Term 2 Week 6 - 7 June 2024
- Principal's Message
- Principal's Appraisal
- Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
- Mandatory Year 11 2025 Subject Selection Information Evening
- Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing
- Attendance Matters - Every Day at School Counts
- Catechesis
- Weekly Mass at the College
- Sport
- Pastoral Care
- Mufti Day - Thursday 13 June
- Canteen Changes
- Year 12 Geography Excursion
- Year 11 Chemistry Excursion
- Year 11 Human Services - Aged Care
- Student Focus - Shianne McKee
- Important Dates 2024
- Save the Date - Year 12 Group Photo
- Save the Date - Year 7 2025 Orientation Day
- Lego Donations
- NDIS - Preparing a Pathway to Employment Post School
- External Support Options for students and families
- Online Safety: Image-Based Abuse
- Newsletter Sponsors
It has been a tremendous few weeks for the College with students and staff working extremely well as they engage with assessment items and related marking to inform end of semester reports. It is hoped that students continue to apply themselves not only at school but also at home, sharing with family what they have been learning in the classroom and what assessment items need to be completed. A student's ability to demonstrate what they have learnt about and can do very much depends on the strong partnership that exists between the College and home.
Our College community would now be aware that we value regular school attendance. To this end we have presented to our students the expectation that with regular school attendance comes the opportunity to represent the College in extra-curricular experiences. It would be inappropriate for the College to permit a student to take further time out of learning when their attendance is already not high. Please note that it is understood that absences from school may be for a variety of reasons and if a student falls below a threshold required to attend a school representative activity, this can be discussed with the Pastoral team for further consideration. This again highlights the importance of a strong College/family partnership, with open channels of communication.
I thank our College community for allowing our staff to attend our PROCLAIM experience in Port Macquarie last week. We had over 640 staff from all Catholic schools in the region attend. Our theme ‘Hope for the Future’ provided us with the opportunity to hear from Dr Maeve Heaney from the Australian Catholic University and Roby Curtis, the Director of Emmanuel City Mission, Brisbane. They were engaging presenters and provided all those who attended the chance to consider the concept of Mission as it plays out in our relationships/lived experiences and in what we do as employees of a Catholic school.
Last week we recognised National Reconciliation Week which is seen as a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. I thank Mr Conrad Tamblyn for leading our staff in a prayerful reflection to recognise this important week. We most recently recognised National Sorry Day in the regional context of Kinchela Aboriginal Boys Training Home which was run by the NSW Government for almost 50 years from 1924-1970 to house Aboriginal boys removed from their families. May we continue to pray for all those who were impacted and continue to be impacted by this decision.
This week we welcome back Fr James from a well earned break and acknowledge Fr Jim who looked after us across this period. I attended a most successful Principal’s gathering in Port Macquarie this week and note that we should continue to be proud of all we are doing within our College. The engagement of the ‘Tell Them from Me Survey’ was extremely high and we are very keen on unpacking what our community wants us to know about their experiences of St Paul’s and how we can do things better.
I trust our families enjoy the long weekend and get the opportunity to ‘catch a collective breath’ that will get us all through the last few weeks of Term. Wishing you all special moments with family and friends.
Kind regards
Mr David JOHNS B.Ed., Cert. Gifted Ed., Grad. Cert. Adol. Health and Welfare, M.Ed. (Ed Lead), M.Ed. (Theol)
Principal
As previously advised to families by email on 14 May (copy below), please note that all parents/carers of students at the College have been sent an email by the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools (DLCS) with their individual invitation and link to complete the Principal's appraisal survey. The invitation email from DLCS was sent to parents on 17 May and a further follow up email was sent on 5 June. If you have not received these emails and/or are having any difficulties completing the survey please email Alys Farley alys.farley@lism.catholic.edu.au by 3pm Tuesday 9 June.
Dear Parents/carers
During Term 2 on Monday 17 June, the Principal of St Paul's College, Mr David Johns will be involved in a Principal appraisal process as part of his contract of employment. The appraisal process seeks information from a variety of people associated with the school and uses a number of tools to ensure effective consultation. The process aims to highlight the positive aspects of the leadership offered and identify areas for further development.
A timeline is currently being arranged to suit the needs of the school community. The appraisal will be conducted by an External Chair nominated by the Catholic Schools Office.
The full Principal appraisal process involves:
• a survey and self-appraisal statement completed by the Principal
• an interview with the Principal
• input as arranged with the Parish Priest
• surveys of parents, school staff and Catholic Schools Office personnel
• interviews with the College's Leadership Team
• interviews with a random selection of staff who request an interview with the Chair
• interviews with a random selection of parents/carers who request an interview with the Chair.
The preferred method of survey completion is by the online survey form. A link to this form will be forwarded to your email address. Please ensure your current email address is registered at the College as this survey link will be sent to you prior to the appraisal. Parents/carers may express their interest to be interviewed via this electronic form. Not all those who express an interest to be interviewed will be contacted. If not contacted, then parents/carers may wish to email their comments. Anonymous comments and emails will not be considered.
In writing the appraisal report, use of the information gathered will remain confidential and not identify sources. Every family in the school is encouraged to complete a survey.
Your support of the appraisal process is appreciated.
Yours faithfully
Mr Michael Mullaly
Chair
Year 7-10 Assessments
The Junior students have been completing assessments in many of their subjects this week and this will continue over the coming week. This will culminate in the academic reports being distributed to parents/carers via Compass at the end of the Term. Please encourage your children to work hard on these assessments and take pride in their learning.
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 go to Lochlan Irving and Phoebe Laws. 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. Please encourage your children to keep using this valuable resource.
Year 11 and 12 Assessment Schedules
This is a reminder about the upcoming assessment schedule. We ask parents to look at these schedules with their children and make sure this is a priority over the coming weeks. Please use your teachers for support.
Subject Selection - Year 10
This is a third reminder that Subject Selection evening will take place on Wednesday June 26 this Term. Please save the date! Further details have been communicated to all Year 10 students and families and a copy of this information is below.
This is a compulsory evening for all parents/carers of students who wish to continue their schooling at St Paul's into their HSC years (Year 11 2025). If you cannot make this date for any reason, please email me to let me know.
Student Equipment
Many teachers have expressed concern over some students arriving to class without the correct equipment. We would like to ask for your support to ensure students are coming to school equipped for their learning every day. We ask that all students bring a pencil case with the equipment listed below. This ensures they are in a position to be successful in their learning right from the start. Let’s work together to help them succeed!
Tell The From Me
Thank you to all of the parents/carers who completed the survey this year. We had an increase in parent engagement for which we are grateful. Over the coming weeks we will be feeding back to you regarding our findings and what we plan to do as a result. Watch this space!
Please reach out if you have any questions about the learning for your students.
Ms Kate Fullbrook - Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
The Year 11 2025 Subject Selection Information Night will be held on Wednesday 26 June at 4.30pm in the Edmund Rice Centre at the College. All prospective Year 11 2025 students and parents/carers must attend this important event.
If you have any queries please email Mrs Kate Fullbrook, Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching kate.fullbrook@lism.catholic.edu.au
Attendance Matters at St Paul’s College in 2024
The nature of schools allows for the collection of interesting and rich data which helps shape decision making for future improvements. At the conclusion of Term 1, a review was conducted of opportunities for students outside the classroom and in the fifty days of Term 1, seventy three such experiences were available to students. A number of sporting opportunities were provided to students including: Bill Turner Cup; CCC Touch Championships at Tuggerah; College, Diocesan and CCC Swimming Carnivals; selection opportunities to represent the Diocese of Lismore in netball, rugby league, soccer, touch football; NRL Refereeing Course; Rugby Union 10's Gala Day; RTS Surfing competition; and Junior and Senior Cross Country.
There were a number of excursions supporting the classroom experience, including: 12SLR Assessment at Kempsey Golf club; the 2024 Bravissimo Concert at Port Macquarie; the Sydney HSC CAPA and Science excursions; the CSU Explore Day at Port Macquarie; the St Paul's College senior student presentations to Kempsey Shire council; the Indigenous Youth Connecting to Culture gathering; Agriculture students participating at the Wauchope, Kempsey and Macksville shows; class visits to Hands and Hearts child care facility from HSC Early Childhood Care and Education students; the Shakespeare Drama Carnival; UNSW and University Regional Roadshows; the Academy of Enterprising Girls Program; Year 11 Geography fieldwork at Dorrigo and the YOU Choose - Road Safety for Year 12 students.
There have been a number of evangelisation opportunities provided for our students, including: 10CYM class supporting St Patrick’s Macksville and St Joseph’s Kempsey; Year 7 Gideon Bibles Presentation; LEAD at Grafton; Transitus Retreat; the Year 7 Belonging Day; the World Day Of Prayer at St Paul's College; the Karios senior retreat at Bonny Hills and the Vincent Court visits by Year 11 Catholic Faith in Action.
This is an impressive list of opportunities for students at St Paul’s outside of the classroom in a single Term, however students will not be invited to attend such activities if their attendance at school is not considered as being reasonable. If a student is unwell they should not attend the College and should remain at home to recover their health. Compass provides parents/carers with the ability to justify such absences.
If students present a record of unreasonable attendance, their parents/carers will be contacted and once the attendance pattern improves they are very welcome to attend opportunities outside of the classroom. This policy also applies to students who do not consistently attend important celebrations at the College and demonstrate a pattern of absence during the final weeks of Term. The expectation is that students should be attending school unless they are unwell. If you have any questions regarding these matters, you are very welcome to contact me at the College.
Mr Geoffrey Melville - Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing
Regular school attendance is a fundamental aspect of character development that prepares students for the responsibilities and commitments they will encounter in various facets of their lives. The habits formed through regular attendance contribute to the overall success and wellbeing of students in both their academic and future professional journeys.
If you are concerned about your child’s attendance please contact the College or seek advice from NSW ParentLine 1300 1300 52.
St Paul's Year 11 Catholic Faith in Action students made their final visit to Vincent Court Nursing Home on Wednesday 29 May. Over the course of the year, students, residents, staff and volunteers have developed strong connections and friendships through conversation, playing bingo, board games and billiards. Students also interviewed residents and wrote a biography of their lives.
During our latest visit, students and residents took the letters from one long word (anachronistic) and created as many unique words as possible from the letters. We were two words short of a century! The Catholic Faith in Action students are looking forward to their next outreach initiative, starting early in Term 3.
Mr Brendan Goswell - Leader of Catechesis
Staff, students and their families are cordially invited to attend the weekly Mass celebrated by Fr James Foster, Parish Priest in the College Chapel. Mass will be held every Tuesday at 8.30am during Term time.
Parking is available for parishioners and families during attendance at the Mass in the staff car park on Sea Street (please do not use the North Street car park at this time due to use by school buses).
For emergency evacuation purposes all attendees are requested to record their details using the sign in sheet provided at the Chapel. This information will not be kept after visitors have left the College site.
NSW All Schools Swimming
Keeley Smith, Cleo Schubert, Chelsea Stringer and Tessa Elsley attended the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships at Homebush, Sydney, on Thursday 30 May. The girls swam for St Paul’s College in the Intermediate Girls Relay’s and did so outstandingly.
In the 4x50 Freestyle, they placed 3rd overall - a fantastic result.
In the 4x50 Medley relay, they placed 4th overall, by .12 of a second.
Keeley Smith also had a number of individual swims and placed in many of them.
- U16 Girls 100m Breaststroke, 2nd
- U16 Girls 50m Breaststroke, 3rd
- U16 Girls 100m Butterfly, 3rd.
An outstanding achievement from all girls, but in particular to Keeley Smith who walked away with four medals at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships. Well done girls!
Keeley has qualified to compete at the National level in the School Sport Australia Swimming Championships at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre from 27 - 31 July in the 50m and 100m Breaststroke events. This is the highest school level of individual competition. Congratulations Keeley for this incredible achievement - we wish you the best of luck!
NSW CCC Cross Country Championships
The NSW CCC Cross Country Championships were held at the Sydney Equestrian centre on Wednesday 5 June. St Paul's students achieved some outstanding results including Amelia Wilson in 2nd, Wilton Townsend in 3rd, and Savannah Cronin in 5th. Flynn Tolman, Hamish Davies, Lani Gidzala and Chayse Trappel also competed, doing themselves and their families proud.
Congratulations to Amelia Wilson, Wilton Townsend and Savannah Cronin who will progress to the next level to compete at the NSW All Schools Cross Country Championships in Sydney on 24 July. Well done!
Basketball
St Paul's Year 8 students, Harrison Shore, Oliver Gill and Pierson Kemp will be competing in the Nunawading Spectres Basketball Tournament held in Melbourne over the long weekend. We wish you all the best of luck in your games!
Cochrane Cup NRL Gala Day
St Paul's U14 Boys Cochrane Cup team travelled to Port Macquarie on Thursday 6 June. The team's first game was against Mackillop College where the students showcased their skills and talents, and after a close comeback they unfortunately went down 26-20. The next game against St Joseph's Regional College was very tough, but the boys gave it their all. Some early injuries in the game made it a hard fight, but they did not make it easy for them to win. A massive thank you to Mr Will Pollock for coaching and travelling with the team. Congratulations to the boys for their performance and fantastic behaviour across the day.
Mr Heath Needs - Teacher and Sports Coordinator
St Paul's will be involved in a fundraising day, 'Pink Day', on Thursday 13 June to raise awareness and money to support Cancer in finding a cure and to support those with cancer. Students will be allowed to wear Mufti on the day in exchange for a Gold coin donation.
Parents/carers and students are reminded that all clothing worn on these days must be appropriate. Please read the ‘Dress for out of Uniform’ or ‘Mufti Days’ policy below.
Dress for 'Out Of Uniform' or 'Mufti' Days
Students have two choices on these days:
- They can wear appropriate non-uniform or mufti clothing aligned to the theme of the day OR
- They can wear their school uniform aligned in full to the College policy.
If a student arrives at school on one of these days in clothing deemed to be inappropriate by the College, parents/carers may be contacted and asked to collect the students in order to rectify the matter.
Out of Uniform/Mufti Clothing
- It is inappropriate for brief and revealing clothing to be worn to school. This includes low-cut, strapless, backless or midriff tops, mini-skirts and brief shorts.
- Parents/carers are also asked to consider the appropriateness of all writing and graphics on T-shirts.
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Due to WHS regulations, sandals, thongs and other similar footwear may not be worn. All students must wear either joggers or some other kind of enclosed footwear. If a student has a PE or Practical lesson then they must bring the correct shoes for that lesson, i.e. joggers for PE and school shoes for Practical lessons.
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Students, who have PE or Sport on these particular days, must bring their PE uniform with them to change into.
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Jewellery must align to school policy at all times even when wearing mufti clothing; this includes no nose studs and earrings, bracelets and necklaces as per school policy. The only exception is mufti-themed jewellery, however this will be at the discretion of the College to determine its appropriateness and a student may be required to remove jewellery that the College deems unsuitable.
- No hybrid or mixed versions of school uniform may be worn - students may either wear all non-uniform or they wear complete school uniform.
Clear Minds, Healthy Lives: Choose Vape Free
If you are concerned about your child’s vaping and suspect they may have a nicotine addiction, it’s important to have a conversation with your teen about their vaping – and it should be a conversation, not a lecture.
Here are some questions you might want to ask your teen about their vaping:
- Do you continue to vape even though you want to stop or think it’s hurting you in some way?
- Do you feel anxious or irritable when you want to use your vape but can’t?
- Do thoughts about vaping interrupt you when you are focused on other activities?
- Do you vape at school? How often?
- Have you ever tried to stop vaping but couldn’t?
- Do you feel like you have lost control over your vaping?
- Would you like my help to quit vaping?
The truth is, you can’t force your teen to quit vaping, but your influence can make a difference. The Support To Quit Vaping Guide below provides some tips that you and your teen may find helpful.
When your teen does decide to quit, you’ll need to provide support as they may deal with nicotine withdrawal symptoms, including; irritability, restlessness, headaches, sweating, sadness, anxiety, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, hunger, and cravings. You can help your teen manage these symptoms by encouraging him/her to drink plenty of water, get enough sleep, and eat healthy snacks. You can also discuss having a plan for managing cravings and dealing with situations that might trigger a desire to vape. Withdrawal symptoms can make it difficult to quit, but as your teen stays off nicotine, the symptoms will fade but they will need your help and support to do it.
Need advice?
Try your GP, headspace (1800 650 890), NSW Parent Line 1300 1300 52 or NSW Quitline 13 7848.
Ms Fiona Stuart - Leader of Pastoral Care
In support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation, St Paul's will be having a Mufti day on Thursday 13 June.
Students may wear pink clothing or ANY coloured wig (in accordance with the College Uniform Policy regarding Mufti days) for a gold coin donation. Delicious baked goods will be sold in front of the Edmund Rice Centre at recess to raise additional funds to support research focused on how to prevent, detect, treat and stop the progression and recurrence of breast cancer. Families are asked to please donate baked goods on the day.
- Flexischool's order cut off is 8.15am each day, we encourage families and students to order the night before.
- Over the counter orders for recess and lunch, before school, are still accepted. However, phone and over the counter orders after 9am will now only be offered a limited menu and payment must be made by card at the time of ordering.
- A new look Flexischools menu will be available soon including regular specials.
Ricki Saunders - Canteen Manager
St Paul's Year 12 Geography students travelled to Cassegrain Winery for their case study focused on Viticulture and Wine Making. The students were given a guided tour of the winery and Alex Cassegrain, Senior Winemaker, very generously spent time with the group explaining the process from grape to bottle. This experience was invaluable to the students and their HSC studies. We are very grateful to Alex from Cassegrain Wines for his time and sharing his wisdom. Thanks to Mr Peter Garty and Mrs Lesa Morrison for accompanying the students.
St Paul's Year 11 Chemistry class travelled to Singleton on Thursday to visit Dyno Nobel, a chemistry lab that researches and develops explosives. Students learned about the chemical processes involved, witnessed scientists at work in the lab and shared lunch with the staff. The excursion finished with a blast demonstration where students could safely see the impressive impact of a relatively small explosion on thick steel plates.
Thanks to Mr Brendan Goswell and Ms Bethany Rennes for accompanying the students.
St Paul's Year 11 Human Services - Aged Care students have been learning how to deliver individualised, person-centred care using the mannequin recently purchased by the College. The use of the mannequin helps students learn how to care for an adult person with chronic illnesses and injuries by facilitating simulation and scenario based training. It allows students to plan, perform tasks and assessments, and deliver care whilst being in a safe environment.
To find out more about Human Services - Aged Care and other Vocational Training Programs available at the College, please visit the College website.
Congratulations to Year 8 student, Shianne McKee, who has been achieving incredible results with her Langhans and Wyandotte Bantams in the Maitland Rare Poultry Breed Show, and the Kempsey and Wauchope Shows this year.
More recently, Shianne achieved junior champion for her Wyandotte Bantam in the Soft Feather Poultry Club's annual show held at Maitland Showground on Saturday 1 June. Well done Shianne!
Please be aware that Monday 10 June is the King's Birthday Public Holiday and the College will be closed.
The Year 12 group photo will be taken on Wednesday 14 August. All Year 12 students are required to wear full academic uniform including ties and meet the presentation expectations of the College.
Please refer to the College Uniform and Presentation Policy for information regarding uniform expectations.
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.
St Joseph's Primary will be running a Lego Masters competition and welcome all donations of unused Lego. Please call St Joseph's on 6562 5501 or drop off any donations to the St Joseph's Primary Office.
The NDIA would like to invite students with a disability in Year 9-12 and their parents/carers to attend a virtual information session about building skills and paving a pathway to post school life.
The session will include a discussion on the range of NDIS-funded supports and other assistance available to help young people build skills to prepare for their transition, and support them in achieving employment and other goals.
Please follow the link here to register or download the PDF flyer below.
Further sessions will be made available, please visit the NDIS events page for more information.
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.
If someone distributes a nude image or video of your young person online, it constitutes image-based abuse, and it is against the law. When teenagers under 18 take nude photographs or videos of themselves, this material is classified as child pornography. Under federal law, it’s an offence for anyone to access, transmit, possess, publish, control, supply or obtain child pornography.
When young people talk about ‘sending nudes’, it usually means sharing intimate photos or videos of themselves with someone else using an online message or chat function, or a phone text service. 'Sexting’ means sending a sexual message or text, with or without a photo or video. ‘Intimate images’ include nudes, partial nudes, fake nudes, naked selfies and upskirting, as well as screenshots or screen recordings of private activity like having sex or going to the toilet.
Conversations to have with your young person:
- Where to start the conversation? Conversation about these topics must be grounded in your family's beliefs and values. Make sure you have early, regular and protective conversations with your young person about the values you have as a family regarding respect and care for others and the dignity of each human person.
- Open the conversation with a real-life story from the media. Ask questions like ‘Do you think it was right for them to share that photo after they broke up?’ Follow up by asking ‘Why?’, ‘Why not?’ or ‘Tell me more’ to help you understand more about what they’re thinking.
- Explore what their friends think about sharing nudes. Ask your young person what they think might happen if one of their friend’s nudes went viral and how they would get help.
- Discuss with them how to say ‘no’ when someone asks for an intimate image or video. You can encourage them to be firm by suggesting a response such as: "Sorry, but that's not my vibe. I'm all about respecting myself. Let's stick to chatting about things that actually matter."
- What if you discover your young person is asking a peer for images? There are a number of reasons why a young person might request images but the overwhelming reason they do it is peer pressure. It is important that you have conversations with your young person about what is a healthy relationship, how to show respect and affection for others appropriately and seek external support if required.
- Tell them they can always talk with you, no matter how worried or embarrassed they feel. Let them know that you will help them work things out if they feel pressured to share an intimate image or video of themselves or if they have shared an intimate image or video of someone else.
Read more at eSafety The hard-to-have conversations. If you have any concerns about your young person please contact the College. It is important for the College to know any wellbeing issues that may impact on learning and behaviour at school.