Term 3 Week 8 - 13 September 2024

Mr David JOHNS   B.Ed., Cert. Gifted Ed., Grad. Cert. Adol. Health and Welfare, M.Ed. (Ed Lead), M.Ed. (Theol) 

Principal

kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au

A reminder about notifying the College regarding your child's attendance/absence/early departure:

If your child is absent for a day or more please do one of the following:

1. respond to the SMS sent daily
2. put an attendance note on Compass
3. email kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au
4. call the College office 6562 7200
Please do not email individual staff members

If your child needs to be picked up early (partial absence) please do one of the following:

1. provide a written note to the College office before 9am
2. email kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au (with at least one hour's notice)
3. call the College office 6562 7200 if it is an urgent, unplanned departure
Please do not email individual staff members

If your child is late to school (partial absence) please do one of the following:

1. call the College office 6562 7200
2. email kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au
Please do not email individual staff members

If your child will be absent for 10 days or more, please contact the College office well in advance of your departure to be sent the appropriate forms, as these must be reviewed by the Principal.

For more information please click here.  If you require any assistance pleace contact the College office.

Thank you for assisting us to care for your child.

Equipment
This is another plea to all parents and carers to please check in with your children regarding their equipment. Students need to ensure they are fully equipped for lessons so they can be prepared for their learning. We have several students at the moment coming to school without the basic equipment for class and this makes learning and teaching a real challenge. Please check in with them this weekend to ensure they have what they need.

Year 11 Preliminary Exam Period
Preliminary Exam Timetable
The Year 11 students start their exams next week. This culminates the course for these students before they move into their HSC year which starts in Term 4.

Attendance at school during the above exam period is mandatory. We do understand that there is a lot of sickness around at the moment. Students must follow the guidelines on the notification if they are unwell on the day of or the day before a task. This is incredibly important as it follows the necessary guidance from NESA in preparation for their HSC. Students are permitted to attend school for their exams and remain home when they do not have an exam. They are able to use the library to study in between if they wish.

Please reach out if you have any questions about the learning for your students.


Ms Kate Fullbrook - Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

kate.fullbrook@lism.catholic.edu.au

The NSW Education Standards Authority, in partnership with The Sydney Morning Herald, has released the 2024 HSC Study Guide, which is packed with everything students need to reach their HSC exam goals.

Students can find tips to help their study routine, access the HSC quiz and read advice from past students and markers.

The guide also includes advice from mental health and wellbeing experts at ReachOut on how to support students, as well as tailored tips for parents and families on how to support their children in the lead-up to exams.

This year’s HSC Study Guide busts some of the common misconceptions about the HSC, including how marks are calculated, the disability provisions program, and illness misadventures. It also provides specific information regarding vocational education and training (VET) courses as part of the HSC and advice on finding the right course that fits different career goals.

To access the study guide click here.

The importance of RU OK Day - Thursday 14 September
RU OK? Day is annual event in Australia focussing on promoting mental health awareness, encouraging open conversations about mental wellbeing, and providing support to individuals who may be struggling with their mental health. It originated in Australia but has gained recognition and participation worldwide. The primary goal of RU OK? Day is to create a culture where people feel comfortable discussing their mental health and seeking help when needed.

There are 4 important questions that should be asked:
1. Ask RU OK?
2. Listen.
3. Encourage action.
4. Check in.

St Paul’s has a wonderful staff who encourage positive supportive conversations. Our Pastoral team is led brilliantly by Ms Fiona Stuart and her outstanding Pastoral Care Coordinators Mr Mitch Robbins, Mrs Jamie Phillips, Mr Adam Mascord, Mrs Jennifer Igerl, Mr Aidhan Fahey and Ms Megan Dunbar. This group meets regularly to discuss the range of programs offered at St Paul’s promoting better mental health support and important Pastoral programs. We are also incredibly fortunate to engage the advice and support of our College Counsellor, Ms Megan James, who is a friendly colleague whose impressive experience supports further opportunities and conversations with students and their families.

St Paul’s is a community fostering a culture of openness, empathy, and support surrounding mental health. RU OK day reminds us to check in on one another, offer help when needed, and work together to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues. By doing so, we can create a more compassionate and understanding society where everyone feels valued and supported in their mental health journey.


Mr Geoffrey Melville - Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing

geoffrey.melville@lism.catholic.edu.au

Year 11 Legacy Retreat - Preparing for Leadership in 2025
At St Paul’s College, we believe that great leadership is about more than just taking charge - it’s about inspiring others and leaving behind a legacy that future generations can build upon. This year’s Year 11 Leadership Retreat, held over three days at the serene St Francis Retreat in Bonny Hills, was designed to instil these values in our future Year 12 leaders.

The retreat, aptly named “Legacy”, is a unique opportunity for students to embark on a transformational journey, preparing them for the challenges and responsibilities of leadership in Year 12 and beyond. Throughout the retreat, students engaged in a series of enriching activities aimed at developing their leadership potential, including sessions with renowned speaker, Sam Clear. Sam’s incredible story of walking 15,000km around the world for unity provided invaluable insights into perseverance, selflessness, and the power of servant leadership. His reflections left a deep impact on students, many of whom were inspired to re-evaluate what it means to lead with integrity and purpose.

In addition to Sam’s sessions, the retreat featured specialised workshops for both men and women, providing a space for personal reflection and growth in leadership. The students also began planning for 2025, laying the groundwork for what promises to be an exceptional final year. The retreat culminated with a beautiful Mass celebrated by Fr James on the beach, a powerful moment of spiritual connection and reflection on the significance of leadership as a service to others. The students also took part in choir practice, fostering unity and teamwork as they prepared for upcoming liturgical events.

The retreat was not just a success, it was an inspiration. Many of our Year 11 students have returned with a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm, with several already stepping forward to take on leadership roles in 2025.

We are proud of our Year 11 students and confident that they are ready to lead St Paul’s College into the future, leaving behind a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Farrelly House Celebrates Ordination Anniversary at All Saints Catholic Church
This week, students and staff from Farrelly House gathered at All Saints Catholic Church in Kempsey to celebrate the anniversary of Ordination in a moving liturgy. The service was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the life and legacy of Bishop Patrick Joseph Farrelly, the house’s namesake, and to recognise the contributions of our students to the positive culture within the house.

The liturgy was made especially meaningful by the participation of students from Farrelly House, who performed the readings and presented significant symbols of the House during the entrance procession. These symbols represent the values and spirit that continue to guide the students as they honour Bishop Farrelly's legacy.

A special thanks goes to Mr Adam Mascord, Farrelly House Pastoral Care Coordinator, for his excellent organisation of the service. His leadership ensured that the students played key roles in making the liturgy a memorable occasion. Mr Mascord also took the opportunity to present awards to students who have made significant contributions to building a positive and supportive culture within Farrelly House. Their efforts reflect the spirit of unity and service that Bishop Farrelly championed throughout his life.

The celebration also provided a moment to reflect on Bishop Farrelly’s remarkable life and lasting influence. Born in Lismore in 1895, Bishop Farrelly was ordained in 1918 after studying at St Columba’s Seminary in Springwood and St Patrick’s College in Manly. His early years of priesthood saw him serving in various parishes, including Kempsey, before becoming Parish Priest of Bellingen in 1929.

Bishop Farrelly’s journey continued when he was consecrated as Assistant Bishop of Lismore in 1931, eventually becoming the 3rd Bishop of Lismore in 1949. His appointment made him, at the time, the youngest Bishop in the world and the youngest person to hold a Doctor of Divinity degree. Under his leadership, the Diocese of Lismore saw tremendous growth, and his dedication to the poor and oppressed was unwavering. He also played a key role in the founding of St Paul’s College Kempsey in 1965, originally an all-boys school staffed by the Christian Brothers.

Bishop Farrelly retired in 1971 after 22 years of service, making him the longest-serving Australian Bishop at the time. He passed away in 1974, leaving behind a legacy of faith, leadership, and compassion. His final resting place is at Our Lady of Lourdes at Lismore Cathedral, a tribute to his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

This year’s Ordination Anniversary has not only been a celebration of his life and vision but also a moment for our students to reflect on their own roles as part of the Farrelly House community. We were delighted to welcome family members who joined us for the service, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for the love and support they provide both at school and at home.

Bishop Farrelly’s legacy continues to inspire us, and we are proud of our students for embodying his values of faith, service, and leadership. Farrelly House remains committed to upholding the spirit of community, compassion, and devotion that he championed.


Mr Matthew Mitchell - Leader of Evangelisation

matthew.mitchell@lism.catholic.edu.au

Faith Q&A for St Paul’s Staff, Students and Parents
St Paul’s has created an email address for members of our College community to send in any questions they may have regarding faith, church, religion, spirituality, etc.

Questions will be addressed by someone from a team of staff from the College and Parish. At this stage, questions won’t be anonymous but they will be handled discreetly and sensitively - the author of the question won’t be shared beyond the person who is delegated the question.

If you would like to submit a question of this nature, please send them through to kmps-faithquestions@lism.catholic.edu.au

If you have any questions or concerns about the process, please email me.

Thank you and God bless.


Mr Brendan Goswell - Leader of Catechesis

brendan.goswell@lism.catholic.edu.au

Diocesan Athletics
Congratulations to all students who participated in the Lismore Diocesan Athletics Carnival held on 2 September in Coffs Harbour. It was a very warm day, however the students remained composed and performed well across all their events.

Some standout achievements:
- Amelia Wilson – 1st in the 1500m, 800m and 400m running events
- Caylum Appleyard – 1st in Discus
- Will Czisz – 2nd in 400m and 800m running events
- Beau Willett – 2nd Javelin
- Hamish Davies – 2nd in 1500m
- Chayse Trappel – 3rd in High Jump
- Leah Quinn – 3rd in Discus
- Calan Osborne – 3rd Javelin
- Chelsea Stringer – 3rd in 200m
- Lani Gidzala - 1st in Long Jump

Amelia Wilson was also awarded Age Runners Up for the U14’s girls. 

Individual Sporting Success
Congratulations to Wilton Townsend who placed 10th in the Athletics Australia Cross Country Championships in Tasmania last week. This is an outstanding achievement competing at the highest possible level. Well done Wilton!

Upcoming Sporting Events

• Diocesan Touch Football – Tuesday 22 October
• Diocesan Volleyball – Friday 25 October
• Diocesan Golf Championships – Monday 11 November
  
  

Mr Heath Needs - Teacher and Sports Coordinator

heath.needs@lism.catholic.edu.au

Giving and receiving help
Sometimes young people may see posts from friends or acquaintances that contain references to self-harm and suicide. If your young person is concerned about someone because of something they posted online, encourage them to always take it seriously and to talk to you.

In these instances, if your young person believes that the person is in immediate risk of harm, you should advise them to do the following:

• If they are already talking to the person, they could encourage them to call emergency services (000) themselves.
• If they are not talking to the person, if the person is not open to receiving help, or if there is no time to spare, call 000 immediately.
• If they or you know the family, you could contact them immediately.

If the person is not at immediate risk of harm, and your young person decides to respond, encourage them to:

• Set boundaries for themselves regarding how much time they have available and the type of support they can and cannot offer.
• Pick a way of communicating that they feel most comfortable with and is most appropriate for the relationship they have with the person. They could also ask the person how they would prefer to be contacted.
• Avoid using reactions or emojis that might reinforce unsafe content, or that could be interpreted incorrectly.

To find out more, please visit these links to Chatsafe and Giving and seeking help in relationships.

If you have any concerns about your young person please contact the College. It is important for St Paul's to know any wellbeing issues that may impact on learning and behaviour at school. We invite all parents/carers to work in partnership with us to keep your young person safe. Should your young person experience a physical or mental health concern, particularly if it results in a presentation at a hospital Emergency Department, we highly recommend that you work with us to ensure that they are supported and cared for when returning to school.

Ms Fiona Stuart - Leader of Pastoral Care

fiona.stuart@lism.catholic.edu.au

Nominalisation

• Nominalisation is turning a verb into a noun e.g. reflect-reflection, react-reaction, imply-implication, inform-information.
• Nominalised verbs often end in –ion, -ment, -al, -age, -ing, -ance, -ant, -dom.
• Using nominalisation changes the focus from the action to the object or concept. It is often found in academic writing and adds formality as we would rarely nominalise in regular speech. It is particularly useful for writing short answer responses regarding facts or information.
• Warning: Do not overuse!
• Nominalisation requires the addition of another verb. If this verb is then nominalised the sentence can become noun-heavy and confusing.
  
  

What does nominalisation look like in writing?

• History
  The Russian army invaded the Ukraine in February 2022.
  The invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces occurred in February 2022.
  
• Science
  Organic matter will decompose to form a new structure known as humus.
  The decomposition of organic matter forms a new structure known as humus.
  
• PDH
  Sports people need to comply to the referee’s whistle.
  Compliance with the referee’s whistle is fundamental to any officiated sport.
  
• Geography
  Earthquakes, mountain ranges and volcanos occur when tectonic plates move.
  The occurance of earthquakes, mountain ranges and volcanos can be attributed to the movement of tectonic plates.
  
• SOR
  Christians believe that the rituals of baptism and the Eucharist are important in worship.
  The importance of rituals including baptism and the Eucharist are fundamental to Christian belief and worship.
  
• Music
  Composers select particular instruments to create tones with atmosphere in music that support films. Atmospheric music for films requires the selection of instruments which allow the creation of particular tones.
  
• Art
  Artists may express themselves using a variety of media.
  Utilisation of various media allows artists a freedom of expression.
  
• Food Tech
  Use-by dates and storage routines are important in maintaining food quality standards.
  The importance of observing use-by dates and storage routines are crucial in maintaining food quality standards.
  
• Overuse
  Information nominalisation leads to a proliferation of confusion.
  
  
  

Mr Roger Shipton - Literacy Coach

St Paul's Year 12 Industrial Technology - Timber students recently completed their HSC Major Projects, showcasing a variety of talents. Projects included entertainment units, bedside tables, a pair of adirondack chairs, coffee tables, and a vertical chess board.

The Timber Major Works were on display throughout the week for students and staff to view, and parents were invited to a special viewing to see the culmination of over three Terms of work. Each final major project also included a folio documenting the journey from initial concept to completion.

Well done to the Year 12 Industrial Technology - Timber students for their impressive major projects!

St Paul's Year 11 students, Isabelle Preston and Brianna O'Donnell, travelled to Blayney last weekend to participate in the National All Breeds Junior Heifer Show which was an amazing opportunity for the girls.

Over the three days they participated in education workshops, Cattle Parading, Junior Judging and Parader classes with over 241 people attending from all over Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Brianna won 3rd in her Junior Judging and 5th in her Parading class, while Isabelle won Grand Champion Heifer for the show and won an internship to work with Branded Ag Marketing. Congratulations girls!

Thanks to Target Livestock and Marketing for giving them the opportunity to show their cattle.

 

Families are cordially invited to join the College in celebrating the Graduation of Year 12, 2024 on Wednesday 25 September. In order to accommodate all those who wish to attend and for catering purposes please RSVP using the form below by Monday 16 September.

When calculating numbers attending, please do not include students who will be in attendance at St Paul's on the day including your Year 12 child. If your attendance intentions change please contact the College on kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au or 6562 7200.

RSVP here.

If you experience difficulty using the form, please contact the College for assistance.

NSW Health will be conducting the NSW Schools Vaccination Program catch up clinic on Thursday 24 October for Year 7 and Year 10 students.

Online consent for school vaccinations
If your child is in Year 7 or Year 10 this year and have not received their routine school vaccinations, you can provide online consent for them to receive their vaccinations at the catch up clinic.

⦁ Year 7 students are offered free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV).
⦁ Year 10 students are offered a free vaccine for meningococcal ACWY.

Please note - Year 8 and Year 11 students who have an online consent/signed consent form from 2023, will be offered catch up vaccinations in 2024.

If parents/guardians consent online they will receive a reminder text 3 days prior to the clinic date.

Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received.

Catch Up Clinic for 2024 Vaccination Program:

• Term 4 - Thursday 24 October

To provide consent for vaccination online, parents/carers will need to:

• Visit the online consent portal here.
• Follow the steps to log in to your existing Service NSW account. This is the same account you may already use to renew your driver's licence. If you don't have a Service NSW account, refer to Service NSW to create one.
• Enter Medicare details for yourself and your child and provide consent.
• If you consent online, you will receive a reminder text 3 days prior to the clinic date.
• Read a step-by-step guide on how to provide consent online. Translated guides are available online.
• If you or your child do not have a Medicare card or you cannot provide consent online, please email the College Office kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au to request a paper consent form to be sent home.

The benefits of providing consent online:

⦁ easily update your child's details.
⦁ receive SMS and/or email notifications when vaccinations are given.
⦁ faster upload of vaccination records to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination. If you have any questions regarding your child's school vaccinations, please contact the NSW Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.