In this issue

Scholarships
Drouin Campus
Chaplain’s Chat
Library Lover’s Day

Grammarian Issue 1, 10 February 2023

Traralgon Junior School

From the Head of Traralgon Junior School,
Ms Tracey King.

Welcome to the 2023 School Year
The first two weeks of term have been calm and very settled in our Junior School and we have enjoyed a fantastic start to the year. It has been lovely to see students arriving with big smiles each morning and engaged in learning in their classrooms.

We have already enjoyed a number of activities: Wellbeing Show, Swim Testing and Swim Trials for Years 3 to 6, photos for new students; a Whole School Assembly at Warragul; Safer Internet Day; our Leaders Induction Service to induct our new School Leaders for 2023; and Crossing of the Prep Hats. Students have been involved in ‘learning to learn’ activities with their teachers and classmates and have spent time setting up classroom processes and expectations. A highlight for Years 5 and 6 students has been brain dissections and learning about how their brains acquire new information and skills and process this information to their long-term memory. Students have been discussing neurons, brain care and strategies to be more efficient learners. It has been a productive and enjoyable start to the 2023 school year for both students and teachers.

Congratulations to Year 6 students, Arlo Agustin and David Ogabiela, who have been elected to the positions of Traralgon Junior School Leaders for 2023. All of our Year 6 cohort take on leadership responsibilities throughout the year and were presented to Mr Cameron Herbert and our school community at our Leaders Induction Assembly Service. We are confident that all of our Year 6 students will represent the Traralgon Junior School well and will fulfil their leadership roles with diligence and a desire to serve our community and do their very best.

Special congratulations to our Prep students who have settled well into their new school routines and have impressed their teachers with their eagerness to learn and participate. Early Learning Centre groups are also underway and our youngest children have been excited and keen to enjoy activities and play opportunities.

A warm welcome to all of our new students and families who have joined us. I trust that our wonderful community will ensure that our families are quickly welcomed and acknowledged. Families are invited to meet for a morning coffee and chat on Monday 20 February 9:15 am and Thursday 23 March 9:15 am.

Many thanks to all of our teachers who have been organised and well prepared to ensure the first weeks of school are calm and smooth, and that everyone has been successful in their learning. Many thanks also to our parents who have worked with their children to ensure they are organised and prepared for learning each day.

Welcoming our new team members
Our new staff have started the year with high energy and enthusiasm and have quickly become valued members of our team. We welcome Ms Anna Di Nuzzo (Year 4 classroom teacher), Miss Kayla Ludbey (Educational Support Staff) and Ms Sam Vaninetti (Educational Support Staff). We also welcome returning teachers Ms Lara Gibbons (Year 2 classroom teacher) and Mrs Sarah Johnson (Year 3 classroom teacher) and Ms Stephanie Vozzo (Administration).

Our new staff join our experienced and talented team.

Years Prep to 2 team: Jade Hosken, Lara Gibbons, Stefanie Settle, Julia Cullen
• Years of Teaching: Fifty-seven
• School Experience: Fourteen different schools – independent, Catholic, Coptic Orthodox
• Qualifications: Bachelor of Teaching – Science, Criminal Justice, Grad Dip Teaching, Bachelor of Education Primary and Secondary
• Expertise: Mathematics, Learning Disabilities, Literature, English
• Positions of Responsibility: PLC Leader, School Improvement Leader, Literacy Leader, Numeracy Leader, Pastoral Leader, Team Leader, Humanities Coordinator
• Qualities: Supportive, knowledgeable, fun,

Years 3 and 4 team: Laura Vannapraseuth, Rick Battista, Rachael Geerts, Sarah Johnson, Lorelle Cotterrell, Anna Di Nuzzo
• Years of Teaching: 112
• School Experience: Twenty-five different schools state, private, Catholic, interstate, overseas, primary, secondary, international, rural
• Qualifications: Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Primary Education
• Expertise: Neurodiversity, Science of Learning, Curriculum Development, Wellbeing
• Positions of Responsibility: Team Leaders, Curriculum Leader, Deputy Head of School, Leading Teacher, PLC Leader, Buildings and Ground Coordinator, Leading Teacher, Learning Specialist
• Qualities: Organised, honest passionate, inclusive, enthusiastic, exuberant

Years 5 and 6 Team: Jayne Price, Jodie Bugeja, Anita Richmond Smith, Tegan Clavarino, Carly Sellings, Rachel Betts
• Years of Teaching: 109
• School Experience: Ten different schools government and independent
• Qualifications: Education Degree, Science Degree, Arts Degree, Business Degree, Sport and Outdoor Recreation
• Expertise: Literacy support, Robotics, Student Wellbeing
• Qualities: Dedicated, hard-working, organised, loyal, experienced and dedicated

Specialist Team: Mim Cavanagh, Jannet Taylor, Billy Rilen, Di Kuyken, Glen Treble
• Years of experience: 100
• School experiences: Thirty-five different primary, secondary, government, independent and Catholic, special and international schools
• Qualifications: Grad Dip Education Secondary, Master of Education, Bachelor of Education – Environmental Management, Graduate Diploma Divinity, Bachelor of Education Phys Ed, Masters of Education – Librarianship
• Position of Responsibility: Coordinators, Head of Faculty, Regional Coordinators, Directors
• Qualities: Flexible, diverse, creative, flexible, seasoned

Education Support Team: Bec Coulston, Karen Ashworth, Sienna Reid, Lucas Tripodi, Sam Vaninetti, Gareth Waack-Hawkins, Kayla Ludbey, Laurie Everaert, Sheree Ball
• Years of Experience: Thirty-seven
• School Experience: Nine different settings, primary school, kindergarten, business
• Qualifications: Certificate of Business, Certificate III Early Education, Science Degree, Bachelor of Education
• Expertise: Wellbeing, learning intervention, diversity, art, music, literacy, PE
• Qualities: Caring, supportive, positive, collaborative, flexible, compassionate

Safer Internet Day
St Paul’s students acknowledged Safer Internet Day with class discussions and activities to enhance understanding and knowledge of online safety. Safer Internet Day is a global event that brings together communities, families, schools and organisations from more than 200 countries to help create safer online spaces.

This worldwide initiative is celebrating twenty years in 2023, making it a great time to reflect as well as look forward. Technology has evolved dramatically in the past two decades and the benefits have been huge. These developments have also exposed us to many risks with real-world impacts, making online safety awareness even more important.

Safer Internet Day calls on Australians to Connect. Reflect. Protect.

Connect safely and with purpose – by keeping apps and devices secure and using social media in positive ways.

Reflect before we act – by taking a moment to consider how what we do and say online may affect others.

Protect ourselves and others by taking action – by telling family, friends or colleagues about eSafety and how we can help.

By doing these simple things, we can work towards making every day a Safer Internet Day.

Did you know?

Further resources for families can be found https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

Clubhouse Boot Camp
Please note that Club House Boot Camp is operating from the foyer of the gymnasium for 2023. Parents are to drop their children and collect them from the gym foyer when using this service. To ensure we keep all children who are attending Club House Boot Camp safe, the foyer front doors will be locked during the morning and afternoon sessions. Families are to access the gym foyer via the side door for both arrival and departure.

Sport training will continue in the gymnasium throughout the week after school and students and families attending are also asked to use the side door of the gym.

For our Prep families please note that Club House Boot Camp is also offering care on the four Wednesday rest days.

Families can contact Club House at admin@clubhousebootcamp.com.au Please access the bookings via https://www.clubhousebootcamp.com.au/

Family Fun and Information Evening
On Friday 17 February 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm we will gather as a community to celebrate the beginning of the year. This evening involves important information sessions in classrooms with teachers, activities in the Junior School grounds for children and families to enjoy together and opportunities for our parents to connect and welcome our new families to St Paul’s. FOSP will be providing a delicious barbeque and drinks and families are encouraged to enjoy a picnic dinner. I hope to see everyone during this evening and encourage you to lock this date into your calendar so you do not miss out.

Parent Volunteer Induction
It is wonderful that we have had quite a few parents offering to volunteer in classrooms and on special occasions. We will be hosting our Term 1 Parent Volunteer Induction sessions on Tuesday 7 March 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm and from 7:00 pm to 7:45 pm. Everyone who wishes to volunteer is required to complete our Child Safety modules and attend an induction. Please contact the office via email tgonadmin@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au and request access to the child safety modules prior to the induction session. Parent volunteers are also required to provide a current Working with Children’s Check. Please bring this with you to the induction session or email it to the Junior School Office beforehand. We are really looking forward to having parents supporting our school learning programs and having you join us for special events.

COVID-19 Guidelines
Unfortunately we have started the school year with a few COVID-19 cases across the school which has been a quick reminder to maintain our hygiene practices and to be vigilant about illness. Our objective this year is to try to minimise the amount of illness and absenteeism that can result from the virus, along with other illnesses. Therefore, we ask all families to continue to support this endeavour by doing the following:
• Not sending children with any cold/flu symptoms to school. (Parents of students who are symptomatic will be asked to collect them and keep them home until symptoms resolve.)
• Completing occasional RATs, especially when your child or a family member may have been in contact with someone that you hear is positive, or when advised of a cluster by the school.
• Keeping children who are COVID-19 positive home from school (minimum five days), notifying the school and keeping them home until their symptoms have resolved.
• Ensuring that if anyone in your household is positive and others attend school that this is done in a mask until the positive person tests negative.

The school still has an ample supply of RATs. Please call in or send your child to the Junior School Office to collect, as needed. I thank all of our families in advance for their cooperation and understanding.

I hope that you all take the time to read the newsletter each fortnight and visit MyStPauls regularly to see what your child has been up to in their year level and specialist classes. MyStPauls also contains lots of information about school events and helps to keep you up-to-date with everything that happens in the Junior School and can be a great way to start a conversation with your child about their day at school. For families who may have misplaced their login details, I ask that you contact IT Support at the school and they will issue you with a new one itsupport@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Tracey King
Head of Traralgon Junior School

WHAT’S ON

FEBRUARY
10 February Leaders Induction and Prep Crossing of the Hats Ceremony, Traralgon Campus Gymnasium, 2:30 pm
14 February District Swimming
15 February No Preps
ELC Wildlife Xposure Incursion
ELC Welcome Picnic, 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
17 February Family Fun and Information Evening, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
20 February Morning Coffee and Chat, 9:15 am
21 to 24 February Year 5 Camp, Sovereign Hill
22 February No Preps

MARCH
1 March ELC to Year 6 Parent Student Teacher Interviews (PSTIs), 3:45 pm to 8:00 pm
2 March ELC to Year 6 Parent Student Teacher Interviews (PSTIs), 3:45 pm to 6:00 pm
3 March Clean Up Australia Day
7 March Parent Volunteer Induction, 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm
9 March Athletics Carnival
13 March Labour Day Public Holiday
14 March ELC Rabbit Rearing Program
Learning to Read Parent Evening, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
14 to 17 March Year 6 Urban Camp
17 March National Day of Action Against Bullying
15 to 27 March NAPLAN
23 March Morning Coffee and Chat, 9:15 am
24 March Performing Arts Scholarship Holders Concert, 7:00 pm
28 March District Athletics
ELC and Prep Discovery Morning
29 March Classroom Expo Afternoon, 2:30 pm

APRIL
3 April Year 6 Leadership Day ‘The Summit’
4 April Hoodie Up for Autism
Community Easter Hunt
5 April Cross Country
6 April Easter Service, 9:45 am
End of Term 2, Dismissal 2:20 pm

DOBSONS TRADING HOURS

Order online or click and collect: Please ensure that you only attend the store to collect your items once you have received notification that your order is ready, order here.

CLASS UPDATES

Prep
Whilst Prep is a year full of incredible fun and learning, it is hard to imagine a day as special as the Prep students’ first day last week. Both Prep classes have settled incredibly well and extremely quickly into their classrooms and are eagerly learning the routines of day-to-day life in the Junior School. Students have already explored countless picture storybooks, practised writing their names, learnt about Circle Maps and on focused learning about themselves as a learner. Within this topic, students have already begun discussing the different parts of the brain and explored what each part of the brain is responsible for. Perhaps the lessons generating the most excitement in Prep this week though are our introductory EDI lessons where students are already learning their engagement norms as well as why this form of instruction helps us to learn and retain information so well. We cannot wait to see what fun experiences the next few weeks hold!

Year 1
What a wonderful start we have had in Year 1! It was so pleasing to see all the students start the year off confidently and with positive attitudes. We have spent lots of time learning about routines and expectations so that we can be the best learners possible.

We have been practising using the “Golden Rule” of treating others the way we would like to be treated and have been brave as we step into new learning opportunities.

We started learning about our brain and making sure we look after it by getting a good night’s sleep and drinking lots of water.

Year 2
Wow! What a fabulous few weeks we have had back at school. It has been great to see so many smiley faces and bubbly personalities ready to learn.

In Year 2, we have been learning about our brain and how to care for it. We have also discussed the importance of practising over and over again when learning, to make sure it stays in our long-term memory. In Maths, we have been learning to use calendars. It would be great if our adults could help us with additional practise using calendars. We know that we count the weeks and then the days, starting at today. We have been getting back into routine with ‘Let’s Decode’ continuing to develop our sound-letter knowledge and reading fluency.

Year 3
Our Year 3 adventure together has begun and we have spent the beginning of the year getting to know each other, learning how our classroom runs and setting expectations of what we expect from one another. We have reviewed the PITW Life Raft concepts, role-playing what these can look like in a variety of situations and rehearsing the language we can use in such instances. We have also dived into learning about our amazing brain, discovering how neurons work and the importance of sleep and nutrition, while also learning about how information is moved from short-term to long-term memory through the Information Processing Model. What a platform to begin our year from, we are excited for what is to come throughout 2023.

Year 4
The Year 4 students have welcomed the 2023 school year by participating in getting-to-know-you activities to help them learn about each other and to help build friendships. We have joined our classes together for Play is the Way – some of the photos show islands where students have to listen carefully, work together and support one another to be inside the hoop within a certain time and to beat the teachers.

Students went on some amazing holidays – Singapore, New Zealand and the Gold Coast, and had lots of time to enjoy the sunshine. They have shared these in poems and recounts. We have read the book ‘The Best Part of Me’, modelled from a text we have read and students have written their own and they have also written their own. We have had some interesting body parts as their ‘best’ – toes to play footy, eyes to see how others are feeling, hands to and make Lego buildings, legs to help run jump and hair because ‘otherwise I’d look like a cooked chicken’s head’!

Our main theme these past couple of weeks to get us primed for our year is learning about the brain. Students have created brains with Play-doh and then learnt about the parts responsible for daily functions. Students have shown lots of enthusiasm for learning what their brain does and some of the ways they can look after it. Hopefully, they have come home to teach parents all about their brains!

Year 5
What a great start to term 1 for our Year 5 students!

In the area of Mathematics we have been expanding our understanding of decimal numbers and converting between twelve hour and twenty-four hour time. Students have been studying the brain with a specific focus on how we learn and ways to make the best of every learning opportunity at St Paul’s.

Please enjoy our photos of each class creating a single Neuron. This activity supported our learning about neurons and built student understanding of the important role neurons play within our brains.

Year 6
Year 6 students have started the year with enthusiasm. Being the new leaders of the school has given them great excitement. Sitting on chairs at assembly and running the sport shed are some of their highlights so far.

Our learning has focused on strategies for retaining information including Sketchnoting and Thinking Maps. Year 6 students have shown an understanding that Sketchnoting is a Visual Thinking technique that helps retention. They have explained that Thinking Maps are great at helping them learn because they allow them to explore their thoughts and feelings through pictures and words.

We looked forward to our Leaders Induction Assembly and formally welcoming our 2023 Traralgon Junior School Leaders in to one of the positions including: Environmental Team Leader, Library Leader, Art Leader, Performing Arts Leader, Odyssey Zone Leader, Media Leader and SRC Leader. We hope that Year 6 families can join us for this occasion.

ST PAUL’S PARENT PRAYER GROUP

The Parent Prayer Group will meet on the fourth Monday of each month this year, starting on 27 February. The group consists of a number of people from different local denominations and if you are able to make it then we would love to see you there. The group meets between 9:00 am and 9:30 am. Contact the School Chaplain, Glen Treble for more details contact gtreble@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

LIBRARY LOVER’S DAY

14 February is Library Lover’s Day and this year we are celebrating with a drawing competition.
Students can enter by drawing the cover of a book they love. Entries will be due on 17 February with prizes being chosen that afternoon. The prize for this competition is a new book chosen by the campus librarian.

Jannet Taylor
Head of Libraries

SCHOOL SWIM TEAM TRIALS

On Wednesday 8 February, the Ford Swim Centre hosted our annual Years 3 to 6 Swimming Trials.

The swimming trials provided the thirty-seven students who signed up with an opportunity to showcase their swimming skills and compete for a spot on the school’s swimming team.

Students who participated in the swim trials.

Students who set the fastest four times in freestyle and fastest two times in backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly will qualify to participate in the upcoming Traralgon District Swimming Carnival to be held at the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre on Tuesday 14 February. Qualifying students will be notified and Consent2Go will be sent out as soon as I have the results from the Ford Swim Centre.

Congratulations to all students on their efforts and we wish all the participants in the District Swimming Carnival the best of luck!

Billy Rilen
PE and Sport Teacher

FROM THE ART ROOM

The Year 1 students have started 2023 by mixing paint to learn about primary and secondary colours and about the colour wheel.

Mim Cavanagh
Art Specialist

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: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/conveyance-allowance/policy

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.

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 refer to: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund/resources

Parents are encouraged to lodge the application form immediately. The CSEF program for 2023 closes at the end of Term 2. All forms must be received by 16 June 2023 to be processed.

For parents who received CSEF at the school in 2022 (and the student/s are still enrolled in 2023), the schools will ‘copy’ the application across from 2022 to 2023 on the CSEF system. The CSEF system will automatically validate the parent’s eligibility with Centrelink.

Annual Fee Account
Families have recently received via email an annual fee account for 2023. If you have any queries in relation to your annual fee account, please contact Ms Nicole Giddings 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. We offer fortnightly instalments (twenty-two payments) commencing 10 February and monthly instalments (ten payments) commencing 15 February 2023. Other direct debit payment dates are also available by arrangement.

Should families wish to commence payment by Direct Debit, please contact Ms Nicole Giddings via, accountsreceivable@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au as soon as possible to set up an arrangement.

Please find the direct debit form on the school’s website at this link: https://www.stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Direct-Debit-Request-Form.pdf

Instalments (due dates)
Instalment 1 10 February 2023
Instalment 2 7 April 2023
Instalment 3 2 June 2023
Instalment 4 11 August 2023

Payment in full
A discount of $350 per child, from Prep to Year 12, is offered to families if the annual invoice is paid in full by 17 February 2023.

OSHC NEWS

Our children have been creating and settling into the routine of the OSHC program. Both campuses are settling into their new space in the gymnasium which provides freedom for the kids to run and play, in any weather.

We encourage children’s agency, so they always participate in giving their opinions in routines and activities.

Afternoon tea is a popular social event where we enjoy healthy and yummy fresh food in every colour of the rainbow. The banter between new friends is a highlight before an afternoon of sports, games, mindfulness puzzles and all things crafty.

Cath Stoney
Director, Club House Boot Camp

Grammarian Issue 1, 10 February 2023

Traralgon Secondary School

From the Head of Traralgon Secondary School,
Mrs Leonie Clark

This week students in my Year 7 class were asked to write a short piece about a school shoe in their journals as a gentle creative introduction to their studies in English. Some of their pieces highlighted the new boxes and tissue paper as a metaphor for eagerly anticipated adventures, while others explored the challenges the shoes had already encountered in their travels including some prickly grass and rather “sweaty, uncomfortable feet”. It has certainly been a very big week for our Traralgon Secondary School students and we have loved every minute!

Our first week of the 2023 academic year was exceptionally busy overflowing with traditions and our commencement events. Precious moments were captured in the annual school and class photographs while new laptops were opened and excitedly explored. On Thursday all students at our Traralgon Secondary School, from Years 7 to 10 embarked on an adventure to the Warragul Campus for the Whole School Welcome Assembly as well as house meetings which were enjoyed by all. This was closely followed by the Traralgon Secondary Commencement and Leaders Induction Assembly on Friday morning, where we inducted our school leaders and at which Mr Cameron Herbert presented each student with their official badge. The students heard inspirational words of encouragement from our two School Captains, Year 10 students Axel Sellings and Georgia Vardy in their very first address to the student body.

Axel Sellings Traralgon Secondary School Captain

Georgia Vardy Traralgon Secondary School Captain

Another outstanding highlight of the assembly was the brilliant performance by Year 9 student Amelia Wells who sang with great composure while accompanied by Mr Nathan Byrne on the piano.

Congratulations to all of our Traralgon Secondary School 2023 student leaders. We wish them well as they embark on their leadership journey with us this year and we look forward to inducting our Year 7 Student Representative Council (SRC) appointments after the Year 7 Peer Support Leader Camp.

The Years 7 and 8 Swimming trials also took place on Friday, leaving us in no doubt whatsoever, that those brand-new school shoes had seen many things in three days and that there remains a plethora of discoveries and adventures ahead in 2023!

2023 Co-Curricular Captains
Catering Captain Kydan Makepeace
Chess Captains Saad Ashraf and Angad Brar
Debating and Public Speaking Captain Will Szkwarek
Gardening Captain Grace Marshall
Library Captain Riley Alko
Performing Arts Captain Ameli Krafft-Murat
Photography Captain Jackson Duran
Team Timor Captain Rheid Haley
Visual Arts Captain Vidhau Rajadurai

Deputy House Captains
Chisholm House Troy Aitken
Franklin House Michael Gali
Gilmore House Arabella Shaw
Lalor House Josh Bellingham
Monash House Samson Xiao
Paterson House Harry Shearer

2023 Peer Support Leaders
Riley Alko
Josh Bellingham
Toby Downes
Ameli Krafft-Murat
Grace Marshall
Connor McGrath
Elyse O’Brien
Axel Sellings
Georgia Vardy
Cassidy Vroegop

Informal Welcome Evening Year 7
We were delighted with the attendance at our new ‘Informal Welcome Evening’ for our Year 7 students. Our Year 7 families embraced the opportunity to meet with each other, chat with staff and assist their children with the organisation and arrangement of their individual locker spaces. I have no doubt given the popularity of this event that it will become an annual St Paul’s Year 7 transition event and a highly anticipated tradition for our Year 7 families. Many thanks indeed to our Traralgon Secondary School staff for answering the many questions, assisting with the combination locks and cooking up a delicious welcoming barbeque for our newest community members.

Gavina Wan and parents.

Nicole Betera and Mum Moira.

Please reach out to us if you have any concerns throughout the year, as we are keen to build a united team and work with our families for the social, emotional and academic benefit of each child in our care. I have included below the names and email contacts of key Year 7 staff for your information.
7A Mentor, Ms Kara Kimberley KKimberley@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au
7B Mentor, Ms Kirsten Enders kenders@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au
7C Mentor, Mr Scott Stuckey sstuckey@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au
Head of Year 7 and Year 8, Mr Andrew McGrath anmcgrath@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Mobile Phone and Electronic Devices Policy
We have loved the support of our secondary school community in the management of electronic devices, especially mobile phones. For those families new to us this year, we have a detailed Mobile Phone and Electronic Devices policy, and all students are required to keep their phones on silent and locked in their lockers all day. Students are not permitted to check their phones throughout the day and most certainly not use them without permission. Should you or your child need to make contact throughout the school day you are more than welcome to do so through Reception/Student Services. The policy applies to all school events and activities including the House Swimming and Athletics Carnivals. Please remember that students who choose to bring mobile phones and other devices to school each day do so at their own risk.

ySafe The Online Safety Experts
We are very pleased to announce that our school has once again partnered with Australia’s leading cyber safety experts, ySafe, to provide you with support in managing your children’s safety and time online.

As a part of our partnership with ySafe, we have received our very own Parent Cyber Safety Hub. This Hub is a rich source of live information directly from safe’s multidisciplinary team of cyber safety experts. You can access our Cyber Safety Hub using the link below:
https://stpaulsags.onlinesafetyhub.com.au/

About the Parent Cyber Safety Hub
The hub includes expert advice on the most pertinent cyber safety issues and frequently asked questions around platforms like TikTok, Fortnite, Instagram, Snapchat and more. There are app reviews with age and safety recommendations, along with a range of guides and resources to help ensure healthy boundaries around screentime and gaming and step-by-step instructions for using parental controls and filtering out inappropriate content.

Free Device Monitoring Tool for Parents
ySafe has partnered with the parental control experts, Family Zone, to provide our parents with added cyber safety support in the form of Family Zone Insights. Family Zone Insights is a monitoring app that sends parents an alert if their child accesses risky or inappropriate content online. For more information about Family Zone Insights and for instructions on how you can set up an Insights account, visit the Family Zone Insights page of our Cyber Safety Hub (under Cyber Safety Tech).

ySafe is extremely excited to be able to offer you this level of expertise and support in an area that we know has been very challenging for many parents to manage.

Unfortunately, pastoral concerns stemming from unsupervised mobile device use after hours, can from time to time, overflow into the school community and we encourage all families to visit the ySafe safety hub.

Closely monitoring your child’s use of electronic devices and the setting of parental controls certainly avoids difficult conversations should things get a little out of hand. There is no doubt that it is a collective team effort to guide our children to use technology with care and respect for themselves and others. As always, your kind support is hugely appreciated to keep everyone in our community safe.

SCHOOLTV – School Transitions
Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher grade or embarking on a journey through secondary school, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. It means your children are growing up!

However, transitioning is an ongoing process. It can continue long after students have entered their new environment and may encounter difficulties at a number of different stages. These stressors may appear as anxiety and frustration and result in negative or disruptive behaviours. Such behaviours can become problematic making the transitioning process even more difficult for children and parents.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn practical strategies to assist their child during the transition process and reduce stress and anxiety levels.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help. Here is the link to the School Transitions edition of SchoolTV: https://stpaulsags.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-transitions

New Office Manager Traralgon Secondary School
Congratulations to Kerryn Doble our new office manager at Traralgon Secondary School. We know that our families will continue to make her feel welcome and will support her as she steps into her new role. In a matter of days, Kerryn has very quickly embraced the complexities of a particularly busy position and has already become an invaluable team member of the Secondary School.

Speed Limit Reminder
Please take care to ensure that you are adhering to the speed restriction throughout the campus as well as in and around the ‘short stay zones’ at the front of the Secondary School. There is a pedestrian crossing at the bottom of the rose garden and we are very keen to keep all of our precious students and staff safe at all times. Please note that there are often children darting in and around vehicles at peak periods, as many families have children at both the Junior School and the Secondary School. Thank you for your care of our students and staff in the carpark.

School Hours and Supervision
Our staff are at school preparing for the day from 8:30 am onwards and provide incidental supervision as they go about their planning for the day. Students dropped at school prior to 8:30 am may not have teacher supervision until after 8:30 am. The school day commences at 8:50 am with a warning bell and is followed by another bell at 8:55 am to indicate the official start to the school day.

MunchMonitor and Canteen Ordering Traralgon Secondary School
Our canteen provides a delicious array of enticing healthy food each day for our students and we would like to ensure that no one misses out on a delicious lunch. We welcome the use of MunchMonitor to pre-order food for children. Should your child wish to order on the day with a cash purchase, we advise that the completion of an order at recess will guarantee catering for lunchtime. I have attached below a link to our website with the instructions regarding the ordering process with MunchMonitor. Please visit our Traralgon Secondary School page on MyStPauls https://my.stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/send.php?id=87921 for further details regarding how to order with MunchMonitor or visit www.munchmonitor.com.

Leonie Clark
Head of Traralgon Secondary School