In this issue

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

Year 10 Conference
I had the pleasure to spend an evening and the following day at the recent Year 10 Conference.  During this time I had the opportunity to attend the conference dinner, watch student presentations, visit the VCE session by Bruno Testa and the careers session by Deb Cumming, watch students scale while building stacks of milk crates (I think the record was eighteen) and walk on Smiths Beach with a group of students.  Unfortunately I was unable to attend the wellness session conducted by Kirsten Enders.  I could not help but be impressed by the behaviour of students from both campuses and the dedication of the staff.

Thank you to Kirsten Enders, Sandra Timmer-Arends and Jason Addison for your participation in the camp.  Your energy was endless and your commitment to our students was plain to see.  Also a thank you to all the Warragul staff who attended, especially to Adrienne Percy, Head of Year 10, Warragul Campus and Deb Cumming, Head of Careers.  Adrienne, with the support of Deb, organised much of the camp.

I left feeling that our students a had great opportunity to think about their careers and VCE, and also to begin their transition to the Warragul Campus.

Gippsland Tech School
We recently had a staff meeting at the Gippsland Tech School.  St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School is one of the partnership schools.  If you have not noticed it, look opposite Morwell McDonalds. The school is now complete.  I must say the information session and tour the staff were given was both exciting and impressive.

The tour included:
• Laser cutters and 3D printers where, for example, students would be able to build and test a miniature hover craft;
• A video conference space for consultation with industry;
• A virtual reality laboratory. We were able to stand inside a human brain and walk in space;
• A large scale industry robot and other smaller high tech robots; and
• A sports science laboratory.

The Gippsland Tech School is designed as hub for Latrobe schools to visit.  For the remainder of 2018 we will work with the school to investigate how they can best support the educational experiences of our students for the remainder of 2018, into 2019 and beyond.

Thank you to the Salvation Army
At our last assembly we had a visit from Captain Joy Cassidy from the Salvation Army.  She was kind enough to visit to receive a cheque resulting from the last casual clothes day.  Joy spoke of the origins of the Salvation Army and then told stories of salvation.  Stories of helping the homeless and others less fortunate than ourselves.  The compassion and commitment during her speech was palpable and a gift to our students.  Thank you Joy and to the Salvation Army for the work that you do.

Harry Tosch and Renee Collis present the cheque to Captain Joy Cassidy.

Stephen Klemke
Head of Traralgon Secondary School

WHAT’S ON IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

AUGUST 2018
10 August  Year 11 2019 Subject Selections due
13 August  Traralgon Mount Buller Snow Camp
Parent Information Meeting, 3:30 pm
14 August  Year 10 2019 Information Evening, 7:00 pm
15 August  Reading Hour to Traralgon Junior School students
16 August  SEISA Winter Sport, Round 4
17 August  Gymnastics Training, 7:00 am to 8:00 am
22 August to 26 August  Snow Sports Camp, Mount Buller
22 August  Year 9 into Year 10 Course Counselling
23 August  SEISA Winter Sport, Round 5, Gippsland Grammar
24 August  Year 10 2019 Subject Selections Due
Gymnastics Training, 7:00 am to 8:00 am
St James Community Lunch

YEAR 10 CONFERENCE

The Year 10 Conference involved students from Traralgon and Warragul Campuses combining for a three-day conference at Phillip Island that focused on developing personal skills, teamwork and giving an introduction to VCE and careers options.

Deb Cumming and Bruno Testa ran very informative sessions on what to expect in VCE and future tertiary education and employment.  Educators from Tripod provided workshops to the students to identify their strengths as individuals, focusing on the top eight ‘Enterprising Skills’ valued by future employers.  Working in random teams, students were assigned the task of developing a product or service complete with prototype, logo and slogan.  They then had to ‘pitch’ it to a panel of judges.  It was inspiring to see the depth of creativity and ingenuity shown by students.  A beach walk and a chance to rock climb and ‘crate stack’ provided some chill and challenge time between sessions.

Students from both campuses enjoyed the chance to meet and socialise with each other at the 80s themed disco and formal conference dinner.  St Paul’s alumnus, Charlie Davine spoke to students about the importance of grabbing any opportunity and of the great experiences he has had working, studying, volunteering and travelling.

The conference was a pleasure to attend.  Adrienne Percy, Head of Year 10 at Warragul Secondary School and Deb Cumming, Head of Careers, both did a fabulous job of organising it; the presentations were invaluable and venue great.  Sandra Timmer-Arends, Jason Addison and myself were very impressed with the cohesion and calibre of all the Year 10s; Year 11 in 2019 promises to be a great cohort of students!

Kirsten Enders
Head of Years 9 and 10
Traralgon Campus

SPORT NEWS

Clay Target Shooting Morwell Competition
On 18 July 2018, Lachlan Balcombe and Julian Wyntjes travelled to attend the annual Morwell Field and Game Clay Target shoot.  The event was well organised with 156 in attendance.  Despite windy conditions which changed the trajectory of the targets, both Julian and Lachlan shot well.  Julian shot 10/20 targets, while Lachlan hit 14/20 (just two targets off a podium finish).  The day went well without issue and was the last event.  We would like to thank the families who drove and supported their children at the event.

If any students are interested in attending the clay target tournaments in 2019 please talk to either Mr Zanella or Mrs Timmer-Arends.

FINANCE NEWS

FEE PAYMENTS
A reminder for families paying tuition fees in four instalments:

• Instalment four is due on Friday 17 August 2018

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

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

As always, there has been a lot going on around the Junior School over the past few weeks.  At Years 3 to 6 assembly last week I acknowledged the wonderful work our students were doing not only at school, but also away from school.  We have had students competing in fun runs, eisteddfods, young farmers competitions, making representative teams after a number of tryouts with a host of others currently competing in finals for their local sports team and much more.  We always like to celebrate the wonderful things our students do, so please encourage your child to keep us up-to-date with their outside of school ventures.

2018 ISV Parent Satisfaction Survey:  On 2 August, families should have received an email from the School inviting you to complete an online Independent Schools Victoria Parent Satisfaction Survey.  The survey will take approximately ten minutes to complete and closes on Friday 24 August 2018.  Could I please encourage all families to complete the survey as we value your feedback and use this data to celebrate the things we are doing well and to also guide us as we strive for continuous improvement.

IPSHA Student Leadership Day:  Last Thursday, our Junior School Captains Ben and Ananya attended a student leadership day organised by the Independent Primary Schools Heads Association at Caulfield Grammar.  It was the first time IPSHA had run this event and it was wonderful to see Ben and Ananya networking with students from other schools and they reflect on their day;

Ben: “On 2 August Ananya and I participated in a leadership day in Wheelers Hill.  When we arrived, we were put in small groups, then for ten minutes, we got to know each other.  Afterwards, everyone came into the middle and we were given a challenge: we had to get in a circle in order of month of birth, but we could not speak. We successfully completed the challenge and Ben (the organiser) said that the point of doing that exercise was to see if one person would lead or if we would all work together. 

Then we went outside to do team based activities.  My favourite was where we had to get a ball to a wall and back, but we could not walk with the ball and we could not touch it.  Snack time followed by an orienteering challenge. 

The challenging part of the orienteering was that only two people out of the seven could speak and all the others had to listen to them.  Ben said the reason we did this activity was to show that sometimes you must take charge over a group.  Lunchtime followed then it was time for the final challenge.

In the final challenge, we had to create an idea that would help other people develop their leadership muscles that we could implement within our school.  Once we came up with an idea, two out of the seven stayed at the table to present to other groups while the others looked at the other groups ideas.

Overall, I really enjoyed the experience and am very grateful I was given this opportunity and I hope they repeat this event in the future.”

Ananya: “Last week on Thursday, Ben and I went to a leadership workshop at Caufield Grammar, Wheelers Hill.  We were placed into teams of five or six, each member from a different school.  At the beginning of the day we played a few games, to get to know each other and to get our minds moving.  We then went outside and played a few teamwork oriented games with tennis balls.  Next, we got to do a scavenger hunt.  Our task was to do each of the activities on the map (spider web and minefield) to find each of the keys around the school.  This was supposed to reflect strategy, teamwork and of course leadership.  Our last task was to create an initiative to implement at our school.  Some of our ideas were; an anonymous help box, young leaders’ program and family movie night.  We hope to start applying our ideas in the near future.  The day concluded with a few questions for us to think about and then we said our final goodbyes to our team members.  I felt I learnt an immense amount of skills and techniques from other leaders.  I now have a much better understanding and feel much more confident in my role.  I overall really enjoyed it.”

Books, Books and more Books!  Our thanks to Mrs Davies for organising and running our Book Fair again this year.  It is always great to see our students so excited to visit and select a new book to read.  Thanks to the students and families who supported the fair.  Well done to our Prep to Year 3 students who dressed up last Friday for our Book Parade.

Congratulations to our Preps who on Tuesday celebrated 100 days of school (only about 2,250 to go!) with Miss Collings and Mrs Adamo…there were lots of old people around!  A very funny moment when Mr Herbert visited the Preps the following day with one very brave student asking if he was one hundred and he replied, “no, I’m about half that!” Another Prep then commented… “you must be 90 then!” It appears we have some work to do on halving with our Preps!

Public Speaking Competition: Congratulations to Lucy McKenzie, Krish Gupta, Stephanie McCracken and Anoushka Kerhalkar who competed at the Lions Club Public Speaking Competition on Wednesday night.  Our thanks to Mrs Smethurst and Miss Begg whom assisted with the preparation and attended on the night to support the students.

Years 3 and 4 Soirée:  Well done to all of the students who performed at the Years 3 and 4 Soirée on Wednesday evening.  It was a wonderful night with a wide variety of performances and I thank family and friends who attended.  Thanks also to Mrs Davies for organising the night and to Mrs Denton for attending to support her students.

State RoboCup Competition:  We have ten students representing our Junior School in the State RoboCup Competition next Tuesday.  They have been working very hard under the direction of Ms Rapinett and we wish Sandy Norlyng, Jaspar Carson, Daniel Hemphill, Charlie Pote, Jayden Evans, Benjamin Denton, Max O’Connor, Cameron Mann, Joey Manani and Fletcher Lockwood well.

Years 3 and 4 Hoop Time Basketball Teams:  We wish the following students well as they compete in the Years 3 and 4 Hoop Time Basketball competition on Monday.  The teams are; Boys: Riley Butters, Bill De Araugo, Charlie Croucher, Max Doughty, Cooper Leighton, Quinn Carson, James Denton and Lachlan Rosato.  Girls: Olivia Bryce, Lucy Coulthard, Shae Nippers, Holly Davidson, Matilda Pumpurs, Leah McMahon and Poppy Cumming.

Junior School Musical:  As you may already be aware, the West Gippsland Arts Centre has informed us that their refurbishment will not be finished in time for our musical, so we have had to make alternative arrangements.  This means we will be using our Junior School Gymnasium and have had to restructure the way we run the shows.  More information will be sent home in the coming weeks.

We also have students preparing for Vicspell, Bike Ed, Years 5 and 6 Hoop Time, musical and Tournament of the Minds.  As you know, we offer so many co-curricular activities and whilst we encourage our students to get involved in as much as they can, please keep an eye on your child and let us know if you think they are doing too much, particularly with their after-hours activities. We certainly do not want them to become so exhausted, they fall in a heap!

Rowan van Raay
Head of Warragul Junior School

WHAT’S ON IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

AUGUST
13 August  Years 3 and 4 Hoop Time Basketball
14 August  ICAS Mathematics Competition (registered students from Years 2 to 6 only)
RoboCup Victorian Championships (selected students only)
Bike Ed Challenge Trials (Years 4 to 6)
22 August  Vicspell Competition
24 August  Year 7 2019 Friendship Morning, Warragul Secondary School
25 August  Tournament of Minds (selected students only)
29 August  Parent Teacher Interviews (PTIs), 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
30 August  Father’s Day Stall
Parent Teacher Interviews (PTIs), 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm

SEPTEMBER
5 September  Years 5 and 6 Hoop Time Basketball
12 September  Division Athletics (rescheduled new date)
13 September  Junior School Musical
19 September  Bike Ed Challenge (Years 4 to 6)
21 September  End of Term 3, 2:20 pm finish

Drouin and Warragul public school bus network notice

Please be advised the Warragul and Drouin public school bus network services will not run on Friday 17 August.  Please ensure you have alternative travel arrangements for these days.  All St Paul’s buses will run as normal on these days, except for the Warragul Regional College transfer bus number 3 which will not run.

FINANCE NEWS

FEE PAYMENTS
A reminder for families paying tuition fees in four instalments:

• Instalment four is due on Friday 17 August 2018

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

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

The last two weeks have provided another range of experiences for our students.  Last Tuesday we farewelled our French Exchange students who have spent their summer holidays experiencing life in Australia.  Our students will join them in France later in the year and I have no doubt that they will keenly keep in touch until then.  The French students departed and the next day we welcomed a delegation of students and teachers from Jiujiang Province in China.  We would like to extend a very big thank you to all of the generous and welcoming families who hosted our international visitors.  We also held our VCE 2019 Information Evening and students have been attending course counselling ahead of selecting their subjects electronically.  For our 2019 Years 11 and 12 they are due by 4:00 pm today.

Students also competed in Round 2 of Senior SEISA, the Year 10 Food Discovery class attended their FareShare excursion and many students took part in the West Gippsland Performing Arts Eisteddfod.  Our Year 9s enjoyed attending the Job Skills Expo at Lardner Park and recognised their heritage with Grandparents Day, whilst our Year 12s reached a significant milestone as they celebrated their ’50 Days to go’ anniversary with a barbeque together.  It has definitely been a busy fortnight.

Parents Student Teacher Interviews (PSTIs)
The Term 3 Parent Student Teacher Interviews are scheduled for the following evenings:
Wednesday 15 August, 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm, Warragul Secondary School Gymnasium
Tuesday 21 August, 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm, Warragul Secondary School Gymnasium

The booking information was included with your child’s report at the end of Term 2.

Attending PSTIs is an invaluable way to discuss and monitor your child’s academic and pastoral progress.  As a school we report formatively and continuously.  This means that you do not receive a traditional end of semester report which summarises your child’s learning.  Instead we report after each assessment task and you are able to access the feedback in real time via MyStPauls.  This allows you and your child to understand what needs to be done in order to improve.  You do need to be actively using MyStPauls to ensure you are making the most of this reporting format.  Prior to attending the PSTIs it is suggested that you have reviewed your child’s progress and that you come prepared with questions for the individual teachers.  The following questions can be asked to teachers to assist you to understand the learning needs of your child:
1. If my child could do one thing to make the most improvement in your subject what would it be?
2. How, exactly, should they go about doing this?  What support, if necessary, will be provided (in class or out of class)?
3. What can we do at home to help them with this?
4. How will we know if they have improved in this particular area, beyond report grades?

Students are encouraged to attend and must wear full formal uniform.

IT Department at PSTIs
A representative from our IT Department will be available to assist with any questions you have about MyStPauls on both nights of the PSTIs.  Bookings are not required but please, if possible, bring your preferred device which will assist the IT Technician to demonstrate the platform most effectively.

2019 Subject Selection
Online subject selections are due for the following current year levels:

Year 11 – 10 August TODAY
Year 10 – 10 August TODAY
Year 9 – Friday 17 August
Year 8 – Friday 17 August
Year 7 – Friday 17 August

House Cultural Day
Our annual House Cultural Day is all set for Tuesday 14 August.  Last year we ran this house competition for the first time and it was a wonderful success.  All students from Years 7 through to 12 attend this highly spirited extravaganza and the day offers an opportunity for all students to be involved.  Students will attend mentor group as normal and they will then split into their house groups and be given a theme.  They will spend the day creating a performance, which will be showcased toward the end of the day.  Students will have the opportunity to contribute ideas, work as a team, write a script, act, sing, dance, build sets, create props and contribute to their house.  The house leaders have been working hard in preparation for the day and we are looking forward to building on the success of this event in 2017.

Head Lice
We have had one confirmed case of head lice within our Year 7 cohort and parents and guardians of this year level have been notified.  Can all other parents and guardians please be mindful and monitor your child for any signs.

Student Services notice
Can parents and guardians please note that we require a signed note or email from a parent or guardian when a student signs in or out of the school.  Notes are a necessary requirement and we cannot accept when a student shows a text message which cannot be recorded or verified and therefore will not be accepted.  This is very important and we appreciate support from our families regarding this.

Smart Generation program
In 2017 we partnered with Deakin University to run the Smart Generation program in our school.  In 2018 we are working with them again and our students in Years 9 and 11 will take part in an evidence-based prevention program aimed at reducing adolescent alcohol use.  This will be run through our Pastoral program and we will send information home to you via your student.  This is a great opportunity to open the lines of communication and discuss this important topic at home as well.

Laura Butterworth
Head of Warragul Secondary School

WHAT’S ON IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

AUGUST
10 August  Years 11 and 12 2019 subject selections due, 4:00 pm
11 to 18  August Science Week
13 August  Year 10 2019 Course Counselling
Victorian Netball Championships, 6:30 am
14 August  House Cultural Day
RoboCup Junior
Snow Sports Parent Information Meeting, 4:00 pm
15 to 20 August  Hinode Visit (sister school from Japan)
15 August  Years 7 to 12 Parent Student Teacher Interviews, 4:00 pm
Chess Tournament, Chairo Christian College, 9:15 am to 2:30 pm
Maths Activity Day, Year 9, Federation University, Churchill
Year 8 Powerworks Morwell Excursion, 11:00 am to 3:15 pm
16 August  SEISA Winter Sport, Round 4 (Intermediate/Senior)
Philosothon Excursion, Newhaven College, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
17 August  VEIS: Interschool Show Jumping
Year 9 Community Awareness, thankyou™ headquarters and Richmond Institute of Sport Leadership
Years 8, 9 and 10 2019 subject selections due, 4:00 pm
10 August  ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ Rehearsals, 10:00 am, Miller’s Factory Year 9 Centre, Dance Studios
21 August  Years 7 to 12 Parent Student Teacher Interviews, 4:00 pm
Detailed Study: The Resistance, Year 12, 8:18am to 4:00 pm
22 August  Vicspell Competition (selected students only), 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
22 to 26 August  Snow Sports Camp, Mount Buller
23 August  SEISA Winter Sport, Round 5 (Intermediate/Senior)
24 August  Year 7 2019 Friendship Morning, 9:00 am
25 and 26 August  Sports Aerobics National Championships
28 August  Year 9, Baw Baw Big Blokes First Aid Course, 9:00 am to 3:20 pm
Bible Society Masterclass, Werribee, 7:00 am to 4:30 pm
30 August  SEISA Winter Sport, Finals (Intermediate/Senior)

Drouin and Warragul public school bus network notice

Please be advised the Warragul and Drouin public school bus network services will not run on Friday 17 August.  Please ensure you have alternative travel arrangements for these days.  All St Paul’s buses will run as normal on these days, except for the Warragul Regional College transfer bus number 3 which will not run.

ST PAUL’S STUDENTS VOLUNTEER TO FEED PEOPLE IN NEED

At 6:30 am, Thursday 2 August, students from Year 10 Food Discovery class travelled to FareShare in Abbotsford to prepare meals for people in Victoria doing it tough.  By 10:15 am, the students had made 1,537 vegetable quiches and packed 1,500 vegetable rolls and then by the end of the shift 12:30 pm, they had helped prepare between 2,500 and 3,000 meals using donated or rescued food.

As part of the FareShare Schools in the Kitchen program, students engage in this social justice program consolidating knowledge about the reality of hunger, issues around food waste, food rescue and sustainable food production, while also showing care and compassion for others in their local and wider community.

After spending the morning in the FareShare kitchen, students then visited the FareShare kitchen garden in Lulie St Abbotsford.  Food scraps from the FareShare kitchen come to this garden and are composted and used to grow additional vegetables, herbs and fruit to supplement donated and rescued food in the production of meals.

On their return to Warragul, students visited Baw Baw Combined Churches Food Relief in Pearce Street.  Within the Baw Baw shire eighty families a week seek food assistance at this facility, along with other valuable services.   Students were able to witness meals similar to the ones they had made that morning at FareShare at this facility, ensuring people experiencing food insecurity would have a healthy and flavoursome meal that night or the next day.

An amazing effort for such a small group, thank you to Angus, Lachlan, Emily, Gemma, Rhylee, Taylah, Lucy, Mrs Cleversley and Mrs Mathews.

To find out more about the FareShare, visit http://www.fareshare.net.au

In the FareShare kitchen, Emily, Taylah, Lachlan, Gemma, Angus, Rhylee and Lucy.

Taking the vegetable quiches out of the oven, Lucy, Angus, Rhylee and Lachlan.

Overlooking the FareShare Kitchen Garden, Lachlan, Angus, Mrs Cleversley, Mrs Mathews, Gemma, Rhylee, Lucy, Taylah and Emily.

At Baw Baw Combined Churches Food Relief, Taylah, Lucy, Gemma, Rhylee, Emily, Lachlan and Angus.

CENTREPIECE 2018

On Friday 20 July the Warragul Secondary School hosted the annual showcase of outstanding talent that is ‘Centrepiece’.  The 2018 concert was held at the Miller’s Factory Year 9 Centre on a custom-designed stage installed for the performance, and this year also featured an interactive visual art and light show in the surrounding buildings.  The audience braved the wind and rain to be rewarded with a night of dazzling solo and ensemble performances, with students performing to an exceptionally high standard across all facets of Performing Arts.  St Paul’s prides itself on being able to offer students the chance to experience a professional performance environment and this year’s concert was yet another example of the way students continue to embrace such wonderful opportunities to learn, grow and shine.

Casey Hall
Co-curricular Performing Arts Events Coordinator

YEAR 10 CONFERENCE

The Year 10 Conference took place from Wednesday to Friday of Week 2 this term.  All the Year 10 students from Traralgon and Warragul Campuses combined for a three-day conference at Phillip Island that focused on developing personal skills, characteristics and traits, how to work in teams and much more.

Day one consisted of two rounds of workshop rotations.  These workshops, conducted by Mrs Cumming and Mr Testa were all about what to expect in VCE.  We were all extremely grateful for the information we were fed throughout their lectures, as everything can seem a bit daunting at Year 10 when you are told you have to start picking VCE subjects half way through the year.  Mr Testa cleared everyone’s doubts and helped us feel certain about the subjects we were starting to collate for options.  However, that was only the half of it, which is where Mrs Cumming’s supportive presentation helped us to realise that there will be no limit to what we can achieve in our futures.  She instilled in us that it will take hard work and dedication, but each and every one of us will have a strong support system to help us into the future.

On Wednesday night we all enjoyed an 80s themed disco, which was very entertaining.  Everyone had great fun dressing up for and showing off their moves on the dance floor.

On day two of the conference we received a guest presentation from the company Tripod.  This presentation focused on helping us to identify our strengths as individuals, especially within the top eight ‘Enterprising Skills’, which will inevitably play incredibly important roles in our future studies, jobs and other pursuits.  Equally important were the teamwork skills that we developed throughout the day.  Working in random teams, we were assigned the task of developing a product or service within one of five different categories, complete with prototype, logo and slogan, in roughly forty minutes.  While this was challenging, it was an excellent chance to work with people that we might not otherwise work with and it provided a good opportunity to get to know some of the Traralgon students better.

On Thursday night we sat down and enjoyed a special formal dinner, which incorporated a talk from St Paul’s alumnus, Charlie Davine.  Charlie spoke to us about the importance of grabbing any opportunity that comes our way and also about all of the great experiences he has had working, studying, volunteering and traveling.

On Friday, we finished off our workshop rotations, which included a mental health and wellbeing session which was quite informative and thought provoking.  A special mention must go to Ms Enders from Traralgon who put together such a valuable session.

We also enjoyed a beach walk and two adventure based activities which allowed us to draw on all of the personal qualities and characteristics we had identified throughout Thursday.

We would like to thank all of the staff who accompanied us on conference, especially Mrs Cumming and Mr Testa for all of their words of wisdom and Mrs Percy for all of the organisation that goes into making such an event happen.

Sage Hyde, Eliza Greenall, Kieran Lewis and James Gourley
Year 10 Students

Jeremy Hamilton, Tom Fitzpatrick, Lucy Wakefield and Jorja Halsall.

Rhylee Sederlan, Scarlett Price, Eliza Greenall, Lucy Wakefield, Vansh Patel, Sophie Vale, Isabelle Reiske, Alexia Monacella, Abigail Jettner, Tip Incha and Scarlett Miller.

ETHICS EXPO 2018

Every year, the Year 11 Ethics students research non-government organisations such as World Vision, Oxfam or Amnesty International, they then create displays and differing activities aimed at a Year 7 audience.  For example, they might guess how much food comprises rations supplied by UNHCR to refugees, or attempt craft activities wearing glasses to replicate impaired vision (Fred Hollows Foundation).  This forms part of Year 11 School Assessed Coursework towards VCE.  For the Year 7s, their visit and subsequent reflective activities form part of their coursework in Christian Studies.

Roshaun Watson, Sienna Vanderzalm and Grace Radford set up their World Vision stall.

The Year 11 students were asked to reflect on what they had learnt:
“I have been given hope about the world, because I know no matter what, people will always come together to improve others’ lives.”
“I am very privileged and should use my position to help those less fortunate than myself.”
“I have learnt I should be thankful for everything I have.”

Sue Ensor
Ethics Teacher

STEM TOUR OF JAPAN

A robot that can play soccer and do sign language, a space agency’s command centre which was in direct communication with NASA and a futuristic robotic body suit designed to help people learn to walk again were just some of the attractions eight students from St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School saw on the school’s inaugural STEM Tour of Japan.  Students who elected to go on this tour have a strong interest in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields and all of them were keen to see the cutting edge of these disciplines.  Japan provided tremendous scope for this.

During the first two days of their eight day tour the students visited Kawasaki Robostage in Odaiba where robots are used in conjunction with virtual reality rides and as Gerard Wilkinson noticed a “Kawasaki robot was used to interpret a photo of a face and then recreate the face through drawing it on paper with a pen, which was very impressive!”  While in this same vicinity they visited Miraikan the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation and had their minds challenged by Panasonic’s Mathematics focused RiSuPia.  Subsequently, they went to the science city of Tsukuba to visit JAXA (Japan’s Space Exploration Agency) where Tristan Clark mentioned how the touring party enjoyed a “twenty minute guided tour, which showed a training facility where they trialled prospective astronauts in isolation and air pressure chambers.”  While in the same city they also visited the Cyberdyne Studio where they got to try on part of a HAL suit.  Interestingly, these Robo-cop like exoskeletons utilise bioelectrical signals to control robotic limbs and aid movement.  Staff and students were gobsmacked by this intersection of technology and medicine.

The next few days took the students to Fuji-Q Highland, a rollercoaster park adjacent to Mount Fuji.  The high tech rides they braved mesmerised, terrorised and delighted the students all at the same time.  Adam Ainsworth particularly enjoyed the Eejanaika roller coaster that he described as feeling like you were in “a human washing machine.”  Many of these attractions hold or have held a world record for height, acceleration or angle traversed from horizontal.  After regaining their composure the students rode the sleek Shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagoya.  There they were greeted by the city’s Science museum which Reuben Neumair described as “seven floors of fantastic exhibits most of which were interactive and all of which were fascinating.  Exhibits ranged from mechanics and technology to space exploration, to a nine metre tall artificial tornado!” This attraction captivated and delighted all of the touring party to the extent where the students rated this as the most compelling activity of their tour.  Nearby were the Toyota headquarters where the students had the chance to investigate the latest in motoring.  Cameron Wong was impressed by the hydrogen powered vehicle, a car that “utilises a tank of high-pressure hydrogen to produce an electrical current via an electrochemical reaction, in which the hydrogen gas reacts with oxygen from the atmosphere.  The electricity produced is then used to drive an electric motor, where the only emission is water vapour”.  Later they went on to watch the newest of cars roll off the production line, all inspired by the motto, “good thinking, good products”.

While the final two touring days were a little quieter plenty was still encountered.  This included riding Mario Karts in a virtual reality game zone, where Jackson Clerks found that the “Mario Kart was great fun because you were seated in a chair which moved along with the game to make it seem like you were actually driving the Kart”.  The following day they went to the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries museum and learnt about the challenges of sustainably meeting our future energy needs.  Later they travelled to Honda’s welcome centre where the highlight was not only seeing the robot Asimo while learning about his development, but as Chetan Narayan pointed out they were really impressed that they “were also lucky enough to grab a few pictures with the robot himself!” The tour later concluded with an evening viewing of the city skyline from Tokyo tower.

At the end of the tour the students were all reminded of the story of Mr Toyoda who would later become the founder of Toyota.  When selling the patent for his automatic loom he travelled to the USA and UK to see the technology available there.  Inspired he returned determined to help Japan become a technological leader.  The students were challenged to see themselves in a similar capacity.  In summarising their experiences Aditya Kerhalkar wrote “Certainly, this trip has changed all of us: our minds have certainly been enlightened, with a different view of the world and a different view of the future of the world’s technology.”  This comment would suggest they are well on the way.

To see more click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1zj0YVytrk&feature=youtu.be

SPORT NEWS

Clay Target Shooting Morwell Competition
On 18 July 2018, Lachlan Balcombe and Julian Wyntjes travelled to attend the annual Morwell Field and Game Clay Target shoot.  The event was well organised with 156 in attendance.  Despite windy conditions which changed the trajectory of the targets, both Julian and Lachlan shot well.  Julian shot 10/20 targets, while Lachlan hit 14/20 (just two targets off a podium finish).  The day went well without issue and was the last event.  We would like to thank the families who drove and supported their children at the event.

If any students are interested in attending the clay target tournaments in 2019 please talk to either Mr Zanella or Mrs Timmer-Arends.

Ben Zanella
Head of Health, Physical Education and Food Technology
Head of Sport – Warragul Campus

YEAR 9 MATHS TUTORIAL

A Maths tutorial operates every Monday lunchtime in room 9LA5 for Year 9 students studying at the Miller’s Factory Year 9 Centre.
At the tutorial students have the opportunity to:

• Complete unfinished class work
• Complete their Maths online
• Ask for an additional lesson on a particular Maths topic
• Ask for additional work or extension work
• Catch up on work missed during an absence
• Receive assistance to prepare for a test or exam

Attendance is optional and students may attend for all or part of each session as required.

Mr James Rowley
Maths Teacher

MATHS TUTORIAL CLASSES

Monday – Year 9, 1:20 pm, Year 9 Centre
Wednesday – Years 7 and 8, lunchtime, YS2
Thursday – Years 10 to 12, lunchtime, RM6
Thursday – VCE classes, after school, RM6

FINANCE NEWS

FEE PAYMENTS
A reminder for families paying tuition fees in four instalments:

• Instalment four is due on Friday 17 August 2018

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

PASSION

Passion can be simultaneously thrilling and embarrassing, awkward and inspiring.  A passionate kiss in public is wonderful for the two people kissing but so awkward for anyone else in the room; a passionate speech can bring you to tears or make you back away slowly; a passionate celebration is infectious…if you happen to support the winning side, but obnoxious if you are on the losing side.

Passion is a strange thing and we sometimes do not really know what to do with it.  I suspect this is partly because we have lost the full meaning of the word.  A contemporary definition suggests passion is “a very powerful feeling, for example of sexual attraction, love, hate, anger, or other emotion” (Cambridge Dictionary) and we recognise this easily.  Collingwood supporters are passionate about their football team; Mathematics teachers are passionate about their Math puns; David Attenborough is passionate about the natural world; Kim Kardashian is passionate about…Kim Kardashian; Mr Staben gets passionate when you turn up late for rehearsal!

But does this definition make sense when we tell young people to ‘follow their passion’ in life?  What do we really mean when we talk about pursuing our passion?

Is it just about pursuing the things we FEEL strongly about?  In my lifetime I have felt passionately about food, sleep, girls, Star Wars figurines, Lego, books, the Ashes and for a brief period in time the chocolate jam doughnuts my school canteen used to sell.  But are these all passions worth pursuing?

I want to suggest that passion is something more than just a strong feeling.  The word passion actually comes from the Greek word ‘Pascho’ or the Latin ‘Passio’ meaning TO SUFFER.

I think when we add this element into our understanding of passion then it makes much more sense.  It is not the steamy kiss that makes the love of a couple passionate – it is the willingness of each person to make sacrifices for the other, to ‘suffer’ for the sake of the other person, that makes the relationship passionate (and incidentally, leads to more steamy kisses).

To be passionate about something is to be willing to suffer for it.  When you are pursuing a dream, sometimes you will FEEL passionate but other times you will feel anything but passionate.  This is the point where you have to dig deep, push through the boredom or frustration – run the drill again; play the difficult line again; go through the flash cards one more time – that is when you know you are really passionate about it!  When you make sacrifices for it.

Did you know that the last week of Jesus’ life is traditionally called Passion Week?  That is why the Mel Gibson movie was called ‘The Passion’.  Why would we call it Passion Week?  Because this is the moment when God, in the human form of Jesus, suffered condemnation, brutal beating and ultimately death on a bloody cross.  Why?  Because of God’s passion for us!  God is so passionate about us that He was willing to sacrifice everything for us!  Our young people are passionate about many things and whatever passions they choose to pursue, I pray that they know just how passionate God is about them!

Reverend Daniel Lowe
Senior Chaplain

MyStPauls Secondary Parent/Guardian Survey Results

We are most grateful to the 169 parents/guardians who recently responded to the Secondary School Parent Survey on MyStPauls.  We would especially like to thank the parents/guardians who took the time to write feedback.  It was either very positive or very constructive and we will be taking on board what we have learnt in this section of the survey, as well as the responses to the questions posed.  It was apparent that for some school families we need to revisit the purpose and the intended audience of Continuous Online Assessment in further communications as well as revisit staff training in updating altered due dates.  For others, it has been an outstanding success.

There was pleasing representation from both campuses and across Years 7 to 12.  Overall, the results were favourable, with 81 per cent of respondents satisfied or very satisfied with the parent portal.

The clear majority of respondents felt able to navigate the site quite easily and set/reset personal settings.  Interestingly, 33 per cent of respondents have either downloaded the app and do not use it or have not downloaded it.  There was also a 50/50 split on the idea of receiving more school news via MyStPauls rather than via the Grammarian.

There was a small glimmer of interest in a parent night on MyStPauls use and technical support for parents/guardians.  We will endeavour to find a night in Term 4 and notify you in due course.

A sample of survey results follows:

Donna Sweeney
Deputy Principal