Our Vision and Values

A school is the sum of its values. At St Paul’s our values underpin and permeate our daily activities, informing our choices and building character strengths that will assist us throughout our lives.

Our Values

Wisdom

We use our knowledge of what is true or correct, supplemented by research and experience, to make choices that enable us and those around us to have fulfilling and purposeful lives.

Integrity

We are honest and driven by clear moral principles and character. We strive to do the right thing at all times by aligning our behaviour with how we want to be known.

Compassion

We are willing to understand difference and honour its value. We care about each other, are concerned about the suffering of others and strive toward a better tomorrow.

Respect

We treat others with consideration and value their rights alongside our own. We speak with calmness, humility, and politeness to ensure every person feels known and appreciated.

A shared understanding

Our vision is to offer an exemplary Anglican education through which students are inspired to develop a lifelong passion for learning and to contribute positively to the global community.

As a school that values learning in all its forms, we are committed to providing opportunities for each student to achieve their personal best. In partnership with families, we create a supportive, caring and collaborative environment where young people are challenged to think critically, strive for excellence and contribute constructively to the world around them.

Looking Ever Onward, and building upon our 40 years’ experience and the extensive contributions made by all members of our school community, St Paul’s will be guided by our Strategic Plan – Pursuing Potential 2023-2028.

Spirituality

We are a caring school, founded on the ethos and values of the Anglican Church.

We nurture learners from all faiths and beliefs to pursue their potential. We provide opportunities for every child to find and follow their purpose, and foster an environment where every faith and belief is respected and valued. We do not expect students, families or staff to share our Christian beliefs. Instead, we ask that our learners develop and share their perspectives on spirituality and faith with openness, respect and humility.

Our Anglican tradition is observed through chapel services and faith studies which all students are required to attend. These provide a space for each student to experience encouragement and exploration of faith within a strong and supportive community. Further opportunities for faith development are offered through voluntary student Christian groups. Click the button below to learn more about our Chaplaincy Program.

Chaplaincy Program

From little things...

St Paul’s was started by a committed group of local families keen to see an independent education become available in the region.

Commencing with 19 students in Year 7 1982 in the Sunday School rooms of St Paul’s Anglican Church in Warragul, we have grown to become a school of more than 1,700 students from Pre-Kinder through to Year 12 at campuses in Warragul and Traralgon.

Our Foundation Principal was Dr Des Parker from 1982–1992, followed by Mr Richard Prideaux 1993–2006 and Mr Mark Robertson 2007–2010. From 2011-2012, Mr Mike Clapper was Executive Principal of St Paul’s and Ms Lisa Moloney was Principal from 2012– 2017. Our current Principal Mr Cameron Herbert commenced in 2018.

Timeline

1982

The school commenced in the Sunday School rooms at St Paul’s Anglican Church in Warragul.

1984

The school moved to its present-day site in Bowen Street, Warragul.

1997

Further adjacent land was purchased to create a primary school. In the same year, extensive community areas surrounding the school were co-developed for playing fields and wetlands.

1999

The school amalgamated with the Dulcie Harris Anglican Kindergarten in Victoria Street, Warragul to create a Kinder to Year 12 school.

2002

The Traralgon ELC and primary school was established in Cross’s Road, Traralgon on a 120-acre site.

2005

A dedicated Year 9 Centre on a separate site (previously the Miller’s Factory) in Warragul commenced. The Traralgon Middle School was established.

2009

Our Early Learning Centre relocated to the current Warragul Campus.

2010

The Traralgon Middle School expanded to accommodate Years 7 to 9.

2011

The first Senior School class (Year 10) commenced at our Traralgon Campus.

2016

Commencement for the development of a Swimming Pool Complex at the Traralgon Campus begins.

2019

A new Year 9 Centre is built at the Warragul Campus and students return.

2020

The school announces a new campus to be established in Drouin commencing with the early years in 2024 and VCE to be offered at the Traralgon Campus from 2026.

Governance

The first and primary duty of the Board is to provide strategic guidance for the school and to effectively oversee the school’s management.

The Board governs the school and does not become involved in operational matters. The school’s day-to-day management is the purview of the Executive team, led by the Principal, who manages the school in accordance with the strategic goals set by the Board.

The Board is responsible for all matters relating to strategic policy and has overall responsibility to ensure that the school is well-managed.

The Board is committed to ensuring that the programs and teaching in the school must support and promote the principles and practice of Australian democracy, including a commitment to:

Elected government
The rule of law
Equal rights for all before the law
Freedom of religion
Freedom of speech and association
The value of openness and tolerance

Parents may be eligible to apply for Company Membership and to serve on the Board. Please find below a range of useful information:

Meet our Board

Chair

Darren Jennings

Darren has over 20 years of experience in superannuation, corporate tax and public practice tax and accounting. He holds a Bachelor of Business in Accounting, is a Chartered Accountant and currently the principal of an accounting firm based in Traralgon.

Deputy Chair

Richard Connelly

Richard has worked in a variety of fields including child protection, social work and family law. He spent most of his childhood in Gippsland and has three children attending the school. Richard is a member of the Warragul Anglican Church.

Treasurer

Leanne Williams

Leanne is the CEO of West Gippsland Libraries and a Chartered Accountant. Leanne has worked in a variety of areas and held a number of board positions. She is a mother of three young children, two of whom are enrolled in St Paul’s Warragul Primary School.

Bishop’s Representative, Diocese of Gippsland

Clive Patrickson

Clive has over 30 years of business experience in both for profit and not-for-profit sectors at home and abroad. He has degrees in education, business, law and literature, and is a Victorian registered lawyer. All four of his children have attended St Paul’s.

Board Member

Ondrej Foltin

Ondrej is a career-long media professional working as a journalist, editor and publisher. Originally from Geelong, Ondrej currently lives in Gippsland and has two daughters attending the school.

Board Member

Alastair Baldwin

Originally from Glasgow, Alastair now works for one of Australia’s leading window manufacturers, working with architects across Victoria. He brings to the Board, and Gippsland, his family and a strong background in design and construction.

Board Member

Janet Pakan

Janet works for Forest Fire Management Victoria and has over 25 years of experience in the emergency management and natural resource sectors. A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Janet has interests in strong governance and leadership. Janet has two children currently attending the Warragul Campus.

Board Member

Emily Brown

Emily is an economist with over 20 years of experience specialising in regulation. Emily has an Honours degree in economics and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Emily is also part of the St Paul's Alumni and has four children currently attending the St Paul's Warragul Campus.

Board Director

Laura Macpherson

Laura is an experienced executive passionate about education and leaving a positive impact on future generations. Currently the CEO and Managing Director at Tafe Gippsland, Laura and her family are new to Gippsland and have three children attending St Paul’s ELC and Junior School.