St Paul's College, Walla Walla

St Paul’s College is a coeducational day and boarding school providing secondary schooling in Walla Walla, New South Wales, Australia. It is a member school of Lutheran Education Australia, a network of 85 schools and 42 kindergarten/early childhood centres educating approximately 38,000 students Australia wide,^[1] and it forms part of the Riverina group of Lutheran schools together with Lutheran Primary School Wagga Wagga, St Paul's Lutheran Primary School Henty, St John's Primary School Jindera and Victory Lutheran College Wodonga (Victoria).

St Paul's College provides a Christian Education.^[2] The student body is drawn from a wide range of Christian denominations and it includes families not associated with a church.

The mission of St Paul's College is to provide an education that is "complete, distinctive and of quality" with the vision of being a "Christ-centred community valuing people and learning"^[3]

Location

Walla Walla

Location of St Paul's College at Walla Walla in New South Wales

St Paul's is located in a rural setting on the northern outskirts of Walla Walla. Walla Walla is a town of approximately 600 people^[4] located 40 kilometres north of the cities of Albury-Wodonga and 100 km south of Wagga Wagga; 540 km south-west of Sydney and 350 km north of Melbourne.^[5]

History

When the Lutheran forefathers first settled Walla Walla they established their church and a day school. However, this school was short-lived and it was handed over to the NSW Department of Public Instruction in 1885.^[6]

The desire of the local community for Christian secondary education led Pastor JTP Stolz to begin the planning that would lead ultimately to the establishment of St Paul’s College. On Tuesday 10 February 1948, 28 foundation students answered the roll called by Mr Werner Hebart, the founding Headmaster. Thirteen of these students were boarders and they resided with local families. The College was established in the conviction that "unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain" (Psalm 127:1), meaning that "the gospel of Jesus Christ must inform all learning, teaching, human relationships and activities so that young people can be prepared for their fullest and best lives" (Wegener, 2002:19).^[6]

The College moved onto its current premises, from its temporary location in Zion church in 1950. Since that time there has been extensive development and refurbishment of buildings and facilities, together with the establishment and modification of curricula and programs.

Milestones in the history of St Paul’s include^[6][7]

1948   Founding of St Pauls College

1950   Movement onto the present campus

1955   Enrolments pass 100

1963   Emergence of a heightened focus on Agriculture

1966   Enrolment of the first second generation student

1978   Introduction of the Equine program

1979   Commencement of an extensive building program

1985   Establishment of the Vertical care group structure

2000   Enrolment of the first third generation student

2005   Commencement of an extensive program of refurbishments

2008   60 year anniversary celebrations.

Strategic planning during 2008 set the direction for St Paul's future, in line with the vision of its founders, that St Paul's be a "Christ-centred community valuing people and learning."^[8] This plan focuses on what is central to St Paul's - developing its people and enhancing the quality of the learning that takes place.

Pastoral care ^[9]

St Paul's has a vertically arranged pastoral care group system consisting of students from Years 7 to 12. This structure, which was introduced in 1985, replaced the typical structure of having a year coordinator assigned to each year group. Each student is assigned to a care group, either within Kavel House or Leidig House and he or she remains in this caregroup for the duration of his or her schooling. This structure facilitates the development of strong relationships within the college community. Daily devotions, either in Care Groups or within the whole school assembly, are an important aspect of the holistic development of students.

Educational

St Paul’s offers a relatively wide range of academic and vocational subjects to meet students’ interests and aspirations. Some students take the opportunity to specialise in Equine or Agricultural Studies, which are two high profile areas of learning at St Paul’s. Nonetheless, a broad curriculum is offered for the majority of the students who do not wish to gain employment in an agricultural field or have an interest in Equine sports.^[10]

As part of their learning, all students learn about Christianity and other major religious groups. In Years 7-10, students learn about the Christian faith using curriculum materials from Lutheran Education Australia and they engage in service learning. The NSW Board of Studies subject, The Study of Religion, is taught in Years 11 and 12. Christian faith is neither presumed nor demanded from students.

Students’ learning in agriculture is supported by practical activities on the College’s farms (totalling 92 ha) that are used for livestock, cropping and pasture production. The White Suffolk stud provides experiences in the production of sheep and wool; the preparation and showing of sheep; and the techniques of modern studwork. The College also runs a small commercial herd of cows, along with steers that are prepared for showing and carcase competitions. Show teams visit local agricultural shows and the Royal shows in Melbourne and Sydney.

The focus of the Equine studies programme is on the equestrian industry rather than the racing or breeding industries. Many students, including beginner riders, choose equine as a way of following their interests and developing a range of equestrian skills. The Equine centre includes stables, yards and paddocks, dressage and jumping arenas, a round yard and a cross country training circuit. Boarding students agist their horses at the Equine centre and College horses are available for students who do not have their own horse. Supervised riding takes place after school and boarding students have the opportunity to compete at local shows and gymkhanas.

Boarding

Boarding is an important component of St Paul’s; from the time when the College was first established to the present time when approximately 30% of the students are boarders. At various times the boarding population has comprised over 80% of the enrolments with up to 160 full and weekly boarding students.^[6] Presently, boarding students are drawn from communities within the Greater Hume Shire, the Riverina, North Eastern Victoria and further afield from the cities of Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.^[11]

Weekly boarding students return to their homes on weekends and College operated transport services are provided to and from Wagga Wagga and Wodonga. Full boarding students remain on campus on weekends. An organised activity is provided each weekend and boarders are encouraged to play tennis, netball, cricket and football with local teams.

Facilities

There has been substantial investment in new facilities and the refurbishment of existing facilities in the last decade. New and refurbished facilities include:

Two year round sporting ovals irrigated by reclaimed water from the township of Walla Walla.

Seven synthetic surface tennis courts, which are shared with the local community.

The Equine Centre comprising dressage and jumping arenas, a round yard, stables, tackrooms, paddocks and a cross-country circuit.

The College farms totalling 92 hectares that replicate the agricultural industry in this part of New South Wales.

A Computing and Design Technology Centre equipped with metal and wood-working plant including CNC technology (opened 2005).

Refurbished Science laboratories.

A Chapel and auditorium, which seats 350 people.

Modern computer laboratories with wireless connectivity across the campus.

A modern boarding house for male students (opened 2004).

New toilet block and changing rooms (construction 2008-2009).

Refurbished gymnasium.

References

External links

• St Paul's College Website
• Lutheran Education Australia Website

Coordinates: 35°45′18″S 146°54′25″E / 35.755°S 146.907°E / -35.755; 146.907