Dear Parents/Carers,

I trust your vacation time with your children has been largely rewarding.  Usually, towards the end of the vacation period my wife tells me that I need to get back to work!  I wonder why? Perhaps that is an area where I need more enlightenment!  Whilst I reflect on the last term at St Paul’s, I am in a pleasant calm state but also somewhat overwhelmed by our achievements:

1. St Paul’s Staff Spirituality Day
2. St Paul’s Listening Assembly
3. St Paul’s School Fete
4. Kindergarten Enrolment Interviews and Placement Offers
5. Mother's Day Stall
6. Netball Gala Day
7. Athletics Carnival
8. School photos
9. Year 6 Leadership Program
10. St Paul’s Feast Day Mass and Student Celebration
11. Parish Sacramental Program - Confirmation
12. School Reports and end of semester parent/teacher meetings to discuss child progress
13. Grandparents and Great People Day

All of this seemed to happen without too much unnerving challenge which is the mark of true community alive and thriving at St Paul’s. In fact, as this all happened, it was my wish that we still provided the children with the best  education humanly possible. I am also inspired by the amazing leadership called upon to make this happen. Leadership is an elusive concept and means very different things to a variety of people. I’m sure if I asked you to write down your list of leadership skills or people that represented great leadership, if you compared your lists, there would be big discrepancies between the lists. Popular misconceptions about leadership suggest that leaders are born, not made, leadership is a rare skill, leaders must be dominating people with a charismatic presence. The reality of how leadership functions is rather difficult to describe because often we experience leadership from unexpected sources and people. Going through my list of thirteen significant events brings to mind many people, whom  I had not viewed in this way before.  However, upon reflection, what great leadership was shown by the many to get the above list over the line in a way that our mission reflected:

• Committed to the development of the whole person;
• Promoting learning within a safe and respectful environment;
• Characterised by inclusiveness and cooperation;
• Bringing to life Gospel values and the teaching of Jesus Christ.

I thank the many people who have fitted into the many events or descriptions I have nominated, who made term two such a successful one. I thank all who have exercised their christian leadership to enable our school to love life as a Catholic school.  

We must never take our St Paul’s community for granted, especially the many who exercise true christian leadership through their christian service.

Go gently,

Michael Reardon
Principal

Principal Awards

Congratulations to the following students who have recently received a Principal Award. 

Jordan Pisani, Amelia Mansour, Hunter Kennedy, Alexander Misic, Owen Rasmussen, Laura Waltisbuhl, Isobel Shaw, Aston Canal, Isabella Meekin, Emily Gray, Elijah Mercieca, Avoca Dennis, Milly Yesilada, Leo Corsaro, Lincoln Kukavica, Kasabian Barnsley, Eloise Watson, Savannah Smith, Braxton Russell, Jack Strong, Bianca Azzopardi, Bellany Bartolo, Austin Radford, Lola Payne.

Book Week Character Parade Afternoon 

The school book character parade will be held on Wednesday, 23 August 2023.

Students can come to school dressed as a favourite book character. Be creative and use items you already have at home. No need to go shopping for an outfit!

The book character parade will begin at 2:30pm. Families are invited to come along and watch the parade. Parents will enter through Larkin Place and Mitchell Street gates and the parade will be held on the playground. 

The book character parade will conclude at the end of the school day with normal afternoon dismissal.

This months P&F meeting will be held next Wednesday, 2 August 2023 at 7pm in the school hall. If you would like to raise anything with the P&F, please send an email with your items to pandfstpaulscamden@gmail.com

All are welcome to attend.