Principal's Message

Dear Parent/Carer

‘…. for I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the Kingdom of heaven’

Matthew 5:17-37

Welcome to our first Newsletter for the 2023 Academic Year!

I wish to acknowledge the return of our students and I am excited not only by the enthusiasm of their return but also their presentation and engagement in classes. We have commenced the 2023 Academic Year with strong student numbers across all year groups and a collection of new staff who have significant skills in a variety of areas that will further enhance our academic delivery.

With the departure of Mrs Bronwyn Shipton and the moving across of Mr Geoff Melville into the Assistant Principal - Mission space, we have advertised for an Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching and will be short listing toward the end of this week. I am pleased to announce that Amy Tovey our current Leader of Curriculum will occupy the interim - Director of Studies position that will pick up the vacated AP - Learning and Teaching higher duties until we have appointed an appropriate replacement. Amy will be tremendous in this interim role and I thank her for the work she does.

Bronwyn Shipton commenced work for the Catholic Schools Office this week, as a Pastoral Care Officer and we are enormously excited about the contributions she will make to our system. I thank her for all she has done across her three years serving the St Paul’s community.

I wish to draw your attention to the significant communication associated with the use of mobile phones and the presentation of school uniform. Mobile phones and the use of social media is a challenge and the College is committed to a response that is reflective of research that demonstrates successful agreed practice and the value of student voice. Senior students met with the College Executive team and some clarifying statement were made. These are outlined below and will be explained further to our students at our Opening Assembly.

1. Students MUST be a part of the discussion and clearly understand why we are limiting Mobile Phone usage.
2. Families MUST understand and support decisions made around the use of Mobile Phone at the College.
3. College staff must feel comfortable being consistent and challenging students around Mobile Phone use.
4. Students MUST abide by school rules regarding Mobile Phones and accommodate College staff requests.

Between 8.30-3.25pm mobile phones are not to be used on school grounds. Phones are in bags and placed on silent mode or turned off. Phones that are not in a bag and instead are carried by the student is a breach of school rules and this will result in consequences. It is strongly encouraged that families communicate this to their children to alleviate any temptation to use their phone across the school day. It is understood that phones may assist in managing bus travel to and from the College- it is expected that once off the bus, the phone is put away. In ongoing consultation with students, specifics of these expectations will be released over the coming days. While these expectations are not new, a revisit and open discussions provide a clarity of expectations that is critical for our community moving forward.

These expectations and standards are carried over into how we wear our school uniform. The correct uniform on the right days, the wearing of acceptable jewellery and standards of haircuts, makeup worn and general appearance matters. Students attend the College to learn, there should be no pressure to dress or present in a certain way. The College has standards and it is important that families continue to support us to ensure that students meet these standards.

Our build continues and we hope that there will be a significant acceleration toward completion over the coming weeks. Shortly the new hall will have a roof, allowing the internal work to commence. Our Edmund Rice Performing Arts Centre (Old Hall), is nearing the final stages of completion and it will be a tremendous facility. Some rooms are already in use and across this week IT will come on line.

Finally, I thank all staff and students involved in our Opening School Mass and College Swimming Carnival. Both events were well supported with students presenting themselves in a most excellent fashion. The success of these occasions further reinforce what an outstanding College community we have.

Kind regards

Mr David JOHNS
Principal