What Students Say

A Year 4 student comments on the community at St Paul's:

When I first came to the school I was a bit nervous that I would be lonely without my old friends. Now I am not lonely because I am friends with lots of people in my grade. Maths is my best activity in class. This year I have got a lot better at it. My teachers are very keen about teaching us to write good sentences, spell words correctly and put sentences in paragraphs. I like the fun activities at camp especially when we learn more about God. When I grow up I really want to be a good parent.

A student beginning at St Paul's talks about starting at a new school:

When I first saw the school I liked what I saw - the facilities are so nice and it is quite peaceful. On my first day as a student I didn't want to go. But the prefects were very friendly and helped organise games for Year 7 so we could get to know each other. I soon got into the routine and I am now really happy with the school... everyone is so friendly and willing to help.

A Year 11 student discusses his experience with selecting a school:

I was at an academically selective high school in my early high school years. I decided to come to St Paul's for Years 11 and 12 because former teachers and students talked of the great teachers, kids and facilities, of the great Christian environment and of the advantages of the IB. They said it incorporated the educational needs of the whole person so well and is so academically challenging. All this I have found to be true - it is a great school. At the camp in my third week here I got to know the teachers and other students and learnt lots about study skills. I have found the catch-up and study skills sessions at the end of each 11-day timetable cycle particularly helpful. I hope to either follow in my father's footsteps by doing medicine, or do research science.

Senior students undertake either the IB Diploma or HSC. A student, having choosen the latter describes her decision:

I decided to do the HSC rather than the IB Diploma because it suited me better to have assessment - my examination results tend to be variable. Study is going well and I have no regrets. I'm happy that I came to this school - I have made a lot of good friends within and outside my grade through the musicals, the drama productions, rugby and the school vocal group and I have come to appreciate the time that the staff has put into these activities.

A former St Paul's student indicates some of the varied activities experienced in the IB at St Paul's:

I chose the IB Diploma course because your marks are not scaled; there are just criteria that you have to meet and if you do so you get a good mark. For my three modules of fifty hours' work in each of creativity, action and service, I chose guitar lessons, taekwondo and jogging, and taught Sunday School. The community of St Paul's is similar to a family. It provides an education beyond mere subjects and textbooks. St Paul's teaches us to use our talents, to set goals for ourselves and to not be afraid to stick to our beliefs.

One of our many International students indicates what it was like coming to St Paul's from another country:

I came from north-east China to Year 11 at St Paul's and felt so alone at first. But my homestay family understood what it was like coming to a new country and they made me feel at home - they now look upon me as their Chinese daughter. I did the IB Diploma and did well - I am now studying Commerce at university, getting distinctions and above. I'm glad I went to the school - it was responsive to someone from a different culture and it gave me a chance to be successful in the IB.

A Middle Year student gives their perspective on the service component of their schooling:

Community and Service has expanded our views of the world around us. Both through class activities and volunteering outside of school, we have gained a deeper understanding of the environment and our society. It has given us the opportunity to contribute to organisations such as WIRES, the Salvation Army, World Vision and RDA. By participating in such activities we have displayed Christian perspectives modelled upon the example of Christ.