Term 3 Week 8 - 12 September 2025

Prayer before Mission - Saint Carlo Acutis
Each Tuesday at 8.30am a lovely experience occurs in the College Chapel when Fr James celebrates the weekly staff Mass at St Paul’s. In schools 8.30am seems to be one of the busiest times of the day for teachers, however there are always large numbers of staff who share this beautiful experience with Fr James, usually ending with a song with members of the liturgy band. Presently Fr James is on leave and Fr Pius has been celebrating with us. This week Fr Pius spoke about the two new saints canonised by Pope Leo XIV, Carlo Acutis and author Pier Giorgio Frassati. Fr Pius spoke of Saint Carlos’ great devotion to prayer and spoke to us about the importance of prayer as a foundation prior to mission work. Saint Carlo Acutis, an Italian teenager who tragically died in 2006 after being diagnosed with leukemia, has given the next generation of Catholics a relatable role model who used technology to spread the faith.

Saint Carlo, who is known as the "saint in sneakers", has been touted as the patron saint of the internet for his work cataloguing miracles and evangelising online. He was particularly passionate about Eucharistic miracles: supernatural events involving consecrated bread and wine as the literal body and blood of Jesus Christ. It was with great delight that I was able to inform Fr Pius that a national exhibition of Carlo Acutis is touring capital cities in Australia in October, and following the great advocacy of Fr James the exhibition is coming to Kempsey from 15-19 October. St Paul’s is planning to bring the exhibition to the College on 15-16 October to energise and inform our students of the most recently canonised Catholic Saint, Carlo Acutis.

A Week of Celebrations
There is a significant range of celebratory opportunities in Week 10 this Term. On Monday 22 September, the College will celebrate the opening of the Mercy Centre and commemorate the John and Ellen Henry Pavilion as Bishop Greg visits us. Bishop Greg will be taking the opportunity to speak to our staff and students on this day, these are always very entertaining discussions.

Our Year 12 cohort celebrate their final reflection day on Tuesday 23 September at Scotts Head where the beauty of their times together at St Paul’s can be considered and celebrated. The Year 12 Mass will commence at 9.30am on Wednesday 24 September in the All Saints Catholic Church, this gathering is always a special and moving affair particularly for our Year 12 students, their families and their teachers and other students. After morning tea the Year 12 Major Award Ceremony begins at the Edmund Rice Centre which finishes the Year 12 students school commitment, only the HSC examinations and Graduation Dinner is left for these wonderful students. Thursday 25 September is the final day for Term 3 for students with our staff celebrating our annual spirituality day on Friday 26 September.

2026 School Leaders 
During the Year 12 Mass, there is the traditional handover of student leadership roles from Year 12 to the incoming HSC group. I am very pleased to report that we have received a record number of students interested in being a 2026 student leader from our current Year 11 cohort. Our College watched each student’s speech this week in PC and their recommendations have been compiled by senior staff. It is a great joy to see so many impressive young women and men put their hand up for leadership consideration, the decision to finalise the incoming group will be very difficult due to the high quality and quantity of candidates.


Kind regards

Mr Geoff Melville  BRurScEd, MEd, GCertRE

Principal

kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au

Year 12
Year 12 students are in their final weeks of classes. Please ensure they are in class for these last weeks of learning and to celebrate their time together. I encourage them to be acting on the feedback they were given on their Trial Exam papers to ensure they are as well prepared for the exams as possible. We wish them all the best in their study period between now and 16 October.

Year 11 Preliminary Exam Period

• Preliminary Exam Timetable

The Year 11 students start their exams next week. This culminates the course for these students before they move into their HSC year which starts in Term 4. These results are also used to secure Early Entry pathways for university.

Attendance at school during the above exam period is mandatory. We do understand that there is a lot of sickness around at the moment. 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. Students are permitted to attend school for their exams and remain home when they do not have an exam. They are able to use the library to study in between if they wish.

Atomi
Congratulations to Anna Burbridge and Emma Miller who were the highest Atomi users over the last 7 days. The students will receive a canteen voucher for their reward. Many students are using Atomi to revise for their upcoming exams and I encourage them to continue doing so.

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

At St Paul’s, Mission events are a vital part of our Catholic identity. By enrolling at our College, families commit to supporting their child’s participation in liturgies, feast days, social justice projects, and community celebrations. Over the last few weeks we have had a few key events. The Year 11 Retreat – Legacy and Leadership – in which we witnessed a great group of young people engage fully in activities and demonstrated clearly what it means to be a student at St Paul’s. Year 8 students participated in ‘Catch the Wave’, a day facilitated by our Regional Retreat Team, where some of the students demonstrated engagement and respect towards the presenters.

These experiences help students develop their faith, compassion, and service, while strengthening the connections between home, school, and parish. Parent support and student participation ensure that our Mission remains central to St Paul’s, making our College not only a place of learning but also a community of faith and belonging.

Saint Carlo Acutis: A Saint for Our Times
On 7 September 2025, in front of 80,000 people at Vatican City, the Catholic Church celebrated the canonisation of Saint Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to be recognised as a saint. His story has touched the hearts of young people around the world, not only because he lived recently but also because he demonstrated that holiness is achievable in the daily life of a student.

Carlo was born in 1991 in London and grew up in Milan, Italy. From a young age, he had a deep love for the Eucharist and would spend extra time in prayer before the tabernacle. His devotion was matched by a lively, joyful spirit—he loved playing football, video games, and even collecting Pokémon cards. What made Carlo different was his ability to combine these ordinary interests with an extraordinary love for God and others.

At school, Carlo was remembered as a kind and inclusive classmate. He defended peers who were bullied and reached out to those who felt lonely. His teachers described him as curious, joyful, and brave in sharing his faith. He wasn’t concerned with popularity—he once returned a new pair of sneakers to his parents so the money could be used to help the poor.

Carlo also had a gift for technology. A self-taught computer programmer, he created a website cataloguing Eucharistic miracles from around the world. This project has since become an international exhibit, drawing people back to the beauty of the Eucharist.

In 2006, at just 15 years old, Carlo was diagnosed with leukaemia. He offered his suffering for Pope Benedict XVI and for the Church, saying, “I offer all the suffering I will have to suffer for the Lord, for the Pope, and the Church.” He died peacefully on October 12, 2006, leaving behind a legacy of faith, courage, and love.

Carlo’s path to sainthood was marked by miracles attributed to his intercession, including the healing of a young woman in Costa Rica in 2022. His canonisation in 2025 has made him a powerful role model for young people everywhere.

Saint Carlo Acutis shows us that holiness is not about being perfect—it is about using our gifts, talents, and interests to bring joy, faith, and kindness into the world. He famously said, “We are all born originals, but many die as photocopies.” His life challenges us to be genuine, to live our faith boldly, and to embrace the unique way God calls each of us to make a difference.

Mrs Lesa Morrison - Assistant Principal - Mission 

lesa.morrison@lism.catholic.edu.au

Year 11 Retreat - 'Leadership and Legacy'
The Year 11 retreat at the beautiful Francis Retreat in Bonny Hills was a truly unforgettable experience. Set against a backdrop of stunning coastal scenery, the amazing weather complemented the tranquil and inspiring environment perfectly. The days were filled with opportunities for reflection, connection, and spiritual growth. A highlight for many was our incredible guest speaker, Sam Clear, whose powerful story of faith and resilience resonated deeply and left a lasting impact on everyone.

More than anything, the retreat fostered an overwhelming sense of community among us. We shared stories, laughed together, and supported each other, building new friendships and strengthening existing bonds. This sense of unity and shared purpose was the true magic of the time we spent together, which was consistently demonstrated and voiced by the students themselves. We extend our sincerest thanks to all the staff and to Fr James for their time, guidance, and care, which made this incredible experience possible.

Catch the Wave Retreat
The 'Catch the Wave' Retreat was an empowering journey of self-discovery and community building. Over the course of the day, Year 8 students were immersed in a program designed to help connect with their inner selves and with each other.

Workshops on mindfulness and leadership, combined with inspiring discussions, provided a space for genuine growth. It was truly a transformative experience for all engaged throughout the sessions.

Mr Adam Clay - Leader of School Evangelisation

adam.clay@lism.catholic.edu.au

vaping_respect_your_brain.pdf

Ms Meg Ryan - Leader of Pastoral Care

meg.ryan@lism.catholic.edu.au

Diocesan Athletics Carnival
On Tuesday 2 September CEX Stadium in Coffs Harbour saw St Paul's small but mighty squad of athletes secure an impressive haul of podium finishes across multiple events, showcasing incredible talent and determination.

True to form, Amelia Wilson brought the fire and claimed a clean sweep on the track, taking first place in the 1500m, 800m, and 400m races. She was on a runaway success story and wasn't done yet, adding a bronze in the long jump to her medal collection. Will Csisz mirrored this dominant form, securing a double first in the middle-distance events with gold-medal finishes in both the 1500m and 800m. He really went the distance for the team. The winning streak continued in the field events. Caylum Appleyard launched his way to a first in the discus clearing other competitors by at least 5m. Shannon Smith showed his versatility with an impressive performance in the high jump, proving he can truly set the bar high.

On the track, Hamish Davies battled to a silver in the 800m and a bronze in the 1500m, showing great stamina. In the jumps and sprints, Andie Laird leapt to a silver in the long jump, with Cody Notley also clinching a bronze in the 100m and a silver in the high jump. Other notable results include Katherine Mackay’s bronze in the 800m and a strong showing from Cooper Anderson in the shot put, where he truly gave it his best shot, landing a second. All other official top four results are listed below.

Congratulations to all our athletes for their hard work and fantastic results! Quite a few will have the opportunity to progress to the next level - Combined Catholic Colleges. We're excited to see what they achieve next.

Mrs Beth Marmo - PDHPE Coordinator 

NSW Rugby 7’s State Finals
Great congratulations to the 14s boys and girls rugby teams and staff who travelled to the Central Coast for the NSW Rugby State 7’s finals on Thursday 11 September. The weather was appalling with constant rain and cold winds yet the spirit of St Paul's was warm and positive.

The Under 14s girls played with great tenacity and endeavour. The girl's efforts especially at the tackle area and their ability to recycle possession was impressive and they represented the College with distinction.

The boys had a great day in terms of results, winning four games and narrowly losing one game to finalist Hills Sports High school. St Paul's were winners of the plate final, meaning third in the state which is a tremendous achievement, as with the girls they were tenacious and determined at the breakdown and demonstrated how rugby can be played successfully.

A big thanks to Miss Khianni Walsh-McKiernan and Miss Tahlia Byrnes who went above and beyond coaching, supporting and supervising our students across two days of travel and competition.

Mr Geoff Melville - Principal and Rugby Guru

Mr Leon Robinson - Teacher and Sports Coordinator

leon.robinson@lism.catholic.edu.au

The Pure Joy of Reading for Entertainment
In a world brimming with information, sometimes the greatest gift we can give ourselves is to simply read for entertainment. Often, our reading is driven by a need to learn, to study, or to keep up with current events. While valuable, this focus can sometimes overshadow the immense pleasure found in reading purely for enjoyment.

Consider the magic of losing oneself in a captivating novel, a thrilling mystery, or an imaginative fantasy world. These books aren't about facts or figures; they're about experiencing emotions, embarking on adventures, and meeting unforgettable characters. Reading for entertainment offers a much-needed escape, a chance to unwind and de-stress from daily pressures. It sparks creativity, fuels imagination, and provides a unique form of relaxation that screen time often can't replicate.

When you read, you put yourself into the story. You imagine things from a perspective that is uniquely yours. Your experiences shape the characters, the settings, relationships, and perspectives. You bring your biases, make judgments and form opinions without the influence of someone showing you their attire or facial expressions, the way a movie would.

Mr Roger Shipton - Literacy Coach

Year 12 Exit Surveys
To help us support your student on their journey, we are asking all Year 12 students to complete two short but very important surveys. Each survey only takes about 5 minutes to complete. Please encourage your student to check their email and fill out both of these surveys. The information they share is crucial for us to celebrate their achievements and support them long after they've graduated. Thank you for your help in this important process.

Exciting Early Offers for Our Year 12 Students
It's an exciting time for many of our Year 12 students who are already seeing the rewards of their hard work. We are thrilled to announce that many have been receiving early entry offers from universities like CSU, UNE, and Newcastle. These offers are a direct result of their strong performance in Year 11 and the effort they put into applying for these pathways earlier in the year.

Remember, accepting an early entry offer does not affect any offers you may receive from other universities through UAC in the first and second rounds. To all students who have secured their academic future, a huge congratulations! Keep applying yourselves to your studies in the lead up to the HSC. This final push will ensure you are well-prepared for the academic challenges of university.

Behind The Job: Logistics Engineer
Logistics Engineers design and optimise supply chain systems to ensure efficient transportation, storage, and distribution of goods. They work in industries such as manufacturing, retail, and logistics companies.

What are their strengths?

• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to improve efficiency and reduce costs
• Organisational and project management skills
• Communication and teamwork abilities

How do they get started?

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or Industrial Engineering provides a strong foundation for this field. Starting salary for a Logistics Engineer is $110,000 to $130,000.


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

Congratulations to St Paul's Leader of the World of Work and Careers Literacy, Ms Tess Meehan, who has been named the 2025 Rising Star by the NSW Careers Advisers Association in recognition of her innovative and student-centred approach to career development. This prestigious award highlights Tess's passion and commitment to creating real pathways for all students, especially those in rural communities. Tess has significantly expanded access to diverse and meaningful opportunities through strategic partnerships and forward-thinking curriculum design. Her work has led to outstanding results, including a sharp rise in work experience participation and a notable increase in SBAT uptake.

Tess is an outstanding staff member at St Paul’s and has been very successful in the Careers Adviser role at the College; she has extensive connections within the Macleay Valley, building effective partnerships with employers and organisations such as Kempsey Shire Council. The students have greatly benefitted from these community connections, leading to full-time employment, School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships and a vibrant work experience program for our Year 10 cohort. Tess greatly cares for the students and builds trusted relationships with the staff, students and families within our College community, and she continues to make a positive impact within the Macleay and Nambucca Valley communities.

This well-deserved recognition celebrates the lasting impact of Tess’s work in empowering students to shape their futures confidently.

The 2025 St Paul’s College Yearbook is now available to order!

Printed and bound copies are $30 each and multiple copies may be purchased. Please contact the College Office on 6562 7200 to order and pay for your copy by 3pm Monday 22 September.

We anticipate that copies will be ready for collection from the College towards the end of Term 4 (please note that we are unable to offer postage). A free digital copy will be available in the College newsletter towards the end of Term 4 for students, families and staff to download.

A group of St Paul's Year 8 students are acclerating in Stage 5 Science and attended an accelerated Science Biology practical day at the College. In 2026 they will begin the preliminary course in Investigating Science, a two unit Science course with the aim of sitting the HSC examination in 2027.

During the Biology day, students explored the evidence for the evolution of life, extracted DNA from strawberries and completed a series of dissections including cow eyes, sheep kidneys and hearts, fish (which were kindly donated by the Fisherman's Cooperative at Jerseyville) and rats.

These dissections give students an opportunity to investigate body systems, anatomy and compare the respiratory and circulatory systems of mammals and fish.

It is a NESA requirement that students in Science complete a significant percentage of practical work. This day was developed and presented by Ms Rayleigh Keith who teaches senior Biology at the College. In the coming weeks students will attend a similar day for Physics, hosted by senior Physics teacher, Miss Jade Tildsley. Other days are planned for Chemistry and Earth and Environmental Science with the relevant specialist teachers leading the sessions.

St Paul's Creative and Performing Arts faculty (CAPA) presented the 2025 HSC Creative Arts Showcase last week. The showcase featured spectacular artworks and outstanding drama performances of Year 12 students. Thank you to the students, parents/carers, families, friends, and staff who made the evening a huge success. A special thank you to Ms Donna Swan, Mrs Amanda Jordan, Ms Heidi Tamblyn and Mrs Ingrid Yssel for their support of the students.

St Paul's Year 12 Hospitality students demonstrated their amazing skills in the kitchen with a two course luncheon held last week to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding support the students have received from their teachers and parents throughout their senior studies.

The Year 10 Food Technology students completed their ‘Let’s Party’ cake decoration assessment practical. This was the first time students had the opportunity to work with buttercream and fondant to decorate a cake. Students engaged in extensive planning and skill development in preparation for this assessment. Each cake reflects the students’ creativity, attention to detail, and newly acquired skills. We are so proud of the Year 10 Food Technology students and what they have achieved.

Congratulations to the Year 12 students who were honoured at the Macleay Valley All Schools Koori/Goori Graduates Dinner held at Melville High last week. We are very proud of your achievements!

Parents/carers are cordially invited to join the Principal, staff, students and guests in officially opening The Mercy Centre on Monday 22 September 2025. Please RSVP by Wednesday 17 September to ensure we allocate sufficient seating.

RSVP - Mercy Centre Opening

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.

Some Fun facts about the History of St Paul’s College…

• Who was the first Principal of St Paul's College?
  Brother ME Cryan
  
  
• Who was the first canteen supervisor?
  Mrs Leo Jeffery
  
  
• Who was the first P&F President?
  Percy Chisolm
  
  
• What was the first item purchased by the P&F?
  A television set
  
  
• What were the names of the first sports houses?
  O’Hare - Green, Daley - Gold, Farrelly - Red
  
  
• What were the first school colours?
  Black and red
  
  
• Who was the first Librarian?
  Mrs Amber Chisolm
  
  
• Who was the first Dux of the College?
  Stephen Britt
  
  
• When did the Work experience program commence at S Paul’s?
  1979
  
  
• Who commenced as the last religious Principal at the school?
  Brother Paul Leary in 1982
  
  
• Who was the first lay Principal?
  Mr Jim King in 1984
  
  
• When were the first school computers purchased?
  In 1985, purchased by the P&F and the Parish
  
  

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.

NSW Health will be holding a vaccination clinic at the College on Wednesday 29 October 2025 for ALL students who have consent in place. If your student has missed their vaccination in the past you may consent for a catch up vaccination to be administered at this clinic.

CONSENT
Consent may be provided by one of the following options:

• Paper form - please contact the College to arrange for a form to be sent home, kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au or 6562 7200
• Online - see below

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

VACCINES OFFERED
The following vaccines are offered free of charge to students at school:

1. Year 7 students (or those in older year groups who have missed these)

• diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine (1 dose)
• human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (1 dose).

2. Year 10 students (or those in older year groups who have missed this)

• meningococcal ACWY vaccine (1 dose).

ONLINE CONSENT
To provide consent for vaccination online, parents/carers will need to visit the School Vaccination Program online consent portal

• You will need your ServiceNSW log-in details and Medicare details for you and your child.
• For detailed steps on how to provide consent please refer to the NSW Health webpage, How to Provide Consent

MORE INFORMATION
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.

Parents are invited to join the Elevate Education free parent webinar 'How you can support your child during exams' on 17 September, 6:30pm. Register here.

Parents/carers are invited to learn more about adolescent mental health and how to best support and connect with their young person during tough times.

To register, please download the PDF flyer below.

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.