The heading says it all! Congratulations to the College’s Athletics Teams, Rawson and Rosebowl, on their great achievements on the track and field on 16 October. Both teams did very well through the competition at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre and our Rawson Team brough home the cup. The point scores were:
RAWSON: St Paul’s 301 – 1st | St Andrew’s 273 – 2nd | St John’s 196 – 3rd | Wesley 145
ROSEBOWL: St Andrew’s 212 – 1st | St Paul’s 161 – 2nd | St John’s 153 – 3rd | Sancta 138 | Wesley 110 | Women’s 84
The overall Intercollegiate Sport point scores for 2024 are:
RAWSON: St Andrew’s 22 eq. 1st | St Paul’s 22 eq. 1st | Wesley 15 | St John’s 13
ROSEBOWL: St Andrew’s 63 1st | Wesley 44 | St Paul’s 35 | St John’s 25 | Women’s 21.5 | Sancta 11.5
The last time the College won the Rawson Cup was in 2017 and it was at the Athletics that this win was secured. Congratulations to everyone who has contributed to an amazing year of men’s and women’s sports at St Paul’s, including the first ever Rosebowl Victory Dinner (for Rowing). To see other stories on the 2024 sports click on these links: Soccer | Rosebowl VD | April
The Graduate House community operates a student body similar to the undergraduate community’s Student’s Club. Established in 2018 the Middle Common Room (or MCR) also hold regular general meetings and at the AGM they community elects its executive committee for the year ahead. The senior students is the Middle Prefect who is the chair of the executive.
Congratulations to the following elected to the 2024/5 MCR Executive at the AGM held on 11 October:
Middle Prefect: Claudio Garcia
Secretary: Emmanouil Vourvahakis
Treasurer: Simon Homsanay
Calendar Officer: Anna Corff
House Officer: Helena Pathimos
Also appointed to the roles of Judicial officers (senior members of the MCR) for 2024/5 are: Vered Chhakchhuak, Pawani Mathur and Jason Zhu He.
The College community acknowledged the work of the retiring 2023/4 Executive and thanks the Middle Prefect – Jim Wong; Hon Treasurer – Samuel Zagame; Hon Secretary – Vered Lalrinpuii Chhakchhuak; Calendar Officer – Lauren Lim; House Officer – Patrick Golemo.
2024 MCR AGM in the Refectory2024/5 MCR Executive and Judicial Officers2023/4 Retiring MCR Executive
The St Paul’s College Chapel Choir will embark on a highly anticipated tour from Saturday, 28 December 2024, to Thursday, 9 January 2025, performing in some of the world’s most renowned churches and cathedrals.
If you are nearby, all Paulines, their families, and friends are invited to attend the public services and concerts during the tour.
The touring choir consists of members of the 2024 Chapel Choir, as well as choir alumni from the past three years now living in the UK and Europe, all under the direction of Jack Stephens, our Director of Music. Their repertoire spans English church service settings, psalms, responses, anthems, motets, and music ranging from Gregorian Chant to contemporary works composed by current students.
The Choir will be accompanied by our Organist and Composer-in-Residence, David Drury, along with Organ Scholar Bailey Yeates. They will also give solo performances on the grand organs of St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Canterbury Cathedral, York Minster, La Madeleine, Saint-Sulpice, and Saint-Eustache.
For a download of the program poster below CLICK HERE
The Semester 1 academic results show an average Semester Average Mark (SAM) of 74.2%. On previous results the College’s SAMs continues an upward trend with Semester 1 SAMs being beaten year after year.
The College community congratulates the 2024 undergraduate Paulines on their hard work and commitment to their studies, as half the current students attained Distinctions or High Distinctions.
Our high achievers include Ben Varela (BE(Hons) II/BSc) with a SAM of 94.5 who commented: “I’m extremely fortunate, I study a degree I enjoy at one of the best universities in Australia with a caring family and fantastic friends to back me up. Even with this, it’s hard to imagine a greater fortune than living at St. Paul’s. Yes, I’ve been continually challenged by my residence and study, but it’s only been to my benefit. I’ve learnt how to use tools of self-development and how to hold a hopeful outlook toward the world, which I hope to share through my future career in biomedical engineering.”
Grace Merrilees (BSc I/MD) was our top performing fresher with a SAM of 94.25. Grace said: “I would say that my first year of study at university has had its ups and downs, and it took me a while to get my bearings. I have been fortunate to have had the support of like-minded intellectuals from the outset, particularly through St Paul’s’ incredible tutorial program. Being a part of a community that allows you to learn from senior students has been invaluable, and has pushed me to achieve my personal best. Furthermore, I am excited by my continuing studies in Anatomy, and later Medicine, and hope this will allow me to maintain academic momentum through upcoming semesters.”
The Graduate House community includes 15 research students and 29 Doctor of Medicine (MD) students progressing well. There are 35 coursework students with an impressive average SAM of 73.3%.
There were 360 tutorials completed in Semester 1 with the majority in Commerce, Engineering and Medicine. The tutorial programme continues to be one of the most important advantages of the student experience at St Paul’s and enjoys great support among all students particularly due to the contribution of our 3rd and 4th year undergraduates who are tutors and the postgraduate members of Graduate House who provide such value to the programme.
Acting Senior Tutor Lucy Williams has thanked the tutors and her assistant senior tutors on their efforts so far. She said “Tutorials are a great setting for freshers to be guided through the new joys and frustrations of university life. As well as deepening their subject knowledge, College tutorials help first years adjust to the unique demands of tertiary study. It’s also an important opportunity for our seniors to gain valuable mentoring and critical thinking experience before entering the workforce.”
Our Assistant Senior Tutor – Medicine, Arnav Shetty has been overseeing the tutorial programme for our MD students in Graduate House. The programme provides weekly content and clinical tutorials run by the senior medical students for MD I and II.
Innovations in 2024 have included:
clinical and anatomy tutorials alongside weekly content sessions;
a full-length practice clinical exam, with physical examination, history taking, and results interpretation session, run for MD I to help prepare for this unique and novel form of assessment;
GAMSAT specialist section tutorials from high-scoring medical students have been ongoing in anticipation of the September sitting, a system that will continue into the new year;
a specialist radiology tutorial run by resident consultant radiologist Dr Rathan Subramaniam; and
a joint formal dinner where GH medical students and medicine-keen undergraduates mingled and discussed the course content and tips for success.
Arnav congratulated the MD III students who recently completed their MD projects, he said “this is a 14-week research experience where students work on an individual research project and produce written work worthy of publication. Their research will be presented to Graduate House at a symposium later this year.” Arnav also acknowledged the MD IV students who have recently completed their last examinations for their degree. “They will be engaged in clinical and leadership workshops and placement in their specialty of choice for the remainder of the year” he said.
Students interested in medical school and want to have a chat about requirements, pathways, and pace of the course may contact Arnav at 045 2175360.
Old Paulines may be interested to learn about the Medical Alumni Scholarships that have been operating for the last 14 years. Click here if you want to learn more.
The Australian University Games were held in Canberra from 7 to 13 September and over 6,000 students gathered to compete in 30 sports. The University of Sydney was well represented and has been named the overall UniSport NationalChampion for 2024.
Back home at Paul’s there was a real sense of achievement in the days following the Canberra games because the College was well represented.
GOLD. In the USyd Women’s Football team was current Pauline Katie Tyo. Her team won the comp in a nail-biting grand final against University of Wollongong 3 goals to 2. Katie said “Winning the Australian Nationals means that we will compete in the playoff match either late this year or early next year against the top New Zealand university team. Whoever wins this playoff match will go to the University World Games in China at the end of next year.”
GoldSilverBronze
SILVER. Current Pauline Rex Bouvier and recent old Paulines Nico Anstee (2022-23) and Lachie Whitehead (2022-23) were playing in the USyd Men’s Football team who made it through to the grand final. Rex’s mum, Skye, was in Canberra and reported: “After an intense week of competition playing two games a day amongst over 40 universities down in Canberra over the week, here they are receiving their silver medals. I was working in Canberra and got to see the final games which were highly contested!”
BRONZE. Congratulations to current Paulines Jack Sproats (also a Junior Dean), Louis Eglington and Jesse Cochrane who played in the USyd Men’s Touch team securing a Bronze medal in the Games. Competition lasted for five days with two 40-minute competitions each day. “Our team had never played together before and was strung together from a diverse bunch. We only lost two heat games which placed us in contention for the 3rd place playoff. We were against UTS and put them to the sword. Successfully winning the bronze medal. Our success was in light of impressive off field camaraderie. If anyone is thinking about competing in uni games they absolutely should. It is an incredibly fun week on and off the fields. Make some lifelong friends” (Jack Sproats).
Stop Press. Katie Tyo also plays in Sydney University Soccer Football Club Reserve Grade Women’s team, here they are celebrating a 2-0 win in the grand final against Northern Tigers FC on her return from the Uni Games. Pictured below.
St Paul’s has an impressive community of medical graduates, many of them true leaders in the field of medicine who have made and continue to make significant contributions to the lives and wellbeing of people all over the world.
Our medical Alumni understand from their own lived experience, the formative and positive effect living at St Paul’s can have. Created in 2010 by Dr Rob Maserra (in College 2000-07) the Medical Alumni Scholarship was imagined as an avenue for the broader medical profession to engage with the College and support the next generation of students studying medical and health-science degrees.
Recently the College received a bequest from the estate of Selwyn Owen in support of this important scholarship. As a result, we now have the opportunity to build the capital base and ensure the future of this important scholarship programme for St Paul’s.
Since Graduate House opened in 2018, the number of medical and health sciences students has quietly increased with a 2024 cohort of 29 studying at all levels of the University’s Doctor of Medicine. Our medical students positively influence the College culture, bringing a studious, interesting and humanitarian outlook to our academically focused community of Graduate House.
Selwyn’s bequest has significantly boosted the Medical Alumni Scholarship fund, and we are very grateful to be able to continue to provide a great place to live for medical students from all backgrounds.
Paulines are known for their generous support of scholarships and bursaries through the Scholarship Fund and the St Paul’s College Foundation endowment.
Please consider how you can help further build on Rob’s initiative and Selwyn’s legacy by supporting this important scholarship fund. To make a donation CLICK HERE
For further information please contact Sarah Siegloff at the College 02 9550 7444.
The two points separation between St Andrew’s and St Paul’s heightened the excitement and tension of the Palladian Instrumental Ensemble competition on 12 September in the Refectory of the USU Holme Building. The win to St Paul’s added three and 2nd place to St Andrew’s added two points leaving us a point apart at the end of the night, with St John’s in 3rd place.
So, in 2024 this becomes the second Palladian win for St Paul’s. Congratulations go to the members of the winning ensemble: Adam Wong and Hugh Baker on guitar, Max Philips and Hugh Jordan on trumpet, Felix Power and Helen Jordan on saxophone, Aidan Cheung on tuba, Jackson Hawley on bass guitar, Daniel Paridis on drums, Bligh Walter on keyboard and vocals, Freya Carmody and Charlotte Hocking on vocals.
Their piece titled Decades and arranged by Adam Wong, consisted of a medley of Johnny B Goode, All You Need is Love and Waterloo.
The other ensemble piece St Paul’s performed on the night was Birdland by Maynard Ferguson, which was with a 17-piece jazz band and only received one mark less than the winning piece.
Some of the comments from the adjudicators were: “the general rizz was infectious”; “the gold spangled jacket is iconic” and “impressive in the power and general energy, also the visual/physical element of the performance”.
Another great victory for St Paul’s by our musically talented Paulines.
Palladian point scores after this penultimate competition were: St Andrew’s 15 | St Paul’s 14 | St John’s 9 | Women’s 8 | Sancta 4 | Wesley 4
“A Law School education bestows and receives the gift of responsibility” said the incoming Dean of Law, Prof Fleur Johns to introduce the topic of her address to the assembled old Paulines lawyers, students of law and those interested in legal matters generally.
On 9 September several judges, including old Pauline NSW Chief Justice Andrew Bell, barristers, faculty members and solicitors joined LLB, LLM and JD students from St Paul’s and other colleges who gathered for the annual Law Dinner and address. Prof Johns, the Chief Justice, judges and retired law officers enjoyed connecting with students and providing their valuable insights to a career in the legal profession.
Peter King, Jack Stephens, Gabe Desiderio, Philip BarrProf Johns speaksProf Johns, The Warden, The Chief JusticeThe Chief Justice meets law students
Enthusiasm and great concentration led to a performance from a ‘scratch choir’ of Paulines that won one of the two Palladian Vocal Ensemble competitions on 29 August in the USU Refectory. Just over 100 Paulines joined forces to create the largest ensemble of voices for a Palladian team. This choir sang Kircher’s Cornerstone accompanied by our own Organ Scholar Bailey Yeates on piano. Quite frankly most of the singers are not choristers and had never done this before, they did have some expert support amongst them with the 17 resident members of the St Paul’s College Choir and all were under the direction and tutelage of our Director of Music Jack Stephens. Congratulations well deserved for an amazing effort and an emotionally charged and fine performance.
The smaller ensemble scored a highly commended singing Words by the Real Group in close harmony. It was impossible to tell the top performers apart – all of them were so good!
DEBATING: St Andrews 1st | St Paul’s 2nd | Wesley 3rd
ART: Women’s 1st | St John’s 2nd | Sancta 3rd
There is more excitement than ever-before in the Palladian Cup in 2024. The current point scores have St Paul’s and St Andrew’s ‘neck-and-neck’.
Palladian point scores sit at: St Andrew’s 13 | St Paul’s 11 | Women’s 8 | St John’s 8 | Sancta 4 | Wesley 4
Congratulations to the College’s Rawson Cup and Rosebowl Soccer teams on their outstanding performances on the field over the last few weeks. The Rawson team won three matches and drew one bringing the Soccer Trophy home for the sixth year in succession.
The result of the College’s Rosebowl Soccer team was an impressive undefeated, with two wins and three draws, leading to a second in the point scores behind St Andrew’s. The scores tell the story of the tough competition as all had close games with many draws.
Soccer Results
RAWSON CUP
Round 1: St Paul’s def St John’s 3-0 | Round 2: St Paul’s drew Wesley 1-1 | Round 3: St Paul’s def St Andrew’s 3-1
St Paul’s 1st | St John’s 2nd | Wesley 3rd | St Andrew’s 4th
ROSEBOWL
Round 1: St Paul’s drew Wesley 1-1 | Round 2: St Paul’s def Sancta 3-0 | Round 3: St Paul’s drew St Andrew’s 1-1 | Round 4: St Paul’s def St John’s 2-1 | Round 5: St Paul’s def Women’s 1-0
St Andrew’s 1st | St Paul’s 2nd | Wesley 3rd | St John’s 4th | Women’s and Sancta eq 5th
Basketball
The Rosebowl Basketball teams were well matched especially the nail-biter between Paul’s and Women’s with us just one point ahead at the final buzzer. Andrew’s missed out again in the Rawson losing much needed points for the overall competition. We congratulate Wesley on its wins in both Rawson and Rosebowl. St Paul’s 2nd and 3rd gave us an edge on the points tally putting Paul’s at no. 1 in the 2024 Rawson Cup.
Basketball Results
RAWSON CUP
Round 1: St Paul’s def St Andrew’s 64-49 | Round 2: St Paul’s def St John’s 53-51 | Round 3: Wesley def St Paul’s 66-45
Wesley 1st | St Paul’s 2nd | St John’s 3rd | St Andrew’s 4th
ROSEBOWL
Round 1: St Andrew’s def St Paul’s 34-25 | Round 2: St Paul’s def Sancta 68-43 | Round 3: St Paul’s def St John’s 49-21 | Round 4: St Paul’s def Women’s 48-47 | Round 5: Wesley def St Paul’s 61-39
Wesley 1st | St Andrew’s 2nd | St Paul’s 3rd | Women’s 4th | Sancta 5th | St John’s 6th
Current Intercol Sports point scores
RAWSON CUP
St Paul’s 17 | St Andrew’s 16 | Wesley 12 | St John’s 11
ROSEBOWL
St Andrw’s 47 | Wesley 34 | St Paul’s 25 | Women’s 18.5 | St John’s 17 | Sancta 8.5
Coming up: Tennis this week and next; Athletics on 16 October
Join us at the Summer Soiree
The Warden and the Union Committee warmly invite Old Paulines, their partners and friends to join us for an unforgettable evening of festivities and live entertainment in the Quad and Salisbury.
