as they give a clear indication that all members of our extended community, parents, caregivers, students, staff, and old scholars should feel able, encouraged and empowered to make a positive contribution to this great community. Having been encouraged, it is our commitment that the voices will then be listened to. Through this commitment we will ensure that child protection, safeguarding and an excellent education are at the forefront of our work.
In a rapidly changing world, our students need to be able to express their understandings of what is important to them and to also be able to influence all things that have an impact on them. What is crucial for us collectively is to provide the Catholic, Edmund Rice Education values and lens through which the students can come to understand and enact what will make our College and our world a better place for all.
Many different and varied opportunities will be provided for everyone to ensure this theme is being actively lived out.
A Great Start to the Year.
We have begun this year with significant growth again, in both staff and student numbers. Our student population has exceeded one thousand for the first time in the College’s history. With this increase has come the employment of another thirty new members of staff. The quality of staff has again already been evident, and they have all collectively brought great passion, skills and commitment to the vision of the College. We are here to enable every student with the very best opportunities to empower the students to fulfil their unique God-given potential through active participation in the community. This is so clear whenever we meet.
Our beginning of year Mass was nothing short of inspirational. With the COVID world denying us of many opportunity to gather together we were blessed to have all 1200 members of the community gathered in the gymnasium to celebrate the Eucharist together. We were blessed to have Fr Philip Marshall preside and his amazing ability to communicate with the very young, and the not-so-young was inspirational.
In addition to the Opening Mass we have held parent information sessions, a Yr 4 camp to AFL Max and our very beautiful Reception Rite of Passage / Welcome ceremony. This week our co-curricular program kicks off and our School Advisory Council meets to discuss our aims for the year and provide direction and challenge to the Leadership team of the College.
We encourage members of the community to make contact with us should you wish to join a committee such as the School Advisory Committee and Parents and Friends Committee. We are always on the look-out for people with lots of passion and energy!
2023 promises to be a very challenging but exciting and rewarding year for this great College. I encourage everyone to get involved in some way or another.
God bless.
Paul Belton
