Term 3 Week 8 - 9 September 2022

Dear Parent/Carer

‘I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner, than over ninety-nine virtuous people who have no need of repentance’

Luke 15: 1-2, 8-11

What a busy few weeks we have had at the College! Our Year 12 students have completed their Trial Higher School Certificate examinations and have returned to classes for final revision work before ‘the big dance’! We have had students represent the school and the Diocese in a variety of sports as well as in debating – with tremendous results.

The elective choices for Year 9 and courses for the Year 11 Preliminary Higher School Certificate, 2023 have now been finalised and what is on offer is incredible and highlights what an amazing school we are, filled with exceptional teachers, teachers' assistants and administration staff.

Detailed information regarding the organisation of Week 10 will be sent out next week due to our modified school delivery. As was stated in earlier communication, we will be reducing our student numbers across this last week of term, with Year 7-9 continuing their work from home while Year 10-12 engage in a variety of school related activities in rooms removed from the areas involved in the demolition required to accommodate the new building works. 

I thank the staff for their efforts in developing creative and engaging activities that will lead to a learning portfolio that ALL STUDENTS will present to their teachers early next term.

We are currently doing considerable work in staff recruitment. The growth in student numbers, as well as staff who intend to retire from teaching, has necessitated this. Pleasingly we have had significant applications for a variety of positions and the quality of candidates has been amazing. We hope to interview and appoint staff over the next few weeks in preparation for the 2023 academic year.

I acknowledge the permanent teaching appointments of Mr Adam Mascord, Mrs Sarah Nolan and Mr Mitch Robins. Outstanding educators who are a welcome addition to an already strong academic staff.

The student leadership process continued this week with all students nominated to take part in an interview with a member of the senior executive team. At the conclusion of these meetings, staff will consider and decide who progresses to the next stage. The quality of the students to be interviewed is exceptionally high and I am excited for the impact that they will make in our school.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Kind regards

Mr David JOHNS   B.Ed., Cert. Gifted Ed., Grad. Cert. Adol. Health and Welfare, M.Ed. (Ed Lead), M.Ed. (Theol) 

Principal

Week 10 Term 3 - Significant Opportunities for our Community

Term 3 is nearly at completion as the school juggles the demolishing of Block D. As such, Year 7-9 will be completing their Week 10 learning off-site. The teachers have gone to significant lengths to ensure there is meaningful work required to be completed. Each student in Year 7-9 will be asked to speak within their PC at the beginning of Term 4 regarding their experiences, and I will be contacting parents in Term 4 if the set work hasn’t been completed to the College’s satisfaction, this will be also noted on the Semester 2 report.

Year 10 has an excellent range of events at the College during the last week of Term. This includes the opportunity to explore the Aboriginal Spirituality traditions within our Macleay Valley which becomes central to Studies of Religion in Years 11 and 12; the CrushLit program within the English pathways selected by current Year 10 for their HSC pattern of study; a Careers day focusing on skills and opportunities as our students move to the Stage 6 model; further organisation and skill enhancement with the Google suite and opportunities to be involved in cherished College activities such as the Warwick Clarke Shield and the final Year 12 Mass.

Year 11 begin their examinations on Thursday Week 9 and throughout Week 10, they all begin their HSC courses Day 1 Term 4. Week 10 is a wonderful celebration of Year 12 and their impact on our community throughout their time at St Paul’s.

Mr Geoffrey Melville - Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

geoffrey.melville@lism.catholic.edu.au

Congratulations to Shelby Mitchell

It is with such great pleasure and excitement that we announce that Shelby Mitchell has been selected for the NSW Youth Advisory Council (YAC) for 2022-2023.

Membership of the YAC is open to all children and young people between 12 and 24 years of age residing in NSW. Applications are sought from diverse locations, backgrounds and life experiences. Shelby has been selected to be one of the 12 members that provide a direct avenue of communication between young people and the NSW Government.

Shelby will be involved in advising the Minister and the Advocate on the planning, development, integration and implementation of government policies and programs concerning young people as well as consulting with young people, community groups and government agencies on issues and policies concerning young people.

Year 11 Student Leadership

All Year 11 students have had the opportunity to work through a Leadership program in consultation with the Senior leadership team. We had the chance to celebrate the success of many students as they completed the program. All students who completed the course were awarded a certificate in recognition.

We wish those who have chosen to progress to the next stage of student leadership all the best.

Mrs Bronwyn Shipton - Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing

bronwyn.shipton@lism.catholic.edu.au

Another busy term has all-but come and gone!

We are in the final stages of our preparation of the Year 12 Graduation Mass. This wonderful celebration of our Year 12 students will begin with Mass at 10am at All Saints Church, West Kempsey. Students are asked to first meet at the College at the beginning of the day and travel as a group down to the Church. As this is a special occasion honouring our departing seniors, we ask that they are in full academic uniform. If any students need assistance with this, I invite them to see myself (Mr Pollock) beforehand to organise appropriate assistance.

While our Year 7 - 9 students are not going to be on site during Week 10, any student or family wishing to come to Mass at 10am on Wednesday of Week 10 is most welcome. If students in these younger years are attending, we would like them to dress in their College uniform for this special occasion. After the Mass we will be hosting a light morning tea for our departing Year 12 students and their families.

Finally regarding Year 12, we are still needing baby/infant and primary school photos from a small number of students. I ask that families send them into the College, either digitally to will.pollock@lism.catholic.edu.au or physical photographs can be handed to the office. Lou, our Youth Ministry Officer, will scan these and hand them back to students as soon as possible. We’re hoping to celebrate our Graduating class, and it would be a shame for any students to miss out.

In other news on the Evangelisation front, beginning on Thursday of Week 10 and finishing on Sunday, a small number of our students will be going to the IGNITE gathering in Brisbane. These students will be accompanied by Ms Rilee O’Loughlin, our YMO Lou Baird and Mr Pollock, with Mr MacAndrews joining the party in Brisbane. Please keep the students and staff attending this activity in your prayers.

Finally, St Paul’s will once again host visiting students from St Aloysius College, North Sydney. This has been an annual event for a number of years before being interrupted by Covid-19 in 2020 and 2021. This year we are hoping to be able to have members of our Youth Ministry classes attend the outreach events the St Aloysius boys engage in during their stay. We will once again be requesting families to volunteer to host one of the five or six students late in Term 4. It is hoped that in 2023 and beyond, St Paul’s students will be hosted in Sydney and engage in a variety of outreach and social justice activities in much the same manner that we have hosted the St Aloysius boys in the past.

Thank you and God Bless,

Mr Will Pollock - Leader of Evangelisation

will.pollock@lism.catholic.edu.au

Year 11 Final Examinations

Mrs Amy Tovey - Leader of Curriculum

amy.tovey@lism.catholic.edu.au

Book Week Success Stories 

Following on from our successful Book Week, as mentioned in the previous newsletter, below are the winners of our Borrower Draw and Book Review. Congratulations and thanks to all who participated and were involved in organising the events.

Congratulations to the following winners:

Lucky Book Week Borrowers Draw

• Winner - Toby Pratt
• 2nd Place - Anabel Hiscock

Best Book Review

• Staff Winner - Mr Shipton
• Highly Commended - Mr Pollock
• Student Winner - Parker Phillips (Year 9)
• Student Highly Commended - Kripa Arun (Year 7)

Parker Phillip’s Winning Book Review:

"Loveless by Alice Oseman is the fun, light-hearted story of Georgia Warr--our romance-obsessed, baggy-clothes-wearing protagonist-- graduating high school and settling in at her university. Georgia had two friends throughout high school, Pip Quintana--a dramatic, charismatic, tortoise-shell-glasses-wearing best friend-- and Jason Farley-Shaw-- a cuddly, healing, all-the-scooby-doo references pal. After Georgia didn't get into the same university Pip & Jason had and gets placed in a room with a total stranger, Georgia is forced to commit the unspeakable act of [dramatic pause] socialising!

We soon find out that Georgia's new roommate is Rooney Bach-- a bubbly, seemingly-flawless, Shakespeare-fanatic party girl. We also discover the one thing that ties Georgia & Rooney together is drama, Shakespeare, and a passion for acting--out of that, a friendship sparks. Maybe there's more to Rooney than her incredible sense of style.

One of the many different Societies (clubs, basically) in Georgia's University is the LGBT+ Society, which is run by our last (but not least!) major character Sunil Jha-- musical, caring, affirming 'college parent'. Sunil invites Georgia to help set up decorations for a social event the LGBT+ Society after seeing her sitting alone. It's here that Georgia gets introduced to the term "aromantic asexual" and she's set spiralling down a tunnel of questions and self-wonder.

I recommend Loveless by Alice Oseman to anyone who likes the dynamic of enemies-to-lovers, found family, platonic love, the setting of a college campus, short chapters with individual titles, or is interested in learning about LGBT+ stories."

If you are interested in reading the recommended reads and accompanying reviews by our other Book Review entrants, please follow the link below:

SORA - If you are looking to encourage your child to read, a reminder that our ebook app, SORA has an extensive collection, including audiobooks.

Wednesday 7 September, was Indigenous Literacy Day so our featured SORA ebooks this week focused on Indigenous literature. For students, My Place for Young Readers was highly recommended and for adults, Tara June Winch’s collection of short stories After the Carnage, is a suggested worthy read. For more details see below and visit SORA to borrow.

Any queries please email kmps-lib@lism.catholic.edu.au

Kind Regards,

Mrs Patrice Martin & Mrs Cathy Whalen - Library Managers

Diocesan Athletics Results

Runners up / overall points

U15’s Boys – Julian Ardetti - Third Place on 20 points.
U16’s Boys – Darcy Swaine - Runners up on 20 points.
U16’s Girls - Ruby Trappel – equal third overall.
Kurt Nemme – For an outstanding effort in all events.

Congratulations to the following students who are now eligible for NSWCCC Athletics

Rugby Union 7’s Gala Day

The U15 girls travelled to Coffs Harbour for the Mid North Coast Secondary Schools Rugby 7's Gala Day on Wednesday, with many first timers and a few seasoned veterans. The team had trained well and after a good warm up and team chat, the girls took the field for game one.

After some great defence and opportunities close to the line, the girls went down 2 tries to nil. Game two was also a back and forth affair, with some unlucky errors and two injuries to Isla Grafin Von Mengersen (shoulder) and Cleo Schubert (ankle) leaving the girls with a depleted bench. They went down 3 tries to nil but with plenty of fire in their bellies.

The final game against SJPC saw the girls saving their best for last, winning 3 tries to 1, with Isla Lennon, Emily Stuart and Briella Petterson crossing the white stripe. Super kicker Isla, added the cherry on top with a conversion on full time.

The girls showed commendable bravery, hard work and fantastic skills throughout the day and were exceptional College representatives. Please congratulate the girls if you see them this week.

- Coach Mr Mitch Robins

Netball – Schools Cup Regional Finals

On Thursday last week, St Paul’s took 7 teams to the Schools Cup Regional Finals.
Our students efforts on the day were outstanding, showing determination across all games played. The behaviour of all students on the day was outstanding. I would also like to thank the many parents and carers who come along to these days to support our kids. Your attendance at these events is always welcomed.

A special mention to the Year 10 Boys and Year 10 Girls teams, who ended up placing third overall on the day. The boys were narrowly beaten in an elimination semi-final. The girls ended up having a draw after an injury suspended their game.

Year 10 boys in action

Year 9 and 10 girls teams in action 

Mr Heath Needs - Teacher and Sports Coordinator

heath.needs@lism.catholic.edu.au

Case Management Meetings

At St Paul’s Catholic Secondary College, we have begun the process of running case management meetings to support our students in literacy. Case management meetings are a confidential intervention process designed to promote ongoing discussion about students’ needs, and to provide advice and instructional support for teachers to try out in the classroom.

Case management meetings involve a classroom teacher presenting one student at a time, through a work sample, to a problem-solving forum which includes the Principal, myself (Leader of Pedagogy), the Literacy Coach, and all of the student’s classroom teachers. Together, the forum members come up with an appropriate instructional strategy to try in the classroom.

While the instructional strategy may be necessary for the targeted student, it may also be beneficial for many students in the same class. This process also builds the teachers’ repertoire of instructional strategies related to literacy. After a few weeks, the classroom teachers implementing the strategy report back to the same team in a follow-up case management meeting, bringing evidence of success (or not).

Ms Maria Littlejohn - Leader of Pedagogy

maria.littlejohn@lism.catholic.edu.au

Uniform & Electronic Device infringements that trigger Lunch Detentions

Many parents/carers would be aware that students are given lunch detentions for multiple instances of incorrect uniform and inappropriate use of electronic devices. Students can see that they have a lunch detention via Compass which is our new school management system.

Unfortunately, students are choosing not to attend these designated lunch detentions and if they are present and choose not to attend, the system triggers an extra lunch detention. All students should be bringing an electronic device to school and therefore will know when they look at Compass that they have lunch detention.

Students who are on lunch detention are also notified through the daily notices and via the school loudspeaker system during Period 4 each day.

The poor choices of students around wearing incorrect uniform or incorrect use of a device (usually their phone) is in this case compounded by choosing not to attend lunch detention.

Vaping

Vaping is continuing to be a problem at St Paul’s College and many other schools. Students are choosing to vape in groups in the toilets and it is very hard to prevent this occurring as we do not as yet have vape detectors or cameras outside the toilets that will detect offenders as they leave the toilets after the detector goes off.

If staff are informed that students are vaping in the toilets we call families to notify them of our suspicions and ask for family conversations to be had regarding the health impacts of vaping. Students who are caught vaping will get a three day suspension for the first offence. If caught vaping at school a second time, students will be externally suspended for 5 days and referred to the police as it is illegal to sell E-cigarettes to minors. Police will be interviewing multiple offenders at St Paul’s College to interrupt the supply of these extremely dangerous products.

See below for laws regarding the sale of E-cigarettes to a minor:

It is illegal to sell e-cigarettes to persons under 18 years of age or to purchase e-cigarettes on behalf of a person under 18 years of age. If you are caught purchasing vapes or e-cigarettes on behalf of a person who is under 18 years of age, you risk being charged with an offence under section 23 of Public Health (Tobacco) Act which carries a maximum penalty upon conviction of a fine of $2,200.

Below is a link to a fact sheet from Quitline regarding E-Cigarettes and teens - what you need to know. Please read the information and discuss this with your children.

RUOK Day - Thursday 8 September

St Paul’s participated in a range of activities for RUOK day on Thursday 8 September. Teachers in Pastoral Care classes highlighted the importance of having the conversation including:

• Are you OK?
• Listen with an open mind
• Encourage action
• Check in

This was an important day where mental health and its effects were highlighted and discussed.

Mr Leon Robinson - Leader of Pastoral Care

leon.robinson@lism.catholic.edu.au  

0401 166 415

02 65627200

Sharon Kelly, affectionately known as Aunty Sharon in our community, was nominated for the Panadol Care Package Community Member Award where she was one of the finalists. The Panadol team found her a truly exceptional Australian who has gone above and beyond to care for others.

In recognition of her contribution to the Kempsey Community, Aunty Sharon was awarded a $1000 gift voucher in appreciation of being the true embodiment of the Panadol Care Collective community.

Aunty Sharon is an Elder of the Dunghutti Nation in the Kempsey district, who has spent her adult life serving both public and the school communities in the area. She also worked in the banking industry for 24 years.

After this time, she changed direction to help young people. She started working in a primary school in 2004, which involved working with students and liaison with parents. By the end of that year she started working in secondary schools where she became known for her commitment and dedication to support students from all cultural backgrounds. Her motto in life is “inclusion and diversity”.

Currently, she is working on various programs that promote positive community engagement. The community projects she has worked on involve the learning of language, Sorry Day activities, Retreat Careers and the Wellbeing Expo for indigenous students, she is involved in the Year 12 Graduation process and works as St Paul's Indiginous Education Worker to provide classroom support for teachers and students.

For the past 17 years she has been a committed role model for the young people in her care and with her leadership skills, Aunty Sharon was a worthy contender for this award as she has gone above and beyond for her community.

After over 20 years of service and many pots, busts and other ceramic creations fired, the College said goodbye to our old kiln in Week 7 and welcomed a new kiln.

The Visual Arts department is very excited about the potential for offering greater opportunities in ceramics as the new kiln will allow students to explore the use of glazes, as well as other ceramic processes. In recent years, as the old kiln abilities became limited in the final years of service, students have been restricted to using acrylics to embellish their creations as the kiln could only complete a bisque firing.

The Creative Arts and Languages Department would like to thank the College for investing in this piece of infrastructure to enable students to expand their expressive forms in all levels of study in Visual Arts.

Congratulations to St Paul’s ex-student Chloe Saunders who is in Samoa representing Australia in Samoa’s 60th Independence Vodafone Sevens Tournament. Chloe, who graduated from St Paul’s in 2017, is the captain of the newly formed Sydney team, the Burraneer Rays.

Outside of Rugby, Chloe has played for the NSW Waratahs development squad, captained the NSW Women’s Rugby Seven’s side against Queensland which led to her selection in the Australia “A” Women's Rugby Seven’s side. Chloe has excelled in various sports including cricket where she played for NSW as a fast bowler. After a shoulder injury she switched to Rugby. Chloe’s father, who played most of his rugby in Canterbury New Zealand, has been her greatest support and trusted advisor in her career.

Chloe has combined her sporting achievements with her studies for a teaching degree. She will be back in Kempsey soon undertaking her teaching prac at St Joseph’s, Kempsey.

Chloe’s mother, Ricki, who manages the College Canteen, said that St Paul’s has seen some amazing rugby athletes who have represented Australia including Zac Hough, Darby Lancaster, Triston Reilly and Chloe.

As a small town we should be proud of the sheer dedication and focus these kids have displayed to follow their dreams and represent their county.

Chloe has been attending Samoan schools as her role as captain to encourage women in sport. She presented Wallaroos Jerseys to Samoan team captains and met with the Samoan Chief as his special guest. It’s been an overwhelming experience for Chloe individually and she is so proud to be representing her team and country.

Please note that it is a requirement for all students to have a working calculator in Mathematics.

• Calculators may be purchased in the College Office for $30.
• Students or their parents/carers may purchase via EFTPOS or cash.

Parenting for Resilience, Confidence and Independence

FREE Parent Online Summit - 3 days, 3 themes, 21+ world-class speakers. Friday 7 - 9 October. 

If you want tips, tools and ideas to parent your child to be resilient, confident and independent - this summit is for you!

Register for your FREE ticket here:

Topics include:

• Empowering Your Child to Self-Advocate
• How to Combat Toxic Perfectionism
• BE CALM in the Tough Moments
• Raising Financially Smart Children
• The Brain-Food Connection
• From Protection to Empowerment
• How Not to Lose Your Cool
• Reframing fatherhood and masculinity
• The complex world of children's friendships
• Building Confidence in Kids
• Building Loving Foundations
• Managing Emotions with Emotional Intelligence
• Bully-Proof Your Kids
• and so much more

Kempsey-Macleay Centre has a fully accredited Riding for the Disabled facility operating on Tuesdays at the Kempsey Showground undercover arena.

• We provide Equine Therapy programs for people living with a disability to help enrich, develop and enhance their lives.
• Our Centre offers both riding and non-riding sessions using suitable trained horses that carry out a range of activities appropriate for all needs.
• Our coaches are Riding for the Disabled NSW accredited and take responsibility for the daily operational procedures of the Centre and are fully supported by a dedicated trained team of volunteers who work continuously to fulfill the Centre requirements.
• To be eligible as a participant in any of our programs, there are requirements that need to be fulfilled.

If this program offered by our Centre is of interest or more information is required, please email kempseyrda@gmail.com

First Kempsey Scout Group are recruiting for youth in various sections:

• Cubs - 8 to 10 years section
• Scouts - 11 to 14 years section

Put the out in Scout and come and join us, you won’t be disappointed!

There is a three-week trial prior to membership.

Open to boys and girls.

First Kempsey Scout Group is an approved provider of the Active Kids Voucher.

Further enquiries to Jane on 0429 150 414

For more information about Scouts, please follow the link below: