FUTURE GENERATION ST PAUL’S COLLEGE PROGRESS REPORT Ponsonby News reported to readers the progress at St Paul’s College under new Principal Mark Rice in our June 2012 issue. This is an update because much has happened in just over a year and the college is looking for local community feedback. A new board of trustees has been elected, under the chairmanship of new proprietors’ representative Denis Wood, who brings significant corporate experience to the board.
A solid core of local students is desirable to move the school forward, and there is a need to remove wrong impressions about St Paul’s. For example - It is not a “school just for Pasifica boys.” The small roll doesn’t mean fewer options either - it means much smaller classes and more personal attention.
Two new deputy principals, Jan Waelen (curriculum, and ex St Kentigens) and Laurence Caltaux (pastoral care, ex Pompallier and Sacred Heart Colleges), now have their feet firmly under their desks, and the school is finding even more academic success each year.
It is not just a feeder school for the Warriors Rugby League team either although they are very strong in League. St Paul’s believes sport is important for teenage boys, and encourages participation in a wide number of sports, but not at the expense of academic achievement. In fact, sporting success has led boys to greater academic success as self esteem and a hard work ethic is built on the sport’s field.
Denis Wood explained that there is a clear desire from the proprietors, the Marist Brothers, to accelerate a review of the college’s future direction, and its relationship with the local community. The school is determined to grow the roll from about 250 to near 400, and whilst there has been a steady 15% growth over the last three years with a 60% increase in year 7-9 numbers, the college is wanting to instigate a dialogue with local families to find out their needs for their son’s education, and to persuade them that St Paul’s can provide the spiritual, academic, sporting and pastoral care that their boys need. Denis Wood admitted St Paul’s had fallen off the pace a little in the past, but they are determined to find out “what the school should do and how it can respond to what the community wants.” The board and the school will make the changes necessary to accommodate these local needs.
An energetic and skilled group of Old Boys is putting their commercial and business weight behind a comprehensive programme plan to upgrade the grounds and the gymnasium, followed by other building programmes. The gym is currently being repainted and the floor resurfaced. I have been impressed on my several visits to St Paul’s at the impeccable manners of students, and the nice tone in the classrooms. Students want to be there-97% attendance confirms that. Chairman Denis Wood pointed out how the term pastoral care had become more than just a religious word, and now encompasses the holistic care of boys, right across all school activities. However, because of its
special character, pastoral care has a special place in a Catholic, Christian College like St Paul’s, underpinned by the school values faith, perseverance, passion, courage and brotherhood. In the immediate future, St Paul’s have an open day on 6 August, work with local contributing schools principals, to recommend St Paul’s to parents who might otherwise send their boys outside the local community schools. City Catholic schools are under roll pressure and cannot take all students who wish to go to them. And so, St Paul’s says to parents of local boys looking at alternatives to Western Springs College, “come and talk to us, tell us what you would want for your boy, and we will do our utmost to accommodate your needs.” Keep an eye out for upcoming community consultation or contact the college directly by email admin@stpaulscollege.co.nz As Lawrence Caltaux puts it, “we want to be a real part of the local community - that is a community school rather than a local school.” I’m confident that there has been a major change in the culture of St Paul’s in recent years, and a new and greater emphasis placed on academic success. Sport is still a big part of St Paul’s too. “As it should be in all boys schools,” says Principal Mark Rice. I’d urge parents to go and have a look. St Paul’s College is very likely to exceed PN your expectations. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F St Pauls College, 183 Richmond Road T: 09 376 1287 www.stpaulscollege.co.nz
The blue lines show the tremendous progress St Paul’s has made between 2004 and 2012 .
JAN WAELEN
LAURENCE CALTAUX
Teaching history: Six years at McAuley High School and one year at Marist College as Head of Department Mathematics, followed by six years at St Kentigern College as Staff Development Officer.
Three years - St Paul’s-DP-Pastoral Care and Administration. Previously three years - Post Bank/Kiwibank and BNZ - development and training manager. Two years - Pompallier College-DP/ Acting Principal. Seven years - Sacred Heart College - Director of Pastoral care/Assistant Principal.
Qualifications: MEdMgt (Masters of Education Management) (Honours) from Auckland University, BSc majoring in Chemistry from Canterbury University and Grad Dip Religious Education from Australia Catholic University. Background: I hail from Christchurch and have lived in Auckland for 21 years. I have six children that have gone through a mixture of schooling types - Catholic, State and Private, with three having now graduated from Auckland University and two more currently students there.
Pastoral Care - Linked to special character of the school - principles, respect, responsibility. 97% attendance rate - Boys want to be there - parents strongly support the school. Safety is hugely important - Senior boys ensure there is a gentle environment.
Philosophy: Having high expectations that every student will achieve to the best of their ability. Education of the whole person is vital-academically, sporting, culturally, morally and spiritually.
Supportive parents - School in partnership with families reinforcing home standards.
St Paul’s is a fantastic school with wonderful students who embrace learning and everything else on offer. The students are a delight to be among every day and watching them graduate annually from St Paul’s as successful young men, equipped for bright futures and excited about life makes it an easy place to be part of.
Exposure to wider community - Ski for life, Duke of Edinburgh.
The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
Leadership through actions - Prefects lead assembly-older students role models. Self responsibility - Part of learning and improvement - comments welcome. DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH
PONSONBY NEWS+ August 2013
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