The College Chapel, with its collegiate-style seating and stunning east wall of modern French stained glass, is the setting for formal liturgical worship and occasional music recitals. The recently restored two-manual Flentrop pipe organ, is one of the finest of its kind in Australia.
Recently rated as one of the top 15 finest dining halls in the world by Architectural Digest, the magnificent original Dining Hall (1858) is the heart of the College. Each day students dine together under its imposing Gothic windows and timbered ceiling. All undergraduate meals are taken here, including Formal Dinner Monday to Thursday, and all major College celebrations. Graduate House members also have breakfast here.
The Mansfield Library (incorporating the College Archives and Cannington Law Library) contains reference and fiction books of general interest. The rare book collection includes volumes dating from the early 16th century. The Library is a popular choice for students who wish to work in a quiet space away from their room.
When not in use for College and University cricket and rugby matches, the College Oval is available to all students for casual games, personal training, or just relaxing.
Freshly renovated and refurnished, The Salisbury is run by the College and staffed by students. Unique amongst Sydney colleges, the ‘Sals’ operates as a café on weekdays and as a fully licensed bar on several nights a week. On Wednesday evenings the bar is also open to guests.
The Senior Common Room (SCR) is for the exclusive use of Fellows of the College, residential staff, other members of High Table and their guests who gather there before undergraduate Formal Dinner. It is used at other times for smaller dinners, seminars and meetings.
The most popular student facilities include the large and very well-equipped TAG Family gymnasium, cardio room and dance/movement studio which are reserved for the exclusive use of the residents St Paul’s.
There is also a separate Billiards and Table Tennis Room in Chapel Court.
The Travers Room, on the ground floor of the Ivan Head Building, combines a large meeting and seminar room with a smaller beautifully appointed sitting room adjacent.
There are seven designated tutorial rooms throughout the College. In use most evenings for tutorials, these rooms are also available at other times for private study. Paulines excel in our tutorial programme where over 1100 tutorials across the undergraduate and graduate communities. At the heart of our tutorial programme is peer learning and students encouraging each other. Usually 60 young people are teaching in our programme including members of Graduate House and our undergraduate community, as well as recent alumni and friends of the College.
A unique facility for a university college is the music centre which is available for individual and ensemble practice, concert and theatre productions. The Waddy Theatre is equipped with the latest in lighting and sound technology and seats up to 270 in multiple configurations.
The theatre entry includes a foyer bar area and access to two music practice rooms and an ensemble room that also becomes backstage or ‘green room’ for performances in the theatre.
Generally speaking, there are three standards of Undergraduate Rooms allocated according to seniority and level of contribution to College: rooms with shared facilities are allocated to incoming Freshers; rooms with ensuite bathrooms and air-conditioning in the modern Ivan Head Building are popular with seniors, as are the large heritage rooms lining the Radford wing. A bed, desk, desk chair and wardrobe are provided in each room. All rooms have WiFi connectivity.
The Junior Common Room (JCR) is a sitting room for undergraduates and is often used for meetings, debates, suppers, after-dinner talks, or for simply relaxing between lectures. It is home to a fine 6-foot Yamaha grand piano and is popular with musicians in College.
The Rogers Room is used as a performance and lecture space as well as for informal undergraduate events. An upright piano is available for individual practice and ensemble rehearsals. A separate designated Music Room is also available for individual practice or ensemble rehearsals.
Members of Graduate House live in the McMillan Building. Opened in 2019, the McMillan Building features rooms of the highest standard, and is perhaps the best student accommodation in Sydney. Several room types are available, with most rooms 29 square metres or larger. All rooms have their own bathroom and kitchenette. Rooms are fully furnished. New student members draw rooms in the order of acceptance to the College.
The McMillan Building is home to St Paul’s Graduate House and its community of postgraduate students and academics. Opened in 2019, it provides world-class accommodation for singles or married couples, with studios, one bedroom, and two bedroom apartments (all with ensuite bathrooms and cooking facilities) available. Each floor has communal social space in addition to the shared spaces throughout the House.
Within the McMillan Building, sits the Refectory which seats up to 90. Its northern wall features the magnificent eight-metre-long fresco by Australian artist Garry Shead, entitled ‘St Paul’s Altar’.
Named in honour of the Blattman family the Blattman Buttery provides meal service for members of Graduate House. Overlooking the Third Quad it also provides cafe-style seating.
The Chalmers Common Room (CCR) is the meeting place for postgraduates. This room features comfortable seating, a small bar and a grand piano used by students for practice and recitals. It is named in honour of Professor John Chalmers AC Order of Merit (France) an eminent old Pauline and international medical innovator.
The large Lee Common Room for members of Graduate House sits atop the McMillan Building. The adjoining Rooftop Terrace offers unparalleled views of the University and city beyond. Both spaces are popular venues for social events. The terrace boasts a large barbecue, an outdoor fireplace, casual seating and dining area.
Named in honour of another of St Paul’s multi-generational alumni families the McCredie Room serves as a small dining room and is used for meetings, tutorials and study as well as special dinners and lunches.
At the heart of the McMillan Building is the Refectory a large space for dining, study and performances. Critically acclaimed Australian artist Gary Shead created the fresco “St Paul’s Altar” on the north wall in 2019. The Refectory connects to the Blattman Room which is the servery/buttery for the kitchen.
