Week 6 Term 4

Feast of Christ the King

Pope Pius XI decided to institute the Feast of Christ the King in 1925 for one main reason: because the world is screwed up.  “The rebellion of individuals and states against the authority of Christ has produced deplorable consequences.”

Like what?  “the seeds of discord sown far and wide; those bitter enmities and rivalries between nations…that insatiable greed which is so often hidden under a pretence of public spirit and patriotism, and gives rise to so many private quarrels…no peace in the home, because men have forgotten or neglect their duty; the unity and stability of the family undermined.” 

Sound familiar?  Funny how, one hundred years later, we are suffering even worse from the same problems. Sometimes Popes really know what they are talking about.

By Fr Josh Miechels - Catholic Weekly November 27, 2019 

The Feast of Christ the King is this Sunday, 22 November 

Announcing Our Principal for 2021

I am delighted to announce Mr David Johns will commence as Principal of St Paul’s Catholic Secondary College in 2021.  Reading over Mr Johns’ qualifications, experiences and leadership history, I am in no doubt that the future of St Paul’s is assured.  Mr Johns has extensive leadership experience and also holds qualifications in: 

• Masters of Educational Leadership
• Masters of Theology
• Graduate Diploma Adolescent Health
• Certificate of Gifted Education
• Bachelor of Education 

As was pointed out by our Director, Dr Sally Towns, in her communication to the community during the week, “Mr Johns’ varied educational appointments have enabled him to develop a holistic understanding of the teaching profession with a particular interest in the pastoral support of students, family and the broader community as well as assisting students in striving to achieve their full potential in various academic and VET pathways.” 

This is particularly comforting to me as I embark on my own new leadership challenge.  Knowing that the College will be served by a leader who is focused on the very characteristics required for students to achieve at the highest levels, gives me a great sense of satisfaction. 

Thanks to all those parents and family members who provided feedback during the community consultation process to ensure we had the best possible person for the job.

Reminder: Exam Days 7-10

A reminder to continuing parents and an alert to our newer families at the College, the end-of-year exams and reporting schedule is a little different to what might be the case in some other schools.  To ensure maximum learning time prior to exams, we have scheduled these as late as possible in the school year.  Many other schools will have exams up to three weeks prior to our schedule and provide little to no new learning beyond this time.  We want to maximise school time for your child. 

However, in order to get these marked, collated and reported on in such a short time-frame, it is necessary for the College to keep classroom activity to a minimum. As such, on Monday, 7 December – Tuesday, 8 December, there will be no classroom learning for students in Years 7–10.  Ideally where possible, parents should keep students home.  Where it is not possible, students in 7–10 are welcome at school and will be supervised by relief staff undertaking other non-classroom activities.  Year 11 students will continue with normal lessons as per their timetable.  This process has proven to be very successful in previous years as we continue to achieve outstanding HSC results in the valley. 

Thank you for your ongoing support

God Bless

Kevin Lewis BEd (Syd) MEd (ACU) GradCertRe (Uon)

College Principal

kevin.lewis@lism.catholic.edu.au

Years 7-10 Assessment Block

The Year 7–10 Assessment Block begins next Monday, 23 November and finishes on Thursday, 3 December.  Assessment tasks will be spread across this nine-day period (see below) and please note that some subjects may not have assessment tasks scheduled for this block.  Most tasks will be completed during Periods 1 and 2 while normal lessons will occur during Periods 3 to 5.  Elective subjects in Years 9 and 10 may complete assessment tasks in their normal timetabled classes.

Year 10 will complete all assessment tasks in the hall. 

Year 10 - HSC: All My Own Work and Unique Student Identifier (USI)

On Friday, 27 November, Year 10 will be completing two important activities.

HSC: All My Own Work is a program designed to help HSC students follow the principles and practices of good scholarship.  This includes understanding, valuing and using ethical practices when locating and using information as part of their HSC studies.

Students who have completed the program will also know about penalties for cheating and how to avoid malpractice when preparing their work for assessment. 

To be eligible for the HSC, students must complete HSC: All My Own Work (or its equivalent) before they submit any work for Preliminary (Year 11) or HSC (Year 12) courses, unless they are only entered for Year 11 and Year 12 Life Skills courses.  More information about HSC: All My Own Work can be found at:

https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/hsc-all-my-own-work 

At St Paul’s, we always complete HSC: All My Own Work at the conclusion of the Year 10 course.  We also use this time to allow students to generate a Unique Student Identifier (USI).

A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is your individual education identifier for life. It also creates an online record of your training attainments in Australia. 

If you are undertaking either nationally recognised training, or a higher education qualification, you need a USI in order to receive Commonwealth financial assistance, as well as to obtain your qualification or statement of attainment. 

A USI Is for Life!  You Only Have to Create It Once

Year 10 will be creating their USI on Thursday, 26 November and they will need to have a picture of the family Medicare Card or a Driver’s License if they are old enough to have one.  More information about the USI is contained in the following link.  https://www.usi.gov.au/

Pupil Free Days

Monday and Tuesday, 7 and 8 December (Week 9), are pupil free days.  These days for Years 7–10, are scheduled in order to facilitate a quick turnaround before reports are distributed on Monday, 14 December.  It will be normal attendance across these two days for Year 11 students.

Mr Leon Robinson - Acting Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Orientation Day

It was our pleasure this week to welcome our Year 6 students from all over the Nambucca and Macleay Valleys and beyond to St Paul's for an orientation day.  These eager students experienced a range of activities, including a tour of our beautiful facilities and participated in the life of the College with many exciting classes which gave them a sneak peek into life as a high school student.  They were treated to a BBQ lunch which allowed them to socialise as a year group and gave an opportunity to meet other students and start to form friendships and connections for the years to come.

We are looking forward to all students starting in 2021.  If you have any enrolment enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the office on 6562 7200.  We are still accepting enrolments for 2021.

Mrs Bronwyn Shipton - Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing

2020 HSC Results and Morning Tea

HSC results will be delivered via email and text message on Friday, 18 December.  Students will also be able to access their results by logging in to their Students Online account https://studentsonline.nesa.nsw.edu.au/ and entering their student number and PIN.

The College will be hosting a morning tea for all Year 12 students to celebrate their results and the end of their HSC year.  This will be held at 10 am in the staff BBQ area directly outside the staffroom facing the oval. 

Years 7–10 Semester Two Exams/Assessments

Students in Years 7–10 will be completing their Semester 2 Exams/Assessments during Weeks 7 and 8 (Monday, 23 November – Friday, 4 December).  These tasks are scheduled for Periods 1 and 2 or during specific class time. 

Study Guides (Years 7–10) 

All students in Years 7–10 have been given digital access to study guides which contain the content, length and question types that will be asked in their end of year assessment tasks in each subject.  Students need to refer to these documents when preparing for their assessment tasks.  They will have access to these documents via Stile in the folder titled: School Assignments and Notifications.  If anyone requires a hard copy of their study guide, they are to see their pastoral coordinator or myself. 

The following is from the College Policy Handbook:

If a student is absent and this has not been approved by the Principal then a mark of zero is given for any exams missed, regardless of whether this occurs Semester 1 or 2.

Guidelines for Illness/Misadventure Exams

12. Misadventure (catch-up) exams or an estimate will be allowed for funeral attendance, school approved activities, illness (with a Medical Certificate) and cases for exceptional circumstances (see point C). Misadventure exams must occur within the exam period, or an estimate will be given.  See The Assessment Guide Handbook for specific conditions for students in Years 10 to 12.
13. There will NOT be any misadventure exams for any other reason. Students who are aware that they will be absent for exams may be eligible to complete a misadventure (catch-up) exam prior to their departure or upon return, as long they occur within the exam period, or an estimate will be given.
14. Cases for exceptional circumstances will be reviewed by the Principal upon written application, and if approved a misadventure exam or an estimate will be allowed.

Examination Penalties - Years 7–12

Penalties will apply for students who, during an examination: 

• Communicate with other students (either verbally, non-verbally or by using technology)
• Are found to have been cheating (for Years 10–12, this is outlined in their Assessment Handbooks as follows: In any instance where a student is shown to have cheated or there is conclusive evidence that the student intended to cheat or there is conclusive evidence that the student inappropriately colluded, then a mark of zero may be recorded for that assessment task. If it is shown that a student has gained an unfair advantage in an assessment task, a zero may be recorded.),
• Disrupt or cause disruption in the examination venue. 

Depending on the nature of the incident, penalties will be applied after discussions between any or all of the following have occurred: the exam supervisor, the relevant Leader of Subject, the Leader of Curriculum and/or the Assistant Principal.  If the incident is deemed severe enough, then the Principal may also be consulted. 

If your child is absent on the day of an exam, for any reason, please contact the school to advise of the reason for the absence. 

Year 10: All My Own Work

To be eligible for the HSC, students must complete HSC: All My Own Work (or its equivalent) before they submit any work for Preliminary (Year 11).  Therefore, all Year 10 students will be completing this course on Friday, 27 November.

Mrs Catriona Martin - Leader of Curriculum

Year 12 Textbooks

Thanks to those Year 12s who have handed in ALL their textbooks (75% of you). Those who need to return or pay for texts, please do so as soon as possible, especially now that the Grad is over. 

Preliminary Texts

Where separate HSC texts are issued for subjects (with the possible exception of some Maths courses) Preliminary textbooks should have been returned by now.  Please do what you can to ensure that this is the case, Year 11.  Thanks. 

Lockers and Locks

Advance notice: these will be removed from any and all lockers if they are still there by Thursday, December 10 (Week 9). Just so you know.

Happy Reading 

and remember…Wash Your Hands and Keep Your Distance

Mr Peter Garty - Teacher/Librarian

School to Work

For Secondary Students with a Disability

Are you a parent or family member of a secondary student with disability and are considering their future after school?

StoW_Flyer_Final.pdf

For information on University courses and scholarships please click on the link below.

UNIVERSITY.pdf

For information on TAFE courses and scholarships please click on the link below.

TAFE.pdf

For information on College courses and scholarships please click on the link below.

COLLEGES.pdf

Getting_Ready_for_Christmas_with_Fr_Rob_1_.pdf