TOOLS AND TREASURES

The other day I found an old saw in my shed.  It was blunt, rusty, warped and unlikely to cut anything effectively.  I must have had it for a while but it is probably time it got replaced.  I also have a toy, an old Eeyore (from Winnie-the-Pooh), which I have owned since I was a young child.  He is battered, stained and threadbare, with a permanent bandage around his neck, but he is possibly one of my most valued possessions.  I would not dream of throwing him out.  The difference between these two items is that one is purely a tool while the other is a treasure.  A tool is easy to identify.  It has a purpose or a job, it is useful, it gets its value from how well it does its job and if it breaks then we fix it or get rid of it.  A treasure on the other hand does not have to be useful.  It gets its value from the person who treasures it and if it breaks then we might try to fix it but we probably will not throw it out.  This is all very well for our possessions but unfortunately the world often leads us to treat people more like tools than treasures.

In the eyes of society our value comes from our abilities and achievements and when you cannot do something you are ‘rejected’.  It starts early – I am sure we have all experienced the feeling of being the most uncoordinated person on the sports field, or being the most confused person in the room.  But it is an attitude that seems to have infused itself in the way our society operates.  What do we do with people when they get old and worn out?  What do we do with people who, because of a disability, cannot ‘contribute to society’?  Too often society treats these people as ‘broken tools’ that can be tossed aside.  I wonder, how much of this mentality is driving the increased push for late term abortion and access to euthanasia?

So what is the alternative?  What if we treated people like treasures?  What if our value did not come from what we can or cannot do?  What if, when injury, illness or life circumstance mean we are unable to ‘contribute to society’ we were not tossed aside but rather treasured and cared for?  What if making a mistake did not mean getting thrown on the scrap heap but instead led to restoration?

This is of course how God views us.  We are treasures because we are God’s.  Made in God’s image.  Despite our brokenness God has not given up on us or thrown us on the scrap heap.  Instead, God has given everything to restore us.  Not because we are useful but because we are His.

Sometimes we can feel like a tool.  It is in those moments that we need to remember that we are in fact treasures.  Sometimes we treat others as tools – valued only for their usefulness.  In these moments we need to remind ourselves that every person is a treasure and that is how we should treat them.  Do our young people know that they are treasured?  Or are they struggling under the weight of expectation to always succeed, to always be useful?  An interesting question to ask ourselves in the middle of exam and assessment season.

Reverend Daniel Lowe
Senior Chaplain

Traralgon Junior School

From the Head of Traralgon Junior School, Mr Andy McNabb. Dear Parents, Well, Harold drove away (actually he was towed away) last Friday and with …

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Traralgon Junior School

From the Head of Traralgon Junior School,
Mr Andy McNabb.

Dear Parents,

Well, Harold drove away (actually he was towed away) last Friday and with him went the Life Ed Van for another year.  Each of the classes had a chance to visit the van and with Harold’s help, Jan did an excellent job presenting from Preps to Year 6 with a different message and a different approach.  We can sometimes take our student behaviour for granted and it is good to have a gentle reminder from someone outside the school to say how impressed they are and how they love coming here.

With that in mind, I was proud of our Years 5 and 6 students who attended the centenary event at Traralgon Cemetery on Sunday.  They looked for the graves of war veterans and planted a tree on behalf of the school before attending the afternoon ceremony.  They were also given special steel poppies to plant around the tree and as usual, their behaviour was exemplary.  After meeting her previously, staff at the cemetery had made Kira a special purple poppy sash and she wore this for the event.  Along with our Remembrance Service last Friday, our students showed tremendous respect for the importance of the whole thing and I know this gives the older people attending genuine hope for the future.  Alanna and Nicholas had laid a wreath at the service in town that morning, which was the first time we have attended on 11 November.  They were joined by Mr Herbert and Mrs Hunter as they paid their respects on this 100th occasion.

In regards to our own service, many thanks again to Mr Hastie and our representatives from the City of Traralgon Band for their contributions.  How many other schools in the state, let alone the country, have the privilege of being led by a brass band and then the service being closed by a lone piper?  Lachlan Wilson once again did a fantastic job with the ‘Last Post’ and ‘Rouse’.  We really are privileged to have such resources within our ranks.

Now for a few words from our two school leaders in their regular slot – The View from the Classroom:

Alanna:  Year 6 have been very busy in the past few weeks with graduation preparation and MasterChef.  MasterChef was an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.  Year 5 were lucky enough to get a sneak peek into one of our favourite activities in Year 6, which is a cooking challenge where everyone has to make a dessert that includes peach, chocolate and jelly.  We had the option of working individually, in pairs or in groups of three.  Some amazing creations, big and small, were presented to our judges.  Big thanks to Fiona McDonald, Lyn McNally and David Hastie for being our guest judges, we really appreciate you overindulging in peaches, chocolate and jelly!  Although it may be a while before any of us can look at tinned peaches again! 

Nicholas:  Over the past few weeks, Callum, Lachlan and I have been running table tennis tournaments during Friday lunchtimes.  So far we have run both singles and doubles and the students have had a great time.  After this Friday the final round will be held on Friday 23 November.  A reminder that students are able to bring their own bat but we also have equipment available to borrow.  The overall winners will be awarded prizes at assembly on 26 November.  Many thanks to all students who have already taken part, although we are still waiting for the ‘great play-off’ between Mrs Harkins and Mr McNabb!

Last Friday turned out to be a busy day as we said goodbye to Ms Steendam with an afternoon tea.  It was an emotional time and for once Kim was unable to say much more than a few words!  She has been such an integral part of our school for eight years and we will miss her around the place as she takes long service leave to support her daughter Bella in completing her final exams.

On that note, you will have had a letter outlining the staffing for 2019.  As I step out of my role for twelve months I am genuinely excited when I see the staff set up we have been able to put in place for next year.  As staff who are new to us, we are delighted to welcome Mr Rick Battista and Mrs Jayne Price.  I know they will be great additions to the team and help to make our school even better.

We often get excited about the use of robots and coding as part of our STEM program but we always stress to the students that STEM can take place anywhere – not just in the STEM Centre and it is so much more than just coding.  With this in mind, one of our regular STEM projects swung into action this week as Year 6 held their annual MasterChef challenge.  I just had to be there to check in on things and make sure the taste testing was up to standard.  I have never been asked to judge the event, which is a shame because I always have some insightful opinions on what has been produced!  One of the judges made the comment that you would pay $15 to $20 for similar desserts in a restaurant as the students once again excelled themselves.

Last weekend was particularly eventful and as well as attending the cemetery, we also held our Carp-A-Thon 2018.  The weather was beautiful and I believe the biggest catch was over six kilograms.  I know next to nothing about fishing but that seems pretty good to me!  Many thanks to Frank and his team for all their organisation.  I know Frank has even bigger plans for events down there but all reports regarding Saturday spoke of how great it was to wander around and see people enjoying the day in such peaceful surroundings and with great weather.

I think in common with the other Heads of School, I look at the blank sheet every fortnight and wonder what I am going to write.  Then I look in the school calendar at what has happened recently and do not know where to finish.  As of Monday, there are only eighteen student days left until the end of the year and there is a lot to fit into that time.  We will try and keep you informed of any updates to events as soon as we can.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I am off to find an even better hiding place for Mrs McNabb’s credit card.  One of those events coming up is the Walking Shopping Tour next Friday!

Andy McNabb
Head of Traralgon Junior School

 

 

WHAT’S ON IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

NOVEMBER
20 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
21 November  Prep to Year 2 Athletics
22 November  Prep 2019 Transition 2, 2:30 pm to 3:20 pm
Year 5 Leadership Speeches (Year 6 2019)
Prep to Year 2 Swimming Lessons, various times between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm
Year 6 Rotary Awards Dinner, 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm
23 November  FOSP Shopping Tour, 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm
29 November  Prep 2019 Transition 3, 2:30 pm to 3:20 pm
Prep to Year 2 Swimming Lessons, various times between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm
Year 6 Graduation Dinner, 5:45 pm to 11:00 pm
30 November  Year 5 Market Day

DECEMBER
3 December  Year 7 2019 Orientation Day
4 December   Year 7 2019 Orientation Day
Years 1 to 6 2019 Orientation Day
ELC Possum Group, Last Day for 2018, 2:00 pm
5 December  Year 7 2019 Orientation Day
6 December  Prep 2019 Transition 4, 9:15 am to 1:00 pm
ELC 2019 Orientation Day –
• Wombat Group, 9:00 am to 11:00 am
• Joey Group, 9:00 am to 10:00 am
• Koala Group, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Possum Group, 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm
7 December  ELC Joey Group, Last Day for 2018, 2:00 pm
Christmas Celebrations, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
10 December  ELC Pre-Prep, Last Day for 2018, 3:00 pm
12 December  Presentation Assembly, 9:30 am to 11:00 am
End of 2018 school year, 3:20 pm FINISH

 

 

 

FOSP NEWS

Walking Shopping Tour around Traralgon
Friday 23 November
5:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Tickets $20.00 each

The cost includes your ticket, entry into a major prize draw, coffee or champagne and supper at the end of the night at Dal Mondo. Wonderful raffle prizes at the end of the night, tickets can be purchased at $5 for ten tickets.

We will be starting at Grow Master Traralgon from 5:00 pm to 5:45 pm for a browse, shop, drinks and nibbles before heading off with your group.

Come along for a great night of shopping, supporting St Paul’s and local businesses of Traralgon.  Over the past eleven years $469,400 has been kept locally with our Walking Shopping Tour.

 

BUS TRAVEL

We are excited to announce FREE PTV bus routes which travel straight to our door at the St Paul’s Traralgon Campus!

Along with the current Country School Bus network of bus routes travelling to our campus, these additional routes will now allow more students to travel to St Paul’s Traralgon free of charge.  Students will be required to purchase an upfront annual student concession myki and will be reimbursed the full cost from the conveyance process.

To find out more about how your child can travel for free to St Paul’s Traralgon Campus by taking advantage of these new PTV routes or to find out further information regarding exact routes please contact our bus coordinator on buscoordinator@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or 5623 5833.

 

ARTISTS OF THE WEEK

Winner of the 2019 Diary Cover Competition is Ananya Philips Year 6, congratulations!

 

 

Traralgon Secondary School

From the Head of Traralgon Secondary School, Mr Stephen Klemke. Exhibition Evening This year’s Exhibition Evening was a wonderful night.  The range and quality of …

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Traralgon Secondary School

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

Exhibition Evening
This year’s Exhibition Evening was a wonderful night.  The range and quality of projects had to be seen to be believed.  There was a reconditioned and rebuilt windmill, works of art, a project on ink blots, a swim suit designed and made, and many other wonderful projects.  Thank you to all the students, parents and teachers who attended.  The students were clearly very proud of their projects, a pride that was reflected in their parent’s faces.  A special mention to Kirsten Enders and Nathan Byrne who taught Thinking and Learning, from which these projects emerged.  I know they were as impressed as I was.

Early Commencement
On Monday 26 November Early Commencement starts and all students will begin curriculum from the subsequent year level.  Students will be able to check the portal over the weekend previous for their timetable.  It would be a great help if students would bring in the new subject texts and equipment as required.  Teachers will be understanding if some students are unable to be fully prepared, however, we are hoping the vast majority of students have organised their book lists for the beginning of Early Commencement.  If in some cases texts are unavailable until next year, teachers will provide alternative resources.

Student Free Day – Friday 23 November
This will allow our staff to complete exam marking, enter results on semester reports and set up their new work on MyStPauls ready for the following week (when we start Early Commencement).

Stephen Klemke
Head of Traralgon Secondary School

 

 

WHAT’S ON IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

NOVEMBER
20 to 22 November  Year 10 Exams
21 to 22 November  Year 9 Exams
21 November  Lamont Book Collection, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Year 8 Medieval Day at Warragul Secondary School
22 November  Traralgon Secondary School Year 10 Farewell Dinner, 7:00 pm
23 November  Traralgon Secondary School Student Free Day
FOSP Shopping Tour
26 November  Early Commencement Begins
27 November  Anglicare Toy Sorting Excursion
30 November  Year 9 Swim Testing

DECEMBER
3 to 5 December  Year 7 2019 Orientation
7 December  St James Community Christmas Lunch Excursion
FOSP Christmas Evening
11 December  Run for East Timor Fundraiser
12 December  Traralgon Secondary School Presentation Assembly, 12:00 noon
End of 2018 school year

 

 

SECONDHAND UNIFORM SALE

The end of the school year is fast approaching and it will not be long before our next cohort of Year 7s start their orientation program.  To help families with the cost of starting at Year 7 we are offering a secondhand uniform sale during the three days of orientation (3 December to 5 December).  If you have any clothing you would like to sell during these days we ask that you follow the guidelines below and we will endeavour to sell these for you.

Step 1 – thoroughly wash any clothing, dry cleaning of the blazers

Step 2 – write a list of all your items with the size beside each and any markings such as names, ripped tags, spots and other

Step 3 – using a safety pin, pin your name and asking price for the garment on each item

Step 4 – bring the items to the office

Items will be put on sale during the orientation program.  Any clothing not sold will be returned to you along with any money from your sales.

 

BUS TRAVEL

We are excited to announce FREE PTV bus routes which travel straight to our door at the St Paul’s Traralgon Campus!

Along with the current Country School Bus network of bus routes travelling to our campus, these additional routes will now allow more students to travel to St Paul’s Traralgon free of charge.  Students will be required to purchase an upfront annual student concession myki and will be reimbursed the full cost from the conveyance process.

To find out more about how your child can travel for free to St Paul’s Traralgon Campus by taking advantage of these new PTV routes or to find out further information regarding exact routes please contact our bus coordinator on buscoordinator@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or 5623 5833.

 

SPORT NEWS

SEISA Junior Summer Round Robin
With our final round this week against Newhaven College, most of our teams have had some success against the other schools.  After each round, a ‘Most Valuable Player’ award is presented at our school assembly.
The following students received this award:
Junior Boys Cricket – Xanda King, Cade Hughes and Brodie Clegg.
Junior Boys Tennis – Axel Nightingale, Jonah Peck, Ben Colantuono and William Pendergast.
Junior Girls Tennis – Kaho Suzuki, Verity Jeffrey, Zoe Dowler and Olivia O’Brien.
Junior Boys Basketball – Cooper Millar, Lachlan Speairs, Marcus Cropley and Fletcher Watts.
Junior Girls Basketball – Emma Farley, Molly Van Berkel, Nikita Buhagiar and Emily Piercy.

ESP Update
On Sunday 3 November the Victorian All Schools Championships was held at Lakeside Stadium Melbourne.  Rachel Jennings represented St Paul’s competing in the U17 3000 metre run.  Rachel put up a stellar performance and ran a time of 10:18.46.  Rachel was rewarded with a state silver medal in this event which has earnt her a place on the Victorian team which will be traveling to Cairns from 5 to 9 December.  Congratulations Rachel and we wish her the very best!

Rachel with her state silver medal.

Not only does our ESP student Zach Nabulsi compete in Judo/Karate, he has also followed his other passions, Athletics and AFL.  He has joined Traralgon Harriers and entered his first Fun Run in Warragul on Sunday.  Zach won the 2.5 kilometre Geoff Watt Memorial Fun Run.  Zach has also been selected to participate in the AFL pre-season training program for the Gippsland Power/Hawthorn Next Generation Academy U15 program.

Zach Nabulsi wearing his medal.

Abby Warner had a successful meet in Melbourne where she achieved her first ever national time in the 50 m freestyle event.  She is now busy training in preparation for Nationals being held in Adelaide in April 2019.

Abby Warner and Zoe Dowler.

Zoe Dowler is also heading to Nationals to swim after a qualifying time in the 200 m breaststroke.  This is Zoe’s very first national time.  Like Abby, Zoe will be have a busy few months preparing for her event.

Sandra Timmer-Arends
Head of Sport – Traralgon Campus
Health and Physical Education

 

Warragul Junior School

From the Head of Warragul Junior School, Mr Rowan van Raay. Warragul Junior School were recently successful in receiving a Children’s Facilities Capital Program – …

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Warragul Junior School

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

Warragul Junior School were recently successful in receiving a Children’s Facilities Capital Program – 2018/2019 Early Learning Facility upgrade grant from the State Government.  This major grant will see a full upgrade of the outdoor space.  Planning has already begun and we are seeking permission from DEET to commence works as soon as possible and hopefully will be completed by the end of Term 1 2019.  Very exciting times for our Early Learning Centre as we enhance our outdoor space to complement our indoor programs!

Grandparents Day was another great success last Thursday with the weather threatening at one stage, but being kind to us in the end.  We had over five hundred and fifty visitors attend, enjoying visiting classrooms, the Art Show, STEM Centre and the Kitchen Garden.  I thank Karen and all of the parent helpers for organising and serving morning tea.  I thank our Grounds and Maintenance team who assisted with parking and setting up the gymnasium.  Well done and thanks to Mrs Davies who coordinated our assemblies and all staff who assisted on the day to ensure our guests were made to feel welcome.  It is always a lovely time to see our students so happy to show off their school to their guests.

Last Friday, we held our Remembrance Day Service on the hill near our flag poles.  I would like to thank Mr Barkla and the Year 5 students who conducted the service and to all of our Prep to Year 6 students for attending this important service.  Year 6 Leaders, Luke Sterling and William Brewer, attended a community service in Warragul on Sunday and laid a wreath on behalf of our Junior School community.

Well done to all of the Prep to Year 2 students who performed at their Soirée on Wednesday night.  It is always wonderful to see our youngest students being given the opportunity to participate and perform at the Soirée.  This was our final one for the year and I thank Mrs Davies, staff who attended and the Year 6 Leaders who assisted and hosted all of our Soirées this year.

Preparation for moving from one year to the next is really important for all students and our transition programs are now in full swing.  Our 2019 Preps completed their second transition session today and on Friday 30 November our 2019 Pre-Kinder and Pre-Prep learners will attend their transition sessions (there will be no sessions for our 2018 Pre-Kinder or Pre-Preps on this day – Friday 30 November).  Our current Prep to Year 5 students will spend time transitioning into their 2019 classes on Tuesday 4 December, whilst our Year 6s will begin Early Commencement in the Secondary School on Monday 3 December and attend for three days.  Parents should have received notification of our proposed class teachers for next year via email on Wednesday.

With the school year quickly coming to an end and to assist parents to know what is happening during an extremely busy time for everyone, please note the following important information:

Our 2019 ELC Information Evening will be held next Monday night in the Prideaux Centre, our Annual Walk to School will be held on Wednesday 21 November and our ELC and Warragul Junior School photo has been rescheduled to this morning as well (9:15 am on the Warragul Junior School oval).  Our Prep to Year 2 Athletics Carnival will be held on Thursday 22 November on our Junior School oval.

The 2019 Junior School Leaders will be announced at a Prep to Year 6 Assembly on Monday 26 November (2:30 pm in the Junior School Gymnasium).  Our Year 3s will head off on camp to Waratah Bay on Wednesday 28 November.

On Wednesday 5 December our ELC will hold their Night of Celebration in the Junior School Gymnasium commencing at 5:30 pm.  A sausage sizzle for dinner will be provided.  The final day of ELC classes will be on Tuesday 11 December.

Staff are busy working on the end of year reports and Prep to Year 5 students will receive theirs on Wednesday 5 December while our Year 6s will receive theirs the following day.

Our annual Year 6 Dinner will be held on Monday 10 December (5:30 pm for a 6:00 pm start) in the Junior School Gymnasium.  We are looking forward to celebrating a special milestone for our Year 6s together with their parents or special guest.

Our final day of school will be on Wednesday 12 December with Presentation Assembly beginning at 9:30 am to 11:00 am in the Secondary School Gymnasium.  This will be an opportunity for us all to celebrate the 2018 school year with each year level providing a short snapshot of their year and to wish our Year 6 students well as they complete their junior schooling.  Parents are welcome to attend the assembly and all students will return to the Junior School for final farewells.  Students are permitted to go home with their parents at 11:30 am.  After school care is available for families who require it (please let staff at Camp Australia know if your child/ren will be attending after school care on this day).  Buses will also run on this afternoon if required.

Rowan van Raay
Head of Warragul Junior School

 

WHAT’S ON IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

NOVEMBER
22 November  Prep to Year 2 House Athletics Carnival, Junior School Oval
23 November  Prep 2019 Transition Day, Number 3
28 to 30 November  Year 3 Camp (Please note change of date)
30 November  Prep 2019 Transition Day, Number 4

DECEMBER
3 to 5 December
  Year 7 Orientation
4 December  Years 1 to 6 Orientation Day
7 December  Years 3 to 5 Swim Trials
10 December  FOSTA Teachers Breakfast
Year 6 Dinner
12 December  Year 6 Presentation Assembly, Secondary School Gymnasium, 9:30 am
End of 2018 school year, 3:30 pm FINISH

 

 

 

 

Warragul Secondary School

From the Head of Warragul Secondary School, Ms Laura Butterworth. Last week marked the halfway point of Term 4 and it is with disbelief that …

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Warragul Secondary School

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

Last week marked the halfway point of Term 4 and it is with disbelief that I realise, after today, we only have four weeks of the school year left.  We certainly celebrated the halfway mark with style as the annual Art Exhibition was held in the new building and highlighted the work of our Visual Art students from Years 7 to 12.  For those who were able to attend, I am sure that you were as equally inspired and mesmerised by the creativity, imagination and technique on display.  A sincere thank you must be extended to our talented and dedicated Visual Arts Faculty who worked tirelessly in the lead up to ensure as many items were displayed as possible.  I would also like to congratulate all of the students involved in the exhibition.

As the end of 2018 approaches with haste I would like to remind parents of the important end of year events for your diaries:

EXAMINATIONS
Year 11
– Examinations for Year 11 started yesterday and will continue through until Wednesday 21 November.  Please refer to the Year 11 page on MyStPauls for the timetable.
Year 10 – Examinations for Year 10 will be held on Tuesday 20 November and Wednesday 21 November.  Please refer to the Year 10 page on MyStPauls for the timetable.
Year 9 – Examinations for Year 9 will be held on Monday 19 November through to and including Wednesday 21 November.

Thursday 22 November is an examination catch up day for Years 10 and 11 students.  They will not be required on campus if all examinations and coursework has been completed.

Friday 23 November is a student free day as our teaching staff finalise the 2018 results and plan for Early Commencement which will start on the following Monday 26 November.

Monday 26 November Early Commencement begins and all students will transition to the next year level.  This program is taken very seriously at St Paul’s and will enable students to make a great start on their 2019 studies.  Our Year 9 program will operate out of the New Building and all students will now follow the same bell times.

Friday 7 December is the final day of classes for the 2019 Years 11 and 12 students.

Wednesday 12 December is the final day for the 2019 Year 8 through to Year 10 students.

If you have any questions or need clarification on any of the information above please contact your child’s Head of Year.

FOSP MOVIE NIGHT FUNDRAISER
Friday 23 November is a Student Free Day and our wonderful FOSP group have arranged a movie night on Thursday 22 November as a wonderful opportunity for students to unwind after a busy year.  We would love to see as many students and parents supporting this evening.
The movie: ‘Fantastic Beasts – The Crimes of Grindelwald’
Peninsula Cinemas, Warragul, 6:30 pm (tbc)
Tickets $15 each (cash only) including supper can be purchased through Warragul Secondary School Student Services Office.

PRESENTATION EVENING 2018
The final event on the school calendar is the Presentation Evening, which will be held on Wednesday 12 December at 7:00 pm in the gymnasium.  All students are expected to attend and family members are invited to join them.  We appreciate your support and look forward to you joining us on the night.

Ms Laura Butterworth
Head of Warragul Secondary School

 

 

WHAT’S ON IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

NOVEMBER
17 November  Alumni 10, 20 and 30 Year Reunions, Warragul Secondary School, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
19, 20, 21 and 22 November  Year 11 Exams
19 to 22 November  Years 9 and 10 Exams
21 November  Year 8 Medieval Day
Lamont Book Order Collection, Pop Up Store, Warragul Secondary School Library, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
22 November  SEISA Summer Sport, Finals
Years 8, 9 and 10 Catering Students Food Tour, Melbourne
FOSP Movie Night Fundraiser, ‘Fantastic Beasts – The Crimes of Grindelwald’, Peninsula Cinemas, Warragul, 6:30 pm (tbc)
23 November  VEIS Interschool Show Jumping, Ayr Hill Equestrian Centre, Clyde North
Student Free Day
Valedictory Dinner, Lardner Park, 6:30 pm for a 7:00 pm start
24 November  Alumni Class of 2013, 5 Year Reunion, Bank Coffee House and Wine Bar, Smith Street, Warragul, 7:30 pm
24 November to 11 December  Rwanda Tour
26 November  Early Commencement

DECEMBER
7 December 
Final day of classes for the 2019 Years 11 and 12 students
12 December 
Final day for the 2019 Year 8 through to Year 10 students
Presentation Evening, 7:00 pm, Gymnasium

 

 

MATHS TUTORIAL CLASSES

Monday – Year 9, 1:20 pm, Year 9 Centre
Wednesday – Years 7 and 8, lunchtime, YS2
Wednesday – Years 10 to 12, lunchtime, RM6
Thursday – VCE classes, after school, RM6

 

From the Principal

Every two years we participate in Independent Schools Victoria’s LEAD School Effectiveness Surveys.  We have just received the results of these ISV surveys and have …

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Every two years we participate in Independent Schools Victoria’s LEAD School Effectiveness Surveys.  We have just received the results of these ISV surveys and have begun our analysis.  The primary purpose of the surveys is for us to gain a better understanding of our school and how we are perceived to be performing by various groups in the school community – students, staff, parents and Board Directors.  Armed with these insights, we are able to build on our strengths and address areas which need development.

With the final weeks of VCE examinations upon us, I thought it would be worth sharing what the Class of 2018 had to say about their experience of St Paul’s.  I found it very interesting and, I must admit, reassuring.

On a scale of one to ten, the top five scoring statements were as follows:
•  Students from different backgrounds and cultures are treated equally.  9.09 (ISV average 7.94)
•  I have been encouraged to obtain the best academic results possible.  8.90 (ISV average 8.13)
•  I find the school a safe place in which to learn.  8.90 (ISV average 8.37)
•  I have been challenged in my studies at this school.  8.89 (ISV average 8.03)
•  The school has provided me with good information and advice about future career options.  8.86 (ISV average 7.24)

At the other end of the results, our five lowest scoring five statements were these:
•  Maintaining contact with the school is important to me.  7.34 (ISV average 6.20)
•  The school has given me the opportunity to explore my spiritual development.  7.45 (ISV average 6.48)
•  My special interests and talents have been developed at this school.  7.67 (ISV average 6.59)
•  The school has equipped me with skills and knowledge needed for the future.  7.78 (ISV average 7.02)
•  I think I have been well prepared for the future.  7.79 (ISV average 7.19)

It is worth noting that in each of the areas above, the St Paul’s average score is significantly higher than the Independent Schools Victoria (ISV) average.  Indeed, this was the case with every statement in the survey.  Like all schools, we have areas in which we require development and we are always seeking to improve.  It is, however, very pleasing to know that our Year 12 students rate St Paul’s so highly.

Cameron Herbert
Principal