Traralgon Junior School

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

Dear Parents,

EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS
Thank you to all parents for your efficiency in responding to our requests to update your contact details.  In just two weeks we have been able to update the whole schools’ details.  Thank you to you all and in particular thanks to Carlie for coordinating, checking and entering all these updated details.

CONTINUOUS ONLINE REPORTING
Last Friday you would have received a notification in regard to feedback about your child’s writing.  The feedback focused on the student’s achievement, work habits and goals for improvement.  If you were not able to log into MyStPauls for any reason it is important that you contact our IT Support team.  You can do this by emailing itsupport@stapaulsags.vic.edu.au.  You can also view the ‘Parent Help Files’ on MyStPauls.  This page contains helpful resources that can assist you to navigate the site and utilise its features.  You can access the page via the sidebar or icon on the homepage.  Please let us know if you are unable to view your child’s feedback for any reason.

Thank you to Mrs Walton for her time spent coordinating and setting up the technical side of this reporting style and to all our wonderful staff for dedicating so much time and effort to write the comments for your child’s development.

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Hopefully you will by now be aware that on Monday 25 March there will be significant carpark changes happening.  We will now allow vehicles in the front school carpark to depart via the same way they entered, that is, back past the Secondary School to the roundabout on the western side, this means that the traffic will be TWO WAY throughout the front carpark.  It will not be compulsory that vehicles depart this way but by doing so they will have an opportunity to avoid frustrating delays.  Various suggestions have been made to make this an easier transition, one of which is to reverse into your carpark and then use your indicator to show which way you intend to leave, therefore allowing further ease of departure.

NEW UPDATE FOR BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE
Yes, you did read that heading correctly!  It is with great anticipation that I am able to announce that BEFORE school care is being launched at St Paul’s Traralgon from Term 2.  So for families who need to drop children off at school before 8:30 am there is now a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment to bring you children to.  Care will begin from 6:45 am and includes breakfast.  Students will stay until 8:45 am when they will be able to head over to their classrooms to be supervised by the teachers.  To register your initial interest please feel free to contact Carlie in the office and we will forward you more information as it comes in.

ASSEMBLY
Since the beginning of the year we have struggled to maintain a ‘normal’ assembly time and next week will, once again, be no different.  Monday 25 March will be a combined Chapel and assembly starting at 2:30 pm, this is so that the ELC are able to join us.  Please come along to celebrate our students’ achievements, birthdays and find out what is happening around the school.

FOSP HOT CROSS BUN ORDERS
Please do not forget that Hot Cross Bun Orders are due in next Wednesday 27  March.  All correct money needs to be in a sealed envelope and dropped off at the office.  Buns will be delivered to school and distributed on Friday 5 April, which is our last day of school.

Do not forget that for every pack that you buy $2 will be donated back to the School.

DISTRICT ATHLETICS AND REGIONAL SWIMMING
Over the last couple of weeks Mr Reed has had a busy schedule coordinating and chaperoning students here there and everywhere for swimming and athletics.  The School and students have had many successes, too many to list here, but congratulations to you all!  Many, many thanks to Mr Reed for all his tireless efforts, without him these events would not be possible.

Gwen Hunter
Head of Traralgon Junior School

 

 

WHAT’S ON IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

MARCH
26 March  Possum and Koala Groups ELC Photos
27 March  Parent Student Teacher Interviews, 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Joey and Wombat Groups ELC Photos
28 March  Parent Student Teacher Interviews, 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm

APRIL
4 April  Year 6 Camp at the wetlands
5 April  Easter Service and FOSP Easter Egg Hunt
End of Term 1, 2:30 pm FINISH

 

 

DOBSONS – WINTER UNIFORM REMINDER

A reminder that Term 2 at St Paul’s will see all students in full winter uniform.  To save the last minute rush, Dobsons now have winter uniforms in stock should you need to purchase new items before the start of Term 2.

Holiday trading hours for Dobsons will be as follows:

Traralgon – Tuesday 16 and Thursday 18 April, 1:00 to 4:00 pm

These will be the last trading days for Dobsons before the Easter holiday break.

On the first day back of Term 2, Tuesday 23 April, Dobsons will be open from 8:00 to 11:00 am and 2:00 to 5:00 pm.

 

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A ST PAUL’S COMPANY MEMBER OR BOARD DIRECTOR?

MEMBERSHIP OF COMPANY

Are you aware parents are able to become members of the St Paul’s School Company?

At present there are over sixty members of the School’s Company.  Applying for membership involves completing an application form and submitting a fee of $20.00.  Continued membership involves renewing your membership once a year and paying an ongoing annual fee of $20.00.

Company membership entitles the member to attend the School’s Annual General Meeting in May each year and also to cast a vote in the event of an election of Directors to the School Board.

Persons interested in applying for new membership of the Company can obtain an Application for Company Membership form from the St Paul’s website or by contacting Carol Reid via email creid@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Applications should be received by 23 April 2019 for consideration at the April Board Meeting in preparation of this year’s Annual General Meeting.  Later applications can also be considered but must be received by 21 May 2019 to be able to attend the Annual General Meeting.

BECOMING A BOARD DIRECTOR

In keeping with the Board’s commitment to an inclusive governance approach within the school community, persons interested in potentially filling a Board vacancy are encouraged to become a member of the Company and respond to the nomination/election process prior to the Annual General Meeting on 29 May 2019.

Nomination forms for Board Directorship are required to be forwarded to the Company Secretary no later than Monday 29 April 2019 at 5:00 pm.

If you have any questions in relation to the Board vacancies or are seeking a nomination form, please contact Mrs Leah Young, Company Secretary via email companysecretary@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or phone 5623 5833.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – 29 MAY 2019

The Annual General Meeting of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School is to be held on Wednesday 29 May 2019 at the Warragul Campus commencing at 5:30 pm for members of the Company.

 

FOSP NEWS

Friends of St Paul’s (FOSP) organised the ‘Catch a Rainbow Family Colour Run’ for the school families, which received an overwhelming response of participants, with over four hundred people attending the day.

The official opening of the event was at 2:00 pm.  The two kilometre course had eighteen different obstacles with the final one being a water slide which was a hit with the big (adult) and little kids.  There were eight colour stations in total where the rainbow began, with sponsors stationed ready to throw colour at the participants as they proceeded around the course.  The vibe of the course was a colourful one, where the participants and sponsors at each colour station getting in on the action.  Food trucks and a DJ broadcasting on our own live radio station was another wonderful addition to the day.

FOSP would like to thank all the sponsors and everyone that helped and will continue to organise many more events in the future such as Mother’s and Father’s Day stalls, Family Fishing Days, Easter Egg Hunts, Shopping Tours and many more.  If you are interested in these wonderful events please visit the FOSP page on MyStPauls for more information.

Catch a Rainbow Sponsors
In2 Project Management
Latrobe Valley Funeral Services
Dart Business Solutions
ARB Traralgon
The Athlete’s Foot Australia
Bridges On Argyle
Virtue Homes Gippsland, Warragul, Drouin
Gippsland Gastroenterology
Endota Spa
Latrobe Valley Enterprises
First National Real Estate Latrobe
McMillans
Nanoo Nanoo – Media Arts Communications
Bakers Delight
Carpet Country
St Paul’s World Challenge
Gippsland Coffee Cab
Delores Butterball
Chris Allford
Burger Mamma
GRILL EM
Gippsland Jersey
Muffin Break Traralgon
WheelzWorld Moe
Wyncity Morwell
The Summit
Green Olive
Grow Master Traralgon
BIG4 Traralgon Park Lane Holiday Park
Paint Place Haymes Paint Traralgon
Gumbuya World
Ready Steady Go Kids Gippsland
Willaton Transport

 

CLASS AWARDS

Prep V
Neave for her great participation in class discussions.  Well done!
Pres S
Bosco for being very helpful during pack up time.
1F
Ethan for writing and illustrating fantastic stories.
John for coming to school with a smile and being ready to learn!
2C
Ryan for quick recall of friends of 10 during our game of ‘Shoot out’.
3CD
Violet for your positive approach towards learning in all subject areas and your kind, helpful behaviour.
3BH
Bryce for his perseverance with Athletic sports events after injuring himself.
6R
Elyse for completing a thorough and interesting investigation into square numbers.

 

 

BLAZE AID BUNYIP

As you are aware, the fires at the Bunyip State Park have impacted our community greatly.  We are looking for supplies and finances to help feed approximately one hundred volunteers for three meals a day for approximately three months.  These volunteers are here to help rebuild our community.

Funds can be donated to:
Feed the Blazers
Bunyip & District Community House
Bendigo Bank Bunyip
BSB: 633 000
Account No: 1580 3457 9

We would greatly appreciate any donation you can make.
If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 5629 5877.

Many thanks for any help that we receive.

Davina Veenstra 0420 372 998
Coordinator Bunyip & District Community House

 

 

FINANCE NEWS

Private Car Conveyance Allowance
Families driving students more than 4.8 kilometres to attend St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School may be eligible to receive a conveyance allowance. For further information on the eligibility criteria and application process, please refer to http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/principals/finance/Pages/conveyance.aspx

Eligible families applying for the car conveyance allowance will have funds credited to their fee account during the year.  If the fee account has been paid in full, or is on a direct debit arrangement, any allocation will show as a credit on the following year’s invoice.  These forms need to be handed to the school by 10 May 2019 for claiming in Term 2.

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides payments directly to the school for the benefit of the eligible student to attend camps, sports and excursions.  Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply.  $125 per year will be paid for eligible primary school students and $225 per year paid for eligible secondary school students.  Payments will go directly to the school and be tied to the student.  For more information and to download the application form please go to www.education.vic.gov.au/csef  Parents are encouraged to lodge the application form immediately, so that payments can be made from March 2019.  However schools can accept parent applications up until 7 June 2019 for processing in Term 2.  The CSEF program for 2019 closes on 28 June 2019.

For parents who received CSEF at the school in 2018 (and the student/s are still enrolled in 2019), the schools will ‘copy’ the application across from 2018 to 2019 on the CSEF system.  The CSEF system will automatically validate the parent’s eligibility with Centrelink.

Annual Fee Account
Families have been receiving monthly statements via email to keep them informed of fee balances.  If you have any queries in relation to your annual fee account, please contact Mr Peter Lees on 5623 5833.  As detailed on the second page of the account, payment options are:

Direct Debit
All families are encouraged to participate in the School’s direct debit payment arrangement.
Fortnightly instalments (twenty-two payments) commencing 8 February 2019
Monthly instalments (ten payments) commencing 15 February 2019

It is not too late to commence payment by Direct Debit, please contact Mr Peter Lees, accountsreceivable@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Instalments (due dates)
Instalment 1 – 8 February 2019
Instalment 2 – 5 April 2019
Instalment 3 – 7 June 2019
Instalment 4 – 16 August 2019

The second instalment is due on Friday 5 April, the last Friday of Term 1 prior to school holidays.

Sundry Accounts
Term 1 sundry invoices for any co-curricular activities such as Performing Arts and VET Courses have been issued via email.   These invoices have fourteen day payment terms.

 

From the Chaplain

DO NOT JUDGE ME! In the wake of recent tragic events in Christchurch, the need for us to learn to live together in a pluralist …

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From the Chaplain

DO NOT JUDGE ME!

In the wake of recent tragic events in Christchurch, the need for us to learn to live together in a pluralist society has once again been brought into stark relief.  As heartening as it is to hear representatives from different sides of politics, faith, culture and worldview expressing their condemnation of the shootings and solidarity with the people of Christchurch, the hard reality is that it was our community, our culture that produced the man who committed this horrific act.  Now I am sure that there were many factors in play beyond societal influence that led to this man’s actions and I am not trying to apportion blame.  However, I am reminded of the importance of teaching young people how to live alongside others who may hold different views from them; to give them the skills to talk together; to find common ground; and to join with each other in navigating the difficult and complex task of figuring out how to live peaceably together.

So what is happening when we disagree with someone?  What is at stake?  If someone disagrees with you, do you think they are judging you?  Are you judging them?  I recently read a worrying statistic.  According to a recent study by the Barna Group, around forty per cent of young people believe that disagreement means judgement.  This is double that of their parents and three times the percentage of their grandparents.  To put it in context, this means if you disagree with your child about something (and who does not at some point?), there is a forty per cent chance that they will think you are judging them.  If this trend is accurate then it is no wonder our public discourse around contentious issues is often so toxic.  It helps to makes sense of the tribalism, the outrage and the personal, often vitriolic, attacks that mark so much of our online dialogue.  And it perhaps goes some way towards explaining why so many young people suffer from crippling insecurity and anxiety.  The idea, that if someone disagrees with you then they must be judging you, prevents open engagement between people who hold differing views.  How often do we hear an opposing view, a disagreement, shut down by the accusation of ‘judgmentalism’?  This whole issue raises enough questions to fill a year’s worth of Grammarian articles.  Why are we becoming more prone to equating disagreement with judgement?  Is it because our sense of identity if so fragile?  Is it because we feel more and more judgement from society so we naturally assume that any disagreement is a judgement?  How do we disagree without being judgmental?  What is the difference between making a judgement and being judgmental?  Perhaps a helpful starting point could be the attitude that Jesus encouraged us to have, even in our disagreements.  In the words of the apostle Paul, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).  If we disagree with each other in this manner, we might just find that we all share more common ground than we realise.  And our young people may see that it is possible to disagree with someone and still hold each other in high regard.  Or maybe you disagree with me.  Just do not judge me!

Reverend Daniel Lowe
Senior Chaplain

 

Traralgon Secondary School

From the Head of Traralgon Secondary School, Mr Stephen Klemke. Year 8 Camp I had the pleasure of spending a day at the Year 8 …

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Traralgon Secondary School

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

Year 8 Camp
I had the pleasure of spending a day at the Year 8 camp at Banksia Peninsula, Gippsland Lakes.  Students were able to participate in sailing, sea kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, mountain bike riding and an overnight bush walk.  Thank you to Jason Addison, Glen Treble, Jayne Sherrard and Jennifer Witney for supporting our students so wonderfully during the camp.  They were all glowing in their praise of the students’ energy, enthusiasm and behaviour.

Athletics
Our combined campus athletics was held last Wednesday and the organisation by Sandra Timmer-Arends and her Warragul counterpart, Melissa Hoskings, was at its usual high standard.  On the day the setup began before 7:00 am and I wish to thank them both, as well as the team of staff and students who also arrived early to help.  I was talking to a new parent who remarked about the wonderful atmosphere – I could not have agreed more.  Our students supported each other wonderfully and it was a joy to watch.  There were many highlights but listening to the commentary skills of Sandra Timmer-Arends as she calls the relay races is always an experience.  Think of a soccer commentator calling an amazing goal and you will get the idea.  My congratulations to Paterson House on the overall victory.

Parent Student Teacher Interviews
In case you missed the recent email and last week’s Grammarian, I have included a copy of the PSTI information below.  Students also received a list of their subjects and teachers.  If you have any questions, then please feel free to call reception on 5175 9222.

Semester 1 Parent Student Teacher Interviews (PSTI) will be held on Tuesday 26 March and Monday 1 April from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm.  The interviews will be conducted in the Secondary School Building.  Bookings are essential.

St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School has an online booking system for the PSTI.  To access the booking system go to, http://www.schoolinterviews.com.au You will be required to enter a school code which is 7mh9s.  Please print your bookings at the end of the process before you log out.  Students are required to wear full school uniform when attending interviews.

Interview times are five minutes per teacher, if you require longer book two five minute time slots.  It is requested that parents of students, whose child has the same teacher for more than one subject, book only a ten minute interview with this teacher in which to discuss both subjects.  If there is any issue you would like to discuss that will take longer than the scheduled interview times, please contact the relevant teacher to organise another time to meet.  Appointments that exceed the allocated time significantly inconvenience all parties involved, hence your cooperation in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

To access details relating to your child’s classes and teachers please log onto the MyStPauls Portal and click on their timetable.  This will display the information required for booking the interviews.  Alternatively you can also access the information on the MyStPauls app.  If you need assistance with your login details please contact IT services at itsupport@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

PSTI Booking Times:
Bookings will be available from 9:00 am on Monday 12 March for both PSTI Sessions.
Session 1:  Tuesday 26 March (bookings close at 4:00 pm on Monday 25 March)
Session 2:  Monday 1 April (bookings close at 4:00 pm on Friday 29 March)

Stephen Klemke
Head of Traralgon Secondary School

 

WHAT’S ON IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

MARCH
26 March  Parent Student Teacher Interviews, 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm
27 March  Parent Student Teacher Interviews bookings re-open, 9:00 am
29 March  Parent Student Teacher Interviews bookings close, 4:00 pm

APRIL
1 April
  Parent Student Teacher Interviews, 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm
2 April  SEISA Junior Trials
4 April  SEISA Music Festival Excursion
DAV Debating Excursion
5 April  FOSP Easter Egg Hunt
End of Term 1, 2:30 pm FINISH
23 April
  Term 2 Commences
24 April  ANZAC Day Service
25 April  ANZAC Day Public Holiday
26 April  St James Church Community Lunch Excursion

MAY
1 May  Year 10 Immunisations
Traralgon Campus Secondary School Tours
Year 7 2020 Information Evening
2 May  SEISA Athletics Carnival

 

DOBSONS – WINTER UNIFORM REMINDER

A reminder that Term 2 at St Paul’s will see all students in full winter uniform.  To save the last minute rush, Dobsons now have winter uniforms in stock should you need to purchase new items before the start of Term 2.

Holiday trading hours for Dobsons will be as follows:

Traralgon – Tuesday 16 and Thursday 18 April, 1:00 to 4:00 pm

These will be the last trading days for Dobsons before the Easter holiday break.

On the first day back of Term 2, Tuesday 23 April, Dobsons will be open from 8:00 to 11:00 am and 2:00 to 5:00 pm.

 

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A ST PAUL’S COMPANY MEMBER OR BOARD DIRECTOR?

MEMBERSHIP OF COMPANY

Are you aware parents are able to become members of the St Paul’s School Company?

At present there are over sixty members of the School’s Company.  Applying for membership involves completing an application form and submitting a fee of $20.00.  Continued membership involves renewing your membership once a year and paying an ongoing annual fee of $20.00.

Company membership entitles the member to attend the School’s Annual General Meeting in May each year and also to cast a vote in the event of an election of Directors to the School Board.

Persons interested in applying for new membership of the Company can obtain an Application for Company Membership form from the St Paul’s website or by contacting Carol Reid via email creid@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Applications should be received by 23 April 2019 for consideration at the April Board Meeting in preparation of this year’s Annual General Meeting.  Later applications can also be considered but must be received by 21 May 2019 to be able to attend the Annual General Meeting.

BECOMING A BOARD DIRECTOR

In keeping with the Board’s commitment to an inclusive governance approach within the school community, persons interested in potentially filling a Board vacancy are encouraged to become a member of the Company and respond to the nomination/election process prior to the Annual General Meeting on 29 May 2019.

Nomination forms for Board Directorship are required to be forwarded to the Company Secretary no later than Monday 29 April 2019 at 5:00 pm.

If you have any questions in relation to the Board vacancies or are seeking a nomination form, please contact Mrs Leah Young, Company Secretary via email companysecretary@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or phone 5623 5833.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – 29 MAY 2019

The Annual General Meeting of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School is to be held on Wednesday 29 May 2019 at the Warragul Campus commencing at 5:30 pm for members of the Company.

 

 

BLAZE AID BUNYIP

As you are aware, the fires at the Bunyip State Park have impacted our community greatly.  We are looking for supplies and finances to help feed approximately one hundred volunteers for three meals a day for approximately three months.  These volunteers are here to help rebuild our community.

Funds can be donated to:
Feed the Blazers
Bunyip & District Community House
Bendigo Bank Bunyip
BSB: 633 000
Account No: 1580 3457 9

We would greatly appreciate any donation you can make.
If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 5629 5877.

Many thanks for any help that we receive.

Davina Veenstra 0420 372 998
Coordinator Bunyip & District Community House

 

 

FINANCE NEWS

Private Car Conveyance Allowance
Families driving students more than 4.8 kilometres to attend St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School may be eligible to receive a conveyance allowance. For further information on the eligibility criteria and application process, please refer to http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/principals/finance/Pages/conveyance.aspx

Eligible families applying for the car conveyance allowance will have funds credited to their fee account during the year.  If the fee account has been paid in full, or is on a direct debit arrangement, any allocation will show as a credit on the following year’s invoice.  These forms need to be handed to the school by 10 May 2019 for claiming in Term 2.

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides payments directly to the school for the benefit of the eligible student to attend camps, sports and excursions.  Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply.  $125 per year will be paid for eligible primary school students and $225 per year paid for eligible secondary school students.  Payments will go directly to the school and be tied to the student.  For more information and to download the application form please go to www.education.vic.gov.au/csef  Parents are encouraged to lodge the application form immediately, so that payments can be made from March 2019.  However schools can accept parent applications up until 7 June 2019 for processing in Term 2.  The CSEF program for 2019 closes on 28 June 2019.

For parents who received CSEF at the school in 2018 (and the student/s are still enrolled in 2019), the schools will ‘copy’ the application across from 2018 to 2019 on the CSEF system.  The CSEF system will automatically validate the parent’s eligibility with Centrelink.

Annual Fee Account
Families have been receiving monthly statements via email to keep them informed of fee balances.  If you have any queries in relation to your annual fee account, please contact Mr Peter Lees on 5623 5833.  As detailed on the second page of the account, payment options are:

Direct Debit
All families are encouraged to participate in the School’s direct debit payment arrangement.
Fortnightly instalments (twenty-two payments) commencing 8 February 2019
Monthly instalments (ten payments) commencing 15 February 2019

It is not too late to commence payment by Direct Debit, please contact Mr Peter Lees, accountsreceivable@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Instalments (due dates)
Instalment 1 – 8 February 2019
Instalment 2 – 5 April 2019
Instalment 3 – 7 June 2019
Instalment 4 – 16 August 2019

The second instalment is due on Friday 5 April, the last Friday of Term 1 prior to school holidays.

Sundry Accounts
Term 1 sundry invoices for any co-curricular activities such as Performing Arts and VET Courses have been issued via email.   These invoices have fourteen day payment terms.

 

 

Warragul Junior School

From the Head of Warragul Junior School, Mr Rowan van Raay. It has been a hive of activity in the Junior School recently with our …

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Warragul Junior School

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

It has been a hive of activity in the Junior School recently with our Year 2s visiting Old Gippstown, our STEM captains attended the National Future School Expo at the Melbourne Convention Centre, we hosted a RoboCup Workshop, Regional Swimming, Years 3 to 6 House Athletics Carnival and the Prep to Year 2 Dr. Seuss Day.  Mr Herbert also spoke at our Years 3 to 6 assembly on Monday as part of International Day of Action Against Bullying.  He spoke to the students about our school values and how they mesh in with a positive, friendly, anti-bullying environment that we strive for in our school community.  Works to our new outdoor space in the ELC are coming along nicely and it is really starting to take shape.  Our ELC learners are enjoying exploring in the Kitchen Garden and natural play space while this new area is being constructed.  Finally, staff and students are running a stall at the Warragul Kids’ Farmers Market and Warragul Primary School this afternoon, so please feel free to pop in and say “Hi” and get some fresh produce and bargains.

Well done to all of the students who competed at the Regional Swimming Championships recently in Sale.  This level of competition is extremely tough and our congratulations are extended to all students who competed.  A special mention to Thomas Halloran-Lavelle, Luke Callewaert, Daniel Callewaert, Tarrant Cannon, Kade Cannon and Shae Nippers who all progressed through to state.  Well done, everyone!

On Wednesday and in perfect conditions, our Years 3 to 6 students participated in their House Athletics Carnival.  Every student competed in all events with Burgundy House victorious on the day.  I really liked the way the students supported each other and gave every event their best shot.  As Mr Boraston said at the end of the day, athletics may not be your thing, however, it was a credit to those who gave it their best shot and participated for their house.  Congratulations to James Denton from Year 4B who won the ‘fastest runner’ race which was between the fastest eight students from the day over 100 metres.  A fun relay race was held at the end of the carnival with the fastest Junior School girls and boys teams taking on Mr Boraston, Miss McGrath, Mr Beamish and Mr Faumuina (I somehow missed selection, but I am sure Mr Boraston and I will clear that up at a meeting I have scheduled with him next week!).  As you can see, there was a different look to the staff team, but luckily they came up with the goods!  My thanks to all of the Junior School staff and the many parents who assisted on the day. Congratulations to Mr Boraston for running another successful carnival.  Well done everyone!

We will be holding our Easter Service for all Prep to Year 6 students on the last day of term at 1:30 pm in the Junior School gymnasium.  Parents are welcome to join us and I thank Mrs Board and Mr Lowe for organising the service for us.  A reminder that we finish at 2:20 pm on the last day of Term, Friday 5 April.

A reminder that a Before School Care program will start from the beginning of Term 2.  I hope that parents will utilise and support this service.  I ask parents interested to visit the Camp Australia website www.campaustralia.com.au or contact their Customer Service Team on 1300 105 343 to register your child/ren.  Further information can be found further on in this newsletter.

Parents should have received feedback about their child’s writing via MyStPauls recently.  Hopefully you have had a chance to read the feedback provided and there will be a chance at our upcoming PTIs to discuss further.  Information regarding PTIs was sent home this week.  A reminder that these will take place in Week 10 on Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 April.  To access the booking system: log in to MyStPauls, on the left hand side toolbar, click on Parent Resources and select Parent Student Teacher Interviews.  You will be directed to a school interviews site which will ask you to enter a school code, which is: jmpvq.  If parents book a phone interview with a staff member, these calls will be made at some stage during Week 10 and not necessarily at the designated time you select.  Should you have any problems, please contact the Junior School office.

During Weeks 1 and 2 next term, students may wear either the summer or formal (winter) uniform as we transition from the warmer days to the cooler days.  From Week 3 (Monday 6 May), students must wear the formal uniform, including the blazer (boys may wear shorts).  I remind parents to refer to our uniform, jewellery and hairstyle requirements on pages 12 and 13 of our student diary, which outlines our expectations with regard to these important aspects of our school.

Please find below the Junior School office hours over the upcoming holidays.  Please take particular note that the Junior School office will be closed from Friday 19 April to Monday 22 April inclusive over the Easter break with Term 2 commencing the next day.

Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 April: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Wednesday 10 to Tuesday 16 April: CLOSED
Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 April: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Friday 19 to Monday 22 April:  CLOSED

Term 2 commences on Tuesday 23 April.

Rowan van Raay
Head of Warragul Junior School

 

 

WHAT’S ON IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

MARCH
22 March  Warragul Kids’ Farmers Market, Warragul Primary School, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
26 March Year 6E Community Service Session 6
27 March  Year 7 2020 Information Evening, Tours at 6:00 pm, Information Session 7:00 pm
29 March  Final Payment Due – Canberra Tour
30 March  St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School, Warragul Campus, Open Day, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

APRIL
1 April
  Parent Prayer Group
3 April  Parent Teacher Interviews
4 April  Parent Teacher Interviews
5 April  Easter Service
End of Term 1, 2:20 pm FINISH

 

 

DOBSONS – WINTER UNIFORM REMINDER

A reminder that Term 2 at St Paul’s will see all students in full winter uniform.  To save the last minute rush, Dobsons now have winter uniforms in stock should you need to purchase new items before the start of Term 2.

Holiday trading hours for Dobsons will be as follows:

Warragul – Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 April, 1:00 to 4:00 pm

These will be the last trading days for Dobsons before the Easter holiday break.

On the first day back of Term 2, Tuesday 23 April, Dobsons will be open from 8:00 to 11:00 am.

 

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A ST PAUL’S COMPANY MEMBER OR BOARD DIRECTOR?

MEMBERSHIP OF COMPANY

Are you aware parents are able to become members of the St Paul’s School Company?

At present there are over sixty members of the School’s Company.  Applying for membership involves completing an application form and submitting a fee of $20.00.  Continued membership involves renewing your membership once a year and paying an ongoing annual fee of $20.00.

Company membership entitles the member to attend the School’s Annual General Meeting in May each year and also to cast a vote in the event of an election of Directors to the School Board.

Persons interested in applying for new membership of the Company can obtain an Application for Company Membership form from the St Paul’s website or by contacting Carol Reid via email creid@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Applications should be received by 23 April 2019 for consideration at the April Board Meeting in preparation of this year’s Annual General Meeting.  Later applications can also be considered but must be received by 21 May 2019 to be able to attend the Annual General Meeting.

BECOMING A BOARD DIRECTOR

In keeping with the Board’s commitment to an inclusive governance approach within the school community, persons interested in potentially filling a Board vacancy are encouraged to become a member of the Company and respond to the nomination/election process prior to the Annual General Meeting on 29 May 2019.

Nomination forms for Board Directorship are required to be forwarded to the Company Secretary no later than Monday 29 April 2019 at 5:00 pm.

If you have any questions in relation to the Board vacancies or are seeking a nomination form, please contact Mrs Leah Young, Company Secretary via email companysecretary@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or phone 5623 5833.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – 29 MAY 2019

The Annual General Meeting of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School is to be held on Wednesday 29 May 2019 at the Warragul Campus commencing at 5:30 pm for members of the Company.

 

 

BLAZE AID BUNYIP

As you are aware, the fires at the Bunyip State Park have impacted our community greatly.  We are looking for supplies and finances to help feed approximately one hundred volunteers for three meals a day for approximately three months.  These volunteers are here to help rebuild our community.

Funds can be donated to:
Feed the Blazers
Bunyip & District Community House
Bendigo Bank Bunyip
BSB: 633 000
Account No: 1580 3457 9

We would greatly appreciate any donation you can make.
If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 5629 5877.

Many thanks for any help that we receive.

Davina Veenstra 0420 372 998
Coordinator Bunyip & District Community House

 

 

FINANCE NEWS

Private Car Conveyance Allowance
Families driving students more than 4.8 kilometres to attend St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School may be eligible to receive a conveyance allowance. For further information on the eligibility criteria and application process, please refer to http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/principals/finance/Pages/conveyance.aspx

Eligible families applying for the car conveyance allowance will have funds credited to their fee account during the year.  If the fee account has been paid in full, or is on a direct debit arrangement, any allocation will show as a credit on the following year’s invoice.  These forms need to be handed to the school by 10 May 2019 for claiming in Term 2.

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides payments directly to the school for the benefit of the eligible student to attend camps, sports and excursions.  Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply.  $125 per year will be paid for eligible primary school students and $225 per year paid for eligible secondary school students.  Payments will go directly to the school and be tied to the student.  For more information and to download the application form please go to www.education.vic.gov.au/csef  Parents are encouraged to lodge the application form immediately, so that payments can be made from March 2019.  However schools can accept parent applications up until 7 June 2019 for processing in Term 2.  The CSEF program for 2019 closes on 28 June 2019.

For parents who received CSEF at the school in 2018 (and the student/s are still enrolled in 2019), the schools will ‘copy’ the application across from 2018 to 2019 on the CSEF system.  The CSEF system will automatically validate the parent’s eligibility with Centrelink.

Annual Fee Account
Families have been receiving monthly statements via email to keep them informed of fee balances.  If you have any queries in relation to your annual fee account, please contact Mr Peter Lees on 5623 5833.  As detailed on the second page of the account, payment options are:

Direct Debit
All families are encouraged to participate in the School’s direct debit payment arrangement.
Fortnightly instalments (twenty-two payments) commencing 8 February 2019
Monthly instalments (ten payments) commencing 15 February 2019

It is not too late to commence payment by Direct Debit, please contact Mr Peter Lees, accountsreceivable@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Instalments (due dates)
Instalment 1 – 8 February 2019
Instalment 2 – 5 April 2019
Instalment 3 – 7 June 2019
Instalment 4 – 16 August 2019

The second instalment is due on Friday 5 April, the last Friday of Term 1 prior to school holidays.

Sundry Accounts
Term 1 sundry invoices for any co-curricular activities such as Performing Arts and VET Courses have been issued via email.   These invoices have fourteen day payment terms.

 

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 1 April)
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

 

 

 

Warragul Secondary School

From the Head of Warragul Secondary School, Ms Laura Butterworth. We have had another busy fortnight at St Paul’s including Year 8 camp and the …

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Warragul Secondary School

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

We have had another busy fortnight at St Paul’s including Year 8 camp and the House Athletics Carnival.  Reports on both of these events will be included in the final issue of the Grammarian for Term 1 but I would like to mention the committed and wonderful contribution of all the staff involved in both of these activities.  The Year 8 camp to Lakewood Park has established itself as a much anticipated event on the school calendar and our students are really enjoying the different activities and the acquisition of new skills that this camp provides.  Once again the attitude and behaviour of our students was exceptional and we expect nothing less from our fantastic young people.

The House Athletics Carnival was held on Wednesday this week and it was a fantastic day.  The weather held out for us and the whole day ran smoothly and with a wonderful atmosphere.  Attendance at house events and carnivals is part of the experience of secondary school and the house spirit was something to be reckoned with on Wednesday with so many students cheering on their houses and enjoying the day.  The staff relay team deserve a special mention for their contribution and although they could not pull off the win, they were a very speedy and impressive outfit.

PSTI Evenings
The first of our Parent Teacher Student Interview evenings will take place on Monday 25 March and the second one on Wednesday 3 April.  All families have received a letter which includes login details for the online system we use called ‘School Interviews’.  It is important that parents attend PSTI evenings in order to understand how your child is learning and what they can do to improve.  Improvement and/or success at school can often be attributed to the open communication between parent, student and teacher that these interviews provide and we encourage all families to attend.  If you are new to St Paul’s then please note that all students must attend in full summer uniform.  In order for teachers to be able to meet with all parents the interview times are set at five minutes.  If you would like a follow up call or would like further information on your child’s progress or how they can improve by email then please request this from the teacher.

Year 7 2020 Information Evening and Open Day
Next week we will host two very important events on the St Paul’s calendar.  The Year 7 2020 Information Evening will be held in our New Building on Wednesday 27 March with tours starting from 6:00 pm followed by an information session at 7:00 pm and then Open Day on Saturday 30 March.  Tours will run between 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on this day.  Please pass this information on to any prospective families that may be considering St Paul’s.

‘O’ Day 2019
‘O’ Day, short for Orientation Day, will be held on Friday 29 March.  At lunchtime on this day all of the Co-curricular Clubs and those activities that are able to will set up stalls, perform, promote and spruik their activity to the rest of the student body.  This is a wonderful opportunity for students who are new to St Paul’s to see what is on offer and speak to the co-curricular leaders.  The Prefects will be cooking a barbeque, selling sausages and all proceeds will be donated to Team Timor.  Team Timor is currently raising money to build another classroom in Ponilala, a remote village in the Ermera district.  Students on the 2019 East Timor trip will visit Ponilala Pre-Secondary School, pledge the money and teach with students for an afternoon.

Students are also invited to wear casual clothes for the day and are asked to donate $2 for the privilege that will also be donated to the Team Timor cause.  Please note that students must be appropriately dressed for casual clothes and are not allowed to wear thongs or singlets and must ensure that all clothing is respectful and appropriately conservative for the school setting.

Winter Uniform
As we near the end of Term 1 it is time to start thinking about winter uniform for the beginning of Term 2.  We commence day one of next term in full winter uniform.  Please ensure that your child has checked that they still have all items of the uniform and that they fit them appropriately.  Blazers are a compulsory item to be worn to and from school each day in the winter terms (Term 2 and 3).  Please ensure your child leaves your home wearing their blazer each day.

Dobsons will be open the following days in the upcoming holidays:
Wednesday 17 April, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Thursday 18 April, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

End of term
Please note that we end Term 1 on Friday 5 April at 2:30 pm.  This coincides with other local schools and all bus routes will run as normal.

Ms Laura Butterworth
Head of Warragul Secondary School

 

WHAT’S ON IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

MARCH
25 March  Parent Student Teacher Interviews, Evening 1, 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm
26 March  Chess Regional Tournament, Lavalla Secondary College, 8:10 am to 3:15 pm
Presentation Ball Training, 3:30 pm to 5:20 pm
27 March  Year 9 Faiths in our Community Excursion, 9:00 am to 3:20 pm
VET First Aid Course
Year 7 2020 Information Evening, Tours at 6:00 pm, Information Session at 7:00 pm
28 March  SEISA Summer Sport, Intermediate/Senior, Finals
30 March St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School Open Day, Warragul Campus, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
31 March  SEISA Surfing Trials, Inverloch Surf Beach, 8:00 am to 11:30 am

APRIL
1 April  New Building Opening Ceremony, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
2 April
SEISA Trials (Years 7 and 8), Traralgon Campus, 12:15 pm to 4:00 pm
Presentation Ball Training, 3:30 pm to 5:20 pm
3 April  Parent Student Teacher Interviews, Evening 2, 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm
4 April  Easter Service, 10:20 am
SEISA Music Festival
DAV Debating, St Margaret’s School, Berwick, 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm
5 April  End of Term 1, 2:30 pm FINISH
6 to 22 April  School Holidays
23 April  Term 2 Commences

 

 

DOBSONS – WINTER UNIFORM REMINDER

A reminder that Term 2 at St Paul’s will see all students in full winter uniform.  To save the last minute rush, Dobsons now have winter uniforms in stock should you need to purchase new items before the start of Term 2.

Holiday trading hours for Dobsons will be as follows:

Warragul – Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 April, 1:00 to 4:00 pm

These will be the last trading days for Dobsons before the Easter holiday break.

On the first day back of Term 2, Tuesday 23 April, Dobsons will be open from 8:00 to 11:00 am.

 

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A ST PAUL’S COMPANY MEMBER OR BOARD DIRECTOR?

MEMBERSHIP OF COMPANY

Are you aware parents are able to become members of the St Paul’s School Company?

At present there are over sixty members of the School’s Company.  Applying for membership involves completing an application form and submitting a fee of $20.00.  Continued membership involves renewing your membership once a year and paying an ongoing annual fee of $20.00.

Company membership entitles the member to attend the School’s Annual General Meeting in May each year and also to cast a vote in the event of an election of Directors to the School Board.

Persons interested in applying for new membership of the Company can obtain an Application for Company Membership form from the St Paul’s website or by contacting Carol Reid via email creid@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Applications should be received by 23 April 2019 for consideration at the April Board Meeting in preparation of this year’s Annual General Meeting.  Later applications can also be considered but must be received by 21 May 2019 to be able to attend the Annual General Meeting.

BECOMING A BOARD DIRECTOR

In keeping with the Board’s commitment to an inclusive governance approach within the school community, persons interested in potentially filling a Board vacancy are encouraged to become a member of the Company and respond to the nomination/election process prior to the Annual General Meeting on 29 May 2019.

Nomination forms for Board Directorship are required to be forwarded to the Company Secretary no later than Monday 29 April 2019 at 5:00 pm.

If you have any questions in relation to the Board vacancies or are seeking a nomination form, please contact Mrs Leah Young, Company Secretary via email companysecretary@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or phone 5623 5833.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – 29 MAY 2019

The Annual General Meeting of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School is to be held on Wednesday 29 May 2019 at the Warragul Campus commencing at 5:30 pm for members of the Company.

 

 

ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

On 15 March, there were international student protests involving tens of thousands of young people seeking political action on climate change.

7-4 geographers held their own awareness-raising action by turning the new building forecourt into a giant poster and chalking advice on how we can all take action to reduce emissions.  Their ideas included turning off lights and fans when leaving a room, buying locally grown produce to avoid transport emissions, buying energy efficient white goods to name a few.

As part of the sustainability message, Makayla and Emily represented 7GEOG4 and conducted an experiment in the canteen at lunchtime.  Having learnt about plastic waste in the environment, they posed the question: Does bottled water taste better than tap water?

Canteen customers were invited to taste samples A and B, and to state which they believed tasted better.  Also, which one they thought was tap water.  The results conclusively showed that sample B was considered to taste better and was believed to be the bottled water.

What the participants were not aware of however, was that there was a twist to the test.  In fact, both samples were tap water from the main Warragul Secondary staff room, but sample B was refrigerated, whereas A was not.

Many thanks to the volunteers and many apologies for our little trick, we hope all will consider the benefits of reaching for a re-usable water bottle and good old (free) tap water rather than buying a single-use plastic bottle of water.

Ms Sue Ensor
Teacher of Humanities

 

 

BLAZE AID BUNYIP

As you are aware, the fires at the Bunyip State Park have impacted our community greatly.  We are looking for supplies and finances to help feed approximately one hundred volunteers for three meals a day for approximately three months.  These volunteers are here to help rebuild our community.

Funds can be donated to:
Feed the Blazers
Bunyip & District Community House
Bendigo Bank Bunyip
BSB: 633 000
Account No: 1580 3457 9

We would greatly appreciate any donation you can make.
If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 5629 5877.

Many thanks for any help that we receive.

Davina Veenstra 0420 372 998
Coordinator Bunyip & District Community House

 

 

FINANCE NEWS

Private Car Conveyance Allowance
Families driving students more than 4.8 kilometres to attend St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School may be eligible to receive a conveyance allowance. For further information on the eligibility criteria and application process, please refer to http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/principals/finance/Pages/conveyance.aspx

Eligible families applying for the car conveyance allowance will have funds credited to their fee account during the year.  If the fee account has been paid in full, or is on a direct debit arrangement, any allocation will show as a credit on the following year’s invoice.  These forms need to be handed to the school by 10 May 2019 for claiming in Term 2.

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides payments directly to the school for the benefit of the eligible student to attend camps, sports and excursions.  Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply.  $125 per year will be paid for eligible primary school students and $225 per year paid for eligible secondary school students.  Payments will go directly to the school and be tied to the student.  For more information and to download the application form please go to www.education.vic.gov.au/csef  Parents are encouraged to lodge the application form immediately, so that payments can be made from March 2019.  However schools can accept parent applications up until 7 June 2019 for processing in Term 2.  The CSEF program for 2019 closes on 28 June 2019.

For parents who received CSEF at the school in 2018 (and the student/s are still enrolled in 2019), the schools will ‘copy’ the application across from 2018 to 2019 on the CSEF system.  The CSEF system will automatically validate the parent’s eligibility with Centrelink.

Annual Fee Account
Families have been receiving monthly statements via email to keep them informed of fee balances.  If you have any queries in relation to your annual fee account, please contact Mr Peter Lees on 5623 5833.  As detailed on the second page of the account, payment options are:

Direct Debit
All families are encouraged to participate in the School’s direct debit payment arrangement.
Fortnightly instalments (twenty-two payments) commencing 8 February 2019
Monthly instalments (ten payments) commencing 15 February 2019

It is not too late to commence payment by Direct Debit, please contact Mr Peter Lees, accountsreceivable@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Instalments (due dates)
Instalment 1 – 8 February 2019
Instalment 2 – 5 April 2019
Instalment 3 – 7 June 2019
Instalment 4 – 16 August 2019

The second instalment is due on Friday 5 April, the last Friday of Term 1 prior to school holidays.

Sundry Accounts
Term 1 sundry invoices for any co-curricular activities such as Performing Arts and VET Courses have been issued via email.   These invoices have fourteen day payment terms.

 

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 1 April)
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 Principal

As I was raised in a Uniting Church family, the Christian season of Lent is something with which I only became familiar as a young …

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From the Principal

As I was raised in a Uniting Church family, the Christian season of Lent is something with which I only became familiar as a young adult.  For people brought up in the Anglican, Roman Catholic or Orthodox tradition, the story would be very different, as Lent usually features very strongly in these churches.  Beginning on Ash Wednesday and concluding on Easter Sunday, Lent is a forty day period over six weeks (excluding Sundays) during which Christians traditionally fast to prepare themselves for the death and resurrection of Jesus.  For many Christian families, rather than fasting as such, abstaining from or ‘giving up’ something has typified the season of Lent.  A common thing to ‘give up’ before Easter arrives is, of course, chocolate.  I tried this once.

I think most of us who have abstained from an indulgence for a significant period of time will agree that while it is difficult, there are also resultant benefits.  For instance, I remember giving up eating meat for several months as a young man.  I came to appreciate other foods – especially nuts, fruits and vegetables as a result of my abstinence.  When I finally returned to eating meat, I enjoyed the experience far more than I had previously.  My sense of appreciation and gratitude had developed significantly because I had experienced going without this ‘luxury’ for several months.  I believe that being grateful for what we have is a critically important ingredient for human contentment.

Interestingly, many of us living in affluent western societies often find it difficult to be sincerely grateful for what we have.  The tendency is to compare ourselves with others around us, always wanting more in order to be happy.  Indeed, some Christians maintain that the pursuit of happiness is an inherently misguided goal.

It is also interesting that many westerners are deeply affected by their first visit to a third world or developing country.  This is why our school’s international service opportunities, including our trips to East Timor and Rwanda, are important for us to offer.  Not all students are able to participate, but those who do are likely to return with a richer understanding of life and self, together with the invaluable gift of genuine gratitude.

Cameron Herbert
Principal