Cricket 

What a start to the season for our cricket teams who are seeing the rewards of commitment to training, not just in 2024 but the current form being built on many years of upskilling, learning and refining their skillsets. Deputy Head Prefect Solomon Nash hit 110 runs against Botany Downs in the 1st XI's opening game. Prefect Stephen Thomas was not far behind with 88 runs to his tally, leading to a 187 run partnership! This combined partnership has been instrumental in the emergence of St Paul's cricket since these young men were both Year 9, and on this day it contributed to St Paul's putting on nearly 300 runs! Botany were then dismissed for 30 runs; this is the most one-sided and comprehensive cricket victory that I have seen in my decade of watching St Paul's cricket teams. Well done to Solomon for his century, and well done to Stephen for his half century, these are no doubt precious memories that will last far beyond Year 13. 

The 1st XI's second game vs Howick was unfortunately not the same result, where Howick finished their 40 overs on 159/8. Chasing a run rate of under four per over, St Paul's were in a strong position to get two wins in two weeks, however, it was not to be with St Paul's falling two runs short of victory, being bowled out for 158.

The Cricket Colts started their season with a loss to Avondale College where Jett Nash (Year 9) scored an impressive 73 runs (not out), it wasn't meant to be on this day however, with Avondale chasing the 120 total with five wickets to spare. 

A week can be a long time in sport with the Colts turning things around with an impressive win over Mt Albert Grammar at home. MAGS are never an easy opposition with their massive depth in player numbers, meaning our Colts had to work hard for this victory. Well done to Perekina Uaisimeni-Puepuemai (Year 10) for his accurate bowling, restricting the MAGS batters to only 10 runs from his spell. Well done to Jett Nash who continued his consistent start to the season with an unbeaten 50 runs not out.

Thank you to Ms Lloyd, Mr Gavigan, Mr Nash and Mr Blanch for their service to our cricket program. 

Rugby League

AJ Balchin (Year 12) has spent the summer training and living with a familiar face, AJ Jones (class of 2022), at the Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney, Australia. AJ finished his schooling and extracurricular commitments before moving to Australia to pursue a career playing in the NRL. He is currently studying sport science at Australian Catholic University, whilst juggling the commitments of sport. We eagerly follow the career of AJ and his classmates, Deputy Head Prefect Jaydee Auloa who is captain of the NZ Warriors SG Ball team in 2024. All of the current and former students who are excelling in sport, playing or training with professional clubs have one thing in common - absolute commitment to their academics, with a 95% + school attendance percentage.  

Rugby Union 

Mr Fa'amausili has his work cut out for him in selecting his 1st XV squad for 2024. A large group of students are already training and working hard to earn a spot in this team. Well done gentlemen, it's the consistent efforts in pre-season, the fitness base you build in the hot sun of February that pays off in the depths of winter in August. 

Senior Tag Tournament

On Wednesday St Paul’s College entered for the first time the North West Central Senior one-day tag tournament and what a first tournament it was! 

Our team played five games in the round robin, all undefeated with Giovanni Meisake Falealeniu the only Year 11 player being a stand out.

The team went on to play in the crossover game against Rangitoto College taking the win with an impressive score of 10-2. 

This cemented our place in the Auckland Championships which will be played later this term.

Thank you to Mr Leger and Mrs Fiu for Coaching and Managing this team and well done boys on your amazing effort and achievement.

Senior Volleyball

Volleyball has picked up where it left off in 2023 with an impressive start to the season in terms of commitment and enthusiasm in Term 1.

St Paul's has entered two senior teams in the Central Zones competition. In the first week of games Team Maroon had a good win and a close loss, with Team Blue winning both their games against Western Springs and Onehunga in the second round. Well done boys on a great start to your season and we are looking forward to the Auckland Championships in March.

We are excited to see the value Mr Palelei will no doubt add to the programme with his tremendous experience in the code. Mrs Tagaloa has been instrumental in revitalising the code at St Paul's and we thank her for her passion in ensuring our students are engaged in sport, year after year. A big thank you to our Senior B Coach, Vini Faalau, who was part of St Paul's volleyball development last year coaching our senior boys and has come back for the 2024 season. Without her coaching this year a second team would not have been possible.

Sports Fees 

All students who sign up and are selected to play sport for St Paul's will receive an e-commitment form, signed by parents. This form communicates vital information such as training days, equipment required, uniform expectations, transport information and more. May I request that families also pay the sport fees which are part of the conditions of joining a team in 2024.