Term 3 Week 2 - 1 August 2025

St Paul's Community Events at the start of Term 3
There have been three terrific occasions at St Paul’s across the last two weeks involving the whole community. The College celebrated a wonderful NAIDOC day on Thursday 24 July, beginning with a whole school assembly and followed by a number of activities involving our staff and students. The College was privileged to be addressed by four outstanding Dunghutti local Kempsey residents; Uncle Bob Smith, Freeda Roberts, Tristan Reilly and Christa Smith. A range of activities were available for students to participate in thanks to the support and guidance from the Dhina Durriti Aboriginal Corporation, Burran Dalai Aboriginal Corporation, South West Rocks Figtree Descendants Aboriginal Corporation, Pathfinders, and Jason Ridgeway. 

On Friday 25 July the College enjoyed great weather for the Athletics Carnival. This is such a great day for our community to come together and enjoy the fun of healthy house competition in a range of athletic events as well as a nice chat with friends and staff. My great thanks for our Leader of Sport, Mr Leon Robinson, for his excellent organisation, as well as all our staff for the generous support and involvement.

On Wednesday 30 July the College welcomed many family visitors to the Semester 1 Awards ceremony. It was great to see so many parents/carers attend and many students receive awards, ranging from attendance; Duke of Edinburgh; PBRS contributions; the Guiding Light award (a new award celebrating student’s consistent positive attitude, outstanding effort, and respectful approach to all around them); outstanding NAPLAN achievement in Year 7 and 9; Chairman's Award for Shakespeare State Carnival; Gold and Platinum Academic Awards, and Staff awards were presented to Ms Jo Day, Mr Aiden Tolman, Ms Khianni Walsh-McKiernan and Mrs Lauren McCarthy to acknowledge their outstanding contribution to the College. Special thanks must go to Mrs Lesa Morrison, Mrs Krystal Brady and Mrs Bernette van Kal for their superb organisation.

Strong start to Term 3
We have enjoyed a strong start to Term 3. I have been pleased with the efforts of students in wearing their uniform correctly, our overall school attendance, and the settled approach to our studies. Term 3 is a big Term especially for Year 11 and 12 with final assessments, so a positive and engaging College community atmosphere adds so much to our wellbeing.

Mercy Centre Opening -  Monday 22 September
The Mercy centre will be officially opened on Monday 22 September with the ceremony beginning at 9.30am. If parents/carers are interested in attending, please stay tuned for the RSVP being sent out on Compass soon. The Bishop of Lismore and other guests will be invited to this important recognition of our College community and our state of the art facilities.

Feast of the Assumption Mass -  Friday 15 August
The Feast of the Assumption is a holy day of obligation in the Catholic church and will be celebrated on Friday 15 August. We are pleased to announce that St Joseph’s Primary school will be joining our College community to celebrate the Mass with Father James. There will be over 1000 staff and students coming together in the Mercy Centre, which will be a beautiful opportunity for the Kempsey schools to share this important liturgical celebration with Father James.

Kind regards

Mr Geoff Melville  BRurScEd, MEd, GCertRE

Principal

kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au

Subject Selection - Year 10
Thank you to all students and families who have participated in the subject selection process with the College leadership team. We acknowledge the time you have invested coming to the subject selection evening and meeting at the school. This investment will go a long way towards ensuring that your children are on the right pathway and in the right courses.

We have had some wonderful conversations this week about the pathways for Year 10 students. We acknowledge that there is a big shift from Year 10 to senior schooling and we want to support the students to make good choices. A very sincere thanks to you all!

Parent/Teacher Evening - Years 7-12 - ADVANCE NOTICE
We will be conducting Parent Teacher evenings in Week 8 and 9 this Term. This will be an opportunity to discuss your child's progress with their teachers. Please keep the evening of either 11 September or 16 September free to book appointments.

Year 12 - Trial HSC exams
The trial exam period is 18 - 29 August. This is an incredibly important assessment block for the students as it prepares them for the reality of the HSC exams. Please ensure that Year 12 students are working with their teachers in the lead up to this period and seeking help from the pastoral care team if they need it. Atomi is an excellent resource for these students at this time.

• Year 12 Trial Exam Timetable

Year 11 Preliminary Exam Period
The Year 11 classes are working towards their preliminary exams in Week 9. This culminates the course for these students before they move into their HSC year which starts in Term 4. Encourage Year 11 students to work with their teachers for revision tasks during this period. Atomi is an excellent resource for these students at this time.

Attendance at school during the above two exam periods is mandatory. We do understand that sometimes sickness is inevitable. Students must follow the guidelines on the notification if they are unwell on the day of or the day before a task. This is incredibly important as it follows the necessary guidance from NESA in preparation for their HSC.

Please reach out if you have any questions about the learning for your students.


Ms Kate Fullbrook - Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

kate.fullbrook@lism.catholic.edu.au

Welcome back to Term 3. We have had a fantastic start with our NAIDOC ceremony and activities. There are a number of wonderful Mission events scheduled for this Term, including the Year 11 retreat – Leadership and Legacy; Shine; Ignite; the Feast of the Assumption; the return of 8:30am Parish Masses at our Chapel; the Farrelly Feast Day Liturgy; Senior Ministry group meetings; opening of the Chapel at lunch times for personal reflections; Year 12 Graduation Mass, and Brunch Club. All of these contribute significantly to our Catholic values and are an integral part of what makes us a Catholic College.

National Vocations Awareness Week (NVAW) takes place from 3 - 10 August. This special week coincides with the liturgical celebrations of Australia’s first saint, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, and the Patron Saint of Priests, Saint John Vianney. NVAW is an annual observance dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life while renewing our prayers and support for those discerning their call within the Church.

In his final message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis chose the theme “Pilgrims of Hope: the Gift of Life.” He encouraged us all to respond to God’s love by making our lives a gift of love and service to others. Though young people may sometimes feel uncertain or dismayed about the future, Pope Francis reminded us that the Holy Spirit or the Church never abandons them.

Recently, Pope Leo XIV called upon the Church to “welcome and accompany young people” in their journey of discernment and to encourage them to “accept the invitation of the Church and of Christ the Lord!” (Regina Caeli, 11 May 2025).

During National Vocations Awareness Week, we are invited to reflect on how God is calling each of us to live out our unique vocations and to consider how we can continue to nurture and support vocations within our College and broader community.

Let us journey together with hope and openness, encouraging all to respond generously to their calling.

Mrs Lesa Morrison - Assistant Principal - Mission 

lesa.morrison@lism.catholic.edu.au

Vocation Survey
In preparation for ‘National Vocation Awareness Week’ next week, students from 10A Catholic Studies produced surveys on the Catholic ‘vocations’. The best surveys were chosen and can be accessed via the links below.

We are asking for people in our College community to please complete one of the anonymous surveys by choosing the one that best relates to you. Our goal is to learn more about each of the vocations.

What is a Vocation?
Vocation in a religious context is how God calls you to serve Him in the world. You can follow God's call as a single person, married person, ordained priest or a vowed religious.

• Survey for people living the ‘Single’ vocation
  
• Survey for people living the ‘Married’ vocation
• Survey for people living the ‘Religious’ vocation

Mr Brendan Goswell - Leader of Catechesis

brendan.goswell@lism.catholic.edu.au

Unlock Potential through Regular Attendance
Consistent attendance is key to maximising these opportunities, enabling students to grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally. It lays the foundation for a successful and rewarding school experience.

Being present in class allows students to actively participate, ask questions, and fully engage with the material. This active involvement not only deepens their understanding but also fosters a sense of purpose and achievement, promoting a positive attitude towards learning and education.

Each day your teen attends school, they’re shaping their future success.

Mrs Krystal Brady - Leader of Pastoral Care

krystal.brady@lism.catholic.edu.au

ADF Visit
Year 10-12 students were recently presented with introductory information about the ADF pathway after College. SGT Kingaby and CPL West discussed entry options and expectations of personnel within the ADF. Our students asked excellent questions and utilised the opportunity of having these experienced personnel in front of them. If an ADF career interests you visit ADF Careers for further information.

University of Sydney Visit
University of Sydney student ambassadors visited St Paul's Year 11 students on Wednesday 30 July to share their insights and experiences. Year 11 appreciated the opportunity to ask questions about uni life and expectations as a tertiary student. It was exciting to hear the different pathways available to rural students, particularly the MySydney Entry and Regional and Remote Entry schemes. For more information please visit admission pathways.  

White Card Training Completion
Congratulations to another cohort of White Card participants. These students now have the potential to work within a construction site for their work experience, SBATs or part time work. Our trainer from Learning Live praised the wonderful behaviour and participation of these students during the one day training.

HEX STEM Workshop
5 August | 9am - 12.30pm | Country Universities Centre
Young women from Year 9-11 are invited to attend the HEX STEM workshop at the Country Universities Centre. It will include guest speakers, hands-on and problem solving activities, information about emerging technologies and careers, and provide inspiration and encouragement for young women to pursue careers in STEM. Please email Mrs Meehan if you are interested.

Careers Google Classrooms Year 10-12
Parents/carers are encouraged to check in with their Year 10-12 students to discuss career opportunities and experiences on their respective Google Classroom Careers page.

Behind The Job: Blockchain Engineer
What do they do?
Blockchain Engineers develop and maintain blockchain applications, which are used for secure digital transactions, smart contracts, and decentralised systems. They work in industries like finance, supply chain, and cybersecurity. Students will require a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering.

St Paul’s College offers Information Technology and Software Engineering as HSC subjects along with many introductory subjects in our new Short Course offerings.


Mrs Tess Meehan - Leader of World of Work and Careers Literacy
tess.meehan@lism.catholic.edu.au

The Lives That Inspire: Why I Love Biographies
I've always been fascinated by stories, but there's a special kind of magic in reading biographies. Unlike fiction, these are tales of real people – their triumphs, their struggles, and the incredible paths they've forged. What truly draws me to them is the opportunity to step into someone else's shoes and understand their journey firsthand.

Biographies offer a unique window into history. Through the eyes of a scientist, an artist, or a leader, I gain a deeper appreciation for the events and challenges that shaped their era. Learning about their perseverance in the face of adversity, their innovative ideas, and their unwavering dedication to their passions is incredibly inspiring. It shows me that even the most extraordinary achievements often stem from ordinary beginnings and a lot of hard work.

One of the great things about biographies is that you don't have to start at the beginning. By skim reading, you can find events of the person's life that are familiar to you and read those first. For me, biographies aren't just books; they're mentors and motivators, offering invaluable insights into what it truly means to live a meaningful life.


Mr Roger Shipton - Literacy Coach

College Athletics Carnival
What a glorious day it was last Friday 25 July for the St Paul’s College Athletics Carnival. All students in attendance should be congratulated for their enthusiastic participation across a wide variety of events. Congratulations to MacKillop House who won the Carnival due to their exceptional participation rate and the athleticism of their team members.

Athletics Carnival Age Champions and Runners up
Congratulations to our Athletics Carnival age champions and runners-up. These students will receive their certificates at the next whole school assembly in Week 4.

Girls

Boys

House Totals

Cochrane Cup 14 Years Rugby League
The St Paul’s College 14 Years Cochrane Cup team have progressed to the quarter finals after winning last week's Regional Finals Day. The team will travel to Coffs Harbour and play against Holy Trinity from Inverell. Good luck to all the boys and their coach Mr Aiden Tolman. They won both of their games at the regional finals day defeating St Joseph’s, Banora Point 28 - 6 and John Paul College, Coffs Harbour 30 - 28.

Naidoc Oz Tag Cup
A group of over 80 students participated in the NAIDOC Oz Tag Cup at Verge Street Fields on Thursday 31 July. This was a very enjoyable day and all of our students represented the College with pride.

St Paul's had two teams in each age division with the 14 Years boys playing each other in the final. Our 14 Years girls were very unlucky to lose their final against Kempsey High and the 16 Years boys and girls teams also played in the finals.

Thanks to Mr Will Pollock, Miss Khianni Walsh MacKiernan, Miss Tahlia Byrne and Mr Aiden Tolman for their expert coaching skills throughout the day.

Mr Robinson’s NAIDOC Oz Tag team of champions included:

• Flynn Tolman (C)
• Andie Laird (VC)
• Cruz Schubert
• Alastar O’Donnell
• Jersey Sloane
• Ethan Leyton
• Angus Sutherland
• Lucas Chow
• Piper Kirkman
• Bella Williams
• Lakyah Bell
• Amelia Wilson

St Paul's College Rising Stars
Two of our outstanding athletes at St Paul’s College have excelled during the July school holidays. Wilton Townsend came second and Amelia Wilson came fifth at the NSW Short Course Cross Country Championships held at Dapto. They have both now qualified for the Australia Cross Country Championships that will be run in Ballarat during August. Best wishes to both of these students who are fantastic role models for others at our College.

Mr Leon Robinson - Teacher and Sports Coordinator

leon.robinson@lism.catholic.edu.au

Our College came alive with culture, pride, and unity during our NAIDOC Day celebration, held on Thursday, 24 July. The theme, "The Next Generation – Strength, Legacy, and Vision," set the tone for a powerful day of reflection, learning, and inspiration.

The day began with a Welcome to Country and an excellent explanation by Uncle Bob Smith. This set the scene for a series of inspiring moments that highlighted the voices and talents of both our Indigenous community and our student body.

One of the standout moments of the day was our guest speakers, Freeda Roberts – an amazing young woman who has her own business called Dunghutti; Tristan Reilly - a current NSW Waratahs player and former student, and Christa Smith – founder of Dunghutti Catering and a registered Health practitioner. Our guests  spoke about their story and spoke passionately about the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the responsibility of the next generation to carry the legacy forward. Their message resonated deeply with students and staff, sparking meaningful conversations across the College.

We thank our students who led us beautifully and articulately through our assembly. They are to be congratulated on their efforts. These students were Will, Kyindi, Ruby, Akayshia, Brynn and Maddie.

The whole College gathered outside for a very moving smoking ceremony. Staff and students were invited to join in and do a Pelican dance. 

Throughout the day, students engaged in a range of activities designed to educate and inspire. From Indigenous art workshops and storytelling sessions to interactive discussions, every event encouraged students to connect more deeply with culture and country. The enthusiasm and respect shown by students was truly heartening. We are very grateful to Dhina Durriti Aboriginal Corporation, Burran Dalai Aboriginal Corporation, South West Rocks Figtree Descendants Aboriginal Corporation, Pathfinders, and Jason Ridgeway, who generously provided their time, expertise, and guidance to our students through various activities.

Some of these activities were facilitated by College staff and students – we are very grateful for their time and efforts. Thank you to Ms Khianii Walsh-McKiernan, Lakayah Bell, and Will Moffatt for organising the Indigenous games. Also, thank you to Mr Adam Clay and Maddie, Nevaeh and Elsie for running Dunghutti trivia, and to Ms Laura Evans, Ms Laura Campbell, Jada Appleyard, Chelsea Ellis, Tuesday Marin and Olivia Ormond who guided the students in making Johnny Cakes.

We are thankful to our Year 11 and 12 Indigenous student organisers, who ensured that the day ran smoothly. We extend a sincere thanks to these students for their cooperation and positive attitude throughout the day. Their punctuality, teamwork, and willingness to help ensured that everything ran smoothly. It was a great example of how student contributions can significantly impact the success of an event.

While NAIDOC was celebrated over one powerful day, its message continues to echo through our College community. As we reflect on the strength, vision, and legacy of First Nations peoples, we are reminded that the future lies in the hands of the next generation — and that future is full of promise.

A very special thank you to the organising committee of Mr Dre Barker, Mr Kieran Reilly, Ms Khianii Walsh-McKiernan, Ms Ashleigh Howe and our Year 11 Indigenous students for a fantastic effort over the last few Terms.

All current and previous students, staff and families are invited to join St Paul's 60th anniversary celebrations on Sunday 5 October 2025.
Mass will be held at 9:30am in the Mercy Centre at St Paul's, followed by a BBQ brunch provided by the College.

Please RSVP with family name and numbers to stpauls60thanniversary@gmail.com or call the College on 6562 7200.

The College is collecting photos and memorabilia which can be emailed to stpauls60thanniversary@gmail.com or dropped off in person at the College office.

Term 3 1973 - Girls from St Pius X moved to Sea Street Campus to join the boys at St Paul’s College
In 1973 at the beginning of Term 3 the girls moved from the convent up the road to the Sea Street campus where the boys had been from 1965. In those days there were only three Terms of 13-14 weeks, so it would have been after the August school holidays. Since 1965 the boys had been at St Paul’s College - from 5th class until 4th form. Boys in kindergarten and up to 4th class had remained at St Joseph’s.

Although boys and girls in secondary school were now on the same campus it was a strange mix for a few years. It was called coinstructional education which meant girls and boys were taught together but not allowed to talk or socialise outside of class time. The library and office area were in the middle, the boy’s wing (now rooms 14-20) on one side, and the girl’s wing (now rooms 7-12) on the other side. I spent much of my time in Room 12 where Mrs Weingarth taught me English and History. What is now the staff room was the school hall. The canteen is still in the same place as it was in the 1970's.

Pauline Cain and friends outside Room 12 (Last day of 4th Form in December 1974)

Last day of school 1974 (outside the science labs)

Our teachers came with us and for the first time in five years (for me and my peers) we were sitting in classrooms with boys, and in some cases being taught (for the first time) by male teachers. In fact, we had only been taught by nuns up until a year or so before that.

Our first lay teacher (Mrs Sue Weingarth) had been a revelation, both in academic and social terms. Mrs Weingarth came to St Pius X (the then name of our high school) in 1971 and had been teaching us English and History. She was a young woman in her mid 20's who wore fabulous clothes and shoes and we young girls were big fans. The boys tried to give her a hard time when she first taught them but they were no match for her intelligence and discipline. In the end I’m sure they were won over as well. She opened up a whole new world of literature and history and set me on the path for teaching (though I didn’t realise that at the time).

Sister Kosta (Margaret Hogan) was our principal. Some other Mercy Sisters who taught us at the time were Sisters Joseph, Regis, Marcellan, Lucia, Perpetua, Cecilia, Berenice Kerr and Barbara Bolster. Lay staff included Mrs Anderburg, Miss Laverty, Mrs Chisholm and Mrs Cady.

We wore a navy box pleat tunic with a white blouse underneath - from kindergarten up until about 2nd Form. Then we had a new/modern uniform which was a beige shift with light blue piping around the collar, tie and sleeves. My mother was one of the women who designed and made the uniform for me and many of my friends. It also had a matching pale blue beret that was crocheted from nylon ribbon. Many years later I realised that the uniform was inspired by Mary Quant designs which were very fashionable in the 1970's amongst young society women. At the time I thought it was very drab and hated wearing it, but didn’t realise that we were actually quite fashionable. The beret was such a pain to wear (attached with bobby pins), but we had to have it on whenever we were to be seen in public. That meant from home, on the bus, whenever we were in town - and there were uniform prefects who monitored this and detentions were issued for infringements.

St Pius X uniform signed by girls of 1974

There was another uniform - a blue shift with a yellow tie - that some students wore briefly in 1974. This remained the girls uniform for some time after that.

Last day of school 1974 (Pauline Cain wearing the new blue uniform)

Pauline Cain - St Paul's past student 

In celebration of the Jubilee Year, the Diocese of Lismore will be launching a Jubilee Art Prize reflecting the theme of hope as recently highlighted in CathNews: Arts celebrated as part of Jubilee 2025.

Who can enter
Artists of all ages and abilities - students, parishioners, families, and established artists associated with the Diocese through parishes or schools - to creatively explore the meaning of hope through visual art. Please refer to the flyer below for more information.

How to enter

• Entries must be submitted through the form on the Jubilee Art Prize webpage
• Before submitting, please read the Terms and Conditions.
• A checklist outlining the process for submitting physical artwork is available here: Checklist
• Entries close: Tuesday 5 August 2025
  

Prizes
There are a range of cash prizes for each category which can be viewed on the Jubilee Art Prize webpage. Overall there is a prize pool of $3,625.

Wednesday 12 November 2025
Please save the date if you have applied for a position at the College for Year 7 2026. This is a compulsory day for students who accept an offer of a position at St Paul's for Year 7 2026.

A catch up clinic will be held on Tuesday 21 October for the following routine school vaccinations:

• Year 7 students are offered free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (Boostrix) and human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Year 10 students are offered a free vaccine for meningococcal ACWY.

Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received.

To provide consent for vaccination online, parents/carers will need to:

• Visit the online consent portal here.
• Parents/carers will need their Service NSW log in details and Medicare details.
• Read a step-by-step guide on how to provide consent online. Translated guides are available online.

If you or your child do not have a Medicare card or you cannot provide consent online, please email the College Office kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au to request a paper consent form to be sent home.

Please ensure your child has eaten breakfast on the morning of the clinic, this helps prevent fainting.

For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination. If you have any questions regarding your child's school vaccinations, please contact the NSW Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.

Catholic Network Australia (CNA) has funded a Parent Webinar in collaboration with the Cyber Safety Project. The session on Monday 11 August at 7:30pm will focus on parents' need to know about deep fakes, AI Companions, and online truth. Please refer to the flyer below for more information. To register please follow the link HERE.

The NSW Council of Catholic School Parents are hosting a special 30-year anniversary Parent Conference in Sydney on Saturday 25 October. Keynote speakers include Justin Coulson, Michelle Mitchell and Daniel Principe. Conference tickets cost $30, and parents/carers need to arrange their own travel and accommodation in Sydney.

For more information and to book, please follow the link to CCSP Conference.