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

Welcome to Term 2
Welcome to Term 2 everyone. I hope you were able to enjoy some downtime over the Easter and holiday break. It is always nice to have a change of pace to recharge.
We welcome Miss Begg back from long service leave. We thank Ms Laughlin who has been filling in for Miss Begg and wish her well as she heads off on leave at the end of next week with the pending arrival of her first baby.
Best wishes to Mr Rock as he gets married tomorrow.
We also welcome Charlie Gibbons and his family to our Junior School. Charlie commenced in Year 3W1.

Traffic flow
As per my email correspondence to all families on Monday, a reminder that we have received information from the Baw Baw Shire in relation to the Brooker Park car park upgrade works. Works are expected to take approximately eight weeks, during which time the carpark will be inaccessible. We are unsure what access to the school there will be.
In light of the anticipated increased traffic during drop-off and pick-up times on campus, we have kindly requested families with children in Years 5 and 6 and/or Secondary School to utilise the Secondary School pick-up area instead of the Junior School lane.  Students would walk across with the bus walk over group with staff and meet their parents at the Secondary School at 3:30 pm. The Secondary School finishes at 3:10 pm each day and their pick-up area is usually clear by this time. This adjustment would potentially save time for parents, reduce congestion and allow us to better manage the flow of traffic at the end of the day. Please email us at WarragulJuniorAdminStaff@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au or call 5622 6131 if you are happy to make this adjustment and we will ensure your child/ren is added to our ‘walk over’ list.
Could I also remind families not to park and leave their car unattended in the pick-up lane after 3:15 pm, as this affects our traffic flow at the end of the day.

State Swimming
We wish Sasha Reidy (5W3) all the best as she represents St Paul’s at the State Swimming Championships today.  This is an outstanding achievement and Sasha should be proud of her efforts.

Year 6 Regional Tennis (individual)
Year 6 students, Peter Baker, Henry James, Jimmy Joyce-Biss and Siena Rikken will compete at the Regional Tennis tournament next Wednesday and we wish them well.

Year 6 Camp
Year 6 families will have received information regarding our upcoming Year 6 camp last week via Consent2Go. If you have not accessed this information as yet, could I please ask that you do this ASAP as the camp is in Week 3.

ANZAC Day Service
Junior School students will join with the Secondary School at the Lone Pine next Wednesday for our Prep to Year 12 ANZAC Day Service.  My thanks to Mr Barkla and the students who will be involved in running the service.  Our Junior School Captains, Anneke and Luke will attend the service in Warragul on ANZAC Day the following day. We have ANZAC and poppy badges for sale in the office – poppy badges are 20 cents and ANZAC badges are $1.

Uniform
A reminder that from Monday 29 April, students in Years 3 to 6 must wear the winter uniform, including the school blazer to and from school each day (students may wear shorts).

School Photos – Friday 17 May
School photos will be taken on Friday 17 May commencing with sibling photos from 8:30 am. A flyer showing how to register will be emailed to families soon and I ask that you register for sibling photos. Parents will order their photos online using their unique image codes that will be issued to all students on 17 May. Registration is simple, just follow the three simple steps on your child’s personalised flyer and remember to add the codes for all your children attending our school. Even if you registered last year, it is important that you do again this year using your child’s 2024 image code to link their images for the current year with your contact details. When images are ready to view and in the webshop, all parents who have registered will be notified by SMS and email. Once registered, please wait for notification that 2024 images are online to view before making your purchase.

Rowan van Raay
Head of Warragul Junior School

WHAT’S ON

APRIL
19 April State Swimming (selected students)
24 April ANZAC Day Service
25 April ANZAC Day Public Holiday
26 April Years 3 to 6 Cross Country
30 April to 3 May Year 6 Camp

MAY
6 May  Parent Prayer Group
7 May  Anniversary Service
9 May  Year 2 Coal Creek Excursion
10 May  Mother’s Day Stall
17 May  Family and School Photos
20 May  Division Cross Country (selected students)
22 May National Simultaneous Storytime

JUNE
3 June  Years 3 to 6 District Winter Sports
Parent Prayer Group
7 June  Year 3 Scienceworks Excursion
10 June  King’s Birthday Public Holiday
13 June Performing Arts Showcase, 7:00 pm (selected students only)
14 June Student Free Day
28 June  End of Term 2, 2:20 pm finish

From the Traralgon Head of Secondary School

Education in the age of ‘Smart Machines’
It was indeed a privilege to hear from leading Australian educators and academics as they discussed and presented their research in relation to issues and topics facing contemporary students and educators. In this and subsequent Grammarian articles, I would like to share some of the ideas and thinking presented for contemplation at the conference. This week I humbly present for your consideration some of my key takeaways and reflections from the opening Keynote address ‘Mass Personalisation and Entrepreneurial Thinking: Education in the Age of Smart Machines’ by Dr Yong Zhao, PhD Foundation Distinguished Professor School of Education and Human Sciences University of Kansas and Professor in Education Leadership Faculty of Education University of Melbourne.
Dr Zhao commenced his address by suggesting that to improve education for individual students in the future, we must continue to support and encourage students to focus on their unique skills and abilities. He stated that ” … every talent is valued when coupled with entrepreneurial skills’ and that this would be absolutely necessary in the future, to allow students to ‘develop to greatness’ in the age of smart machines.”
Zhao emphasised that “we really have not learned how to be good to each other”, and “that we have not taught people to share their skills and talents in a healthy co-dependence” to ultimately benefit humanity. He suggested that those students in the future who develop their individual gifts and talents, collaborate in a mutually beneficial codependence, and apply their abilities to identify problems that require solving, subsequently resolving those problems for the benefit of humanity; will be successful in the age of smart machines. Furthermore, Zhao acknowledged that the identification of problems “worth solving” is and will continue to be the most challenging step in the process, while acknowledging that we need to explicitly teach children “how to find the problems worth solving”, while asking them to consider “Why does it matter?”  And further interrogating the problem at hand by asking our children and students, “Why do you think you can do it better and why now?”
As a team of parents and educators, we can promote and foster “problem identification” and “problem-solving moments” with our children in precious teachable moments of conversation and discussion. Asking our students and children to identify problems when reading the newspaper, or watching the evening news, while simultaneously encouraging children to think critically, to question everything (particularly in the online world), to be curious about ways in which they might make their community or world a better place, to read widely, to thoroughly interrogate topics and to ponder broadly while considering possible solutions to everyday and global problems. It is in all of the little moments of stretching our thinking together and exploring with our children that we will assist the next generation to develop critical interrogative thinking and the entrepreneurial problem-solving skills that Zhao indicated will be needed to reach “greatness” while advancing and preserving humanity in an age of smart machines.

Leonie Clark
Head of Traralgon Secondary School

ST PAUL’S PARENT PRAYER GROUP

“Where two or three people gather in my name, I am there with them.” Matthew 18:20
The Warragul St Paul’s Parent Prayer Group will again be meeting on the first Monday of each month during the school terms in 2024. The group is a wonderful way to connect with other families of faith and bring the needs of the school and our communities before God in prayer. There is no obligation to pray aloud, nor ongoing commitment to attend each month. We try to keep the meeting brief (we are usually done by 9:45 am) and casual (younger children are most welcome).  Feel free to get in touch with any questions beforehand or just attend when you are able during the year.

Our next gathering is Monday 6 May at 9:00 am in the Prideaux Centre, Warragul Junior School

Contact: Sheryn Cutler 0417 158 937

DOBSONS UNIFORM SHOP

Order online or click and collect: Please ensure that you only attend the store to collect your items once you have received notification that your order is ready, order here.

Negative News in the Media

The tragic events in Bondi over the weekend have been confronting for many children, adolescents and adults to watch and hear about. As parents, you may be wondering how to approach not only this event, but the constant stream of negative news portrayed in the media, with your children.
Limit exposure: As adults, we are often able to identify when we have reached our threshold of negative news for the day and know to engage in self-care at this stage. Children and adolescents may not have this insight and they may not fully understand all that they are seeing/hearing. As such, limiting their exposure to news media can be beneficial. It is generally advised that news media access be actively supervised and never used as background noise. If you are watching or listening to the news as a family and hear a warning about distressing content, or a warning that something may not be appropriate for younger audiences, change to something suitable for the whole family.
Have a discussion: Even if you avoid the news, children and adolescents are likely to hear about recent events from their peers. To avoid confusion or misunderstandings about events, it is important to be proactive. If possible, prepare for any discussions and make sure that these occur at a time when you feel calm and regulated. Remember that children and adolescents often watch their parents for cues about how they should feel about situations. Ask your child what they have heard about recent events and correct any misinformation. Deliver age-appropriate information in a clear and honest manner. Sometimes programs like Behind the News can provide age-appropriate information to use as a springboard for further discussion. Remind your child that they can come to you with any questions they may have.
Ask your child how they are feeling: Seeing violent events on a screen can be as traumatic as witnessing them in real life, particularly for children and adolescents. It is important that you check in with your child about how they are feeling about recent events. Avoid statements that dismiss their feelings, and instead validate and normalise these. Offer appropriate reassurance, perhaps by reminding your child that such events are rare, that professionals/experts are managing the situation, or by providing context that helps them to understand that they are not at risk.
Watch out for signs of distress: Children and adolescents may not be able to verbally articulate if they are feeling distressed by what they have seen or heard in the media. It is important to maintain open communication with your child, as well as to watch for changes in their behaviour. Behavioural changes may include an increase in nightmares, sudden sleep reluctance, appetite changes, separation anxiety, withdrawal, emotional dysregulation or feeling unwell.
Maintain routines: Routines provide a sense of safety and security to children and adolescents. Keeping your family routine as consistent as possible is likely to be helpful during distressing times. Increasing connection and engaging with friends and family can also be beneficial.
Seek support: If your child seems distressed by something they have seen or heard, reach out for support. The St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School Counselling team is available to provide support to students in need. To arrange a session, speak to your child’s classroom teacher, Head of Year, or Deputy Head of School. Remember that services like Kids Help Line (1800 55 1800), Lifeline (13 11 14), Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) and Headspace (1800 650 890) are available to provide telephone and online support outside of school hours.

Shannon Staples
Head of Counselling Services

Senior Student Trip to East Timor – Ponilala

A recent senior student trip to the Ermera District of East Timor provided a glimpse into the life and traditions of the Timorese people, leaving a lasting impression of friendship and cultural richness. “The people I’ve made friends with, the Timorese and Aussies [fellow participants], will always be treasured.” (Asmi)
From the moment our group arrived, we were greeted with open arms by the friendly Timorese locals, “[they] remind you what it means to be grateful and happy” (India). Their warm smiles and genuine curiosity about our journey made us feel instantly welcomed and at home.
One of the highlights of our trip was our visit to Ponilala Secondary School (partly funded by St Paul’s in 2007). Ponilala is situated in the hills of Ermera, overlooking the large town of Gleno and its isolation excludes it from regular visitors. After a traditional welcome with open arms and warm hearts, we stepped into the Ponilala secondary classroom, a room in stark contrast to what our students were expecting; we were greeted with a sea of smiling eager students squeezed into old wooden desks, a chalkboard and sadly, a lack of resources.
The day kicked off with vibrant displays of traditional Timorese dancing and singing, showcasing the rich heritage and artistic talent of the community. In the spirit of cultural exchange and in somewhat of a contrast, our students reciprocated by sharing the familiar dance moves of Timber and the iconic Nutbush dance. The laughter and shared moments on the dance floor brought us together and created memories that will last a lifetime.
The delivery of the English/Tetun dictionaries kindly donated by so many generous St Paul’s families was met with overwhelming appreciation as you can see in the students’ faces! This simple act will have a profound impact on their English learning journey and was truly appreciated by the teaching staff as well, who were quick to ask for their own copies too.
Another special moment was the gifting of a beautiful guitar in a brand-new case, a pre-trip call-out responded to by a parent and our Performing Arts faculty. It brought so much joy not only to the very talented music teacher at Ponilala but also to the students and staff. In true Timorese fashion, the best way to show appreciation was to celebrate with a traditional and beautiful song.
Amidst the festivities, a Timorese luncheon was laid out to honour our visit and to show appreciation for the ongoing support and friendship extended by St Paul’s. This delicious gesture of gratitude and hospitality came with an apology they had nothing else to gift us in return for years of connection. However, being able to help and support such a warm, inclusive and resilient community is more valuable than any tangible gift.
As the day progressed, the senior Ponilala students showcased their creativity and scientific knowledge through experiments using basic items like old bottles, tin cans, candles and steel wool, to name a few.  From homemade models, they demonstrated an understanding of scientific concepts, serving as a reminder of the power of education and the potential that lies within every young mind, regardless of their circumstances.
As our day at Ponilala drew to a close, our hearts were full and bonds were strengthened. As a group, we learned much about resilience, gratitude and the importance of friendship and connections, and how much our support means. “Getting to know children at the schools we have supported has allowed me to put into perspective the reason we fundraise for these communities” (Ella).

Bella Sellers, Sophia Hastie, Asmi Pathania, Chloe Davidson, Sienna Smith, Alice den Houting, India Van Berkel, Ella May.

Our students connecting some of the Ponilala locals.

Ella giving out the much-appreciated gift of a dictionary.

The gift of a guitar means so much to this community.

Senior students proudly showing us their science experiments using basic items.

A traditional warm welcome.

A traditional dance performance.

Teachers: Kirsten Enders, Andrea Heard, Jan Park.
Students: Ella May, Asmi Pathania and India Van Berkel

WARRAGUL CAMPUS ENSEMBLE SCHEDULE

New members, including students receiving tuition outside of school, are most welcome. Please contact Mrs Heather Mason, and/or the listed ensemble director for further information hjmason@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au .

Heather Mason
Head of Performing Arts – Co-Curricular

ALUMNI REUNIONS

Saturday 4 May 2024
Year 9 Centre, St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School, 150 Bowen Street Warragul
• Class of 2019 – 5 Year Reunion
• Class of 2014 – 10 Year Reunion
• Class of 2004 – 20 Year Reunion

This year we have brought forward the timing of our Alumni Reunions to coincide with the school’s annual Open Day. Moving the reunions earlier provides us with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and tour the school in action, see how it has changed and meet some of the current St Paul’s students and staff. Please join us at any stage between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, chat with our Alumni representatives and reminisce over the range of memorabilia on display. You might also like to join the Alumni school tour which will take place at 12:30 pm, before continuing your celebrations with some drinks, nibbles and catch-ups at Bandolier Brewing, 28 Mason Street Warragul, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Please RSVP by completing the registration here.

Michelle Ireland
Community Coordinator
alumni@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

FROM THE FINANCE OFFICE

Private Car Conveyance Allowance
Families driving students more than 4.8 kilometres to attend St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School may be eligible to receive a conveyance allowance. For further information on the eligibility criteria and application process, please refer to https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/conveyance-allowance/policy

Eligible families applying for the car conveyance allowance will have funds credited to their fee account during the year. If the fee account has been paid in full, or is on a direct debit arrangement, any allocation will show as a credit on the following year’s invoice.

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides payments directly to the school for the benefit of the eligible student to attend camps, sports and excursions. Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply. $125 per year will be paid for eligible primary school students and $225 per year paid for eligible secondary school students. Payments will go directly to the school and be tied to the student. For more information and to download the application form please go to https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund/resources

Parents are encouraged to lodge the application form immediately. The CSEF program for 2024 closes at the end of Term 2. All forms must be received by 24 June 2024 to be processed.

For parents who received CSEF at the school in 2023 (and the student/s are still enrolled in 2024), the schools will ‘copy’ the application across from 2023 to 2024 on the CSEF system. The CSEF system will automatically validate the parent’s eligibility with Centrelink.