Presently the parish priest of the Macleay Valley Catholic Parish, Fr James, is taking a very well deserved break. The parish has welcomed Fr Pius Jones during this time. Fr Pius has been very active with St Paul’s celebrating Mass at 8.30am each Tuesday for the staff and community members as well as his upcoming support of the College during the Easter Liturgy.

Celebrating Mass together at 8.30am on a Tuesday morning is a very special start to the day for staff who have a busy day ahead. The clock is ticking down towards the first interactions with students at 9.00am which then continues throughout the day with a direct teaching experience or providing advice to fellow staff, students or families until the 3.30pm bell sounds, many staff continue to work well after this time at school in preparation for the next days experience.

Fr Pius spoke during his Sunday homily of the parable of the fig tree that had not borne fruit for three years, the gardener had faith that the fig tree would bear fruit with ongoing care. “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’’. These sentiments ring true in schools, no one is perfect yet there is a recognition of potential supporting growth to occur. During my first Term as College Principal, I continue to experience so many circumstances where our staff are working with students and families together to support student growth, just as the patient gardener from the Gospel. When we all work together many things can be achieved, this continues to sum up what St Paul’s College and its motto proclaims: “Let your light shine”.

Long Service Leave 
Prior to my appointment as St Paul’s College Principal in 2025, I had sought and confirmed Long Service Leave with the DLCS from 7 April to 22 May. As such, I am very pleased to write to you to confirm the announcements of Mrs Kate Fullbrook as Acting Principal and Mrs Amy Tovey as Acting Assistant Principal- Learning & Teaching during my leave. Kate and Amy are outstanding leaders who I warmly congratulate to their new appointments, there will also be further leadership announcements as their roles are filled within our College staff.

St Paul’s College School Community Forum
The nature of school Parents & Friends committees has changed recently into a new format and the first meeting of the newly formed St Paul’s College School Community Forum will take place in the Mercy Centre on Wednesday 9 April beginning at 5.30pm. The College has been tremendously supported by the P&F Committee for many years, and our newly formed SPCSCF executive is looking forward to opportunities for parents to work closely with the school as a committee and determine meaningful ways of support. One of the features of this meeting will be the final review of fabric and style of proposed changes to the 2026 College uniform, all parents and friends are very welcome to attend the meeting during this new and exiting phase for our St Paul’s parent group.

2026 Enrolment Period
St Paul's has begun the 2026 enrolment period with significant numbers for 2026 enrolment already received. The enrolment period will close on Saturday 31 May, the school will then begin the significant organisation of interviews beginning in Term 2. The College has been over subscribed with enrolment applications across the past four years into Year 7, if you wish to enol at St Paul’s for 2026 please meet the agreed published deadlines or your application will not be considered immediately.

Kind regards

Mr Geoff Melville  BRurScEd, MEd, GCertRE

Principal

kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au