In this issue

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

Exhibition Night
This year we decided to enhance the ‘Teaching and Learning Personal Project Evening’ to make it a ‘Whole School Exhibition Evening’.  In addition to the Year 9 personal projects there were displays from Robotics, Science, Woodwork, Art, English, Library, as well as an East Timor stall.

The range and quality of projects had to be seen to be believed.  There was a reconditioned diesel engine, works of art, a bee hotel (I learnt it provides a habitat for many different types of bees), homemade computers 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 parents’ faces.  A special mention to Ms Kirsten Enders and Ms Jennifer Witney who taught the subject from which these projects emerged, Thinking and Learning.  I know they were as impressed as I was.

Early Commencement
On Monday 27 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 booklists 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 24 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).  Year 10 also a have a student free day on Thursday 23 November as all their exams are completed on Wednesday 22 November.

Year 9 Students with their Personal Projects.

WHAT’S ON IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

NOVEMBER
17 November  FOSP Walking Shopping Tour, 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm
20 November  Year 10 Exams
21 November  Year 10 Exams
22 November  Year 9 Exams
22 November  Year 8 Medieval Day
22 November  7B Sustainable Farms Excursion
22 November  Year 10 Farewell Dinner
23 November  Year 9 Exams
24 November  Report Writing Day, Student Free Day
24 November  2018 Peer Support Leadership Day at The Summit
27 November
to 8 December  Early Commencement

Fee Payment Reminder

• Tuition Fees are now overdue for families that do not have a periodical payment arrangement in place.
• Sundry invoices were 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.

Information regarding school developments and the 2018 fees schedule will be distributed to families next week.

Australian Maths Competition
Each year hundreds of thousands of students from forty countries participate in the ‘Australian Mathematics Competition’.  It is one of the largest school-based Mathematics competitions in the world and it is run by the Australian Mathematics Trust.  On 27 July all Years 7 and 8 students and selected Years 9 and 10 students sat the seventy-five minute test.  The test contained a variety of problems with relevance to everyday life situations.

This year we are very proud and excited at the number of students receiving awards from the competition.  For the third time in the history of the Traralgon Campus a student has received a ‘Prize’ award.

Anthony Pisani from Year 10 scored in the top 0.3 per cent of students in Victoria and received this prestigious award.  He also participated in the Australian Mathematics Olympiad which was held in September.  The Olympiad was a four hour problem solving competition.  Anthony received a Distinction award in this competition.

Anthony also won the Prudence award for the competition.  The prudence award is awarded to the student with the most number of questions in a row correct.  Congratulations Anthony.

Students who received distinction awards, which placed them in the top 10 per cent of students were:
Year 7 – Charlotte Dorl, Michael Edgar, Patrick Zhang and Renee Collis.  Year 8 – Callum Guy, Alessio Fenech, Kishen Parekh, Eric Seinen, Jordan van der Meulen and Xydashym Hanratty.  Year 9 –  Aarushi Pathania, Jesse Peck, Zoe Fitzpatrick and Hannah Lipscombe.

Performing Arts Spotlight

‘Encore!’ Concert
Huge congratulations goes to all students who performed in the ‘Encore!’ Concert on 14 November at the Traralgon Campus Gymnasium.  Students involved in our major ensembles (as well as individual drama and music solos) across both Traralgon Secondary and Junior Schools prepared a concert that was incredibly enjoyable for all who attended.  It was wonderful to see every student rise to the occasion and demonstrate their absolute best to those who attended.  A special thanks goes to our wonderful Performing Arts tutors, as well as Mrs Raelee Hill for her efforts in assisting to make this night a successful one for all.

Gippsland Associated Theatre Awards
Many students in our Performing Arts Program are involved in community programs as well as those based at school.  A special mention goes to the following students who received nominations in the Gippsland Associated Theatre Awards:
Jarrod Guy (Year 6 Traralgon Junior School) – Nomination for ‘Most Outstanding Ensemble’.  Jarrod was a member of ‘Fagin’s Gang’ in Latrobe Theatre Company’s recent production of ‘Oliver!’
Brianna Comber (Year 11 Warragul Secondary School) – Nomination for ‘Most Outstanding Youth Performance (female)’ for her portrayal of ‘Bet’ in Latrobe Theatre Company’s recent production of ‘Oliver!’

Senior Strings.

Joshua Albanese.

SEISA Junior Jazz Dance.

Symphonic Band.

Sports News

SEISA Junior Summer Round Robin
After four rounds of SEISA our junior teams have been playing competitively against the other schools.  Our boys basketball team have been able to win two games and if they have a convincing win against Newhaven College this week they could get through to the finals.  Our girls tennis team have experienced some success too.

Equestrian
Over the previous few weeks I competed at three different dressage competitions.  I competed in the Novice sections at all of the competitions and was very happy with my week as I have only been competing in Novice for three months.

On 14 and 15 October, I competed at the Prydes AOR and Open Dressage Championships at Boneo Park, I got two sixths for the weekend in a very strong field of ponies.

On Wednesday 18, it was back to Boneo Park, for the Australian Dressage Championships.  This was a huge competition with a massive atmosphere. It was a really great experience to compete with all the top riders across the country and I was very happy with Max and my performance.

To finish off the week, I competed at the final event of the Interschool Dressage series at Ayr Hill Equestrian Centre.  I won the overall champion of the Novice Intermediate section and the series winner for the Novice Intermediate. This was a great achievement to finish off the week.

Jorja Halsall
Equestrian Captain   

Jorja and Max.

Karate
The Nabulsi brothers Aaron and Zach travelled to NSW during the school holidays to compete in the Riverina Kyokushin Karate Championships, held in Griffith.  Both boys were successful in winning their padded contact divisions.  Aaron had a two round fight with another karate student of the same age and belt and won convincingly.

Zach competed in the thirteen to fifteen year old middle weight division and won convincingly also.

This was the last karate competition for the year, the boys are both training now for the Traralgon One Match in February next year.

Aaron Nabulsi and Zach Nabulsi.

Judo
Zach had a successful weekend competing in the Melbourne International Judo Open in Broadmeadows.  There were competitors from other states of Australia and some from New Zealand at this event.  Zach was required to fight up a weight division and was able to win the Over 66kg Under fifteen division, winning by ippon (is the highest score a fighter can achieve in a Japanese martial arts ippon-wazari contest, usually kendo, judo, karate or jujutsu) against much heavier opponents.

He is now in training for the Judo Victoria State titles in December to end his year in Judo.

Zach Nabulsi with his winning trophy.

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

Grandparents Day was another great success last Thursday with the weather being kind to us once again this year.  We had over five hundred visitors attend and enjoy visiting classrooms, the STEM Centre and the Kitchen Garden.  I thank Karen and all of the helpers for organising and serving morning tea.  I thank our grounds and maintenance team who assisted with parking and setting up the gymnasium.  I also thank Mrs Board and Mr Lowe for leading our Chapel services and to our special guest Reverend Jim Connelly who spoke at both Chapel services.  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 their guests what they get up to at school.

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.  Our Junior School Captains, Taliesin and Shivi, attended a service with Ms Moloney in Warragul and laid a wreath on behalf of our Junior School community.

Preparation for moving from one year to the next is really important for all students and our Transition Program is now in full swing.  Our 2018 Preps completed their second session today and Friday 1 December our 2018 Pre-Kinder and Pre-Prep learners will attend their Transition sessions (there will be no sessions for our 2017 Pre-Kinder or Pre-Preps on this day, Friday 1 December).  Our current Prep to Year 5 students will spend time transitioning into their 2018 classes on Tuesday 5 December, whilst our Year 6 students will begin Early Commencement on Monday 4 December and attend for three days.  Parents should have received notification of our proposed class teachers for next year via email today.

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:

A reminder that we will be celebrating our ’20th Birthday’ next Tuesday afternoon.  To celebrate this occasion, we will be holding a special celebration commencing at 2:20 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 and are welcome to park on the grassed area opposite the Performing Arts and Year 7 Centre.

We wish our Years 3 and 4 students all the best as they head off to camp next Wednesday with the Year 3s visiting Camp Waratah Bay and our Year 4s The Summit.  Lets hope the weather is kind!

The 2018 Junior School leaders will be announced at a Prep to Year 6 Assembly on Tuesday 28 November, 2:30 pm in the Junior School Gymnasium.

Our Prep to Year 2 Athletics Carnival will be held on the Junior School oval on Thursday 30 November.

Also on Wednesday 6 December, the 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 classes for ELC students will be Monday 11 December.

Staff are busy working on the End of Year Reports and these will be sent home with all students on Wednesday 6 December.

Our annual Year 6 Dinner will be held on Thursday 7 December (6:30 pm for a 7:00 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.

On Friday 8 December our Prep to Year 2 classes will be involved in special Christmas activities while at 2:30 pm in the Junior School Gymnasium we will be holding our Prep to Year 6 Christmas Service.  Parents are welcome to attend.

Also on Friday 8 December, some of our Year 6 students will be visiting a range of Aged Care facilities in Warragul with Mrs Davies and Mr Barkla to perform items and sing some Christmas carols.

Our final day of school will be on Tuesday 12 December with Presentation Assembly beginning at 9:30 am to 11:00 am in the Junior School Gymnasium.  This will be an opportunity for us all to celebrate the 2017 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.  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 Danielle know if your child/ren will be attending after school care).  Buses will also run on this afternoon if required.

As part of our ongoing relationship with the Anglican Diocese of Gahini in Rwanda, I have been invited to attend the Schoolies Program Rwanda with a group of Year 12 students at the end of the year as the nominated St Paul’s staff member.  The Anglican Diocese of Gippsland and the Anglican Diocese of Gahini have forged a strong friendship over many years and Year 12 students and staff visit Gahini each year.  The Junior School SRC have raised money to purchase sports equipment and to purchase supplies for the projects we will undertake whilst visiting schools in Gahini. Students have also had the opportunity to do a drawing and write messages to students in Gahini.  Dobsons Uniform Shop also donated some St Paul’s basketball tops that we will take over with us.  I will be away from 25 November and return after the school year finishes.  Mr Phil Barkla will be Acting Head of Junior School in my absence and Mrs Jaclyn Clark will assist with Year 6B during the final weeks of school.

As this will be my last newsletter item for the year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank students, families and staff across the school for another amazing year in the Junior School and I look forward to seeing everyone in 2018.

WHAT’S ON IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

NOVEMBER
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

DECEMBER
1 December  Final Junior School Assembly, Junior School Gymnasium, 2:20 pm
1 December  Prep 2018 Transition Day 4
4 to 6
December  Year 7 2018 Early Commencement
5 December  Years 1 to 6 Orientation Day
6 December Reports distributed
6 December  ELC Christmas Celebration
7 December  Years 3, 4 and 5 Swimming Trials
7 December  Year 6 Dinner
8 December  Year 6 Community Concert
8 December  Prep to Year 2 Christmas Celebrations
8 December  Prep to Year 6 Christmas Service, Junior School Gymnasium, 2:20 pm
12 December  Presentation Assembly, 9:30 am to 11:00 am
12 December  End of school year, 3:20 pm finish

Fee Payment Reminder

• Tuition Fees are now overdue for families that do not have a periodical payment arrangement in place.
• Sundry invoices were 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.

Information regarding school developments and the 2018 fees schedule will be distributed to families next week.

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

The end of 2017 seems to be approaching very quickly.  Our Year 11 students began their exams yesterday and the Years 9 and 10 cohorts will complete all of theirs during the first half of next week.  I am very proud of how seriously all of our students treat this examination period and the Early Commencement program that follows immediately after it.  Those who have worked very hard to be prepared will reap the benefit of that through their results.  This is a very busy time of year so I have prepared a summary of academic events for each year level below.

Year 12
The final VCAA Units 3 and 4 examination will be held on 22 November.  A number of students have already finished all of their exams.
The Valedictory Dinner will be held at Lardner Park on 24 November.

Year 11
The Year 11 exams will continue through until Wednesday 22 November. Students are to wear full summer uniform.
Year 11 are only required at school to catch up on missed exams on Thursday 23 November.  This would be pre-arranged.
Friday 24 November is a Student Free Day.

Year 10
Year 10 students will sit their exams on Tuesday 21 November and Wednesday 22 November.  They are to wear full summer uniform for their examinations.
Year 10 are only required at school to catch up on missed exams on Thursday 23 November.  This would be pre-arranged.
Friday 24 November is a Student Free Day.

Year 9
Year 9 will sit an exam each morning on Monday 20 November through to Wednesday 22 November.
They are required at school on Thursday 23 November at the Miller’s Factory Year 9 Centre.
Friday 24 November is a Student Free Day.

Year 8
Year 8 classes continue as normal until Thursday 23 November.
Friday 24 November is a Student Free Day.

Year 7
Year 7 classes continue as normal until Thursday 23 November.
Friday 24 November is a Student Free Day.

Please note that all students need to clean their lockers of all belongings prior to Thursday 23 November 2017.

All students will transition to their 2018 year level on Monday 27 November during our Early Commencement program.  This is an important step in their schooling but can also be a time that brings mixed emotions.  Encouraging your student to reflect on something they are proud of having accomplished in 2017 and setting a goal or objective for the year ahead can focus those energies in a positive way.  This is an exciting time and I look forward to watching all of our students embrace the challenge.

Co-curricular Leaders Induction Assembly
On Thursday 30 November at 10:00 am we will induct our co-curricular leaders into their 2018 positions.  This assembly will take place in the Secondary School Gymnasium.  Parents and guardians will receive an invitation if their student is being recognised during this assembly.  Please note all 2018 Prefects and House Captains will be inducted during a whole school event on Tuesday 6 February 2018.

FOSP Movie Night
I hope a number of secondary students, friends and family members will be able to attend tonight’s Friends of St Paul’s Movie Night.  The latest Justice League ‘Unite’ film will begin at 6:30 pm at the Peninsula Cinemas in Warragul with a supper provided after the film has concluded.  Tickets can be purchased at the door at a cost of $15 each.

Visual Art Exhibition and Exhibition 9
A very big congratulations must be extended to our Visual Arts faculty and Year 9 pastoral and teaching teams for hosting these two events in the past fortnight.  Both were an incredible showcase of student learning and effort throughout 2017.  An astonishing amount of effort and many weeks of careful planning and coordination ensured that both events were highly successful.  Thank you to our community for attending both evenings and appreciating the talent and hard work of our students and staff.

Presentation Evening
Just a reminder that Presentation Evening will be held on Tuesday 12 December at 7:00 pm in the Secondary School Gymnasium.  All students are expected to attend in full school uniform.

Remembrance Day
All students and staff paused to reflect on Friday 10 November for our Remembrance Day Service.  The weather was cooperative and the entire school gathered at the flag poles for a short service and a minutes silence.  Thank you to all of the staff and students involved.
We were then very well represented at the Warragul Remembrance Day Service on Saturday 11 November.  Led by Ms Lisa Fraser our Choir sang the National Anthem whilst accompanied by brass instrumentalists.  Reuben Neumair and Lauren Clark, 2018 Prefects, laid the wreath on behalf of the Secondary School.

WHAT’S ON IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

NOVEMBER
18 November  Equestrian: SE Zone Interschool combined training
18 November  Student Reunion Tours of St Paul’s, 3:00 pm
18 November  Class of 2007 Ten Year Reunion, 5:00 pm
18 November  Class of 1997 Twenty Year Reunion, 5:00 pm
18 November  Class of 1987 Thirty Year Reunion, 7:00 pm
20 November  Years 9, 10 and 11 Exams
22 November  Medieval Day
23 November  SEISA Finals
23 November  Catering Food Tour
23 November  Years 9, 10 and 11 Exam catch up day
23 November  Unit 4 Exams conclude
24 November  Assessment and Curriculum Day, Student Free Day 
24 November  Equestrian: SE Zone VEIS Regional Event – Show Jumping
24 November  Peer Support Leaders selection day
24 November  Year 12 Valedictory Dinner, 6:30 pm
25 November  Class of 2012 Five Year Reunion, 7:30 pm
27 November  Early Commencement commences
30 November  Co-curricular Leaders Induction Assembly, 10:00 am
30 November  Middle School Concert Rehearsal
30 November  Middle School Concert, 7:00 pm

DECEMBER
1 December  French Exchange departs
1 to 3
December  SEISA Leadership Camp weekend

Fee Payment Reminder

• Tuition Fees are now overdue for families that do not have a periodical payment arrangement in place.
• Sundry invoices were 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.

Information regarding school developments and the 2018 fees schedule will be distributed to families next week.

Shakespeare visits St Paul’s
Recently, Year 9 students from both Traralgon and Warragul Campuses were treated to an entertaining and engaging performance of ‘Romeo and Juliet’, by Complete Works Theatre Company.  The performance provided students with a valuable opportunity to consolidate their understanding of this classic play for their English study, allowing them to see the characters and their stories come to life before their eyes.  A small group of students were invited to perform with the actors on the day.

Kieran Lewis reflected: “It was exciting being up on the stage in front of our peers.  It was fun as well and we were encouraged to improvise a bit to make the scene more interesting.  ‘Romeo and Juliet’ was written as a play, not a novel and being a part of this age old story, in my opinion, helps us to engage with the themes, get a bit of acting experience, and most of all have fun!”.

Mrs Vanessa Loomes
Head of English

Library Loans
It is that time of year when we encourage students to review their current loans from the Library.  Students are encouraged to borrow books for the holiday break but to make sure they have renewed or returned any current loans leading up to their last day of school.

Our greatest fear.

Fear of public speaking is a well-documented phenomenon and is certainly not a new thing.  I can still vividly remember the symptoms of having to give a class presentation – dry mouth, nausea, sweat, shortness of breath, panic and mental blanks.  So why is it so terrifying?  Behaviorists suggest that it is fear at a primal level.  “…the fear is so great because we are not merely afraid of being embarrassed, or judged. We are afraid of being rejected from the social group, ostracised and left to defend ourselves all on our own.  We fear ostracism still so much today it seems, fearing it more than death, because not so long ago getting kicked out of the group probably really was a death sentence.” (Glenn Croston PhD)

For young people today the threat of public speaking seems to be even greater.  The fear of being ostracised is heightened by the constant pressure of social media.  Here is a world where ‘what my friends think of me’ is not only a matter of life and death, it is a constant pressing need.  It is often said that there are three types of cultures in the world – cultures of shame, cultures of fear, and cultures of guilt, and each of them has their own way of pressuring people to behave or to conform to society.  In a shame culture, if I believe I have done something wrong, but others believe I have not, there is little problem because there is no social shame involved.  Yet if others believe I have done something wrong, even if I believe I have not done it, I am left to deal with the resulting shame.

The culture of social media is very much one of honour and shame.  It is a brutal platform on which actions and opinions are exposed to instant public critique.  What’s more, anyone’s smartphone has the power to capture and broadcast one misspoken word or untimely gesture.  What you do anywhere, anytime, can be revealed to the entire world.  Perhaps this explains some of the paralyzing fear and anxiety some students feel before a performance or class presentation.

So how does Christianity speak into this?  Perhaps the lyrics of ‘My Redeemer Lives’, one of our chapel and assembly songs, cuts to the heart of the matter: “My shame He’s taken away, my pain is healed in His name.”  The gospel addresses shame by telling how Christ was shamed on our behalf to restore our honour.  The gospel removes shame, it removes fear, and it removes guilt, it restores honour, it restores power, it restores innocence.  The gospel speaks to every person in every culture and addresses their every need.  Including the terrified student about to speak in front of the class!

“But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.” (Isaiah 50:7).

Reverend Daniel Lowe
Senior Chaplain

Welcome to Principal-elect Mr Cameron Herbert

We were very pleased to host a recent visit by Mr Cameron Herbert.  Cameron is currently Principal of St Mark’s Anglican College in Western Australia.  Cameron had the opportunity to visit all parts of the school and to meet with members of the Executive and visit staff and students in their classrooms.  He also had a number of unscheduled opportunities to chat with parents as he explored the Traralgon and Warragul townships.  Cameron was incredibly impressed by the friendly and welcoming reception that he received and in particular noted the willingness of our students to confidently but respectfully walk up and introduce themselves.

Cameron’s visit and the subsequent planning for the transition next year reminded me of the exceptionally important role played by our Heads of School.  Laura Butterworth,  Rowan van Raay,  Andy McNabb and Stephen Klemke literally ‘run the show’ on a day to day basis.

Unlike the state system, Independent Schools are responsible for all aspects of their business including vision, strategy, budgeting, planning, policy, industrial relations and compliance, much of which keeps me, our Business Manager, Leah Young and Deputy Principal, Donna Sweeney very busy.  For this reason, the role of Head of School at St Paul’s is equivalent to the Principal role in many other schools.  I am sure that you will agree that Stephen, Andy, Laura and Rowan are second to none.  Their high levels of organisation, knowledge and care for each child and member of staff, educational expertise and work ethic, sets them apart individually and as a team.  In addition, the Heads of School are supported by outstanding administrative staff and members of their leadership teams.  As the year comes to a close (and in recognition of the enormous amount of work that they will do over the coming weeks) I would like to thank the Heads of School for their leadership and the leadership and administrative teams across the School for all that they do.

Lisa Moloney
Principal