FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Welcome to the latest edition of our Alumni Newsletter! 2024 at St Paul’s has been an eventful year filled with change and progress. Following the addition of the Innovation Learning Centre, the old Secondary School Library (now called the Heritage Building) is being gradually developed into a beautiful chapel and conference space. In the new year we will see the commencement of our next major capital upgrade; the refurbishment of our Junior School, which is now over 30-years-old.
We have launched two major projects this year which are covered in this edition. Firstly, our Wellbeing Framework, coordinator by Mrs Jackie Tuting and features beautiful illustrations made my Mrs Ann Gribble. Secondly, our new tagline “See Beyond”. We are incredibly grateful to the alumni that generously gave their time to feature in a series of short films that depict their experiences at St Paul’s. They shared how the school shaped their lives and enabled them to see beyond. In a world that is increasingly “I” focused, the message of seeing beyond yourself with the understanding that you are part of something much bigger is such an important message.
I hope you and your families have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. May you know the peace and hope that Jesus brings as you spend time with your loved ones.
In Christo Futurum Ian Wake
ACADEMIC MENTOR
PROGRAMME
Our current students are fortunate to benefit from our Academic Mentor Programme, available in the Innovation Learning Centre (ILC) Library after school. This complimentary service supports Secondary School students with homework and assessments and is available four days a week after school until 5:00pm.
Our mentors, who have excelled at St Paul’s or other schools and are currently attending or have recently graduated from university, are well equipped to assist with Middle School (Years 7-10) subjects such as English, Maths, Science, and Humanities, along with various electives based on their expertise. We are especially proud to have former students Jessica Phillips and Georgia Whale as our current Academic Mentors.
JESSICA PHILLIPS | Class of 2022
What were your favourite subjects at school? During my time at school, I developed a deep appreciation for both Art and Environmental Science. Art came naturally to me; I was captivated by the way people’s creations could reflect their inner worlds and the liberating experience of creating without fear of making mistakes. Environmental Science also held a special place in my heart because it delved into the intricacies of the planet we live on. The subject remained engaging as the issues we studied are increasingly relevant today, with the growing awareness of climate change permeating the news, movies, TV shows, and our daily lives. For those who are Christians, Genesis 2:15 is a moving reminder that God commanded us to care for His creation.
Did you have a favourite teacher? Choosing a favourite teacher is a challenging task, as I was blessed with many exceptional educators. I am deeply grateful for Mr Said, Mrs Johnny, and Ms Gardner, whose passion for their subjects was truly inspiring. Mr Horan’s humour made Business Studies not just bearable but enjoyable. Mrs Evans stood out for her approachability and relatability, creating a supportive environment for her students. Lastly, Mrs Davies exemplified the kind of care and dedication that make a lasting impact on students’ lives.
What are you studying now? I am a fourth year student at Macquarie University, studying a Bachelor of Human Sciences and Bachelor of Psychology (Honours).
What do you hope to do after you graduate? Upon graduating, I plan to take a well-deserved three month break to travel, rekindle my passion for art, and explore new activities that I haven’t had the time to pursue during my studies.
Why did you want to be an Academic Mentor? Becoming an Academic Mentor was a natural choice for me. It allowed me to continue my passion for art by supporting students with their art studies, even though I did not pursue art academically at the university level. I find immense satisfaction in helping others, as guiding students toward their goals is rewarding and fulfilling in itself.
GEORGIA WHALE | Class of 2020
What were your favourite subjects at school? My favourite subjects were psychology and film.
Did you have a favourite teacher? I was lucky enough to have amazing teachers for all of my subjects, but I particularly loved Mrs Newton for psychology and Mrs Gribble for film. They were both very knowledgeable, bubbly, and always willing to help.
What are you studying now? I am a fourth year student at Macquarie University, studying a Bachelor of Human Sciences and Bachelor of Psychology (Honours).
What do you hope to do after you graduate? I currently do not have a clear plan of what I want to do when I graduate. I decided to study a double degree to give me greater opportunities and flexibility in future career routes. Both of these degrees will likely lead me to either a research or helping profession role.
Why did you want to be an Academic Mentor? I wanted to be an Academic Mentor as I know the importance of being able to seek help for school related work, especially in the stressful final two years of school. Sometimes students can be hesitant in seeking aid from their teachers or parents, so having access to an Academic Mentor provides greater options for students. The Academic Mentor role is also super flexible which is perfect for university students studying full-time.
ALUMNI FAMILY
The Daveys
Matt is the owner of Squinters Brewing Co. Nicole is the Panther’s Group Marketing Manager. Olivia is in Year 4 and loves performing arts and swimming. Sophie is in Year 1 and loves music, dancing, and swimming.
How do you spend time together as a family?
We love going away on family holidays, with some of our most memorable holidays being skiing at Perisher, going on cruises, and visiting Fiji. We enjoy watching the NRL together, whether it’s live at the game or at home on the couch. We also cherish our downtime at home, relaxing in the pool or roasting marshmallows by the fire pit.
What are some of the things your children have been involved in during their time at St Paul’s?
Our girls have been deeply involved in school life at St Paul’s, including participating in the cocurricular Dance Academy, Drama Academy, HICES and CIS Swimming, HICES Cross Country and Athletics, music lessons (Olivia is learning piano and Sophia is learning violin), verse speaking competitions, and choirs. We are so grateful for the opportunities the children at St Paul’s have, both as part of the curriculum and cocurricular activities. The girls have both loved their school camps and take every opportunity to be involved in school life.
Why did you choose St Paul’s?
We chose St Paul’s primarily because of the positive experiences we had as students ourselves. We were both very involved with school life, and we wanted to provide our children with a similar nurturing environment where they could thrive academically and socially. The strong sense of community and the presence of like-minded families were also significant factors in our decision. We are fortunate that both girls have wonderful and supportive friendship groups and that we have become friends with the other parents. The teachers and leadership team always go above and beyond for the children and create a welcoming and caring environment.
Additionally, the relationships with former teachers who still work at the school help to create a warm and familiar atmosphere. Mrs Anne Rogers was Nicole’s Year 1 teacher when the Junior School opened in 1993. Mrs Rogers was also Sophia’s Kindergarten teacher last year! We had come full circle with Mrs Rogers’ first year at St Paul’s and her last year before retirement, which was very special.
Kelly and Geoff Newton also hold a special place in our hearts, taking us (Matt and Nicole) as part of a group to New Zealand for Duke of Edinburgh at the end of Year 11… a friendship developed, and the rest is history!
What is your family looking forward to over the next couple of years?
In the coming years, we are looking forward to enjoying more family holidays and being able to explore the world together. We are excited to watch both Olivia and Sophia continue to flourish both socially and academically. Olivia is looking forward to being a part of the Junior School musical next year, and Sophia is excited about the fun learning activities in Year 2!
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins graduated from St Paul’s in 2010 and made his international debut in 2011 for Cricket Australia. He has achieved numerous accolades throughout his career, including leading Australia to victory in the 2021-23 ICC World Test Championship and the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Pat is known for his sportsmanship and dedication to the game, and has earned recognition as one of the finest fast bowlers of his generation.
How did your experience as a student of St Paul’s influence and/or shape your career journey, guiding you to where you are today?
St Paul’s influenced me in many ways, but two particularly stand out to me:
The people. We had a really diverse year group with people from all walks of life and there was no sense of cultural hierarchy. I never felt like anyone really cared about where you were from, what your family did, but it was always just about you as a person. But despite being grounded I also felt there was always a healthy push to think big, and having overseas students join us for a couple of years only increased this sense of worldliness.
The variety of experiences. I was able to experience a vast array of opportunities throughout my time and was never pushed to specialise. I look back and lots of my cricket mates at that time started to put many of their eggs in the cricket basket, but I felt lucky that I had so many other interests. I think this depressurised my cricket endeavours during school and as a result I try to keep many interests alive whilst now playing cricket full time.
Reflecting on your time at St Paul’s, what stands out to you as the most memorable?
Just the time spent with mates. Unfortunately, once you finish school it’s harder to organise a lunchtime footy match with your mates! The memories of sitting around at recess, playing basketball or footy at lunch, and the school trips we did are all highlights.
This also extended to some great teachers along the way like Mr Heath teaching me Business Studies and Mr Newton teaching me Economics, Geography, and being our Tutor. I believe a reason I still love these topics today was because they made the classes engaging and fun.
After graduating from St Paul’s, you pursued a Bachelor of Business at UTS. How did you manage the challenges of juggling both academic and sporting responsibilities?
I didn’t know what I wanted to do after school, but both my brothers had pursued business degrees, and I enjoyed those subjects at school. It wasn’t until I signed up for the course that I had any idea of my chance of being a professional Cricketer. So, I started uni as I couldn’t envisage cricket being a long-term career and even if it was, I can’t play cricket forever. Some great mentors at cricket really encouraged me to stick at the degree, so with their support, I was able to move some trainings and exams around to make it all work. I sat some exams in India, Ireland, Sri Lanka, and South Africa! During busy periods I would scale back to a single subject, but when I was injured, I’d go full time for a semester. I found uni a great escape from the ups and downs of cricket results and injuries. It wasn’t always easy but I’m glad I stuck at it and chipped away.
As the current Australian cricket captain, what do you consider the essential qualities of an effective leader?
I’d say the most important thing is to try to understand who you are and what you’re about. If you are put into a leadership position, it is normally because someone has seen great qualities in you. I would then try to stay firm on these qualities whilst remaining open-minded and flexible. I also think you must back and support the people around you. It sounds simple but it’s amazing how far a little bit of support and backing can go. Lastly, you’re never going to know everything, but the world is full of people willing to help. So, ask for help if you need it. It is never a sign of weakness.
Navigating the rigours of international cricket tours involves a demanding schedule. Can you describe a typical week during such tours?
The only thing consistent about our weeks are that they are rarely the same! We spend somewhere between 250-300 days/year on the road and every week changes, as we may be home, away, playing test matches or in a white ball series.
I’d say as a general rule outside of a game, things aren’t as glamorous as they may seem. Every game is normally in a different city so there is a travel day after a game. Then you start working out your preparation for the next game. The more I play the less I train, and the priorities tend to be on recovery, strength and seeing our physio for any niggles that pop up. As captain there is always some planning for the opposition and working with the coaches regarding any meetings or chats that need to happen. There are always media and sponsor obligations thrown in to the schedule also. Outside of this I try to make life on the road as normal as possible and create space in the schedule for family time.
Managing pressure is a crucial aspect of professional cricket, both on and off the field. How do you prioritise your mental and physical wellbeing to cope with the stressors you encounter?
Experience helps, as you can look back on past experiences where you have done well and navigated your way through a problem. Through past setbacks you also realise that life goes on, and failure isn’t as scary or pressuring as it needs to be. Having a great support system of friends and family, having other interests outside of just this one thing also takes pressure off that one thing.
So, in short, I try to make sure even when cricket is busy - family, friends and some other hobbies remain a priority. I always find this gives me the energy I need to then switch on come game time, and I go into a game clearheaded and not too worried about whether or not everything goes perfectly. When decent gaps in the schedule arrive, I try to totally escape the cricketing world to recharge.
Having achieved remarkable success in cricket, what additional aspirations do you hold for your future endeavours?
My favourite part of cricket is working together with great people in a team and going about solving problems together. Throw in a bit of fun and competition; I find it close to my ideal job. Therefore, I don’t know the specifics of what I will do after cricket, but I know I want it to involve these things. I’ve also spent so many years away from home so I would love to be at home and see my wife and son more, as well as having just a bit more normality and routine. I have a few business and charity interests which I find really rewarding so I think I’ll be spending most of my time getting stuck into these.
Outside of cricket, how do you like to spend your free time?
My wife Becky and I have a young son who keeps us very busy! So almost all my time outside of cricketing obligations is spent with them, and they try to travel with me as much as possible. When I’m home I love heading down to the beach, grabbing a coffee, having a BBQ or just enjoy living in Australia!
CLASS REUNIONS
Class of 2003
Earlier this year, the Class of 2003 gathered for an unforgettable 20 year reunion at the Log Cabin in Emu Plains. The night was filled with laughter, cherished memories, and the joy of reconnecting with old friends. Everyone who attended agreed that another reunion should happen soon.
Here’s to the Class of 2003 - may your bonds continue to grow stronger with time.
Class of 2023
The Class of 2023 gathered for their one year reunion at the Squires Terrace Bar in Penrith Panthers in late November. The reunion, organised by a dedicated committee of former students, together with St Paul’s staff, saw an impressive turnout. Former students enjoyed a night of reminiscing about their school days, sharing their experiences from the past year, and celebrating their achievements since graduation.
Reuniting just a year after graduation holds significant importance for several reasons. Firstly, it helps maintain the bonds formed during school, which can often weaken as people move on to different paths in life. Early reunions provide a platform for classmates to support each other through the initial transitions into adulthood, whether it be starting university, entering the workforce, or pursuing other endeavours.
Moreover, such gatherings offer a sense of continuity and belonging. They remind alumni that they are part of a larger community that cares about their progress and wellbeing. This sense of connection can be particularly comforting during the often challenging first year after leaving school.
RETIRING STAFF
In our last edition of the Alumni Newsletter, we honoured Anne Rogers and Philip Heath who have retired at the end of this year. In this edition, we are overwhelmed with gratitude as we honour two more remarkable staff members who are retiring; Geoff Gannon and Ann Gribble.
Geoff Gannon
After an extraordinary 39 years of service at St Paul’s, Geoff Gannon is retiring. As a counsellor, Geoff’s wisdom, empathy, and unwavering support has guided thousands of young people through challenges, helping them grow into confident and resilient individuals.
His profound impact on students, staff, and families has created a lasting legacy of care and compassion. Geoff’s departure marks the end of an era, and while we will miss his presence deeply, we are forever grateful for the countless lives he has touched and transformed.
Ann Gribble
After 23 years of inspiring creativity as a beloved teacher of Visual Arts and Film, Ann Gribble bids farewell to St Paul’s. Her dedication to nurturing artistic talent has eft an enduring legacy, touching the lives of countless students who thrived under her guidance.
Ann’s passion for the arts and her ability to inspire will be deeply missed, but her influence will continue to echo through the achievements of her students and the colleagues she has guided.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Futurum #71
The latest edition of our annual Futurum magazine has been released - featuring some of the articles from this edition of the alumni newsletter.
Use the following button to read this outstanding edition:
Wellbeing Framework
After many years of development, we have released our Wellbeing Framework for the school community. Two resources are available to help understand how we promote lives that flourish, within and beyond St Paul’s.
Use the following buttons to view our resources:
FAREWELLING ALUMNI STAFF
St Paul’s is truly blessed to have many of its former students return as staff, enhancing the school community with their experience and passion. This year, however, we bid a heartfelt farewell to two alumni staff members, David Rajasekar and Emma Cullen.
David resigned as the Coordinator of Sport Academy and has taken a position at the Independent Sporting Association (ISA) as a Sports Coordinator in a part-time capacity. He still remains active in our school community as a casual relief teacher. We wish David all the best in his professional development.
Emma, who has served at St Paul’s in many capacities in the Junior School, has taken a position at Penrith Anglican College as a Visual Arts Teacher. Her passion for Christian education in the early and primary years is evident in all she does, and we wish her well as she continues to grow as an educator.
GRADUATION
Class of 2024
Welcome to the newest members of our alumni community - Class of 2024!
Their graduation at the end of Term 3 not only celebrated their successes, but encouraged them to continue to flourish into the wider world as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. Families, friends, and staff gathered to honour their journey, sharing in the pride and joy of this significant milestone.
“ PSALMS 37:23
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him. ”
David Rajasekar Class of 2009
Emma Cullen Class of 2013
ALUMNI QUESTIONNAIRE
Creative Arts Student Research Study
St Paul’s has been approached by Dr Rachel White, Senior Lecturer, Learning Environments and Pedagogy with Western Sydney University, and former student of St Paul’s to assist with a project titled “Collective Teacher Efficacy in the Creative Arts”. Together with her co-researcher, Dr Natalie White-Wall, Dr White is exploring the nature of collective teacher efficacy within a Creative Arts faculty in a Western Sydney school.
Dr White is reaching out to former students of St Paul’s Grammar School, specifically students who graduated from the school between 2013 to 2023, and who were enrolled in an elective Creative Arts subject during their time at the school (i.e. any Creative Arts elective between Year 9 – Year 12, and/or in the HSC or IB Diploma programme). Dr White is interested in your experiences with Creative Arts and with the Creative Arts faculty, as well as your perspective on how school Creative Arts has impacted your life post-school.
If this sounds like you, we ask that you please consider completing the Alumni questionnaire for this study. Use the button to the right:
It is expected that the questionnaire will take between 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Please note that your responses will remain confidential, and no personal or identifying information will be reported on.
If you are interested in participating, or you would like to know more about the study, please feel free to contact Dr White at r.white@westernsydney.edu.au
SEE BEYOND
We asked three alumni about their lives after graduation, and how their experiences at St Paul’s shaped them into the individuals they are now.
Seeing the journey of these three remarkable alumni reminds us of the power people have when they choose to see beyond themselves, and the incredible potential each of our students carry to impact their world, within and beyond our school.
Dr Rachel White Class of 2001
We are blessed with a community of alumni who continue to actively engage in the life of school. Recent events at St Paul’s saw former students return for various reasons. Two events we would like to highlight: Trivia Night and Prayer Breakfast.
Trivia Night, hosted by Friends of St Paul’s, was very well-attended by our community. The goal of the night was to raise money for the next major project of refurbishing the Junior School.
Our Prayer Breakfast at the start of Term Four was the first of many to come. It was great to see our community come together to dedicate their morning to Christ. We are holding another Prayer Breakfast event early next year, and the details for this will be shared via our social media platforms.
2026 Scholarships at St Paul's Grammar School
