In this issue

From the Head of Traralgon Secondary School,
Mr Stephen Klemke.

International Tours
Our welcome back assembly highlighted the combined campus tours to Japan and East Timor that occurred over the holiday period.  Callum Guy spoke about the Japan Study Tour and Isabella Watts about the East Timor Tour.  Both mentioned how enjoyable the experience was and encouraged other students to consider taking up such opportunities when they present.  I was moved by Isabella’s account of the joy that was generated simply by giving the East Timorese students an English Dictionary.  “Their reaction was like our students receiving an iPhone.”  Isabella also noted that despite the impoverished community, they seemed happier.  The comment gave many of us pause to reflect.

Students enjoy a traditional Japanese meal, Japan Study Tour.

East Timorese students with their dictionaries, East Timor Tour.

Thank you FOSP
At 7:00 am on the last day of term, before dawn, FOSP members gathered to organise the egg and bacon breakfast of which over eighty students and staff took advantage.  Thank you to Myra Krafft for leading and organising the event, to Lynnie Ellen and Richard O’Brien for their time helping cook and serve, and to Edi Murat for helping with the hot chocolates.  What a wonderful morning!

Then last Wednesday FOSP members were there again, cooking a BBQ for our Year 9 students before they joined in with the Junior School to assist with tree planting in our wetlands.  Thank to Myra Krafft, Jo Loeschenkohl, Janelle Szkwarek, Sue Magee, Tanya Rong, Edi Murat, Lisa Vroegop, and Lynnie Ellen.  FOSP do so much for our campus, it is easy to take for granted, so humble and giving they be.  Thank you!

The Krafft-Murat family setting up the egg and bacon breakfast.

Headspace Presentation
Thank you to the families that were able to attend last Monday’s Headspace presentation.  I hope you were able to find value in the presentation.  For those who are interested, the PowerPoint presentation can be found on MyStPauls at the following location,  https://my.stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/homepage/13368 or Student Welfare Information page: ‘Headspace Parent Presentation T3 St Pauls 2019’ (under the ‘Parent Resources’ menu).

Stephen Klemke
Head of Traralgon Secondary School

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION to parent/guardian for Census and NCCD collection

Please read the attached document at the end of this issue of the Grammarian regarding the collection of school information by the Australian Government or follow this link,  https://docs.education.gov.au/documents/nationally-consistent-collection-data-school-students-disability-public-information-notice

WHAT’S ON IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

JULY
22 July  Parent Information Session – Headspace: Adolescent Mental Health, 7:00 pm
24 July to Friday 26 July  Year 10 Conference Camp
25 July  SEISA Cross Country
26 July  Gymnastics Training, 7:00 am to 8:00 am
St James Community Lunch Excursion
30 July  Year 9 JobSkills Expo
Senior Years’ Information Evening, Warragul Secondary School, 7:00 pm

AUGUST
1 August  SEISA Winter Sport, Intermediate/Senior, Round 1
2 August  Gymnastics Training, 7:00 am to 8:00 am
Year 7 Friendship Morning, 9:00 am
6 August  Gymnastics Training, 7:00 am to 8:00 am
SEISA Dance and Theatre Sports
7 August  Year 10 to Year 11 2020 Course Counselling, 1:30 pm
Traralgon Secondary School, Year 10 2020 Information Evening, 7:00 pm
8 August  SEISA Winter Sport, Intermediate/Senior, Round 2
DAV Debating, 3:00 pm
9 August  Gymnastics Training, 7:00 am to 8:00 am
12 August  Year 9 to Year 10 Course 2020 Counselling, 1:00 pm
Year 9 2020 Information Evening, 7:00 pm
13 and 14 August  Interschool Gymnastics Competition
13 August  Project Rock IT: Digital Ambassadors Event, 9:15 am
14 to 19 August  Hinode Visit
14 August  Years 8, 9 and 10 Subject Selections Due
15 August  SEISA Winter Sport, Intermediate/Senior, Round 3
16 August  Gymnastics Training, 7:00 am to 8:00 am
21 to 25 August  Snow Sports Camp
22 August  SEISA Winter Sport, Intermediate/Senior, Round 4, Bye
Vicspell, 11:00 am
23 August  Gymnastics Training, 7:00 am to 8:00 am
St James Community Lunch Excursion
26 August  Courage to Care, Drouin
Complete Works Incursion, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Year 9, 1:50 pm
27 August  Parent Student Teacher Interviews, 4:00 pm
29 August  SEISA Winter Sport, Intermediate/Senior, Round 5
30 August  Gymnastics Training, 7:00 am to 8:00 am

JAPAN STUDY TOUR

Sugoiii!  (awesome/cool).  This frequent statement was made by the nineteen Japan Study Tour students and three staff as they travelled from Tokyo down to Fukuoka in June this winter break.  Our seventeen-day study tour of Japan began with a walk around Tokyo Tower before going to one of Tokyo’s most famous Buddhist Temples to watch the Eco Light Saving night.  We watched as the power was cut from Tokyo Tower and lanterns were lit in its place, a perfect welcome to our stay in Japan.

Students loved visiting Disneyland, were amazed at Borderless the Digital Art Light Show, meeting Asimo the robot who danced and hopped at Miraikan, seeing the questionable fashion at Harajuku, exploring the electric city Akihabara, seeing two traditional weddings at Meiji Jingu Shrine and discovering more artworks by Hayao Miyazaki at Ghibli Museum.

Nerves were high when our ties with our sister school Hinode Gakuen were further strengthened as students spent five nights with their host families.  Their panic was soon forgotten as St Paul’s students discovered how welcoming and lovely their Japanese counterparts were at taking them in and showing them around Japan.  Students experienced the day to day school life of the Japanese, and they were all thankful for the break when Sunday came.  Some students even went to Japanese bathing houses known as an Onsen, which was a unique experience.  The tears were testament to how much this part of the trip meant to the students from both St Paul’s and Hinode and it continues to be revered as the best part of the tour.

We boarded our first shinkansen and travelled to Kyoto and saw the Golden Pavillion, the Zen Gardens, the one thousand and two statues, a castle owned by the Shogunate and the famous Kiyomizudera temple overlooking Kyoto City.  Students loved the peaceful walk through the many vermillion coloured torii gates and the shrines along the way that led their way to the summit of Mt Inari to see another spectacular view of Kyoto.

Many loved the chance to stay on Miyajima Island and sleep on futon beds on tatami mats in a traditional hotel.  We all loved the opportunity to dress in Yukatas and eat a very traditional Japanese dinner together as a group as well.   Some were surprised with how friendly the deer on this island were, as they would boldly rummage through your bags if you gave them the chance.

We were fortunate enough to catch the ‘Hello Kitty’ themed shinkansen down to Hiroshima and many took advantage of the carriage specifically designed for ‘Hello Kitty’ fans to play in.  We saw the world heritage listed castle Himeji Castle and we also went to the Hiroshima Peace Museum.  The peace museum was certainly seen as one of the most important places that students went to in Japan as a greater perspective was gained on what really happened after the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima.

The remainder of the trip went faster than a typhoon and before we knew it we had visited Chikushi Jo-Gakuen our second sister school, enjoyed the beautiful singing of the choir and their amazing dances, prayed at Dazaifu Temple which is popular amongst students as it supposedly offers good luck with their studies, sung (screamed) karaoke, enjoyed eating okonomiyaki (which was certainly a favourite amongst the students) and shopped a little for Japanese souvenirs to keep as memories and give to family.

Without a doubt this trip has given everyone a chance to reflect on our own culture, Japanese culture and how much we value both.  It was such a memorable and worthwhile trip that we all agree we want to go back to Japan again someday soon.

Rebecca Crossley
Head of Japanese

Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Disneyland.

Asakusa Shrine.

2019 EAST TIMOR TRIP

Ten students from Years 10 and 11 from both the Traralgon and Warragul Campuses were selected to partake in a trip to East Timor, which ran during the first week of the June school holidays.

Our trip to Timor-Leste is one that will be forever remembered and loved by everyone who was lucky enough to experience it.  The trip began in Dili, the capital of Timor, which is full of vibrant culture and cheerful people.  Whilst in Dili, we visited the Australian Embassy where we were educated on the work the Australian Government does in Timor and where we told them about our school’s fundraising and trips to the Ermera District.  We also visited the Tais Market, where Timorese people sell beautifully woven goods and the Dili Plaza a ‘big’ building which is very new and exciting to the residents of Dili.

We drove into the picturesque Ermera District, where we spent the majority of our time staying in the mountainous towns of Gleno, Ermera Villa and Malabe.  Whilst in the area we visited many schools and English language centres, where we were welcomed warmly and enjoyed interacting with the Timorese students who were all very keen to learn.  A highlight of the trip was the day we spent at the pre-secondary school in the village called Ponilala.  St Paul’s is currently fundraising to build new classrooms at this isolated school and we were honoured to attend the ‘laying of the first stone ceremony’ where the local priest blessed the land at the site of the new building.

We spent our second-last night in the town of Balibo, near the Indonesian border.  Like everywhere in Timor, this town is historically important in relation to the Indonesian invasion and occupation and it is where five Australian journalists (The Balibo Five) were brutally murdered when trying to broadcast the beginning of the invasion in 1975.  This was a very emotional place to visit and made the history we had learnt prior to our trip, live.

That sadly left us with only one night left which we spent in back in Dili.  We went to the site of the Santa Cruz massacre, a place where we were able to reflect on the atrocities the Timorese people have unfairly suffered during the late 1990s.  Experiencing this culture first hand, which is so different from our own, was eye opening and has been a life-changing experience for all of us.  We are all very appreciative of the education and privilege we receive and look forward to doing more for the people of East Timor in the future.

Carissa Hughes
Team Timor

Students clustered in front a magnificent waterfall in the village Atsabe.

A special dinner with our drivers at Balibo overlooking the sea.

A special welcome to Ponilala.

Carissa playing with young children in Malabe.

St Paul’s students teaching a Year 6 class.

Students having morning tea with Manuel and his wife, Domingus in Malimea.

BOHO FRIDAY THANK YOU

Students celebrated the last day of semester and raised much needed funds for East Timor during Boho Friday.  This day has become much loved by students who enjoy the chance to get creative with henna tattoos, nail art and fabulous hair styles, whilst also being able to purchase fair trade goods from our East Timor stall.  This year it was even more important, as we are raising funds to build new school rooms for Ponilala Village school and ten St Paul’s students were able to visit the school in the holidays.  Team Timor would like to say a huge thank you to all students from both Secondary and Junior Schools who participated this year.

Kirsten Enders
Team Timor

Kaja and Sienna enjoy Isabella and Sophie’s henna artistry.

Molly and Amity style Chloe and Aeva’s hair.

Sarah, Charlotte and Gracie go shopping.

FINANCE REPORT

Fee Payments

A reminder for families paying tuition fees in four instalments:
Instalment four is due on Friday 16 August 2019
Please refer to your original fee statement issued in January for payment details or call Mr Peter Lees on 5623 5833 or email accountsreceivable@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

From the Head of Warragul Junior School,
Mr Rowan van Raay.

I am happy to report that the start of Term 3 has been a relatively smooth one with students settling back into routine well.  We welcome Tina Xuan and her family to St Paul’s.  Tina joins us in Year 2C.

It is wonderful to see our ELC students playing in their new play area.  Well done to our Preps who went on their STEM excursion to see ‘Toy Story 4’ as part of their ‘Toys’ unit of work.  They had a great time and enjoyed going to the movies (and on a big bus!) together.  Our Year 3s have begun their Kitchen Garden program while our Year 5 Rock and Water program is in full swing.  Year 6F have begun their community service sessions at Amberlea Aged Care, Fairview Village and Lyrebird Village.  Most classes (including some of or Pre-Preps) were involved in National Tree Planting Day today and in partnership with the Baw Baw Shire, planted trees in Brooker Park.  Many incursions and excursions have been planned as the students delve into their units of study.  Should parents feel they have something to offer in terms of expertise or knowledge, I encourage you to contact the relevant year level teachers to discuss further.

For parents who were unable to make it to the Headspace Parent Presentation session last Wednesday evening and would like access to the information provided, a Headspace PowerPoint presentation for parents can be found on MyStPauls at the following location:  https://my.stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/homepage/13368 or Student Welfare Information page: ‘Headspace Parent Presentation T3 St Pauls 2019’ (under the ‘Parent Resources’ menu).

Congratulations to Bill De Araugo (Year 5) who represented St Paul’s at the State Cross-Country Championships recently.  This is a wonderful achievement, well done Bill.  We also congratulate our Football team who made it through to the Regional stage.  They played four games on Wednesday winning three of them and should be congratulated for the way they played.  Well done to Coach Rapinett, Mr Boraston and the parents who attended to support the team.

Last week our Year 4s spent three days at the Phillip Island Adventure Camp.  We arrived at camp and participated in a range of activities which included; archery, giant swing, mini Olympics, flying fox, photo hunt, low ropes, beachcombing and games on Smiths Beach.  On night one students participated in some drama items and then had a mini disco.  Night two was full of fun trivia and problem solving games and activities.  My thanks to Miss Begg for leading the camp and to Mrs Blanchard, Mrs Smethurst, Mr Boraston and Miss Montgomery who also attended.  It was an enjoyable camp, the weather was very kind and I was really proud of all of our Year 4 students for the way they conducted themselves throughout the camp.

Our Book Fair is in full swing and is open in the Library before school (8:30 am to 8:50 am), recess, lunch and after school (3:20 pm to 4:00 pm) until next Friday.  Our thanks to Mrs Davies for organising and running the book fair this year for us.  Please feel free to pop in to see the wonderful books on offer.

We have many ways of communicating with families.  Could I please encourage parents to continue to check their emails, MyStPauls app, newsletters, pink slip, Year Level pages on MyStPauls and their child’s school diary for information, to ensure everyone keeps up-to-date with school information.   A reminder that we would like to have updated emergency contact details returned to the office.

Rowan van Raay
Head of Warragul Junior School

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION to parent/guardian for Census and NCCD collection

Please read the attached document at the end of this issue of the Grammarian regarding the collection of school information by the Australian Government or follow this link,  https://docs.education.gov.au/documents/nationally-consistent-collection-data-school-students-disability-public-information-notice

WHAT’S ON IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

JULY
25 July  Book Fair Begins
26 July  Tree Planting Day
30 July  Year 5 Excursion to Warragul Historical Museum
Year 6F Community Service
31 July  Opening of New ELC Grounds, 11:00 am
FOSTA Meeting, Junior School Staffroom, (toddlers welcome) 2:20 pm

AUGUST
1 August  Australian Maths Competition (selected students only)
2 August  Book Fair Ends
5 August  Year 5 Excursion to Cranbourne Botanical Gardens
6 August  Year 6F Community Service
7 to 9 August  Ski Camp, Mt Buller
8 August  Prep 100 Days at School
Years 3 and 4 Soirée, Prideaux Centre
12 August  Years 3 and 4 Hoop Time
13 August  Year 6F Community Service
20 August  Year 6F Community Service
23 August  Year 7 2020 Friendship Morning
24 August  Tournament Of Minds
28 August  Public Speaking Competition
Parent Teacher Interviews, 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
29 August  Parent Teacher Interviews, 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm
30 August  Father’s Day Stall
RoboCup Victorian State Competition, Melbourne Showgrounds

SEPTEMBER
3 September  Years 5 and 6 Hoop Time
4 September  Division Athletics, Joe Carmody Track, Newborough
10 September  Musical Dress Rehearsals (all day)
12 September  2019 Junior School Musical, ‘Pinocchio’, Show 1 6:00 pm, Show 2 8:00 pm
20 September  End of Term 3, 2:20pm FINISH

JAPAN STUDY TOUR

Sugoiii!  (awesome/cool).  This frequent statement was made by the nineteen Japan Study Tour students and three staff as they travelled from Tokyo down to Fukuoka in June this winter break.  Our seventeen-day study tour of Japan began with a walk around Tokyo Tower before going to one of Tokyo’s most famous Buddhist Temples to watch the Eco Light Saving night.  We watched as the power was cut from Tokyo Tower and lanterns were lit in its place, a perfect welcome to our stay in Japan.

Students loved visiting Disneyland, were amazed at Borderless the Digital Art Light Show, meeting Asimo the robot who danced and hopped at Miraikan, seeing the questionable fashion at Harajuku, exploring the electric city Akihabara, seeing two traditional weddings at Meiji Jingu Shrine and discovering more artworks by Hayao Miyazaki at Ghibli Museum.

Nerves were high when our ties with our sister school Hinode Gakuen were further strengthened as students spent five nights with their host families.  Their panic was soon forgotten as St Paul’s students discovered how welcoming and lovely their Japanese counterparts were at taking them in and showing them around Japan.  Students experienced the day to day school life of the Japanese, and they were all thankful for the break when Sunday came.  Some students even went to Japanese bathing houses known as an Onsen, which was a unique experience.  The tears were testament to how much this part of the trip meant to the students from both St Paul’s and Hinode and it continues to be revered as the best part of the tour.

We boarded our first shinkansen and travelled to Kyoto and saw the Golden Pavillion, the Zen Gardens, the one thousand and two statues, a castle owned by the Shogunate and the famous Kiyomizudera temple overlooking Kyoto City.  Students loved the peaceful walk through the many vermillion coloured torii gates and the shrines along the way that led their way to the summit of Mt Inari to see another spectacular view of Kyoto.

Many loved the chance to stay on Miyajima Island and sleep on futon beds on tatami mats in a traditional hotel.  We all loved the opportunity to dress in Yukatas and eat a very traditional Japanese dinner together as a group as well.   Some were surprised with how friendly the deer on this island were, as they would boldly rummage through your bags if you gave them the chance.

We were fortunate enough to catch the ‘Hello Kitty’ themed shinkansen down to Hiroshima and many took advantage of the carriage specifically designed for ‘Hello Kitty’ fans to play in.  We saw the world heritage listed castle Himeji Castle and we also went to the Hiroshima Peace Museum.  The peace museum was certainly seen as one of the most important places that students went to in Japan as a greater perspective was gained on what really happened after the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima.

The remainder of the trip went faster than a typhoon and before we knew it we had visited Chikushi Jo-Gakuen our second sister school, enjoyed the beautiful singing of the choir and their amazing dances, prayed at Dazaifu Temple which is popular amongst students as it supposedly offers good luck with their studies, sung (screamed) karaoke, enjoyed eating okonomiyaki (which was certainly a favourite amongst the students) and shopped a little for Japanese souvenirs to keep as memories and give to family.

Without a doubt this trip has given everyone a chance to reflect on our own culture, Japanese culture and how much we value both.  It was such a memorable and worthwhile trip that we all agree we want to go back to Japan again someday soon.

Rebecca Crossley
Head of Japanese

Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Disneyland.

Asakusa Shrine.

FINANCE REPORT

Fee Payments

A reminder for families paying tuition fees in four instalments:
Instalment four is due on Friday 16 August 2019
Please refer to your original fee statement issued in January for payment details or call Mr Peter Lees on 5623 5833 or email accountsreceivable@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

ST PAUL’S PARENT PRAYER GROUP

If you are interested in getting together with other parents of the School to pray, you are most welcome to join the following two prayer groups:
First Monday of the month, 9:00 am Prideaux Centre, Warragul Junior School.  Next gathering Monday 5 August.
Contact: Sheryn Cutler 0417 158 937
Fridays Fortnightly, 9:15 am, Jenny Charles’ home
Contact: Jenny Charles 0402 249 036

“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank Him for all that He has done.” Philippians 4:6

From the Head of Warragul Secondary School,
Ms Laura Butterworth.

Term 3 has begun well at St Paul’s and students and staff are back into the routine of school life.  This is a busy term and I really encourage families to check the ‘What’s On’ dates or MyStPauls calendar regularly so you do not miss any of the important information evenings and events.  Last week we held one of our regular Warragul Secondary assemblies in the gym.  These assemblies form an important part of our Pastoral Program where we hear from students about various activities they have been involved in, celebrate student and school success, sing hymns and also disseminate information when needed.  Our Prefects run these assemblies and during each assembly a Prefect also delivers a keynote speech known as ‘The Prefect Address’.  It is an opportunity for each Prefect to demonstrate their leadership, speak publicly and to do so on a topic that they are passionate about.  They are always inspiring, often witty and always leave me very proud of the future community leaders that we are nurturing.  In today’s Grammarian we are publishing Prefect Sam Schreyer’s address from last week based on the theme ‘Perseverance’.  As the semester continues I will include others for you to read and enjoy.

Headspace Parent Session 
On Wednesday 17 July 2019 we were pleased to welcome Headspace to St Paul’s to run a parent session for our community.  Thank you to those parents who were able to attend and especially those who shared their stories and asked valuable questions.  The presenters have kindly provided the school with their PowerPoint slides, so all parents can access them.  If you would like to do so you will find them on MyStPauls on the Student Welfare Information page, under the Parent Resources menu, the file is called ‘Headspace Parent Presentation T3 St Paul’s 2019’ alternatively you can follow this link, https://my.stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/homepage/13368

Senior Years’ Information Evening – Years 10, 11 and 12
This event was advertised in the previous edition of the Grammarian but I just wanted to remind our families that our Senior Years’ Information Evening will involve current Years 9, 10 and 11 students.  This is a change to previous years where a separate night has been held for our Year 9 students transitioning to Year 10.  A small number of our Year 10 students may request to study a VCE subject early in Year 10 and may be eligible to do so (this is not necessarily recommended and strict criteria apply) but in order for all students to make informed choices and plan ahead then it is necessary that all parents of current Years 9, 10 and 11 students have access to teaching staff to discuss their options.  This evening will provide this opportunity and an information session will be held for each year level as well.  This event will be held on Tuesday 30 July upstairs in the Year 9 Centre.
• 2020 Year 10 starting at 7:00 pm
• 2020 Year 11 starting at 7:40 pm
• 2020 Year 12 starting at 8:15 pm
Each faculty will be represented by staff and a display located on the lower level of the Year 9 Centre and on both levels of the John McIntyre Centre.  The program for the evening was emailed to families yesterday and hard copies will be available on the night.  A reminder that all students attending information evenings and other evening events, such as Parent Teacher Student Interviews (PSTI), must do so in full school uniform including blazer. We appreciate our families support in reminding their students of this requirement.

Sam Schreyer’s Prefect Address
“There comes a point in everyone’s life where you hit a brick wall.  Maybe it’s a test that you failed, or a sporting team that you did not make it into, or a performance that you completely messed up.  Or maybe it’s something bigger.  Perhaps it just has not been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.  Whatever the case may be, it’s the truth that we all have moments in which we experience failure, where it seems as though you just cannot pull through.

However, you only really fail when you give up.  Because if you keep going through every challenge, even if you fail every time, you always get another chance to try again.  If you give up, however, you lose any chance of achieving your goal.

Take, for example, the story of Thomas Edison.  Edison was described as being mentally deficient by his school teacher at the age of seven and was understandably upset.  Yet he went on to collect a record one thousand and ninety three patents, becoming known as one of the most famous inventors in all of history, best known for his instrumental role in the creation of the electric lightbulb.

Edison’s story is one that sheds light on an important lesson.  It doesn’t matter what other people think of your abilities or intelligence.  All that matters is that you have a desire to never let failure get the best of you.  If you do that, then you may just have your very own ‘lightbulb’ moment.

This is only one example, however.  Another is the tale of Walt Disney, who was fired from one of his first jobs because the editor felt that he “lacked imagination”.  Well, we all know how that story turned out.  Or what about Stephen King, who received sixty rejections before publishing his first short story.  What about Roger Federer, who recovered from a long stretch of winless tournaments, as well as knee surgery, to win the Australian Open in 2017?

The world is filled with countless success stories of people who persevered through adversity and achieved their goals.  You can choose to be one of them, or you can choose to let challenges and failure get the better of you.  And while everyone one of us will walk a different path in life, we can all achieve truly remarkable things if we are not willing to give up.

I would like to finish this speech with a particularly excellent joke.  “Why do people go to bed? Because the bed won’t come to them.”  The same is, of course, true of your dreams.  So if there is something that you want to do, something that seems insurmountable or unattainable, I encourage you to chase after it despite any failures that you encounter.  Because rather like the satisfaction of climbing into bed after a long day of work and study, achieving your goals will be worth all of the difficulties that you overcame on the way.  And also like your bed, your dreams won’t come to you, so be brave and persevere through your failures.  Because each one, no matter how big, is only a hurdle on the path to achieving your goals.”

Ms Laura Butterworth
Head of Warragul Secondary School

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION to parent/guardian for Census and NCCD collection

Please read the attached document at the end of this issue of the Grammarian regarding the collection of school information by the Australian Government or follow this link,  https://docs.education.gov.au/documents/nationally-consistent-collection-data-school-students-disability-public-information-notice

WHAT’S ON IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

JULY
26 July  Senior Formal, Premiere Function Centre, Traralgon, 7:00 pm
30 July  Baw Baw JobSkills Expo, Lardner Park, 9:00 am to 11:50 am
Senior Years’ Information Evening, Year 9 Centre and John McIntyre Centre, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
31 July  Combined Anglican Schools Service (selected Years 9 to 12 students), St Paul’s Cathedral, 8:50 am to 5:30 pm
Studio Concert, 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm

AUGUST
1 August  SEISA Winter Sport, Intermediate/Senior, Round 1
Australian Mathematics Competition (Years 7 to 11), 9:00 am to 10:45 am
Australian Mathematics Competition (Year 12), 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
1 and 2 August  West Gippsland Performing Arts Competition
2 August  Year 9 Grandparents and Special Persons Day, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Team Timor Movie Night, Year 12 Common Room, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
3 August  HPV Twelve Hour Casey Event, Casey Fields, Cranbourne East, 6:30 am to 11:00 pm
5 August  Year 11 into Year 12 2020 Course Counselling
6 August  SEISA Dance and Theatre Sports, Beaconhills, Pakenham
Year 10 into Year 11 2020 Course Counselling
8 August  SEISA Winter Sport, Intermediate/Senior, Round 2
DAV Debating, St Margaret’s School, Berwick, 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm
9 August  SRC Casual Clothes Day: Harry Potter Theme
Years 11 and 12 2020 Subject Selections due, 4:00 pm

JAPAN STUDY TOUR

Sugoiii!  (awesome/cool).  This frequent statement was made by the nineteen Japan Study Tour students and three staff as they travelled from Tokyo down to Fukuoka in June this winter break.  Our seventeen-day study tour of Japan began with a walk around Tokyo Tower before going to one of Tokyo’s most famous Buddhist Temples to watch the Eco Light Saving night.  We watched as the power was cut from Tokyo Tower and lanterns were lit in its place, a perfect welcome to our stay in Japan.

Students loved visiting Disneyland, were amazed at Borderless the Digital Art Light Show, meeting Asimo the robot who danced and hopped at Miraikan, seeing the questionable fashion at Harajuku, exploring the electric city Akihabara, seeing two traditional weddings at Meiji Jingu Shrine and discovering more artworks by Hayao Miyazaki at Ghibli Museum.

Nerves were high when our ties with our sister school Hinode Gakuen were further strengthened as students spent five nights with their host families.  Their panic was soon forgotten as St Paul’s students discovered how welcoming and lovely their Japanese counterparts were at taking them in and showing them around Japan.  Students experienced the day to day school life of the Japanese, and they were all thankful for the break when Sunday came.  Some students even went to Japanese bathing houses known as an Onsen, which was a unique experience.  The tears were testament to how much this part of the trip meant to the students from both St Paul’s and Hinode and it continues to be revered as the best part of the tour.

We boarded our first shinkansen and travelled to Kyoto and saw the Golden Pavillion, the Zen Gardens, the one thousand and two statues, a castle owned by the Shogunate and the famous Kiyomizudera temple overlooking Kyoto City.  Students loved the peaceful walk through the many vermillion coloured torii gates and the shrines along the way that led their way to the summit of Mt Inari to see another spectacular view of Kyoto.

Many loved the chance to stay on Miyajima Island and sleep on futon beds on tatami mats in a traditional hotel.  We all loved the opportunity to dress in Yukatas and eat a very traditional Japanese dinner together as a group as well.   Some were surprised with how friendly the deer on this island were, as they would boldly rummage through your bags if you gave them the chance.

We were fortunate enough to catch the ‘Hello Kitty’ themed shinkansen down to Hiroshima and many took advantage of the carriage specifically designed for ‘Hello Kitty’ fans to play in.  We saw the world heritage listed castle Himeji Castle and we also went to the Hiroshima Peace Museum.  The peace museum was certainly seen as one of the most important places that students went to in Japan as a greater perspective was gained on what really happened after the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima.

The remainder of the trip went faster than a typhoon and before we knew it we had visited Chikushi Jo-Gakuen our second sister school, enjoyed the beautiful singing of the choir and their amazing dances, prayed at Dazaifu Temple which is popular amongst students as it supposedly offers good luck with their studies, sung (screamed) karaoke, enjoyed eating okonomiyaki (which was certainly a favourite amongst the students) and shopped a little for Japanese souvenirs to keep as memories and give to family.

Without a doubt this trip has given everyone a chance to reflect on our own culture, Japanese culture and how much we value both.  It was such a memorable and worthwhile trip that we all agree we want to go back to Japan again someday soon.

Rebecca Crossley
Head of Japanese

Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Disneyland.

Asakusa Shrine.

2019 EAST TIMOR TRIP

Ten students from Years 10 and 11 from both the Traralgon and Warragul Campuses were selected to partake in a trip to East Timor, which ran during the first week of the June school holidays.

Our trip to Timor-Leste is one that will be forever remembered and loved by everyone who was lucky enough to experience it.  The trip began in Dili, the capital of Timor, which is full of vibrant culture and cheerful people.  Whilst in Dili, we visited the Australian Embassy where we were educated on the work the Australian Government does in Timor and where we told them about our school’s fundraising and trips to the Ermera District.  We also visited the Tais Market, where Timorese people sell beautifully woven goods and the Dili Plaza a ‘big’ building which is very new and exciting to the residents of Dili.

We drove into the picturesque Ermera District, where we spent the majority of our time staying in the mountainous towns of Gleno, Ermera Villa and Malabe.  Whilst in the area we visited many schools and English language centres, where we were welcomed warmly and enjoyed interacting with the Timorese students who were all very keen to learn.  A highlight of the trip was the day we spent at the pre-secondary school in the village called Ponilala.  St Paul’s is currently fundraising to build new classrooms at this isolated school and we were honoured to attend the ‘laying of the first stone ceremony’ where the local priest blessed the land at the site of the new building.

We spent our second-last night in the town of Balibo, near the Indonesian border.  Like everywhere in Timor, this town is historically important in relation to the Indonesian invasion and occupation and it is where five Australian journalists (The Balibo Five) were brutally murdered when trying to broadcast the beginning of the invasion in 1975.  This was a very emotional place to visit and made the history we had learnt prior to our trip, live.

That sadly left us with only one night left which we spent in back in Dili.  We went to the site of the Santa Cruz massacre, a place where we were able to reflect on the atrocities the Timorese people have unfairly suffered during the late 1990s.  Experiencing this culture first hand, which is so different from our own, was eye opening and has been a life-changing experience for all of us.  We are all very appreciative of the education and privilege we receive and look forward to doing more for the people of East Timor in the future.

Carissa Hughes
Team Timor

Students clustered in front a magnificent waterfall in the village Atsabe.

A special dinner with our drivers at Balibo overlooking the sea.

A special welcome to Ponilala.

Carissa playing with young children in Malabe.

St Paul’s students teaching a Year 6 class.

Students having morning tea with Manuel and his wife, Domingus in Malimea.

FINANCE REPORT

Fee Payments

A reminder for families paying tuition fees in four instalments:
Instalment four is due on Friday 16 August 2019
Please refer to your original fee statement issued in January for payment details or call Mr Peter Lees on 5623 5833 or email accountsreceivable@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

MATHS SUPPORT SESSIONS

A Maths support session will be offered in Room 3 (Year 9 Centre) each Tuesday at the end of the school day.  This session will operate from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm and students are able to attend for all or part of each session as required.

Participants may use this session to get assistance with and complete homework tasks, seek an additional lesson on a particular Maths topic or simply work with other students who share a similar love of Mathematics with extension activities provided as required.  This session is primarily aimed at students from Years 10 to 12 although all Secondary School students are welcome to attend.  These sessions are additional to those already provided by teachers from the Maths Faculty which occur regularly at nominated lunchtimes.

No formal registration is required.  Students simply attend whenever they feel the need for some additional support or extension.

For further inquiries please contact Mr Rowley via email jrowley@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

ST PAUL’S PARENT PRAYER GROUP

If you are interested in getting together with other parents of the School to pray, you are most welcome to join the following two prayer groups:
First Monday of the month, 9:00 am Prideaux Centre, Warragul Junior School.  Next gathering Monday 5 August.
Contact: Sheryn Cutler 0417 158 937
Fridays Fortnightly, 9:15 am, Jenny Charles’ home
Contact: Jenny Charles 0402 249 036

“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank Him for all that He has done.” Philippians 4:6

LET ME BE FRANC

In chapel recently I introduced students to FRANC.  I do not like FRANC.  I have known FRANC for a long time and I have learnt that he is a vicious, nasty, cynical liar.  I know FRANC well because FRANC is the critical voice inside my head.  We all talk to ourselves – you are probably doing it now!  And it turns out we can say a lot when we talk to ourselves.  Research indicates that most people speak at a rate of one hundred and fifty to two hundred words per minute, but the internal dialogue that you carry on with yourself (self-talk) is more like one thousand three hundred words per minute!  No wonder FRANC can be so persuasive.  Allow me to take you through some of FRANC’s favourite topics of conversation and you will see where he gets his name from.

Fear.  FRANC loves to play on my fears by asking “What if?” “What if I fail?  Stuff it up?  Miss?  Fall?  Say the wrong thing?  Go the wrong way…?”  Any time I consider trying something new FRANC pipes up and reminds me of all the things that could go wrong.
Ridicule.  FRANC is very good at this and sadly he often gets help from others around him.  He loves to remind me of all the ways I could make an idiot of myself.  There was a moment in primary school for me that has for a long time informed my inner voice.  I will spare you the details but essentially during a sport lesson playing AFL I attempted to kick a goal from directly in front and managed to kick it out of bounds on the full.  I am pretty sure I am the only person who still remembers that incident but for me the laughter and teasing I heard in that moment became for a long time the narrative for my inner voice.  FRANC has a long memory!
Accusation.  Sometimes FRANC just lays it out for me in no uncertain terms.  “You are a failure, you do not deserve to be here, you are not good enough, you are weak, stupid, uncoordinated and dumb.”  This is one of the most vicious and debilitating voices we can have in our heads and it is a FRANC specialty.
Negativity.  This is where FRANC gets a bit clever.  “What is the point?  It never works for me.” “Something always goes wrong anyway.”  This is a subtle voice because it can sound convincing.  We think we are being realistic.  Also, it feeds our temptation to be lazy.  If we tell ourselves there is no point then we do not have to go to the effort of trying.  And it is self-affirming because if we do not try then it usually does not go well and we can say “See, I told you so”.
Cynicism.  Australians are generally pretty good at being cynical so FRANC has plenty to work with here.  This is the voice that says, “These people are idiots”.  It is the arrogant voice.  Most of the other voices aim to make us think less of ourselves than we should.  The cynical inner voice wants you to think you are better than everyone else.  It feeds our ego and justifies our inaction.

So what can we do about FRANC, that critical inner voice that can be so debilitating?  Some experts suggest giving it a nickname.  I call mine FRANC but you may have a different name for yours.  By giving it a nickname we are less inclined to hear what it says as truth.  We can be more objective.  FRANC may have an opinion but it is just that – an opinion.  We do not have to agree with FRANC.  The other thing we can do is learn to listen to a better voice.  While they may not always get it right, our friends, parents, teachers and coaches generally want to speak positively into our lives.  These are the voices we should be listening to.  In the same way, the music we listen to, the shows that we watch, the social media that we immerse ourselves in, all serve to train our inner voice.  Do you surround yourself with messages that will nurture a positive inner voice?  Or are you listening to FRANC and his friends?

This is not a new phenomenon or new news.  People have struggled against critical inner voices for centuries.  I wonder if the Apostle Paul knew FRANC when he wrote to the church in Philippi, “Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper.  Do not ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8)

Whatever you call it, may you silence your critical inner voice with loving truth!

Reverend Daniel Lowe
Senior Chaplain

Term 3 has generally begun smoothly, with students and staff back in the swing of things and our new students seemingly well settled in these early stages.  Looking at the term calendar, it struck me that this is a particularly busy ten weeks at St Paul’s with a large number of events to look forward to from now until the September holidays.  At the time of writing, our Year 10s from both campuses are heading to their Careers Conference at Phillip Island and Thursday is the day of the SEISA Cross Country Championships at Newhaven College.  I wish our participants in these events and others this term the best of success and satisfaction.

It has been a busy time in world sport too, with the month of July providing some astounding moments.  While Australia’s women dominated in the cricket arena, our usually unbeatable Diamonds netball team was surprisingly defeated in the World Cup final by New Zealand.  Our neighbours across the Tasman Sea were not so fortunate in the men’s cricket World Cup, defeated in unlikely, controversial circumstances by England when a New Zealand victory had seemed certain.  In the Wimbledon tennis finals, perennial champions and record holders, Serena Williams and Roger Federer, were both denied another chapter in history as victors.  Just as New Zealand’s cricketers must feel that the better side did not win on the day, so might Roger Federer feel that he was the better player, clearly ahead of Novak Djokovic in almost all key statistics that determine the winner.  While being bitter pills to swallow, these losses might well propel Federer and New Zealand to higher things.

Disappointments in life are inevitable.  As much as possible, we must try to make the most of every situation, no matter how joyful or disappointing.  American philosopher Henry David Thoreau maintained that “if we will be quiet and ready enough, we shall find compensation in every disappointment”.  It is my hope that St Paul’s can be a place where people can find that inner peace, readiness and stillness referred to by Thoreau, for amidst the many joys there will be disappointment at times.  I suspect that Mr Federer, noble soul that he is, might relate to this.  Hopefully, the New Zealand men’s cricket team are able to do so too.

“Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal; it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it.” (Eliza Tabor)

I wish everyone well in the St Paul’s community during this second half of the year.  May it be full of achievement and joy, together with the peace and resilience needed for any tough times too.

Cameron Herbert
Principal