In this issue

• House Swimming Carnival
• Company Membership
• Year 7 2021 Information Evening
• SEISA Leadership Weekend

Grammarian Issue 2, 21 February 2020

Traralgon Junior School

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

The last two weeks have certainly been busy in the Junior School. Classroom programs are under way and students are settling well into the routine of the school day, play times and activities.

Year 5 and 6 Camps
Our Years 5 and 6 students were on camp last week and thoroughly enjoyed their experiences and challenges which will be the impetus for further discussion and learning in classes in coming days.

Year 5 students spent four days at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat and returned with a wealth of knowledge about the Gold Rush and Eureka Stockade. Students were able to participate in a range of Sovereign Hill’s historic activities and particularly enjoyed panning for gold, visiting the mines underground and the Eureka Sound and Light Show.

Year 6 students visited iconic places in Melbourne while they were on Urban Camp. The most favourite activity was their evening at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre where students took on the challenge of the huge inflatables. There were many smiles and shrieks of laughter as students encouraged each other and jumped over the ends of the inflatables into the water. Many thanks to the teachers and parents who attended our camps and assisted ensuring students had a successful and enjoyable camp experience. Our students are indeed very lucky to have such dedicated adults caring for them and providing such wonderful learning experiences.

Year 6 Global Leaders
On Monday we inducted our Year 6 Global Leaders at a special service where students made a declaration to fulfil their responsibilities and roles as leaders and received their leadership badges. Students were encouraged to enjoy their leadership roles and to take every opportunity throughout the year. Student leaders are expected to model our school values of Wisdom, Integrity, Compassion and Respect and show the following characteristics:
• Doing the right thing without being asked or when no one is watching
• Setting a good example for others and being a good role model
• Staying focused and doing what is needed
• Helping others in need
• Guiding others on the right path
• Standing up for others even when it may be the hard thing to do
• Working together for a common goal or dream
• Staying calm and positive especially in the middle of a storm
• Treating people with respect, caring for their needs and being kind and friendly
• Having a ‘never give up attitude with a growth mindset’ – always wanting to learn and improve things
• Allowing everyone to take the lead and encouraging all to develop their talents.

Raising Resilient Children
Parents enjoyed an information session on Raising Resilient Children presented by Triple P Positive Parenting Programs.
The key points of the session included:
• Details about emotional resilience and its importance for children
• Recognising and accepting feelings
• Expressing feelings appropriately
• Developing a positive outlook, including being optimistic, interested in things and content
• Developing effective ways of coping
• Dealing with negative feelings and unpleasant situations
• Managing particularly stressful life events.

Important take home messages for parents:
• Coping with emotions is important for happiness, wellbeing and success in life
• Help your child recognise understand and accept feelings
• Encourage your child to express feelings in appropriate ways
• Help your child develop a positive outlook
• Teach your child coping skills
• Help your child learn to deal with negative feelings and cope with stressful life events.

Copies of the information handouts can be collected from the Junior School Office.

Carpark Traffic Concerns
Over the last couple of weeks, several concerns have come to my attention regarding carpark usage and traffic concerns.
The main carpark can become very congested at the end of the day when everyone is trying to go home. Please make sure you park in designated car parking bays. It is not appropriate to park on the grass verge or across walkways. The Junior School carpark has a one way system. All cars enter from the Secondary School entrance and exit at the Salvation Army end. Please abide by this traffic regulation at all times.

I acknowledge that it can be frustrating when exiting the carpark. There is traffic merging from the swimming pool and significant traffic travelling along Cross’s Road. The priority, for staff at the Salvation Army crossing, is to ensure students safely cross the road and this can also slow traffic flow. Please practise what we are teaching the students: patience, cooperation and respect when heading home at the end of the day.
If you are in a great rush to get out of school and do not want to be held up in the traffic, please consider an alternative location to park and a short walk.

Please be aware of your speed and slow down: This is quite simple, please drive very slowly through the carpark. Even if you are here early or late in the day, get into the habit of slowing down. At all times and in all areas of the school grounds, at pick up and drop off times particularly, please be very mindful of children everywhere you go.

Thank you to everyone for their cooperation, patience and understanding.

Valentine’s Day
At assembly I shared with students one of the stories about how Valentine’s Day started. Ruby Paulet and Kate Finney also completed some research and helped to explain when Valentine’s Day first began. If you don’t know the history here it is.

According to history books, the name Valentine originated from a Catholic priest, St Valentine, who lived in the third century. He was a kind hearted Roman priest. He was martyred on or around 14 February in 270 CE. During his priesthood, Emperor Claudius II banned marriages because he thought married men were bad soldiers. St Valentine defied the order and arranged marriages in secret and this led to his arrest and sentence to death. While in prison, Valentine fell in love with a jailer’s daughter and when he was being taken to be executed on 14 February, he wrote a love letter to her and signed it “From your Valentine”.

The first mention of St Valentine as a romantic holiday is seen in writings in 1382. During this time, the Knights gave gifts to their maidens and celebrated their beauty in songs. By the 1840s Valentine’s Day as a romantic holiday had taken root in most English speaking countries. This was referred to as the cupid’s golden age. Cards and gifts were exchanged.

Next week will again be exciting with Shrove Tuesday and Pancake Races happening along with our Year 6 students heading out to ‘The Summit’ for their leadership day. Please also be aware that our Years 3 to 6 Athletics Day has been rescheduled to Thursday 12 March.

“Be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people.”

Tracey King
Head of Traralgon Junior School

WHAT’S ON IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

FEBRUARY
25 February Shrove Tuesday and Pancake Races
27 February No Preps at school, due to testing
28 February Year 6 to The Summit

MARCH
9 March Labour Day Public Holiday
12 March Years 3 to 6 Athletics Carnival
17 March ELC School Photos
18 March Junior School Parent, Student and Teacher Interviews (PSTIs), 3:45 pm to 8:00 pm
ELC School Photos
19 March Junior School Parent, Student and Teacher Interviews (PSTIs), 3:45 pm to 6:00 pm
20 March Traralgon Community Easter Egg Hunt, 4;00 pm to 5:00 pm
27 March Traralgon Campus Easter Service, 9:30 am
FOSP Easter Egg Hunt
End of Term 1, 2:30 pm finish

APRIL
13 April Easter Monday Public Holiday
14 April Term 2 commences

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A ST PAUL’S COMPANY MEMBER OR BOARD DIRECTOR?

MEMBERSHIP OF COMPANY
Are you aware parents are able to become members of the St Paul’s School Company?
At present there are over sixty members of the School’s Company. Applying for membership involves completing an application form and submitting a fee of $20.00. Continued membership involves renewing your membership once a year and paying an ongoing annual fee of $20.00.
Company membership entitles the member to attend the School’s Annual General Meeting in May each year and also to cast a vote in the event of an election of Directors to the School Board.
Persons interested in applying for new membership of the Company can obtain an Application for Company Membership form from the School’s website or by contacting Carol Reid via email creid@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au
Applications should be received by 22 April 2020 for consideration at the April Board Meeting in preparation of this year’s Annual General Meeting. Later applications can also be considered but must be received by 19 May 2020 to be able to attend the Annual General Meeting.

BECOMING A BOARD DIRECTOR
In keeping with the Board’s commitment to an inclusive governance approach within the school community, persons interested in potentially filling a Board vacancy are encouraged to become a member of the Company and respond to the nomination/election process prior to the Annual General Meeting on 27 May 2020.
Nomination forms for Board Directorship are required to be forwarded to the Company Secretary no later than Monday 27 April 2020 at 5:00 pm.
If you have any questions in relation to the Board vacancies or are seeking a nomination form, please contact Mrs Leah Young, Company Secretary via email companysecretary@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or phone 5623 5833.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – 27 MAY 2020
The Annual General Meeting of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School is to be held on Wednesday 27 May 2020 at the Warragul Campus commencing at 5:30 pm for members of the Company.

FINANCE NEWS

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

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

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

Direct debit: Should families wish to commence payment by Direct Debit, please contact Mr Peter Lees, accountsreceivable@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au, as soon as possible to set up an arrangement.
Please find the direct debit form attached at the end of this Grammarian or on the School website at this link https://stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/enrolment/school-fees/

FOSP (Friends of St Paul’s) NEWS

Thanks to those who attended the first FOSP meeting. It was great to see new parents and the new Heads of School join us. FOSP events were discussed with some dates and activities already confirmed. Additional items will be added to the calendar in coming weeks.

Family Colour Run: Postponed
FOSP members along with the Traralgon Heads of School have decided to postpone the FOSP Family Colour Fun Run, previously advertised for Saturday 14 March. This decision was made after a Traralgon community bushfire fundraising event was announced for the same day. There are still plans to run this fantastic event in the future so watch this space.

Up and Coming Events
Easter Egg Hunt, Junior and Secondary School, Friday 27 March
Mother’s Day Stall, Junior School and ELC, Friday 8 May
Secondary School Egg and Bacon Breakfast, Friday 19 June
Father’s Day Stall, Junior School and ELC, Friday 4 September
Grandparents Morning Tea, Junior School, date to be confirmed

If you would like to become involved with FOSP activities or can help with our ‘Financial Officer’ role, please contact FOSP President, Myra Krafft on 0413 955 902. Next meeting is on Tuesday 3 March, 6:30 pm, Traralgon Campus Library. All welcome!

COFFEE

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

Grammarian Issue 2, 21 February 2020

From the Chaplain

STARTING REFRESHED

A day full of classes, numerous meetings and a couple of assemblies and it is easy to feel that you have been in the office ten years and forgotten what sunlight looks like. I am being a little over dramatic, but it does not take long to realise that the refreshment of summer has come to an end and we are longing for the next break where we can read a good book, sleep in and justify that late night binge.

Our souls need rest and we long for it. But what if rest was not found in the breaks but in life itself. What if we did not long for it but sat in the midst of it. As we start the year it is a good time to think about being refreshed. Refreshed in mind. Refreshed in body. Refreshed in… soul.

As a Christian, I find comfort in a God who rests (Genesis 2:2) and allows us to do likewise. A chance to refresh, reflect and revitalise. For those who struggle, God offers refreshment for the weary and satisfies the faint (Jeremiah 31:25). The apostle Paul sought the company of others for refreshment (Romans 15:32) and celebrated others who had the gift of refreshing others (Philemon 1:7). If you are like me it is good to have the encouragement of others and rub shoulders with those who strengthen you and leave you better than when you entered the room. As a Christian I celebrate that in Christ I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and am being renewed each day as I trust in Christ (Lamentations 3:22-23).

So as you hit the year running and the idea of rest alludes you, maybe spend a moment to remember the promises of God and find rest in him, using it as an opportunity to refresh others and encourage them in their journey.

Have a great year.

Glen Treble
Chaplain – Traralgon Campus

Grammarian Issue 2, 21 February 2020

Traralgon Secondary School

From the Head of Traralgon Secondary School,
Mr Brad McCabe.

Year 7 Coonawarra Camp
On Tuesday I had the absolute pleasure of visiting our Year 7 students and Peer Support Leaders who were having a wonderful time on the Year 7 Camp at Coonawarra. From canoeing to high ropes, navigating the giant maze and soaring to new heights on the flying fox, our students were very visibly delighting in the opportunity to get to know their peers and teachers in a beautiful, sunny environment. While the sunshine did not last and we altered the evening events to cater for some wet weather, our students conducted themselves beautifully and made the most of all opportunities presented to them. It certainly makes me proud to say that these are new students to the Traralgon Secondary School of St Paul’s and I am sure they will enjoy many more camps on their journey with us.

Year 7 2021 Information Evening
On Tuesday 10 March we have the Year 7 2021 Information Evening. All families are invited to attend this event. School tours will be conducted at 6:00 pm, 6:15 pm and the last tour at 6:30 pm, followed by an information session at 7:00 pm. Please contact our Enrolments Officer for further information enrolments@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Scholarships 2021
Scholarships are open to junior and secondary students entering St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School in 2021. Applications close Monday 6 April 2020. Please contact our Scholarships Officer on (03) 5623 5833 or scholarships@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au Please visit our website for eligibility stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Friends of St Paul’s (FOSP) News
Family Colour Run: Postponed
FOSP members along with the Traralgon Heads of School have decided to postpone the FOSP Family Colour Fun Run, previously advertised for Saturday 14 March. This decision was made after a Traralgon community bushfire fundraising event was announced for the same day. There are still plans to run this fantastic event in the future so watch this space.
Up and Coming Events
Easter Egg Hunt, Junior and Secondary School, Friday 27 March
Mother’s Day Stall, Junior School and ELC, Friday 8 May
Secondary School Egg and Bacon Breakfast, Friday 19 June
Father’s Day Stall, Junior School and ELC, Friday 4 September

Brad McCabe
Head of Traralgon Secondary School

WHAT’S ON IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

FEBRUARY
27 February SEISA Swimming, Badminton and Table Tennis, Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre

MARCH
3 March Athletic Trials
5 March SEISA Summer Sport, Intermediate/Senior, Round 3
DAV Debating Round 1,
9 March Labour Day Public Holiday
10 to 13 March Year 8 Camp
10 March SEISA Visual Arts Festival
Year 7 2021 Information Evening
12 March SEISA Summer Sport, Intermediate/Senior, Round 4
13 March Years 7 and Year 10 Immunisations, 9:00 am

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A ST PAUL’S COMPANY MEMBER OR BOARD DIRECTOR?

2019 YEAR 12 ALUMNI STUDENTS

On Thursday 13 February four past 2019 Year 12 students returned to St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School to shed light on the highs and lows of completing Year 12. They spent their time in a question and answer session with the current Year 12s and discussed things such as how to plan the year, how to avoid burnout, tips for most subjects, SAC and exams strategies, the importance of a balanced lifestyle and finally about their future ambitions. The current 2020 Year 12s thoroughly enjoyed the session and were able to see some valuable insights for the upcoming year. The four presenters – Stephanie Bryce, Isabella Whitty, Finn Colman and Zac Nijenhuis did a fantastic job, they spoke very well and we thank them for giving up their time.

SEISA LEADERSHIP WEEKEND

The Prefects kick-started their leadership journey with a camp held at host school Newhaven College that was attended by other fellow leaders from Beaconhills College (Berwick and Pakenham) and Gippsland Grammar. They engaged in workshops on behavioural and personality profiling, strategies to deal with people, what it means to be a leader, public speaking and the importance of looking after yourself.
Another highlight of the weekend was meeting Mat Bowtell, founder of 3D Hands. His inspiring story really touched the students and they are motivated to make a difference in their community.
Each Prefect thoroughly enjoyed the camp and have learnt numerous things about both themselves and their Prefect team. We wish them all the best in their leadership endeavours this year and beyond.

Mr Ben Zanella
Head of Year 12

FINANCE NEWS

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

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

COFFEE

Grammarian Issue 2, 21 February 2020

Warragul Junior School

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

A busy time
It has been a busy few weeks with our Parent Information Evenings, Leaders’ Induction Services, Years 3 to 6 House and District Swimming Carnivals and we conclude the fortnight with our Family Welcome Barbeque this evening for all ELC and Junior School families. Kitchen Garden sessions, Year 2 Strings, Buddies and our Year 5 Brass and Woodwind Programs have commenced while our Year 6 Community Service Program and Horizon groups are now in full swing. Please keep an eye out for the weekly ‘What’s On’ for Junior School events.

For families that were unable to make our Parent Information nights, Year Level Information Booklets have been emailed to all parents and also placed on the ‘Year Level’ pages on MyStPauls for your reference.

ELC students settle in
Well done to all of our ELC students who have been settling into Pre-Prep, Pre-Kinder and Little Learners over the past few weeks. A transition program is a requirement from The Department of Education and forms an important part of setting up the year. All of our youngest learners have settled in well as they move into full sessions in the coming weeks.

Digital Citizenship unit of work
During the first two weeks of this term, students in Years 2 to 6 participated in Digital Citizenship lessons to address timely topics and prepare students for responsible and safe use of the internet. A range of topics were investigated and discussed including:
• Balancing Media Usage and Wellbeing
• Privacy and Security, for example: passwords
• Digital Footprint and Identity
• Relationships and Communication when online
• Cyberbullying and Digital Drama
• News and Media Literacy
The purpose of the lessons was to help students to understand and manage key online safety issues, including inappropriate or unwanted contact, cyberbullying and the risks of sharing images online. Additional resources may have been sent home for families to share and discuss. Should you require further information please do not hesitate to ask your child’s classroom teacher or visit the ‘eSmart Parent Information’ page on MyStPauls.

Electronic Medical Updates – coming soon!
As all parents/guardians would appreciate, the accuracy and management of student health records is a critical process for all schools. Government legislation in this space is placing further responsibilities on schools, while also requiring clear and consistent communication between schools and families to ensure that optimum care is provided for all students. After careful evaluation of our needs and providers in this field, St Paul’s has made the decision to use Consent2Go. Consent2Go is a direct provider of services to the school. The school requires all providers to comply with national and state privacy compliance and security requirements. Consent2Go does not use this information for any purpose other than what the school has requested.

The new system will allow the school to capture and confirm health information on your child in an accurate and timely manner through a secure process. There are a multitude of benefits and opportunities that are achieved by using this system, with positive advancements in areas such as excursion approvals, risk management, and sports communication and management, which we will be releasing gradually in the next twelve months. This system will replace the paper-based process of inquiry and confirmation. The ease and convenience of this online solution will, we believe, be a most pleasing advantage for all parents, especially for ongoing medical updates and eventually excursion consents that are a regular and important part of any school’s program.
After extensive work to develop and test the system we would like Warragul Junior School parents/guardians to be the first to use the system. Your feedback on its use would be very much appreciated and, should you have any, we ask that you please email news@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

You will receive an email from the school in the next fortnight which will contain further information (a link to a document on MyStPauls so it does not land in anyone’s junk mail folder (see Grammarian 7/2/2020) and then an additional email with a verification code to a secure link from which you can check and update your child’s medical information. Your assistance in checking and/or updating this medical information would be greatly appreciated.

Years 3 to 6 House Swimming Carnival
Well done to each and every student who participated in our Years 3 to 6 House Swimming Carnival last Friday. It was a most enjoyable day and my thanks to Mr Boraston, staff, parent helpers and parents who attended to support their children. Burgundy House won the carnival and Tarrant Cannon from Year 6 took out the fastest swimmer race. Congratulations to Burgundy House, Tarrant and all of the students who progressed through to Districts, which were held today.

Extreme wet weather
On Tuesday, just before pickup time, the weather turned very nasty with a severe storm hitting and the decision was made to keep all students and staff inside although it was after 3:20 pm. When there are these extreme situations, I ask that parents respect the arrangements that are made in order to not put any members of our school community at risk. Whilst this may have been inconvenient for some families and caused some extra traffic congestion, the safety of our students and staff always comes first. I thank you for your assistance during these times, which fortunately do not happen that often.

Student Free Days – 2020
Please note that we have moved our student free days to be in line with the Secondary School. We are also delighted to announce that we have also made arrangements with our Before and After School Care provider, Camp Australia, to run a full day program (7:00 am to 6:00 pm) on these days; Friday 5 June and Friday 20 November. Further information can be found in the flyer at the end of this newsletter and registrations for 5 June are now open.

I look forward to catching up with families this evening at our Welcome Barbeque.

Rowan van Raay
Head of Warragul Junior School