Warragul Secondary School

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

WELCOME BACK
It was an exciting day on Tuesday when we finally welcomed back our Years 7 to 9 cohorts to Warragul Secondary School.  It was a frosty morning but that did not stop many of our staff from assembling at the front of the school to greet students and families as they arrived.  Despite connecting with our students online each day we really have missed their physical presence on campus and this week has been pleasing to see them and watch them reconnect with their learning, teachers and friends.  We can see that there have been some positive outcomes from learning at home including an increased level of independence and a new appreciation of how beneficial having the teacher physically in the room is.  I was astounded to walk amongst our Year 8 cohort and see some physical changes as well.  Increased access to the fridge has obviously spurred on some growth as they now tower above me.

We currently have a number of measures in place at school to try and ensure we minimise the chance of transmission of COVID-19.  We are patiently awaiting the next announcement from the State Government which will inform us as to whether those measures will remain in place for Term 3 or whether we can resume elements of our program.  We do not anticipate an announcement until the official school holidays begin but please be assured that we will communicate with our families in a timely fashion.

With just a week of school left until holidays commence we would appreciate if families could continue to keep any student who has cold or flu-like symptoms at home.  If your child or any member of your household, is tested for COVID-19 it is necessary that you keep your child home until the outcome of the test has been communicated.  We would also appreciate notification of testing as soon as it is practical to ensure that we can minimise the risk of transmission here at school.  Our teaching staff are well aware of how important it is to keep students home and they are ready to support our students who are absent for this reason.

I would like to remind families that we begin our mid-year break at 3:30 pm on Friday 19 June.  Term 2 has been unlike any that we have experienced before and although our students have returned with enthusiasm, we do recognise that many are tired from a long period of online learning.  We really hope that the upcoming holidays will be a wonderful opportunity to rest, disconnect from technology and recharge in anticipation of our return on Tuesday 14 July.

After weeks of remote learning from home, our Year 12 students are enjoying the face to face contact with their friends and teachers.
We asked a few of them what they thought about coming back to campus.
Stacie – “I think it is just great to get back to school into a learning environment instead of being stuck at home and you can work alongside your friends and just really bounce off each other which makes it a lot easier.”
Max – “It’s great to see all my friends again although I must say I do miss sleeping in and only waking up five minutes before class starts.”
Sophie – “I really do love my pyjamas and staying in bed but I really do love coming back to school and seeing all my teachers and friends.”
Jesse – “I couldn’t be more excited – it’s great to be back, it’s great to be around the people we love and it’s great to be doing the assessments at school, rather than at home.”
Mia – “It’s fantastic to come back and be able to talk to our teachers and actually see them face to face and get more feedback, and of course see our friends!”
Elyse – “I think face to face learning is a lot more beneficial for our Year 12 experience and Year 12 is such a social year that it’s really great to spend it with everyone.”

FORMAL WINTER UNIFORM
We understand that families may not have been able to purchase all of the formal winter uniform during the latter part of Term 2.  We have made some concessions in these last weeks of Term 2 but we hope that all families will be able to use the mid-year break to ensure that their child’s uniform is updated, properly fitting and ready for the commencement of Term 3.

‘AGAINST ALL ODDS’ – A PARODY 
Prior to our students returning to on-campus learning the staff at Warragul Secondary School created a short tribute to our students which was posted on our Facebook page.  I have had a number of parents, who do not have a Facebook account, request to see us in action.  So please click here to view ‘Against All Odds’ – A Parody directed and produced by staff member Ira Ahrens and, Lauren Clark and Matthew McPhee from the Class of 2018.

Ms Laura Butterworth
Head of Warragul Secondary School

 

WARRAGUL RECEPTION HOLIDAY HOURS

Monday 22 June to Friday 10 July, open 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

 

DOBSONS UNIFORM SHOP

Dobsons ask for your patience while they observe social distancing.  They will have set limits for the number of customers allowed inside for each store.

You can also purchase uniforms via ‘click and collect’ from the Dobsons website for those wishing to have a contactless transaction and you may collect this on trading days.  Dobsons School Uniforms Online

 

MYSTPAULS APP PHASE OUT

The previously announced mid-year phase out of the MyStPauls app is approaching.

Many parents expressed frustration with the app in response to a survey at the end of last year and as it is provided by an outside company using a template, the school had no way to make any of the improvements suggested by parents.  The best way to access MyStPauls on a mobile in the future will be via https://my.stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/ using a phone internet browser.  This version of MyStPauls has all the features that were in the app although it does look slightly different.

However, using a laptop, computer or tablet will provide the best viewing experience of MyStPauls, if you have access to them.

The school’s IT department is available to help any parents access MyStPauls via a mobile browser.

 

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL 2020

I would like to formally introduce you to the student elected members of our Student Representative Council for the 2020 academic school year.  These students meet each fortnight to consider and implement innovative ways to support the St Paul’s Secondary School community and be a proactive voice for the student body.

Year 7

Liv Comben

Haridu Kahandawa Appuhamillage

Irene Kishaan

Thomas Prestidge

Suleyman Shamsi

Year 8

Amelia Sowerby

Sophie Reid

Jessica Hunt

Year 9

Taliesin Lowe

Gopika Menon

Anna Tsuchida

Lachlan Weeks

 

Year 10
Jordyn Cahill

Genevieve Duck

Year 11

 

Tessa Grubb

Kerry Missingham

Year 12

 

Jarra Davis

Phoebe O’Connor

In the first meeting this year the SRC Mission Statement and Objectives were revisited to determine their relevance and to consider their suitability to meet the needs of the student body.  It was decided that the Mission Statement was continuing to encapsulate the intention of the SRC.  Furthermore, the Objectives were individually considered and an additional Objective was proposed by Sophie Reid one of our 2020 Year 8 SRC representatives.  The students then considered the appropriate way to express the new idea and objective.  After much discussion the SRC presented the new objective ‘To promote community safety in online and personal spaces at school as well as the wider community.’  Pleasingly, Sophie’s proposed objective and motion was carried with unanimous support by the SRC.

SRC 2020 MISSION STATEMENT
We strive to improve our school community and environment with innovative and considered solutions grounded in our school values.

SRC 2020 OBJECTIVES
•  Improve the physical environment and learning spaces
•  Build connections within our school community
•  Focus on ways in which we can support students and run wellbeing activities
•  Provide a forum for student voices
•  To promote community safety in online and personal spaces at school as well as the wider community.

The SRC meetings are currently chaired by the two Year 12 Presidents Jarra Davis and Phoebe O’Connor.  These two senior students are leading by example and demonstrating to the younger SRC students how to chair a meeting, how to work as a team and how to value the strengths that individuals contribute to a collective group dynamic.

The recent publication of SRC CONNECT, our first student newspaper, was a direct result of this group of compassionate students wanting to connect with their peers and be a voice for their generation during the recent period of isolation.  Out of this challenging period has emerged a new way for the SRC to work in a collaborative professional space over the ‘Microsoft TEAMS’ platform, to make positive contributions to their community and to share their voices in a way that had not previously been considered.

There is no doubt that these young people are passionate about their community and are an impressive voice for their individual year levels as well as their generation at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School.

Leonie Clark
Deputy Head of Secondary – Warragul Campus

 

Traralgon Junior School

From the Head of Traralgon Junior School, Ms Tracey King. Semester 1 has certainly been unexpected, challenging and unusual.  As a new team member and …

view ARTICLE

Traralgon Junior School

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

Semester 1 has certainly been unexpected, challenging and unusual.  As a new team member and Head of Traralgon Junior School, I am still meeting students and parents and getting to know everyone at St Paul’s.  COVID-19 and online learning have made this rather more difficult and the return to onsite learning almost feels like we are starting the year all over again.  After such an extended time away from school, I am sure many of our children will also be feeling a mix of emotions as they settle back into routines and will be working hard to reconnect with classmates and teachers.

On Tuesday this week our Years 3 to 6 students returned and joined the Prep to Year 2 students at school.  There was much excitement and big smiles as students arrived and were greeted by teachers who had dressed up for some fun and frivolity.  Teachers loved the opportunity to wave to parents in their cars and welcome back students.  It is wonderful to finally all be back together.

Everyone is to be congratulated for their flexibility and willingness to adhere to our new processes.  Our morning arrivals and afternoon departures have been very smooth and efficient.  Many thanks to all families for their cooperation and to our teachers for taking such good care of students as they have adjusted.  Students have also been doing a marvellous job with hand washing, using sanitiser, keeping their work spaces tidy and clean, using designated play spaces and understanding the need for changes to our timetable and gatherings.

As we head into the final week of Term, I would like to remind parents to advise the Junior School office if anyone in their family is being tested for COVID-19.  Students are to remain at home until tests have returned negative.  Parents are thanked in anticipation for their cooperation.

The remainder of the term will be busy as classes re-establish relationships and focus on wellbeing as well as resetting ready for learning.  We have a few whole school activities organised to acknowledge the hard work and efforts of students and teachers and to finish the term together with positivity and a sense of community:
•  We will be kicking off Jump Rope for Heart with each student receiving their own rope and practising their jumping skills.  Our Jump Off Day will be in Term 3.
•  All students will participate in a writing task to describe what life was like during isolation.  Along with photos that have been submitted for our memory board, we will be collating these pieces of writing into a school journal titled ‘My Corona Story 2020’.
•  Students will create a special artwork to reflect their Term 2 experiences and will be given the opportunity for their artwork to be sealed onto a melamine plate as a keepsake.
•  On Friday 19 June, our final day of term, students and teachers are invited to wear their pyjamas to school and enjoy a little bit of fun together as the term concludes.

Further details about these activities will be sent home shortly.  It is hoped that all students will engage and contribute to these final special events for Term 2.

Prep students have returned to school full of energy and excited to be back with their friends and to see their teachers.  They have taken advantage of the lovely autumn/winter weather and have been on ‘bushwalks’ to the wetlands gate and the trees behind the Secondary School.  They did a lot of exploring with magnifying glasses to discover mini-worlds.

Year 1 students have had such fun upon their return to school over the past few weeks!  Students have celebrated being together again in so many ways.  Everyone loves the new sports equipment (hoops, balls and ropes) and playing with their friends again!

Year 2 students have been learning about natural resources during Science lessons.  As part of this, they viewed ‘The Lorax’ to help with their understanding of sustainability.  By using a VCOP chart they recorded all of the WOW words that were used during this film.  Following that, they wrote an exposition on the reasons why they did or did not like the movie.

Singing the National Anthem COVID-19 style, Years 3 to 6 sport without equipment and working through some Math tasks filled their first week back.  Returning to school meant some things changed and some things stayed the same.  Overall, it was great to have the children back in the arms of St Paul’s where they belong.  Welcome back Year 3!

The Year 4s have returned to school and started to develop a memory book about their experiences surrounding COVID-19, a personal time capsule to record history in the making.  While students were at home they developed a game that would take into account the social distancing rules required during this unprecedented time and this week students tested these out with their peers.  The Year 4 teachers also set up percussion cup challenges to develop their hand-eye co-rdination and rhythm skills.

The sun is shining, the teachers are singing and dancing, and Year 5 are back!  What a wonderful return to school they have had in Year 5!  They have taken advantage of the beautiful weather to splash some colour and positive messages around the school.

While remote learning, Year 6 students measured the weather and were given the opportunity to watch some instructional videos to show them how to make a weather vane, a barometer, an anemometer and a rain gauge.  They had to choose a project, source their own materials, negotiate with their parents for time and space and then make their models.  On returning to school, they demonstrated their working models, explained how they worked and suggested how they might improve their prototype.  They discussed why we monitor wind, air pressure and precipitation and then studied more extreme weather events.

I wish everyone a safe and restful holiday break and look forward to the start of Term 3.

Tracey King
Head of Traralgon Junior School

 

DOBSONS UNIFORM SHOP

Dobsons ask for your patience while they observe social distancing.  They will have set limits for the number of customers allowed inside for each store.

You can also purchase uniforms via ‘click and collect’ from the Dobsons website for those wishing to have a contactless transaction and you may collect this on trading days.  Dobsons School Uniforms Online

 

MYSTPAULS APP PHASE OUT

The previously announced mid-year phase out of the MyStPauls app is approaching.

Many parents expressed frustration with the app in response to a survey at the end of last year and as it is provided by an outside company using a template, the school had no way to make any of the improvements suggested by parents.  The best way to access MyStPauls on a mobile in the future will be via https://my.stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/ using a phone internet browser.  This version of MyStPauls has all the features that were in the app although it does look slightly different.

However, using a laptop, computer or tablet will provide the best viewing experience of MyStPauls, if you have access to them.

The school’s IT department is available to help any parents access MyStPauls via a mobile browser.

 

ARTIST OF THE WEEK

Students in Year 6 Art were asked to reproduce their version of a famous artwork.  Our artist of the week, Sahanna Harikrishna, reproduced Claude Monet’s ‘Water Lily Pond’.  A special mention goes to Amelia Wells for her take on van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night’.

 

RECONCILIATION WEEK

We at St Paul’s ELC value, respect and acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures every day.  This is something we consider in our practice with children irrespective of where we are in Australia or the diversity present in the community, we are part of.

Reconciliation is part of the expectation of the National Quality Framework (NQF). On the 26 May we identified and explored ‘Sorry Day’ with the students and began reconciliation celebrations.  We have some amazing pieces of art in the ELC Created by ‘Aunty Nan’.   Annette Channing is a Monaro Ngarigo Woman and is passionate about sharing her story through art and creating stories for our youngest learners at St Paul’s.  Aunty Nan also took the opportunity to send us a clip of herself reading a traditional Aboriginal legend on how birds got their colours.  This story was shared amongst the children and their families via MyStPauls.

‘In this together’ Hendrix making his contribution.

Poppy creating her own flag.

 

Traralgon Secondary School

From the Head of Traralgon Secondary School, Mr Brad McCabe. Dear Parents, Unfortunately, the reality of COVID-19 is not quite over and there is still …

view ARTICLE

Traralgon Secondary School

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

Dear Parents,

Unfortunately, the reality of COVID-19 is not quite over and there is still a considerable amount of uncertainty.  The circumstances of this situation have impacted students, parents and teachers in different ways.  What is consistent is that we have all experienced this event together and we are at various levels of transition and adjustment across our school community.  Emotions during this time have varied amongst our students.  For some students, it has been an opportunity to enjoy learning independently and embracing online lessons.  Others have enjoyed the opportunity to learn new things, while some students have found the experience challenging.  St Paul’s is fortunate to have supportive and understanding teachers who are working hard to transition all students back to face-to-face teaching, establishing social and friendships connections and provide routine and stability.  As we all adjust to new habits, it is important that parents check on their child’s health and wellbeing and encourage them to focus on things they enjoy and value, as this will help them to remain motivated and ensure their sense of belonging.

To ensure the ongoing safety of our school community, we would appreciate it if families could continue to keep any student who has cold or flu-like symptoms at home.  If your child or any member of your household is tested for COVID-19, it is necessary that you keep your child at home until the outcome of the test has been communicated.  We would also appreciate notification of testing as soon as possible to ensure that we can minimise the risk of transmission here at school.  Our teaching staff are well aware of how important it is to keep students home and they are ready to support our students who are absent for this reason.

Families are reminded that there are some changes at school with increased hygiene practices and social distancing, as recommended by the Victorian Chief Health Officer and the Department of Education.  Teachers will share these new routines with students and assist with the adjustment to these changes.  The changes include, but are not limited to, the following:
•  Bubble taps are not operational and students are required to bring drink bottles.  A tap will be available for filling water bottles for student use.
•  There will be plenty of soap and hand sanitiser available across the school for student and staff use.  Students will be encouraged to use both frequently throughout the day and particularly before and after food breaks.
•  Students will be kept, as much as possible, in year level groups and will have separate toilet block access and general use areas.
•  Playground equipment will not be available for use; however, students will have access to other equipment which will be cleaned regularly.
•  The canteen will be accepting lunch orders but will not be open for purchases during breaks.  All orders will be delivered to year level areas.  Order forms are available on the MyStPauls Year Level pages and at reception.  These forms must be handed to reception no later than 9:15 am each morning.

Brad McCabe
Head of Traralgon Secondary School

7A students engaging in their English class.

Year 9 students using their designated area to play a game of handball.

Siblings Jude and Kate Henne, and Ella May are happy to be back at school together.

 

TRARALGON SECONDARY SCHOOL OFFICE HOLIDAY HOURS

Monday 22 June to Friday 26 June, open 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July, closed
Monday 6 July to Friday 10 July, open 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

 

MYSTPAULS APP PHASE OUT

The previously announced mid-year phase out of the MyStPauls app is approaching.

Many parents expressed frustration with the app in response to a survey at the end of last year and as it is provided by an outside company using a template, the school had no way to make any of the improvements suggested by parents.  The best way to access MyStPauls on a mobile in the future will be via https://my.stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/ using a phone internet browser.  This version of MyStPauls has all the features that were in the app although it does look slightly different.

However, using a laptop, computer or tablet will provide the best viewing experience of MyStPauls, if you have access to them.

The school’s IT department is available to help any parents access MyStPauls via a mobile browser.

 

WELCOME BACK YEARS 7 TO 9 STUDENTS

Friday 15 May saw the genesis of the ‘Welcome Back to Traralgon Campus’ video!  Nathan Byrne, Ben Sim and Andie Browne (with the approval of the Traralgon Heads of School) commenced planning for an extravaganza which showcased many staff members across the Traralgon Secondary and Traralgon Juniour Schools.  Teaching, support and maintenance staff – all of whom play a pivotal role in our campus were filmed joyfully beckoning to, waving at and encouraging the final cohort of students due to return on 9 June.

Whilst many hours went into the planning, writing of lyrics to a classical piece of music, recording the vocals, filming the clips and editing, it was a delightful and most rewarding project to produce.

Please click here … and enjoy!

Andie Browne
Individualised Education Program

 

 

CASUAL CLOTHES DAY FOR EAST TIMOR

Our normal fundraising events for East Timor have been unable to occur this term, so we are holding a casual clothes day on the last day of Term 2, Friday 19 June.

All students who wear casual clothes must pay $2 to go towards our much-needed fundraising efforts for schools in the Ermera district, who have also been affected by the pandemic.  Any further donations are always welcome!

We will also have a fair-trade stall operating on this day.

The new building at Ponilala Village School, funded by all our efforts at St Paul’s, is almost completed.  This is a wonderful achievement from both campuses and our parent helpers.  A group of teachers from St Paul’s would have visited the school in the upcoming holidays, however, will now visit next year if travel restrictions are lifted.

We need to keep up our awareness and fundraising activities, as Malimea Village School in Ermera has now requested our help to build a new English Language classroom, which will take approximately $10,000 to $12,000 Australian dollars to build.

Keep an eye out for future fundraising efforts, including our East Timor Coffee.  If you would like to assist in any way, please contact Kirsten Enders via email, kenders@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Kirsten Enders
Head of Year 10 – Traralgon Campus


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 via video on Thursday 11 June.  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 Cummings
Head of Careers and VET Coordinator

 

PERFORMING ARTS SPOTLIGHT

During Term 2 all students involved in our individual and ensemble program have been taking part in an online learning experience like no other.  Tuesday 9 June was a special day for Performing Arts at St Paul’s Traralgon as music filled our corridors once more.  It is wonderful for our students to be able to once again perform in person, as well as to reignite musical bonds that are not as possible in an online environment.

Nathan Byrne
Head of Performing Arts – Traralgon Campus

 

DOBSONS UNIFORM SHOP

Dobsons ask for your patience while they observe social distancing.  They will have set limits for the number of customers allowed inside for each store.

You can also purchase uniforms via ‘click and collect’ from the Dobsons website for those wishing to have a contactless transaction and you may collect this on trading days.  Dobsons School Uniforms Online

 

From the Principal

All schools in Australia receive Government funding in return for the taxes that we all pay.  In the case of independent schools like St Paul’s, …

view ARTICLE

From the Principal

All schools in Australia receive Government funding in return for the taxes that we all pay.  In the case of independent schools like St Paul’s, the funding mainly comes from the Commonwealth.  Most of the State funding goes to Government schools.  The amount of funding provided to a school will be a strong determinant of fee levels.  As Independent Schools are non-profit organisations, the more funding that a school receives, in general, the lower the school fees.  At St Paul’s, we aim to keep fees as low as possible without compromising our level of service or the standard of our facilities.  Additionally, we are assisting families who have approached us because of the financial hurt experienced as a result of COVID-19.

In 2018, I expressed a concern that changes to the current Commonwealth funding model for schools might be changed in a manner that could be disadvantageous to some independent schools.  Two years later, in 2020, we find ourselves potentially in exactly that position, with regional and outer metropolitan schools particularly at risk.  The Education Minister, Dan Tehan, was good enough to phone me personally to discuss the matter recently after approaches to the Minister made on my behalf by local parliamentarians Russell Broadbent and Darren Chester.  While the telephone call was reassuring at the time, subsequent statements from the Minister have me more than a little concerned that many schools in regional areas will not be funded fairly under the new system due to be introduced in 2022.

Uncertainty over school funding is nothing new in Australia.  We have lived with this kind of uncertainty many times before.  Nonetheless, this particular proposed change in methodology is clearly flawed in its current form and many regional schools will be greatly disadvantaged from 2022 unless a review is conducted and a fair methodology is implemented.  Rural communities have had enough adversity to deal with recently without being treated unfairly with school funding.

As the end of the semester approaches, I wish to acknowledge the extraordinary commitment of our staff and congratulate our students on their efforts and achievements during this highly unusual period in our history.  I thank our families for the understanding and support shown to the school throughout this time and I wish everyone a safe, enjoyable and refreshing mid-year break.

Cameron Herbert
Principal

Warragul Junior School

From the Head of Warragul Junior School, Mr Rowan van Raay. Welcome back Years 3 to 6 students Finally, we have the majority of our …

view ARTICLE

Warragul Junior School

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

Welcome back Years 3 to 6 students
Finally, we have the majority of our students back on campus and it feels like school again.  The smiling faces and excitement around at drop-off time on Tuesday was wonderful.  I did note how quickly some parents drove off, just to ensure they were free again and the students were all ours!  I think we all agree that Remote Learning had definitely run its course.

I again thank families for their patience and for following our drop off and pick up guidelines.  We will continue with the same process for the remainder of the term.  Please always remember to drive carefully through our school grounds.

Please continue to monitor your child/ren’s health and we ask that you do not send them to school if they are presenting unwell.  Parents are asked to notify the school if any family members are being tested for COVID-19 and their results.  Children are asked to remain home until the test results are returned.

A reminder that we request that (parents/carers) should remain in their cars at drop off and pick up times and should you need to come on campus for any reason that you contact the Junior School office on 5622 6131.  Please share this information if someone else is dropping off or collecting your child/ren.  Please continue to email or call staff should you wish to speak to them.

Family Ski Camp Cancelled
Unfortunately due to timeframes for payment and current restrictions (due to COVID-19) we have had to make the decision to cancel our Family Ski Camp this year.  We will look forward to it returning in 2021.

Canteen
Our canteen is fully functional once again.  Could I please remind parents to only order off the menus listed for ELC (for ELC children) or Junior School (for Junior School children).

Uniform
I understand that some families are still waiting to purchase items for their children.  Please do not stress, we have allowed some extra time for families to visit the uniform shop to get this sorted. Hopefully we will see all students back to wearing the full uniform requirements by the commencement of Term 3.

Semester 1 Reports
Semester 1 Reports will be sent home with students next Friday.  These have been modified due to the remote learning that has taken place for most of Term 2.  Please notify the office if your child’s report does not make it home.

Casual Clothes Day
Next Friday we will finish what has been an unusual term, to say the least, with a fun casual clothes day.  (No gold coin is required).  It is the usual 3:10 pm and 3:20 pm pick up time.

This is our final newsletter for Semester 1.  I wish everyone a safe and relaxing three-week break and hope that you all get to enjoy some downtime at some stage.  I look forward to a more conventional Term 3 which commences on Tuesday 14 July.

Rowan van Raay
Head of Warragul Junior School

 

WARRAGUL RECEPTION HOLIDAY HOURS

Monday 22 June to Friday 10 July, open 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

 

MYSTPAULS APP PHASE OUT

The previously announced mid-year phase out of the MyStPauls app is approaching.

Many parents expressed frustration with the app in response to a survey at the end of last year and as it is provided by an outside company using a template, the school had no way to make any of the improvements suggested by parents.  The best way to access MyStPauls on a mobile in the future will be via https://my.stpaulsags.vic.edu.au/ using a phone internet browser.  This version of MyStPauls has all the features that were in the app although it does look slightly different.

However, using a laptop, computer or tablet will provide the best viewing experience of MyStPauls, if you have access to them.

The school’s IT department is available to help any parents access MyStPauls via a mobile browser.

 

DOBSONS UNIFORM SHOP

Dobson asks for your patience while they observe social distancing.  They will have set limits for the number of customers allowed inside for each store.

You can also purchase uniforms via ‘click and collect’ from the Dobsons website for those wishing to have a contactless transaction and you may collect this on trading days.  Dobsons School Uniforms Online

 

 

From the Chaplain

THE SINGING SWAGMAN. Well, it is time to pick up my swag and get back onto the road again.  My time here at St Paul’s …

view ARTICLE

From the Chaplain

THE SINGING SWAGMAN.

Well, it is time to pick up my swag and get back onto the road again.  My time here at St Paul’s is at an end but I will be taking with me many fond memories.  I have appreciated deeply the friendship and support offered to me over the past two terms.  This painting is of a friend of mine who was the person who originally inspired and encouraged me to step out in faith, trust in God’s providence and seek to use art and storytelling as a way to share God’s love and hope with people from all walks of life.  He was called ‘The Singing Swagman’ and we both studied at Theological College together in Queensland as ministers.  At the young age of fifty-six he decided to leave the confines of the institutional church and with his small button accordion and swag he became a much-loved travelling entertainer and busker.  He touched many lives in a positive and profound way over the years and I will seek to continue to follow him on the wallaby track.

Lynton Allan
Chaplain