Futurum No.70 2023 by St Paul's Grammar School

Futurum S T PA U L’ S G R A M M A R S C H O O L

NO.70, 2023

IN THIS EDITION

40th Anniversary Reflections and Celebrations

• THE INNOVATION LEARNING CENTRE

• SECONDARY SCHOOL MUSICAL, ANNIE • JUNIOR SCHOOL MUSICAL, HONK! JR.

Contents

Futurum

From the Principal – Welcome

From the Chair of the School Board – Message

University of Sydney – High School Outreach Programme

St Paul’s Grammar School 52 Taylor Road, Cranebrook NSW 2749

40th Anniversary – Celebrations

8 Adrian Lamrock – Founding Principal 10

40th Anniversary – Staff Reflections

The Innovation Learning Centre – Opening

Family Profile – The Seppelt Family

Secondary School Musical – Annie

Alumni Profile – Matilda McDonell

Cultural Tour – Learning Abroad

24 Junior School Musical – Honk! JR. 26

New Staff 2023 – Welcome to St Paul's

Staff Babies – Welcome to the Community

Staff Weddings – Congratulations

Staff Farewells – Goodbye and God Bless

Year 12 Farewell – Class of 2023

Wellbeing – School Therapy Dog

Grandparents Day – Student Reflections

ISSUE NO.70, 2023

Locked Bag 8016, Penrith NSW 2751 Australia

Contact St Paul’s T | +61 2 4777 4888 E | info@stpauls.nsw.edu.au www.stpauls.nsw.edu.au 2024 Term Dates Term 1 | Monday, 29 January to Friday, 12 April Term 2 | Wednesday, 1 May to Friday, 28 June Term 3 | Tuesday, 23 July to Friday, 27 September Term 4 | Tuesday, 15 October to Thursday, 5 December Find St Paul’s Online /stpaulsgrammar /stpaulsgrammar Futurum Online www.stpauls.nsw.edu.au/community/ futurum-magazine Editors Keaton Daniels and Julie McDonough Design Penzance Marketing and Creative Agency Images SPGS Staff, Students and Community, University of Sydney, Matilda McDonell, Murray Harris Photography, The School Photographer, and Wolter Peeters Photography. Contact Email | futurum@stpauls.nsw.edu.au Changed Your Address or Contact Details? Email | info@stpauls.nsw.edu.au

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Welcome | FROM THE PRINCIPAL

From the Principal Welcome to this historic edition of Futurum, as we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of St Paul’s Grammar School and reflect on its remarkable journey. This milestone year has been marked by a plethora of memorable activities and events, allowing us to pay tribute to the many significant people who have played pivotal roles in shaping our school’s history.

would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our founding principal, Mr Adrian Lamrock, who has graciously shared his reflections from the earliest days of St Paul’s. I am also excited to present the thoughts and recollections of some of our dedicated, long-standing staff members who have faithfully served our community. The year 2023 saw the opening of the Innovation Learning Centre. This amazing new facility has already proven to be an invaluable asset in transdisciplinary education. Additionally, we were thrilled to witness the return of our school musicals, with both the Junior and Secondary Schools delivering outstanding performances of Honk! JR and Annie. These productions served as a testament to the immense talent and unwavering commitment present within the St Paul’s community. I feel a great sense of honour and privilege to be part of this wonderful community that seeks to honour God and serve Him in this world. As we remember the past 40 years with thankfulness and gratitude, we look forward to the next 40 years filled with anticipation and hope.

Ian Wake

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FROM THE CHAIR OF THE SCHOOL BOARD | Message

From the Chair of the School Board What wonderful blessings God has poured out on St Paul’s! What a wonderful day we had when we gave thanks to God for those blessings and when we opened our Innovation Learning Centre (ILC). This wonderful building, a great addition to the facilities of this school, is now a centre for learning, fit for the twenty-first century.

This building (the ILC) is a foundation stone in the future of education for St Paul’s. It represents modern thinking and innovative approaches. It points to the way in which young people will develop and grow as students and as citizens. The facilities are great, but of course, the way in which it is used is critical to the long-term success of education at St Paul’s.

was privileged to have been the Chair of the School Board during the development of the concept of this building, through its planning and its construction. Therefore, it is a thrill for me to have seen it in operation and to hear the positive reports coming from the community. This building is a foundation stone in the future of education for St Paul’s. It represents modern thinking and innovative approaches. It points to the way in which young people will develop and grow as students and as citizens. The facilities are great, but of course, the way in which it is used is critical to the long-term success of education at St Paul’s. Teachers will use their skills and knowledge to help students inquire, learn, and develop. Likewise, students will take advantage of the facilities to grow in knowledge, to interact with one another and with teachers, and

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to inquire in such a way that they will grow to their potential as discerning and knowledgeable individuals of integrity who are called to serve in the world with respect and compassion. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all who have been involved in the development of the ILC. To the planners, architect and builders, our sincere thanks. To the Government, our thanks for the generous grant provided. To families and friends who have donated towards the project, thank you also. The world has changed dramatically since my days in high school more than 50 years ago. Educational practices and facilities have had to change to help students prepare for a fast-changing future. There will be new and unexpected jobs for students who are currently at

school. Some of those jobs are emerging now, some will emerge in the near future, and some during the later working life of our current students. There is an understandable level of uncertainty about the future. Issues of climate change, of international rivalries, of global and personal economics, and of work opportunities, all bring a level of uncertainty. However, it is important for us all to remember that our real future is founded in Jesus Christ. St Paul’s positively states and holds to its motto, “In Christo Futurum”. We keep this in mind as we move towards our future, whatever that future may be that God holds for us.

Peter Mackie Chair of the School Board

High School Outreach Programme | UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health High School Outreach Programme We are excited to share that our students have had the incredible opportunity to engage in various enriching activities with the University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health's High School Outreach Programme.

The programme aims to create meaningful partnerships with a diverse range of high schools and provide students with an opportunity to explore their interests in medicine and health through practical and unique learning environments. One of the highlights of the programme was a visit to our campus by a team of Professors and PhD students. The team consisted of Professor Andrew Harman, Professor Scott Byrne, Professor Kerrie

Sandgren, PhD candidates Vicki Stylianou and Erica Vine, and industry scientist and St Paul’s alumni Lauren Dunstan. Partnering with the Faculty of Medicine and Health's High School Outreach Programme has inspired and encouraged our students in their educational journey and has provided our teachers opportunities for professional development.

Professionally, this partnership has been immensely enriching for not only me, as Head of Science, but for my whole faculty. As educators we are immensely grateful for the resources, support, and professional growth opportunities this partnership has provided. Michelle Cook Head of Science

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40TH ANNIVERSARY | Celebrations

40th Anniversary Celebrations The second term of 2023 proved to be notably eventful, marked by the celebration of our school’s 40th Anniversary with the Thanksgiving Service and the Big Day Out.

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hese events saw a great turnout and brought the St Paul’s community together. It was fantastic to see our current families enjoying the festivities over the two days, in addition to witnessing former students and staff reconnecting with their past classmates and colleagues. The return of past Principals, including Adrian Lamrock, Ruby Holland, Dr Stephen Codrington, and Dr John Collier, added a profound historical resonance to the celebrations. Additionally, it was a privilege to welcome back past school chaplains, including Michael Hannah, George Statheos, Peter Wilson, Sarah Plummer, and James Grady, who shared their invaluable insights about St Paul’s during the Thanksgiving Service.

Celebrations | 40TH ANNIVERSARY

…a really great Christian place for those kids who are searching (for) truth. For me, it was a real season of growth during my time at St Paul’s, and a real season of seeing other people grow in their faith as well. George Statheos School Chaplain 1995-1999

I count it a privilege to have been able to be involved in the school community both as a teacher, a parent, and a pastor. Peter Wilson School Chaplain 2000-2012

The school isn’t made up of buildings; it’s made up of people. I am most thankful for the people I got to meet and spend time with during my time at St Paul’s. James Grady School Chaplain 2013-2018

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ADRIAN LAMROCK | Founding Principal

In the beginning... Adrian Lamrock Founding Principal of St Paul’s Grammar School

“Shoot first and ask questions later” was an expression regularly used by our ‘founding father’, Dr Michael Barratt, when the idea of a Christian Secondary School serving the Penrith, and possibly Hawkesbury, areas was first discussed with me. Dr Barratt was a visionary who managed to engage others with him in his vision, and if an idea was a good one, then we would worry later about how to make it a reality.

hat did he envisage for this new school? Firstly, that it should be unashamedly committed to the “historic” Christian faith as expressed in the Bible. Secondly, it should be a school with an open enrolment policy, so that students from all backgrounds and beliefs would be welcome, on the understanding that the Christian faith would underpin everything and that students would have the opportunity to examine the

claims of the Bible and the Person of Jesus Christ. The third aspect of his vision was that the new school would aim for high academic results, while at the same time, cater for students who found learning more difficult. This was all part of his “students from all backgrounds” ideal. Dr Barratt had the benefit of excellent schooling at The Scots College in Sydney and saw what could be achieved from it, in all sorts of ways.

What did he (Dr Michael Barratt) envisage for this new school? Firstly, that it should be unashamedly committed to the “historic” Christian faith as expressed in the Bible.

PAST PRINCIPALS Adrian Lamrock Founding Principal

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Ruby Holland

Dr Stephen Codrington

Dr John Collier

Ian Wake Current Principal

Founding Principal | ADRIAN LAMROCK

A fourth idea that was to be fostered was the study of foreign languages. I had been teaching Latin to two of the elder Barratt children at another school, and it was from discussion with Dr and Mrs Barratt over the teaching of Latin that I suspect some of these original ideas were developed. Therefore, when the school began in 1983, with between 14 and 23 students over the course of the year, both French and Latin were taught.

any other field of creativity, including technical and culinary skills, were to be strongly encouraged.

A commitment to the creative and performing arts was to be another important foundation, and thus music became an important part of the school’s life. Dr Barratt remained a gifted pianist for his whole life and saw the great rewards of enjoying and appreciating music. Additionally, the development of the creative arts in painting, pottery, and

The other significant foundational idea was that the grounds of the new school, especially if it was a start-from-scratch property, should feature native flora from all parts of Australia, exclusively.

Dr Barratt felt that parents should have involvement in the school. It was sometimes hard to know exactly what this meant in practice, but he was keen that parents not be held at arm’s length and that open discussion with parents should be encouraged.

It was an enormous privilege to be the first principal of a school built on these ideas, and to work with Michael Barratt and

his wife Wilma, as well as a team of many, many others, who caught the vision and were willing to initiate it. The ensuing forty years show the various ways in which these aspects of Michael Barratt’s vision have developed.

It is a great joy to see St Paul’s in its current shape; modern, adapting to new educational practices, with a broad and enriching educational offering, featuring marvellous facilities, and still so strongly built on the vision shared all those years ago. Futurum #70 2023

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40TH ANNIVERSARY | Staff Reflections

Staff Reflections Stephen Ongley I started teaching at St Paul’s in 1999 as a Junior School Classroom Teacher. During my job interview, I was told that teaching at St Paul’s is a calling, and I still feel very much called to be teaching here today.

eaching in the Junior School is an honour. I love teaching in my classroom where I can get to know the students in my care and see them develop to the best of their potential. Over the years, I have seen facilities change and the school expand. I have seen the Junior School flourish into the campus that we now know and love.

Joy Cox I started as a parent volunteer in the library at St Paul’s in 1995.

I have been involved in pioneering the Year 5 Father / Son Camp. When I started at St Paul’s, the calendar wasn’t as full as it is nowadays, and I wanted to introduce something for the age group I was teaching. Nigel Kleinveldt, the Deputy Head of Junior School at the time, and I put our heads together and developed the programme. The camp may have changed slightly over the years, but the reason it is held remains the same – to encourage father and son relationships and bonding. I wasn’t a father when the programme first started, but I wanted to share and explore what a father / son relationship could be like, as I have a great relationship with my own dad.

These days I can now talk from experience, being a father of three wonderful children. I have loved being involved in leading the Infants Choir and being a backstage manager during Junior School Musicals. It has been great working with teams of children and seeing them succeed during these experiences. I am now the House Patron for Cornwallis, and I love encouraging the students to do their best. It’s encouraging to work alongside such a supportive group of staff in the Junior School. I find it amusing now that I am no longer the youngest person on staff, but rather one of the longest serving members. I also find it a great

was employed part-time in July 1997 in the Secondary School Library for six months, then in the Junior School Library, where I have been ever since. The Junior School Library, now Inquiry Centre, has moved three times since I’ve been here. I have watched the school grow from a single stream in the Junior School to over a thousand students across the school. I have observed new buildings emerge to cater for the growth. I enjoyed the time that my three children had at St Paul’s, with the cocurricular activities being a highlight. I have valued the camaraderie with staff across the school and the Christian fellowship between us. I also value continuing friendships with those staff who have left the school. I particularly enjoy seeing alumni sending their own children to the school. Finally, I have been passionate in helping staff and students choose library books over the last twenty-seven years.

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encouragement when I hear of staff who were students at the school now returning in a different capacity. A final memory I have is the Junior School Prayer, which we recited at our weekly assembly.

May the blessings of God rest upon us today, in our work and sport, in what we do and say. May his wisdom guide us, His courage support us, and His love unite us. Now and always. Amen.

Staff Reflections | 40TH ANNIVERSARY

Antony Mayrhofer I started at St Paul’s in 1989, the seventh year of the school.

y current role is Director of Learning Services, in which I oversee teaching and learning, assessment, and reporting in the Secondary School. I’ve witnessed St Paul’s grow from a small community, passionate about Christian education that challenged students academically, physically, and spiritually, and fostered a culture of service, to one that retains the same values but is immensely better resourced and has a long legacy of demonstrating that its founding goals could be achieved. I am encouraged by the vast cocurricular offerings that complement the academic aspects of the school. I co-led the Duke of Edinburgh International Award

when I joined St Paul’s, starting the Gold Award in 1993 with a handful of students focussed on providing community service and challenging themselves through the expedition aspect of the Award. Today I am encouraged by the many students who continue to follow these pioneers to achieve the Award and its goals. As a former Head of Science, I am in awe of the opportunities that the ILC provides, as well as the partnerships with Western Sydney University and the University of Sydney, which help to develop St Paul’s students into leading scientists of the future, to understand our universe and to serve humanity through research and development of new knowledge, skills and outcomes.

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40TH ANNIVERSARY | Staff Reflections

Geoffrey Gannon I started at St Paul’s in January 1986. The school was three years old. It was not impressive to look at, but it had a lot of open space.

learnt much later that the school started with three classes being taught simultaneously in a large tin shed, which became the maintenance staff’s workshop. The first indication I had that I might have the job came from the Principal, Adrian Lamrock, who said while walking me around the muddy grounds, “If you’re going to work here, one of the first things you’re going to need is a pair of gumboots.” Later that day, a phone call confirmed my appointment as an English/History teacher. I brought to the school an extensive background in youth work. After four years I stepped into the gap left by the departure of the first counsellor of the school, Jocelyn Swanston. I retrained to refresh my youth work background and to specifically equip me for school counselling.

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There was a pioneering feel to St Paul’s at the time. We were exploring what it meant to be a Christian school and a Grammar school. This meant putting alongside each other the radically different values exemplified in Jesus, and academic rigour in our teachers - all this while seeking to develop the whole person in our students. Adrian Lamrock was the perfect principal to nurture the young school with his pastoral nature and his astounding ability to remember all the personal details of his staff, as well as those of the students. His ability to connect with people never failed to amaze me. A little further down the line, Dr Stephen Codrington was appointed principal and brought St Paul’s onto the world stage, introducing the International Baccalaureate Programme, and starting sister schools

Staff Reflections | 40TH ANNIVERSARY

in China. The amazing Ruby Li facilitated connections with the appropriate Chinese educators. We always seemed to be provided the right people for the time – like Dr Michael Webb, who raised the status of visual and performing arts, and amazed us with what our students could achieve when guided by the right staff – a talented team he put together. St Paul’s became a desired destination for students who were gifted in visual and performing arts. Dr John Collier kept the ship steady when he became principal during a period of growth of students and staff and, ably supported by Ruby Holland, encouraged us to explore the Christian worldview through all subjects in the curriculum. Paul Humble, as Head of Welfare, introduced a sixth House and

added a strong pastoral aspect to the Head of House role. Antony Mayrhofer became a voice with authority in the International Baccalaureate hierarchy, bringing his gifts of reason and compassion to a rapidly changing educational system.

can be and do so much more than they realise. I love the many ways we come together to celebrate and acknowledge students’ achievements. I love the informal get togethers with parents at ‘Sunset Socials’ or Gala Days, or at the school café.

Our current principal, Ian Wake, came to us in God’s perfect timing, and has been God’s person for this stage. He has provided excellent leadership and boundless encouragement as we face the challenges and opportunities of our time. Together, we have gone through Covid lockdowns and limitations among other challenges.

I love it when I see students looking out for each other and encouraging each other, or bringing friends to a staff member when the problem is beyond their ability to help. I love the inclusiveness that students are learning to embrace as they encounter people who think or behave differently to themselves.

I love being part of a group of individuals working together under a common vision, to honour and proclaim God, with staff being given the opportunity to use their gifts, and students being shown that they

I love that for many, many people in this school, the questions “What do I believe? What do I value? How do I put that into practice in my life?” are guiding principles that lead them to living an authentic life.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14

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THE INNOVATION LEARNING CENTRE | Opening

The Innovation Learning Centre

As a school committed to providing twenty-first century learning, we have developed a comprehensive Master Plan to cater for our ongoing enrolment growth, with modern learning spaces enhancing the delivery of our integrated and inquiry-based pedagogical IB framework.

tage one of the Master Plan, the Innovation Learning Centre (ILC), was completed earlier this year. The ILC comprises of seven Mathematics focussed learning spaces, two STEM learning spaces, a tutorial style lecture theatre, library, student services area and eighteen flexible working spaces. On Friday, 5 May, members of the school community came together for the Official

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Opening of the Innovation Learning Centre. To officiate the opening, we were privileged to welcome to St Paul's, the Hon. Prue Car, Deputy Premier of New South Wales, Minister for Education and Early Learning, and Minister for Western Sydney. We were also honoured to have Mrs Melissa McIntosh, Member for Lindsay, unveil the Queen's Jubilee Plaque during the event.

We are incredibly grateful for architect Mr Toby Wetherill and builder Mr Gareth Collins for their dedication and work on this remarkable project, as well as for their words during the opening. Thank you to everyone in attendance, and to our generous families and community members who contributed to the Innovation Learning Centre, helping to make it a reality.

Opening | THE INNOVATION LEARNING CENTRE

The ILC comprises of seven Mathematics focussed learning spaces, two STEM learning spaces, a tutorial style lecture theatre, library, student services area and eighteen flexible working spaces.

(Left to Right) Hyun Kim, Martin Cumming, Gareth Collins, Cushla Ceccato, Connor Tholen, Shannon Leach, Toby Wetherill, Gavin Riley, Ian Wake

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FAMILY PROFILE | The Seppelt Family

The Seppelt Family Who are the Seppelt Family? Ian – Specialist in Intensive Care Medicine at Nepean Hospital for 23 years. Jo – Public Health Officer for Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District and former midwife in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Nepean Hospital for 15 years. Matilda – Class of 2018 St Paul’s Alumni, Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) graduate, competitive horse rider, flautist in the North Shore Wind Symphony, and currently working for NSW Health Pathology based at Nepean Hospital. Alexander – Class of 2021 St Paul’s Alumni, studying Mechanical Engineering at UTS, Hard Enduro dirt bike racer, and currently working as a junior engineer for Australian Concrete Recyclers. Tara – Year 11 student studying the IB Diploma at St Paul's, NSW representative for the Interschool National Equestrian Championships, and keen sportswoman in running, football and athletics. How do you spend time together as a family? We have all been heavily involved with our horses and over the years, we have spent a significant amount of time together at Pony Club, Interschool, as well as Open Equestrian events. Riding is a very family-oriented sport and takes teamwork and proactive parental involvement. We have travelled to Queensland, Victoria and South Australia for horse related events as a family, and made many friends during this time. Tara was also lucky enough to represent Pony Club Australia on an exchange trip to China in 2018. We also love to travel and have had some great family holidays in Australia and overseas, including horse riding through the Snowy Mountains high country, driving and hiking through Bhutan, international travel as spectators for Olympic Games and Equestrian World Championships, and last year, a road trip throughout New Zealand. Why did you choose St Paul’s? We moved from the city in 2001 to live in Mulgoa when Ian started working at Nepean Hospital. We weren’t particularly familiar with the area, and we only had Matilda at that time. Our neighbours 16 | St Paul’s Grammar School

had teenaged children who studied at St Paul’s, and we were impressed by their kids and loved hearing about all the activities they were involved in through the school. The learning style of the International Baccalaureate Programme was appealing to us, especially as Ian may have been offered further employment opportunities overseas. When we went for the introduction and tour of the school before Matilda started in 2005, we were struck by the sense of community, friendliness of staff, as well the beauty of the grounds, with lots of grass and native gardens. Being involved with St Paul’s for almost 20 years means that we have seen the school evolve and change over time: however, it remains a relatively small school with a strong sense of community and commitment to quality education. This is currently led by Mr Wake’s involvement and inspiring vision for the school.

Being involved with St Paul’s for almost 20 years means that we have seen the school evolve and change over time... with a strong sense of community and commitment to quality education. This is currently led by Mr Wake’s involvement and inspiring vision for the school. What are some of the things your children have been involved in during their time at St Paul’s? Our children have been involved in many sporting teams over the years, and this helped us to meet their friends and families. A wide variety of sports are on offer at St Paul's, so there is something to suit everyone. Matilda and Alex both really enjoyed being involved in the music ensembles during their time at school and liked that there was a lot of choice for performing arts. Matilda was able to attend the HICES Music Festival for many years, which was a highlight for her. Furthermore, Alex particularly loved studying photography in the Middle Years Programme. There have been so many opportunities for travel with the school, from the China

Cultural Tour in the Junior School to the European Cultural Tour in the Secondary School. All our children benefited greatly from these opportunities. The Northern Territory service-learning trip has been an absolute favourite for all of them and a source of personal growth. All have been involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Programme, as well as numerous camps and elective sports, which they have loved, from surfing to rock climbing and wake boarding. In the Junior School, they loved staying at school for after-hours activities, as well as Grandparents Day, Book Week, and the end-of-year concerts. The friendships made during these activities have continued outside of school and given them a support network beyond the school gate. What have you valued about being part of the St Paul’s community over the years? The educational, social, spiritual, service, and personal opportunities were not available when we went to school. We have appreciated the close relationship with teachers at St Paul’s, the opportunity to get to know them over many years, and the efforts they have put into our kids’ education. We have valued the fact that our children have always been happy to go to school and have had such a range of learning experiences. They have appreciated their education once they stepped out in the world to go to university and enter the workforce. Their experience at St Paul’s made transition to university quite smooth. What is your family looking forward to over the next couple of years? The kids are looking forward to making their own decisions for future education and employment: all of them are eager to work and earn. It will be a big milestone when Tara finishes school next year, after a 20-year family involvement with St Paul’s. When they start school, it often feels like a never-ending journey; it will be a definite time for change in our lifestyle and routine. We are looking forward to more travel and discovery, continuing to watch our kids and their friends grow into young adults that still spend some time with us, volunteering for community organisations such as the SES, and perhaps persuing further study.

The Seppelt Family | FAMILY PROFILE

(Left to Right) Tara, Matilda, Alexander, Jo, Ian

There have been so many opportunities for travel with the school, from the China cultural tour in the Junior School to the European cultural tour in the Secondary School. All our children benefited greatly from those opportunities.

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SECONDARY SCHOOL MUSICAL | Annie

Secondary School Musical The school musicals are highly anticipated events in our community as they bring together the exceptional talents of our students and staff. They are an excellent opportunity for the community to unite and support our talented performers. A Note From Our Principal

We were thrilled to finally present a musical again after facing the challenges of the COVID restrictions in the past years. The school musicals are highly anticipated events in our community as they bring together the exceptional talents of our students and staff. They are an excellent opportunity for the community to unite and support our talented performers. The preparation for Annie required an enormous amount

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of hard work and dedication from our staff, who generously gave their time and effort. We extend our sincerest gratitude to them for their unwavering commitment and passion towards the production. As the rehearsals progressed, we observed the remarkable growth and development of our students’ skills and abilities. Their dedication was evident in each practice, and even more so in their performances on stage. We would also like to express our appreciation to the parents and friends of the school whose invaluable contributions played a vital role in making the production a success. Your support and generosity were instrumental in bringing our vision to life. Ian Wake Principal

Director’s Note

St Paul's was excited to welcome back audience members to the theatre as our students brought to life a heart-warming story of hope and resilience. Annie’s optimistic journey to find her parents in the face of pessimistic times is one of the most beloved stories in musical theatre. How relevant her story is today! Annie continually finds the silver lining in her trials and never gives up. While putting on a show of this calibre isn’t always “Easy Street”, I was blessed to

work with such talented and industrious people who not only shared my passion for the arts, but genuinely love providing opportunities for our students. It was also a privilege to work with such a talented and mature cast. With high expectations of themselves, they have achieved amazing musical highlights and sophisticated characterisation for their young age. I look forward to seeing many of them on the professional stage in the future. Jacqueline Tuting Director

Annie | SECONDARY SCHOOL MUSICAL

Producer’s Thank You

A wholehearted thank you to all the students, staff, volunteers, sponsors, and parents who played their parts to perfection during the production of Annie. This show was the work of an enthusiastic and inclusive team, and I marvel at the commitment, talent, energy, and determination of all who gave so much to this project. The professionalism of the Visual and Performing Arts team, and the teaching and administration staff at St Paul’s, guided the

production from the outset to its completion. Then, of course, follows the amazing cast and crew who grasped the vision for this show. Audiences could clearly see the performing and technical talent that abounds in our wonderful students and the joy this production gave them. Thank you to the Blue Mountains Musical Society for their generous loan of costumes. Thanks to Therapy Animals Australia for their continued support and training of our beautiful school dog, Macy. Thanks to the devoted parents who supported their children during the production, working around already busy schedules to accommodate rehearsal and pick-up times. Thank you, finally, to our students. You have such exuberance, talent, and determination. Thank you for being you. Julie McElrea Producer

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ALUMNI PROFILE | Matilda McDonell

Matilda McDonell Graduating Year: 2018 Profession: Giants Netball Player

Matilda McDonell graduated from St Paul’s in 2018 and since then has made a name for herself in Netball Australia, playing for the Greater Western Sydney Giants. She is one of the best impact defenders in the Australian Professional Netball competition, showing passion, grit, and determination both on and off the court. Matilda took time out of her busy schedule to share with us some reflections about her work and her time at St Paul’s.

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What was the highlight of school for you? Science from Year 8 to Year 10 stands out for me. We had the same class and seating plan for the three years, and it was so much fun. I sat next to my best friend Indie, who happened to be one of the smartest in the class and was always willing to help me. In the same vein, I also loved the practical days of PDHPE and Year 10 PASS. There was nothing better than putting on the sports uniform and being way too competitive. The banter and good times were unmatched. What is your main area of work/study now? My current job is a professional netball player for Giants Netball. I signed with the Giants at the end of my final year of school and am currently finishing my fifth year at the club. Additionally I am studying a Bachelor of Laws and Psychological Science at UNSW in a fulltime capacity. In what ways has St Paul's played a role in shaping your career path, leading you to where you are today? St Paul’s is a truly special school. The way the staff foster learning, creativity and growth in all areas is exceptional. Having a growth mindset, always wanting to learn, and being able to think outside the box are the three approaches I strive to uphold in both study and sport.

In terms of shaping my career path, I had many helpful conversations with Emma Wynne-Jones, one of my favourite teachers. Because I was an athlete, I thought the natural career progression for me would be physiotherapy or podiatry. However, after talking with Emma, she highlighted the fact that I had more strings to my bow than just sport and suggested I should consider something that combined my love of English and my passion for social justice. I went home, researched different degrees, and concluded that law was the right fit for me. Describe your typical week. An in-season week of netball typically consists of a diverse range of activities and sessions spread across four days. These include on-court training sessions, strength and gym workouts, dedicated recovery and conditioning sessions, consultations with physiotherapists and nutritionists, prehabilitation, and massage therapy. Each week culminates with the highly anticipated game day, which takes place every Saturday. Alongside the extensive netball commitments, there are also demands of university life. Balancing classes, study sessions, assignments, and set readings each week has really tested my time management skills.

St Paul’s is a truly special school. The way the staff foster learning, creativity and growth in all areas is exceptional. Having a growth mindset, always wanting to learn, and being able to think outside the box are the three approaches I strive to uphold in both study and sport.

Matilda McDonell | ALUMNI PROFILE

How do you manage your time and wellbeing when dealing with the demands of both study and elite level sport? I maintain a set of four consistent practices to manage my stress levels and overall wellbeing. These strategies have proven invaluable to me. Firstly, I rely on my Google Calendar, which has been a lifesaver. It provides a comprehensive list of my weekly, monthly, and yearly commitments, making me feel like I have all my ducks in a row. A daily or weekly to-do list is another essential tool. It not only keeps me organised but also stimulates my reward pathways and keeps me on track. I sometimes include basic self-care rituals on the list too, which helps to kickstart my day when I'm feeling less motivated. The act of making my bed each morning holds particular significance. I feel like making my bed sets me up for a good day ahead. It’s also great to get into a neatly made bed at night.

Finally, I incorporate a complete rest day into my weekly routine. On this day, I allow myself the opportunity to completely disconnect and chill out. I indulge in things such as sleeping in, watching Netflix, or reading a good book. I adopted this practice in Year 11 and Year 12, and I believe it saved my sanity during the demands of my IB studies. Where do you think your university studies will lead to in terms of your future career? I’m excited because there are so many options. The main career path I’m currently most interested in is Sports Law. I feel like this will marry my background in professional sport and my passion for social justice. What advice would you give to current St Paul’s students? My advice would be to get involved in school life through cocurricular activities, talk to and seek guidance from your teachers, and enjoy your time with your friends. Furthermore, make the most of opportunities and always seek to improve a little in everything you do.

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CULTURAL TOUR | Learning Abroad

Cultural Tour 2023 Forty fabulous St Paul’s students from Year 10 and Year 11 spent twenty-eight days travelling through England and Europe on the journey of a lifetime. Most days were extremely busy, and all the students discovered the delights of sharing a room with someone who snores or is messier than they are. They also found out how to use laundromats in the shortest possible time frame. As well as learning about managing their life without their parent, the students visited many monuments, museums, cathedrals, and World War I battlefields, learning lots along the way. The accompanying teachers, Mr Ingold, Mrs Ingold, Mrs Johnny, and Miss Paragalli all had a wonderful time. The students were well behaved and respectful, with many showing amazing leadership skills, maturity, and resilience. We have included some of our students' reflections on the trip to share with you.

Look out for information on the Cultural Tour 2024 (for Year 9 and Year 10 2024) through our internal communication channels.

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Learning Abroad | CULTURAL TOUR

The cultural tour added so much to our knowledge of history and what we’ve learnt in class, and it was amazing to be able to see firsthand historic places that we have been learning about. Brianna Goodacre-Stephen, Year 10

I made new friends, and everyone involved was very inclusive throughout the tour. I learned a lot about history, and it allowed me to be more independent. Bach Luong, Year 10

The tour helped me understand more of the history of Europe, such as the First World War, the history of Venice, Barcelona and more. Using French in real situations was also helpful and great for my learning of the language, as it made me use it in a practical application. Samuel Fewtrell, Year 10

This experience allowed me to immerse myself in my studies of history, geography, and French. It truly was a trip of a lifetime that I am very thankful to have gone on with such caring, entertaining, and experienced teachers; I could've easily done another month! Reflecting on the trip, I find it astounding how well thought out and meticulously planned it all was, and I am grateful for the personal growth that I experienced throughout the trip. The tour was certainly eye-opening to new cultures and with it being my first trip to Europe, I plan on having many more to come! David Whitefield, Year 11

The tour was, in a way, almost like its own little family. There were many opportunities for bonding with those who you might not know as well, including getting to know the teachers better, even if they have never taught you at all or if they've taught you for years. Even since returning, I'll spot someone in Year 11, and I'll think ‘I know them, they were on cultural tour!’. The way that everyone on the tour got to know and took care of one another was part of what made the trip so special. Like many things about the cultural tour, I am going to miss the little community that we formed. Julian Hastings, Year 10

The tour definitely rose above my expectations and led to so many new friendships and memories being formed. Seeing places studied in class firsthand, and interacting with things that had only ever been viewed through textbooks and photos before, has strongly changed my outlook on the way we learn at school. I would highly recommend (the tour) for future years, and I think everyone who is able should just go for it, because it was so worth it. Eun-Sue Jee, Year 10 Futurum #70 2023

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JUNIOR SCHOOL MUSICAL | Honk! Jr

Junior School Musical 2023

Based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Ugly Duckling, Honk! Jr tells the story of an odd-looking baby duck, Ugly, and his quest to find his mother.

oon after Ugly is born, he is teased relentlessly by his brothers and sisters. The wily Cat notices and sees this as an opportunity to lure Ugly away in the hopes of eating him for dinner. Eventually, Ugly manages to escape but has no idea how to return home. On his adventure he stumbles across militaristic geese and an overly confident Bullfrog; however, neither of these encounters are as impactful as his chance meeting with a beautiful swan, Penny, tangled in a fishing line. After saving her, the two birds form a friendship and wish to stay together. However, she must return to her flock and fly south for the winter. Eventually, Ugly’s

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mother finds him frozen in the snow. Luckily, her warm tears manage to thaw him out and he comes back to life – as a swan! Soon, Ugly is reunited with Penny and the two swans decide to live the rest of their days in the same pond as Ugly’s mother and the rest of the Duckyard gang. Our Junior School musical journey began back in the beginning of Term 1, where students who were interested in a lead role were asked to audition in front of a panel of teachers. This is an incredibly daunting task, but the students were risk takers and gave the audition their all. Due to Covid, the Junior School has been

unable to present a musical since ‘The Lion King Jr’ in 2018. This presented a unique challenge, as many of the students had limited recollection of the excitement and buzz that a musical can generate. This made the students even more courageous, as they were willing to be part of an experience to which they had limited exposure. Once the lead roles were locked in, it was time for the hard work to begin! Monday lunch practices were used to refine vocals and songs. Mrs Mansley tackled the ensembles first and then moved onto the solos. The songs in ‘Honk Jr’ are quite

Honk! Jr | JUNIOR SCHOOL MUSICAL

challenging: coupling the demands of singing with choreography proved to be difficult at times. This is where the tenacity of the cast shone through, with many students choosing to engage in extra practices at lunchtimes with the support of Miss Burrows to nail the choreography. Thursday afternoon practices were dedicated to learning lines as well as choreography. Miss Cremona and I worked with students on learning lines and character development, while Miss Burrows and Mrs Mansley worked on choreography and vocals. Thursday afternoon practices were always abuzz with activity! A huge spike in excitement occurred when we took the cast to the Secondary School dress rehearsal of their incredible rendition of the production ‘Annie’. Also creating a major buzz was when the students observed the amazing artwork of our talented Miss Dubi. She painted the beautiful pond and Duckyard on the back of our hall wall. As the terms rolled on, there was an undeniable shift in the capacity of the students and the maturity in which they were embracing the creative process. Many of our cast had not set foot on a stage or had not taken part in any production, yet they were embracing their roles and the demands of putting on a production with ease. As Term 3 began, we soon realised that our little musical would soon be happening. It was time to get the ball rolling and ensure we had

everything in place for our musical to be a success. We were immensely grateful to Mrs Tuting for joining and leading the backstage crew. Her experience and expertise ensured that props and scene changes flowed with ease, especially when removing five large eggs in a nest off-stage and hauling hay bales onto the stage, all in record time! During the performances, our green room was

Before we knew it, it was musical week! When the cast first saw the hall set up with chairs and lights, it truly dawned on them that it was happening. The excitement they conveyed was contagious, and it was a joy to share in their enthusiasm. awash with makeup, hairspray, excited chatter and spontaneous singing of the main numbers. We are extremely grateful to our costumes team lead by Mrs Wagenfeller for ensuring all cast members had the costumes that they needed and also assisting in quick changes, to which there were many, but they pulled it off with ease! At the conclusion of the first performance,

there were many tears of happiness from the cast. They unquestionably loved being on the stage and sharing the hard work that they had undertaken throughout the year with their loved ones. The audience feedback was incredible, which gave the cast a huge confidence boost. To say that there were tears at our first performance is an understatement compared to the flood of emotions at the conclusion of our final performance. The green room was awash with tears of joy, mingled with a little sadness that the journey was over. Without the support of the whole St Paul’s community, this special production would not have been possible. I sincerely thank each and every one of you for your time and support to make this musical possible. To observe the development of the cast in confidence and the incredibly strong bonds that were formed has been an absolute joy to lead. The roll-on effect being, that many of the cast have expressed that they now feel confident to take part in public speaking opportunities and are excited to audition for the next Secondary School musical. I know that the skills learnt, and the memories created of this production is something that the cast will carry with them forever. Mrs Rachel McHattan Director

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NEW STAFF 2023 | Welcome to St Paul’s

New Staff 2023 W EL CO M E T O S T PAUL’ S Whether it is in the classroom, the office, or in the school grounds, each member of staff at St Paul’s works to enhance the learning experience of our students.

Nicholas Briffa

Alexandra Burrows

Keaton Daniels

Secondary School Science Teacher

Junior School Classroom Teacher

Communication and Publications Officer

Barbara Dubi

Peter Flack

Jessica Halvorson

Junior School Learning Enrichment Assistant

Maintenance Assistant

Pre-Kindergarten Learning Enrichment Assistant

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Welcome to St Paul’s | NEW STAFF 2023

Kim Hinkley

Lauren Jeffrey

Michael Jeffrey

Executive Assistant to Principal

Junior School Learning Enrichment Assistant

Secondary School PDHPE Teacher

Paige Kullen

Chloe Pemberton

Kimberley Webb

Junior School Classroom Teacher

Secondary School Learning Enrichment Assistant

Enrolment Support Officer

Tara Waller

Cindy Zou

Junior School Classroom Teacher

Junior School Chinese Teacher

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STAFF BABIES | Welcome to the Community

chie Name Archie Jonathan Caruana

The St Paul’s Grammar School community is pleased to welcome new babies amongst our staff families.

n i m

Month Born September

B e nj a

Vanessa Caruana, Junior School Classroom Teacher at St Paul’s and husband, Chad, welcome Archie.

tte

Charl o

Name Charlotte Rose Farrugia Month Born August Caroline Farrugia, Accounts Receivable Officer at St Paul’s and husband, Nicholas, welcome Charlotte.

Name Benjamin William Kenobi Bates Month Born July Greg Bates, Database Administrator at St Paul’s and wife, Alicia, welcome Benjamin.

Name Romy Margot Rose Williams Month Born June Jordan Williams, Secondary School English Teacher at St Paul’s and wife, Tracey, welcome Romy. Name Noah Chase Vance Month Born June Yani Shan, PreKindergarten Learning Enrichment Assistant at St Paul’s and husband, Brown, welcome Noah.

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h a o

Congratulations | STAFF WEDDING

Staff Weddings

Several St Paul’s staff members were married in 2022/23. Here they share their special photos and memories. 2

Alexandra Burrows

Alexandra Burrows (Junior School Classroom Teacher) and her husband, Koray, were married in early September. Their ceremony was held at Ottimo House, Denham Court, in the presence of their closest friends and family. They had a variety of weather including rain, strong wind, and luckily some sunshine just in time for an outdoor ceremony.

Erika Baudinet

Erika Baudinet (Head of TAS) and her husband, Matthew, were married in February at Waldara Farm, Edith. Their country wedding was blessed with a warm day full of sunshine, surrounded by family and friends. Erika and Matthew are looking forward to their journey through life together. 3

Christopher Crimmins

Christopher Crimmins (Secondary School Science Teacher) and his wife, Annaliese, were married at Dryridge Estate in the Megalong Valley in January. It was a wonderful day that allowed the couple to joyfully celebrate with all their family and friends, surrounded by beautiful scenery. 4

Vanessa Gale

Vanessa Gale (Junior School Classroom Teacher) and her husband, Chad, were married in December at Holy Family Parish, in Ingleburn, followed by a reception at Ottimo House. They had a magical day with beautiful weather, surrounded by their loving family and friends.

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STAFF FAREWELLS | Good Bye and God Bless

Staff Farewells

Robyn Wotherspoon Junior School Classroom Teacher

Anne-Marie Nassif

Alison Broker

Jordan Williams

Executive Assistant to the Director of Professional Growth

Payroll Officer

Secondary School English Teacher

Reneé McClelland Junior School Learning Enrichment Assistant

t Paul’s is sad to farewell a valued and much-loved staff member, Robyn Wotherspoon, after 16 years of teaching at St Paul’s.

Kristy Wax Head of Learning Support (Junior School)

Sarah Wright

Belinda Godsell

Carmen Etherington

Administrator of Cocurricular Sports Programme

Out of School Hours Care Coordinator

Pre-Kindergarten Coordinator

Her strong leadership as Head of Castlereagh House in the Junior School and as a Year 6 Grade Coordinator, overseeing PYP Exhibitions and Gala Days, has been an asset to St Paul’s for over a decade. Robyn consistently went above and beyond as a strong contributor to our community, by volunteering to support cocurricular events such as Sojourn and Ovations, leading the dancing lessons for the Debutante Ball, and costume designing for Junior School musicals, just to name a few. We wish Robyn the best for the future with all her endeavours, and we thank her for the many years of service she has dedicated to St Paul’s as an educator, a leader, and a friend.

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Class of 2023 | Year 12 Farewell

Farewell Year 12 Class Of 2023 The Class of 2023 was formally farewelled at the end of Term 3. The celebration of their achievements during their time at school was filled with laughter, tears and jubilance.

This cohort’s dedication to their studies and to their peers has been remarkable, and we are excited to see what they are able to accomplish as they embark on their journey of life after school.

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WELLBEING | School Therapy Dog

Wellbeing at St Paul’s Our School Therapy Dog Programme Macy has delighted our students, staff and parents throughout the year. She has well and truly settled into life at St Paul's, enjoying the pats, attention, and showing her gentle and calm nature.

At St Paul’s, we are committed to providing positive and proactive strategies in wellbeing. We know that spending time with a dog has been shown to have health benefits, including a reduction in stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure and a positive impact on mood.

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School Therapy Dog | WELLBEING

e are very proud of Macy, who has now achieved her official accreditation as a Therapy Dog, having completed the required training and assessment. We are grateful to her trainer, Dr Brad Rundle, and his team from Therapy Animals Australia, who have met with Macy and her handler, Mrs Jackie Tuting, for their fortnightly sessions. Macy and Mrs Tuting have also had regular meetings with other schools and their school Therapy Dogs. To achieve her accreditation, Macy has had to demonstrate excellent general behaviour, including her movement around the school and keeping her four feet on the ground. She has also shown her outstanding obedience in tasks by following commands and listening in class. We are very proud of the learning Macy has done and her latest skill in ringing and operating the school reception bell. At St Paul’s, we are committed to providing positive and proactive strategies in wellbeing. We know that spending time with a dog has been shown to have health benefits, including a reduction in stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure and a positive impact on mood. Many mental health conditions are linked to mood, thinking patterns and behavioural responses. Difficulties with managing emotions,

anxiety and stress levels can make it very difficult to focus and engage in learning activities. Having a dog present can improve mood, have a calming effect, and reduce anxiety levels so students can re-engage with their learning. There are many opportunities for students to see Macy, whether that be receiving her welcome and giving her pats in the morning at Kiss ‘n’ Drop, assisting in the transition to the classroom, making special classroom

When I hug her my worries go away. Kindergarten Student

visits, or in whole school activities. This year, Macy made her acting debut, performing as ‘Sandy’ in our Secondary School Musical ‘Annie’. She has also contributed to school spirit by running the cross country with our school Chaplain, Mr Steele-Smith, and dressing up as the ‘Mystery Machine’ from Scooby Doo for the Junior School Book Week parade. Macy is also a regular fur friend in the Junior School Social Skills Programme. In Pre-Kindergarten, Macy demonstrated what she can do as part of their Unit of Inquiry, “All living things depend upon each

other”. Students were able to consider our basic needs as people, and that one of our very important needs as humans is love. Our Little Saints contemplated how their families and friends show them love and bring comfort. They thought about how Macy can be specially trained to bring comfort and affection to others. Macy demonstrated some of these skills, showing off her shiny black coat and sitting beautifully and calmly for the students who gave her a lot of warm hugs and attention. She also joined the students in play as they utilised her as a reallife dog in their veterinary surgery! Year 1 Social Skills have been focussing on empathy, an element of the unit “How we express ourselves”. Macy has assisted students in exploring the social and emotional skills needed to develop effective communication. In these lessons, Macy demonstrated ‘whole-body listening’, which involves using our bodies, minds, and hearts to listen to others. This helped Year 1 think about their own needs and emotions and how they relate to one another. Each lesson finished with a mindfulness technique to calm and regulate their bodies. Macy was particularly good at leading these activities. Jacqueline Tuting P - 12 Wellbeing Coordinator

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GRANDPARENTS DAY | Student Reflections

Grandparents Day Each year, St Paul’s hosts Grandparents Day, an event that welcomes around 600 grandparents to the school to see their grandchildren’s learning firsthand. We asked our outgoing Year 12 School Captains, Joash Ong and Ellie Smith, and School Vice-Captains, Luis Harmata and Alice Wake, to share their insights about the annual event. Grandparents Day has always been an important day on the school calendar. It promotes invaluable intergenerational relationships, fostering a strong sense of family within the St Paul’s community. It allows grandparents to connect with their grandchildren in unique ways and provides an opportunity to witness and appreciate the day-to-day experiences of their grandchildren, gaining insight into the new generation’s social and academic lives. As usual, Grandparents Day was a fun and exciting day for students and grandparents alike. The morning assembly was lively and exciting, as grandparents enjoyed many performances from our

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Music, Dance, and Drama Academies. The atmosphere was very welcoming during morning tea, where grandparents could mingle with one another and teachers. Throughout the day, grandparents were enthusiastic about witnessing and participating in their grandchildren’s classroom experiences. The opportunity for grandparents to witness their grandchildren’s classroom allowed them to experience firsthand the learning that is undertaken at St Paul's. This unique experience helps create memories that can be shared into the future. The senior leadership team played various roles on the day. To begin, they welcomed

and engaged with the grandparents, guiding them to their seats for an assembly that showcased the impressive talents from the Arts Academies at St Paul's. The Secondary School and Junior School captains served as hosts for the performances and speakers throughout the event. Several members of the student leadership team also participated in the performance items, demonstrating their diverse interests and contributions. This collective effort highlighted the extensive range and enthusiasm for involvement by the students of St Paul’s. As our grandparents left the school with smiling faces, we look forward to their return next year.

Student Reflections | GRANDPARENTS DAY

It allows grandparents to connect with their grandchildren in unique ways and provides an opportunity to witness and appreciate the day-to-day experiences of their grandchildren, gaining insight into the new generation’s social and academic lives.

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S T P A U L’ S G R A M M A R S C H O O L NO. 70, 2023

St Paul’s Grammar School 52 Taylor Road, Cranebrook NSW 2749

T | +61 2 4777 4888 E | info@stpauls.nsw.edu.au