In this issue

• Building Update
• Community Easter Egg Hunt
• Steven Herrick Visit
• Sport News

Grammarian Issue 4, 19 March 2021

From the Principal

Good schools are often busy places, and this is especially true of St Paul’s at present. There has been a hive of activity on both campuses in the past couple of weeks from ELC through to VCE. Apart from the notable energy devoted to teaching and learning, we have had a variety of sporting events across the School, together with many camps, excursions, performances and gatherings.

All this activity has occurred at a time when assessments are more common than usual, particularly for our most senior students. While having a variety of things on offer is an essential element of a vibrant school, it can also be wearying, so let us all be conscious of this. May we all find time, even if only a short time, to relax and calm our minds each day, as we enter the final two weeks of term.

I had the pleasure of visiting the Year 8 camp on the Banksia Peninsula last week, with over 150 students from both campuses attending. I was persuaded to join the mountain biking group while I was there, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, although I confess to being a little sore the next day. The feedback from the personnel working at the campsite was overwhelmingly complimentary about our Year 8 cohort, and I thank our students for representing themselves and our school so well. I am also very grateful to the staff members in attendance who helped make the Year 8 camp such a success.

Cameron Herbert
Principal

Grammarian Issue 4, 19 March 2021

Warragul Secondary School

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

On Monday 15 March we finally welcomed our families back into our gymnasium for face-to-face Parent, Student, Teacher Interviews (PSTIs). It was fantastic to see familiar faces and reconnect with parents and guardians that we have not seen properly in many months. Our teachers were pleased to have the opportunity to speak about student progress in a personal way once again. Thank you to all of our parents and guardians who booked appointments and joined us on the night. Please do not forget that bookings are currently open for Zoom PSTIs scheduled on Wednesday 24 March. Please check your emails for details on how to book from our Director of Studies, Mr Bruno Testa.

2021 Athletics Carnival
We are looking forward to our Athletics Carnival which will be held on Tuesday 30 March. After the disappointment of a cancelled event in 2020, we are excited to return to the Joe Carmody Athletics Track in Newborough to compete once again. We expect to see all students present, competing and supporting their house on the day.

eSafety Commissioner
The eSafety Commissioner is running a number of topical, free and online parent webinars this year and we wanted to make families aware. The next webinar topic is:
eSafety’s Parent Guide to Cyberbullying and Online Drama
This webinar will look at how parents and guardians can support young people to have safe and respectful online relationships and what to do if things go wrong. It will cover:
• starting conversations with your child about their online friendships and positive ways to deal with changing relationships
• understanding the rights, laws and community expectations that govern social media use
• where to seek help if your child is involved in a cyberbullying incident.
The webinar will include case studies, research and targeted advice so you can support the young people in your life to have safe, enjoyable online experiences.

You can register for this webinar and others at: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars

Final Day of Term 1
The final day of Term 1 2021 will be Thursday 1 April. This will be a 2:30 pm finish in line with the Government school network.

Ms Laura Butterworth
Head of Warragul Secondary School

WHAT’S ON

MARCH
20 March Scholarship Testing, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
21 March Year 12 Theatre Studies, ‘Macbeth 2021’, The Wedge Theatre – Sale, 5:00 pm to 11:30 pm
22 March Year 9 Faiths in our Community Excursion, Melbourne (Eastern Suburbs), 9:00 am to 3:15 pm
24 March Sport Aerobics Training, Gymnasium Dance Studio, 6:55 am to 8:30 am
Year 12 Environmental Science, Healesville Sanctuary Excursion, 9:00 am to 3:15 pm
Parent Student Teacher Interviews (PSTIs) 2, Zoom Interviews, 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm
26 March Scholarship Holders Concert, West Gippsland Arts Centre, Years 7 to 12, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
28 March SEISA Surfing Trials, Phillip Island (beach to be confirmed), Years 7 to 12, 8:30 am to 11:00 am
30 March House Athletics Carnival, Joe Carmody Track, Newborough
31 March Sport Aerobics Training, Gymnasium Dance Studio, 6:55 am to 8:30 am

APRIL
1 April SEISA Junior Trials, St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School, Traralgon Campus, Years 7 and 8
Term 1 concludes, 2:30 pm finish
19 April Term 2 commences

* Please note that all events/excursions are dependent on COVID-19 restrictions.

Maths Club
Years 7 to 12 Tuesdays lunchtime, 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm, Year 9 Centre, RM6.

After School Maths Help
Years 10 to 12 Tuesdays after school, 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm, Year 9 Centre, RM3.

DOBSONS UNIFORM SHOP

ENROLMENTS REMINDER

The Enrolments team would like to remind families who plan for their next child to commence at St Paul’s in 2022 that enrolment application forms should be submitted prior to the end of Term 1. As the School currently has waiting lists at a number of year levels, please submit an enrolment application at your earliest opportunity to ensure all children in your family have a place on the School’s Enrolment Register. Please note that a separate enrolment application is required for each child.

Online enrolment application is available via our website: https://stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/enrolment/enrolling-at-st-pauls/ or you can collect a hard copy enrolment pack from the Secondary School Reception.

ELC families please note that with the expansion of the Early Learning Centre for 2022 we are reviewing our program to ensure best use of our new facilities. We value your insights and will be sending you a survey shortly to seek your feedback.

Construction of the new Warragul Junior School building is proceeding smoothly and with increasing demand the School is accepting enrolments with a view to opening additional classes. An additional class for Prep 2022 will run, and the School may also consider additional classes at other levels. The Enrolments team encourages families with ELC or primary school age siblings or friends in the community to enrol at the earliest opportunity.

Please contact our Enrolments Office on 5623 5833 if you have questions about enrolment at St Paul’s or if you would like to arrange a tour of the ELC, Junior or Secondary School.

(Current families, please note that enrolment at St Paul’s is continuous from the point of entry until the end of Year 12 and your child’s place in the next year level is automatically allocated; you do not need to submit an enrolment application for your child to transition to the next stage of their schooling at St Paul’s).

ACADEMY MUSICIANS IN PERFORMANCE

The St Paul’s Academy of Music has had a busy start to the year with a number of performances by Academy pianists in particular. Year 7 Academy musicians recently appeared on stage at the School’s Year 7 2022 Information Evenings held for new students and families at both the Warragul and Traralgon Campuses. Hugo Christensen performed a solo piano program including some of his own compositions at Warragul; while Asmi Pathania and Adam Guo appeared as a piano duet on the School’s newly-acquired grand piano in Traralgon. Current students were also recently entertained by Year 8 Warragul Secondary student George Huang, who appeared as a soloist with Chopin’s ‘Torrent’ Etude (Op. 10, No. 4) at assembly.

Academy musicians from Years 3 to 12 across all campuses have been busily rehearsing in small ensemble settings this term, with preparations underway to hold the Academy’s first Kammer Konzert (chamber concert) on Friday 14 May in the Warragul Secondary School Science Centre Lecture Theatre.

The St Paul’s Academy of Music provides a dedicated program for orchestral, choral and keyboard students to access specialist ensemble training and performances along with musical mentoring opportunities.

Open to students by audition, the Academy of Music offers regular timetabled classes for the development of students’ chamber playing and orchestral skills; with professionally delivered instrumental and vocal workshops in addition to combined, cross-campus rehearsals for both junior and secondary students. For further information about the Academy of Music or to arrange an audition, please contact Academy of Music Coordinator, Mr Benjamin Sim via email: bsim@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

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 by email, creid@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Applications should be received by 20 April 2021 for consideration at the April Board Meeting in preparation for this year’s Annual General Meeting. Later applications can also be considered but must be received by 18 May 2021 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 26 May 2021.

Nomination forms for Board Directorship are required to be forwarded to the Company Secretary no later than Monday 26 April 2021 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 on email, companysecretary@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or phone 5623 5833.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – WEDNESDAY 26 MAY 2021
The Annual General Meeting of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School is to be held on Wednesday 26 May 2021 at the Warragul Campus commencing at 5:30 pm for members of the Company.

Grammarian Issue 4, 19 March 2021

Traralgon Junior School

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

It has certainly been a busy couple of weeks and the sport calendar has been particularly full of events!

Last Thursday, ten of our Junior School students travelled to Sale to represent St Paul’s and compete in the Gippsland Regional Swimming Competition. All students are to be congratulated on their efforts and achievements swimming against some tough competition. A special congratulations to Phoebe Balcombe who qualified for the next stage of competitions and will soon be heading to the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre along with other top swimmers in the state.

Evelyn, Stella and Mason represented St Paul’s at the Latrobe Valley Division Tennis event this week and enjoyed the opportunity to compete against other schools and further develop their tennis skills.

Today we enjoyed a fantastic day of athletics at Harold Preston Park. Congratulations to Mr Billy Rilen for organising a super event for all students and many thanks to all staff, parent helpers and our secondary school students who also assisted. We were blessed with beautiful weather and it was lovely to see many parents joining us and cheering along our students. Many thanks also to FOSP for providing a delicious barbeque which was just what was needed as a special treat after lots of running, jumping and throwing. A great day was had by all involved.

Year 6 students and teachers enjoyed a fabulous camp experience at Urban Camp in Melbourne this week. Some highlights included: Night Tour of Melbourne Zoo, Ice Skating, Queen Victoria Market, The Big Issue, Chinese Museum, Old Melbourne Goal, Ned Kelly Court Room Drama, Dream City and Go Climb. A huge thank you to the teachers involved for their organisation and participation in providing such a wonderful camp experience for students. We are looking forward to hearing more about their adventures.

Parent Teacher Student Interviews occurred last week and were an opportunity for information about student learning to be shared. Thank you to families and teachers involved in the evening sessions. These interviews occur twice per year however parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher throughout the year if there are concerns or questions.

National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.
Teachers at St Paul’s are proactive and include regular and explicit teaching about appropriate social behaviours and interactions and we have zero tolerance for bullying at school. The term ‘bullying’ is used a lot by teachers, parents and students and in the media. It is important that we have a clear understanding of what it actually means. 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 conflict 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.

However, these conflicts still need to be addressed and resolved. Likewise not all online issues are bullying. (Online bullying is sometimes referred to as cyberbullying and refers to bullying that is carried out through information and communication technologies.)

Bullying can happen anywhere: schools, sporting clubs, families, workplaces and can happen to children and adults. Children and young people who know what bullying is, and know what to do about it if it happens, also know they are not alone in dealing with it. They know that parents and teachers will be willing to help if needed.

Parents can use the many opportunities that arise to talk with their child about how people behave in various social situations and how people get on with each other. If your child tells you about things at school or clubs or you see things in public that involve conflict or bullying, and if it is appropriate, take the opportunity to talk about what bullying is. Before talking about bullying to your child make sure you have a clear understanding of what bullying is and is not. Point out that bullying is not just when someone is mean to you once, but it happens over and over and makes you feel like you cannot stop it.

If you want, you could use some of these questions:
• 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? 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 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 on asking for help if the bullying does not stop.

Talk with students about how they might handle other challenging social situations as well.

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

Avoid describing a child as a ‘bully’ or a ‘victim’. Although these words are often used in research and in the media, they are not very helpful for finding positive and lasting solutions. Children can change the way they behave 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.

Children and young people will ask for advice and help with problems if they think teachers, parents and caregivers are interested in them and their concerns. When parents and carers spend some time each day asking about what happened during the day, and show 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 kids often. Listen to them. Know their friends, ask about school, and understand their concerns. Ask them about issues they tell you about but do not jump in to solve their problems. Ask them what they think they can do about it.

Be alert too that children sometimes ‘shut down’ and become reluctant to talk if they are experiencing bullying and do not 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. Please do contact your child’s teacher/s if you have any questions or concerns. Teachers work very hard to ensure that we have a school which is safe for everyone and will act promptly to resolve any issues or concerns.

Carpark Safety
The Junior School carpark is used by teachers, staff, families and visitors throughout the day and I would like remind everyone who accesses this space of the expectation that you will do so with care and consideration for the safety of our precious children. There have again been a number of families who are speeding through the carpark and are unaware of the little people who are crossing the carpark and exiting and entering cars. I have this week been quite shocked at the driving and parking of some parents. Please understand that the safety of our children is a priority and staff and I will be stopping parents and speaking to them when we are concerned about driving speeds.
• The speed limit is 10 km, which is walking pace, at all times
• Please look for little people and be ready to stop suddenly if needed
• Please carefully back into carpark spaces
• Please use the ‘kiss n go’ zone rather than stopping to let your child disembark in the middle of the carpark
• Do not overtake in the carpark
• Please do not park at the exit of the ‘kiss n go’ zone
• Please use the crossing regardless of where you park. Do not allow your child to cross through the carpark between cars and into the ‘kiss n go’ zone.

I thank all families in anticipation of your cooperation.

Parent Workshop: Helping Your Child Learn to Read
In order to support parents with research based information about how to support children while they are learning to read, we will be hosting a series of parent workshops. The first will be held on Wednesday 24 March in the Library. All parents are welcome however this workshop will be most relevant for those who have children in Prep to Year 3. Please RSVP to the office.

Tracey King
Head of Traralgon Junior School