Term 3 Week 10 - 25 September 2025

Kind regards

Mr Geoff Melville  BRurScEd, MEd, GCertRE

Principal

kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au

• Pencil Case
• Pens
• Pencils
• Calculator
• Ruler
• Geometry set
• Glue
• Eraser
• Sharpener
• Highlighter
• Scissors

kate.fullbrook@lism.catholic.edu.au

As we come to the end of another busy and rewarding Term at St Paul’s, it is a fitting time to pause and reflect on the achievements, challenges, and growth we have experienced together.

This Term has been filled with moments of learning, leadership, and community. In classrooms, students have continued to apply themselves with dedication, building not only knowledge but also resilience and independence. Beyond the classroom, our co-curricular activities, sporting competitions, performances, and service opportunities have showcased the many talents and passions of our young people.

Importantly, the spirit of St Paul’s has shone through in the way students have supported one another – whether in teamwork, acts of kindness, or through stepping up to lead. Staff and families, too, have played a vital role in encouraging our students to strive for their best while reminding them of the value of balance and wellbeing.

As we look ahead to the following Term, we encourage our students to take time over the break to rest, recharge, and spend time with family and friends. A well-earned pause will ensure they return refreshed and ready for the opportunities to come.

Thank you to all who have contributed to making this Term such a positive and memorable one. Together, we continue to grow as learners and as a community.



Mrs Lesa Morrison - Assistant Principal - Mission 

lesa.morrison@lism.catholic.edu.au

Phone Use
At the College, we ask that students keep their phones switched off and away during the school day from 8:30am until 3:25pm.

If you need to get in touch with your child, please phone the College office and our administration team will pass on your message. If your child is unwell the College office staff will call home to arrange for them to be collected. If a student needs to call home they can speak with the staff in the Hub to use the phone there.

Encouraging students to disconnect from their devices during the day has many benefits. Australian research has shown that students are more focused in class and that teachers notice fewer distractions when phones are not in use. School leaders also report that students socialise more with their peers and build stronger friendships when phones are put away. Research further highlights that phone-free school days provide a valuable digital break, which helps reduce stress, supports wellbeing, and creates a calmer school environment. There is also growing evidence that this approach helps minimise bullying and negative online behaviour.

Our College rules are also supported by broader NSW legislation, which requires schools to provide safe, supportive learning environments and to protect student privacy and wellbeing. Keeping phones away during the day helps us meet these important obligations.

We know that navigating technology, including phones, can sometimes be challenging for families. The eSafety Commissioner provides trusted advice, resources, and support for young people and parents about mobile and online safety, cyberbullying, and managing digital wellbeing.

Thank you for your ongoing support in helping our students get the most out of their school day.

Ms Meg Ryan - Leader of Pastoral Care

meg.ryan@lism.catholic.edu.au

Congratulations to St Paul's Year 12 Textile students for their incredible major projects!

Last week, St Paul's Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award students completed their practice journey, a key part of the award that introduces them to the challenges and joys of multi-day hiking. The students embraced the opportunity to develop their navigation skills and work as a team, and they truly excelled! They impressed their teachers by setting a great pace and showing incredible support for one another along the way.

As with any first-time experience, the hike provided valuable lessons. From learning what to pack and what to leave behind, to remembering that you can still get sunburned on a cool, breezy day, the students gained practical skills and a better understanding of how to prepare for their next adventure.

The students are now preparing for their qualifying journey early next Term. During this expedition, teachers will take a step back, allowing the students to take the lead and apply everything they've learned to successfully guide themselves.

In addition to their hike, the students have been busy logging hours of community service, physical recreation, and new skills. It's great to see them so committed to all aspects of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, and we can't wait to see what they accomplish next!

Family connect in schools Team leader, Ashleigh Howe, organised St Paul's Year 10 2025 students to participate in two Love Bites sessions this Term. These sessions were facilitated by Family Connect in Schools, Pathfinders Family Connect and Support, NSW Health Port Macquarie Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Team, Police youth liaison officers and specific staff from St Paul's College. The sessions explored healthy relationships, domestic violence, and consent.

To end the program, students participated in a Therapeutic Art session to create artworks reflecting what they had learnt about respectful healthy relationships. The colourful artworks will form a community campaign.

Students were engaged with insightful input, and it was great to see future leaders recognising the importance of the topics discussed.

On Thursday 11 September, St Paul’s played host to a group of six international visitors. They were in town for a week’s program of activities, arranged by former staff members, Jan Stubbs and myself, on behalf of a local group known as The Friendship Force of Kempsey. FFK is one of over 350 clubs in more than 60 countries whose aim is to promote understanding, cultural exchange and citizen diplomacy through homestay journeys and the personal friendships that arise as a result.

Following an online Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Welcome to Country, they were entertained and informed by teacher, Mr Conrad Tamblyn, and his skills with and knowledge of the didgeridoo. They then watched a filming of Year 11’s recent winning Interpretive Performance based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Gracie Campbell, one of those involved, was on hand to provide a personal perspective of the competition.

Later in the day, our guests were put to work in the Food Technology kitchen preparing their own lunch. Ms Laura Evans and Ms Laura Campbell were ably assisted by students Amy-Jo Gannell, Annabelle Connor and Tuesday Marin, preparing a delicious “two serve drop” of Johnny cakes and sausage rolls.

After lunch it was over to Francis Farm where they were shown the sights by Farm Assistant, Mr Ash Gardiner, and given an extensive explanation of its workings, along with its significance to our students and their education.

For a group of people from homes in highly urbanised cities across Japan, this visit to a regional NSW school to be introduced to some of its staff, students and operational procedures was a wonderful eye-opener and did much to enhance their visit here.

It was also fun to see how excited our Year 7 students were when they were greeted with the word “konnichiwa” as they encountered our visitors between lessons!

Thanks so much to the staff and students involved for contributing to such a rewarding experience.

Mr Peter Garty - Casual Teacher and Member – Friendship Force of Kempsey.

One final reminder that the Anniversary Celebrations will be held at the College on Sunday 5 October. This will be a casual event and an opportunity of past and present students to gather and celebrate our wonderful College community.

The day will run as follows:

• 9.00am - Gates open to park on Sea St, North St and Leith St
• 9.30am - Parish Mass in the Mercy Centre
• Principal's Address will follow Mass
• 10.30am - Commissioning of Hope House on the school grounds (previously known as The Monastery and The Convent)
• 10.45-11.00am - BBQ Brunch supplied by the College
• 11.00am -  School tours
  
  

Ticket sales for the Year 12 Graduation Dinner have opened and will close on Monday 20 October at 5pm.

This year we are trialing a new online booking system. Please be patient as we work with this process for the first time. If you experience any issues, please contact Ms Meg Ryan for assistance, meg.ryan@lism.catholic.edu.au. Please be mindful that holiday periods may slow down replies. 

Each student has been allocated a number of tickets. This has been sent to students via email. Before purchasing tickets, please check these details as any additional tickets will be cancelled automatically. Please note that there are enough tickets for all allocated persons, there is no need to panic if there are issues when purchasing.

We encourage students to work together to plan where they would like to sit with their family and friends. Tables are a maximum of 10. The floorplan provided is a guide only. Tables will be round, not in rows, and final seating will be confirmed closer to the event.

Wednesday 12 November 2025
Please save the date if you have applied for a position at the College for Year 7 2026. This is a compulsory day for students who accept an offer of a position at St Paul's for Year 7 2026.

NSW Health will be holding a vaccination clinic at the College on Wednesday 29 October 2025 for ALL students who have consent in place. If your student has missed their vaccination in the past you may consent for a catch up vaccination to be administered at this clinic.

CONSENT
Consent may be provided by one of the following options:

• Paper form - please contact the College to arrange for a form to be sent home, kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au or 6562 7200
• Online - see below

Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received.

VACCINES OFFERED
The following vaccines are offered free of charge to students at school:

1. Year 7 students (or those in older year groups who have missed these)

• diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine (1 dose)
• human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (1 dose).

2. Year 10 students (or those in older year groups who have missed this)

• meningococcal ACWY vaccine (1 dose).

ONLINE CONSENT
To provide consent for vaccination online, parents/carers will need to visit the School Vaccination Program online consent portal

• You will need your ServiceNSW log-in details and Medicare details for you and your child.
• For detailed steps on how to provide consent please refer to the NSW Health webpage, How to Provide Consent

MORE INFORMATION
For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination.

If you have any questions regarding your child's school vaccinations, please contact the NSW Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.

Parents are invited to join the Elevate Education free parent webinar 'How you can support your child during exams' on 17 September, 6:30pm. Register here.

Parents/carers are invited to learn more about adolescent mental health and how to best support and connect with their young person during tough times.

To register, please download the PDF flyer below.

The NSW Council of Catholic School Parents are hosting a special 30-year anniversary Parent Conference in Sydney on Saturday 25 October. Keynote speakers include Justin Coulson, Michelle Mitchell and Daniel Principe. Conference tickets cost $30, and parents/carers need to arrange their own travel and accommodation in Sydney.

For more information and to book, please follow the link to CCSP Conference.