More than 40 years ago a group of local families, with the help of State and Federal Governments and the Anglican Church began a new school in Warragul.
In 1982 the first intake of year seven students enrolled at the school - attending classes at the Sunday School rooms of the St Paul's Anglican Church in Victoria Street.
Since these humble beginnings, in the decades since St Paul's Anglican Grammar School has amassed a rich history and collection of stories and has become a significant part of the Warragul community.
The six principals of St Paul's, past and present, recently united to commemorate the historic milestone as part of a special 40th anniversary service.
Prep students from the school joined the principals in a candle lighting ceremony to welcome their return, with the passing of the flame symbolising one principal passing on responsibility to the next.
Board members, life governors, previous and current students from both the Warragul and Traralgon campuses gathered at the service to mark the occasion.
One of the founding students and class of 1987 Malcolm Watts delivered the keynote address. He encouraged current students to "explore the possibilities - the possibilities of life motivate us and the experiences they bring define us."
Since the founding 19 students attended the Sunday School rooms at the church in Warragul, the school has grown to be a leading independent, co-educational school of about 1600 students across two campuses in Warragul and Traralgon.
The school has established a strong academic reputation with the majority of graduates continuing to university studies.
The foundation principal was Des Parker from 1981-1992, followed by Richard Prideaux 1993-2006 and Mark Robertson 2007-2010. From 2011-2012, Mike Clapper was executive principal of St Paul's and Lisa Moloney was principal from 2011-2017. The current principal, Cameron Herbert began in 2018.
The school has steadily grown since its inception. A primary school was added to the Warragul campus in 1998 followed by an early learning centre in 1999.
A Traralgon campus was established in 2002 which offered places from pre-kinder to grade three. It is now home to more than 450 students up to year 10 and is committed to expanding include years 11 and 12 by 2027.
The school is also planning to offer a junior school inclusive of an early learning centre to year two at a new campus in Drouin in 2024.
The service concluded with attendees gathering for a whole-school drone photograph.