FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Welcome to another Alumni newsletter.
It was great to catch up with so many Alumni at Mary Poppins I loved looking at the images in this edition of some of the past school musicals. I hear some of the shows were done in the old school hall, which I am sure was logistically challenging! We made a decision to stage Mary Poppins at school in The Centre as the Joan’s stage is just not big enough for a musical of this size. Excitingly, we have now purchased the stage, curtains, lights, and sound equipment ready for the next show.
We are also really excited the commencement of the much needed refurbishment of the Junior School, which in many places would still look the same as when the original Junior School students were here!
The school is currently developing a new strategic plan for the next five years. One of our key initiatives moving forward is to keep growing our Alumni programme as we seek to deepen the school’s connection to our past students. Please do stay connected to the school; you are such an important part of the St Paul’s community.
In Christo Futurum Ian Wake
OUR STAFF ALUMNI
We are proud to have former students return to St Paul’s to work with us. Our valued staff contribute in various roles throughout the school, including teachers, professional and support staff, maintenance staff, tutors, and coaches.
We’re excited to share our 2025 staff alumni photo with you, showcasing some of the many familiar faces who are now part of our team.
Miriam Bennett (nee Lavender)
Keaton Daniels
Simmone Barratt
Michael Jeffrey
Peter Horan
Melissa Evans (nee Herder)
Class of 2006
Class of 2020
Class of 2000
Class of 2018
Class of 2002
Class of 2016
Left to Right
MUSICALS AT ST PAUL’S
Mary Poppins Cocktail Event
Our special alumni pre-show cocktail event was a great success, and we extend our warmest thanks to all our wonderful alumni who attended our Mary Poppins themed gathering! The evening provided a fantastic opportunity for alumni to reconnect with former classmates and catch up with staff in one of our newly renovated event spaces within The Heritage Building, formerly the Library. We were especially honoured to welcome alumni who graduated as far back as 1988, making the event a truly memorable occasion.
Alumni, along with their spouses and families, were treated to a special visit from characters from the show, including the practically perfect Mary Poppins herself!
We are committed to continuing our engagement with our valued former students and are excited to host more alumni focused initiatives in the future.
Musicals Through Time
As we celebrate the success of Mary Poppins, let’s also take a moment to reflect on the joy and magic that so many of our past productions have brought to the St Paul’s community. Each show is a reminder of the creativity within our school and the powerful impact the arts have on our lives.
REUNION PACKAGES
Back to St Paul’s
We have prepared a special alumni reunion package to encourage past students to reunite with their peers back at school. Our 2.5 hour package includes private venue hire, and a selection of food and drinks to suit all preferences. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone year or just catching up, the package ensures a fun and welcoming atmosphere.
Our staff will work closely with the event coordinator to ensure the reunion is well organised and a great success. The package is designed to bring former students back to school to catch-up, while enjoying some light refreshments. For those interested, a tour of the school is also offered.
If you would like to learn more about what’s on offer, pleases contact us at alumni@stpauls.nsw.edu.au
HAWKESBURY SHOW
St Paul’s was proudly represented at the Hawkesbury Show in May. It was great to see both current families and alumni visit the St Paul’s marquee and show their support.
Many former students stopped by to say hello, and we were pleased to be greeted by parents of past students also, some of whom now have grandchildren enrolled at St Paul’s! It’s wonderful to see more generations of families becoming part of our school community.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Josh Domars
Josh Domars graduated from St Paul’s in 2012 and has built a successful career as a fully qualified chef, entrepreneur, and owner of a thriving catering business, café, and restaurant.
He comes from a St Paul’s family, with brothers Matthew Domars (Class of 2011) and Jarrod Walker (Class of 2016).
In 2019, Josh married former student Tyjana Jude (Class of 2012). Together, they have built a beautiful family, with two young sons and a third child on the way.
St Paul’s is honoured to feature Josh in this edition of the newsletter, not only as a valued member of our alumni community, but also as someone who contributes to the life of the school. Josh and his team have provided catering for several of our school events, helping to make these occasions even more special for all involved.
What was your favourite subject at school, and why?
Food tech and hospitality. I always had an interest in cooking and working in hospitality. At 13 I was working in the kitchen at Loxley, a large wedding reception venue in Kurrajong Hills, where I started there washing dishes and progressed to helping with food preparation and cooking.
During Year 10, Loxley offered me an apprenticeship for the following year. It was a great opportunity, but I was very young and had no drivers licence, and with mum and dad both working full time, the logistics were difficult. We talked with the staff at St Paul’s who advised that I could achieve Cert II in Commercial Cookery during Year 11 and 12. That would fast track me in my apprenticeship when it began. Hence, I stayed at school with my peers and thankfully Loxley kept me on as a casual kitchen hand.
Who inspired you growing up?
People I aspired to be like when I was younger, at least from a celebrity chef perspective, included Jamie Oliver, Maggie Beer, and Matt Moran. In terms of my own career, I appreciated the time that the chefs at Loxley put into me as a young teenager eager to learn and develop.
On a personal level, I always looked up to and related with my grandfather, who had a successful business career and was a prominent figure in our local area through business and volunteer work. I valued his work ethic and it’s something I try and model myself off.
What is your main area of work now?
I am a fully qualified chef. Just before graduating Year 12, I sent my resume to Iceburgs at Bondi, seeking an apprenticeship for the following year. I did my apprenticeship through Ultimo Tafe, where I was able to work at other venues including Pendolino and Michaelangelos Italian restaurant. From there, I moved into running my own businesses.
I was presented with an opportunity to establish a cafe in Windsor with a committed landlord eager to assist in making the space successful. I opened Cafe Cornerstone in 2015.
We then purchased Pig Out Catering in 2016 and have grown that business exponentially. This is now the backbone of our business with clients ranging from corporate, residential, schools, and festivals, spanning across our local Western Sydney area, the CBD, rural NSW, and more recently interstate.
In 2022 I bought The Church Bar in Windsor. This was predominantly a response to the cafe being damaged by flooding and closing for 2 years from early 2022 to 2024. This enabled me to maintain staff and transition them into the restaurant. It has been a great experience running the restaurant and adapting to different challenges.
In the last 12 months we were presented an opportunity to operate the food and beverage license at the Richmond Greyhound Track. This operates 4 days per week and works closely alongside Greyhound Racing NSW to compliment the racing schedule.
How did school help consolidate your career path?
The staff at St Paul’s and my time in classes consolidated my desire to enter the commercial cookery industry. The school provided great hands-on experiences, including barista training, and the opportunity to start my Cert II in Commercial Cookery at school.
What challenges have you encountered and how have you overcome them?
Our businesses have endured COVID and the 3 floods of 2022, along with the financial pressures of the current day. After the initial shock of each, I have had to bounce back with alternate ways of doing business. My goal was always to keep my staff employed.
During COVID we started packing up meals for families that could be simply reheated in the home. We had to tweak our catering options to suit individually packaged meals as opposed to sharing styles. An option that some clients still prefer to this day.
With the floods, our cafe and kitchen were out of action, so we pivoted to using our catering van in the car park and a marquee for people to sit under. The floods were also to instigator for buying The Church Bar, so we didn’t lose our staff.
Year 12 Hospitality - 2012
Have you travelled since leaving St Paul’s?
I went on a trip with friends to help work with a charity in Cambodia that would provide work and skills training for girls rescued through Destiny Rescue. I have travelled throughout Asia and South Pacific on holidays, and a longer trip to America for my honeymoon.
I find travelling a good way to continue to put things into perspective. Naturally I can be pretty goal orientated, and I find it helpful to have holidays and trips booked in to strive towards, but also to ensure I don’t become too invested in work and prioritise time with my family.
Where do you see yourself headed in the future?
My future goals at the present moment are to consolidate my businesses and strengthen my staff, and to focus on supporting my family and being present at home as much as I can.
I have a young family; my wife Tyjana and I have 2 sons, Logan (4yo) and Noah (2yo), and we are eagerly awaiting the birth of our third child in July (this month). We work as a great team. Tyjana also has her own business, Reign Elite, a cheer and dance school in Penrith which is doing really well locally, nationally, and internationally.
Business wise, our main plan moving forward is to continue to grow and expand our catering. I am up-skilling staff to be able to manage the big portion of night and weekend work to give me more flexibility. We have recently invested heavily into renovating our prep kitchen to enable us to take on larger, more consistent work all over NSW and beyond.
What advice would you give to current St Paul’s students?
Explore all the opportunities that school presents. At St Paul’s, there are so many possibilities to try that may help shape what you want to do. Talk to the staff and ask for their advice; I found them knowledgeable and eager to share.
Don’t take it too seriously - have fun and enjoy social time with friends.
Wind Orchestra - 2007
A SPECIAL FAREWELL
Mr Ian Brooker
Earlier this term, our Head of Junior School, Ian Brooker, announced that he will be concluding his time at St Paul’s at the end of the year.
Ian has led the Junior School for the past 12 years, and during that time he’s been a steady and inspiring presence. Thanks to his leadership, the Junior School has gone from strength to strength, growing not just in learning, but in building students’ confidence and character too.
Ian’s commitment to learning, his deep belief in the potential of every child, and his ability to foster a warm, inclusive environment have left a lasting impression on students, staff, and families alike. His presence has extended well beyond the Junior School, touching the lives of many across our entire school community.
Ian will be deeply missed, and we are incredibly grateful for all that he has contributed to St Paul’s and wish him every success and happiness as he prepares for the next exciting chapter in his life. We had a quick Q&A with Ian on the recent announcement.
What has been your most memorable moment during your time at St Paul’s?
I don’t really have a single memorable moment, but rather many moments - the everyday flourishing of students, the small steps children take in their learning and in whom they are becoming.
How would you describe the school community and what will you miss most about it?
St Paul’s is a very special place. The community feels like family, and there is a great sense of connection. Over the years, the privilege of journeying with parents has been precious - the tears and laughter are equally significant. I will miss this deep connection.
What are you most looking forward to in your next chapter?
I am looking forward to some long service leave and an opportunity to think about what God has planned for me.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRAYER
BREAKFAST
We hope you will join for our next Prayer Breakfast on Friday 1 August from 7.00am – 8.15am. Come along to this event and join in fellowship and reflection with us over breakfast.
If you are interested in attending, please email alumni@stpauls.nsw.edu.au
Cost: $5.00 per person (includes breakfast / tea and coffee)
Please note that bookings are essential, and places are limited. Be sure to secure your spot early, as reservations will close once the maximum capacity is reached. Details will also be posted on Alumni Instagram and Facebook pages also.
JUNIOR SCHOOL MUSICAL
Get ready to get lost in the magical world of Alice in Wonderland! This August, our talented Junior School students at St Paul’s will take to the stage to bring this enchanting tale to life. Join us for a spectacular show filled with fun and adventure.
Friday 29 August: Evening
Saturday 30 August: Matinee and Evening
Tickets will be available for purchase for these three shows only. For updates, please check our Alumni Facebook and Instagram pages or contact us at alumni@stpauls.nsw.edu.au
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
This year, our Christmas Celebration will be held on Friday 28 November 2025. This is a whole school community event, and we hope you might consider joining us in celebrating together. The event will commence at approximately 4:00pm, where there will be great food available to purchase from food trucks and stalls. Bring a picnic rug or some chairs. Share a meal together on the lawns in front of the Centre whilst enjoying the outside entertainment from our talented students.
At around 7:00pm, we move into the Centre where students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 will perform and lead us in a service, as we give thanks and remember the birth of Jesus. This is a ticketed event, and we post detailed information on our Alumni Facebook and Instagram pages, with a link to book, closer to the date.
EMPLOYMENT
We are looking for supportive, enthusiastic Learning Enrichment Assistants to assist in creating a positive and supportive classroom environment across our Junior and Secondary School. If you are passionate about education and eager to make a difference in students’ lives, please click here to find out more.
