Author: stpaulss

2026 Law Dinner

Posted on by stpaulss

St Paul’s College aspires to be a place for scholarship and debate. The College’s 2026 Law Dinner made good that aspiration. The Guest of Honour, The Hon Justice Ed Muston (in College 1994-97) spoke to a Junior Common Room packed with judges (including the Chief Justice), barristers, solicitors, and law students. Justice Muston’s theme centred on the power of opportunity to create positive change within the legal profession. Looking around the room there were more female than male law students, which has become the norm across universities around Australia. In 2025 over 61% of law students were female. The profession does not yet reflect this level of diversity through its ranks, for example less than a third of women lead law firms in Australia.

Justice Muston’s captivating lecture stirred the room into a lively discussion, which included The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Bell AC, many ‘silks’, and of course the college’s current LLB, LLM and JD students. Discussion about diversity within the legal profession concluded that a representative profession was essential for the rule of law and that Australia was moving in the right direction.  

Diversity of the student body at St Paul’s has been a consistent pillar, especially since the opening of Graduate House in 2019, where about half are international students who come from many different countries and undertaking a broad range of courses. The students attending the Law Dinner reflected the diverse nature of today’s College’s student body. The Convener was Lilly Alexiou (BA/LLB II) who discussed her Indigenous heritage while introducing the Guest of Honour at Dinner and how excited she was, as a Pauline, for the opportunity to meet with and hear from so may high-profile members of the legal profession in NSW.

In the early years of the College the second Warden Revd William Savigny (1862-65) had high hopes for the College turning out lawyers and this started a trend maintained throughout the College’s history of producing hundreds of graduates from Sydney Law School, with many heading to the most important judicial appointments or to become leaders of this nation. The Law Dinner has become a popular gathering for current and former Paulines to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Pauline lawyers and is convened annually by the student body.

Recruitment for Dean of Undergraduates

Posted on by stpaulss

St Paul’s College is Australia’s oldest university residential college, with a distinctive place within the University of Sydney. Established under an Act of the NSW Parliament in 1854 and having the foundation stone laid in 1856, St Paul’s is an Anglican college ‘of and within the University of Sydney’. For 170 years, its members have made significant contributions to public life, the professions, scholarship, the arts and their communities.

Today, St Paul’s is a fully co-residential academic community comprising approximately 320 undergraduate students and a Graduate House of around 100 postgraduate students. College life brings together academic, cultural, sporting, social and spiritual opportunities, supported by tutorials, seminars, mentoring, leadership development and career programs. The College seeks to provide an environment in which students are intellectually engaged, known and supported, and encouraged to contribute positively to the community around them.

Dean of Undergraduates

The Dean of Undergraduates is a senior residential leadership role with primary responsibility for the undergraduate student experience at St Paul’s. Reporting to the Vice-Warden, the Dean provides leadership across undergraduate residential life, with particular responsibility for student wellbeing, community culture, conduct, student leadership and the College’s sporting program. Central to the role is supporting students’ personal, intellectual and social development and helping to create a residential environment in which young adults can grow in judgement, responsibility and their capacity to contribute to others.

The Dean works closely with students and colleagues to foster a residential community characterised by inclusion, respect, safety, personal responsibility and active participation. The role requires sound judgement, strong relational and leadership capability, and the ability to respond effectively to the opportunities and complexities of working with young adults in a residential setting.

As a key member of the Residential Life team, the Dean works collaboratively with the Vice-Warden, Dean of Graduates, Academic Dean, Chaplain and other College staff. The Dean also leads and supports the undergraduate student leadership team, including the Junior Deans,  Peer Support Leaders and the Student Club, helping them to develop their leadership capability and exercise their responsibilities effectively.

The full position description is available here.

To apply, please submit:

  • A cover letter outlining your relevant experience and demonstrating how your leadership approach, judgement and capabilities equip you to meet the requirements of the role
  • A current curriculum vitae, including the names and contact details of two professional referees

For further information about the position, or to submit an application, please contact the Warden, the Rev’d Dr Ed Loane, at careers@stpauls.edu.au.

Applications close at 5.00 pm on Friday, 2 October 2026.

170 years of St Paul’s College

Posted on by stpaulss

2026 marks 170 years of St Paul’s College. 

In 1856, a proclamation by the Governor of New South Wales officially brought the College into existence. This was quickly followed by approval of the building plans by the University Senate and the laying of the foundation stone in the presence of many of the Colony’s most prominent citizens. 

On 28 March 2026, many of the College’s present-day Paulines gathered once more—this time for a special dinner at the College—to celebrate 170 years of scholarship, leadership and service. The evening honoured the vibrant, multigenerational community of men and women from Australia and around the world who continue to bring energy, curiosity and purpose to their academic lives at the University of Sydney and their residential lives at St Paul’s College.

The 200 guests and residents in attendance represented every living generation of Paulines, from those who joined the College in the 1950s through to current undergraduate and postgraduate students. Terry Clark AM (in College 1952–55), now aged 91, represented the oldest generation and is pictured below with Professor Frank Nicholas AM (1967–71). The Warden (1999) welcomed guests and introduced James Cowper (2003–06) to speak on behalf of the Union, and Scott Wharton (1997–2000) to speak on behalf of the Foundation.

The dinner was generously hosted by the St Paul’s College Union, the incorporated body representing alumni and current residents. Many guests attended with partners, and the celebrations continued late into the night with dancing in a marquee set in the centre of the Quadrangle. One of the evening’s highlights was a magnificent fireworks display at which, together with a post-prandial sorbet, made the occasion truly memorable.

To mark this milestone, a special range of 170th anniversary jewellery has been released and is now available for purchase here. 

Welcome Week 2026

Posted on by stpaulss

Marking its 170th year, St Paul’s College welcomed over 140 new undergraduate and postgraduate students from over 70 schools and more than 20 countries this year, converging at College for one of the most memorable Welcome Weeks yet. 

Welcoming our new postgraduate community

Graduate House opened its Welcome Week first on Friday 13 February with a special Commencement Feast, marking the beginning of the College year for its newest postgraduate members.

From medicine to music, commerce to computer science, this year’s postgraduate cohort brings together an extraordinary breadth of fields, backgrounds, and experience.

The Welcome Feast featured addresses from Warden Ed Loane, Dean of Graduates and Director of Music Jack Stephens, and Middle Prefect Isla Joyce. Students also had the opportunity to sign the College Register.

The week that followed was packed with a vibrant and diverse program of activities. Trivia nights, golf, champagne and croquet brunch, and an Amazing Race were among the many activities that gave the cohort opportunities to connect as a cohort and, for many, become acquainted with a new city.

The postgraduate Saints Cup against Sancta Sophia brought the week to a close, with St Paul’s claiming the first win of the competition!

Welcoming 121 new undergraduate students to College

The following Monday, 121 undergraduate first-year students, along with their parents, families, and caregivers, arrived at College to begin their own Welcome Week.

Day one began with arrivals and a welcome from the College’s student leaders, who guided new students and helped them settle in. Students toured the College, familiarising themselves with the spaces that would quickly become part of daily life, before gathering with parents to hear an address from Warden Ed Loane, Dean of Undergraduates Matthew Newcombe, and Senior Student Heidi Best.

During the ceremony, students signed the College Register, formally marking the start of their journey as members of the College community.

The day concluded with the College’s first Chapel service of the year, dinner in the Dining Hall, and an evening at the Salisbury Bar, where students spent time getting to know their peer support groups. 

The week that followed was filled with activities designed to help students find their footing both at College and across the wider University of Sydney campus. Orientation sessions, degree group meetings, and wellbeing discussions sat alongside social events, sport, and time exploring the university grounds.

Creating a Welcome Week

The success of this year’s Welcome Week would not have been possible without the diligent planning, energy and care of the student leaders — the Middle Common Room, Students’ Club Committee, Junior Deans, Peer Support and Welcome Week Leaders — who guided new students through the traditions of the College and helped create a welcoming start to the year. Just as importantly, the openness and enthusiasm of the first years themselves quickly set the tone for the community they are now part of.

Building on 170 years of College tradition and history, we can’t wait to see this year’s cohort flourish, form lasting friendships, and achieve great things together.

Congratulations and welcome, class of 2026!

Leadership Week 2026

Posted on by stpaulss

Leadership Week is one of the most valuable weeks on the St Paul’s calendar – and this year was no exception. 

In the week leading up to Welcome Week, our student leaders and residential staff came together for leadership development, training, and planning – beginning with a three-day offsite retreat for members of the Middle Common Room (MCR), Students’ Club Committee and Junior Deans.

Annual offsite leadership retreat

This year’s retreat was held in the Southern Highlands – a peaceful setting before the busyness of the year set in. The retreat offered something unique: time to properly step back, connect as a wider leadership cohort, and reflect on what kind of year they wanted to build together.

The three-day program included sessions that reconciled abstract principles of ethical leadership with day-to-day application at College, helping students to think both philosophically and practically about their role as leaders in the year ahead. There was also plenty of time to connect through fun team activities and shared meals.

Leadership development continues back at College

On day three, staff and student leaders returned to College where they were joined by their Peer Support and Welcome Week leader peers. Alongside planning for the week ahead, the week continued at College with a packed schedule of sessions from College staff and specialist external providers on topics including mental health, ethical decision making, leadership as influence and more. 

Together, these sessions laid a strong foundation for our leaders — supporting their own wellbeing and preparing them to welcome and guide the students who would soon arrive through our gates in the week and year to come.

 

New Postgrads – become Paulines

Posted on by stpaulss

In Welcome Week the newly arrived members of Graduate House sign the College Register and they officially become Paulines like their undergraduate brothers and sisters did earlier this week.

In welcoming them to Paul’s the Warden noted the Anglican foundations of the College, the rigours of academic excellence and the respect for each other as they enter this community of high achievers.

More photos from Freshers Welcome Day 1

Posted on by stpaulss

2023 Freshers

Signing the College Register

The Warden’s remarks

Welcome Service in the College Chapel

Welcome to College – 2023 Freshers

Posted on by stpaulss

On the first day of Welcome Week the College saw the arrival of 120 freshers including 60 women undergrads making history.

Help Build the Waddy Performance Centre

Posted on by stpaulss

St Paul’s seeks your generous support to make this important new facility a reality, thereby honouring one of our most distinguished Paulines.

To see the Waddy Performance Centre brochure in full click HERE.

To see the Waddy Performance Centre presentation in full click HERE.

Donations can be made via the College website at: www.stpauls.edu.au/online-giving.

Please nominate “New performing arts, lecture, & gym facilities” when selecting a fund in the dropdown box.

If you would like to discuss making a gift of any size, please contact either the Warden, Rev’d Dr Ed Loane, or Richard Morgan, Director of Community Development, at community@stpauls.edu.au or phone (02) 9550 7472.

 

The College appreciates your generosity.

Minister adds new portfolio

Posted on by stpaulss

Old Pauline Ben Franklin, in College 1990-96, has been a member of the NSW Legislative Council since 2015. He has held a number of ministerial and other senior appointments in the government under Premier Berejiklian and Premier Perrottet.

In August he has added NSW tourism to his ministerial responsibilities and is now Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Regional Youth and Minister for Tourism. The College joins the community in congratulating him on his latest appointment.

Ben follows in a long line of Paulines who have served in the NSW Parliament. These include: John Booth (1969-74, Fellow 1984-2011), Sir Michael Bruxner KBE DSO (1901-03), Clive Evatt (1924-26), Andrew Gee (1987-90), Sir John Peden (1891-99), Dr Peter Phelps (1990-93), Andrew Refshauge (1968-70), Ewan Robinson CBE (1924-25) and Sir Vernon Treatt KBE (1915-16, 1920, Sub-Warden 1925-29).

PICTURED IS HER EXCELLENCY THE HON MARGARET BEAZLEY AC, GOVERNOR OF NSW, ADMINISTERING THE OATH OF OFFICE TO THE HON BEN FRANKLIN MLC AS THE NEW MINISTER FOR TOURISM IN AUGUST 2022.