26 August 2021

Dear Families and Friends of St Paul’s,

It has been a few weeks since I have written to you and, as always, life has been extremely busy here at St Paul’s.

It is week 6 of term 3 and while the year is flying by, I can’t help but continually reflect on how lucky we are to be living and working here in Adelaide. We’ve always known that Australia is in many ways “The Lucky Country” but right now Adelaide is pretty much “The Lucky City!” I have friends and colleagues in other states of Australia, working in schools that have had over 200 days of non-attendance on-site. I have a niece in America whose young family have missed over 400 days at a time when they should have been changing schools and progressing from Primary to Middle Years. When we speak of how busy we are in terms of all the amazing opportunities and activities our students engage in, we should stop and give thanks for exactly that, as so many are continuing to miss out on any face-to-face school experiences at all.

Feast of the Assumption

Term 3 is often referred to as the “Assumption Term” in many Catholic schools. The feast of the Assumption is one of the most important in the Catholic calendar. On this day we remember that Mary, the mother of Jesus was assumed into heaven, body and soul to be reunited with her son. The Assumption of Mary is Catholic Church dogma, i.e., a core, essential and undeniable belief of our faith. Mary, too, played a particularly central part in the life of Blessed Edmund and all the faithful Christian Brothers over the centuries. The beautiful prayer ‘The Magnificat’ reminds us of Mary’s amazing humility and gratitude in its line “the Almighty has done great things for me” as opposed to what amazing things she did for Jesus as his mother!

The Assumption also is a reminder to not only be eternally grateful for our mothers and the sacrifices they have all made for us, but also for all the wonderful women who enrich our lives. At St Paul’s we are blessed by the presence of so many amazingly wonderful women and we are extremely pleased and grateful, for their presence and their commitment to the students and the community.

Currently, we also wish to recognise all our Muslim families and the importance of their Ashura observation.

Co-curricular success

Throughout this winter season, many of our students and teams have experienced much success. The recent performances of three of our most senior teams needs our recognition and our congratulations. Our Open A (First X1) Soccer team reached the Grand Final this week, our Open A Football Team (First 18) reached the semi-final and our Open A Basketball team has made the final top six schools play-off this coming Monday. We congratulate them and thank them for their contribution to the College. The soccer game was live-streamed and many of our Year 12 cohort went together to watch the event. The students were exemplary in their behaviour and performance. I would like to sincerely thank Mr Walter Chatindiara (Soccer), Mr Troy Kingham (Football), Mr Shaun Pontifex (Basketball) and Mr Nick Gillard (Cocurricular Coordinator) for all their diligence and commitment in coaching and supporting the students.

College Events

Again, we highlight the myriad of activities that continue to occur at this important time of the year.

The College Musical has come and gone again, and again very successful. Thanks to Mr Damian Antenucci and all the students and staff involved with that major production. The Year 10 Camp is on this week in the Flinders Ranges. We have enjoyed Science week and building up into Book Week, our middle and senior years subject selection process is happening in preparation for 2022 and we have held some extremely important ‘Respectful Relationships’ seminars to support and reinforce our commitment to the ‘R’ in our core school values and, in the lead-up to becoming a co-ed college next year. 

We are also starting the very significant tasks of budgeting, developing new roles and position descriptions, advertising, interviewing, and employing many new staff in preparation for 2022. While this is very exciting, it continues to place many demands on our already very committed staff. I sincerely thank them all.

God Bless, stay warm and safe.

Paul Belton

Enrolment Withdrawal Reminder

Where you intend to withdraw your child from St Paul’s, one full term’s notice will be required. This must be in writing, addressed to the Principal. Failure to provide this advance notice will incur a term’s tuition fee.

We are currently developing our budget for 2022 and student numbers are a key component of the College’s income. If you do not intend to maintain your son’s enrolment in 2022, please provide written notice by no later than the end of Term 3 to ensure you are not charged one terms fees in lieu of notice.

Fee Payment

To assist the College meet its financial obligations it is expected that families pay their schools fees in full by 30 October each year unless a prior arrangement has been made.

If you are not in a position to clear your outstanding balance by 30 October 2021 and do not already have an agreed repayment arrangement in place, please contact me to discuss your circumstances.

Mr Neville Atkinson 
Business Manager

Car Park

We are very concerned about the increasingly dangerous driving practices around the school at drop off and pick up times.

We know the start and end of the school day can be hectic for parents and finding parking can be a challenge. We will investigate various measures to try and reduce congestion in the car park. However, at the same time, families need to ensure they follow the basic carpark etiquette as the safety of our students is paramount.  We have observed cars in no standing zones, access parks or even double-parked or parked on the nature strip. This week we were amazed to see a vehicle blocking the school crossing zone. This was particularly dangerous for pedestrians and students trying to cross the road to reach the bus stop.

Please look for free spaces to park or look at alternate parking spaces outside of the school grounds.

As a college, we share our community concerns and urge you to consider your child’s safety and the safety of others when you are dropping off and picking up from the school.

Book Week 2021

Since 1919, National Children's Book Week has been an annual tradition dedicated to spreading the joy of reading. We use this time to introduce children of all ages and their parents to the pleasure of reading and the worlds that exists between the covers of great books.

Each year across Australia, the CBCA brings children and books together, celebrating CBCA Book Week. During this time, schools, libraries, booksellers, authors, illustrators and children celebrate Australian children's literature, and you will often see children's book character parades and talented librarians creating impressive displays.

St Paul’s is no different and will hold a book parade on Friday 27th. We promote this event every year and work closely with our librarians to make it as fun and engaging as possible. The Primary staff also try to dress up each year, and this year the teacher theme has remained a secret…until tomorrow. Look out for images on social media!

Walk-a- Mile

Since 2008, South Australians have come together during National Homelessness Week in August to participate in Walk a Mile in My Boots to show their support for those experiencing homelessness.

St Paul’s students will come together again in 2021 to support the Hutt St Centre to continue providing life-changing, essential wellbeing and professional services to help rebuild lives. We will participate in a Primary walk a mile event on Monday, Week 7, during school hours.

The Walk a Mile Challenge provides South Australians with the opportunity to step out and ensure Hutt St Centre remains a place where people can change their lives forever.

Father’s Day Stall

Once again, we will hold a Father’s Day still for Primary students. This will take place on the 2nd September in Callan Hall. Prices range from $2 - $6. More details about this event will become available next week.

Mr Jake Stewart
Head of Primary

Last Wednesday, the Year 5 and 6 students attended their Retreat. The day was focused on Environmental Stewardship- that we are called to look after the earth not as owners or creators, but as custodians. Students spent some time learning about recycling with KESAB, and also some time observing and appreciating the environment at the Greenfield Wetlands.

Ms Angela Collins
APRIM

Last Wednesday, the Year 5 and 6 students went to Loreto College to rehearse and prepare for their upcoming performance in the Catholic Schools Music Festival Choir on 22 September at Festival Theatre. At this event, the students will perform in a huge choir composed of around 300 students from a number of Catholic schools in South Australia. Mr Victor Oria has done a phenomenal job in preparing the students, and the sound produced by this mass choir was absolutely beautiful!

Tickets are available Ticketek if you would like to see us perform on the big night.

St Paul’s College School Uniform Shop will close for the school holidays on Thursday 23rd September 1.00pm to 5.00pm.

Extended Trading Hours

• Wednesday 6 October 9.00 am - 3.00 pm
• Thursday 7 October 9.00 am - 3.00 pm

The uniform shop will return to normal trading hours on Tues 12 October.

Throughout the school term our opening hours are:

• Tuesday 8.00 am - 4.00 pm
• Wednesday 1.00 pm - 5.00 pm
• Thursday 1.00 pm - 5.00 pm

Melissa Hunt
St Paul’s College Uniform Shop Manager

Career planning and transition for young people on the autism spectrum 

Thursday 2 September, 4.00pm (AEST)

In this 60 minute live and interactive webinar, our presenters, Associate Professor Marina Ciccarelli, Cheryl Mangan, and Brendan James will provide information for parents about:

• The Better OutcOmes and Successful Transitions for Autism (BOOST-A) research;
• The role of parents and supporters in youth focused, strengths-based career planning; and
• How myWAY Employability career planner can support young people on the autism spectrum to build a customised profile and goals to plan for future career pathways.

Based on six years of research, myWAY Employability is a smart web platform that helps autistic individuals plan and prepare for working life. Autistic individuals co-produced content, design, and usability of the website. myWAY Employability matches an individual’s interests and strengths to relevant careers and pathways. It encourages users to create big dreams, and smaller goals and tasks to track progress.

Register HERE 

Jo-Anne Williams
VET/Careers Coordinator

Last week, Dr Tessa Opie came to St Paul’s to speak to our Years 10, 11 and 12 students about Respectful Relationships. The presentation ‘In Your Skin’ focused on developing healthy relationship skills, identifying personal values and relationship needs, determining boundaries, and understanding, expressing and recognising consent. Particularly within our current society, this information holds high relevance and importance in helping our students understand safe behaviours, as well as respecting the needs and values of others. As a Catholic school, this also reminds us to treat others the way we would like to be treated as all people are deserving of human dignity, no matter what.

Thank you Dr Opie for delivering a relevant and engaging presentation.

Donna Nguyen
Transition Coordinator

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