In this issue

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

FOSP (Friends of St Paul’s) Gala Ball
Thank you to members of FOSP for the running of the 2017 Gala Ball.  The food was delicious (my favourite was the scallop wrapped in bacon, although the lamb skewers came in a close second).  The music was delightful and the Premier Function Centre was transformed to create a wonderful atmosphere.  Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time.

To the organising committee, thank you for your continued support of our school community.

Congratulations Melissa Clarke
Melissa and her husband Liam are proud to announce the birth of Patrick Liam Carolan, born on 22 October 2017 at 1:11 pm.  Both mother and baby are doing well.

Awards Review
After reviewing the award system during the beginning of 2017 a number of changes have been made.  This year students who are recognised as the top in individual subjects will receive a certificate to acknowledge this achievement.  Those students who are recognised in the top ten per cent of their cohort and those who receive Endeavour Awards will also receive a certificate but will now also receive a book voucher to accompany these awards.

The main change is that all of the subject award winners will not receive a book voucher; instead the Endeavour and top ten per cent students now will.

Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Duke of Edinburgh has three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold.  Young people can enter at any level, providing they meet the age requirements.  To achieve each level, participants create their own program of activities over a set length of time and across four sections:
Service – To develop and encourage a sense of community spirit and responsibility to others;
Skill – To encourage the development of personal interests and practical skills;
Physical Recreation – To encourage participation in physical recreation and improvement in physical fitness and performance;
Adventurous Journey – To encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery.
Gold level award participants also undertake a fifth section.

Through participation in the Duke of Edinburgh, young people are empowered with the skills and opportunities to make meaningful decisions, enhance life and work skills, live active and healthy lifestyles, contribute to their communities, and build their sense of adventure in the face of the unknown and unfamiliar.

Congratulations to Zac Nijenhuis, Danielle Strini, Lily McDonald and Georgia Hughes who were successful in achieving the bronze award.

WHAT’S ON IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

NOVEMBER
6 November  Mid-Term Break (Student Free Day)
7 November  Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday
8 November  Book Fair commences
8 November  Exhibition Evening
9 November  SEISA Summer Sport Junior, Round 4
10 November  Remembrance Day Service
17 November  FOSP Walking Shopping Tour, 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Fee Payment Reminder

• Tuition Fees are now overdue for families that do not have a periodical payment arrangement in place.
• Sundry invoices are due for payment by Friday 27 October 2017 and are now overdue.

Please arrange to pay outstanding invoices immediately.
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.

Traralgon Secondary School Exhibition Evening
To celebrate the learning of our students throughout the year, we are showcasing some of their many achievements in an Exhibition Evening on Wednesday 8 November from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.  We would like to invite families and friends to attend and share the achievements of our students.  All year levels are welcome.

There will be displays on Year 9 Personal Projects, Visual Arts, Hard Materials, Robotics, Drama and other core subject work.  We will also have live music, supper and an East Timor Fair Trade Stall.

If you have any queries or would like to know more, please contact Kirsten Enders  kenders@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or phone 5175 9222.

We look forward to seeing you!

Kirsten Enders
Humanities and Commerce Teacher

Uniform
Dobsons Uniform Shops will be CLOSED on Monday 6 November and Tuesday 7 November due to the Melbourne Cup Public Holiday weekend.

Sustainable Farming
On Tuesday 31 October students of 7A took part in a pilot program run by Landcare and funded by AGL.  They travelled to Budgeree where they met Landcare staff and were taught some activities to identify a healthy environment and practices that enhanced a healthy environment.  They were shown how to test the water quality, which they will do back at school in our own wetlands.  The program will continue at school when Landcare returns to run a soil testing session.

Tom Riddle and Emerson Arthur watching the water testing.

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

It has been another busy couple of weeks in our ELC and Junior School. Our Pre-Preps have been getting to know their Year 4 buddies while the Prep to Year 2s concluded their swimming program with their carnival last Wednesday.  Our thanks to all of the parents and friends that attended, staff who assisted and to Mr Boraston for running such a wonderful carnival. Our Preps enjoyed an incursion running their Prep Restaurant for family and friends.  They prepared food and drinks and proudly served their guests. Our Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 Hoop Time basketball teams participated in a tournament while we welcomed back our Year 12s that went through the Junior School for one final afternoon tea and to share old stories about their time in the Junior School.  Our Tournament Of Minds (TOM) team competed at the Australasian Final in Adelaide.  This week we had six students compete in the State Athletics, the Year 10 Commerce on Show and our T20 Cricket teams (Stars and Scorches) competed in a T20 Blast tournament on Tuesday.

The Year 5s are in the middle of applying for their Year 6 Leadership positions and have completed their interviews with Mr Barkla and Mrs Davies.  This is an exciting time for our Year 5s as they begin to think about being leaders of our Junior School next year.

Coming up we have Grandparents and Special Friends Day next Thursday while our 2018 Preps commence their transition program next Friday.  Our ELC and Junior School photo is on Tuesday 14 November at 9:15 am on the Junior School Oval.  All Years 3 to 6 students need to wear their summer uniform with blazer to school on this day for the photo.  Classes who have PE should bring their PE uniform to change in to after the photo.  Our Prep to Year 2 Soirée will be held in the Prideaux Centre on Wednesday 15 November while our ELC 2018 Information Evening will be held the following night.

SAVE THE DATE: This year the Warragul Junior School celebrates its 20th Birthday.  To celebrate this occasion, we will be holding a special celebration on Tuesday 21 November commencing at 2:30 pm in the Junior School Gymnasium.  This will also be an opportunity for the Warragul Junior School community to thank and farewell Ms Moloney.  All parents and friends are welcome to join us for this special occasion.

Staffing for 2018 is almost complete and parents will be notified of who will be teaching at each year level in the coming weeks.  Orientation day for our 2018 Year 1 to Year 6 students will be held on Tuesday 5 December (12:00 noon to 3:20 pm).  On this day, students will spend some time with their 2018 teacher and class mates.  We will also hold a short welcome assembly at 2:00 pm in the Junior School Gymnasium.  Next year’s class lists will be sent home to parents on this day.  Our Year 6s will be involved in three days of Early Commencement orientation days over at the Secondary School beginning on Monday 4 December.

Our final day of school will be on Tuesday 12 December with our Presentation Assembly beginning at 9:30 am and concluding at 11:00 am in the Junior School Gymnasium.  This will be an opportunity to celebrate the 2017 school year with all year levels giving a short presentation.  We will also be wishing our Year 6 students and Ms Moloney well as they complete their junior schooling and all parents are welcome to attend the assembly.  Students will return to class for half an hour and are then permitted to go home with their parents at 11:30 am to enjoy a well-earned holiday.

Have a wonderful LONG weekend everyone (remember, no school on Monday and Tuesday!)

WARRAGUL JUNIOR SCHOOL GRANDPARENTS AND SPECIAL GUESTS DAY
Thursday 9 November 2017

Prep to Year 2
9:00 am – 9:15 am       Guests arrive
9:15 am – 10:00 am     Prep to Year 2 Concert/Chapel (Junior School Gymnasium)
10:00 am – 11:00 am   Visit classrooms and Kitchen Garden
11:00 am – 11:30 am    Recess (morning tea for Prep to Year 2 guests in Prideaux Centre)
11:30 am                         Guests depart or move on to Years 3 to 6 session

Years 3 to 6
10:45 am – 11:00 am     Guests arrive
11:00 am – 11:30 am     Recess (morning tea for Years 3 to 6 guests in Junior School Gymnasium)
11:30 am – 12:15 pm     Years 3 to 6 Concert/Chapel (Junior School Gymnasium)
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm       Visit classrooms and Kitchen Garden
1:30 pm                            Guests depart

We are expecting around 500 guests to visit throughout the day and we will have Maintenance on hand to assist with parking, but could I ask that everyone is patient and park where they are directed.

WHAT’S ON IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

NOVEMBER
6 November  Mid-Term Break (Student Free Day)
7 November  Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday
9 November  Grandparents Day
13 November  Student Free Day
14 November  ELC and Junior School Photo, 9:15 am (full summer uniform)
15 November  Prep to Year 2 Soirèe, Prideaux Centre, 7:00 pm
16 November  Walk to School Morning
21 November  20 Year Celebration Assembly, 2:20 pm, Junior School Gymnasium
22 to 24 November  Year 4 Camp to The Summit
22 to 24 November  Year 3 Camp to Waratah Bay
30 November  Prep to Year 2 Athletics Carnival
30 November  Year 5 Excursion to Peninsula Cinema Centre Warragul

PLEASE NOTE THAT MONDAY 13 NOVEMBER IS A STUDENT FREE DAY FOR JUNIOR SCHOOL STUDENTS ONLY – ELC AND SECONDARY SCHOOL CLASSES WILL RUN AS NORMAL.

Fee Payment Reminder

• Tuition Fees are now overdue for families that do not have a periodical payment arrangement in place.
• Sundry invoices are due for payment by Friday 27 October 2017 and are now overdue.

Please arrange to pay outstanding invoices immediately.
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.

Uniform
Dobsons Uniform Shops will be CLOSED on Monday 6 November and Tuesday 7 November due to the Melbourne Cup Public Holiday weekend.

Author Visit
Wednesday 18 October was a special day as we welcomed local award winning author, Scot Gardner, to the school.  Scot presented four sessions during his half day with us. Year 7 and Year 8 students were privileged to hear Scot’s recount of life stories in comedic yet informative presentations with much to inspire in the art of storytelling.  Who would have thought a grass seed or a dead cow story could keep us on the edge of our seats for so long!  Scot shared some background to the process of writing his books while chatting to the Years 5 and 6 classes as together they recounted stories of their own and others’ family misadventures!   Secondary School Writers’ Club had a special session with Scot learning about character development as a starting point to writing a story.

Many students have commented on the fun they had and their motivation to read one of many Scot Gardner titles available in the library.  We look forward to inviting him back some time in the future.

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

Last week we farewelled our Year 12 class of 2017 and on Wednesday this week, the examination period for these students began in earnest with the English exam.  I would like to thank our community for their patience with last week’s Celebration Day activities.  We do realise that there was a delay getting in and out of the school but for our students it signifies the end of a long year and their time in formal classes so there is much to celebrate.

Some weeks before Celebration Day I was approached by Matthew Dutneall in Year 12 who asked me if he would be able to take Ms Moloney and Ms Sweeney in his hot air balloon on his final day.  I told him that I thought it would be highly unlikely but I would do him the courtesy of asking.  The response from our Principal and Deputy was unanimous and I received an email back from both saying “I’m in!”.  After the risk was assessed, the paperwork filled out and close monitoring of the weather, the balloon did ascend and with it, Ms Moloney and Ms Sweeney.  It was such a wonderful spectacle and we hope families enjoyed seeing the balloon on the oval as they approached the school.  Thank you to Matthew and his father Peter for the time they put into making this happen.

Year 12 reports
Just a reminder that Year 12 reports were distributed to students on Tuesday 24 October.  Please ask your child if you are yet to see this.

Uniform
At our assembly this week I addressed our uniform policy.  We would appreciate parent support to ensure students are attending school in correct uniform.  A few things we would appreciate your assistance with include:

• Socks – the summer uniform requires boys in the appropriate grey socks and girls in white.
• Sport socks are to be plain white at all times with no visible logos. Black socks are not permitted.
• Spray jackets are a part of the sport uniform NOT the formal uniform and can only be worn as a wet weather protection over the blazer.
• Girls are only permitted to wear ONE plain sleeper or stud in the ears and a wrist watch.
• All students must have their hair tied back if it is longer than their collar.

A copy of the uniform policy can be found in the student diary. 

Year 9 Examinations
Year 9 students will begin their exam revision in the coming weeks in preparation for their second official exam block.  They are encouraged to see their classroom teachers if they need help with specific concepts or revision strategies.  All exams will take place at Miller’s Factory Year 9 Centre in the assembly area.  Students will sit three exams and they will be conducted under standard exam conditions. This will allow students to begin to understand and adapt to this environment.  Student behaviour and conduct during the examinations needs to be exemplary at all times.

Mrs Clark has addressed students about revising for exams and what is needed. Students must prepare an exam pack which will include:

• two HB pencils
• an eraser
• a sharpener
• a blue and black biro
• a highlighter
• school calculator (when required) with spare batteries.  These items can only be taken into the exam in a clear snap lock bag.

Years 10 and 11 Examinations
Our Year 11 examinations will take place from Thursday 16 November to Wednesday 22 November.  Students should have commenced their preparation for these exams already which should include a thorough study timetable.  Like the Year 9 exams, the Years 10 and 11 exams are conducted under strict exam conditions which students are fully briefed on.  Students should also bring writing materials in a clear snap lock bag or clear plastic pocket.  Mobile phones and devices are not permitted in the exam room.  Students will complete all exams in full school uniform.

All students will be briefed by either Mr Testa, Mrs Percy or Mr Kooloos regarding the upcoming exams.  The exam catch up day will be held on Thursday 23 November and Years 10 and 11 students who have completed all of their exams are not required on this day.  Friday 24 November is a student free day.

WHAT’S ON IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

NOVEMBER
3 November       Year 10 Geography Forest Excursion
6 November       Mid-Term Break (Student Free Day)
7 November       Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday
9 November       SEISA Summer Sport, Round 4
10 November    Year 10 ‘Oaklands Recording Studio’ Excursion
10 November    Remembrance Day Service, 10:30 am
10 November    Units 3 and 4 Visual Art Exhibition, 7:00 pm
16 November    Year 11 Exams commence

Fee Payment Reminder

• Tuition Fees are now overdue for families that do not have a periodical payment arrangement in place.
• Sundry invoices are due for payment by Friday 27 October 2017 and are now overdue.

Please arrange to pay outstanding invoices immediately.
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.

Uniform
Dobsons Uniform Shops will be CLOSED on Monday 6 November and Tuesday 7 November due to the Melbourne Cup Public Holiday weekend.

HPV team takes on Casey 6 hour Race
The St Paul’s Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) team recently debuted their new carbon fibre/Kevlar©/aluminium vehicle at the Casey 6 hour Race on Saturday 14 October.

‘Kev’ has been eighteen months in the making in the St Paul’s workshop, involving students, staff and parents.  Almost ‘straight out of the box’ it lived up to expectations and delighted the riding team.

A perfect sunny day saw two teams entered from St Paul’s, but with the day conflicting with local tennis finals we had a reduced number of students, some of them weary before they even hit the track.  Team ‘Jaffa’ ran almost faultlessly and came eleventh in a class of twenty-two teams, with team ‘Jaffa Too’ (riding Kev) suffering a chain separation that cost them a forty-one minute delay, coming back to be within seven minutes of the next team to be fifth in its class.  Our next focus is the forthcoming RACV Energy Breakthrough in late November, where we will compete with over one hundred other teams.

Ian Maud
Human Powered Vehicle Coordinator

The team to start the race: Matthew Bordonaro, Jonathan Charles, Matthew Dutneall, Emma Wong, Georgia Wilcox, Ian Maud, Daniel Blyth, Sarah Blyth and vehicles Kev and Barney.

Kev on the start grid, with (L-R): Matthew Dutneall, Daniel Blyth and Sarah Blyth.

Author Visit
Wednesday 18 October was a special day as we welcomed local award winning author, Scot Gardner, to the school. Scot presented four sessions during his half day with us. Year 7 and Year 8 students were privileged to hear Scot’s recount of life stories in comedic yet informative presentations with much to inspire in the art of storytelling.  Who would have thought a grass seed or a dead cow story could keep us on the edge of our seats for so long!  Scot shared some background to the process of writing his books while chatting to the Years 5 and 6 classes as together they recounted stories of their own and others’ family misadventures!   Secondary School Writers’ Club had a special session with Scot learning about character development as a starting point to writing a story.

Many students have commented on the fun they had and their motivation to read one of many Scot Gardner titles available in the library.  We look forward to inviting him back some time in the future.

Health and Physical Education Week all wrapped up!
Well Health and Physical Education Week has once again come and passed in very quick succession. With a week of fun filled activities on offer, it was up to the students to get heavily involved and help make it a rousing success!

Highlights of the week were the annual Teacher versus Year 12 Netball match, where the students overcame an early deficit to prevail winners. However, the teachers got their revenge against the Year 8s in ‘Capture the Flag’ where their wisdom and tactics were far superior.

To reward those students who participated in lots of the events, we had a raffle with some amazing prizes to award. The students who participated the most had the best chance of winning. Those raffle tickets were drawn out at the end of the netball match. Hopefully the chance of winning some prizes in the future will encourage the students to become more involved next year.

RAFFLE WINNERS:
Hugh Lyons-Mills – Water bottle, Jenna Wright – Canteen voucher, Kaelan Loomes – Canteen voucher, Matthew Hobbs – Rebel Sport voucher, Kieran Lenders – Rebel Sport voucher, Amy Dyt –  iTunes voucher, Sarah Moncrieff – Water bottle, Brydie Smith –  iTunes voucher, Tanvi Atla – Canteen voucher.

Lastly, a big thank you to the members of the Year 11 PE classes and teachers who devoted their lunchtimes to help run these activities. Your help is very much appreciated and without it this event could not take place, so thank you!

And so it begins…

As I write, our Year 12s are completing their first VCE exam. And although (as I mentioned in the last Grammarian) their results will not define them, it is a momentous occasion. The measure of the broad and diverse learning that they have undertaken over their thirteen years of schooling is through a condensed series of exams in a small number of subjects.

While on sabbatical leave recently, I was able to learn more about the breadth of subjects and experiences that American high school students are able to undertake as part of their preparation for, and entrance into, university.  While I have reservations about other aspects of the American education system, I was impressed by the many ways that students are able to demonstrate their competency and readiness for tertiary studies.  It is certainly a richer and more engaging approach. Being able to take courses for university credits as part of their final school years, include work experience as part of their studies and choose from a huge range of subjects offers a much more holistic approach.

One of the related discussions amongst my study group was the increasing number of pathways into tertiary study, the emerging role of online mini qualifications and even the opportunity for everyone to gain qualifications without attending university. Will this shift mean less and less focus on VCE and its equivalents? What will it look like when our Preps are completing their final school assessments?  There is no doubt that pathways to learning and demonstration of expertise are evolving rapidly.

Despite the challenges of VCE, our students continue to work hard and make the most of the opportunities provided for them. To a large extent, our co-curricular program enables us to provide a rich learning environment while still enabling our students to achieve exceptionally well under the VCE system.

I would like to thank the Class of 2017 for their enormous contribution to the School and wish them all the very best for their future adventures. As always, our graduating class finished their time at St Paul’s in great style and the addition of hot air balloon rides for Ms Sweeney and myself was a wonderful surprise!

Lisa Moloney
Principal