From the Principal

With Victoria having entered a period of lockdown overnight, I wish to acknowledge and thank families for the understanding and support shown to the School at this difficult time for everyone in our community.  Hopefully, the restrictions will only be in place for seven days and we can return to onsite learning from Monday 7 June, but only time will tell.  I wish all St Paul’s families well in the meantime.

Times such as these serve to remind us of the vast array of activities that have been able to occur this semester.  For example, it was a pleasure to conduct our Anniversary Assemblies at Warragul Secondary School last week and Warragul Junior School this week.  The Traralgon Campus Anniversary Assembly is scheduled for Thursday 17 June, and we are hopeful that this will be able to proceed as planned.

Even more recently – yesterday, in fact – we were lucky to be able to complete Round 3 of our Junior SEISA winter sport fixture against Beaconhills College, Berwick.  The games were played in good spirit with our teams doing particularly well, winning over seventy per cent of matches.  It was tremendous to complete the round in the nick of time before restrictions came into force, especially given our Year 8 students missed SEISA winter and summer sport completely last year because of the pandemic.  Congratulations to our Heads of Sport, coaches, competitors and everyone involved yesterday.

Cameron Herbert
Principal

Warragul Secondary School

From the Head of Warragul Secondary School, Mrs Leonie Clark. Disappointingly and once again we do find ourselves in the midst of a ‘Snap Lockdown’.  …

view ARTICLE

Warragul Secondary School

From the Head of Warragul Secondary School,
Mrs Leonie Clark.

Disappointingly and once again we do find ourselves in the midst of a ‘Snap Lockdown’.  Our staff have put the necessary arrangements in place for the scheduled examinations for Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 as well as online classes for our Years 7 and 8 students.  Rest assured that in every decision the care and seamless education of your children is at the very heart and core of our decision making, planning and preparation.  Please reach out to your child’s Mentor or your child’s Head of Year should you require some extra support or advice throughout this period.  Communication has been emailed home to all families with links to our procedures and policies with regard to online learning and examinations.  As a highly respected colleague reminded me this week, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” (Nelson Mandela)

FINDING THE CALM AND UNLOCKING A ‘SUPER POWER’
As we leave 2020 behind us and look towards a new kind of future, we all seem to be in a state of disbelief.  We are all a little shocked at how busy we have become, after the somewhat reduced pace of last year.  Thankfully, as we are largely protected from global events our co-curricular activities have once again resumed, and harried adolescents are juggling their assessments, extra training sessions, performing arts commitments and weekend sport just to name a few!

Traditionally, it is at this time of the year that children, teachers and their parents do start to feel a bit like they are in a pressure cooker that desperately needs to release the steam before the lid completely flies off and situations become a little unmanageable.  If you consider the potential energy of steam you would no doubt recognise that it is extremely hot, full of power and that it needs to be released slowly to allow it to cool down, to condense and to be subsequently consumed as an essential life preserving liquid.  If your adolescent seems a little hot under the collar during this peak period of assessment they may need time to cool down to be able to think clearly and rationally in order to build upon their learning resilience once again.

‘Pick your battles’, give your adolescent the space and time for a ‘cool down’ with a much needed study break that may encompass a quick change of conversation, a different activity, a walk in the sunshine, a warm beverage or a calm non-judgmental listening ear.  Adolescents need and love to be heard, supported and gently steered towards strategies that will allow them to take control and enable them to claim their own learning independence.

When all that steam has had time to condense and become a calm trickle of ‘load sharing’ your child will be more able to write a to do list, plan their next study session, decide to take things into their own hands, follow up with the teacher and seek out some extra help during the next class.  Encouraging your adolescent to understand that their feelings of frustration will pass, that they will be more able to solve problems, think clearly and retain information when they are calm is a ‘super power’ that we can all support our children to develop.  Encouraging your child to recognise, name and discuss their emotions, to take steps to calm themselves, to think before responding in the heat of the moment are vital communication skills.  To be able to take control of their independent learning by implementing their own organisational strategies and seeking assistance from their teachers or managers is a positive and lifelong skill for prioritising heavy study/workloads, sharing frustrations and improving personal learning confidence as well as communication for their future adult lives.

Although life at St Paul’s is busier once again it has allowed us to experience and rediscover many of the wonders that we were denied last year.  In recent weeks we have certainly been privileged to be able to attend some delightful community events.  Our ears were treated to the outstanding musical talents of our Academy of Music students in the recent ‘Kammer Konzert’ organised by Mr Benjamin Sim coordinator of the St Paul’s Academy of Music.  Our secondary students were most fortunate to enjoy perfect weather for the recent House Cross Country event and certainly tested their stamina while circumnavigating Brooker Park.  Thank you to Ms Melisssa Hoskings, Head of Sport, for her preparation for this major house event.

Semester 2 rollover
Our Year 7 families and those families in other year levels who are new to the School, may not realise that we begin Semester 2 during Term 2 here at St Paul’s.  This means that all Semester 1 learning will be finished and we will roll a new timetable into MyStPauls to start Semester 2.  This will occur on Monday 7 June 2021.  Please be aware that electives from Years 7 to 10 will change over on this date and students may require different books or equipment depending on their two new electives.

Key dates for your calendar
Please add the following key dates into your calendar in preparation for the weeks to come:
Curriculum and Assessment Day (STUDENT FREE DAY), Friday 4 June 2021
Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday, Monday 14 June 2021
The final day of Term 2, Friday 18 June (3:30 pm finish time)
Term 3 student commencement, Tuesday 13 July 2021

Years 7 and 8 Disco
Last Friday night the Year 9 Centre was bopping as it became the venue for the Years 7 and 8 Disco.  Our students certainly made the most of the opportunity to dance the night away ably supported by a brilliant playlist presented by the Backstage Crew, who along with the Year 12 Prefects did a phenomenal job of leading the way, running the activities as well as making sure that every child was involved and felt comfortable throughout the evening.  The limbo, photo booth and props were a huge hit and we were astounded that one of the highlights of the night was hearing the roof lifted from the Year 9 Centre to the tune of ‘Sweet Caroline’ by Neil Diamond! (This must surely be the influence of their parents?).

Indianna Treble and Sukhmani Walia.

Addison Tucker, Hugo Christensen and Jake Massa.

National Simultaneous Storytime
Last week our Year 8 students enthusiastically maintained our lovely St Paul’s tradition and walked over to the Junior School to join with them for the National Simultaneous Storytime.  They all listened to a reading of the book ‘Give me some Space’ by Philip Bunting as it was read by an astronaut in space!  The Year 8 students then read their favourite childhood picture storybook to a small group of our Year Prep to Year 2 students.

There is no doubt that the Year 8 students delighted in the opportunity to work with the younger students in our Junior School and share their love of reading!

Senior Semi-Formal Reminder, Friday 16 July 2021
The Senior Semi-Formal is an annual event for all Years 11 and 12 students.  This year the Senior Semi-Formal will be on Friday 16 July (Week 1 of Term 3).  Traditionally this event has been held at the Premiere Function Centre in Traralgon but unfortunately, this venue has closed and is no longer available.  Due to the expected numbers we will be holding the 2021 event at the Warragul Country Club, 41 Sutton Street, Warragul.  This is an optional out-of-school event but we do we encourage all Years 11 and 12 students to attend and enjoy a night out with their peers.  The cost of the evening will be $70 and will include finger food, soft drink, transport, venue hire and a DJ for the night.

All Year 11 and Year 12 families have been sent an email with all of the details, including how to respond to the Consent2Go invitation as well as how to pay for the ticket via Trybooking. If you have not received your email please check your junk folder and deleted items to ensure it has not accidentally landed in the wrong location.

Please note that the final date for Consent2Go, TryBooking and the transport/departure form submission is Friday 11 June 2021.

This allows for confirmation of numbers and finalisation of bookings before students leave for the three-week break.  Should you have any remaining queries please do not hesitate to contact Mr Ben Zanella bzanella@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or Mr David Ellis dmellis@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Department of Education and Training – Excursion Attendance Form for Contact Tracing
The Department of Education and Training requires all Victorian schools to implement the use of an Excursion Attendance Form for contact tracing purposes.  This means that an electronic or hard copy of the form is provided to the excursion venue at the time of the excursion.  The details provided to the excursion venue are: the School’s details, staff contacts, student names and a parent contact number.  The School will complete the form.  All excursion venues are responsible for managing record keeping for contact tracing in line with the current health directives.  In the rare event that the excursion venue is identified as an exposure site, the Department of Health will contact individuals listed on the excursion attendance form to carry out contact tracing. We will be collecting these details through the Consent2Go online excursion permission process and parents and guardians will find this as an addition to the process when completing the online permissions in the future.

Mrs Leonie Clark
Head of Warragul Secondary School

 

WHAT’S ON

MAY
28 May to 2 June 
Year 11 Exams

JUNE
2 June to 3 June  Years 9 and 10 Exams
3 June  Year 11 Exam Catch Up Day
4 June  Years 9 and 10 Exam Catch Up Day
Curriculum and Assessment Day (STUDENT FREE DAY)
5 June  Sport Aerobics State Finals, The Arena North Geelong, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
7 June  Semester 2 Commences
9 June  Sport Aerobics Training, Warragul Secondary School Gymnasium – Dance Studio, 6:55 am to 8:30 am
GAT
10 June  SEISA Junior Winter Sport, Round 5
Top Arts Exhibition, The Ian Potter Centre, Federation Square, Years 11 and 12 Visual Arts students, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Top Design Exhibition, Melbourne Museum, Years 11 and 12 Product Design Technology (Hard and Soft Materials students), 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
11 June  Centrepiece Rehearsal, West Gippsland Arts Centre, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Centrepiece, West Gippsland Arts Centre, 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
14 June  QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY
15 June  Studio Concert, DT Parker Centre and Science Centre Lecture Theatre, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
16 June  Sport Aerobics Training, Warragul Secondary School Gymnasium – Dance Studio, 6:55 am to 8:30 am
16 June to 18 June  Year 9 City Camp
17 June  SEISA Junior Winter Sport Finals
DAV Debating Round 4, St Margaret’s School, Berwick, 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm
18 June  End of Term 2, 3:30 pm finish

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

 

ACADEMY’S FIRST KAMMER KONZERT

The St Paul’s Academy of Music recently held its first Kammer Konzert – a performance consisting of chamber works presented by Academy musicians from Years 3 to 12, from across the school’s Warragul and Traralgon Campuses.

Held at the Warragul Secondary School, the evening featured some students performing on a recently restored grand piano made by Julius Feurich in 1906 that was donated to the school last year.

The concert was compered by Maestro Peter Bandy and also included a premiere performance of an art song by emerging Australian composer and St Paul’s Alumna, Alisha Redmond.

The Kammer Konzert was a great opportunity for Academy musicians to perform together in a small ensembles format before they commence rehearsals with a large ensemble focus next semester.

The evening also featured an emotive exhibition of artworks by cross-campus students studying Visual Arts that served to complement and advance the aesthetic aims of the music performed.

The St Paul’s Academy of Music is open to students by audition and offers a dedicated focus through timetabled classes for the development of students’ chamber and orchestral skills.  With professionally delivered instrumental and vocal workshops in addition to combined, cross-campus orchestral and choral rehearsals, Academy students will have opportunities to perform at a range of venues.

For further information about the St Paul’s Academy of Music; or to arrange an audition, please contact our Academy of Music Coordinator, Mr Benjamin Sim via email, bsim@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

 

FINANCE NEWS

Annual Fee Account
Families have been receiving monthly statements via email to keep them informed of fee balances.  If you have any queries in relation to your annual fee account, please contact Mr Peter Lees on 5623 5833.  As detailed on the second page of the account, payment options are:

Direct Debit:
All families are encouraged to participate in the School’s direct debit payment arrangement for fortnightly or monthly instalments.
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 on the School website at this link,  https://stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/enrolment/school-fees/

Instalments (due dates):
Instalment 1 was due 12 February 2021
Instalment 2 was due 9 April 2021
Instalment 3 is due 4 June 2021
Instalment 4 is due 13 August 2021

The third instalment is due on Friday 4 June.

Sundry Accounts
Term 2 sundry invoices for any co-curricular activities such as Performing Arts and VET Courses will be issued on 18 June.  These invoices have fourteen day payment terms.

 

HOUSE CROSS COUNTRY

On Thursday 13 May, Warragul Secondary School held its annual House Cross Country Event.  It was a close event in the house competition with Gilmore winning overall.

1st Gilmore: 507 points
2nd Franklin: 478 points
3rd Paterson: 405 points
4th Lalor: 404 points
5th Monash: 392 points
6th Chisholm: 377 points

The St Paul’s Cross Country team will be announced shortly.  These students will have the opportunity to represent St Paul’s in SEISA and the Victorian All Schools Competition.

Trainings for Cross Country runs every Wednesday lunch.  Please meet at the gym.  This training is compulsory for the St Paul’s Cross Country team and is also available to any student who enjoys running and would like to join us!

A team meeting for all St Paul’s Cross Country students is scheduled for Wednesday 9 June before training lunch in the gym (after exams).

 

ST PAUL’S PARENT PRAYER GROUP

If you are interested in getting together with other parents of the school to pray, you are most welcome to join our prayer group.

Held on the first Monday of the month, our next gathering is 7 June, in the Prideaux Centre, Warragul Junior School, 9:00 am
Contact: Sheryn Cutler 0417 158 937 or the Junior School office for more information.

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

Traralgon Junior School

From the Head of Traralgon Junior School, Ms Tracey King. National Sorry Day This week our Junior School recognised National Sorry Day and engaged in …

view ARTICLE

Traralgon Junior School

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

National Sorry Day
This week our Junior School recognised National Sorry Day and engaged in activities for Reconciliation Week.  Teachers presented lessons to help build students’ understanding of the ‘Stolen Generations’ and the meaning of National Sorry Day.  A variety of lessons, appropriate to each age group were delivered with opportunities for discussions and hands-on activities.

On 26 May 1997, the landmark ‘Bringing them Home’ report was tabled in Federal Parliament.  ‘Bringing them Home’ is the final report of the National Inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their families and was conducted by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (now called the Australian Human Rights Commission) between 1995 and 1997.  This report recommended both an apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and reparations.  The term “Stolen Generations” refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians who were forcibly removed, as children, from their families by government, welfare or church authorities and placed into institutional care or with non-Indigenous foster families.  The forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children began as early as the mid-1800s and continued until the 1970s.

On 26 May 1998, the first National Sorry Day was held to commemorate the anniversary of the report and remember the grief, suffering and injustice experienced by the stolen generations.

National Simultaneous Storytime… from Space
Last week teachers and students gathered and enjoyed National Simultaneous Storytime.  This year’s book was ‘Give Me Some Space’, written and illustrated by Philip Bunting and was read by NASA astronaut Dr Shannon Walker from the International Space Station.  This was a very exciting event and as a result there were fabulous discussions and enthusiasm in our students.

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.  Now in its twenty-first successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children’s book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

By facilitating NSS we aim to:
• promote the value of reading and literacy,
• promote the value and fun of books,
• promote an Australian writer and publisher,
• promote story time activities in libraries and communities around the country,
• and provide opportunities to involve parents, grandparents, the media and others to participate in and enjoy the occasion.

In addition to NSS, students also welcomed visiting author Trevor McLean to share his books and chat all things science and out of space!

Many thanks to our fabulous library team, Mrs O’Malley, Erin and Lyn who organised these events and provided such a wonderful range of books for our students to borrow, read and enjoy.

Play is the Way
The Play Is The Way Life Raft concepts are so called because once understood and employed they help children to stay afloat in the often-hazardous and unpredictable waters of life and learning.  The five guiding concepts are not always easy to live by and on any given day a child’s commitment to abide by this sound moral framework can be tested in numerous ways.  However, every time a child stays true to the demands and challenges of anyone, some or all of the concepts, their character is strengthened, their self-worth increased and their capacity to stand up for what they believe, more assured.  St Paul’s Junior School is implementing and establishing Play Is The Way (PITW) which addresses the requirements of the Personal and Social Capabilities domain of the National Curriculum.

The Life Raft concepts are a major element of the PITW methodology and the more effectively they guide the behaviour of your child(ren) the more they will profit and benefit from the full experience of school.  Guided by PITW resources teachers will put effort and creativity into embedding these concepts in their classrooms while pursuing a whole school approach to their understanding and employment. This will significantly help to enhance our safe, strong and supportive school culture.

Life Raft Concept
• Treat Others How You Would Like to Be Treated
• Be Brave – Participate to Progress
• It Takes Great Strength to be Sensible
• Pursue Your Personal Best No Matter Who You Work With
• Have Reasons for the Things You Say and Do
• Be the Master, Not the Victim of Your Feelings

To help children deeply understand, embed and practise the Play Is The Way Life Raft concepts, parents are encouraged to talk to their children about them and engage in discussions about what they mean and how they can be demonstrated.  (Inviting your child(ren) to teach you about each of the concepts starts a discussion in which you can generously plead ignorance and thereby require educating in the meaning, implications and challenges of the concepts.)  Further details about Play is The Way can be found on our Junior School page of the MyStPauls portal.

Winter Sports
Years 5 and 6 students were full of energy and excitement for last week’s Winter Sports.  We played soccer, netball, t-ball and hockey and every team gave their best efforts, enjoyed the day’s competitions and represented St Paul’s Junior School well.  Many thanks to Mr Rilen for his organisation and to all teachers and parents for their participation as coaches and supervisors, enabling the day to go ahead successfully.

ELC PJ Day and Teddy Bear Picnic
Our little people in our Early Learning Centre arrived in their pyjamas and dressing gowns last week to enjoy some special play and a teddy bears picnic.  There were lots of smiles all round and much fun to be had for both children and adults.

Lunchtime Clubs and Activities
Junior School students are enjoying lunchtime activities and clubs and it has been wonderful to see so many smiling faces and lots of cooperation.  In particular, billycart riding has been quite a hit!  Other clubs include: Movies and Popcorn, Puzzle and Game Strategy, Playdough and Crafts, Sports Training and Just Dance.

Academy of Music
Congratulations to our Traralgon Junior School students, Angela Guo and Stella O’Mara, who participated in the recent ‘Kammer Konzert‘ which is a performance dedicated to chamber works and chamber playing.  The Kammer Konzert is an opportunity for all Junior and Secondary Academy musicians from both Traralgon and Warragul Campuses to perform together in a small ensemble format, before commencing rehearsals with a large ensemble focus in Semester 2.

Staffing
We have welcomed Mrs Kara Burslem and Ms Emma Stanistreet to our Learning Support team this term, joining Mrs Kim Moerke and Mrs Jayne Alexander.  This team has been busy working with students and liaising with teachers and parents.  I thank our families for their patience as this new team has formed and begun developing relationships with students.

Student Free Day
A reminder that Friday 4 June is a student free day for both the Junior and Secondary Schools.  ELC classes will run as normal.

Tracey King
Head of Traralgon Junior School

WHAT’S ON

JUNE
4 June  STUDENT FREE DAY
ELC Wombat Group Parent Teacher Interviews
ELC Joey Group Parent Teacher Interviews
8 June  Nature Kinder
9 June  ELC, Prep and Year 1 Incursion – ‘Flying Bookworm’
10 June  Year 6 Expo
11 June  Beginner Instrumental Concert, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
14 June  QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY

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

 

ACADEMY’S FIRST KAMMER KONZERT

The St Paul’s Academy of Music recently held its first Kammer Konzert – a performance consisting of chamber works presented by Academy musicians from Years 3 to 12, from across the school’s Warragul and Traralgon Campuses.

Held at the Warragul Secondary School, the evening featured some students performing on a recently restored grand piano made by Julius Feurich in 1906 that was donated to the school last year.

The concert was compered by Maestro Peter Bandy and also included a premiere performance of an art song by emerging Australian composer and St Paul’s Alumna, Alisha Redmond.

The Kammer Konzert was a great opportunity for Academy musicians to perform together in a small ensembles format before they commence rehearsals with a large ensemble focus next semester.

The evening also featured an emotive exhibition of artworks by cross-campus students studying Visual Arts that served to complement and advance the aesthetic aims of the music performed.

The St Paul’s Academy of Music is open to students by audition and offers a dedicated focus through timetabled classes for the development of students’ chamber and orchestral skills.  With professionally delivered instrumental and vocal workshops in addition to combined, cross-campus orchestral and choral rehearsals, Academy students will have opportunities to perform at a range of venues.

For further information about the St Paul’s Academy of Music; or to arrange an audition, please contact our Academy of Music Coordinator, Mr Benjamin Sim via email, bsim@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

 

LIBRARY NEWS

National Simultaneous Storytime
Last week the Traralgon Junior School Library recognised Library and Information Week in two special ways.

The whole Junior School took part in National Simultaneous Storytime.  We gathered in the gym and listened to Dr Shannon Walker, one of the astronauts on the International Space Station, read ‘Give me some space’ by Philip Bunting.  Mrs O’Malley our Librarian Astronaut also visited for the occasion.  The story is about Una who travels into our Solar System looking for life in space only to realise that of course there is life on Earth and that our planet is a perfect way to explore the universe but we need to care for it and our future.

Years 1, 2 and 3 had a special visitor to their library classes last week when Mr McLean, father of Nicholas in Year 2, spoke about his picture book ‘Charlie walked on the moon’.  He showed the children how he put together the photos for the book from original photos taken by astronaut Charlie Duke when he was on the moon back in 1970.

Anyone who would like to view the book please contact Mrs O’Malley or visit the library anytime.

 

BOHO FRIDAY FOR PONILALA

Traralgon Junior and Secondary School students are invited to attend ‘Boho Friday for Ponilala’ taking place during both secondary and junior lunchtimes at the Secondary School on Friday 18 June.  This is the fundraising activity for East Timor we have run in the past, where students can have their nails done, hair braided or feathered and henna body art or tattoos done (Years 3 and above only are recommended for tattoos).

The money raised will go towards building new school rooms at the school we built and support in Ponilala Village.

A parent consent form will need to be signed for students under thirteen to receive henna body art.  This will be handed out in class closer to the day.  However we would advise students who have a skin condition or sensitive skin not to have one, in case of a reaction.  We will also run our Fair Trade stall, with goods from $1 through to $30 including bags, jewellery, purses, scrunchies, caps, baskets and more, all made in East Timor.

If you have any queries or would like to know more, please contact Annie Cornwall or Kirsten Enders on 5175 9222 or by email at acornwall@stpaulsags.vic.edu or kenders@stpaulags.vic.edu.au

 

FINANCE NEWS

Annual Fee Account
Families have been receiving monthly statements via email to keep them informed of fee balances.  If you have any queries in relation to your annual fee account, please contact Mr Peter Lees on 5623 5833.  As detailed on the second page of the account, payment options are:

Direct Debit:
All families are encouraged to participate in the School’s direct debit payment arrangement for fortnightly or monthly instalments.
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 on the School website at this link,  https://stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/enrolment/school-fees/

Instalments (due dates):
Instalment 1 was due 12 February 2021
Instalment 2 was due 9 April 2021
Instalment 3 is due 4 June 2021
Instalment 4 is due 13 August 2021

The third instalment is due on Friday 4 June.

Sundry Accounts
Term 2 sundry invoices for any co-curricular activities such as Performing Arts and VET Courses will be issued on 18 June.  These invoices have fourteen day payment terms.

Warragul Junior School

From the Head of Warragul Junior School, Mr Rowan van Raay. It has been a busy fortnight in the Warragul Junior School.  The construction of …

view ARTICLE

Warragul Junior School

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

It has been a busy fortnight in the Warragul Junior School.  The construction of our new building is coming along nicely, while our students are enjoying the new basketball area and football goal posts down on the oval.

New students
Next week we welcome four new students to our Junior School, Harper Clough (Year 1G), Jimmy Joyce-Biss (Year 2M), Eve Clough (Year 2C) and Milla Clough (Year 4B).

Anniversary Service
It was wonderful to be able to celebrate St Paul’s 39th year at our Prep to Year 6 Anniversary Service on Monday.  During the service, we took the opportunity to celebrate the history of the Warragul Junior School which commenced in 1997 with fifty-five Years 5 and 6 students.  I interviewed our founding staff member, Mrs Steendam and asked her what the school was like back then, which were the first buildings, her fondest memories and how the Junior School has changed.  Mrs Davies also visited to share her early memories of the school.  We discovered that some of the students Mrs Steendam taught in 1997 now have their own children in our Junior School!  It was wonderful to have some of the secondary school, pipes and drums, band and vocal group join us for the occasion.  We are looking forward to celebrating our fortieth year next year!

National Simultaneous Storytime
Our Prep to Year 6 students enjoyed National Simultaneous Storytime recently with the Year 8 students joining us for this special event.  We all watched NASA astronaut, Dr Shannon Walker, read the story from the International Space Station on the big screen.  This year’s book was ‘Give Me Some Space’, written and illustrated by Philip Bunting.  Our Year 8 students then remained and read their favourite picture storybook to small groups of Prep to Year 2 students.  It is always a lovely way to bring our junior and secondary students together and I thank Mr Rock who organised this event.

 

School Photos
Our annual school photos have now been taken by Arthur Reed Photos.

To view the images of your child and order photos, you will need to first register online.
1.  Go to https://order.arphotos.com.au  and enter the 2021 image code for your child (from their personalised flyer sent home)
2.  Tap on ‘Add another child’ to enter the image codes of any siblings
3.  Fill in your email and mobile details and then review all details before confirming your registration

When 2021 photos are ready, you will be notified by email and SMS.  Even if you registered last year, it is important that you do it again each year using your child’s new image code to link their photos for the current year with your contact details.

To ensure you are ordering school photos for the current year, please wait for notifications that 2021 images are online before placing orders.  In the webshop you can view photos and customize your photo package; Choose ANY layout, ANY image and purchase multiple digital image downloads.

All photo orders will be sent directly to the address you provide when ordering.

REGISTER ONLINE NOW to be notified when 2021 school photos can be viewed and ordered.

Student Free Day
A reminder that Friday 4 June is a student free day for both the Secondary and Junior Schools.  ELC classes will run as normal.

Rowan van Raay
Head of Warragul Junior School

 

WHAT’S ON

JUNE
4 June  Student Free Day
7 June  Parent Prayer Group, Prideaux Centre, 9:00 am
11 June  Prep Community Excursion
15 June  Year 1 Expo
16 June  Year 2 Expo
17 June  Years 5 and 6 Soirée, Junior School Gymnasium, 7:00 pm
14 June  Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday
18 June
  Last day of Term 2, 3:20 pm finish

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

 

ACADEMY’S FIRST KAMMER KONZERT

The St Paul’s Academy of Music recently held its first Kammer Konzert – a performance consisting of chamber works presented by Academy musicians from Years 3 to 12, from across the school’s Warragul and Traralgon Campuses.

Held at the Warragul Secondary School, the evening featured some students performing on a recently restored grand piano made by Julius Feurich in 1906 that was donated to the school last year.

The concert was compered by Maestro Peter Bandy and also included a premiere performance of an art song by emerging Australian composer and St Paul’s Alumna, Alisha Redmond.

The Kammer Konzert was a great opportunity for Academy musicians to perform together in a small ensembles format before they commence rehearsals with a large ensemble focus next semester.

The evening also featured an emotive exhibition of artworks by cross-campus students studying Visual Arts that served to complement and advance the aesthetic aims of the music performed.

The St Paul’s Academy of Music is open to students by audition and offers a dedicated focus through timetabled classes for the development of students’ chamber and orchestral skills.  With professionally delivered instrumental and vocal workshops in addition to combined, cross-campus orchestral and choral rehearsals, Academy students will have opportunities to perform at a range of venues.

For further information about the St Paul’s Academy of Music; or to arrange an audition, please contact our Academy of Music Coordinator, Mr Benjamin Sim via email, bsim@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

LITTLE LEGENDS

Years 2 to 4 students recently travelled to the Traralgon Campus to have the pleasure of meeting authors of ‘Little Legends’, Adrian Beck and Nicole Hayes, along with the book’s illustrator, James Hart.

The authors talked about how they met, how much they all love AFL and how they created their characters by ‘squishing’ the best of people they know into the character.

The group held a very funny quiz session with students and teachers, and James led an interesting drawing session which the students loved.  Adrian also held a small, informative writing workshop for a group of students later in the day.

The visit was a result of a donation the school had made last year to ‘Authors for Fireys’, an initiative that was established in the wake of the 2019/2020 bushfires.  Many authors donated signed books, visits, writer services and experiences as part of an online auction, with all proceeds going towards firefighters.

Students eagerly lined up to purchase some new books and have them autographed by the creative collective.

Traralgon Junior School student, Hayley, spoke on behalf of her mum (Captain of the Traralgon CFA) to thank the school for the donation and advise that the money went towards a thermal imaging camera that is used to ensure that hot spots are tracked and extinguished.

 

FINANCE NEWS

Annual Fee Account
Families have been receiving monthly statements via email to keep them informed of fee balances.  If you have any queries in relation to your annual fee account, please contact Mr Peter Lees on 5623 5833.  As detailed on the second page of the account, payment options are:

Direct Debit:
All families are encouraged to participate in the School’s direct debit payment arrangement for fortnightly or monthly instalments.
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 on the School website at this link,  https://stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/enrolment/school-fees/

Instalments (due dates):
Instalment 1 was due 12 February 2021
Instalment 2 was due 9 April 2021
Instalment 3 is due 4 June 2021
Instalment 4 is due 13 August 2021

The third instalment is due on Friday 4 June.

Sundry Accounts
Term 2 sundry invoices for any co-curricular activities such as Performing Arts and VET Courses will be issued on 18 June.   These invoices have fourteen day payment terms.

 

ST PAUL’S PARENT PRAYER GROUP

If you are interested in getting together with other parents of the school to pray, you are most welcome to join our prayer group:

Held on the first Monday of the month, our next gathering is 7 June, in the Prideaux Centre, Warragul Junior School, 9:00 am
Contact: Sheryn Cutler 0417 158 937 or the Junior School office for more information.

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

Traralgon Secondary School

From the Head of Traralgon Secondary School, Mr Brad McCabe. Dear Parents and Guardians, Our Years 9 and 10 students will be completing their Semester …

view ARTICLE

Traralgon Secondary School

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

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Our Years 9 and 10 students will be completing their Semester 1 examinations next week.  One of the aims of examinations at Years 9 and 10 is the preparation of students for their future VCE examinations.  As such, we will be simulating this environment to ensure our students experience similar conditions.

Here are some tips for successful examination study:

1. Pick a place and time
Everyone has their own idea about the best place and time to study.  Whether it is your bedroom at night or the library after school, find a study space and a regular study time that works for you and stick with it.  Your study space should be quiet, comfortable and distraction-free.  It should make you feel happy and inspired.  Remove your phone from this space.

2. Study every day
If you study a little bit every day, you will be continually reviewing things in your mind.  This helps you understand things.  It also helps you avoid the stress of last-minute cramming.

3. Discover your learning style
Most of us have a preferred way of learning.  Get to know the learning style you are most comfortable with and study in the ways you learn best.

Note that these styles are just a way to think about different studying techniques – they are not hard and fast rules that say you should only study in one way.  Try each of these out and see which ways you prefer.

Auditory learners prefer to learn by listening.  Try reading your notes aloud and discussing them with other people.  You might like to record key points and play them back.

Visual learners prefer to learn by seeing.  Try using colours in your notes and draw diagrams to help represent key points.  You could try to remember some ideas as images.

Tactile/kinesthetic learners prefer to learn by doing. Try using techniques like role-playing or building models to revise key points.

4. Ask for help
If you are stuck on something or something just does not seem to make sense, you can always ask for help.  Talk to your teachers or lecturers about the things you do not understand.  Talk to your friends and fellow students too.

5. Look after yourself
You will study better if you take care of yourself.  Make sure you eat well and get enough sleep and physical exercise.  Do not reward yourself with too many sugary or fatty snacks or push yourself to study late into the night.  It is also a good idea to make sure you drink lots of water when you are studying.

For more tips go to, http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/study-and-training/help-with-study/how-to-study-better/top-10-study-tips

 

Examination Timetable

YEAR 10
Monday 31 May,  VCE Biology,  11:05 am to 12:40 pm
Tuesday 1 June,  VCE Health and Human Development,  9:00 am to 10:40 am
Wednesday 2 June,  Year 10 English,  9:00 am to 11:10 am
Year 10 Maths and Maths A,  1:30 pm to 3:10 pm
Thursday 3 June,  Year 10 Science,  1:30 pm to 3: 10 pm

YEAR 9
Wednesday 2 June,  Year 9 English,  9:00 am to 11:10 am
Year 9 Maths and Maths A,  1:30 pm to 3:10 pm
Thursday 3 June,  Year 10 Science,  1:30 pm to 3:10 pm
Student Free Day – Friday 4 June
Friday 4 June
is a student free day.  Friday 4 June will also be a catch-up day for any Years 9 or 10 student who missed an exam or has overdue/incomplete or unsatisfactory work requiring re-submission.  They will be required to come to school to complete this.

Garden Club
Below are some pictures of our students planting the Secondary School’s winter crop.  We look forward to harvesting fresh, homegrown produce in a few months time; kale, lettuce, chives, spinach, coriander, silverbeet and beetroot will be on the menu.

Brad McCabe
Head of Traralgon Secondary School

 

WHAT’S ON

JUNE
4 June  Curriculum and Assessment Day (STUDENT FREE DAY)

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

 

CAREER WISE TESTING

The school has once again engaged the services of an independent company, Career Wise Pty Ltd, to provide valuable careers information to students and their parents prior to subject choices being made for the VCE years.

Career Wise Pty Ltd is a Melbourne based firm of psychologists who provide career assessment, guidance and planning services for students and adults.  The Career Wise testing program is designed to assist students in making sensible and personally meaningful career decisions.

Students will participate in an assessment session at school in Mentor Groups, introduced by Mrs Cumming later this term.  The completed tests will then be returned to Career Wise who will produce each student’s individual career report.

Each student will receive an Interpretive Report containing a comprehensive description of interest orientation, aptitude information and descriptions of other factors relevant to the student’s education and career decisions.  The report is written in straightforward, non-technical language and the information is also represented graphically for easier comprehension.

It is our intention that the data provided by Career Wise will become a fundamental tool for both home and the school as subject choices are made by Year 10 students for VCE.  The data will continue to be of value beyond secondary school.

Deborah Cumming
Head of Careers and VET Coordinator

 

ACADEMY’S FIRST KAMMER KONZERT

The St Paul’s Academy of Music recently held its first Kammer Konzert – a performance consisting of chamber works presented by Academy musicians from Years 3 to 12, from across the school’s Warragul and Traralgon Campuses.

Held at the Warragul Secondary School, the evening featured some students performing on a recently restored grand piano made by Julius Feurich in 1906 that was donated to the school last year.

The concert was compered by Maestro Peter Bandy and also included a premiere performance of an art song by emerging Australian composer and St Paul’s Alumna, Alisha Redmond.

The Kammer Konzert was a great opportunity for Academy musicians to perform together in a small ensembles format before they commence rehearsals with a large ensemble focus next semester.

The evening also featured an emotive exhibition of artworks by cross-campus students studying Visual Arts that served to complement and advance the aesthetic aims of the music performed.

The St Paul’s Academy of Music is open to students by audition and offers a dedicated focus through timetabled classes for the development of students’ chamber and orchestral skills.  With professionally delivered instrumental and vocal workshops in addition to combined, cross-campus orchestral and choral rehearsals, Academy students will have opportunities to perform at a range of venues.

For further information about the St Paul’s Academy of Music; or to arrange an audition, please contact our Academy of Music Coordinator, Mr Benjamin Sim via email, bsim@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

 

SEISA WINTER JUNIOR SPORTS

St Paul’s SEISA Junior Winter round robin was played on Thursday 20 May where all teams came away with some outstanding results and reviews from our first round played together for the very first time in 2021.  AFLW came away with a remarkable win against Beaconhills College Pakenham with a score of 82-9.  Most players from both campuses have never played football before, so to come away with a win like this was super exciting for our girls.  They are all very keen to get back onto the field again.

AFL came away with an unfortunate loss but managed to stand their ground, play as a team and represent the St Paul’s name in a positive way.  Their score was 78-49.

Girls Basketball A and B teams both lost but still represented our school positively and both played great games.  A team’s score was 38-29 and the B team, 39-21.

The Boys Soccer team had a nail-biting 3-3 draw and are now eager to show off their skills next time round.  Girls Soccer on the other hand had a remarkable win with the final score, 9-0.

The mixed Hockey team unfortunately came away with a 1-0 loss to Beaconhills College Pakenham but they are not giving up for their next round.

Our MVP Awards went to students who represented their team well and showed great leadership and skills on the day.  Girls Basketball A – Tasman Leahy.  Girls Basketball B – Phoebe Cooper and Elyse O’Brien.  Boys Soccer – Jett Koppen.  Girls Soccer – Claudia Buhagiar.

All the staff who coached on the day had many great things to say about our students and they should all be so proud of their effort.

 

BOHO FRIDAY FOR PONILALA

Traralgon Junior and Secondary School students are invited to attend ‘Boho Friday for Ponilala’ taking place during both secondary and junior lunchtimes at the Secondary School on Friday 18 June.  This is the fundraising activity for East Timor we have run in the past, where students can have their nails done, hair braided or feathered and henna body art or tattoos done (Years 3 and above only are recommended for tattoos).

The money raised will go towards building new school rooms at the school we built and support in Ponilala Village.

A parent consent form will need to be signed for students under thirteen to receive henna body art.  This will be handed out in class closer to the day.  However we would advise students who have a skin condition or sensitive skin not to have one, in case of a reaction.  We will also run our Fair Trade stall, with goods from $1 through to $30 including bags, jewellery, purses, scrunchies, caps, baskets and more, all made in East Timor.

If you have any queries or would like to know more, please contact Annie Cornwall or Kirsten Enders on 5175 9222 or by email at acornwall@stpaulsags.vic.edu or kenders@stpaulags.vic.edu.au

 

FINANCE NEWS

Annual Fee Account
Families have been receiving monthly statements via email to keep them informed of fee balances.  If you have any queries in relation to your annual fee account, please contact Mr Peter Lees on 5623 5833.  As detailed on the second page of the account, payment options are:

Direct Debit:
All families are encouraged to participate in the School’s direct debit payment arrangement for fortnightly or monthly instalments.
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 on the School website at this link,  https://stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/enrolment/school-fees/

Instalments (due dates):
Instalment 1 was due 12 February 2021
Instalment 2 was due 9 April 2021
Instalment 3 is due 4 June 2021
Instalment 4 is due 13 August 2021

The third instalment is due on Friday 4 June.

Sundry Accounts
Term 2 sundry invoices for any co-curricular activities such as Performing Arts and VET Courses will be issued on 18 June.  These invoices have fourteen day payment terms.

From the Chaplain

SEASONS OF THE SOUL Our lives are governed by seasons of all sorts and it is amazing how much our perspective on life is influenced …

view ARTICLE

From the Chaplain

SEASONS OF THE SOUL

Our lives are governed by seasons of all sorts and it is amazing how much our perspective on life is influenced by the season we are in.  Even seasonal entertainment has an impact.  During a season of ‘Lego Masters’ everyone suddenly gets inspired to play with Lego.  During a season of ‘Ninja Warrior’ there are kids hanging off doorways and climbing anything they can.  Of course, it is no different with the weather.  Spring gets everyone out exercising; Summer has us heading to the nearest beach or pool; Winter is all about onesies, heaters, books and puzzles.  There is a time and a place for everything.  Communities experience seasons too and we have been reflecting on some of the seasons of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School at our School Anniversary services.

Just as there are seasons in nature, there are seasons in our lives.  Each season does an important thing.  Each season is necessary and it helps to know what season it is because recognising the season helps us to respond appropriately.

There are spring seasons in life where we are starting new things.  New friendships, new ventures, new goals.  These are exciting times.  Summer seasons in life are times of warmth and fun and relaxation.  Wouldn’t it be nice if life was summer all the time?  It sounds good but an endless summer leads to drought and death.  It is not sustainable.  Enjoy those summer seasons in life but do not be fooled into thinking they will last forever.  Summer too is a season that passes.

Autumn is a maturing time.  A working time.  This is where a lot of us fall down.  This is the study before the exam, the practice before the performance, the training before the competition.  You are a “newbie”, a beginner no longer and more is expected of you.  You are still growing but that growth is slower and deeper.  Autumn is where real progress is made.  It can be a hard season but it also has its own beauty.

And then there are life’s winters.  Winter does some important work.  The roots go deep in winter.  The earth is replenished and prepares for spring, catches its breath and nourishes itself; and things die in winter.  That is hard for us.  We want everything to keep on going all the time.  It can’t.  There is not enough space in our life; there is not enough time in our life.  There is a necessary time in our life to let things go.  Winters can be a sad time but they too do not last forever.

Whatever season you are in, there are a couple of things that can be helpful to remember.  Firstly, seasons are temporary.  They do not last.  If you are in a good season, enjoy it with the knowledge that it may not always be there.  If you are in a tough season, take comfort in the knowledge that it is not forever.  Secondly, seasons change but God is constant.  There are two things that will always be in every season of your life – you and God.  Now you may be more aware of one than the other but in any season of life that you experience, God will be somewhere in it with you.

In words made famous in song, the writer of Ecclesiastes writes, “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).

Whatever life looks like for you right now, remember that seasons change but God is constant and is with us regardless of the season.

Reverend Daniel Lowe
Senior Chaplain