In this issue

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

2023 Prefect Assembly
A definite highlight of the school year is always the annual Prefect Assembly. Last week our Prefects planned and executed a highly entertaining assembly with the plot line revolving around bald teachers wanting to take over the school and make all students be bald like them. In order to save the school from total hair loss, the Prefects had to compete against the “follicly challenged” teaching staff in a range of competitions. The entire assembly was tied cleverly into the finale where the teachers did indeed win and several students shaved their heads bald in support of Shave for a Cure. Congratulations to our Prefects for a thoughtful, funny and engaging assembly that also raised awareness for an important cause and thank you to Jackson, Asher, Pablo, Eamon and Noah who bravely cut and shaved their heads for a very worthwhile cause. It’s not too late to donate! Shave For A Cure – St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School Fundraising

Parent Student Teacher Interviews (PSTIs)
Thank you to the parents and guardians who attended our face-to-face PSTI session on Tuesday 22 August. It is always so lovely to connect with families and watch families connect with staff and each other.

Our second PSTI session will be held on Wednesday 30 August between 3:45 pm and 8:15 pm. You can make bookings anytime up until 9:00 am on this day.

Year 12 Practice Exams
Due to the AFL Grand Final Public Holiday falling on Friday 29 September 2023, we will hold the Year 12 practice examinations on Wednesday 27 September and Thursday 28 September 2023. These are always held during the holiday period. The Year 12 Practice Examinations will be marked by the classroom teacher and results will be used as one of the factors in determining the indicative grade for each subject as required by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. It will also give students feedback of their progress to date and perhaps the areas that they will need to work on in the remaining few weeks. Naturally our Year 12 students will need a couple of days to recover from a hectic term but once they return to school at the beginning of Term 4 it is important to note that they have less than four weeks before they commence their English examination; hence the Term 3 holiday period needs to be used well.

A copy of the practice exam timetable will be available on MyStPauls 〉 Secondary 〉 Year Level Information 〉 Year 12 and is presented below for your convenience. Students will be briefed on what to do if they have a clash of exams. The practice exams will be held on Wednesday 27 September and Thursday 28 September and will be supervised by the external supervisors that will be used during the end of year exams. The exams will be held in the VCE Centre. This is our registered VCE examination centre which will be used for the end of year exams.

Parents are asked to notify the school, by phone or email, of any student absences during the days of the practice exams, as an attendance roll will be taken for each session. Please note there will be no buses or canteen services on these days as it is school holidays. Students are required to wear their formal school uniform to these exams, and this is not negotiable.

Practice Examination Timetable

‘Growing Connections’ National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence
Friday 18 August was “Bullying No Way!” National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. We recognised this day with a series of educative MyStPauls posts each day leading up to Friday. These posts included a range of definitions, facts and talking points which drove discussion in Mentor groups each morning throughout the week. These posts in the Newsfeed reminded students of their roles as guardians of safety, both ‘physical and psychological’, within our community here at St Paul’s.

This year the theme was ‘Growing Connections’. It was chosen to support research results that demonstrate having strong school community connections and social skills are protective factors in the prevention of bullying and help enable positive, help-seeking behaviours in students.

Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more people who feel unable to stop it from happening.

It is important that students always reach out and tell a trusted adult about what they are going through. This could be a parent, School Counsellor, Head of Year or Mentor Teacher.

For more information on types of bullying and what you can do about it, visit https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/bullying.

For more information on bullying in schools facts and figures, visit https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/understanding/Documents/infographic-facts-figures.pdf

Family Holiday Notification
We understand that, at times, families decide to take a holiday during term time. If you are planning to do this, then it is imperative that you notify your child’s Head of Year and Head of School in writing prior to leaving. Missing a portion of any term is not ideal, but we can certainly support and help manage this absence if we are notified in advance.
A list of each Head of Year is below:

Year 7 – Mr Matthew Shearing
Year 8 – Mr Scott Armour
Year 9 – Ms Kelly Bailey
Year 10 – Mrs Stephanie Trovato
Year 11 – Mrs Bethany Thearle
Year 12 – Ms Caitlin Powell

Laura Butterworth
Head of Warragul Secondary School

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR PARENTS

Students who may be leaving St Paul’s
As per the Enrolment Agreement, it is a requirement at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School that a term’s notice in advance is given before any student withdraws. If you are planning to withdraw your child/ren, please confirm your intention in writing to our Principal, Mr Cameron Herbert, prior to the end of Term 3.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Enrolments Officers: Mrs Jen Christensen (Warragul) on 5623 5833 or Ms Bonnie Lai (Traralgon) on 5175 0133 or by emailing enrolments@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au.

WHAT’S ON

AUGUST
23 August to 27 August  Interschool Snowsports Team, Mount Buller
26 August  ‘PUFFS’ Warragul Secondary School Production – Dress Rehearsal in Theatre, West Gippsland Arts Centre, all cast and backstage crew, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
‘PUFFS’ Warragul Secondary School Production – Show, West Gippsland Arts Centre, all cast and backstage crew, 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
27 August ‘PUFFS’ Warragul Secondary School Production – Matinee, West Gippsland Arts Centre, all cast and backstage crew, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
‘PUFFS’ Warragul Secondary School Production – Show, West Gippsland Arts Centre, all cast and backstage crew, 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
28 August  School Gymnastics Carnival, State Gymnastics Centre, Windsor
ICAS Mathematics – only Years 7 to 10 students who have chosen to take part in the testing
29 August  School Gymnastics Carnival, State Gymnastics Centre, Windsor
Ellinbank Research SmartFarm Excursion, Year 11 Environmental Science students, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
30 August  Parent Student Teacher Interviews  (PSTIs) Session 2, online Zoom session, Warragul Secondary School Gymnasium, 3:45 pm to 8:15 pm
31 August  SEISA Cross Country
Year 8 Swim Assessment, Warragul Leisure Centre, selected students only, 11:15 am to 12:45 pm
Year 12 General Maths Exam Revision Lecture, Year 12 Common Room, 1:40 pm to 3:10 pm

SEPTEMBER
1 September  Team Timor Spring into Spring Stall
ESP/ADP Seminar, Year 9 Centre, students in High Performance Programs, 10:00 am to 2:20 pm
4 September to 6 September  Year 12 VET Sport and Recreation Camp, Mornington Peninsula
7 September  Year 12 English SAC, Year 12 Common Room, 1:40 pm to 3:10 pm
11 September  Year 9 Eye in the Sky – Emerging Technologies Excursion, RMIT, 7:06 am to 4:48 pm
12 September  Scienceworks Museum – Year 8 Excursion, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
13 September  Studio Concert, Chris Staben, Alisha Redmond and Steven Forster, DT Parker Centre, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
14 September  R U OK? Day
SEISA Spring Carnival
15 September  Footy Colours Day
Year 12 English Practice Exam, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
End of Term 3, 2:10 pm finish
17 September  Academy of Music Sunday Workshop, Science Centre Lecture Theatre, 10:00 am to 4:00 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.

TEAM TIMOR STALL FRIDAY 1 SEPTEMBER

Team Timor will be holding a Spring into Spring stall next Friday 1 September, with a small selection of edible gifts available to purchase to celebrate the dads and special people in our lives.  As always, there will be a great choice of cards for sale and some newly purchased Timorese handicrafts that were recently sourced in East Timor. Finally, we have been lucky to be gifted a lovely range of costume earrings which we are keen to find new homes!
Prices range from $2 to $40 with cash sales only.

Thank you for your support of the Malimea English Language Study Centre where our English staff are spending their days training with the English program in readiness for the opening in January 2024!

Andrea Heard
Head of Warragul Secondary Team Timor

MENTAL HEALTH AND COUNSELLING SUPPORT

Experiencing the highs and lows of life, and learning how to manage these, is an important part of a young person’s development. Having good mental health helps children and adolescents to take life’s ups and downs in their stride. As parents, it is natural to be concerned when your child is upset. However, having moments where they feel sad or down is not a problem, if your child is able to move past this in a reasonable amount of time.

If you find that your child is starting to have difficulty with sleeping, their eating habits suddenly change, or if things start to annoy them more than usual, then it is a sign that your child may be struggling. Whilst professional support is not always required at this stage, it is important that your child connects with a trusted adult (for example; a parent, teacher, family member). Ensuring they take the time to do the things they enjoy (for example; sport, music, drawing) and employ positive coping strategies (for example; grounding exercises, mindfulness, meditation) can also be helpful at this stage.

If your child’s difficulties have persisted and are impacting their day-to-day life, then it is time to link in with professional services. At St Paul’s, we have a counselling team who are able to provide up to six free counselling sessions to help students develop strategies and manage their feelings. Not all referrals are appropriate for the school setting, so speak to your child’s Head of Year or Head of School if you think they would benefit from some additional support.

Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), Headspace (1800 650 890), Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) are available for support outside of school hours. If you are after advice as a parent, you can also utilise these services. We also have a Student Wellbeing Information page on MyStPauls with a number of helpful resources and online programs. You can access this page at https://my.stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/homepage/13368

Shannon Staples
Head of Counselling Services

WARRAGUL SECONDARY SCHOOL ENSEMBLE REHEARSALS

*Soul Band and Jazz Combo are audition/invitation ensembles only. Please contact Mr Chris Staben for further information regarding these ensembles: crstaben@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

New members and students having lessons outside of school are most welcome. Please contact Mrs Heather Mason and/or the listed ensemble director for further information: hjmason@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Heather Mason
Head of Performing Arts – Co-curricular

SEISA CHESS, PUBLIC SPEAKING AND DEBATING AT GIPPSLAND GRAMMAR

Our recent excursion to Gippsland Grammar was a day of intellectual growth and eloquent expression. Students from Years 7 to 12 participated in Chess, Debating and Public Speaking. Our Junior Debaters debated “Whether or not children should compete in professional sport.”, whilst our Senior Debaters, flexing their Secret Topic skills, debated “Whether or not we should only consume food produced in Australia.”

St Paul’s Warragul Campus ended the day triumphant, with overall first place for Chess, second place for Senior Debating and third place for Junior Debating.

Not only did we get to spend the day with staff and students from Traralgon Campus but we were afforded wonderful opportunities to master the strategic intricacies of chess, craft persuasive arguments in debating or refine public speaking skills. Our students honed their critical thinking, communication and teamwork abilities, gaining valuable insights that will undoubtedly serve them well in both academic and personal spheres.

Ali Hay and Tania Brown
SEISA Chess Public Speaking and Debating

ST PAUL’S PARENT PRAYER GROUP

“Where two or three people gather in my name, I am there with them.” Matthew 18:20

The St Paul’s parent prayer group meets on the first Monday of each month during school terms. We try to keep the meeting brief (we are usually done by 9:45 am) and casual (younger children are most welcome). The group encompasses people both very comfortable with praying, as well as those newer to praying with others. Feel free to get in touch with any questions beforehand or just attend when you are able during the year.

Our next gathering is Monday 4 September, 9:00 am in the Prideaux Centre, Warragul Junior School
Contact:  Sheryn Cutler 0417 158 937 or sheryn.cutler@gmail.com

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

One could not help but be caught up with the excitement that the Matildas have given us over the past few weeks. Hasn’t it been amazing! The level of excitement in the schoolyard with students chatting about their amazing feats and re-enacting their favourite moments has been wonderful to see. This has led to many discussions at assemblies and in classrooms about the ‘power of working as a team through hard work’ and celebrating achievements no matter what the final score is. These are wonderful discussions to have as many of our students head into the finals of their winter sports season.

No Way Bullying Day
Last Friday, we acknowledged No Way Bullying Day to raise even greater awareness about bullying and remind our students what they can do if there is repeated, targeted behaviour against them (or others). Whilst this was a focus for the day, we also reminded students that our zero tolerance for such behaviour remains strong every day. Our SRC made every student an orange ribbon to wear and students were encouraged to wear a touch of orange.
Indigenous Cultural performance, Sean Choolburra, performed two shows for us. His performances very cleverly woven in dance, music and creation stories while his sense of humour was appreciated by everyone. He was able to link traditional stories with modern life and reminded our students to encourage and support each other. Classes also made orange paper chains as a symbol of togetherness, and this is now displayed in the Prideaux Foyer.

Regional Lions Club Public Speaking Competition
We congratulate Isaiah Raymond of 3W1 and Joe McInerney of 6W1 who represented St Paul’s at the Regional Lions Club Public Speaking Competition at the Warragul Country Club on Wednesday evening. Both boys spoke extremely well and should be proud of their efforts.

FOSP Pie Drive
Once again, we have our very popular FOSP Pie Drive fundraiser which is now open and ready for orders. Orders can be easily made through our MunchMonitor portal by going to the “School Shop” tab. Orders will be open until Wednesday 6 September with the pies being delivered to the school on Wednesday 13 September. Please provide your child with a bag, to ensure safe arrival of your order. If you are able to help with the distribution of the orders on the day, please contact Sam at the office.

2024 Year 7 Friendship Morning
The majority of our current Year 6 students ventured over to the Secondary School this morning to enjoy their 2024 Year 7 Friendship Morning. This is a great way for our students to meet the incoming Year 7 students from other schools and to get to know some of the Secondary School staff.

State Winter Round Robin – Soccer
Our Soccer A team will compete at State level next Wednesday at the Darebin International Sports Centre in Thornbury. We wish Ruby Reidy, Noah McIntosh, Tayte Minichiello, Jesse Davis, Caleb Brown, Oliver Lee, Anika Nair, Jayden Ronalds, Shyamalan Packery, Jake Vu, Sidney Box, Jun O’Connor, Isaac Sharp and Zach Wilson all the best. My thanks to Mr Boraston and Mr Rock who will make the journey to support the team.

Semester 2 Parent Teacher Interviews (PTIs)
A reminder that these will be held next week on Wednesday 30 August (3:30 pm to 6:00 pm) or Thursday 31 August (3:30 pm to 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm). A reminder that 2W3 interviews will be held the following week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (3:30 pm to 6:00 pm).

These interviews provide a means of valuable communication between school and home and also provide an opportunity to discuss any pertinent matters arising at this stage of the year. Should you be unable to attend during these times, I ask that you arrange a mutually agreeable time with your child’s class teacher. We have an online booking system for PTIs. To access the booking system please click the link: https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au. You will be directed to a School Interviews site which will ask you to enter a School Code, which is: rb7xm. Once you have made your bookings, please print out the ‘Interview Timetable’ generated by the system.

Father’s Day Stall
It is wonderful to be able to run our Father’s Day Stall this year. This will be held next Friday 1 September from 9:00 am to 11:00 am in the Prideaux Centre. Classes will be called up individually to go shopping at the stall and purchase a gift. Students will be able to spend up to $10.00 with gifts ranging from $1.00 to $10.00. Please send your child/ren along with a named bag. Please let Sam in the office know if you are able to assist at the stall as many hands make light work.

Father’s Day Activities in our Early Learning Centre
Next week we will be inviting our ELC Dads/Special Guests to join our ELC children and staff at the ELC to enjoy some activities together as we celebrate Father’s Day. Our Pre-Kinder groups will enjoy some time in the ELC rooms while our Pre-Preps will spend their time in the Junior School gym. We do hope that many of our dads are able to join us for this special occasion. Full details have been sent to families.

RoboCup
Our RoboCup teams are busily preparing for the Junior Victorian State Event which will be held on Saturday 2 September at Genazzano College in Kew. We wish Henry Klindworth, Anton Dean, Jenny Coveney, Estelle Eade, Charlene Emmerson, Emmy McDonald, Savannah McNaught, Ivy Nardone, Isla Seebeck-Dixon, Savannah Stubbs, Eva Thomas, Tina Xia and Euphemia Montgomery all the best.

Grandparents/Special Friends Day
We are holding our Grandparents/Special Friends Day slightly earlier this year. This is always a very popular day and Grandparents/Special Friends are welcome to join us on campus on Monday 11 September. Please note, that due to the number of visitors that attend this special day, we will split the day into two sections (Prep to Year 2 and Years 3 to 6). This will hopefully allow everyone to enjoy their time at our school without feeling crowded or rushed. Students will be sending an invitation to their guests but please see below a rundown of the day for planning purposes.

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

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

Book Week Dress Up Day – Friday 17 November
Please note that we will be holding our Book Week Dress up day on Friday 17 November. This is when we will be holding our annual Book Fair.

Rowan van Raay
Head of Warragul Junior School

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR PARENTS

Students who may be leaving St Paul’s
As per the Enrolment Agreement, it is a requirement at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School that a term’s notice in advance is given before any student withdraws. If you are planning to withdraw your child/ren, please confirm your intention in writing to our Principal, Mr Cameron Herbert, prior to the end of Term 3.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Enrolments Officers: Mrs Jen Christensen (Warragul) on 5623 5833 or Ms Bonnie Lai (Traralgon) on 5175 0133 or by emailing enrolments@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au.

WHAT’S ON

AUGUST
28 August  Years 2 to 6 ICAS Maths Competition (registered children only)
29 August  Years 5 and 6 Hoop Time (selected students only)
30 August  Parent Teacher Interviews
31 August  Parent Teacher Interviews

SEPTEMBER
1 September  Father’s Day Stall
4 September  Parent Prayer Group
5 September  Years 3 and 4 Hoop Time (selected students only)
11 September  Grandparents Day
12 September  Canberra Tour Information Session
14 September  R U OK? Day
14 September  Year 3 Excursion
15 September  Footy Colours Day – Pie Lunch Day
15 September  End of Term 3, 2:20 pm finish

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.

MENTAL HEALTH AND COUNSELLING SUPPORT

Experiencing the highs and lows of life, and learning how to manage these, is an important part of a young person’s development. Having good mental health helps children and adolescents to take life’s ups and downs in their stride. As parents, it is natural to be concerned when your child is upset. However, having moments where they feel sad or down is not a problem, if your child is able to move past this in a reasonable amount of time.

If you find that your child is starting to have difficulty with sleeping, their eating habits suddenly change, or if things start to annoy them more than usual, then it is a sign that your child may be struggling. Whilst professional support is not always required at this stage, it is important that your child connects with a trusted adult (for example; a parent, teacher, family member). Ensuring they take the time to do the things they enjoy (for example; sport, music, drawing) and employ positive coping strategies (for example; grounding exercises, mindfulness, meditation) can also be helpful at this stage.

If your child’s difficulties have persisted and are impacting their day-to-day life, then it is time to link in with professional services. At St Paul’s, we have a counselling team who are able to provide up to six free counselling sessions to help students develop strategies and manage their feelings. Not all referrals are appropriate for the school setting, so speak to your child’s Head of Year or Head of School if you think they would benefit from some additional support.

Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), Headspace (1800 650 890), Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) are available for support outside of school hours. If you are after advice as a parent, you can also utilise these services. We also have a Student Wellbeing Information page on MyStPauls with a number of helpful resources and online programs. You can access this page at https://my.stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/homepage/13368

Shannon Staples
Head of Counselling Services

ST PAUL’S PARENT PRAYER GROUP

“Where two or three people gather in my name, I am there with them.” Matthew 18:20

The St Paul’s parent prayer group meets on the first Monday of each month during school terms. We try to keep the meeting brief (we are usually done by 9:45 am) and casual (younger children are most welcome). The group encompasses people both very comfortable with praying, as well as those newer to praying with others. Feel free to get in touch with any questions beforehand or just attend when you are able during the year.

Our next gathering is Monday 4 September, 9:00 am in the Prideaux Centre, Warragul Junior School
Contact:  Sheryn Cutler 0417 158 937 or sheryn.cutler@gmail.com

WARRAGUL JUNIOR SCHOOL ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

New members and students having lessons outside of school are most welcome. Please contact Mrs Heather Mason and/or the listed ensemble director for further information: hjmason@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Heather Mason
Head of Performing Arts – Co-curricular

From the Head of Traralgon Secondary School,
Mrs Leonie Clark

Growing Connections – House Music 2023
House Music this year was an exciting, hilarious and inspiring competition as each house organised extra rehearsals at lunchtimes to refine their singing and hone their group dance routines. I adore House Music each year as the Secondary School comes alive with joyful moments of absurdity and positive connection. Wandering the classrooms when rehearsals are underway, particularly in the last week before the ‘actual competition’ is a truly joyful experience as students from Year 7 to Year 10 unify as one house and grow new friendships.
Students excitedly dart in and out of classrooms with props and attempt to spy on each other through windows and doors to determine the level of competition. Our staff admirably give their time to support the students in their houses and create lifelong memories. After all, once all the learning is done at the end of Year 12 it is not the individual classes that our students will remember, it is far more likely to be the fabulous fun they had expressing themselves and embracing the absurdity and celebration in a moment of time.
Providing activities such as House Music is just as significant and important to direct and explicit student wellbeing instruction. These moments of pure joy foster an appreciation for these significant moments in time, they are important in that they remind all of us to be fully present in the moment. The performances certainly provided the whole Secondary School a much-needed lift on a very cold and bleak winter morning!

Congratulations are extended to all houses for the enthusiasm with which they embraced the competition this year. However, particular mention must be given to Paterson House for winning the instrumental component and an even mightier congratulations are extended to Franklin House for their winning house performance. There is no doubt that our Year 7 students loved the opportunity to grow stronger connections with students from other levels. Much gratitude is extended to all of the house teachers as well as Mr Nathan Byrne for once again facilitating this tremendous Traralgon Secondary School tradition.

Family Holiday Notification
We understand that, at times, families decide to take a holiday during term time. If you are planning to do this, then it is important that you notify your child’s Head of Year in writing prior to leaving. Missing a portion of any term is not ideal but we can certainly support and help manage a short absence if we are notified in advance.

Head of Years 7 and 8: Mr Andrew McGrath anmcgrath@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au
Head Years 9 and 10: Mrs Sandra Timmer-Arends sgtimmer-arends@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

‘Growing Connections’ National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence
Friday 18 August was “Bullying No Way!” National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. We recognised this day with a series of educative MyStPauls posts each day leading up to Friday. These posts included a range of definitions, facts and talking points which drove discussion in Mentor groups each morning throughout the week. These posts in the Newsfeed reminded students of their roles as guardians of safety, both ‘physical and psychological’, within our community here at St Paul’s.

This year the theme was ‘Growing Connections’. It was chosen to support research results that demonstrate having strong school community connections and social skills are protective factors in the prevention of bullying and help enable positive, help-seeking behaviours in students.

Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more people who feel unable to stop it from happening.

It is important that students always reach out and tell a trusted adult about what they are going through. This could be a parent, School Counsellor, Head of Year or Mentor Teacher.

For more information on types of bullying and what you can do about it, visit https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/bullying.

For more information on bullying in schools facts and figures, visit https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/understanding/Documents/infographic-facts-figures.pdf

Growing Connections – PSTIs (Parent Student Teacher Interviews) online Zoom Evening
A reminder that we still have one more evening of PSTIs for our Traralgon Secondary School. The online Zoom interviews will occur on Tuesday 29 August, commencing at 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

To prepare for an online Zoom meeting with individual staff, parents/guardians are encouraged to set aside a quiet, confidential space at home with their child with minimal distractions. We would love our families to ensure that their cameras are turned on and that the name registered for the online Zoom meeting is the attending parent/guardian’s name.

We gently remind families that the online Zoom interviews need to run on time and know that you will understand that the evening needs to run smoothly for the community. Should you require additional time to speak with a teacher we warmly welcome you to call Student Services to arrange an additional appointment.

We look forward to meeting with you to discuss your child/ren’s progress.

Growing Safe Connections Online – ySafe Online Safety Hub
A gentle reminder to all parents and guardians that we have access to the ySafe Online Safety Hub which contains a plethora of information to assist you in applying parental controls to your child’s devices. We are extremely grateful to all parents/guardians for checking their child’s device and carefully monitoring devices to ensure that children are safe and using the technology with respect and compassion. Our students are still developing their wisdom in this space and do need our care, guidance and control in learning to use the technology safely. Opening the conversation at home to check that all interactions are positive for your child is imperative to keeping children safe in the online world. Should you need some additional help or support please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s Mentor or Head of Year.

Please follow the link to access the ySafe safety hub: https://stpaulsags.onlinesafetyhub.com.au/.

This month on SchoolTV – Respectful Relationships
Fostering a nurturing environment of respectful relationships within your family holds the key to not only harmonious living, but also improved academic outcomes for your children. As parents and caregivers, embracing the art of teaching children about respect at a young age sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy interactions and empathetic understanding. It will help cultivate a positive environment where communication flourishes, conflicts are resolved constructively and bonds are fortified.

Teaching children to respect themselves and others will open up avenues for both personal growth and academic achievement. Fostering an environment where respect is not just a word but a practised behaviour, will empower young people with essential life skills. Effective communication, active listening and the art of compromise, will provide your child with a solid foundation that will transcend family interactions and help them collaborate effectively with peers, teachers and the broader community.

Equipping children with an understanding of healthy versus unhealthy relationships is an important aspect of their development. It will guide them to make informed choices, foster positive connections and set boundaries that contribute to their emotional wellbeing. Understanding the nuances between healthy and unhealthy relationships provides children with the essential tools to navigate their social world, build self-esteem and cultivate meaningful relationships.

In this edition of SchoolTV, learn how to empower young people in healthy interactions to embrace differences and forge connections that honour their self-worth. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition and we always welcome your feedback.

If you have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to this month’s edition: https://stpaulsags.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/respectful-relationships.

Leonie Clark
Head of Traralgon Secondary School

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR PARENTS

Students who may be leaving St Paul’s
As per the Enrolment Agreement, it is a requirement at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School that a term’s notice in advance is given before any student withdraws. If you are planning to withdraw your child/ren, please confirm your intention in writing to our Principal, Mr Cameron Herbert, prior to the end of Term 3.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Enrolments Officers: Mrs Jen Christensen (Warragul) on 5623 5833 or Ms Bonnie Lai (Traralgon) on 5175 0133 or by emailing enrolments@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au.

WHAT’S ON

AUGUST
28 August  School Gymnastics Carnival
ICAS Mathematics
29 August  Parent Student Teachers Interviews (PSTIs), online Zoom Session, 4:00 pm
31 August  SEISA Cross Country

SEPTEMBER
3 September  Father’s Day
4 to 8 September  Year 9 City Experience Camp
6 September  DAV Junior Debating, Round 1
7 September  Indigenous Literacy Day
14 September  R U OK? Day
SEISA Spring Carnival
15 September  Footy Colours Day
End of Term 3, 2:10 pm finish

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.

TRARALGON PARENT PRAYER MEETING

The Traralgon Parent Prayer Meeting is held once a month on a Monday morning. Anyone is welcome to attend. Sign in at the office and then head to the Library. This month’s meeting is on Monday 28 August. We meet from 9:00 to 9:30 am. If you have any questions, or would like to know more information, then contact the Traralgon Campus Chaplain, Glen Treble via email gtreble@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au.

Glen Treble
Chaplain – Traralgon Campus

TEAM TIMOR STALL NEXT THURSDAY AND FRIDAY

Team Timor will be holding a Father’s Day stall next Thursday 31 August and Friday 1 September, with a small selection of edible gifts available to purchase to celebrate the Dads and special people in our lives. As always, there will be a great choice of cards for sale and some newly purchased Timorese handicrafts to suit everyone, not just Dads, that were recently sourced in East Timor. Prices range from $2 to $40 with cash sales only.
Thank you for your support of the Malimea English Language Study Centre where our English staff are spending their days training with the English program in readiness for the opening in January 2024.

Kirsten Enders
Head of Team Timor – Traralgon Secondary School

MENTAL HEALTH AND COUNSELLING SUPPORT

Experiencing the highs and lows of life, and learning how to manage these, is an important part of a young person’s development. Having good mental health helps children and adolescents to take life’s ups and downs in their stride. As parents, it is natural to be concerned when your child is upset. However, having moments where they feel sad or down is not a problem, if your child is able to move past this in a reasonable amount of time.

If you find that your child is starting to have difficulty with sleeping, their eating habits suddenly change, or if things start to annoy them more than usual, then it is a sign that your child may be struggling. Whilst professional support is not always required at this stage, it is important that your child connects with a trusted adult (for example; a parent, teacher, family member). Ensuring they take the time to do the things they enjoy (for example; sport, music, drawing) and employ positive coping strategies (for example; grounding exercises, mindfulness, meditation) can also be helpful at this stage.

If your child’s difficulties have persisted and are impacting their day-to-day life, then it is time to link in with professional services. At St Paul’s, we have a counselling team who are able to provide up to six free counselling sessions to help students develop strategies and manage their feelings. Not all referrals are appropriate for the school setting, so speak to your child’s Head of Year or Head of School if you think they would benefit from some additional support.

Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), Headspace (1800 650 890), Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) are available for support outside of school hours. If you are after advice as a parent, you can also utilise these services. We also have a Student Wellbeing Information page on MyStPauls with a number of helpful resources and online programs. You can access this page at https://my.stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/homepage/13368

Shannon Staples
Head of Counselling Services

TRARALGON SECONDARY SCHOOL ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

New members and students having lessons outside of school are most welcome. Please contact Mrs Heather Mason and/or the listed ensemble director for further information: hjmason@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Heather Mason
Head of Performing Arts – Co-curricular

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

Pipe cleaners, empty bottles, coloured hair spray, sparkles, ribbons, spikes, wigs and more! Our National Day of Action Against Bullying was fabulous with students and staff wearing crazy hair and acknowledging we are all different and special. The theme for this year is ‘Growing Connections to Prevent Bullying’ and lessons and activities were designed to highlight the importance of a sense of belonging and connectedness to support student social and emotional wellbeing and the prevention of bullying. Students engaged in year level class lessons about bullying and building positive connections and also participated in a whole school activity.  As you drive into the school carpark, hanging on the fence, are our students’ creations and pledges from this special day. A big thank you to Ms Lara Gibbons for her organisation of the day and to all of our teachers and students for their positive engagement and determination for a safe and inclusive school environment.

Families and schools working together achieve the best outcomes to prevent and resolve bullying and to create strong community connections. Below are some suggestions from ‘Bullying No Way’ for being proactive with your children.

Use opportunities in conversation
Parents and teachers can use the opportunities that arise to talk with children and young people about how people behave in various social situations and how people get on with each other.

If a child or young person tells you about things at school or you observe something in public that involves conflict or bullying, and if it is appropriate, take the opportunity to talk about what bullying is. Talk about what bullying is before it happens so children can recognise it and know what to do.

Make sure you have a clear idea of the formal definition of bullying. The national definition of bullying for Australian schools says:

• Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.

• Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records).

• Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents and conflicts or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.

Behaviours that do not constitute bullying include:
– mutual arguments and disagreements (where there is no power imbalance)
– not liking someone or a single act of social rejection
– one-off acts of meanness or spite
– isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation or violence

Point out that bullying is not just when someone is mean to you once, but it happens repeatedly and makes you feel like you cannot stop it.

The following questions can support discussions:
– What do you think ‘bullying’ is?
– Have you seen bullying happening? What did you do? How did you feel?
– Why do you think some people bully other kids?
– Who are the adults you would talk to when it comes to things like bullying?
– Have you ever felt scared to go to school because you were afraid of someone bullying you?
– Has someone tried to bully you? In what ways have you tried to change it?
– What do you think parents can do to help stop bullying?
– Have you or your friends left other kids out on purpose? Do you think that was bullying? Why or why not?
Have you ever tried to help someone who is being bullied? What happened? What would you do if it happens again?

Tell children that bullying can happen to anyone but it is never okay. Talk about how to respond to bullying safely. Make sure children know what to do if it happens to them or if they see it happening to someone else.

Most importantly, let children know how to get help if bullying happens. Encourage them to speak to an adult if it happens and to keep asking for help if the bullying does not stop. Talk with children and young people about how they might handle other challenging social situations as well.

Parents and carers have an important role in helping children and young people learn how to manage their own feelings and to work out how to disagree with other people in appropriate ways. Everyday activities and issues can be valuable learning opportunities.

Words to avoid
Avoid using terminology such as ‘bully’ or ‘victim’. Although these words are often used in the media, they are not very helpful in describing the behaviour being displayed or in finding evidence-informed solutions.

Talk about bullying with the understanding that children and young people are growing and still learning how to be effective members of the community. When you talk about bullying, focus on more appropriate ways to act with others and positive ways to get on with other people. Children can modify their behaviour with support from parents and teachers. If the labels of ‘bully’ or ‘victim’ stick, it can make it harder for them to change. Using these words can suggest that bullying and being bullied are due to unchangeable things about the children involved.

The labels of ‘bully’ or ‘victim’ can also cause further harm if a child accepts them as part of their social identity.

Keep communication open
Children and young people are more likely to ask for advice and help with problems if they think adults are interested in them and their concerns.

When parents and carers spend time on a regular basis asking about what happened during the day, showing genuine interest in their feelings and experiences, children will know that they can talk to their parents if they have a problem.

Check in with children often. Listen to them. Know their friends, ask about school and understand their concerns. Ask them about issues they tell you about but don’t feel like you always have to jump in to solve their problems. Instead, you can ask them what they think they can do about it.

It is important to be aware that children sometimes ‘shut down’ and become reluctant to talk if they are experiencing bullying and don’t know what to do. Be alert to the signs of bullying. Sensitive and caring conversations about what is happening for your child can make a difference. (Bullyingnoway.gov.au)

Inform the School
Working together with the school is the best way to help your child resolve bullying issues.  The school will work with you to resolve the situation and will also work with the other student’s parents. Due to privacy laws, schools are not able to share information about any other students involved.

This podcast https://soundcloud.com/dete-4/bullying-and-your-teenager  with Professor James Scott, a clinical child and youth psychiatrist, and the head of the Child and Youth Research Group at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Queensland, discusses the signs your child may be experiencing bullying, how to start the conversation with them and how you can approach the school to resolve the issues.

This week’s School TV topic is Respectful Relationships which is very relevant after our focus on the National Day of Action Against Bullying and I encourage families to explore the resources provided.

School TV Respectful Relationships
Fostering a nurturing environment of respectful relationships within your family holds the key to not only harmonious living but also improved academic outcomes for your children. As parents and caregivers, embracing the art of teaching children about respect at a young age sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy interactions and empathetic understanding. It will help cultivate a positive environment where communication flourishes, conflicts are resolved constructively, and bonds are fortified.

Teaching children to respect themselves and others will open up avenues for both personal growth and academic achievement. Fostering an environment where respect is not just a word, but a practised behaviour, will empower young people with essential life skills. Effective communication, active listening, and the art of compromise will provide your child with a solid foundation that will transcend family interactions and help them collaborate effectively with peers, teachers and the broader community.

Equipping children with an understanding of healthy versus unhealthy relationships is an important aspect of their development. It will guide them to make informed choices, foster positive connections, and set boundaries that contribute to their emotional wellbeing. Understanding the nuances between healthy and unhealthy relationships provides children with the essential tools to navigate their social world, build self-esteem, and cultivate meaningful relationships.

In this edition of SchoolTV, learn how to empower young people in healthy interactions to embrace differences and forge connections that honour their self-worth. If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to this month’s edition https://stpaulsags.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/respectful-relationships.

Book Character Parade
The gymnasium was filled with a wonderful collection of book characters, there was great excitement and the student parade was a hit with our littlest participants from ELC all the way to Year 6!  Many thanks to our teachers and parents for their support and engagement in this annual event which always brings joy and interest. Special thanks to Ms Jannet Taylor for her organisation of Book Week, the parade and the various activities that have been held throughout the week.

Vicspell
Huge congratulations to our students who competed in the recent Vicspell Zone final. Our four competitors were selected from an in-house competition held at school and they represented St Paul’s at the Zone Final with pride and did their very best.

Nand Patel and Eshan Shankar competed in the Year 6 competition. Nand Patel placed first. Eshan was fantastic and gave it his all.

Patrik Wu and Max Vu competed in the Year 5 competition. Patrik placed second and Max battled hard and came third.

Both Nand and Patrik will now progress to the State Finals to be held here at St Paul’s 12 September.

All four boys stepped outside of their comfort zones by competing. They were however terrific role models of our Play is the Way Life raft ‘Be Brave – Participate to Progress’. They can all be proud of their achievements. Many thanks to Mrs Lauren Vercoe for organizing this event and accompanying the team to the competition.

Parent Teacher Interviews
Thank you to all of our families who attended parent teacher interviews this week. It was terrific to see so many parents engaged in conversations about their child’s learning. These formal opportunities are very helpful to monitor progress and to build positive relationships. Thank you to our teachers for their commitment to their students and for ensuring they are available throughout the scheduled evenings enabling interviews to occur.  Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teachers throughout the semester if you have any further questions or concerns.

Father’s Evening and FOSP Stall
Next week we will celebrate Dads and special friends with our ‘Minute to Win It’ evening and Father’s Day Stall.

‘Minute to Win It’ held on Thursday 31 August is always an enjoyable and popular evening. Students are invited to bring along their Dad or special friend and participate in some fun activities together in classrooms. This evening is a celebration of the positive and important relationship children enjoy with Dads and other special friends. Please RSVP your attendance via the Consent2Go invitation to assist with catering.

The Father’s Day raffle will be drawn at the end of the evening. Raffle tickets will be for sale during the day and on the evening. Be in it to win it!

The FOSP Father’s Day Stall will be held on Friday 1 September. Our wonderful FOSP parents have been busy organising some very special gifts for our children to purchase. Each child is invited to bring along $5 in a named envelope and to go shopping at the stall. Many thanks to Janelle and Tanya and their merry band of parents for their work to ensure a successful stall.

Important Update
Term 3 has been the term of illness, injury and personal challenge with a number of teachers and students unwell and absent from school. I thank everyone for their efforts in managing illness and keeping children at home to recover and not at school sharing germs and bugs.  We have however, still endured colds and flus and tummy bugs galore and a few cases of COVID-19.

It is recommended that staff members, students or visitors who have symptoms of cold, influenza or COVID-19 undergo testing for COVID-19. Parents of symptomatic students will be asked to collect their child from school and keep them home until they are no longer symptomatic. The Department of Health recommends that staff and students who test positive for COVID-19 isolate for a minimum of five days and do not attend school until their symptoms resolve. If well enough, students are to be supported in the same way as students with an extended absence due to illness or injury, with learning material provided to support their continued learning.

Due to high levels of illness and some significant staff absences we have made the difficult decision of moving our Junior School Musical to Term 4. This will provide some further time for rehearsals to ensure a positive experience for our students. This has the consequence of needing to reschedule some other events to accommodate the musical.

Please note that:
The Junior School Musical will now be held in Week 5 on Thursday 2 November
The Junior School Arts Showcase will now be held in Week 7 on Thursday 16 November

I thank you for your understanding and cooperation and look forward to seeing you at these special events as we celebrate the talents and our students.

Tracey King
Head of Traralgon Junior School

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR PARENTS

Students who may be leaving St Paul’s
As per the Enrolment Agreement, it is a requirement at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School that a term’s notice in advance is given before any student withdraws. If you are planning to withdraw your child/ren, please confirm your intention in writing to our Principal, Mr Cameron Herbert, prior to the end of Term 3.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Enrolments Officers: Mrs Jen Christensen (Warragul) on 5623 5833 or Ms Bonnie Lai (Traralgon) on 5175 0133 or by emailing enrolments@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au.

WHAT’S ON

AUGUST
28 August  Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod, Choir
28 to 30 August  Years 3 and 4 Camp
31 August  Years 5 and 6 Poetry Workshop
Fathers Evening Event

SEPTEMBER
1 September  FOSP Father’s Day Stall
12 September  Vicspell State Final
13 September  Division Athletics
14 September  Classroom Expos
R U OK? Day
15 September  Footy Colours
End of Term 3, 2:20 pm finish

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 any week in Prep is exciting, it is hard to imagine a fortnight as busy and fun as the last has been! Already pros at dressing up after celebrating our 100 days of school, students showed their support for The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence by coming to school with a crazy hairstyle. Orange hair, blue hair, surfer hair, bird’s nest hair! The imagination and fun were endless and was a lovely launch into some very important and valuable discussions regarding bullying, friendships and making connections. The creativity continued with a Book Week costume parade as well as classroom activities celebrating the magic of books and the book characters we love.
Amongst this fun, we also continued exploring parts of speech in writing, number lines in Maths and beginning exciting design and build activities within our Integrated Unit.

Year 1
In our Science lessons, we have designed and created musical instruments while continuing to learn how sound is created by vibrations. All students enjoyed the hands-on nature of this tasks, and creating different beats with their instruments.

During our writing sessions, we have been learning to write paragraphs by planning them using single paragraph outlines. We have written about the Matildas and Book Week. We have been using adverbs to add extra detail to our writing.

The Book Week dress-up day was a hit and it was wonderful seeing the children enthusiastically sharing their favourite books with peers.

Year 2
Year 2 students have continued to learn new vocabulary words and apply these words in their writing. In Maths, students have been using balance scales to estimate and compare the mass of objects using informal units of measurement. During our Integrated Unit, students have begun planning their information reports about a famous aviator by using an SPO (single paragraph outline).

On Friday, students participated in a range of activities for ‘National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence’. It was great to listen to all the different thoughts and ideas that were shared among the students throughout the day. Book Week was a huge highlight, and it was great to see so many students dressed up as their favourite characters.

Year 3
Over the past couple of weeks Year 3 have enjoyed exploring the big world of using division algorithms to solve problems. Students have been super excited to learn and apply this process to solve problems.

We have also been gearing up for camp, with lots of nerves, but just as much excitement.

Science week brought with it some wonderful opportunities for experiments with some challenging and enthralling learning involving different temperature of water which was coloured, shifting or remaining due to its density.

During PITW sessions, our students have loved playing Beat The Rope, working together to try and “beat the rope”. Their communication, teamwork, understanding of failure, ability to be brave and participate, while understanding that when working in pairs they can work with a variety of peers to have success.

Year 4
Oh, what fun and mischief we have been up to over the past few weeks! Besides cramming in a full schedule of literacy and numeracy we have also had the opportunity to partake in a special clinic with a few of the Melbourne Stars. During this time the kids had the chance to hone some of their cricketing skills, chat with passionate people about the sport and of course grab a few signatures as well.

On Wednesday was our Book Week Character Dress Up Day – and everyone had a lot of fun dressing up in costume and strutting their stuff in the parade.

Next week we will be on camp, so stay tuned for all the exciting adventures of Waratah Bay.

Year 5
Last week our school researched, made connections and learnt some strategies for preventing bullying during our ‘National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence’ day.

It was impressive to see the effort the Year 5 children made to come to school with a crazy hairstyle and the colours blue or orange to show their support.

Year 6
This week Year 6 students have been enjoying Book Week activities and dressing up for their last book parade. They participated in activities such as a colouring competition, guessing the book in the jar and designing theirr own book cover.
Year 6 were excited to meet their new friends and classmates for Year 7 2024 at Friendship Morning. They have been preparing for Moana the musical by practising their lines and songs and cannot wait to perform.

By Sophie Dodd and Sayuni Gunawardana
Year 6 Students

TRARALGON PARENT PRAYER MEETING

The Traralgon Parent Prayer Meeting is held once a month on a Monday morning. Anyone is welcome to attend. Sign in at the office and then head to the Library. This month’s meeting is on Monday 28 August. We meet from 9:00 to 9:30 am. If you have any questions, or would like to know more information, then contact the Traralgon Campus Chaplain, Glen Treble via email gtreble@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au.

Glen Treble
Chaplain – Traralgon Campus

MENTAL HEALTH AND COUNSELLING SUPPORT

Experiencing the highs and lows of life, and learning how to manage these, is an important part of a young person’s development. Having good mental health helps children and adolescents to take life’s ups and downs in their stride. As parents, it is natural to be concerned when your child is upset. However, having moments where they feel sad or down is not a problem, if your child is able to move past this in a reasonable amount of time.

If you find that your child is starting to have difficulty with sleeping, their eating habits suddenly change, or if things start to annoy them more than usual, then it is a sign that your child may be struggling. Whilst professional support is not always required at this stage, it is important that your child connects with a trusted adult (for example; a parent, teacher, family member). Ensuring they take the time to do the things they enjoy (for example; sport, music, drawing) and employ positive coping strategies (for example; grounding exercises, mindfulness, meditation) can also be helpful at this stage.

If your child’s difficulties have persisted and are impacting their day-to-day life, then it is time to link in with professional services. At St Paul’s, we have a counselling team who are able to provide up to six free counselling sessions to help students develop strategies and manage their feelings. Not all referrals are appropriate for the school setting, so speak to your child’s Head of Year or Head of School if you think they would benefit from some additional support.

Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), Headspace (1800 650 890), Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) are available for support outside of school hours. If you are after advice as a parent, you can also utilise these services. We also have a Student Wellbeing Information page on MyStPauls with a number of helpful resources and online programs. You can access this page at https://my.stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/homepage/13368

Shannon Staples
Head of Counselling Services

TRARALGON JUNIOR SCHOOL ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

New members and students having lessons outside of school are most welcome. Please contact Mrs Heather Mason and/or the listed ensemble director for further information: hjmason@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Heather Mason
Head of Performing Arts – Co-curricular

ARE OUR BOYS ‘KENOUGH’?

As a father of two boys, I have spent some time thinking about masculinity and what it means to be a man. My formative years coincided with the rise of the SNAG (sensitive new age guy) and in some ways, this came as a bit of a relief to me. I was never going to fit the more traditional stereotype of masculinity – I was neither good at nor passionate about sport, I was softly spoken, empathetic, conflict-averse and not particularly competitive. For all that, the SNAG label was never fully embraced and was still treated as a bit of a joke, even by those of us who it best described.

Fast-forward a few decades and my own boys seem to be part of a generation of young men that has even less clarity on what it means to be a good man. The feminist movements of recent decades have made incredible strides for women and these should be celebrated. Equally, patriarchy has cast a long shadow and there are still plenty of areas where gender inequality needs to be addressed, as the Matildas have so recently reminded us! But this does not have to be a zero-sum game. The elevating of women does not have to involve the devaluing of men. The Barbie movie illustrated this point in a wonderfully entertaining manner. As writer, Amy Peeler, puts it, “Barbieland with aimless Kens is unjust, but so is Kendom with subservient Barbies.” In order for one to succeed, the other does not have to lose. The movie ends on a hopeful note that Barbieland will become a world in which both women and men find individual purpose and healthy partnership.

But this is not always the experience of our young men. A little while ago a Year 7 boy, looking greatly perplexed, said to me, “I understand the whole girl-power thing and I’m fine with that but why are males only talked about negatively or not at all?”. This is a sentiment that other young men have expressed in different ways. Plenty of boys are completely on board with the idea that girls are great but they are confused as to why it seems boys cannot be great as well. In the words of nineteen-year-old university student, Ronan Bray, “I feel like there’s a lot of room to be proudly feminine but there’s not, in my opinion, the same room to be proudly masculine. Men were constantly told to be “better” and less “toxic,” he said, but what that “better” might look like seemed hard to pin down.”

Not that there are not any voices speaking into this domain. One reaction to what is perceived as an attack on masculinity is to double-down on ‘man-talk’. At its most dangerous we get the likes of disgraced influencer, Andrew Tate, but there are plenty of less distasteful ‘masculinity gurus’ of varying quality distributing manhood advice and garnering huge audiences as they do. Washington Post columnist, Christine Ember, writing in a lengthy article for the Washington Post writes, “At their best, these influencers highlight positive traits that were traditionally associated with maleness — protectiveness, leadership, emotional stability — and encourage them, making “masculinity” out to be a real and necessary thing, and its acquisition something honorable and desirable.” (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/07/10/christine-emba-masculinity-new-model/) At their worst, many of the visions of masculinity these figures are pushing are wildly antisocial, untethered to any idea of good. Part of the appeal of these voices is that they speak into the confusion and insecurities of young men and assure them that they do matter. From Christine Ember again, “This is especially compelling in a moment when many young men feel their difficulties are often dismissed out of hand as whining from a patriarchy that they don’t feel part of. For young men in particular, the assumption of a world built to serve their sex doesn’t align with their lived experience, where girls out-achieve them from pre-K to post-graduate studies and “men are trash” is an acceptable joke.”

So on one side, our boys are being exposed to visions of manhood that simply serve to confirm the notion that all masculinity is toxic. But what are they hearing from the other side? Largely silence. If the conservative rights are leaning into traditional masculine stereotypes, the progressive left are reluctant to speak about men at all. Ember acknowledges this in her piece, “Justifiably, progressives want to preserve the major gains made for women over the past several decades — gains that are still fragile. It’s easy to mistake attention as zero-sum, to fear that putting effort toward helping men might mean we won’t have space for women anymore. There is something appealing, too, about the idea of gender neutrality — or at least rejecting gender essentialism — as a social ethos. After all, attaching specific traits to men will redound to women, too. If we say “real” men are strong, does that mean real women must be weak? If men are leaders, are women destined to follow?”

But no role model is just as bad as a poor role model for our young men. A better approach is needed. Christine Ember titled her article, “Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the wilderness.” and she concludes with a couple of examples of more moderate voices speaking into this space. She quotes entrepreneur, author and professor Scott Galloway as one example: “My view is that, for masculinity, a decent place to start is garnering the skills and strength that you can advocate for and protect others with. If you’re really strong and smart, you will garner enough power, influence, kindness to begin protecting others. That is it. Full stop. Real men protect other people.” In a similar vein, author Richard Reeves says, “I try to raise my boys” — he has three — “to have the confidence to ask a girl out, if that’s their inclination; the grace to accept no for an answer; and the responsibility to make sure that, either way, she gets home safely.”

I find both ideas appealing but incomplete. Ember draws her own conclusions which I also resonate with: “In my ideal, the mainstream could embrace a model that acknowledges male particularity and difference but doesn’t denigrate women to do so. It’s a vision of gender that’s not androgynous but still equal, and relies on character, not just biology. And it acknowledges that certain themes — protector, provider, even procreator — still resonate with many men and should be worked with, not against.”

What I would add to Christine Ember’s vision, or perhaps it would be better to say the broader vision within which Ember’s ideal finds a home is that of a Christian vision for humanity. The beginnings of a good man (and a good woman for that matter) can be found in what makes a good person. To return to Amy Peeler’s analysis of the Barbie movie, “… this is where the Christian message finds its opportunity. Christians are as guilty as anyone for failing to achieve the ideal of mutuality between the sexes, but it is our sacred texts that lay out the ideal with unmatched depth and beauty. What Barbie and Ken wished for is a description of the Christian church, where all people find their identity, worth, and purpose in Jesus Christ, and where men and women cannot relegate one another to the margins because both are necessary for the in-breaking of God’s kingdom on earth.” (https://www.holypost.com/post/neither-barbie-nor-ken)

“Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman.” (Galatians 3:28 CEV)

Reverend Daniel Lowe
Senior Chaplain

*For a much more detailed exploration of some of these ideas I recommend reading the full article by Christine Ember at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/07/10/christine-emba-masculinity-new-model/.

ELIZABETH SUTHERLAND,
Class of 2002.

Elizabeth Sutherland (nee Soutar), began in Year 7 at St Paul’s and is passionate about music! She currently works as a Music Teacher, Musician and Composer. She made lifelong friends at St Paul’s and remembers the school camps and outdoor education. However, being able to explore her musical interests at school through flute ensembles, choir and school performances was the beginning of where she is now.

Elizabeth began a Bachelor of Humanities at Monash Gippsland after graduating from St Paul’s but soon recognised it wasn’t for her. She had previously taught piano and decided to run her own piano tutoring business in Warragul which she operated for nine years. She also decided to pursue her skills and passions further by studying a Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education double degree at Monash University to become a qualified classroom music teacher. “I tried another path straight after school but it didn’t gel,” Elizabeth said. “I should have done Music straight away, but as they say, hindsight is 20/20! Music has always been in my life and once I started my course, it was just right. I averaged a Distinction throughout and enjoyed it immensely.”

Elizabeth currently teaches Music part-time at Beaconhills College in Berwick, as well as piano at the school, although she does find teaching challenging. “Being a teacher is hard work, especially during remote learning. The past few years have been a challenge, but we rose up to the occasion.”

Elizabeth also attributes her musical aspirations to her mother. “As a musician, I have been influenced by my mum, Lynne Davine who is currently a singing teacher at St Paul’s. The old music room is named in honour of my parents’ donation to the gym (John and Lynne Soutar at the time).”

As a composer and performer outside of the workplace, Elizabeth regularly puts her talents to use.
She accompanies the “Singularity Choir” and is a pianist for various ensembles/soloists, including the Casey Philharmonic Orchestra. Elizabeth started playing the Celtic harp in 2016, and her debut EP ‘Forest Dreams’ – featuring Celtic harp and piano and her mother Lynne as a vocalist – was released in 2021 on all streaming services. Elizabeth is also a mother of two young children.

(Profile information correct at time of collection.)

Keep in touch

We love sharing alumni stories that provide inspiration to current students – and teachers always love to hear what former students are up to now!
If you would like to share your story with the St Paul’s community or would like to mentor or speak with our current students or join the Alumni Committee, please reach out by emailing alumni@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or connect with us on our St Paul’s Alumni Association Facebook page and our St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School official LinkedIn page.

So we can contact you with alumni news and invitations please update your details via the new St Paul’s webpage https://www.stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/community/alumni/.

If you would like to join us in creating an event of nostalgia, connection and laughter for our Class of 1993, 2003 and 2013 cohorts, email alumni@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au to be a part of our next celebration!