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

Athletic Trials Cancelled
It was disappointing that inclement weather caused us to cancel our Athletics Trials, although we all hoped it brought some relief to the families who had been affected by the recent fires.  Our thoughts have been with them.  It was the first cool day after a long hot summer, so much so that some students got out their blanket in the lunch room!  Also, at one point, we had a heavy hail burst as you can see from the hail stones collected in the photo below.

Annie and Michaela in the lunch room.

Hail in March!

Congratulations Lachlan
The Performing Arts Scholarship Holders’ Concert was held at the Warragul Campus on Monday 25 February.  It was a joy to again notice the continual improvement of many of our performing arts students.  I thought Lachlan Wilson was impressive in performing a most difficult piece, ‘A Happy Day’ by Erik Leidzen.  I asked Lachlan to perform it again at our school assembly so everyone could hear and see his skill.  The assembly performance, in my view, was even better and he received a most warm round of applause.
Lachlan came seventh at last year’s National Competition in U19 cornet and he is the current U19 Victorian State Champion on cornet, despite only being in Year 8.
He is currently preparing for National Band Championships U19 cornet solo in Brisbane at Easter as well as playing with the Wonthaggi Band as they defend their C Grade Championship from 2018.
We wish Lachlan all the very best.

Lachlan Wilson.

Parent Student Teacher Interviews (PSTIs)
In case you missed the recent email, I have included a copy of the PSTI information below.  Students also received a list of their subjects and teachers. If you have any questions, please feel free to call reception on 5175 9222.  The Semester 1 Parent Student Teacher Interviews (PSTIs) will be held on Tuesday 26 March and Monday 1 April from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm.  The interviews will be conducted in the Secondary School building.  Bookings are essential.

St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School has an online booking system for the PSTIs.  To access the booking system go to: http://www.schoolinterviews.com.au.   You will be required to enter a school code which is 7mh9s. Please print your bookings at the end of the process before you log out.  Students are required to wear full school uniform when attending interviews.

Interview times are five minutes per teacher, if you require longer book two x five minute time slots.  It is requested that parents of students, whose child has the same teacher for more than one subject, book only a ten minute interview with this teacher in which to discuss both subjects.  If there is any issue you would like to discuss that will take longer than the scheduled interview times, please contact the relevant teacher to organise another time to meet.  Appointments that exceed the allocated time significantly inconvenience all parties involved, hence your cooperation in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

To access details relating to your child’s classes and teachers please log on to the MyStPauls website and click on their timetable.  This will display the information required for booking the interviews.  Alternatively you can also access the information on the MyStPauls app.  If you need assistance with your login details please contact IT services at itsupport@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au.

PSTI Booking Times
Bookings will open from 9:00 am on Monday 12 March for both PSTI Sessions.
Session 1:  Tuesday 26 March (bookings close at 4:00 pm on Monday 25 March)
Session 2:  Monday 1 April (bookings close at 4:00 pm on Friday 29 March)

Stephen Klemke
Head of Traralgon Secondary School

WHAT’S ON IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

MARCH
11 March  Labour Day Public Holiday
12 to 15 March  Year 8 Camp
14 March  SEISA Summer Sport, Intermediate/Senior, Round 4
15 March  ‘We Are Latrobe’ Expo Excursion (Selected students)
20 March  Whole School Athletics Carnival, Joe Carmody Athletics Track, Newborough
21 March  SEISA Summer Sport, Intermediate/Senior, Round 5
22 March  St James Church Community Lunch Excursion (Selected Year 8 students)
26 March  Parent Student Teacher Interviews, 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm

APRIL
1 April  Parent Student Teacher Interviews, 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm
4 April  SEISA Music Festival Excursion
DAV Debating Excursion
5 April  FOSP Easter Egg Hunt
End of Term 1, 2:30 pm FINISH
23 April  Term 2 Commences
24 April  ANZAC Day Service
25 April  ANZAC Day Public Holiday
26 April  St James Church Community Lunch Excursion

DOBSONS – WINTER UNIFORM REMINDER

A reminder that Term 2 at St Paul’s will see all students in full winter uniform.  To save the last minute rush, Dobsons now have winter uniforms in stock should you need to purchase new items before the start of Term 2.

Holiday trading hours for Dobsons will be as follows:

Traralgon – Tuesday 16 and Thursday 18 April, 1:00 to 4:00 pm

These will be the last trading days for Dobsons before the Easter holiday break.

On the first day back of Term 2, Tuesday 23 April, Dobsons will be open from 8:00 to 11:00 am and 2:00 to 5:00 pm.

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 St Paul’s website or by contacting Carol Reid via email creid@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Applications should be received by 23 April 2019 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 21 May 2019 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 29 May 2019.

Nomination forms for Board Directorship are required to be forwarded to the Company Secretary no later than Monday 29 April 2019 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 – 29 MAY 2019

The Annual General Meeting of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School is to be held on Wednesday 29 May 2019 at the Warragul Campus commencing at 5:30 pm for members of the Company.

SPORT REPORT

Year 7 Peer Support Camp
Our Year 10 Peer Support Leaders were exceptional during the recent Year 7 Camp at Coonawarra.  They were great role models and made the Year 7 students feel safe and well cared for.  They led most of the activities in a professional manner, used their initiative and managed their groups with respect and compassion.  All staff and students were very appreciative of having them on camp.

Our Year 10 Peer Support Leaders.

SEISA Swimming
Last Wednesday, 27 February, some of our swim team members travelled to Warragul early to have a training and team bonding session with the Warragul students prior to the SEISA Swimming Carnival the following day.  Despite being a cold morning, all the students swam laps and bonded well.  On the Thursday, we then travelled to the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, where we not only held our swimming carnival but also our badminton and table tennis competition.  We were fortunate enough to win the SEISA swimming by around one hundred ninety points from Gippsland Grammar.  We had four Age Champions; U12 Ella Warner (Year 6), U13 Ashley Nicholes, U14 Molly Cargill and U15 Jordyn Cargill.  Both Molly and Jordyn broke records on the day too.

Early swim training session.

SEISA Swimming Carnival Age Champions.

House Athletics Trials
Unfortunately we had to cancel our Athletics Trials due to the inclement weather.  Though most were disappointed it was the right decision.  To finalise our Combined House Athletics teams we will be running some events for those Year 7s who signed up originally on Thursday and next Tuesday so we have results when we compare them with the Warragul Year 7s, in particular the field events.  Other year levels times will be based from last year’s results or students do have the opportunity to challenge for their spot by either presenting a recent result or making the time to get their time or distance measured in the event they want to challenge.

Sandra Timmer-Arends
Head of Sport – Traralgon Campus
Health and Physical Education

St Paul’s Equestrian Team – February Rider Wrap Up
February saw a few of our St Paul’s Equestrian team members out and about competing.
Brooke Olsen and Chelsea Molloy recently competed in the Stratford Pony Club Interschool Event.  Brooke was overall champion for grade 4 and the composite team that Brooke and Chelsea were in came third out of thirty six teams.​​​​​​
Zoe Waller competed in the round 1 (South Eastern Zone) of the ISJ Interschool Show Jumping Series 2019 at Boneo Park.  Zoe achieved stars, the highest level of the interschool show jumping competition 115 m to 125 m and she also won the speed class with her horse Mobile App.
Well done to all riders!

Please regularly check the MyStPauls Equestrian page for regular updates and key equestrian information.

Melissa Hoskings
Head of Sport – Warragul Campus

Zoe Waller riding Mobile App.

WARRAGUL SPARK HOLIDAY PROGRAM APRIL 2019

We are excited to share with you the SPARK program for the April school holidays.  In light of Easter falling at the end of the holiday break, SPARK will be running from the Wednesday 10 April through to Saturday 13 April, in the first week of the school holidays.  We hope this allows families the opportunity to make the most of the SPARK program and their holiday plans for Easter!

These school holidays there is the opportunity to try a range of dance styles on the first morning.  No experience necessary as you try out hip hop, jazz and contemporary dance in a custom built dance studio.  In the afternoon there is lots of Science fun to be had, themed around Easter and eggs!

On Thursday brush up on your circus and musical theatre skills in our ‘Greatest Showman’ session.  There will be a bit of everything in this one; dance, song and acrobatics!  In the afternoon we will create gardens and artwork inspired by the outdoors.

On Friday we welcome Coster MMA back to the program with a mixed martial arts session.  This session will help improve fitness, strength, confidence, balance and discipline whilst teaching valuable self-defence skills.  The session will also include learning anti bullying strategies on how to avoid and diffuse confrontation.  We end the day with ‘Bunnies and Baskets’, an opportunity to get into the spirit of Easter with some basic chocolate making. This session will fill fast, so booking early is encouraged!

We are excited to team up with the Warragul United Soccer Club to offer families in the community to have a try the MiniRoos Soccer program…absolutely free!  Start your Saturday morning with the chance to try out the MiniRoos club football program with experienced coaches and program organisers.

As you can see our workshops are an exciting way to SPARK up your first week of the holidays!
Bookings can be made via trybooking:  https://www.trybooking.com/BBCPH

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

Before School Care is coming to St Paul’s!

In response to the needs of our school community, I am excited to announce that a Before School Care program will start from the beginning of Term 2.  I do hope that parents will utilise and support this service, and a reminder that After School Care continues to be available each day after school.  I ask parents interested to visit the Camp Australia website www.campaustralia.com.au or contact their Customer Service team on 1300 105 343 to register your child/children.

As you would now be aware, we are introducing Continuous Online Reporting and parents should have received feedback about their child’s writing via MyStPauls.  This new approach to reporting and feedback will offer sound educational benefits for our students and ensure that you are informed about your child’s progress more regularly.  If you would like to attend an information session on how to use MyStPauls, a session will be held on Thursday 14 March commencing at 7:00 pm in the Horizon Centre.  Computers/iPads will be available, however, parents will need to bring their MyStPauls login details.  Please email your interest to Mrs Smethurst at lsmethurst@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au by Monday 11 March.

Our congratulations to Tarrant Cannon, Thomas Halloran-Lavelle, Luke Callewaert, Daniel Callewaert and Tayla Clark who were selected to compete in the Secondary School swimming squad for the SEISA championships last Thursday.  St Paul’s won the championships for the twenty-third consecutive time and all students swam extremely well.  We also congratulate the Junior School students who competed at the Divisional championships yesterday and well done to the students who have progressed to the Regional championships, which will be held next Thursday.

Parent/Teacher Interviews: Information regarding PTIs will be sent home next week.  A reminder that these will take place in Week 10 on Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 April.

In what has been difficult times for many of our families, I wanted to thank the Junior School community for their concern and care in assisting others in need.  I have heard many stories of families reaching out and assisting others and know that during times like this, we see the best of the St Paul’s family.

Let’s hope the long weekend is a kinder one!

Rowan van Raay
Head of Warragul Junior School

WHAT’S ON IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

MARCH
11 March  Labour Day Public Holiday
12 March  Year 6E Community Service session 4
13 March  Year 4 Kitchen Garden
14 March  Regional Swimming (selected students from Years 3 to 6)
15 March  Dr Seuss Day, Prep to Year 2
19 March  Year 2 Excursion
Year 6E Community Service session 5
20 March  Years 3 to 6 Athletics Carnival
22 March  Hot Cross Bun Order Forms Due
26 March  Year 6E Community Service session 6
27 March  Year 7 2020 Information Evening, Tours at 6:00 pm, Information Session 7:00 pm
29 March  Final Payment Due – Canberra Tour
30 March  St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School Open Day

APRIL
1 April  Parent Prayer Group
3 April  Parent Teacher Interviews
4 April  Parent Teacher Interviews
5 April  Easter Service
End of Term 1, 2:20 pm FINISH

DOBSONS – WINTER UNIFORM REMINDER

A reminder that Term 2 at St Paul’s will see all students in full winter uniform.  To save the last minute rush, Dobsons now have winter uniforms in stock should you need to purchase new items before the start of Term 2.

Holiday trading hours for Dobsons will be as follows:

Warragul – Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 April, 1:00 to 4:00 pm

These will be the last trading days for Dobsons before the Easter holiday break.

On the first day back of Term 2, Tuesday 23 April, Dobsons will be open from 8:00 to 11:00 am.

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 St Paul’s website or by contacting Carol Reid via email creid@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Applications should be received by 23 April 2019 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 21 May 2019 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 29 May 2019.

Nomination forms for Board Directorship are required to be forwarded to the Company Secretary no later than Monday 29 April 2019 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 – 29 MAY 2019

The Annual General Meeting of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School is to be held on Wednesday 29 May 2019 at the Warragul Campus commencing at 5:30 pm for members of the Company.

SPORT REPORT

St Paul’s Equestrian Team – February Rider Wrap Up
February saw a few of our St Paul’s Equestrian team members out and about competing.
Brooke Olsen and Chelsea Molloy recently competed in the Stratford Pony Club Interschool Event.  Brooke was overall champion for grade 4 and the composite team that Brooke and Chelsea were in came third out of thirty six teams.​​​​​​
Zoe Waller competed in the round 1 (South Eastern Zone) of the ISJ Interschool Show Jumping Series 2019 at Boneo Park.  Zoe achieved stars, the highest level of the interschool show jumping competition 115 m to 125 m and she also won the speed class with her horse Mobile App.
Well done to all riders!

Please regularly check the MyStPauls Equestrian page for regular updates and key equestrian information.

Melissa Hoskings
Head of Sport – Warragul Campus

Zoe Waller riding Mobile App.

ST PAUL’S PARENTS’ PRAYER GROUPS

If you are interested in getting together with other parents of the School to pray, you are most welcome to join the following two prayer groups:
First Monday of the month, 9:00 am Prideaux Centre, Warragul Junior School
Contact: Sheryn Cutler 0417 158 937
Fridays Fortnightly, 9:15 am, Jenny Charles’ home
Contact: Jenny Charles 0402 249 036

“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank Him for all that He has done.” Philippians 4:6

SPARK HOLIDAY PROGRAM APRIL 2019

We are excited to share with you the SPARK program for the April school holidays.  In light of Easter falling at the end of the holiday break, SPARK will be running from the Wednesday 10 April through to Saturday 13 April, in the first week of the school holidays.  We hope this allows families the opportunity to make the most of the SPARK program and their holiday plans for Easter!

These school holidays there is the opportunity to try a range of dance styles on the first morning.  No experience necessary as you try out hip hop, jazz and contemporary dance in a custom built dance studio.  In the afternoon there is lots of Science fun to be had, themed around Easter and eggs!

On Thursday brush up on your circus and musical theatre skills in our ‘Greatest Showman’ session.  There will be a bit of everything in this one; dance, song and acrobatics!  In the afternoon we will create gardens and artwork inspired by the outdoors.

On Friday we welcome Coster MMA back to the program with a mixed martial arts session.  This session will help improve fitness, strength, confidence, balance and discipline whilst teaching valuable self-defence skills.  The session will also include learning anti bullying strategies on how to avoid and diffuse confrontation.  We end the day with ‘Bunnies and Baskets’, an opportunity to get into the spirit of Easter with some basic chocolate making. This session will fill fast, so booking early is encouraged!

We are excited to team up with the Warragul United Soccer Club to offer families in the community to have a try the MiniRoos Soccer program…absolutely free!  Start your Saturday morning with the chance to try out the MiniRoos club football program with experienced coaches and program organisers.

As you can see our workshops are an exciting way to SPARK up your first week of the holidays!
Bookings can be made via trybooking:  https://www.trybooking.com/BBCPH

RULES, IDEALS AND CHANGED HEARTS

A little while ago a Year 12 student asked me what I thought about the rules regarding the Year 12 common room.  The general understanding is that students from other year levels should not enter the common room unless they need to see a teacher who is in there or if the weather is particularly horrendous and they need to walk through the common room to avoid getting saturated on the way to class.  Year 12 students have traditionally interpreted and enforced this rule in a particularly legalistic manner.  The view that I expressed at the time of the conversation was that I did not think there should be a rule and that students should simply be expected to respect all common areas and to behave accordingly.  On reflection, it occurred to me that both the students and I were guilty of common errors of thinking.

The student approach reflects that of the Jewish Pharisees who, to put it simply, took adherence to the letter of the law as their number one priority.  In their mind, the way to live right (and be right with God) was to live strictly by the law.  What this meant in practice was that they were constantly adding extra laws and clauses to laws in order to create a rule for every possible eventuality.  It also meant that they lost sight of the original purpose of the laws.  This is why Jesus was so critical of them when they rebuked him for doing something like healing a person on the Sabbath.  In focusing so much on obeying the letter of the law, they had lost any sense of compassion for a sick and suffering person.  This sort of attitude is not restricted to Jewish Pharisees and Year 12 students.  We are all prone to this error, particularly when we are focused on protecting our own perceived rights and privileges.

The mistake in thinking that I was making is equally common and no less damaging.  I was operating from the assumption that everyone is basically a really good person and if left to our own devices we would all treat each other with respect and care.  This is probably the dominant cultural mindset of most Australians.  We like to believe that everyone is good, except of course for the really bad people (think murderers, rapists and the like) who are clearly evil and not actually normal human beings.  The trouble with this view is that it does not stack up against our real world experience.  Throughout all of history humans have demonstrated an equal capacity for great good and horrendous evil.  When left to our own devices we do not always act for good.  As much as we hate to admit it, all of us have the potential to be both good and evil.  We actually need boundaries, or rules, that help to keep us from doing the wrong thing or at least to draw some clear lines for what sort of behaviour we are prepared to accept.  I recently heard a very helpful illustration to explain this.  If you have ever been tenpin bowling, especially with kids, then you would be familiar with the bumpers that can be utilised to keep the ball out of the gutters.  The bumpers may help contain your wayward bowls while they are there but they will not make you a better bowler.  In the same way the law keeps us from straying too far in our behaviour but it does not make us intrinsically better people.

The Bible’s view of humanity is different again.  The Biblical picture of humanity is that we are all made in the image of God and carry that inherent dignity and worth in us.  In that sense we are all capable of great good.  But we are also flawed (the Bible uses the term sinful) creatures who are capable of and prone to, evil as much as good.  The law is useful in that it points us in the right direction but we become better people only through a fundamental ‘recreation’.  We can strive to be good people but only God can truly repair our flawed humanity.

So it seems the Year 12 common room probably does need some rules, as does society as a whole, but what we all need more is a change of heart.  Perhaps our prayer should be that of the psalmist who said, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10).

Reverend Daniel Lowe
Senior Chaplain

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

I echo the thoughts of our Principal Mr Herbert when I say that this week our thoughts and prayers have been focused on those in our community who have been affected by the fires.  I have had many conversations with students in the last few days about the impact and they have spoken with compassion and concern for those affected.  I continue to be impressed by the empathy our students show every day toward others.

I would also like to acknowledge the competitiveness of our SEISA Swimming, Badminton and Table Tennis teams who competed at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre last Thursday.  Our Swim team finished first overall and I would like to congratulate all members on this achievement and the many age champions who also emerged from this event.  Our Badminton team finished in second place and our Table Tennis team finished third and I congratulate those teams as well.  It is always wonderful to place but at St Paul’s we pride ourselves on our sportsmanship and support of others, and all teams demonstrated this in a competitive environment last week.  This must be held to the same high level of praise as our sporting success.

Our Year 8 students will depart on Tuesday 12 March for their Outdoor Education Camp.  They will be based just out of Paynesville on the beautiful Banksia Peninsula and will spend their time learning or sharpening their skills at a range of activities including stand up paddle boarding, sailing, sea kayaking, mountain biking and hiking.  We know they are going to have a fantastic time.

Parents Student Teacher Interviews (PSTIs)

The Parent Student Teacher Interviews (PSTIs) will be held on two nights in Term 1.  Please add the following dates to your diary:
Monday 25 March, 4:00 to 5:45 pm and 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Warragul Secondary School Gymnasium
Wednesday 3 April, 4:00 to 5:45 pm and 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Warragul Secondary School Gymnasium

For parents new to St Paul’s we use an online booking system called ‘School Interviews’.  You will receive a letter, which outlines the process for booking interviews.  This online booking system enables families to make their own bookings by visiting; http://www.schoolinterviews.com.au or you can follow the links on the MyStPauls Website → Parent Resources → Parent Student Teacher Interviews.

PSTI booking times and login code:
One of the main advantages of the online system is that you will be able to make bookings anywhere that you have access to the internet and at any time of the day.  Bookings open 10:00 am Tuesday 12 March 2019.
The code for the interviews is xrcpv.
Session 1:  Monday 25 March – bookings close at 9:00 am on Monday 25 March
Session 2: Wednesday 3 April – bookings close at 4:00 pm on Tuesday 2 April

To assist families who do not have access to the internet at home your bookings can be made by calling the Secondary School Office.  A letter will be coming home letting you know who your child’s teachers are for Year 7 parents only, for Years 8 to 12 parents, your child’s teachers and class codes can easily be accessed via your child’s timetable on the MyStPauls website.  Login codes and assistance can be obtained by contacting the IT department at school should you require extra help.

Interview times remain at five minutes per teacher.  If there is any issue you would like to discuss that will take longer than the scheduled interview times, please contact the relevant Head of Year to organise a time to meet.  Additionally, if you would like to meet with Mrs Cumming, our Careers Adviser, regarding career options, we encourage you to contact her directly to make an appointment at a mutually convenient time.  These meetings require more than five minutes.

Attending PSTIs is an invaluable way to discuss and monitor your child’s academic and pastoral progress.  As a school we report formatively and continuously.  This means that you do not receive a traditional end of semester report which summarises your child’s learning.  Instead, we report after each assessment task and you are able to access the feedback in real time via MyStPauls.  This allows you and your child to understand what needs to be done in order to improve.  You do need to be actively using MyStPauls to ensure you are making the most of this reporting format.  Prior to attending the PSTIs it is suggested that you have reviewed your child’s progress and that you come prepared with questions for the individual teachers.  The following questions can be asked to teachers to assist you to understand the learning needs of your child.

1. If my child could do one thing to make the most improvement in your subject what would it be?
2. How exactly, should they go about doing this?  What support, if necessary, will be provided (in class or out of class)?
3. What can we do at home to help them with this?
4. How will we know if they have improved in this particular area, beyond report grades?

Students are required to wear full school uniform when attending interviews.  We look forward to speaking with you at these evenings.

Year 7 camp and update

It has certainly been a very busy start for all of our Year 7 students.  The camp was an outstanding success and all students thoroughly enjoyed the challenges and the time to make lifelong friendships.  While the flying fox was a crowd favorite it was pleasing to see ‘Team Rescue’ and the star patient ‘Freddy’ making quite an impression on the Year 7 students this year.

All students are adjusting very well to life in the Secondary School and have learnt to navigate the school, interact with respect and compassion towards each other.  They are also learning to work with many new members of staff in each of their academic lessons.

We would like to remind you of the immunsations for our Year 7 cohort on Friday 15 March.  In preparation, all students should have returned the immunisation cards to student services.  The Baw Baw Shire immunisation staff have asked that students come prepared for the day in their PE uniforms (white shirts) and that they have a good breakfast before they come to school.

The immunisations will occur throughout Period 3 and Period 4 for all Year 7 students, unless the card has not been returned to us, in which case we will understand that you would prefer to manage any immunisations through your own medical clinic.

We hope that you and your child are enjoying the very first semester of secondary school.

Please do not hesitate to contact the your child’s Mentors should you need any assistance.

Ms Laura Butterworth
Head of Warragul Secondary School

Seth Cannon about to take off on the flying fox.

Sydney Parke hanging out in his canoe.

Georgia Chapman tackled the rock climbing with a smile.

WHAT’S ON IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

MARCH
11 March  Labour Day Public Holiday
12 March  Boys only Presentation Ball Training, 3:30 pm to 5:20 pm
World Challenge Meeting, 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm
12 to 15 March  Year 8 Camp
14 March  Federation University Experience Day, Physical, Outdoor Education and Sport Science
SEISA Summer Sport, Intermediate/Senior, Round 4
15 March  Year 7 Immunisations, Warragul Secondary School Library, 9:00 am
19 March  VET Sport and Recreation Rock Climbing Day, Nunawading
Girls only Presentation Ball Training, 3:30 pm to 5:20 pm
Studio Concert, 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
20 March  House Athletics Carnival, Joe Carmody Athletics Track, Newborough
21 March  SEISA Summer Sport, Intermediate/Senior, Round 5
25 March  Parent Student Teacher Interviews, Evening 1, 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm
26 March  Presentation Ball Training, 3:30 pm to 5:20 pm
27 March  Year 9 Faiths in our Community Excursion, 9:00 am to 3:20 pm
VET First Aid Course
Year 7 2020 Information Evening, Tours at 6:00 pm, Information Session at 7:00 pm
28 March  SEISA Summer Sport, Intermediate/Senior, Finals
30 March  St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School Open Day

APRIL
1 April  New Building Opening Ceremony, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
2 April  Presentation Ball Training, 3:30 pm to 5:20 pm
3 April  Parent Student Teacher Interviews, Evening 2, 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm
3 to 9 April  Years 10 and 11 Summit to Sea Camp
4 April  Easter Service, 10:20 am
SEISA Music Festival
DAV Debating, St Margaret’s School, Berwick, 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm
5 April  End of Term 1, 2:30 pm FINISH
6 to 22 April  School Holidays
23 April  Term 2 Commences

DOBSONS – WINTER UNIFORM REMINDER

A reminder that Term 2 at St Paul’s will see all students in full winter uniform.  To save the last minute rush, Dobsons now have winter uniforms in stock should you need to purchase new items before the start of Term 2.

Holiday trading hours for Dobsons will be as follows:

Warragul – Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 April, 1:00 to 4:00 pm

These will be the last trading days for Dobsons before the Easter holiday break.

On the first day back of Term 2, Tuesday 23 April, Dobsons will be open from 8:00 to 11:00 am.

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 St Paul’s website or by contacting Carol Reid via email creid@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Applications should be received by 23 April 2019 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 21 May 2019 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 29 May 2019.

Nomination forms for Board Directorship are required to be forwarded to the Company Secretary no later than Monday 29 April 2019 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 – 29 MAY 2019

The Annual General Meeting of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School is to be held on Wednesday 29 May 2019 at the Warragul Campus commencing at 5:30 pm for members of the Company.

SPORT REPORT

St Paul’s Equestrian Team – February Rider Wrap Up
February saw a few of our St Paul’s Equestrian team members out and about competing.
Brooke Olsen and Chelsea Molloy recently competed in the Stratford Pony Club Interschool Event.  Brooke was overall champion for grade 4 and the composite team that Brooke and Chelsea were in came third out of thirty six teams.​​​​​​
Zoe Waller competed in the round 1 (South Eastern Zone) of the ISJ Interschool Show Jumping Series 2019 at Boneo Park.  Zoe achieved stars, the highest level of the interschool show jumping competition 115 m to 125 m and she also won the speed class with her horse Mobile App.
Well done to all riders!

Please regularly check the MyStPauls Equestrian page for regular updates and key equestrian information.

Melissa Hoskings
Head of Sport – Warragul Campus

Zoe Waller riding Mobile App.

SEISA Swimming, Badminton and Table Tennis

On 28 February students from St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School travelled to Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre to compete in the annual SEISA Swim Carnival and Table Tennis/Volleyball Round Robin.  All teams had a very successful day and represented our school to a high level against Newhaven College, Gippsland Grammar, Beaconhills Berwick and Beaconhills Pakenham.

The St Paul’s Swim team comprising of students from both Warragul and Traralgon from Years 4 to 12 were fortunate enough to place first overall in the carnival for the seventh year in a row.  St Paul’s students were successful in breaking a few records across the day and had six students achieve age champions.

Ella Warner – Under 12 years Female Champion, Ashley Nicholes – Under 13 year Male Champion, Molly Cargill – Under 14 Female Champion, Jordyn Cargill – Under 15 years Male Champion, Neisha Ablett – Under 16 year Female Champion and Jessica Emmett – Under 21 Female Champion.

We would also like to congratulate Jordyn and Molly Cargill, the under 15 years male medley relay team, the under 16 years female freestyle team and the under 13 years male freestyle relay team who all broke records on the day.

Whilst the Swim team were competing in the pool, students were also eagerly playing Table Tennis.  Although not everyone was an experienced player it was great to see those who played help out and coach other team members. Despite the hot weather and the humidity of the stadium, it was amazing to see everyone smile and enjoy the day.  Every team in each category; junior, intermediate and senior played extremely well and showed great sportsmanship and effort in each game.  In the junior division, St Paul’s came equal first with the girls team being undefeated throughout the day.  The intermediate division came fourth and seniors division came equal fifth.  These teams played valiantly against a strong opposition.  Huge congratulations to everyone who competed on the day.  Overall St Paul’s Warragul finished third out of the six teams, followed by Gippsland Grammar and Newhaven College.

The SEISA Badminton team also took the long trip to Melbourne to compete at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.  It was a hotly contested competition all day with each player performing to the best of their abilities with great enthusiasm and determination.  In spite of coming second overall, losing the first spot to Gippsland Grammar, the team played extremely well with the junior boys coming first, junior girls coming second, intermediate boys coming second, intermediate girls coming third, senior boys coming fourth and the senior girls coming first in each of their age groups.

Overall the day was a lot of fun and we like to thank everyone who competed and the numerous staff that helped to make the day such a huge success.  In particular thank you to our team coaches Mr Stuart Woollett, Ms Coralie Esbert, Mrs Donna Byrne and Ms Michelle Sullivan.

Written by Danielle Strini, Jordan McKay, Chiara Bordonaro, Elouise McKinley, Sabrina Chung and Ms Melissa Hoskings.

Swim Captains Elouise McKinley and Chiara Bordonaro being presented with the winning shield by Principal Cameron Herbert.

Jordan McKay taking a winning shot in table tennis.

Ilyan Mofakhami taking a serve whilst his team mate Aaron Remyn waits for the return.

SPARK HOLIDAY PROGRAM APRIL 2019

We are excited to share with you the SPARK program for the April school holidays.  In light of Easter falling at the end of the holiday break, SPARK will be running from the Wednesday 10 April through to Saturday 13 April, in the first week of the school holidays.  We hope this allows families the opportunity to make the most of the SPARK program and their holiday plans for Easter!

These school holidays there is the opportunity to try a range of dance styles on the first morning.  No experience necessary as you try out hip hop, jazz and contemporary dance in a custom built dance studio.  In the afternoon there is lots of Science fun to be had, themed around Easter and eggs!

On Thursday brush up on your circus and musical theatre skills in our ‘Greatest Showman’ session.  There will be a bit of everything in this one; dance, song and acrobatics!  In the afternoon we will create gardens and artwork inspired by the outdoors.

On Friday we welcome Coster MMA back to the program with a mixed martial arts session.  This session will help improve fitness, strength, confidence, balance and discipline whilst teaching valuable self-defence skills.  The session will also include learning anti bullying strategies on how to avoid and diffuse confrontation.  We end the day with ‘Bunnies and Baskets’, an opportunity to get into the spirit of Easter with some basic chocolate making. This session will fill fast, so booking early is encouraged!

We are excited to team up with the Warragul United Soccer Club to offer families in the community to have a try the MiniRoos Soccer program…absolutely free!  Start your Saturday morning with the chance to try out the MiniRoos club football program with experienced coaches and program organisers.

As you can see our workshops are an exciting way to SPARK up your first week of the holidays!
Bookings can be made via trybooking:  https://www.trybooking.com/BBCPH

In what has been a difficult time recently with the bush fires, I thank all in our community who have played a crucial role in fighting fires and providing support of various kinds to those in need.  To those people badly affected, our sincere sympathy goes out to you.  I hope that you are able to recover as well as possible, and trust that you accept and benefit from the offers of help that present themselves to you.  Please know that our thoughts, prayers and best wishes are with you all.

Having had to cancel our Secondary House Swimming Carnival midway through the event earlier in the term, it was pleasing to compete so successfully in the SEISA interschool swimming event held at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.  Our swimmers could hardly have been more impressive, resulting in a very comfortable victory for St Paul’s.  Details of the results can be found elsewhere in this newsletter, including some very impressive individual performances.  I wish to acknowledge every student who was selected in the School Swimming team and who competed on the day, including those students in our lower age groups from our Junior Schools at both Warragul and Traralgon.  I also wish to thank our 2019 Swimming Captains, Elouise McKinley and Chiara Bordonaro, who delivered an excellent acceptance speech that focused on the efforts made by all SEISA schools, competitors, coaches, staff and organisers.

As we approach the Labour Day long weekend, our learning programs across the School are now in full swing.  This means different things at different year levels and a strong focus on learning prevails for all age groups throughout the year, but there is a distinct sense of academic momentum at this particular time.  I urge all students to try to do their best, irrespective of age, ability, subject or situation.

I wish everyone well for the second half of Term 1.

Cameron Herbert
Principal