In this issue

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

We have started the year with a buzz of activity and some extreme weather.  Our first day of school was certainly sweltering and we ended the day with some water play under the hose and cold icy poles to cool everyone down.  Despite the heat, students were excited to be starting the school year and there were smiles all round and a lovely atmosphere in each classroom.  We have already enjoyed a number of activities; Morning Tea for new parents, Swim Testing for Years 3 to 6, Swimming Carnival, Parent Information Evening, photos for new students and a Whole School Assembly to induct our new School Leaders for 2020, specialist classes have started and instrumental music lessons began this week too.  Students have been involved in learning to learn activities with their teachers and classmates and have spent time setting up classroom processes and expectations.  It has certainly been a productive and enjoyable start to the 2020 school year.

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 also started this week and the children were excited and keen to enjoy activities and play opportunities.

Many thanks to all of our teachers who have been organised and well prepared ensuring a calm and smooth first week of school 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.

We enjoyed a special ‘Morning Tea’ on our first day of school and it was lovely meeting and chatting with lots of new faces.  Our Parent Information Evening was also well attended and teachers shared a great deal of information about their classrooms, learning programs and day to day processes and expectations.  If you were unable to attend these events, please come in and say hello to the teachers and familiarise yourself with your child’s classroom and have a chat.  Building open communication and a positive relationship with your child’s teacher is important and parents are encouraged to be involved in school activities and have regular contact with teachers.  If you have any matters which need time for extended discussion, please book an appointment via the Junior School Administration Office.

Congratulations to Year 6 students, Claudia Buhagiar and Will Szkwarek, who were presented with their School Captain badges at the Whole School Leaders Induction Service.  Both of these students represented the Traralgon Junior School well and are looking forward to fulfilling their roles as School Captains in 2020.  The Junior School are very proud of Claudia and Will.

Well done to all of our students who participated in the Years 3 to 6 Swim Carnival.  The day was competitive and lots of fun with students earning points for their houses for participating in races and novelty events.  Many thanks to Mr Daniel Reid for his organisation of the carnival and to all of the teachers for their contributions.

I am very proud to be joining the St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School community and am looking forward to working with all families and students and sharing in learning experiences throughout the year.  I encourage you to be involved in your child’s education and attend special events and activities as often as possible and know what is happening in the Junior School.  I also encourage you to build your community network and supports by joining in with our ‘Friends of St Paul’s’ activities, coming along to special family events and being an active and positive member of our school community.

Upcoming Events
Week 3:  Year 5 and Year 6 students head out on their respective camps to Sovereign Hill and Melbourne.  Week 3 is promising to be busy and full of adventure for students.
Week 4: On Monday 17 February, families are invited to join us for our Year 6 Leaders Induction Service at 2:30 pm.

Parent Involvement in School Activities requires a Working with Children Check
Whilst we encourage parent involvement in school activities, child safety is a priority and all adults who work with children are required to obtain a Working With Children Check.
On 1 August 2017, amendments were made to the Working with Children Act.  The Act now states that even if a person’s contact with children as part of child-related work is supervised by another person, they will still need a Working with Children check.
St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School’s Working with Children Check policy states that we require any person undertaking volunteer work at our school to have a valid Working with Children check. This includes helping out in the classroom, attending camps, accompanying classes on excursions, helping at special events and more.

What you need to do
*If you are volunteering at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School and already have a Working with Children Check can you please present it to the Junior School Administration Office.  A photocopy and your name will be added to the School register.
*If you don’t have a valid Working with Children check you can fill the form in online and lodge it at Australia Post.  The link to the website is provided below for your convenience.
http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/home/applications/apply+for+a+check/apply+in+victoria
Working with Children Checks are free for volunteers.

People who are exempt from holding a working with Children Check are:
•  Student volunteers (for example, work experience students)
•  Registered Teachers who have a permission to teach from the Victorian Institute of Teaching
•  Police Officers
•  Visitors to the School (such as; grandparents who visit the school for Grandparents Morning Teas, visitors who come to watch Assembly)

You also need to have completed the Child Protection Online Modules which provide information and training on what action to take if a child reports abuse to you or you become aware of abuse of a child.  They are not difficult and are completed online, whenever it is convenient.  Please email Carlie Jones in the office cjones@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au she will send you links to the training. Again, this is free of charge.

School Communications
Effective communication between school and home is very important and information is shared with parents via:
•  MyStPauls website: Junior School News and individual class pages
•  Emails to parents
•  Notices which are hard copy and sent home
•  Student diaries
Parents are encouraged to regularly check their child’s class page on MyStPauls for information and details about learning and special events.
St Paul’s regularly seeks feedback from parents to help inform improvements about communication processes.  In addition, I encourage you to make a time to see me if you would like to discuss any concerns or feedback you may have.

Emails
As some members of our community have strong spam filters on their emails, they are finding that School emails with attachments are landing in their junk folders.  For this reason, the School will cease sending email attachments and instead, when necessary, email a link to documents on MyStPauls.  It is hoped that this will bypass filters.

Changes to MyStPauls and the app
MyStPauls went through a slight change in appearance for parents from mid-December 2019.  The main aim of this change is to ensure that MyStPauls is as easy to use as possible on mobile devices, which according to usage statistics is the way that most parents access the platform.  This change is also in response to feedback received from parents at our junior schools about MyStPauls useability.  The School is also responding to this feedback by phasing out the MyStPauls app in mid-2020.

Many parents expressed frustration with the app and as it is provided by an outside company using a template, the School had no way to make any of the improvements suggested by parents.  The best way to access MyStPauls on mobile in the future will be via https://my.stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/ using a phone internet browser.  This version of MyStPauls has all the features that were in the app although it does look slightly different.  However, using a laptop, computer or tablet will provide the best viewing experience of MyStPauls, if you have access to them.
The School’s IT department is available to help any parents access MyStPauls via mobile browser.

At Monday’s assembly, I read a picture story book to students about bucket filling titled ‘Have You Filled a Bucket Today – A guide for daily happiness for kids?’. For many children, their worlds are busy and overwhelming and it is important to slow down and to explicitly teach the importance of being kind and finding a sense of happiness.
The concept of bucket filling is a simple one;  being kind to others fills their buckets (and your own) and dipping into someone elses bucket by being mean empties their bucket and your own and makes everyone feel bad.
Through simple prose and vivid illustrations, this heart warming book encourages positive behaviour as children see how rewarding it is to express daily kindness, appreciation and love.  This book explains to children that we all carry an invisible bucket in which we keep our feelings about ourselves.  When our buckets are full, we are happy; when they are empty, we are sad.  It is important to know that we can fill our own bucket and so can others.  We fill buckets by saying nice things to the people around us.  We fill buckets by doing nice things for people.
I have challenged students to be amazing bucket fillers.  Here is a link to a reading of the book by author Carol McCloud, which you may wish to access at home with your children.   https://binged.it/2Ur4cwB

We have started the year with energy and positivity; our staff team are really looking forward to working with students and their families and enjoying a fabulous 2020.

“Be inspired. Be the magic.  Be the one who reaches out to the invisible.  Be the one who sprinkles kindness everywhere like it is magical, fairy dust.  Be the one who lights the way, the one who shows others how to shine.  Be the magic.”  Simply Topaz

Tracey King
Head of Traralgon Junior School

WHAT’S ON IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

FEBRUARY
6 February  Years 3 to 6 Swim Carnival, Churchill Indoor Pool
New parents welcome at 6:30 pm in the Library followed by Information Session at 7:00 pm and barbeque in the Gymnasium and foyer
11 February  Year 5 Sovereign Hill Camp
12 February  Year 6 Urban Camp
No Preps at school – due to testing
14 February  Year 5 Sovereign Hill Camp return
Year 6 Urban Camp return
17 February  Year 6 Leaders Induction Service, 2:30 pm
18 February  FREE Parenting Seminar – ‘Raising Resilient Children’, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
19 February  No Preps at school – due to testing
20 February  ELC Welcome Picnic
25 February  Shrove Tuesday and Pancake Races
27 February  No Preps at school – due to testing
28 February  Year 6 to The Summit

FINANCE NEWS 

Annual Fee Account
Families have recently received an annual fee account for 2020.  If you have any queries in relation to your annual fee account, please contact Mr Peter Lees on 5623 5833.  As detailed on the reverse side of the account, payment options are:

Instalments (due dates):
Instalment 1 – 7 February 2020
Instalment 2 – 3 April 2020
Instalment 3 – 5 June 2020
Instalment 4 – 14 August 2020

Payment in full:  A discount of $320 per child, from Prep to Year 12, is offered to families if the annual invoice is paid in full by 21 February 2020.

Direct debit:  Should families wish to commence payment by Direct Debit, please contact Mr Peter Lees, accountsreceivable@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au, as soon as possible to set up an arrangement.

The first fortnightly direct debit will start on 7 February and the first monthly direct debit will be on 15 February.

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://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/transport/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.

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 https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/csef.aspx  Parents are encouraged to lodge the application form immediately.  The CSEF program for 2020 closes at the end of Term 2.  All forms must be received by 15 June 2020 to be processed.  For parents who received CSEF at the school in 2019 (and the student/s are still enrolled in 2020), the schools will ‘copy’ the application across from 2019 to 2020 on the CSEF system.  The CSEF system will automatically validate the parent’s eligibility with Centrelink.

COFFEE

Would you like a bag of rich, smooth East Timor Coffee?  $3 from every bag sold through the school goes towards our fundraising to build new classrooms for Ponilala Village School.  Growing and exporting coffee beans is also a sustainable and vital part of the Ermera district economy, where Ponilala is situated.  Your purchase will not only taste great but contribute to a worthy cause.
Bags of plunger, filter or beans can be purchased for $12.  Contact Andrea Heard aaheard@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or Kirsten Enders kenders@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au to place an order.

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

Welcome to 2020
As we complete our first full week, I am happy to report that the start of the school year has continued to be a smooth one… we certainly have had a mix of weather that’s for sure.  We had a wonderful end to the first day when we celebrated the Preps first day of school and had ‘Dazzling Dan’ entertain us with his magic show.

I hope that you all take the time to read the newsletter each fortnight and visit MyStPauls to see what your child/ren has been up to in their year level and specialists 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 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.  Hopefully new families have received login details by now, if not, please let us know.  For families who were unable to join us for our Years 3 to 6 Information Evening, all year level information booklets have been uploaded on the ‘Year Level’ pages on MyStPauls.  A reminder that our Prep to Year 2 Information Evening will be held on Monday 10 February commencing at 7:00 pm in the Junior School Gymnasium (this first session will be identical to the one we held at the Years 3 to 6 evening, so if you attended this session please just head straight to the classroom session which will commence around 7:40 pm).

School Email Communications
As some members of our community have strong spam filters on their emails, they are finding that school emails with attachments are landing in their junk folders.  For this reason, the School will cease sending email attachments and instead, when necessary, email a link to documents on MyStPauls.  It is hoped that this will bypass filters.

Orientation Sessions – Setting up the year and building a cohesive classroom
During the first few days of school, students participated in a variety of orientation sessions with their classroom teacher.  The aim of the program is for all students to hear the same message and to focus upon different aspects of school life at St Paul’s.  These sessions included the following:
• School Values (Wisdom, Integrity, Compassion and Respect) – explanation of our School values and how they underpin all that we do at St Paul’s.  Everyone has the right to feel safe, happy and respected at St Paul’s.
• Social Skills, Courtesy, Class Agreements – appropriate ways of joining in, including others, holding doors open, saying hello, manners, bullying – “Tell a teacher” and out of bounds areas. Developing some class agreements/norms together to put up around the classroom.
• Diary – summary of the Junior School Diary (including Code of Conduct, homework, filling in notes, reminders, events and more).
• Uniform – outline expectations with regard to uniform, hair, jewellery, blazers, correct socks, Years 3 to 6 not to wear jumper as outer garment to or from school.
• Sustainability – discuss compost, different bins, paper recycling, do not waste water.
• Cyber Safety – orientation into the appropriate use of computers/iPads.  Mobile phones are NOT to be used at school.
• Team Building – getting to know you activities.

It has also been wonderful to see our Pre-Prep and Pre-Kinder students continuing their transition sessions as they work towards attending full sessions in the coming weeks.

2020 Welcome Family Barbeque
An invitation is attached to this newsletter inviting all families (Early Learning Centre and Junior School) to join us for an informal gathering on Friday 21 February from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.  Our Prep Grand Prix and 100m Gift will be held and the Year 12 Prefects and Year 9 Community Ambassadors will be running some activities for the children.  Families are welcome to bring their own picnic or we will be cooking a sausage sizzle and our Junior School SRC will be selling cold drinks.  It is also a great opportunity to meet staff or play some friendly games with your children on the multi-purpose courts and oval.  Families are welcome to come and go as they please.  We also see this as a wonderful opportunity for families to visit us in a relaxed and informal setting, catch up with each other and for new families to make some new connections.

Assembly and Chapel Times
A reminder that our Assembly and Chapel times this year are:
Years 3 to 6 – Mondays 2:20 pm (Junior School Gymnasium).
Prep to Year 2 – (Chapel Week A and Assembly Week B) Fridays 2:40 pm (in the Staffroom until further notice).  Parents are most welcome to join us during these times.  A reminder that taking photos or videoing students is not permitted at assemblies due to privacy reasons.

After School Care
To attend before or after school care, parents/guardians must register their child with Camp Australia by completing an online enrolment form via their parent portal.  It is very important that parents/guardians fill out all compulsory enrolment documentation for their child and notify Camp Australia of any medical conditions.  Families can register for free at https://pp.campaustralia.com.au/account/register-contacts

Carpark
Just a reminder that everyone should use the pathways and cross the road at the zebra crossings when entering or leaving the Early Learning Centre and Junior School to ensure we all stay safe (a reminder that the crossing near the Prep entrance is not operational).  Could I also please remind parents to be extra careful when reversing out of carparks. Could I please ask that parents do not double park in Maple Way/Cedar Place (particularly the end of the court near the entry to the school) so our neighbours have easy access to their driveway.

Class Codes for MunchMonitor
*These can also be found on Page 8 of the Student Diary
• Prep D (PW1) Ms Kate Daniel
• Prep S (PW2) Ms Kim Steendam
• Year 1G (1W1) Mrs Emily Galea
• Year 1T (1W2) Mr Ryan Timmermans
• Year 2C (2W1) Miss Georgia Collings
• Year 2M (2W2) Mrs Katherine McKerrow
• Year 3F (3W1) Mrs Shawna Cosgrove/Mr Erik Faumuina
• Year 3M (3W2) Mrs Emily Murphy
• Year 4B (4W1) Miss Jacaline Begg
• Year 4M (4W2) Mr Michael Beamish
• Year 5B (5W1) Mrs Deanne Blanchard
• Year 5C (5W2) Mr Nick Carter
• Year 5R (5W3) Ms Traceye Rapinett/Mrs Helen Kooloos
• Year 6C (6W1) Ms Denelle Calafiore
• Year 6F (6W2) Mrs Joanne Farr/Mr Phil Barkla

Tennis Lessons
Gippsland Tennis Coaching under the direction of Tennis Australia Accredited Head Coach, Mark Stevens, provides a comprehensive range of coaching programs suited to all standards and age groups.  The lessons are held before school and at lunchtimes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the school term.
Our coaches follow the ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Program.  This program provides clear pathways for your child’s tennis development based on age and standard.  A professionally developed skill acquisition program designed to enhance your child’s fundamental motor skills by teaching basic stroke techniques and ball skills to introduce them to tennis.
For further information or enrolments contact Gippsland Tennis Coaching, Mark Stevens 0417 140 763 or Jamie Dunn 0449 257 569 Email: mstennis@dcsi.net.au

I hope to see many families at our Welcome Barbeque on 21 February.

Rowan van Raay
Head of Warragul Junior School

WHAT’S ON IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

FEBRUARY
10 February  Leaders Induction Service, Junior School Gymnasium, 2:20 pm
Prep to Year 2 Welcome and Parent Information Evening, Junior School Gymnasium, 7:00 pm
12 February  Years 3 to 6 Swimming Carnival, Warragul Leisure Centre, 11:30 am to 3:00 pm
No Preps
19 February  No Preps
21 February  District Swimming (selected students)
Welcome Family Barbeque, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
26 February  No Preps

MARCH
4 March  Division Swimming (selected students)
6 March  Years 3 to 6 Athletics Carnival, Geoff Watt Track, Warragul
9 March  LABOUR DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY
12 March  Regional Swimming (selected students)
19 March  Easter Egg Hunt, 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
25 March  Parent Teacher Interviews, 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm
26 March  Parent Teacher Interviews, 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm
27 March  Prep Excursion to Farm World
End of Term 1, 2:20 pm FINISH

FINANCE NEWS 

Annual Fee Account
Families have recently received an annual fee account for 2020.  If you have any queries in relation to your annual fee account, please contact Mr Peter Lees on 5623 5833.  As detailed on the reverse side of the account, payment options are:

Instalments (due dates):
Instalment 1 – 7 February 2020
Instalment 2 – 3 April 2020
Instalment 3 – 5 June 2020
Instalment 4 – 14 August 2020

Payment in full:  A discount of $320 per child, from Prep to Year 12, is offered to families if the annual invoice is paid in full by 21 February 2020.

Direct debit:  Should families wish to commence payment by Direct Debit, please contact Mr Peter Lees, accountsreceivable@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au, as soon as possible to set up an arrangement.

The first fortnightly direct debit will start on 7 February and the first monthly direct debit will be on 15 February.

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://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/transport/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.

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 https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/csef.aspx  Parents are encouraged to lodge the application form immediately.  The CSEF program for 2020 closes at the end of Term 2.  All forms must be received by 15 June 2020 to be processed.  For parents who received CSEF at the school in 2019 (and the student/s are still enrolled in 2020), the schools will ‘copy’ the application across from 2019 to 2020 on the CSEF system.  The CSEF system will automatically validate the parent’s eligibility with Centrelink.

COFFEE

Would you like a bag of rich, smooth East Timor Coffee?  $3 from every bag sold through the school goes towards our fundraising to build new classrooms for Ponilala Village School.  Growing and exporting coffee beans is also a sustainable and vital part of the Ermera district economy, where Ponilala is situated.  Your purchase will not only taste great but contribute to a worthy cause.
Bags of plunger, filter or beans can be purchased for $12.  Contact Andrea Heard aaheard@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or Kirsten Enders kenders@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au to place an order.

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

The 2020 school year has certainly begun with a flourish of activity and events.  We have thoroughly enjoyed welcoming a large group of Year 7 students and a number of other students into different year levels.  We hope they are settling in well and enjoying the start of their St Paul’s journey.  On Tuesday we inducted our Whole School Leaders at our Welcome and Leaders Induction Assembly.  This was held in our gymnasium and students from Year 3 through to Year 12 from both our Traralgon and Warragul Campuses were in attendance.  As you can imagine there were a lot of students and staff in the gymnasium and those who were experiencing this assembly for the first time were able to get an appreciation of the breadth of our school.  On this day we inducted our Prefects including our School Captains and Deputy School Captains, our House Captains and the School Captains from Traralgon Secondary, and our Junior Schools at both Traralgon and Warragul.  We are very proud of the achievements of our entire 2019 Year 12 class but at this assembly we also inducted ten students from last year’s cohort into the St Paul’s Academic Honours’ Society.  These students are recognised for achieving an ATAR above 95 and we acknowledge that this achievement, like that of so many others, does not come without consistent effort throughout one’s school career.  We know that effort trumps natural talent when it comes to academic achievement, so what we recognise through the Academic Honours’ Society is the mastery of subject content and skill that these students have achieved through sustained effort to that point of mastery.  Sarah Blyth spoke on behalf of this group of students on Tuesday and I have included her speech in this week’s Grammarian for you to read.

On Wednesday 5 February we held our Welcome Evening in the Science Centre Lecture Theatre.  It was lovely to see many families in attendance and introducing themselves to our teaching staff.  We appreciate your attendance and enjoyed the opportunity to speak with you.  Term 1 is always a very busy term and I encourage the use of our MyStPauls calendar and the dates provided each week in either the ‘Grammarian’ or the ‘What’s On’ newsletters.  If there are any details you are unsure of then please do not hesitate to email or call your child’s Mentor teacher and they will be able to answer your questions.  We look forward to a productive and enjoyable 2020 and we have certainly started the year off in this manner.

School Email Communications
As some members of our community have strong spam filters on their emails, they are finding that school emails with attachments are landing in their junk folders.  For this reason, the School will cease sending email attachments and instead, when necessary, email a link to documents on MyStPauls.  It is hoped that this will bypass filters.

Parent, Student and Teacher Interviews (PSTIs) DATE CHANGE
Please note, that due to an unforeseen calendar clash, the first evening of Parent, Students and Teacher Interviews (PSTIs) will be held on Monday 16 March NOT Tuesday 17 March as previously advertised.  Further reminders and booking details will be communicated closer to the date.  The second evening, scheduled for Wednesday 25 March, will proceed as advertised.

Ms Laura Butterworth
Head of Warragul Secondary School

Sarah Blyth’s speech on behalf of the Academic Honours’ Society
I am honoured to be speaking to you today on behalf of such a special group of students and would like to start by congratulating you all on your achievements thus far and know you will continue to grow as individuals and as a school community.

I started at this school as a timid but extremely eager Prep student at Warragul and made so many memories in my junior years.  Like most students, I always looked forward to the musical productions each year and would come home excited to tell my parents all about it and sing the songs for months afterwards.

As you step up to a new year level, there are so many opportunities to get involved and to show your leadership.  Please cherish your time in the Junior School because that is where I have made some of my best memories at this school.  From exciting school camps to Sport with Mr B, fun Art projects with Ms Bristowe and Performing Arts classes, it would have been impossible for me to leave the Junior School without some amazing memories and you should all enjoy these moments too.  You have incredibly kind and fun teachers at both campuses to guide you and I hope that you appreciate them for all their work and make as many strong memories as I have.

To the new Year 7s, whether you came from the St Paul’s Junior Schools or from other schools, the transition can be a little daunting from being the leaders of the school to feeling like being back at the bottom of the ladder but I promise you will have many enjoyable moments.  The start of this year may be a time when friendships break apart and you lose touch with your friends from primary school but it is also an opportunity to make new friendships and grow resilience.

Whether you are a sporty, musical or an academic person or a bit of everything, this school has so much to be involved in and so many opportunities to enjoy in the time you have here.  School is not just about trying to excel academically, it is also about pushing yourself to try new things and move out of your comfort zone.  I have always been an introverted person at school but by being involved in various clubs, musicals and sport teams I think I have grown more confident as a result and become a better version of myself.  I have never heard anyone say they wish they had not been involved in these co-curricular activities, only that they wish they had done more.  That is a challenge I give to you all, make every year count and do not let yourself wish you had done more while you could.

At the end of last year, our cohort opened our time capsules which we created in Year 7 and I really loved looking back on the memories I made.  I wrote all about my amazing friends, everything I was involved in and about how excited I was to be part of the big school.  I hope that you make the most of this year so that when you get the chance to do this you can write all about your favourite moments and look back on this and smile when you leave too.

Year 8s, Year 8 camp was my favourite of all the school camps because we got to go hiking, mountain biking and kayaking all in one week, in my opinion it is definitely something to look forward to. While this camp might be a little bit out of your comfort zone for many, it is a good way to challenge yourselves physically and mentally.

Year 9 was a fun year for me with opportunities for leadership roles as well as the City Camp.  It was a year to grow in independence and life skills and I hope you look forward to the year to come.

Year 10s, some of you may be starting your VCE with a Year 11 subject this year and whether you are or not, I ask you to put in as much effort as you can into all your work and ask for help when you need it because your teachers are there to support you.  One mistake I made through secondary school was always trying to figure things out on my own and getting frustrated with myself when I could not find the answer over and over.  Mr Gautam pointed this out to me in Year 10 and I have realised that asking for help with something you are stuck on isn’t a bad thing at all, that is what helps you to develop into the best person you can be which is certainly something to strive for.

Another strong memory I have from St Paul’s was my exchange to France in Year 11.  I remember being a little anxious having missed the Early Commencement into Year 12 and not having a lot of time to get all of my catch-up work and holiday homework done.  But this opportunity to go to France was too good to miss because I made so many lasting friendships and memories I will never forget.  To spend Christmas across the other side of the world with these people and their extended family was a strange but incredible experience that I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of.  So to the Year 11s, even though you are commencing your VCE study, keep taking the opportunities you are given in and out of school and remember that being good at something takes time and commitment. 

Year 12s, you have a tough year ahead of you but I know every single one of you can do it and you can all accomplish incredible things.  My advice to you is do not quit doing what you love.  If you love to dance or play footy, don’t stop doing it just because you are afraid you will not have time for it.  Make time.  If you dedicate every waking hour of every day to schoolwork, you will burn out and get sick easily then you are no more productive than if you take breaks in your study, eat well, exercise and have fun in your day, because you have to look after yourself too.

Every year level has its own set of challenges to overcome and I ask you all to look after your peers around you and support one another.  Be kind, show compassion, respect your teachers and try your hardest.

So on behalf of the Academic Honours Society, I would like to thank the dedicated and incredible staff at this school for their amazing contributions during our time here.

Thank you everyone and I wish you all the best for the year to come.

WHAT’S ON IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

FEBRUARY
7 and 8 February  SEISA Leadership Weekend (Prefects)
11 February  Presentation Ball Training, 3:30 pm to 5:20 pm
12 February  Whole School Swimming Carnival, Moe Outdoor Pool
13 February  SEISA Summer Sport, Intermediate/Senior, Round 1
18 to 21 February  Year 7 Camp
19 February  Swim Team Training, Warragul Leisure Centre, 7:00 am to 8:30 am
20 February  SEISA Summer Sport, Intermediate/Senior, Round 2
24 February  Performing Arts Scholarship Holders Concert, DT Parker Centre, 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
25 February  Presentation Ball Training, 3:30 pm to 5:20 pm
26 February  FareShare, Food Relief Excursion, 6:30 am to 3:15 pm
26 February  Swim Team Training, Warragul Leisure Centre, 7:00 am to 8:30 am
27 February  SEISA Swimming, Badminton and Table Tennis, Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre

CLUBS AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

From Sunday 2 December to Friday 6 December 2019 the U/20 Girls and U/15 Boys St Paul’s Basketball teams travelled to the State Basketball Centre and Dandenong Basketball Stadium to compete in the Australian School Basketball Championships.  The Australian School Championships are the highest level of competition for Australian school basketball and present the only opportunity for schools to compete against teams from across the country.

The event was a great opportunity for our students to perform in a high performance environment and to refine and develop their basketball skills and knowledge.

The U/20 Girls Basketball team produced strong performances all week, to be unbeaten in all round games.  The girls played Aquinas College in the semi-final, winning convincingly, 64 points to 35 points.  The gold medal match was played against Marsden State High School.  In a tight match, St Paul’s came from behind in the last quarter to win the Division 1 National Title, 69 points to 64 points.

The U/15 Boys Basketball team was unbeaten for the first four rounds, losing a tough game in round five to Edinburgh College, in a top of the ladder clash.  The boys put their loss behind them, to win their semi-final and therefore secure a spot in the gold medal match.  The gold medal game was a re-match against Edinburgh College.  In an exciting match, St Paul’s played strongly to win the Division 3 National Title, 61 points to 58 points.

Opening ceremony.

St Paul’s U/15 Boys National team.

St Paul’s U/20 Girls National team.

MATHS SUPPORT

TUTORIAL CLASSES
Tuesday – Years 7 and 8, lunchtime, YS1
Wednesday – Years 9 and 10, lunchtime, RM6
Wednesday – VCE classes, lunchtime, RM6

MATHS SUPPORT SESSIONS
A Maths Support Session will be offered in Room 3 (Year 9 Centre) each Tuesday at the end of the school day from Tuesday 18 February.  This session will operate from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm and students are able to attend for all or part of each session as required.  Participants may use this session to get assistance with and complete homework tasks, seek an additional lesson on a particular Maths topic or simply work with other students who share a similar love of Mathematics with extension activities provided as required.
This session is primarily aimed at students from Years 10 to 12 although all Secondary School students are welcome to attend.  These sessions are additional to those already provided by teachers from the Maths Faculty which occur regularly at nominated lunch times.

No formal registration is required.  Students simply attend whenever they feel the need for some additional support or extension.

For further enquiries please contact your Mathematics teacher or Mr Dewhurst at St Paul’s.

Graham Dewhurst
Mathematics Teacher

FINANCE NEWS 

Annual Fee Account
Families have recently received an annual fee account for 2020.  If you have any queries in relation to your annual fee account, please contact Mr Peter Lees on 5623 5833.  As detailed on the reverse side of the account, payment options are:

Instalments (due dates):
Instalment 1 – 7 February 2020
Instalment 2 – 3 April 2020
Instalment 3 – 5 June 2020
Instalment 4 – 14 August 2020

Payment in full:  A discount of $320 per child, from Prep to Year 12, is offered to families if the annual invoice is paid in full by 21 February 2020.

Direct debit:  Should families wish to commence payment by Direct Debit, please contact Mr Peter Lees, accountsreceivable@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au, as soon as possible to set up an arrangement.

The first fortnightly direct debit will start on 7 February and the first monthly direct debit will be on 15 February.

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://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/transport/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.

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 https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/csef.aspx  Parents are encouraged to lodge the application form immediately.  The CSEF program for 2020 closes at the end of Term 2.  All forms must be received by 15 June 2020 to be processed.  For parents who received CSEF at the school in 2019 (and the student/s are still enrolled in 2020), the schools will ‘copy’ the application across from 2019 to 2020 on the CSEF system.  The CSEF system will automatically validate the parent’s eligibility with Centrelink.

COFFEE

Would you like a bag of rich, smooth East Timor Coffee?  $3 from every bag sold through the school goes towards our fundraising to build new classrooms for Ponilala Village School.  Growing and exporting coffee beans is also a sustainable and vital part of the Ermera district economy, where Ponilala is situated.  Your purchase will not only taste great but contribute to a worthy cause.
Bags of plunger, filter or beans can be purchased for $12.  Contact Andrea Heard aaheard@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or Kirsten Enders kenders@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au to place an order.

THE ENTRANCE

It is very hard to walk past an entrance like this and not feel the pull to turn aside and take a stroll along the beach.  The break in the fence line and the sandy path invite us to take time out and enjoy life in the present.  In a crazy world of noise, stress and complexities, God quietly invites us to take time out of our busy schedules and to walk together.  Prayer, reflection and meditation are some of the ways in which we can centre our lives on the One who cares for us deeply and desires to guide us in life giving ways.  May this be our experience as we face the new year and Term 1 together.

Lynton Allan
Chaplain

Welcome to the first Grammarian of 2020.  It is great to have students back in the school again, ready for another big year.  The various Information Evenings across the school have begun to take place.  I thank parents and carers for their attendance at these events and trust that they have been, and will be, a valuable experience and source of information.

On Tuesday 4 February, we had the pleasure of bringing together our whole school community from Years 3 to 12 for the 2020 Welcome Assembly.  At this assembly, we inducted our new ‘whole school’ leaders into their roles and our highest VCE ATAR achievers (ATARs over 95) into the Academic Honours’ Society of St Paul’s.

11% of our students achieved an ATAR above 95 and included, in alphabetical order:

• Macy Austin
• Sarah Blyth
• Paige Blyth
• Finn Colman
• Annie Guo
• Georgia Hughes
• Kaveesha Jayasuriya
• Lachlan Martino
• Lydia Reiske
• Cleo Seinen

Sarah Blyth spoke to the assembly on behalf of the Class of 2019, giving thanks to the School and staff.  She recounted several highlights during her school journey and gave helpful advice to current students.  A transcript of Sarah’s address is included in the report from Ms Butterworth, the Head of Warragul Secondary School.

As I have communicated previously, the Class of 2019 achieved very highly as a cohort, and we were very pleased with the group’s efforts and achievements.  With 14% of Study Scores 40 or above and 48% of students achieving an ATAR of above 80, St Paul’s was once again the highest-achieving VCE school in Gippsland.  We thank and acknowledge the excellent achievements of the Class of 2019 and wish them all the very best for the future.

I wish everyone in the St Paul’s community the very best for the 2020 academic year.

Cameron Herbert
Principal