We Took A School Tour Of St Paul’s International College In Moss Vale [All 17 Hectares Of It!]

School tours are ALWAYS a good idea…you get such a great feel for the experience a student will have when you’re wandering through the halls, peering into classrooms, chatting to teachers and students, and stepping into the space where kids live and breathe their school life [which let’s face it, is a large chunk of their young life]. 

When the lovely team at St Paul’s International College invited us to one of their school tours and also told us about the trial days kids can do, we were pretty curious to have a look behind the gates of this high school for local day students, and Australian and international boarders right in the centre of Moss Vale. 

So, off we went on a beautiful autumn day to get an understanding of the facilities, the focus and the family-like atmosphere St Paul’s International College has created for local Years 7 – 12 students and tour the school [all 17 hectares of it!].

Meet and greet

It’s hard not be impressed by the beautiful, tree-lined driveway when you walk through the front gates of the school. We wander up to the top of the driveway to the original building – built in the 1890’s – where we’re greeted by Head of School, Anne-Maree Scott. 

Anne-Maree has been here 20 years and is an absolute advocate for the College, having seen the growth and development of so many of their students as they make their way into the world.

“I’ve seen the College grow and develop too. Originally it was just for senior students [Years 11-12] and international boarders but a number of years ago, we opened the school up to local day students and extended the academic offering to Years 7-12,” says Anne-Maree, as we gather in the sunshine in front of the beautiful old building, originally a Dominican convent school. 

As we wander inside, we’re greeted by Fido, one of the resident chihuahuas – the other one is Miko – owned by the nuns. 

“I’ll often see the students carrying Fido and Miko around, or them playing with the dogs in breaks,” Anne-Maree laughs as we step over Fido.

Eat and connect

We make our way into the dining area – actually, our noses leads us in. It smells delicious. 

The students are making their way back to class after morning tea, chatting and energetic.

“We serve morning tea for all students every day in here – it’s a nice way to get everyone together to connect,” says Anne-Maree. 

“The chef will mix it up with cakes and slices and biscuits, and nachos is very popular with the cohort too. It’s delicious, nutritious home cooked food and everything is made from scratch.”

On our way back through the dining rooms towards the end of the tour, the kitchen team is starting to put lunch out. 

And when we walk past the steaming hot stir-fried chicken and delicious smelling fettucine carbonara [+ that’s the hot dishes – there’s plenty more salads and nibblies for lunch], we can see why local students get themselves a lunch ticket for $8 and settle into the dining room for a yummy big lunch!

Live and learn

Anne-Maree takes us into the academic learning part of the school where we pass students, all of them politely greeting us and I’m impressed that Anne-Maree knows them all by name. 

Science is popular at the school, so we head into one of the labs where we have a quick chat with Doctor Gillies who teaches chemistry and physics.

“Our faculty is very well supported by the College – it’s very well resourced for the size of the school – and the students really enjoy the science space and learning environment we’ve created for them here,” Dr Gillies says.

We move into the Robotics room and are very tempted to touch the robotic cars the students have built. 

“Dr Gillies has taught robotics at a previous school and Sister Goretti has an engineering degree and used to be a coder, so between the two of them, the robotics classes are run very well, and are popular with students,” says Anne-Maree.

The school regularly competes in robotic competitions and have even qualified for the Robotics World Championships a couple of years ago [but they couldn’t go because of Covid!]. 

We head into the library which has a lovely warm and cosy, but light and bright feel, and chat to a group of students snatching some time away from lessons to get some study done.

Create and inspire

Anne-Maree points to a beautiful display of bright and colourful paintings on easels in a corridor as we walk through the newer part of the school, built in 2003.

“These were created by a mixed group of students, from different year levels,” she explains.

“The art teacher runs activities a couple of times a week – beyond the scheduled art classes – that encourages students to get creative. Come and have a look at the art space. It’s actually in an historical cottage separate to the main school buildings.”

Turns out Mary MacKillop used the historical cottage when she ran St Joseph’s school here in Moss Vale. This is where she tutored the students every day – amazing! 

And so the cottage is still standing and is now a beautifully light and bright creative space!

The college also has a fantastic space in the original building that houses a music room, and a large multi-purpose rehearsal space and dance studio. 

“This is where the students rehearse for performances, plays and musicals,” says Anne-Maree, as we marvel at the beautiful Chinese dragon in the room created for Lunar New Year. 

“Last year, they were writing their own musical before the lockdown, so they’re working on that this year, and we can’t wait to see them perform.”

Gather and give thanks

The beautiful chapel in the original building is a stunningly serene place where the school gathers for special occasions such as their start and end of school term masses, student leader investitures, Easter and Christmas services. 

“The local priests from Moss Vale and Bowral comes to say Mass and it’s nice to have another place to gather, as well as the Assembly Hall and the Multi-Purpose Hall,” says Anne-Maree.

St Paul’s is definitely not short on space. The Multi-Purpose Hall is huge and used for student performances, speech days and they also play badminton in here – handy and VERY multi-purpose!

The Assembly Hall in the original building is another light and bright space with beautiful stained-glass windows, high ceilings and fab acoustics. This is where the whole school gathers everyone morning for assembly and to take the roll.

The great outdoors

After the calm of the chapel, we step out into the beautiful sunshine and wander down to the basketball courts, passing the newly built outdoor gym surrounded by picnic tables – such a great way to create and encourage activity and time outdoors.

We cross the volleyball court and stand on the basketball courts as Anne-Maree points to the soccer fields and the tennis courts. 

“You’ll find most students out here on fine days – having a balance between study and activity is very important to us and all these sports facilities gives the kids a chance to burn off some energy and get some fresh air,” she says. 

The school also competes in the Wollongong Diocesan throughout the year so athletes, swimmers and cross-country runners can get their competitive juices flowing.

Flexibility and focus

As the tour draws to a close, we ask Anne-Maree what most visitors to the school tend to be most surprised about. 

“It would be a toss up between the flexibility we have around the subjects the College offers, the extensive facilities and the calm atmosphere we’ve created here,” she answers. 

Actually, that’s a really good point. We haven’t heard a bell or a PA System or a whole lot of noise. 

“We don’t use bells or PA systems, and that contributes to the peaceful environment we have here,” Anne-Maree says. 

“Teenagers needs a calm environment to learn in, and teachers need that too!”

The smaller class sizes are also an attractive drawcard for families and teachers.

“Yes, the teachers really enjoy having the headspace to focus on each class and provide additional guidance and assistance as needed. And when you have happy, focused teachers, you tend to have happy, focused students!” 

Good point! 

Now, St Paul’s International College is open for enrolments all year round. 

Anne-Maree and the team are happy to help parents with the tough decisions that often go with guiding their children’s learning journeys. 

“Our trial days – where your child spends a day at school with us to give it a go – is very popular and has a high success rate. The students, the staff, the nuns…everyone is so friendly. It doesn’t take long for them to feel at home here,” she says. 

“We’re very lucky to have so many schooling options available to us in the Highlands, so we would definitely say if your school isn’t working for your child, try something new – it’s important not to leave it too late.”

You can contact St Paul’s International College and book a trial day or a school tour at any time. You’ll find more information on the college website here, or you can call 4868 2211, email info@spic.nsw.edu.au and follow them on Facebook too. 

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