History:
St Paul Apostle North School, Endeavour Hills, opened in 1985, sharing accommodation with the St Paul Apostle South school until 1986 when it moved to its current location in Mossgiel Park Drive. The current Principal, Mary Lucas, was appointed in 2017. The two parish schools continue to work harmoniously together in implementing the parish and school motto: We Live as One Family. The two school principals are members of the parish team, which meets regularly to discuss and coordinate sacramental, liturgical and pastoral initiatives. Combined professional learning for staff is scheduled each year to enhance these initiatives. The North School Physical Education teacher now works between the two schools on a full-time basis, which highlights the level of cooperation that exists.
In 1998 the Passionist Order assumed pastoral leadership of the parish. Rev. Fr Tim O'Toole is our Parish Priest. Our parish and priests have a strong commitment to weekly class masses, monthly school family masses, adult faith development for both staff and parents, and participation in the life of the school. In 2003 two pastoral associates were appointed to the parish team and provide the school with an integrated approach to liturgical celebrations, sacramental preparation and pastoral care.
Description:
Located in Endeavour Hills, the school has an enrolment of approximately 230 students and is situated in a quiet, safe, residential area adjacent to Churchill Park Reserve, close to sports grounds and recreational activities.
The proportion of families with non-English speaking backgrounds has remained fairly stable, with 67% of families having one parent who was born overseas.
The school has 23 teaching staff of whom 12 are full-time and 11 part-time. There are seven non-teaching staff, including five part-time teacher aides and two administrative staff.
The school’s buildings have been designed to reflect 21st Century, optimal learning spaces. Both the Senior wing and the Junior wing are relatively new and were designed by an educational architect to provide the very latest in educational learning spaces and resources. We also have a large gymnasium for physical education and whole school activities, A central administration block and an Arts block complete our buildings.
Features:
The school has a strong educational philosophy and mission and vision statements that reinforce the importance of building a school community based on clear religious, moral and academic principles. There is a strong sense of partnership within the school, involving parish, school and home. This contributes to a learning environment that encourages and supports all students. The contribution of parents to the life of the school is highly valued.
A rich curriculum program based on the Victorian Curriculum and Catholic Education Melbourne's Pedagogy of Encounter ensures that students receive a curriculum of the highest quality. Our STEAM curriculum challenges our students to be highly motivated problem solvers. A broad range of extra-curricular programs in the arts, music, choir, camps and sport are offered to all students.
Student Wellbeing is central to everything we do, and our Walker Learning philosophy puts the child at the centre of all.
We have a flourishing Kitchen Garden Program and an emerging Outdoor Learning Program. We provide support programs to ensure that the needs of students are addressed through appropriate provision of services and through intervention and support programs that meet the needs of individual students. A psychologist is employed for one day per week to assist with student and family counselling, as well as staff professional learning.
We specifically teach Respectful Relationships and Social and Emotional literacy. Our senior student leadership program challenges our students to 'be more' both locally and globally, a challenge they take up each year with amazing results. Our Buddy program is vibrant and ensures that all of our students feel safe, valued and heard.