Built from People: The Spirit of Community at All Saints
This week we came together for a beautiful Foundation Day Assembly — a celebration of our history, our people, and the enduring values that continue to shape All Saints. Although our official Foundation Day falls on All Saints Day, 1 November, this was our final opportunity to gather as a whole school before our Year 12 students commence their external examinations.
It was a joy to badge our 2026 School Captains, who will lead us into our 40th anniversary year, and to present the 2025 Foundation Day Awards.
These awards recognise students who exemplify the values of Truth, Faith and Compassion through their character, their contribution to our community and their commitment to others. This year’s recipients are:
- Junior School: Axel H and Isabelle T
- Middle School: Mia G and Raphael B
- Senior School: Ruby P and Nicholas T
Built on Courage and Faith
Before there were classrooms or playing fields, there was a dream — and a community bold enough to make it real.
To purchase the land and begin building in 1987, the school needed guarantees of half a million dollars. Twenty families each stepped forward to guarantee $25,000 — an extraordinary act of faith in something that didn’t yet exist.
They purchased this parcel of land for $180,000, and soon 179 foundation students began their learning journey with eight teachers and a handful of classrooms.
Our founding Headmaster, Reverend Len Nairn, later wrote that when help was needed, parents and staff simply turned up. He expected twenty volunteers at the first working bee — more than a hundred arrived. He said the school moved ahead only through “the grace of volunteers” and captured the All Saints spirit perfectly when he wrote:
“No matter what project we have tackled, the emphasis has always been on friend-raising as much as fund-raising.”
That’s the foundation we continue to build upon today — people working side by side, giving their time, energy and love to something bigger than themselves.
The All Saints Way
Nearly 40 years on, that same heartbeat of community continues to define us. It’s visible in the way students, staff and families come together with imagination and care to make things happen.
A wonderful recent example has been Timmy the Turtle — a project dreamed up by a group of Year 6 students who joined forces with our School Captains. What began as a simple idea grew into a school-wide effort: students collecting bottles, staff helping shape the design, and families lending hands along the way. What started as a conversation became a creation — a symbol of what we can achieve together.
That’s the All Saints way: a willingness to get involved, to contribute ideas, and to celebrate each other’s successes.
But it’s also the smaller, everyday choices that matter most:
- The pride we take in our uniform
- The way we greet one another by name and take genuine interest in each other
- The encouragement we offer on the sports field or in the classroom
- And the simple kindnesses that help every student feel they belong.
Community isn’t built by programs or events — it’s built in moments.
40 Years Young, and Still Building
Next year marks 40 years of Truth, Faith and Compassion lived out through thousands of young people and families. It’s an extraordinary milestone — one that honours those who had the courage to begin and celebrates all who continue to build today.
As we look ahead, it’s important to remember that community is never finished. It relies on each of us — students, parents, staff and alumni — to keep showing up for one another, to serve, to include, and to care.
That is the All Saints way, and it’s what keeps our school strong.
This is such an exciting and joyful time of year. Our campus is alive with events and celebrations that showcase the best of who we are — learning, performing, competing and giving together. Last night’s Musical Showcase was a wonderful example of that spirit: an exceptional display of joy, talent and community, and a reminder of the creativity and heart that make this school so special.
There is so much happening across our campus right now — and every story in this edition reflects that same pride, purpose and connection.
Enjoy reading this another bumper edition of Saints Alive.
Matt Corbett
Principal
