In this issue

• FOSP Fishing Competition
• Encore Concert
• Road Safety Survey
• Equestrian Success

Grammarian Issue 15, 18 October 2019

Alumni Profile

Thomas Slate,
Class of 2012

Class of 2012 Alumnus, Thomas Slate, started at St Paul’s in Prep when he was six years old.

Some of his fondest memories are connected with the Miller’s Factory Year 9 Centre and the small community feel that developed at the then separate campus. He recalls the many facets of the Year 9 Program that included many city trips, camps and different styles of teaching and learning.

During his time at St Paul’s, Thomas was involved in many co-curricular activities that included football, netball, athletics, surfing and basketball. He also took on leadership positions such as Peer Support Leader, Student Tour Guide and Franklin House Captain. Thomas said “I also really enjoyed Year 12 as there was a lot of excitement around doing many things for the last time”.

Thomas considers completing Year 12 as a great achievement and he is also proud of winning the Victorian Boys Netball state title in Year 8.

After school, Thomas completed a four year apprenticeship in Electro technology as well as a four year university degree: Bachelor of Health and Physical Education.

Today Thomas runs his own electrical contracting business (Slate Contracting) and teaches as a casual relief teacher when he can.

We asked Thomas some questions about his life after St Paul’s.

What has your pathway been since graduating?
“At the beginning of 2013 I started an electrical apprenticeship with a local electrician in Warragul. I did this until March 2014, when I quit my apprenticeship and started working at a nursery for three months prior to travelling around Australia. A school friend and myself took a 4×4, a trailer, two motorbikes and a tinnie all the way around the coast of Australia for four months. I then came back to Victoria in 2015 and started university at Deakin University (Burwood) to study a four-year Bachelor of Health and Physical Education. I completed my first year of university and then recommenced my electrical apprenticeship at the beginning of 2016, picking up where I left off, but also continuing on with my full-time study of my second year of uni. Last year (2018) I finished both my apprenticeship and university degree and I am now running my own electrical contracting business (Slate Contracting) as well as doing some casual relief teaching when I can.”

What do you enjoy most about your current occupation?
“Electrical work: I enjoy where the job can take me, as I have been travelling to remote parts of the Kimberley region in Western Australia to work at some incredibly picturesque places. My electrical work gives me the opportunity to be exposed to other trades and I love being outside and making something from nothing.

Teaching: I love working with the kids, it always has and always will be my favourite part of being a teacher. Having the opportunity to work with adolescents in such an important part of their life; the social interaction, relationship and journey they lead through high school is a real driving factor for me.”

Why did you choose these fields?
“I chose electrical as I love working on the tools and I knew it would lead to further opportunities to travel, as I am doing currently. I chose teaching because I love working with people and I feel that I could have a positive impact on peoples’ lives whether it be big or small.”

What do you find most challenging about what you do now?
“Trying to find enough time to do both teaching and electrical work to satisfy what I love doing is the most challenging thing at this point of time.”

Thomas has had many influences in choosing his career pathway. “My heavy interest in sport has influenced me to become a Health and PE teacher, although it is most probably the large amount of teachers in my family that has influenced me to become a teacher. I also did some assistant coaching in football which was an eye opener of working with adolescents and how rewarding it can be.”

“I also have many family members whom are electricians and this along with the knowledge of it being a very good trade, influenced me to become an electrician.”

“St Paul’s had quite a heavy influence as to why I wanted to become a teacher, that’s for sure! The opportunity to work with younger students in a leadership position was definitely a catalyst as to what was to come. There was a large amount of great staff when I was at school that set quite a good standard and expectation, which also influenced my decision.”

Outside of work, Thomas still loves football and all other sports and he also loves travelling to remote parts of Australia when he has the time.

Grammarian Issue 15, 18 October 2019

From the Chaplain

ANTI-FRAGILE

Receiving a photo of your nine-year-old child wielding a chainsaw is not conducive to a relaxing holiday! I can vouch for this because that is what I received while enjoying a weekend escape without the kids earlier this year. Now before you panic, let me reassure you that the photo was entirely staged. We had left said nine-year-old with friends for the weekend and they all thought (rightly) that it would get a funny reaction from me if they sent the photo. As well as being amusing, the joke was a reminder for me about the protective instinct that I have as a parent. A lot has been written recently about the trend towards overly protective parenting. Phrases like ‘helicopter parent’ and ‘concierge parent’ have been coined to describe the sorts of unhelpful parenting approaches that are becoming more prevalent. The trouble is, as a parent, that protective instinct can be hard to overcome and it can be very difficult to allow your child to suffer a difficult or painful experience without trying to rescue them from it. As parents we generally have two main goals – to prepare our children to be contributing, caring, successful individuals and to keep our children protected from harm and danger. The challenge is that to achieve the first goal, we may have to back off a bit from the second. This balance is easily recognisable when it comes to physical safety. Learning to ride a bike comes with some physical risk but we generally understand that the inevitable falls and scraped knees are part of the learning experience. But what about when it comes to exposure to conflicting ideas, beliefs and worldviews? When a whole world of different ideas is only a click away, how do we keep our kids safe from potentially harmful material (for example: radicalisation by extremist groups)? How do we build in them the skills to navigate their way respectfully and lovingly through the competing views that make up our diverse society? How do we build strength and resilience in the character, beliefs and values of our children? The key is in understanding that children are, to use a phrase coined by author Nassim Taleb, anti-fragile.
In an article for Psychology Today, Steve Baskin describes it like this:

“Here is a simple explanation:
• Some things are fragile, like a crystal glass. If you expose it to stress (drop it), it will break.
• Other things are resilient, like a child’s sipper cup. If you expose it to stress, it remains the same.
• But a small subset of things are anti-fragile. When exposed to stress, they become stronger. In fact, they cannot function properly unless stressed or challenged. One example is our immune systems: children that are exposed to germs early on have stronger and more robust immune systems later. Bones are anti-fragile. Astronauts who go into zero-gravity situations return with weaker, more brittle bones because they need the stress of gravity to remain strong.

After working with children for almost three decades, I can confidently say that humans, especially children, are anti-fragile. They do best when exposed to challenges, disappointments and even the occasional fight or insult. Please let me be clear, children must be protected from true bullies or real dangers (they should not play with chainsaws). But we do not help them by protecting them from any social awkwardness or conflict.” https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/smores-and-more/201902/beyond-resilience-fostering-anti-fragile-children

So what does this look like when it comes to developing our children’s faith and beliefs both at home and at school? That is something I will explore in my next Grammarian article.

Reverend Daniel Lowe
Senior Chaplain

Grammarian Issue 15, 18 October 2019

Traralgon Junior School

From the Head of Traralgon Junior School,
Mrs Gwen Hunter.

Dear Parents,

ASSEMBLIES
Do not forget this term we are running our assemblies from 9:00 am to 9:30 am on Monday mornings. Feel free to come along and join us. Mrs Hunter will still be offering a ‘Cuppa and a Chat’ every second week in the staffroom after assembly for anyone who would like to join her. The next one is scheduled for Week 3.

POSITIVE PARENTING SEMINAR
On Tuesday the school hosted a Positive Parenting Seminar where sixteen parents came along to hear how they can support their children to be happy and confident and create positive routines and behaviours. The evening was enjoyed by all and the feedback received indicated that another session would be beneficial next year. So watch this space and we will let you know when the next one is to be offered in 2020. Thank you very much to those parents who attended, it is great to see the support for such events that are being offered by the school.

PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM
It was with great excitement that the Peer Support Program officially began on Monday. Our Peer Support Leaders who had been trained over two days at the end of Term 3, were able to guide the students in a number of getting to know you teamwork games, as well as beginning to build connections with those students in their group. The key messages in the first session were that “we all enjoy doing different activities and like different things” as well as “Peer Support being a time which will be fun, but also a place where they will learn a lot about one another”. We will be continuing with our second Peer Support session on Monday 21 October following assembly.

MYSTPAULS PARENT FORUM
Following the results of the MyStPauls Parent Survey, a Parent Forum has been planned for Wednesday 30 October commencing at 7:00 pm in the Library. Deputy Principal, Ms Donna Sweeney, Mrs Sally-Anne Walton and a representative from the IT Department will join me for an opportunity to:
• share more about the design and use of MyStPauls
• discuss effective online feedback and gain your thoughts to ensure we are meeting your needs
• offer support to families who require assistance accessing online feedback and other information via MyStPauls
I hope that you are able to join us on this occasion as we always value your feedback and input.

WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING
Even though we are only at the end of Week 2, the term has started off with a bang. With Purple Day, Tree Planting, Prep to Year 2 Swimming Program, Regional Athletics competition and the Year 2 Sleepover just in Week 1!, followed by the Positive Parenting Seminar, the Encore Concert and our Prep Information Session this week, I feel like the term is going to be flying past us at the speed of lightening. So, hold onto your hats and keep your eye on this Grammarian, the Term 4 dates and MyStPauls for regular updates.

Here are a few photos from this week:

Finally, GOOD LUCK to all our Year 6 students, staff and volunteering parents as they take on the mammoth but rewarding effort of Relay For Life at the Tyers oval this weekend. Students and teachers will be walking from 2:30 pm on Saturday, throughout the night, until 10:00 am on Sunday morning, in a tremendous effort to raise money for the Cancer Council Foundation. All the very best, I will see you at the track!

Thanks again to the all the teachers, parents and students for creating such a vibrant, busy and great school community to be involved in.

Gwen Hunter
Head of Traralgon Junior School

WHAT’S ON IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

OCTOBER
18 October Year 12 Afternoon Tea
19 October Relay for Life, start time 2:30 pm
20 October Relay for Life, finish time 10:00 am
21 October Prep Excursion, Inverloch Rockpools, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
22 October ELC Grandparents Day, Children’s Week
23 October ELC Grandparents Day, Children’s Week
Prep 2020 Come and Play Session, 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm
24 October Years 1 and 2 Swimming Lessons, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Children’s Expo, Kernot Hall Morwell, 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
FOSP AGM
25 October National Bandanna Day
Prep and Year 1 ‘Possum Magic’, Latrobe Performing Arts Centre Traralgon, 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Prep Swimming Lessons, 2:00 pm
30 October Prep 2020 Come and Play Session, 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm
31 October St John First Aid For Students
Years 1 and 2 Swimming Lessons, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

NOVEMBER
1 November Prep Swimming Lessons, 2:00 pm
St John First Aid for students
4 November Mid Term Break. Student Free Day
5 November Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday
6 November Year 1 Swimming Lessons, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Book Fair Commences
7 November Year 2 Swimming Lessons, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
8 November Prep Swimming Lessons, 2:00 pm
Year 5 Leadership Speeches
11 November Whole School Assembly, Remembrance Day Service, 10:30 am to 11:00 am
12 November Years 4 and 5 Girls, Personal Development talk (parents welcome) 9:00 am to 10:30 am
Year 6 Personal Development talk, Session 1, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
13 November Year 1 Swimming Lessons, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
14 November 2020 Prep Transition Session 1, 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm
Year 2 Swimming Lessons 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm
15 November Book Fair Finishes
Prep Swimming Lessons, 2:00 pm
17 November FOSP Family Fishing Competition, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
18 November Report Writing Day. Student Free Day
19 November Year 5 Boys, Personal Development talk, 9:00 am to 10:30 am
Year 6 Personal Development talk, Session 2, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
20 November Prep to Year 2 Athletics Carnival
21 November 2020 Prep Transition Session 2, 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm
Years 1 and 2 Swimming Lessons, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Year 6 Rotary Awards Evening, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
22 November Prep Swimming Lessons, 2:00 pm
25 November Life Education Year 6R and Preps
26 November Life Education Years 5B, 3BH and 1W
Year 6 Dinner, Traralgon Vineyard, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
27 November Life Education Years 6H, 2C and 1F
28 November 2020 Prep Transition Session 3, 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm
Life Education Year 4P
Years 1 and 2 Swimming Lessons, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
29 November Prep Swimming Lessons, 2:00 pm
Life Education Years 4S and 5O
FOSP Shopping Evening

DECEMBER
2 December Year 7 2020 Orientation at the Secondary School
3 December Year 7 2020 Orientation at the Secondary School
Years 1 to 6 2020 Orientation Day, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
ELC Possum Group Last Day, 2:00 pm
4 December Year 7 2020 Orientation at the Secondary School
5 December ELC and Prep 2020 Orientation Day, 9:15 am to 1:00 pm
6 December ELC Joey Group, Last Day, 2:00 pm
Christmas Celebrations, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
9 December ELC Koala and Wombat Group Last Day, 3:00 pm
10 December Activities Day, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, Class Parties, 1:00 pm
Year 6 Excursion Kernot Lake and Wyncity, 10:00 am to 2:45 pm
11 December Presentation Assembly, 9:30 am to 11:00 am
LAST DAY OF 2019 SCHOOL YEAR, Finish time 3:20 pm

FINANCE NEWS

Fee Payments
A reminder for families:
• Tuition Fees are now overdue for families that do not have a periodical payment arrangement in place.
• Term 4 Sundry invoices will be issued on Friday 18 October.
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

PURPLE DAY RAISES MONEY FOR CANCER COUNCIL

On Wednesday 9 October, Year 6 students at Traralgon Junior School demonstrated their energy and commitment by hosting Purple Day. All the students in the school were invited to wear something purple and bring money to school to spend on various stalls. Cakes, lemonade, Dutch pancakes and ice cream and were made and sold. Games of skill and chance were offered to the children, including fishing and lucky dips. Also, a big hurrah for Maria Harkins, Gwen Hunter, Glen Treble and Rick Battista, who volunteered to stand and have soapy sponges thrown at them (for a price). It was a chilly day; if some teachers decided to take protective measures, who can blame them? By the end of the day, Year 6 students were tired but thrilled with the amount of money that they had raised. $1716.75 has been added to the Year 6 team’s fundraising goal for their Relay for Life team.

Jayla Balcombe and Ella Warner organised a magnetic fishing game.

Students paid to throw soapy sponges at Maria Harkins and Gwen Hunter.

Omkar Joshi, Max Jiang and Hayden Doupain hired NERF guns.

Abby Paulet and Georgia Vardy cooked Dutch pancakes.

EQUESTRIAN TEAM – AUSTRALIAN INTERSCHOOL NATIONALS SUCCESS

Recently, St Paul’s Equestrian Team members qualified and competed at the Australian Interschool Nationals. Olivia Comben, Zoe Waller, Clara Galvin and Amy Gotts-Wheeler travelled to the Sydney International Equestrian Centre to represent Victoria.

Olivia competed on her horse Snaps in the Show Horse Primary section. They came first place in the ridden and third place in the rider event, which put them fourth overall at the national event. Olivia was a part of the Victoria Primary Show Horse team, which finished reserve champion.

Amy Gotts-Wheeler competed on her horse Sharvalley Thunder in the 1* Eventing competition at the national event. After the dressage phase they were sitting third, but after a clear cross country phase, took the overall lead. The third phase was show jumping, where they also jumped a clear round, to declare them the overall Interschool National Champion in the 1* event. Congratulations!

Clara Galvin also competed on her horse Charlie in the eventing ninety-five centimetre competition. After a consistent performance across all dressage, show jumping and cross country phases, they placed fourth overall in the national event. Clara was also a member of the Victoria team that placed overall reserve in this event.

Zoe Waller competed in the show jumping event at the nationals. Despite finishing outside the places, she competed to a high standard and should be very proud of her efforts.

Sophie Bennett also qualified for the national event, however, due to an injury to her horse, had to scratch the event. We wish them the best in their recovery.

Olivia Comben.

ARTISTS OF THE WEEK

Year 6 watercolour: Jayla Balcombe, Emma Lancaster and Rheid Haley.

COFFEE!

Would you like a bag of rich, smooth East Timor Coffee? $3 from every bag sold through the school goes towards our fundraising to build new classrooms for Ponilala Village School. Growing and exporting coffee beans is also a sustainable and vital part of the Ermera district economy, where Ponilala is situated. Your purchase will not only taste great but contribute to a worthy cause.

Bags of plunger, filter or beans can be purchased for $12. Contact Andrea Heard aaheard@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or Kirsten Enders kenders@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au to place an order.

Grammarian Issue 15, 18 October 2019

Traralgon Secondary School

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

Year 9 Urban Camp
Our Year 9 Urban Camp was conducted during the last week of Term 3. I had the pleasure of spending a day with the students. We started out early and it was the task of the students to navigate from our North Melbourne accommodation to meet at the Swanston Street end of the Bourke Street Mall. Here we caught a tram to the Council to the Homeless in Collingwood where we were taken on a tour of the streets and listened to our guide as he told his story and gave us a taste of what it meant to be homeless. It was hard not to be moved by his story and take a moment to reflect on the privilege many of us enjoy.

The students then had some free time to continue with their city assignment and to have lunch then met us at the Old Melbourne Gaol for a tour back in time to the early days of Melbourne and the harsh life the inmates endured. It was also the site of the Ned Kelly hanging.

Thank you to Kirsten Enders who did an outstanding job in leading the camp and to Deborah Gatti, Victoria Wilson, Sharon Pyle Byrne, Shinya Takusari and Andie Browne for their care and support of our students.

Encore Concert
Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of attending our annual Encore Concert. I could not help but be reminded of the hours of dedication that go in to Performing Arts pursuits. Thank you to the tutors who work with our students and to the parents who make sure each child attends all the lessons and practices, often at inconvenient times. The evening was a wonderful celebration and showcase for many of our performing arts students.

Subject Selections 2020
Letters were handed out in mentor group time last week to Years 7, 8 and 9 students, listing subject selections for Years 8, 9 and 10 for 2020. If your child has not brought one home, please call our Director of Studies David Ellis on 5175 9222.

Stephen Klemke
Head of Traralgon Secondary School

WHAT’S ON IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

OCTOBER
18 October Year 12 Afternoon Tea at the Traralgon Campus, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
24 October Woodwind/Piano/Brass Studio Concert, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
28 October to 1 November Year 9 Outdoor Education Camp

NOVEMBER
4 November Mid Term Break. Student Free Day
5 November Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
7 November Exhibition Evening, Traralgon Secondary School, 7:00 pm
19 to 21 November Year 10 Exams
20 and 21 November Year 9 Exams
22 November Curriculum and Assessment Day. Student Free Day
25 November to 6 December Early Commencement

DECEMBER
2 to 4 December Year 7 2020 Orientation
10 December Theatre Sports, Traralgon Campus Gymnasium
11 December Presentation Assembly, 12:00 noon

URBAN CAMP

Recently the Traralgon Year 9 students went on Melbourne Urban Camp. The camp started with a train trip where everyone was excited and nervous as we did not know what to expect. The trip in felt like it took ages, but playing UNO helped the time go quicker.

During camp we had a Geography assignment and questions to complete, where we interviewed members of the general public and asked them questions about how and why they came to Melbourne, along with questions we came up with for a topic we chose. The topic which I picked was “Is Melbourne Food Heaven?”

On camp we had many tours planned out for us: the MCG, the Old Melbourne Gaol, the Arts Centre and Hamer Hall, the Shine of Remembrance and a homeless tour of Collingwood led by Jason Russell who was previously homeless. All the tours were eye opening in their own ways and gave us massive insights into the many different aspects of Melbourne.

At night we all went to different multicultural restaurants that included Italian, Korean, Philippian and African. Personally, my favourite was the Korean.

One night we all went to The Hawker Night Markets at the Queen Victorian Markets. The food was delicious, however the biggest hit at the market was the Totoro shaped fairy floss. On the same night we walked to the Nova Cinemas to see a movie called ‘The Farewell’.

On camp we also participated in a scavenger hunt, where we tried our hardest to complete all the activities, no matter how embarrassing, such as singing the school hymn in Federation Square!

On camp our knowledge of public transport and Melbourne increased exponentially and we all grew much closer together. Camp was a fun time and we all really enjoyed it. I think we all would be willing to go on Urban Camp again.

Jamilla Marriott
Year 9 Student

Tom and Mick with their Totoro fairy floss.

Fintan and Charlotte at The Shrine of Remembrance.

Queen Victoria Night Market.

LAMONT BOOKS

The Warragul and Traralgon Secondary School 2020 booklists are now available online and can be accessed directly from the MyStPauls Secondary School pages or by clicking on the link directly below:
http://www.lamontbooks.com.au/textbooks-stationery/st-pauls-anglican-grammar-school

The online portal lists important key dates and collection details, ordering deadlines and provides access to pdf copies of the Year 7 to Year 10 and VCE booklists. A link to the Lamont online ordering portal is also available on the site.

The Year 7 booklist will be included in an information package that will be issued to parents later this year and printed copies of the Year 8 to Year 10 and VCE booklists can be collected from the Warragul Secondary School Student Services Office and the Traralgon Secondary School Reception.

Please email me directly if you have any questions regarding the 2020 booklist and/or Lamont’s online ordering portal.

James Avram
Director of Learning and Teaching

FINANCE NEWS

NEW YORK VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS TOUR 2020

Letters were sent home to interested families this week regarding the trip to New York in September 2020. Initial deposits are to be paid by the end of October to ensure we can make arrangements based on confirmed numbers. If your child is interested in this tour and you have not received any further information, please email Ms Christie Bransgrove directly cbransgrove@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

COFFEE!

Bags of plunger, filter or beans can be purchased for $12. Contact Andrea Heard aaheard@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or Kirsten Enders kenders@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au to place an order.

Grammarian Issue 15, 18 October 2019

Warragul Junior School

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

Welcome to the final term of 2019. A warm welcome to Lucy McDonnell (Year 1T), Xavier Jones (Year 3C), Estelle Moon (Year 4D), Tom Brereton (Year 5B) and their families to St Paul’s.

Year 2 Sleepover
Last Friday our Year 2s took part in a sleepover at school after an extremely busy week with swimming lessons starting. The experience begun after lunch with Mr Barkla and I taking the students for some camp-like team building activities. Then after school students set up their beds in the Prideaux Centre and enjoyed some afternoon tea together. Then it was time for some games and activities that included having a play on the Years 3 to 6 playground, a scavenger hunt, using a green screen and craft. It was then time for dinner, before watching a movie in bed. As always, it was a very early start the next morning with teddy chatter followed by a very friendly pillow fight! I thank Mrs McKerrow and Mrs Cosgrove for staying overnight (and for being excellent team members in the pillow fight) and all of the staff and parents who assisted. As a memento of the occasion, the students decorated a pillowcase to use on the night and these looked great. They even made one for me!

Shoes and socks donated
Taz Davidson (Year 6) delivered the socks and shoes that were donated last term to Footscape over the holidays. The CEO and founder, podiatrist Anthony Lewis, was extremely grateful and appreciative for the donation, which will go on to help many in need to achieve the best foot health that they can despite the difficult circumstances. Overall there were just over sixty pairs of new and used shoes and one hundred and six pairs of socks donated. Well done Taz and thanks to all of the families who supported this initiative.

Prep to Year 2 Swimming Program
Our Prep to Year 2 students concluded their swimming program with their carnival on Wednesday. The program has run extremely well and I thank Mr Boraston for organising the program and carnival.

Athletics results
Well done to all students who competed at the Regional Athletics competition on Tuesday. Congratulations to the students who made it through to the State Athletics Championships to be held next Thursday. A great effort, well done.

Year 12s come back to Junior School
Today, we held a special morning tea for the students in Year 12 who attended the Junior School. It is a wonderful time for the students to catch up with staff and to reminisce about their time in our Junior School. On Wednesday 23 October, our Year 12 students will have their last day of school. Please be aware that there will most likely be some traffic congestion on this day, so please be patient. I take this opportunity to wish all Year 12s well as they enter their final weeks of school and during their exam period.

Tournament of Minds (TOM)
We wish our STEM and Language Literature teams well as they represent Victoria at the International Finals in Hobart next week. The teams have been working hard and we wish them all the best. Thanks to Ms Ellis, Miss Calafiore, Mr Barkla and Mrs Smethurst for supporting our teams in the lead-up to the competition and attending the finals with them. Our sincere thanks to the St Paul’s Alumni Association, Camp Australia and Junior School for their donations.

Uniform News – Summer shorts and shirt for girls
This year we have finally been able to release a girls school pant for formal winter term wear. Naturally, there has now been some demand for girls shorts for summer. Unfortunately, working with our uniform suppliers and students about the design of the shorts and the accompanying summer shirt is not a rapid process. Consequently, as an interim measure, until a new summer shorts and shirt for junior and secondary girls is developed and produced, we are happy to allow any girls from Year 3, who have a strong desire to wear shorts to wear the current ‘boys’ shorts and summer shirt in Terms 1 and 4. Girls wearing shorts will need to wear white socks but can wear either T-bar or lace-up shoes. Please note that this is an interim measure only. Once a new design is approved and produced, parents/guardians will be required to purchase the new uniform at further cost. We apologise that this transition has not been seamless but are hoping that this arrangement meets the needs to families whose children feel this is an urgent issue.

Year 3 Camp
We wish our Year 3s well as they participate in their first school camp at Waratah Bay over three days commencing on Monday.

Grandparents and Special Guests Day – Thursday 7 November 2019
A notice was sent home at the beginning of the term asking parents to return a reply slip to school with the names and addresses of the guests that will be attending Grandparents and Special Guests Day. Please assist us by ensuring all details are returned as soon as possible as the students will be writing the invites to their guests and we need to get them in the post. This event is always well attended and we will again divide the day into two sessions (Prep to Year 2 and Years 3 to 6). Please find below the full program for the day to share with grandparents in case some invites do not make it to their destinations.

Prep to Year 2
9:00 am to 9:15 am Guests arrive
9:15 am to 10:00 am Prep to Year 2 Concert/Chapel, Junior School Gymnasium
10:00 am to 11:00 am Visit Kitchen Garden, STEM Centre and Classrooms
11:00 am to 11:30 am Recess. Morning tea for Prep to Year 2 guests, Prideaux Centre
11:30 am Guests depart or move on to Years 3 to 6 session

Years 3 to 6
10:45 am to 11:00 am Guests arrive
11:00 am to 11:30 am Recess. Morning tea for Years 3 to 6 guests, Junior School Gymnasium
11:30 am to 12:15 pm Years 3 to 6 Concert/Chapel, Junior School Gymnasium
12:15 pm to 1:30 pm Visit Classrooms, Horizon, STEM Centre and Kitchen Garden
1:30 pm Guests depart

We are expecting around five hundred guests to visit throughout the day and we will have our Maintenance team on hand to assist with parking, but could I ask that everyone is patient and park where they are directed.

Rowan van Raay
Head of Warragul Junior School