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

It has been another busy fortnight in the Warragul Junior School with all our Prep to Year 6 students joining the Warragul Secondary School students for our ANZAC Day service. We held our Years 3 to 6 house cross country, our Year 6 students attended camp and students competed in Division Athletics. Our Year 1 students also went on an excursion to Old Gippstown. Open Day will take place tomorrow with some of our Years 5 and 6 students assisting at both Warragul and Drouin Junior Schools.
Have you visited MyStPauls lately to see what we have been up to? There is a calendar of events and general information and notices for families on our Warragul Junior Campus Page. More specific information and updates can be found on Year Level Parent Information Pages (ELC to Year 6). This is a great way to keep up to date with what your child/ren are doing at school. Visit MyStPauls and log in using your family login details. If you have misplaced these, please contact IT Support and they will issue you with new login details. These pages are updated each fortnight.

Years 3 to 6 House Cross Country
Well done to all of our students who competed at our annual Years 3 to 6 house cross country last Friday. Whilst cross country running is not for everyone, it was wonderful to see you all give it your best shot and encourage each other to get to the finish line. The first four girls and boys from each age group will move through to division, which will be held on Monday 20 May. Thanks to Mr Boraston and all the staff who assisted on the day.

Division Athletics
Well done to the students who competed at the West Gippsland Division Athletics Carnival at the Joe Carmody Athletics Track, Newborough, on Tuesday. Most students who competed have progressed through to regional, which will be held later in the year. Thanks to Mr Boraston and Mrs Diston who attended and assisted on the day.

Year 6 Camp
At the time of writing my article, our Year 6 cohort was enjoying their camp experience at Camp Coolamatong. Students participated in sailing, tubing, bush cooking, climbing and abseiling, farming, archery, canoeing, Indigenous education, low ropes, bike orienteering, a boat ride to Raymond Island, played beach games at Ocean Grange and went on a koala walk. I spent the day with them yesterday and I commend them on helping each other to ensure the week away was a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone. My thanks to Mr Barkla, Mrs Murphy, Ms Olivier, Mrs Prestidge, Mrs Leighton, Mr Rock and Mr Boraston who attended the camp.

Mother’s Day Stall
We will be holding our annual Mother’s Day stall next Friday 10 May in the Prideaux Centre. Classes will be called up individually to go shopping at the stall and purchase a gift/s.  Students will be able to spend up to $10.00 with gifts ranging from $1.00 – $10.00.  Please send your child/ren along with a named bag. All money raised will go directly back into the Junior School and I will keep you updated on what the money will be put towards.
Please let Sam in the office know if you can assist at the stall, many hands make light work.

Mother’s Day Activities in our Early Learning Centre
Over the coming weeks, we will be inviting our ELC mums/special guests to join our ELC children and staff at the ELC to enjoy some activities together as we celebrate Mother’s Day. Our Pre-Kinder groups will enjoy some time in the ELC rooms while our Pre-Preps will spend their time in the Junior School gym. We do hope that many of our mums/special guests are able to join us for this special occasion.

Clubs
We have a large range of clubs up and running this term and I encourage you to check with your child/ren to see if they are accessing any of them. A list of clubs and when they are on are listed on the What’s On and put up around the Junior School and announcements are made over the PA to remind students.

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.
All students in Years 3 to 6 will need to be in their formal uniform (including blazers)

Rowan van Raay
Head of Warragul Junior School

WHAT’S ON

APRIL
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

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.

2024 Student Trip to East Timor – Malimea

St Paul’s students and staff have been visiting Malimea Village, on the south-eastern corner of the Ermera District, for 13 years. Manuel Oliveira, the English teacher and visionary of Malimea, has always advocated for his village and the broader community. In 2019 he submitted a proposal for an English Language Study Centre (ELSC). After much collaboration, both in person and online, the ELSC now stands proudly, fully equipped and staffed ready for English lessons.
Malimea ELSC Inauguration Saturday 6 April 2024
Malimea was alive with excitement as the much-anticipated formal opening of its ELSC unfolded in a spectacular event filled with esteemed dignitaries, and speeches of thanks and gratitude for Team Timor’s support, delicious food and joyful dancing. The atmosphere buzzed with a sense of appreciation and celebration, marking a significant milestone for the community.
Distinguished guests from various sectors, including education and government highlighted the broad support and interest in enhancing English language in Malimea and the surrounding villages, which will hopefully open doors to broader opportunities for these Timorese students. Unbeknown to us, we were the honoured guests and our students carried this title with poise and maturity.
The feast that followed numerous speeches showcased a variety of dishes including a sacrificial buffalo accompanied by the staples of rice, vegetables and fruits; the best of Malimea’s cuisine. The local dignitaries, along with key Malimea staff and our tour group, shared this meal together, symbolising the connection of cultures and the combined support of the ELSC.
However, the true heart of the celebration lay in the joyful dancing that took centre stage. Age had no boundary as students, staff and locals alike shared the fun and further cemented the friendship between our school and the community.
The opening of the ELSC not only signifies a new chapter in Malimea’s educational history but also embodies a shared vision of embracing language diversity and global connectivity. The whole day set the tone for a future filled with learning, collaboration and cultural exchange.

Kirsten Enders, Andrea Heard, Jan Park

Andrea Heard and Chloe Davidson cutting the cake.

Official photo taken inside the ELSC.

Alice den Houting and Ella May enjoying the party.

Rheid Hayley, Alice den Houting and Ella May sitting in front of the official sign.

The official welcome.

St Paul’s Equestrian Team Success

Many St Paul’s Equestrian team members have been busy competing recently.
Over the school holidays, the Equestrian Victoria Interschool State Championships were held at Werribee.
Out of 164 schools, St Paul’s finished in 11th place, a commendable effort!
• Phoebe Cavill won the overall state champion award in the Senior Preliminary Dressage. She came fifth in the first test and first in the second test which culminated in the overall championship win.
• Kate Joyce placed overall third in the 1* Combined Training.
• Georgia Joyce was reserve state champion for the 80 Combined Training and placed second in the primary preliminary dressage test.
• Hadley Purcell placed in two of her showjumping classes with fourth and sixth place.
• Lily Wilson competed across a range of classes producing some lovely moments in dressage for the combined training and some great show jumping rounds.
As a result, it is very exciting to announce that Phoebe Cavill, Kate Joyce and Georgia Joyce have all qualified for the 2024 Australian Interschool Championship to be held later this year in Tamworth, NSW. We wish them all the best with their preparations!
Tommy Mordue, Jessi Armour and Bessie Brereton have also been out competing at various events. Well done!
Earlier in Term 1 the St Paul’s team of Layla Young, Stella Cardillo and Phoebe Cavill won the team section of the Stratford Interschool Event.

Melissa Hoskings
Equestrian MIC

Tommy Mordue.

Phoebe Cavill.

Kate Joyce.

St Paul’s Team – Stratford Competition (Layla Young, Stella Cardillo and Phoebe Cavill).

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.