Week 10 Term 3

Announcement

After nine wonderful years at St Paul’s Catholic Secondary College, and eight as Principal, it is with mixed emotions that I inform the community that this year will be my last.  I have accepted the position of Principal of Xavier Catholic College in Ballina and will commence there from the start of the 2021 school year. 

My time at the College has proven to be some of the most rewarding and successful of my career.  The changes we have been able to make, improvements in facilities and the growth and success of our young people and our staff is something of which I am very proud.  From smallish numbers in 2012, we have grown to around six hundred students, with world class facilities, the envy of many other schools in our region and in the Diocese, to the point we are now competing and ranking highly with schools across Australia. 

There are many whom I wish to acknowledge and thank for their support over my time at the College. 

To the two parish priests under whom I served, Fr Paul Gooley and Fr James Foster. Your guidance, support and unwavering confidence in my decisions and vision for the community has allowed me to bring to life an education for our young people that is creating champions and success stories all over the country. 

The staff of this College have been amazing and are second to none in the work, dedication and commitment to the students in their care.  It is no great surprise that each day or week we learn of the successes of our graduates in some aspect of their lives, and much of this can be attributed to the teachers who cared for and nurtured them during their time at the College.  Staff did not clock off at 3.30 pm each Friday only to recommence at 8.30 the following Monday.  For most, the work of ‘teacher’ is a 24/7 proposition and each does it entirely out of love and devotion for their students. 

To our students, who have done so much for me over the years, often bringing me to tears out of pride and amazement at their achievements and accomplishments.  Not only that, the humanity and love that they have shown has been truly touching and, as many parents will already know, it has inspired in me a love for them as if they were my own child.  Each year when we have graduated our Year 12 cohort, I speak openly and honestly of the love that I have for them and encourage them to take that out into the world and to share it generously. 

And to our parent body I say that many of you have become friends and are like family to me.  The close working relationship we have established, and the ease with which we can communicate, discuss, banter and join together for the benefit of our young people has been truly uplifting.  I thank you all for that. 

Of course there have been many times that have challenged me and indeed has, too, for the entire community.  It has brought us to our knees at times and yet we have lifted each other up to take on the world again each day.  The lessons I have learned at St Paul’s, the friendships I have made and experiences I have gained will live with me forever.  The person and leader I am today is in no small way a testament to this community. 

To the community of Kempsey and the wider Macleay, as well as the Nambucca Valley, I say a heartfelt thank you for all you have done for me. I will treasure every moment of it.  And when the time comes to reflect on my life in years down the track, I know that this beautiful place will be one that I hold dearest in my heart. 

However, we still have a full Term 4 ahead of us.  I look forward to working with everyone, parish, staff, students and families to bring what has really been a horrendous year to a successful conclusion. In the meantime, I wish you a joyous and restful break until we return in October.

God Bless

Kevin Lewis BEd (Syd) MEd (ACU) GradCertRe (Uon)

College Principal

kevin.lewis@lism.catholic.edu.au

Year 12 Students and Families

This week has been a great celebration of the achievements of our Year 12 students throughout a very disrupted 2020.  The College Graduation Mass and Major Awards ceremony were both live streamed for parents and the Year 12 Final Assembly was recorded via Zoom and made available to all families. 

It was pleasing to celebrate the achievements of our Year 12 students and we were given an inspiring speech by 2019 Dux Carla Silvia.  I encourage our Year 12 students to bunker down for the next month, using every available moment to prepare for the HSC Examinations.  Our Major Award Winners for 2020 are listed below:

Uniform

I would like to thank the families who are supporting our staff in efforts to get students to wear the correct uniform.  I am sure that you would agree that the wearing of the College academic or sports uniform is economical and distinguishes St Paul’s College students very effectively as members of the Macleay and Nambucca Valley communities.  It is causing serious concerns however, that some students are wearing their sports uniform up to five days a week when this is totally unnecessary.  Please ensure that your children are wearing their correct uniform on a daily basis and do not enable them to opt out by signing notes which have an incorrect excuse.  Sanctions are now being applied to students who continue to disregard the College Uniform policy.  As Term 4 begins and the days get longer and warmer, staff at St Paul’s have been instructed to enforce our hat/cap policy.  The following excerpt is from the College Policy Handbook:

Hats/Caps

The College cap and bucket hat are a compulsory College uniform item for all students at the College. Students must be wearing a College cap or bucket hat during passive and active outdoor activity.

Mr Leon Robinson - Acting Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Monday, 21 September was World Gratitude Day.  Research has shown that gratitude can improve general wellbeing, increase resilience, strengthen social relationships and reduce stress and depression.  As we move into school holidays, it is time to relax and enjoy time together with friends and family, even though this may look different from previous years due to COVID. 

To all our students, take time to relax and rejuvenate, it has been a long term. Here are some suggestions to have fun over the holiday break and don’t forget to be grateful. 

Stress-Busting Activities to Help You Relax

Do Some Gentle Exercise

Walking, stretching and wading water are gentle exercises you can do to help get your endorphins flowing.  

Spend Time with A Furry Friend

Yes, you have permission to hug all the dogs, cats and bunnies you wish. Petting and cuddling a fluffy friend gives you warm ‘n’ fuzzies, quite literally. 

Tune into (Instrumental) Music

Create a playlist of the instrumental versions of songs that make you feel calm. When you’re listening, try to tune in to one of the instruments being played and focus your attention on it for twenty to thirty seconds. 

Spend Time in A Garden

Various studies speak to the benefits of being in a garden without even needing to have a green thumb. Surrounding yourself with plants has been linked to physical and mental health benefits, including slowing heart rates, improving memory and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. 

Complete A Brainteaser

Solve a puzzle, crossword or Sudoku.  The focus you devote to these brain-teasing activities can take your mind off your worries and give your brain a problem that has a clearer solution.  

Sing or Dance

Whether you have a solo singing session in your lounge room or join a dance class, singing or dancing (or both!) to music you enjoy is a good way to unwind and boost your mood.

Be Grateful

Write down all the things in life that you’re grateful for. Perhaps consider doing this each day.  It can help keep your mind focus on being positive so that you have a better outlook when you face difficulty. 

Create Something

Draw, colour-in, paint, knit, write, cook – do any activity that helps you express your creative flair.

Take A Nap

Sometimes when you’re feeling stressed, the thing you need most is sleep.  If your mind is still going 100 kilometres an hour after you’ve hopped into bed, put on some calming tunes and put your phone on aeroplane mode.  Then slowly tense and release one muscle in your body at a time.  You should soon be able to drift off.

Have a wonderful, safe and blessed holiday.

Mrs Bronwyn Shipton - Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing

HSC Practical and Performance Submissions

Congratulations to all those students who have successfully completed their HSC practical or performance aspect of the course for English Extension 2, Music 1, Industrial Technology, Visual Arts and Textiles and Design.

Year 12 Final Reports

The Year 12 Reports went home with students after their Graduation Ceremony earlier this week. Students must turn all comments into a positive, and increase their study and consolidation in order to maximise their HSC Examination results. 

They are also asked to view their HSC Assessment ranks for each course and contact Ms Martin on the first school day next term if there are any disputes or concerns.

2020 HSC Examinations

HSC Examinations begin with English Paper 1 on Tuesday, 20 October at 9.50 am.  All St Paul’s College HSC Examinations will be held at the Edmund Rice Centre (College Hall).  Students were given an official NESA timetable, however dates and times can be found on the internet at https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/wcm/connect/c196ecd5-fab0-4a4b-8a42-39c8ad26abf8/2020-hsc-written-exam-timetable.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID= , and at NESA students online.  Students must ensure they are aware of all their examination times.  Misreading the examination timetable or arriving late to an examination because you misread the timetable is NOT a reason for misadventure.  Students must be at all exams 30 minutes before they are scheduled to begin, and forty (40) minutes before English Papers 1 and 2, Mathematics, Mathematics Standard and Studies of Religion I and II exams. Due to COVID-19 procedures, it is imperative that students adhere to these times.

Year 11

Year 11 students have now finished their Preliminary Examinations and will receive feedback early next term on most of their examination results.  Well done for their excellent conduct throughout this period. Year 11 reports will go out to parents early in Term 4. 

Important Diary Dates

Year 12 HSC Exams Tuesday, 20 October – Wednesday, 11 November.

Mrs Catriona Martin - Leader of Curriculum

Year 12

Year 12 students have recently received a letter outlining procedures for the return of their textbooks.  In brief, this involves: start now; return anything not needed as soon as possible; return relevant texts on the day of the corresponding exam; pay for any lost items.  The letter also included a list of resources out in each individual’s name. 

Also, be reminded that extended study hours will operate right up to and throughout your exams.

Other than that, all that remains is to wish you all well in the HSC and beyond!!! 

Year 11 Preliminary Textbooks

As Year 11 transitions into their HSC studies over the next few weeks, be sure to return this year’s textbooks.  Thanks to those of you who have already done so.  If they are needed in Year 12, we’ll make the necessary arrangements.  Just check with your teachers.

SORA

Just to remind you all that there is no excuse for the “I’m bored” routine over the holidays. There are plenty of ebooks online to whet the appetite.  Remember, though, to maintain a healthy balance between screen-time and the more natural use of your eyes…ie REAL books. 

Enjoy Your Holidays...and…

Happy Reading 

Mr Peter Garty - Teacher/Librarian

FREE Creative Kids Holiday Program