Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing
Understanding the early history of St Paul’s as we consider our Values and Mission
On Friday 2 June, the College staff will be working together and with the Catholic Schools Office regarding Proclaiming Catholic Education, Past, Present and Future. As part of this day we are going to discuss the important values that underpin the Mission of St Paul’s College Kempsey, and throughout the day consider how these values in the 21st Century relate to the original values and motivation for establishing St Paul’s College in 1965.
The timeline of the establishment of St Paul’s is outlined below:
1923-1941- Father Thomas Morris, the Kempsey Parish Priest outlined his dream of a Catholic Boys school in Kempsey during his residence.
1947- The Parish Priest of Kempsey reached out to the Christian Brothers of Australia making enquiries of establishing a Catholic Boy’s school in Kempsey.
1950- The Kempsey parish purchased a 12 acre block on the corner of Sea Street and North Street at a very reasonable price from a local parishioner.
1961- Christian Brothers Mullen and Hanby visited Kempsey, a site was proposed and the decision was made to begin the school in 1965.
1965- St Paul’s College opened on 8 February with 87 students, Brother Cryan was School Principal. School colours were red and black stripe tie, blue shirts, grey shorts.
1967- School enrolment had grown to 182, statue of St Paul erected.
1969- Some co-educational classes were bused to St Paul’s from St Pius X girls school between 9-11am.
1973- The St Pius X girl’s school was transferred to West Kempsey next to St Paul’s.
1980- St Paul’s and St Pius X combined to form the new co-educational school, Macleay Regional Catholic High School- 280 students Years 7-10.
1986- Macleay Regional Catholic High School renamed as St Paul’s College.
1992- First HSC class taught at St Paul’s (28 students).
During 2023 the College community will be asked to consider the most important values that have shaped the College today in the 21st Century considering the hopes and aspirations of the founding educators from previous years. In 2023, St Paul’s presents as a diverse and inclusive community, enrolment numbers are at record levels and the Mission of the school is based on Christ’s teachings of love and care for others.
Mr Geoffrey Melville - Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing