Week 10 Term 4
Farewell
In my final newsletter article at this wonderful College, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has played a part in my life here. I feel like I am a much better person for the friendships developed and cherished, colleagues I have worked alongside and the community that has embraced me so whole-heartedly. I leave with the most beautiful memories of my nine years here and will forever feel like the Valley will remain in my heart forever more. With so many (almost too many) to thank as this chapter in our shared histories comes to a close, I feel like I would be doing an injustice if I tried to list them all. Suffice to say that my time here has been so well supported, loved and nourished by the beautiful people of the community, both inside and outside of the College gates.
While I am embarking on a new challenge in my career, I feel a sense of pride and satisfaction at our collective achievements over the last nine years. From building works developments, Australian Awards, emergence of new and dynamic staff, academic and VET successes for our graduates, the list goes on. What a list of achievements for this wonderful place. I don’t think that at the start of my principalship that I could have even dreamt that we would be here in 2020 with this list of accomplishments.
I will commence my new venture early in the New Year but always hope to be able to call this place home. Whilst the school I am going to will be much bigger, there is no doubt the wisdom of Pooh holds true for the community of St Paul’s College:
“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” ~ Winnie the Pooh
Thank you for your love and support
Farewell and Good Luck Mr Peter Garty
Mr G came to the College in 1993 having previously worked in Bathurst Diocese. He has taught, amongst other courses, Drama, Religion, English, English Studies, Extension English (sometimes both courses at the same time). Peter also dabbled in some junior Geography for a year and was instrumental in introducing women’s football (soccer) to the College. He has also been a softball convenor, coach and manager for the Catholic Schools Secondary Sports Association and CSNSW. Peter has served as a Leader of Learning, Teacher-Librarian and classroom teacher. We thank him for his years of dedicated service, but I am certain his beautiful wife Veronica will have a list of chores – should I say experiences, for him to undertake in your retirement. Twenty-seven years of experience and dedication is a lot to lose from a College in one fell swoop and the community will be poorer for your leaving Peter. We wish you all the best and God’s love in your retirement.
God Bless
Kevin Lewis BEd (Syd) MEd (ACU) GradCertRe (Uon)
College Principal
At this time of year, with Christmas just over a week away, we can all tend to look back over the year that has taken place. It has been said in many forums that 2020 was one that no one saw coming, and given that context, it is a good time to reflect upon our theme scripture for the year:
"Practise what you have learned and received and heard and seen ... and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:9
How appropriate this has been for our College and indeed our world in 2020! In a year of great challenge, disruption and change, there have been many lessons learnt. As many talk about moving into the ‘new normal’, it is important as Christians that we hold fast to the things that are greater than change and pandemics, that being that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever! If we can remember and implement what we ‘have learned and received and heard and seen’ from the Lord and from others throughout this year, then as we move into the future we can be sure that God’s unshakeable peace will be with us, no matter what life, and the world, throws our way.
Farewell to Our YMOs
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing Youth Ministry Officers Darcy O’Loughlin and Calissa Denaro, for the dedication and service to the evangelising mission of our College this year. With many retreats and events cancelled this year, these two women have shown resilience and creativity in looking for ways to continue to bring the Good News of Jesus to the students here at St Paul’s. They have been challenged and have met those challenges well, as they allowed God to work in and through them to journey with our students in faith.
I would like to wish them all the best for their future endeavours and we hope to see them back in our College community in the years to come.
YMOs for 2021
On that note, it gives me much pleasure to welcome Ebaney Cook and Mikayla Greenhalgh-Boyd as our Youth Ministry Officers for next year. Both ladies have graduated from High School this year, Ebaney from here at St Paul’s and Mikayla from Trinity College in Lismore. I am looking forward to working with both of these young evangelists as they take over the reins from the great work that has been done by Calissa and Darcy.
Year 9 Youth Ministry Class in 2021
It has been great to see a number of our current Year 8 students pop their hand up to participate in the Youth Ministry class next year. They will be engaged in an exciting and highly relevant subject that will give them the opportunity to ask lots of questions, share their thoughts and journey more deeply into their faith, whilst getting involved in the local community. If over the holidays there are any students who think that they would like to be a part of this class next year, there is still space. Just email me if you are interested.
SRC Retreat - 2021
For the first time next year, we are hosting an overnight retreat for the members of the 2021 Student Representative Council. This will be a great chance for the group to come together to bond as a team, to learn more about Christian leadership and to plan ahead for the year. Notes will come out for this at the beginning of next year, and we will ask students to make a small financial contribution towards the cost of this overnight retreat.
Year 12 Senior Retreat - 2021
This is now scheduled to take place from Wednesday, 3 – Friday, 5 March, 2021. More information will be provided at the commencement of 2021. Please note that the cost for this retreat will be approximately $200.
Christmas Cards for Vincent Court
Over the past few weeks the students and staff of St Paul’s have been spreading the Christmas cheer to the residents of Vincent Court and Macleay Valley House by creating, decorating and writing Christmas cards. Over two-hundred cards have been created which is just wonderful.
It has been a very difficult year for our elderly residents in the community and unfortunately, we have not been able to visit them as a school for quite some time. We are very blessed with the relationship that we share with those at Vincent Court and we are looking forward to visiting again in person when we are again able to.
Many thanks to all of the teachers and students who have joyfully and enthusiastically supported this initiative, in bringing some joy to others this Christmas!
Christmas Masses for 2020
Please note that Christmas Masses will be different this year, to be able to accommodate as many people as possible. Plans can be found on the websites for the Macleay Valley Catholic Parish and for the Nambucca Valley Catholic Parish. Please see the flyers included in this newsletter and that has gone home with your school reports.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, registration for these Masses is essential. Please contact the respective parish office to book yourself and your family in!
Parish Sunday Masses
As we continue to navigate our way through the Coronavirus pandemic, our Parish Priest Father James is generously celebrating some additional weekend Masses, to enable as many people to be able to attend as possible. Please contact the Parish Office in order to attend.
For the time being, weekend Mass times will be as follows:
- Saturday 9.30 am – South West Rocks
- Saturday Vigil – 6 pm – Kempsey
- Sunday 7.30 am – South West Rocks
- Sunday 9.30 am – Kempsey
- Sunday 11 am – Kempsey
Thank-you to all for your support of the evangelising mission of St Paul’s. I wish you and your family a joyous, happy and Holy Christmas season and I pray that God would abundantly bless you over the Christmas break and into the new year!
God Bless!
Mr Dominic MacAndrews - Leader of School Evangelisation
dominic.macandrews@lism.catholic.edu.au
Textbooks
Thanks, once again, to everyone who has managed to return ALL their overdue text and Library books. Unfortunately, if you have received a reminder along with your report, then the matter needs to be attended to by returning the item or paying for it as soon as possible. Remember that if books are neither returned nor paid for, the issue of texts next year could well be delayed. School will be open all week if you happen to be in the vicinity. If not, early next year would be desirable. And if you have attended to this matter recently, please ignore the letter.
Premier’s Reading Challenge
Congratulations to Alec Gorline-Singleman (Year 7) and Jade McLean (Year 9) who successfully completed this year’s Challenge. You should have received your certificates with your reports.
SORA
Do not forget that you can now access a huge range of titles online via our Sora app. That should help chase away the holiday boredom blues ... but … as always ... balance your time in front of those screens with the reading of REAL books, along with outdoor activity, of course.
Thankyou
On behalf of Mrs Martin, Mrs Whalen and myself, I would like to thank every one of you for your thoughtful use of the Library. Not only is it geographically central to the school, but it is also at the heart of much of what we do across the many and varied walks of school life. Your respect for it as such an integral facility is very much appreciated.
And on YOUR behalves, I would like to thank Mrs Martin and Mrs Whalen for their dedicated hard work towards making the Library hum along as well as it does, serving and, ultimately, benefitting all of you. As this is my last report, I would like to think that you will take very good care of them both as they take over the reins in the Library next year.
Enjoy your holiday break, and in the immortal words of Tiny Tim…
“God bless Us, Every One!” (Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol)
Happy Reading and Merry Christmas
From Peter Garty, Patrice Martin and Cathy Whalen.
See you next year!
Mr Peter Garty - Teacher/Librarian