Term 2 Week 2 - 10 May 2024

Dear Parent/Carer

“And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.”

Mark 16: 15-20

Welcome to Term 2 and I hope that the first few weeks of school have been well enjoyed and our students are coming home eager to share what they have learnt across the school day!

I thank our College community for providing our staff with a Professional Development Day on Monday last week. It was a great opportunity to work with staff across a range of areas. Teachers and Co-Educators looked at Explicit Instruction, The Third Teacher, Literacy and Differentiation. We also took part in a session on Student Wellbeing involving a variety of Pastoral Care initiatives. Our staff were most excited about their learnings across the day and were eager to put many of these into practice. I hope students found value in some of these newly implemented practices.

We have noticed that a few students are wearing incorrect items to school and I would ask families to support us in making sure that the standards of uniform continue to be high across the College community. It would appear that incorrect jewellery and footwear are creeping into the attire of some students. Please take the time to check your child/ren's uniform prior to leaving home - this would be a great support for the College!

Last week at assembly, we spoke at length about the concerning trend associated with Gender Based violence. It appears clear that for this problem to be solved we need to talk about this issue in our homes, at school and in the wider community. Relationships in all forms need a strong foundation of dignity and respect. We need to demonstrate the value of those ‘we journey with’ and how they contribute to our lives. This is done, not by exerting power and control, but through an open and caring dialogue that is safe, reassuring and capacity building. We should talk with people, not about people. We should look at our behaviour rather than being critical of the actions of others. We should always see the gifts within others and seek out the divine within us all. It is hoped that every day our students learn the value of what they experience in the classroom has the potential to improve the lives of all within our community.

This week we welcomed Fr Jim who has replaced Fr James as he takes a well earned break. Fr Jim joined staff at the College for morning tea and we were able to take him on a tour of our excellent facilities. Fr Jim celebrated the feast of Edmund Rice this week and I thank him for sharing this wonderful occasion with us.

I would like to make the College aware that our current school counsellor, Ms Carmel Muddle, is taking some leave and will be returning on reduced hours. Carmel has made a significant impact on the wellbeing of our students during her tenure. She is extremely experienced, tempered, measured and considered in the work she does. Carmel, together with the Pastoral Care Team, has worked effectively and her advice and experience has developed the College's 'best practice' in how we support our students. The College has welcomed Ms Megan James who will be replacing Carmel. Megan is a practitioner with significant experience who is very keen to join our College community and support student wellbeing. We are very fortunate to have Megan join us and I am excited to see how her work will impact our students at St Paul's.

Finally a reminder that Friday 31 May is a PUPIL FREE day. Staff from all the schools across the diocese will be gathering in several locations to celebrate PROCLAIM. The aim of this scheduled Staff Development Day is to reinvigorate staff with purposeful prayer and passionate commitment toward their vocation of accompanying students in choosing the fullness of life in Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit.

Wishing you all a great weekend.

Kind regards

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

THREE WEEKS TO GO! Enrolments for Year 7 2025 close on Friday 31 May – this deadline applies to ALL students interested in a Catholic secondary education at St Paul’s College.

We invite all interested parents/carers of Year 6 students to commence the enrolment process by following the link here.
Please ensure you read all the instructions carefully on the website for existing families enrolling new students, as the process is new for 2024.

Ensuring that students arrive at school on time every day is crucial for their academic success and wellbeing. Identify any specific challenges or barriers that may be contributing to lateness, whether it is difficulty waking up or disorganisation, addressing these issues can help improve punctuality.

Here are some strategies for parents to make getting students to school on time every day a top priority:

• Establish a Consistent Routine. Set a daily routine that includes specific times for waking up, getting ready, having breakfast, and leaving for school. Consistency helps children and develop good habits.
• Model Punctuality. Children often learn by example. Demonstrate the importance of punctuality by being on time for family events, appointments, and other commitments. 
• Limit or Have No Screen Time in the Morning. Minimise distractions such as excessive screen time in the morning. This helps your child stay focused on getting ready for school without unnecessary delays.

Atomi Year 11 and 12
Well done to the Year 11 and 12 students who are using Atomi to support their study. This week the awards for the highest usage got to Sophie Osborne and Abby Westerman. Congratulations and enjoy your canteen vouchers!

The Atomi platform is a resource the College has invested in because we know it supports the study habits for our students. The students who used Atomi last year continually improved in the lead up to their exams.

Year 11 and 12 Assessment Feedback
The senior students have been shown how to use an 'Acting on Feedback' session in Atomi to support their progress through the senior courses. Please encourage them to use this at home.

Subject Selection - Year 10
Year 10 students will start their subject selection process later this Term for their senior years. This may seem early, however we have a careful process to consider the best pattern of study for each student moving forward. This process begins with a Subject Selection evening which will take place on Wednesday 26 June this Term. Please save the date!

This is a good time to start discussion with your children about potential pathways post school which can inform their choices for Year 11 and 12. Please encourage your child to meet with Ms Tess Meehan, our careers advisor, if they have any questions.

Tell Them From Me Survey
The surveys will be conducted next week for students, teachers and parents. As a result of the feedback last year we made several changes around the College to support your children. You wanted more communication about your child's learning and we hope you found our improved reports gave you that information. We have also seen increased numbers attending our parents' evening which helps us to engage with you.

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

Tell Them From Me Survey
The continuing interest of schools to reflect on their progress and consider areas of improvement must be formed using rich and relevant data. St Paul’s is fortunate to engage in a nationwide survey tool, Tell Them From Me, which the College community will undertake within the next fortnight. The Tell Them From Me survey provides a comprehensive set of questions within the different contexts of students, staff and parents. The questions are specifically designed to suit the context of the College, and the data presented is very important at St Paul’s as it provides rich commentary on our actions and progress in the areas of Mission, Pastoral Care and Learning & Teaching.

The Tell Them From Me survey presents students with ten measures of areas indicating the level of student engagement alongside five drivers of student outcomes - quality instruction, teacher-student relations, classroom learning climate, expectations for success and student advocacy. The Tell Them From Me survey tracks St Paul’s in comparison to other high schools within the Diocese of Lismore as well as schools throughout Australia and the leadership group of the school reviews the data presented within this comparison and against past years results.

The measures of student engagement at school are subdivided into three key areas:

• Social engagement - a sense of belonging at school, participation in sports and clubs and positive friendships at school.
• Institutional engagement - values schooling outcomes, attendance, positive behaviour and homework/study habits.
• Intellectual - interest and motivation, effort and being appropriately challenged.

The College requires all participants - students, teachers and parents, to take this opportunity to respond thoroughly to the questions asked as the feedback garnered by the survey is very important for St Paul’s to consider our opportunity to continue to provide better outcomes for students, staff and families.


Mr Geoffrey Melville - Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing

geoffrey.melville@lism.catholic.edu.au

Reach
The new Ministry group, Reach, aims to provide a space for Year 7 and 8 students to explore and encounter the Catholic faith with others their age. It will be running each week on Tuesdays at lunch time and will include a variety of activities and topics.

Please speak to Mr Mitchell or Olivia Eberhaut for more information.

Edmund House Liturgy
This week the students and teachers of Edmund House participated in a liturgy at All Saints Catholic Church, Kempsey, celebrating and remembering the life and values of Blessed Edmund Rice. After a wonderful liturgy led by various students from all Year groups, house awards were presented to students who demonstrated the Edmund values of Diligence, Honesty and Christian Living.

Mr Matthew Mitchell - Leader of Evangelisation

matthew.mitchell@lism.catholic.edu.au

Ms Olivia Eberhaut - Youth Minister

olivia.eberhaut@lism.catholic.edu.au

The Meaning of Pentecost (Sunday 19 May)
In Christianity, Pentecost is the celebration of the Holy Spirit descending on the Apostles fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Pentecost means fiftieth, as in the fiftieth day. Pentecost was the fiftieth day after Passover. It occurred during the Jewish Festival of Weeks, which was seven weeks after Passover.

7 weeks x 7 days = 49 days. The 50th day marked the celebration of Pentecost.

Here is what happened to the Apostles on Pentecost according to Acts 2:
“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability”. (Acts 2:1-4)

As we prepare to leave the Easter season of the Church, may we pray for an increase of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and minds. May God Bless all of our staff, students and their families.


Mr Brendan Goswell - Leader of Catechesis

brendan.goswell@lism.catholic.edu.au

Clear Minds, Healthy Lives: Choose Vape Free
How to Spot A Vaping Problem

Many young people who are unaware of the high nicotine content of vapes (even those labelled nicotine free) have become unintentionally addicted to nicotine.

Nicotine can trigger brain changes that make people, particularly young people, crave more nicotine. Until about the age of 25, the brain is still developing and each time a new behaviour or skill is learnt it builds a stronger connection. Addiction is a learnt behaviour, which means young people are more vulnerable to it. The nicotine consumed while vaping can also condition the brain to become more easily addicted to other drugs. The first step is recognising your teen might have a vaping habit.

Here are a few things to look for:

• Unusual pens, USB drives and other devices: Some e-cigarettes and vaping devices resemble pens and USB drives, but with a hole on the end. This makes them difficult to spot at home and in the classroom. Heating coils, atomizers and refill pods are some of the other common vaping accessories.
• An unexplained sweet scent: Many teens are attracted to vaping because they are fruit-flavoured. The fruity smell won’t linger as long as tobacco smoke, but it can be a sign your teen is vaping.
• Increased thirst: Vaping dries out the throat.
• Nosebleeds: Vaping can dry out the nostrils and lead to nosebleeds.
• Reduced caffeine cravings: Some vapers report having a sensitivity to caffeine, so if they’re skipping the energy drinks and coffees you might inquire why.

For more information, go to QUIT.


Ms Fiona Stuart - Leader of Pastoral Care

fiona.stuart@lism.catholic.edu.au

St Paul's students and staff have GONE BLUE in support of Do It For Dolly Day to show that together we can take a stand against bullying to create a kinder, safer community for everyone.

St Paul's Year 11 Hospitality students travelled to Ewingsdale and the Gold Coast last week. On the trip they visited The Farm where they participated in a kitchen tour and tasting at the Three Blue Ducks restaurant. The students then spent 2 days at Sea World to undertake the H.O.T.E.L program. This was an incredible learning experience as the students spent time in each of the different departments of Sea World, gaining hands-on skills in the Restaurant, Kitchen, Stewarding, Housekeeping and Concierge departments.

To find out more about the Vocational Training Programs on offer at the College, please visit the College website. 

In a bustling day of innovation and empowerment, the Academy for Enterprising Girls (AEG) program took center stage during Week 11 last Term. Thanks to a recent grant, St Paul's was able to host this transformative initiative, marking a significant milestone in fostering entrepreneurial spirit among our female students and providing them with a taste of the world of business.

Over 60 girls from Year 8 to 10 participated, along with Mrs Dakin, Mrs Bush and Mrs Meehan. The AEG program set out to empower young minds to not only identify problems within their community but also to envision them as opportunities for innovative solutions. Throughout the day, participants engaged in activities aimed at reframing challenges through an entrepreneurial lens, paving the way for creative problem-solving.

Working collaboratively in teams, each group embarked on a journey of brainstorming, prototyping and refining their ideas. The result was a captivating array of enterprises addressing a diverse range of issues, from an aged care robot to a community bus project, the ingenuity displayed by our students was truly inspiring.

At the culmination of the program, each group proudly presented their innovative ventures to an enthusiastic audience. Among the standout projects were a water purification system, an animal protection website, and an initiative to provide SOS feminine hygiene products in schools. Additionally, the creativity extended to practical solutions such as a range of clothing available in all sizes for all body types and an all-weather rain-catching school seating design.

The AEG program not only showcased the potential of our students but also instilled in them a sense of confidence and purpose.

- Mrs Kerri Dakin

"The Academy of Enterprising girls was a fun, interactive program where we learnt about idea thinking and the process of turning an idea into a product. We were taught the difference between a charity, an enterprise and a business. In our small groups, we were given the opportunity to come up with our own problems that a specific community is facing and come up with a solution. We then turned those solutions into a charity, an enterprise or a business using critical thinking. After a few hours of making prototypes, posters, and websites, we pitched our products. It was an amazing experience and a great learning opportunity."

Annabelle and Grace - Year 8

St Paul's Year 12 student, Kurt Nemme, has been helping out the College ground maintenance team this year. Well done Kurt for your service to our College community!

Congratulations to Year 11 student, Brianna O' Donnell, who has been awarded the EJ Angus Encouragement Award for 2024 in recognition of her contribution to Roundup.

The Angus Youth National Roundup is an event that encourages, promotes and provides a learning platform for anyone aged between 8 and 25 years of age interested in the Australian beef cattle industry. This award is presented to a participant who exhibits a willingness to participate, who competes in a fair and equitable manner and is interested in contributing to the Angus Youth movement. Well done Brianna!

Congratulations to St Paul's students, Annelise Hodge, Holly Spokes, Briella Petterson, Audrey Collins and Molly Betts who performed in Sleeping Beauty by Dance Mid North Coast last month at the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie.

All students interested in singing for fun are invited to meet in ER 6 on Mondays at lunch time. For more information, please speak to Ms Swan or email donna.swan@lism.catholic.edu.au

All parents/carers and friends of the College are warmly invited to attend the P & F meeting on Monday 13 May at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church meeting room in South West Rocks at 5:30pm. Light refreshments will be provided.

Our first alumni spotlight is focused on Luke Adamson, currently working as a Body Guard/Security Contractor. Luke graduated from St Paul's in 1995 and his fondest memory of the College was the NRL training in the mornings with Mr Morrison. Thank you for sharing your story with us!

Our second alumni spotlight is focused on Jessica Henshaw, currently working as a Clinic Manager for Genea - Bella Vista and Orange. Jessica graduated from St Paul's in 2010 and has found her career in Nursing to be diverse and rewarding. Her fondest memories of the College include the longstanding friendships made. Thank you for sharing your story with us!

If you are a past student of St Paul's College or know someone who is, please fill in this short questionnaire or share this link. We would love to hear your post-school story!

Wednesday 13 November 2024
Please save the date if you have applied for a position at the College for Year 7 2025. This is a compulsory day for students who accept an offer of a position at St Paul's for Year 7 2025.

NSW Health School Vaccination Program 2024
Each year, St Paul's College provides the venue for NSW Health to conduct the NSW Schools Vaccination Program for our students.

Online consent for school vaccinations
If your child is in Year 7 or Year 10 this year, you can provide online consent for their routine school vaccinations.

⦁ 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.

Vaccination Program Dates for 2024:

Term 2 - Tuesday 4 June

⦁ Year 7 dTpa (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis) and HPV (Human papillomavirus)

Term 3 - Wednesday 21 August

⦁ Catch up clinic if required

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 ServiceNSW 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.

If you or someone you know are experiencing any issues that are causing distress, please contact the services below for further support options.

Family Connect Service
The Family Connect services at St Paul's offers support with ANY issues your children or family unit may be experiencing. The service assists to link families to the appropriate specialist services all while providing a confidential and safe space to work with you and advocate for your needs.

St Paul's Family Connect and Support Worker, Ashleigh Howe, works at the College on Mondays and Fridays. Ashleigh has a professional background in the Family Support, Specialist Domestic and Family Violence and Mental Health spaces, and has worked and supported the Macleay Valley community for over 10 years.

If you would like to talk or need advice or support, please contact Ashleigh via email ashleigh.howe@socialfutures.org.au or text/call her on 0448 526 777.

Parents/carers of senior students are invited to attend a webinar regarding Atomi.
Atomi is a platform the College has purchased to support senior students with their learning. The webinar will detail how parents/carers can support their child to achieve their best in their senior years.

Webinar - Enabling Academic Success for Your Child
Date: Tuesday 14 May at 5:30pm AEST
Register here.

Claire Johnson, Teacher and School Success Partner, will outline the basics of Atomi and share how you can effectively support your child in reaching their academic goals. The guest speaker, Jen Lees, Head Teacher - Instructional Leader, will give practical tips and tricks to help parents track their child's progress and facilitate their growth.

The webinar will cover:

• Introduction to Atomi
• How Atomi supports your child
• Practical tips and tricks to implement at home
• Finding more information and support
• Q&A with the speakers

Consent for Sharing Photos and Videos
Teaching young people about the importance of consent when sharing images is crucial in today's digital age. It's essential for them to understand that sharing someone else's images without their consent is not only disrespectful but also potentially harmful.

A good place to start is to discuss the concept of consent in general with your young person. Emphasise that it applies to all aspects of life, including digital interactions. Just as they need permission before entering another person's personal space, they also need consent before sharing someone else's image online. Encourage open and honest conversations about the potential consequences of sharing images without consent, including legal ramifications and damage to relationships. Emphasise the importance of respecting others' privacy and boundaries, both online and offline.

Provide practical tips for obtaining consent before sharing images, such as asking for permission directly from the person in the photo or video and respecting their decision if they decline. Remind them that it's always better to err on the side of caution and respect others' wishes regarding their personal information. You can also model respectful practices within your own family by asking your child’s permission before posting pictures of them online.

Important tips to discuss with your young person:

• Always ask before taking a photo or video.
• Always ask before sharing photos or videos of people.
• Always check and follow any special rules set by your school, sports team or other groups you’re involved with when using social media.
• If someone asks you to remove a photo or video of them, do it.
• Call out bullying or other abusive behaviour online. If you’ve seen someone post a photo or video to humiliate or make fun of another person, you can choose to support the person being bullied – this makes you an upstander.

Read more at eSafety Consent for sharing photos and videos

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.

Free parent/carer webinars available during Term 2:

eSafety 101: How eSafety Can Help
This webinar provides an overview of the eSafety Commissioner and supporting programs and resources for parents and carers, children and young people.
Suitable for parents and carers of children and young people in primary and secondary school.

• Thursday 6 June - 12:30 pm

Register here for eSafety 101

Wellbeing and Digital Technologies
An overview of strategies to protect, respond to and support your child online. This webinar will focus on the digital skills to protect and support young people’s mental health and wellbeing online. Suitable for parents and carers of young people in secondary school.

• Tuesday 4 June - 2:00 pm

Register here for Wellbeing and Digital Technologies

All parents/carers can access an online resource created by RealTalk Australia that provides a collection of comprehensive resources to support parents and caregivers to explore a diverse range of topics including:

• Puberty and personal development and identity
• Online safety
• Friendships
• Consent and respectful relationships
• Impacts of pornography

For more information about how to access this resource please follow the link. 

All parents are warmly invited to attend the upcoming Parent Assembly Conference to be held on Saturday 15 June at Opal Cove where we'll delve into the theme "Your Child Our Schools: Nurturing Hearts and Minds." Discover valuable insights and strategies to support your child's holistic development. Register soon at this link as places fill quickly.