Heritage, Faith & Growth
St Paul’s College delivers an environment in which the individuality and dignity of each student is acknowledged and nurtured through a synthesis of culture and faith, and a synthesis of life and faith. At the core of everything we do, we aim to provide our students and graduates with the fundamental tools necessary when navigating a fulfilling life, and making a worthwhile contribution to the world in which they live. We celebrate our heritage, faith and growth together with our Parish community.
St Paul’s College Prayer
Lord, as we journey together at St Paul’s,
Help us to grow, guided by the teachings of Jesus,
the writings of St Paul and the traditions of our faith.
Create in us a generous heart,
where our relationship with each other is built on peace, love, dignity and justice,
so that we may experience the words of St Paul, “to live is Christ”.
Help us to make St Paul’s a place of wisdom and learning;
Where all feel welcomed and safe.
Guide us in the development of our gifts and talents;
So that they can be used in the service of others.
Spirit of God present in our lives today;
Inspire us to value the small things of life
and to meet the great challenges with generous courage.
St Paul… pray for us.
Faith in action
A combination of raising awareness, fundraising and direct involvement ensures that students are provided with a well structured framework of outreach. This ensures that students are knowledgeable and engaged regarding issues which face our community.
The Student Leadership Team, in conjunction with the Ministry Team, lead this important area of school life to provide students with the opportunity to put words into action.
Our approach to awareness, advocacy and action successfully engages students in the development of their commitment to social justice, including:
- Fundraising for dedicated organisations such as CARITAS, Catholic Mission and Project Compassion
- Social justice seminars and guest speakers
- Environmental groups (e.g. Clean Up Australia and Earthwatch programs)
- Community Service within and outside of school
- Outreach programs
- Activities centered around awareness raising and fundraising for a dedicated cause
- College assemblies and liturgies with a social justice theme such as homelessness, the environment, refugees and asylum seekers, reconciliation between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians and children’s rights
- Outreach activities and Immersion programs.
College Retreats &
Community Days
Retreat Programs
Our retreat programs provide an opportunity for exploration of the students personal and diverse faith. The experiences enable students to understand each other in a new light and experience closeness to God based on personal encounter with the person of Jesus. By placing the overall educational endeavour in this context, it recognises a fundamental principle which underpins Catholic education:
“children’s flourishing is an expression of God’s grace.”
(McEvoy, J. 2015, p.9 Children Close to the Mystery of God.)
Community and Reflection Days
Each year group participate in Community Days and Reflection Days where students develop a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. In recent years this has included projects such as cleaning up the local environment and planting native gardens.
Reflection Days are designed to promote students to think introspectively as they address issues essential to their emotional and spiritual growth through a variety of physical and reflection activities. This includes guest speakers and performers and travel to beautiful venues such as Redhead Beach.
