Term 4 Week 2 - 24 October 2025

Pope John Paul II Feast Day 
This Wednesday 22 October was an important day in the Catholic church calendar as the Feast of Pope John Paul II was celebrated. Pope John Paul II was the first ever Slavic pope elected, and at 58-years-old, he was the youngest pope in over a century. During his twenty-six-year pontificate, he visited over 129 countries, which included seven visits to the United States. He died on April 2, 2005, and he was the third-longest-serving pope in history, after Pius IX and St Peter. Fr James spoke at the Willawarrin Mass held on Wednesday of the far reaching impact of St John Paul II's reign as Pope, especially his profound guidance and encouragement to Catholic religious and his consistent theme of the role of God’s people being stewards of his creation. Pope John Paul II emphasised the responsible care of creation for future generations and the idea that human dominion is not absolute but a trust from God. He highlighted that humanity's role is to serve creation, not to exploit it, and that the earth requires faithful stewardship from everyone to continue to provide for us.

St Paul's Studies of Religion HSC candidates were faced with the following essay question in their HSC final this Monday (which constitutes 40% of the final mark) "What is chosen to be upheld in ethical decisions is shaped by resources such as sacred texts or lived experience and how they help adherents navigate the world today. With reference to the stimulus, analyse how ethical teachings of Christianity guide adherents to navigate the world today by referring to environmental ethics."
It was with great joy that I knew our students could expertly answer this question, focusing on Christian environmental ethics with specific reference to recent Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis, as well as other Christian theologians illuminating the sacred writings of the Bible.

St Paul's Uniform Transition

• Year 7 2026 and students new to St Paul's during 2026: Students have the choice to wear the new or old uniform items. Families will be able to purchase the new uniform and/or the old uniform from Team Spirit, subject to availability. Please refer to the flyers below for pricing and information for booking uniform appointments with our uniform supplier Team Spirit. Please note that new uniform items are ONLY available in store until such time as the old uniform items are sold out.
• Year 8-12 2026: Families may only purchase the old uniform styles until such time as each old uniform item sells out and it is replaced by the new item. The new uniform items will be available to all families from 2027.

The phasing out of old uniform items will not occur until consultation has been made with Team Spirit and with the school community. Families are assured that the phase out date will be clearly advertised with significant notice so that they can plan accordingly.

Important protocols beginning and ending a lesson for all students
We have enjoyed a strong beginning to Term 4. The attendance data has been strong and our assembly on Wednesday where our community warmly welcomed Senior Constable Steve Jeffrey and Anika and Syke from the Benevolent Society was excellent. We also took the opportunity to congratulate the Under 14 Boys Rugby League State Champions who won the Cochrane Cup in September as well as recognising a number of other outstanding academic and sporting achievements of many students.

I met with the College community in the first week of this Term where we spoke about the non-negotiable aspects of our working in class with staff. The points outlined below are the important basis for our ability to improve as students of the College:

• Wait quietly in two lines outside the classroom with all the necessary equipment.
• Leave bags neatly outside the classroom. 
• Enter the room in a quiet and respectful manner when your teacher requests you to do so.
• Greet the teacher respectfully while standing behind your desk.
• Apply yourself with focus and enthusiasm to classroom activities.  
• Have a go! Then ask for help from the teacher or co-educator if you need it.
• When the teacher instructs you to do so, stand quietly behind your desk with your chair pushed in and wait for the teacher to dismiss you. 
• Students must NOT leave class before the bell rings.

Tremendous achievements by Wilton Townsend and Luana Silk
St Paul's continues to be very proud of so many students at the College achieving great things outside of the classrroom. During the recent holidays, Wilton Townsend competed in the NSW All Schools Athletic Championships where he won the gold medal as State Champion for the 16 years boys 800m event. This run was a personal best, as was his run in the 1500m where he placed fourth. Wilton is now preparing to compete in the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Melbourne in December. Best wishes and congratulations for these outstanding achievements Wilton.

Luana Silk is a wonderful Year 11 student who in a few weeks will be heading to Nepal for the third time to volunteer in helping young women and girls impacted by human trafficking. Luana has seen first hand how a little bit of support can create life changing transformations for these girls and will be organising a bake sale at the College. The sale will be in the undercover area outside of the staff room, at recess on Friday 31 October. Every contribution helps so I am asking students to bring in some cash to buy some treats and join us in building a future where every child and young woman in Nepal has the chance to live a life of dignity, safety, and opportunity. Congratulations Luana for your leadership and compassion for supporting others.

Kind regards

Mr Geoff Melville  BRurScEd, MEd, GCertRE

Principal

kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au

Year 11 is now Year 12!
The Year 11 students have transitioned beautifully into Year 12 to start this Term. This marks the final year of their formal schooling and we are very excited about working with this cohort of students. Mrs Tovey has informed the students about the process of changing subjects and there has been some movement already. We encourage students to have open reflective conversations with their teachers and with Mrs Tovey and me to determine their best pathway. Please let us know if you, as parents, have questions about this process.

Year 7-10 Assessments
All students from Year 7-10 will be completing assessments in Weeks 5 and 6 to culminate their year of learning. We encourage you to sit with your children and map out their schedule when it is released on Monday to ensure they are prepared for their tasks. We encourage 100% attendance especially during this period so students do not miss their learning in the lead up to assessments. Thank you for your support on this.

Borrowing Laptops
We have changed the way in which students can borrow devices in the library. If a student has a device in for repair they may borrow one from the library. Previously they have had to trade in their phones for the device, however we are thrilled to see that many students are opting to leave their phones at home. As such, we would like students to be able to borrow and be responsible enough to bring their device back at the end of the day. If they do not, they will be issued a lunch detention the next day, which we are hoping to avoid. Please support us by ensuring your child's device is charged each night and packed in their bags each morning.

Atomi
Congratulations to Stella Thorman and Sienna Dawson who were the highest Atomi users over the last 7 days! The students will receive a canteen voucher for their reward. The Year 11 students have transitioned to Year 12 on Atomi so all classes should be updated. Please let your children know to see me if their classes are not correct.
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

During the first week of Term 4 we were very fortunate to have the Vatican Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles a First-Class Relic of St Carlo at the College for two days. This was compiled by St Carlo Acutis who began this work at 11yrs of age and died ten days after finishing at the age of 15years. A significant number of our students and staff had the opportunity to hear from Kate Hobbs, President of  Eucharistic Adoration and Veneration of the Saints INC, to walk around and view the exhibition, write a prayer that will be sent to Assisi (where St Carlo is entombed) and touch the relic. A rare opportunity for a regional school. We thank Fr James who advocated for this to be bought to Kempsey.

On Monday I had the privilege of accompanying three of our students to attend the Yuwa Nyinda Youth Summit that was held at the Anglican Hall. The students spent time in a group answering a range of questions about our local community. They showed insight and willingness to be involved in the activities. It was great to see young people challenging themselves to be involved in a range of activities on offer.

As we journey through Term 4, it’s important to pause and reflect on how we care for ourselves and those around us. Life at school is full of lessons, assessments, sport, co-curricular commitments, and friendships that all demand time and energy. In the midst of this, we are called to find balance, to be mindful, and to stay grounded in faith and gratitude.

Taking care of our wellbeing begins with the simple things: rest, healthy routines, laughter, and moments of quiet reflection. Stepping outside for fresh air, spending time with friends, or taking a mindful breath during a busy day can help bring calm and perspective. Our Catholic faith reminds us that we are made in the image and likeness of God, and that caring for ourselves honours that sacred gift. Of equal importance is the way we care for one another. A community like ours thrives when kindness and compassion are shared freely. A kind word to a peer who’s struggling, helping a classmate without being asked, or thanking a teacher for their support are small actions that reflect the heart of the Gospel message - “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34).

Resilience is another essential part of looking after ourselves. Life inevitably brings challenges, disappointments, and moments that test us. Yet these times also offer opportunities to grow stronger, wiser, and more compassionate. Resilience isn’t about never struggling; it’s about finding the courage to keep going, to try again, and to trust that God walks with us through every challenge. As it says in Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”
We see resilience in our classrooms, on the sports field, in the arts, and in service projects - students who persevere after setbacks, who seek feedback, who support one another through difficult times. These acts of determination and faith remind us that true success is measured not by perfection, but by persistence, effort, and heart.

When things feel overwhelming, it’s important to remember that support is always available. Talking to a teacher, a friend, or one of our wellbeing staff can make all the difference. Our community is strongest when we lift each other up, when we listen without judgement, and when we pray for one another.

As we continue through the Term, let’s keep working towards balance caring for body, mind, and spirit. Let’s practice kindness daily, even in small ways, and let’s meet challenges with hope and faith. Together, as a Catholic community, we can continue to live out the values of compassion, resilience, and respect that make our College such a special place to belong.


Mrs Lesa Morrison - Assistant Principal - Mission 

lesa.morrison@lism.catholic.edu.au

The Saint Carlo Acutis exhibition at St Paul's was truly a wonderful and profoundly moving experience, made even more special by its accessibility to the entire College community. A key highlight was ensuring all students across the school had the opportunity to access the inspiring display, offering a powerful, shared spiritual moment.

In particular, students from Year 7 through to Year 9 explicitly attended the exhibit as part of their faith formation, which proved to be incredibly effective. Seeing the photographic panels detailing the International Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles, all meticulously researched by "God's Influencer," offered a powerful testament to the real presence of Christ. The modern connection of a saint who used his computer skills for the Lord made Carlo's spiritual journey deeply relevant to our digital-native students.

Furthermore, the Senior Ministry Team's explicit attendance underscored the exhibit's importance, providing them with rich material for their leadership and evangelisation efforts. The atmosphere in St Paul's, already a place of deep reverence, was elevated by Carlo's inspiring legacy, affirming that holiness is for all ages and that technology can indeed be a "highway to heaven." The exhibition served as both a spiritual education and a beautiful call to a deeper love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Mr Adam Clay - Leader of School Evangelisation

adam.clay@lism.catholic.edu.au

Upcoming Changes to Social Media Laws: What Parents Need to Know
The Australian Government has recently passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, which introduces new national laws designed to protect young people online. These laws will come into effect on 10 December 2025.

Under this legislation, children under the age of 16 will no longer be permitted to create or maintain accounts on platforms classified as age-restricted social media services. The responsibility for enforcing this restriction rests with the platforms themselves, which must implement age-verification and monitoring systems to comply.

The aim of this reform is to support healthy development and reduce exposure to online risks such as cyber-bullying, exploitation, misinformation, and addictive design features. The Office of the eSafety Commissioner will oversee compliance and continue to provide education and resources for families and schools.

What This Means for Families
For many young people, social media plays a central role in communication and identity formation. The upcoming changes may therefore require some preparation and conversation at home. Students who are currently under 16 will need to consider alternative ways to connect with friends and participate in online communities. Those turning 16 soon may experience new verification processes or temporary account restrictions.

This is an important opportunity for families to guide children in developing balanced digital habits, strengthen offline friendships, and encourage responsible online engagement as they approach adulthood.

Supporting Your Child Through the Transition

• Start the conversation early
  Discuss the reasons behind the new laws. Focus on wellbeing, safety, and long-term digital literacy rather than punishment or restriction. Young people are more receptive when they understand why a change is occurring.
• Review current use together
  Encourage your child to reflect on which platforms they use, how these affect their mood and time, and what alternatives exist for staying connected.
• Strengthen real-world connections
  Support participation in sports, arts, volunteering, and community activities that build confidence and belonging outside social media.
• Model positive online behaviour
  Children mirror adult habits. Setting healthy examples around screen time, digital boundaries, and respectful communication can make a significant difference.
• Stay informed
  Follow updates from the eSafety Commissioner (esafety.gov.au) and use their parent guides on social media, gaming, and screen time. These resources explain how to manage transitions, privacy, and online safety in practical terms.

The introduction of a minimum age for social media reflects a growing recognition that online safety and wellbeing are shared responsibilities between government, industry, schools, and families.

While this transition may feel challenging at first, it provides an opportunity to reset online habits and ensure young people engage with technology in age-appropriate, purposeful ways.

If you would like additional resources or support materials to assist with family conversations, please visit eSafety Parents

Please download the flyer below to access the links for further information. An 8-step action plan is also available to help your teen get ready for the social media age restrictions.

Ms Meg Ryan - Leader of Pastoral Care

meg.ryan@lism.catholic.edu.au

The Decline in Volitional (voluntary) Reading report, released last month from the National Institute of Education in Singapore, has been published in response to a global downward trend in young people’s engagement with reading.

The report states that “without adult reading role models in homes, schools and wider society, it is likely children will find it harder to develop the reading habit.” This correlates with recent Australian research which showed that those teenagers who read more frequently had a higher proportion of parents who were regular readers.
In order to reverse this trend, we need more adults visibly engaged with recreational reading and actively passing on this love to the next generation. This includes raising awareness with parents, caregivers and educators about the influence they have in shaping young people’s reading attitudes and behaviours.

Mr Roger Shipton - Literacy Coach

roger.shipton@lism.catholic.edu au

Empowering Your Child’s Career Journey - Free webinar for parents 
This session will show you how Senior School sets the foundation for your child’s future. You’ll learn how to guide subject choices, foster transferable skills, and explore career pathways using the latest tools. We’ll share practical tips on resumes, workplace exposure, and preparing for the final years of school, while keeping balance and wellbeing at the centre of career planning.

• Build Future Readiness: Guide your child in developing skills that will serve them well beyond school.
• Real-World Insights: Explore practical examples and career tools that connect learning to life after graduation.
• Confident Choices: Equip your child with the knowledge and support they need to make informed subject and career decisions.

Wednesday 29 October, 7pm - register HERE 

AFP online information session
Gain insights into the role of a protective service officer (PSO), hear first-hand experiences, and discover what it means to do legendary work in the AFP.

Sessions available: 12 November and 10 December - register HERE 

Mrs Tess Meehan - Leader of World of Work and Careers Literacy
tess.meehan@lism.catholic.edu.au

Wilton Townsend - Gold Medallist - 16 Years Boys NSW All Schools Athletics
Wilton Townsend is the 2025 All Schools 16 Years Boys 800m Gold Medallist after a personal best performance in the NSW All Schools Athletics Championships which was held in the September holidays. Wilton was also 4th with a personal best time in the 1500 metres event.

These are fantastic achievements for Wilton who will now be attending the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Melbourne from 4 - 7 December. The entire St Paul’s community will be cheering for Wilton when he attends this prestigious event.

Mr Leon Robinson - Teacher and Sports Coordinator

leon.robinson@lism.catholic.edu.au

Mrs Patrice Martin, Mrs Cathy Whalen & Mrs Jennifer Anttilla - Library Assistants

St Paul's staff and students wish Year 12 2025 all the best in their HSC examinations. We are proud of your achievements and wish you a future filled with success!

This is a catch up clinic for any student who has missed their Year 7 or Year 10 vaccinations.

NSW Health will be holding a catch up vaccination clinic at the College on Wednesday 29 October 2025 for ALL students who have consent in place. If your student has missed their vaccination in the past you may consent for a catch up vaccination to be administered at this clinic.

CONSENT
Consent may be provided by one of the following options:

• Paper form - please contact the College to arrange for a form to be sent home, kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au or 6562 7200
• Online - see below

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

VACCINES OFFERED
The following vaccines are offered free of charge to students at school:

1. Year 7 students (or those in older year groups who have missed these)

• diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine (1 dose)
• human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (1 dose).

2. Year 10 students (or those in older year groups who have missed this)

• meningococcal ACWY vaccine (1 dose).
  

ONLINE CONSENT
To provide consent for vaccination online, parents/carers will need to visit the School Vaccination Program online consent portal

• You will need your ServiceNSW log-in details and Medicare details for you and your child.
• For detailed steps on how to provide consent please refer to the NSW Health webpage, How to Provide Consent

MORE INFORMATION
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.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming all our Year 7 2026 students to their compulsory Orientation Day at St Paul’s College on Wednesday 12 November 2025. Please note that this is a day for enrolled students only.

We would like to invite our parents/carers to join us at the College for a delicious bacon and egg roll starting at 8:00am. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other parents/carers and teachers. To help us with catering, please RSVP by filling out the following form.

The breakfast will conclude at 8:30am, at which point we will say our farewell to all parents/carers.
Please note that this breakfast is for parents/carers only, all Year 7 2026 students will be moved to the Mercy Centre to allow plenty of time to be checked in ready for their student program to commence.

Student program:

• Students to be checked in by 8:45am.
• Student program starts at 8:55am.
• Student program ends (end of school day) - 3:25pm. (Students will be assisted to the bus bay if catching the bus or to the Sea Street gates if getting collected from the College.)

Important Information:
Absence: this is a COMPULSORY day for all enrolled students to attend. Please inform your child’s primary school that they will be absent on this day. If your child is unable to attend the Orientation Day e.g. due to sickness, please contact us as soon as possible to advise us of their absence (before 8.55am Wednesday 12 November 2025).

Transport: it is the responsibility of families to arrange transport for their child to and from the College for this day. Please note, your child's primary school will NOT be arranging transport.

Bus - families will need to confirm with the relevant bus company if there will be space for their child to use bus transportation to and from the College - please DO NOT assume this is the case. Students travelling to and from the College by bus will use the College bus bay area. Staff will assist students in the afternoon to ensure that they catch the correct bus.

Car - if transporting your child yourself please drop them off and pick them up outside the main Sea Street entrance. If you are staying for breakfast please park in the surrounding streets. Please DO NOT use the North Street entrance/car park or Sea Street entrance/car parks. Pedestrian access is via the main gate on Sea Street.

Uniform: our child is to wear their primary school sport uniform including hat.

Lunch: we will provide a sausage sizzle for lunch. If your child has special dietary requirements or requires additional food to satisfy their appetite at lunchtime please send alternative/additional food with them.

Your child should bring with them:

• school bag
• pen
• their own recess
• water for the day
• additional/alternative food if required

Medication: if your child would normally carry medication such as an asthma puffer or Epipen please ensure that they have these with them on the day. If they require other medication through the day please contact the College via email kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au to discuss arrangements.

If there is any information that you feel the College requires to ensure the health and wellbeing of your child during Orientation Day please email kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au

This is a very important day for all our Year 7, 2026 students. The program that has been prepared will be engaging and will provide activities allowing students to get to know their year group, their teachers and an orientation of College classrooms and related facilities.

Save the Date - All parents/carers, family and friends are warmly invited to St Paul's Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) night on Wednesday 26 November featuring Year 7-11 Visual Art works, Music and Drama performances in the Edmund Rice Centre.

Artwork viewing will open from 4:30pm, followed by performances at 5:15pm. No RSVP required.

Year 6 2026/Year 7 2027 students from ALL Macleay and Nambucca Valley schools are invited to save the date for a Day in the Life of a St Paul’s College student on Thursday 26 February 2026.

Open to all Year 6 primary school students interested in a Catholic high school education at St Paul's commencing in 2027. Parents/carers will be required to register their child for a Day in the Life event via a registration link that will open on Monday 9 February 2026. The link will be placed on the College website and advertised on the College Facebook page and via Compass.

For more information about enrolments at St Paul's College, please visit the College website.  

Students who need a travel pass for 2026 can apply HERE. 

A new application will need to be submitted if they are applying for the first time, or if they are requesting additional travel entitlement because of a new shared parental arrangement (e.g. joint custody). Students who change address, school (including starting at high school), have repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of Term 4. This will ensure that the College can endorse applications, and entitlements remain valid for the start of the 2026 school year.

We ask that parents plan ahead and make sure their child knows which service/s to use and has a valid travel pass from the start of the school year. For all enquiries please contact your nominated transport operator (Busways or Cavanaghs).

The start of the year is a busy period for local transport operators, and students travelling without a valid ticket make service planning and operations difficult.

Bus operators are flexible and understanding, particularly at the start of the school year, and will ensure students can travel safely to and from school. But to best support our operators we encourage all students to have a valid Travel Pass, as early as possible, from the start of the school year.

Students should receive their travel pass at the start of the new school year from their nominated transport operator. It may be given to the student by the bus driver or be sent directly to them at home. Students/parents should contact their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

For further information regarding bus travel please refer to the College bus travel document.

A group of St Paul's students will be participating in the 312 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets Freedom of Entry to celebrate their 25th anniversary. All are welcome to support the 312 Squadron on this momentous occasion.

Parents/carers are invited by the Benevolent Society to complete a community survey to voice what is important to you in the Macleay community.

The survey takes 5 minutes to complete and responses are anonymous and confidential. Please scan the QR code below to complete the survey by the end of October.

AI tools are evolving fast – and some are being misused in ways that can harm or exploit children and young people, including through the creation of deep fakes and digitally altered images. This 45-minute webinar, presented by the eSafety Commissioner, covers how these technologies are being used, their impact and how to support and protect your child. It’s suitable for parents and carers of upper primary and high school students.

• CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
  
  

Logged Out - Skills for confidently navigating Australia's teen social media ban.

Hosted by Jocelyn Brewer, psychologist and cyber educator, which will help families:

• Understand why the ban has been introduced and what platforms are included/exempt.
• Explore privacy issues and age verification technology.
• Plan with their teens how to back up digital memories, audit current use, and manage alternatives.
• Anticipate unintended consequences, such as circumvention, isolation, or reliance on riskier platforms.
• Build family technology agreements and digital resilience that extend beyond social media.

Date: Thursday 6 November at 7.30pm
REGISTER HERE

Please refer to the flyer below for more information. 

Parents/carers are invited to learn more about adolescent mental health and how to best support and connect with their young person during tough times.

To register, please download the PDF flyer below.

Are you a parent, grandparent, carer or other adult living in a regional, rural area, or supporting a child aged 10–13 who has unmet mental health needs? Southern Cross University is offering a free online education program designed to help you better support the mental health needs of the children in your care.

The program includes flexible online learning and a weekly 90-minute group session led by experienced mental health clinicians. It has been co-designed by parents, carers, teachers, and children’s mental health experts.

Participants will also be contributing to valuable research that aims to strengthen community responses to children’s wellbeing. Those complete the program and the survey at the end will receive a $50.00 voucher.

To learn more or express interest, please email Professor John Hurley at john.hurley@scu.edu.au.

Tuesday nights are swim club nights at the Kempsey McElhone Memorial Pool Complex, every Tuesday from 6:00pm.
Each week members strive to improve their competitive results by racing against their friends and family in a fun atmosphere. All are welcome to join in the fun!