Term 1 Week 8 - 24 March 2023

Dear Parent/Carer

‘Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in a day? If one walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” ‘

John 11: 1-45

As we approach the last few weeks of Term, I would like to acknowledge the tremendous work that continues across the College. We have had a deliberate focus on continuing standards around uniform, use of mobile phones and strong engagement in the classroom and this has had pleasing outcomes across all year groups.

We observed our Year 7 and Year 9 students engage in NAPLAN last week and I commend them on their attitude and focus across this national testing period. This week our Year 12 students have been involved in an Assessment Block that they prepared well for and I trust that the results received reflect the consistent efforts across the Term. Next week our Year 11 students will have their Assessment Block and I also look forward to tracking their performance.

Last week I was involved in a School Review of Newman Technical College, Port Macquarie. This was a useful exercise as St Paul’s will be experiencing this process early in Term 3, 2023. The review itself was insightful and a celebration of the excellent work from the staff and students at Newman. For me it provided opportunity to consider what St Paul’s does well and what could be done better. The process that uses the National School Improvement Tool (NSIT) developed by ACER is thorough and objective in its analysis and will provide excellent feedback on how we can continue to improve all we do at the College.

Our work in raising money for CARITAS (Project Compassion) across this LENTEN period continues to be pleasing. The creativity of activities and the involvement of our whole school community has been particularly pleasing. We have had a number of students involved in a variety of Liturgical and Spiritual experiences across the last few weeks and this has been tremendous. The work of Mr Matthew Mitchell, Mrs Barica Rafton and our Youth Ministry Officer, Max Winn, together with the Youth Ministry Team has been exceptional and has set a tone across the College of the value we have for what it is to be a Catholic School.

The build is making strong progress with the roof being completed on our new hall. This means that the internal work can continue regardless of weather conditions, which is wonderful. The technology in our ‘old hall’ will be installed across the next few weeks and we expect to have this amazing facility handed over to us at the end of the Term. It will be an excellent resource for the whole community upon its completion.

Finally, I would like to inform you that we have had some staffing changes across the last few weeks. Mrs Kristy Carney, who is currently on leave and had the role of Leader of Inclusion and Diversity has resigned from her position. This is currently held in an acting capacity by Ms Kate Anderson and will be advertised toward the end of the year. Ms Magenta Kerr our Leader of Science is taking leave across the remainder of this semester and will be replaced by Ms Rayleigh Keith. We also will be saying farewell to Mr Dane Smith who has accepted a teaching position in Coffs Harbour. Dane will be leaving us at the end of the Term and we are currently advertising for a replacement. The College thanks Kristy and Dane for their contributions across their years of service to the St Paul’s community and we wish them every success as they continue their stellar professional journey.

Kind regards

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

Principal

kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au

The wonderful work of our P&F supporting the Mission of the College
One of the great joys of my career in Educational Leadership has been working with the Parents & Friends group, in both Bathurst and Kempsey. At St Paul’s there is a wonderful committee who meets at the school two or three times a Term with the primary function being the organisation of potential fundraising for specific College resourcing. The meetings are very positive and informative and allow the College's Senior Executive the opportunity to liaise with parents and carers regarding current events and future planning.

How does the work of the P&F support the Mission of our school?
As an example, at the March meeting the discussions included a comprehensive outline of the improvements the College is supporting in making the toilets a safer and more hygienic space. The advent of vaping in schools across Australia has placed significant pressure on schools, as these spaces cannot be supervised by staff.

Since 2021, the student numbers at St Paul’s have increased significantly and the College has sought to ensure all facilities can satisfy the cohort requirements. During this Term the College has changed staff supervision rosters so staff can ensure that students do not take their bag into the toilet. This can be problematic for girls during menstruation as pointed out by the P&F. As a result of ongoing consultation the College has increased the number of sanitary bins in each toilet and is presently costing other sanitary resources within all girls toilets. The College looks forward to opening additional toilet spaces during 2023 and considering different designs that suit our cohort’s needs.

I had the opportunity to then speak to staff about our discussions and comment on the inclusive and supportive nature of the gathering. This matter is an example of how positive discussions between the parent body and the Senior Executive allows voice towards better opportunities for our students.

My advice to parents/carers at St Paul’s is to take the opportunity to come along to a P&F meeting and meet the wonderful parents and friends who are supporting this committee. You have a chance to provide your opinion on topical matters and gain an understanding of the fundraising priorities of the P&F group.

The next P&F meeting takes place on 8 May in the staff lunchroom beginning at 5.30pm - all are welcome!

Mr Geoffrey Melville - Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing

geoffrey.melville@lism.catholic.edu.au

Year 7 Transitus Retreat
Last week six Year 7 students attended the Transitus Retreat. It was an overnight trip that was aimed at supporting a smooth transition to secondary schools as well as celebrate and nurture their faith at a diocesan level. The retreat was a chance to bring students together to meet like-minded peers and to celebrate with other young people who want to grow and be supported in their Christian faith.

The activities were a mixture of large and small sharing groups as well as celebrating the Eucharist together. A highlight listed by many students was the fact that they were able to build relationships with other students from throughout the Diocese as well as a chance for students to talk and share about their faith journey. Our students were supported by two year 10 students, Parker Phillips and Alana Ennis. They were set the challenge of leading small group reflections and guiding conversations about faith.

Project Compassion “For All Future Generations” - This week’s story
There are many occasions when we ask the question why, and can’t find the answer for which we are looking. Why did we miss out on a job? Why did someone we love get cancer? Why can’t we find a place to live that we can afford? Why do some days seem so difficult?

It is good to sit with our confusion and even grief. It is good to share it with the Lord who loves us so tenderly. But sometimes we have to step aside from the question: why did this happen? It may be better to start with, where can I go from here? What small steps will enable me to face the future in a positive spirit?

This week Project Compassion shares with us the story of Thu, who lives in Vietnam. At the age of 12, Thu’s life was thrown into chaos when he trod on a land mine from the Vietnam War. Surely, he must have asked why he was among the unlucky ones. He might have asked the same thing again when his wife suffered a stroke. But Thu joined the Empowerment of People with Disabilities program, supported by Caritas Australia through our local partners, the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development. As with so many others, your generosity enabled Thu and his family to build a brighter future. Thank you for helping in this wonderful work of transformation.

Prayer
We pray for those who live in confusion and doubt. May we try to support positive approaches to even the most difficult problems, such as the partnerships created by Caritas Australia through Project Compassion. Amen.

Mr Matthew Mitchell - Leader of Evangelisation

matthew.mitchell@lism.catholic.edu.au

Parent Teacher Interviews
A reminder to parents/carers that Monday 27 March is Parent Teacher Interviews from 4-6:30 pm. If you still need to book an interview with your child's teachers please go to your Compass dashboard and select Parent Teacher Interviews.

Year 11 Assessment Week
Friday of Week 9 and all of Week 10 is assessment week for the Year 11 students. This cohort has been working hard all Term and should be proud of their efforts leading into assessments.

The assessment timetable can be found HERE

Let Your Light Shine Awards
Congratulations to the following students who were recipients for our Let Your Light Shine Award this week:

Mrs Amy Tovey - Leader of Curriculum

amy.tovey@lism.catholic.edu.au

Thank you to all parents/carers who have registered with Flexischools. This is the required method of ordering recess and lunch via the Flexischools phone app or online. 

Please register with Flexischools HERE

If your children are responsible for ordering their own lunches via Flexischools, please remind them to order the night before or before 9am each day. We are receiving too many "over the counter bag orders" throughout the day, which interrupts our preparation and making of orders in a timely manner. The canteen is closed except for before school, recess and lunch times, hence the importance of ordering via Flexischools.

• Order on the Flexischools app - anywhere, any time.
• Please create an account with Flexischools where you can find the latest daily menu available, prices and any specials for the day.
• When searching for your school we are listed under St Paul's West Kempsey.
• Recess and lunch order cut off is 9am daily.
• You can cancel your order at any time before 9am the day of the order by contacting the Flexischools helpline 1300 361 769 or call the College to cancel if your child is sick or absent on 6562 7200.
  
• Consider ordering extra drinks, icecreams, chips etc on the Flexischools app or online, so you can beat the queue and collect items at 1:45pm.

Should anyone have problems with the Flexischools system, the helpline number is 1300 361 769, open from 8am-4pm daily. They are very helpful and friendly.

Please note: We are currently having milk supply issues with BEGA Dairy, therefore the flavoured milk is not available from the canteen at this time. They are working hard to repair the machine breakdown, however it will take some time before stocks are replenished.



Ricki Saunders - Canteen Manager

Vaping: Why is it attractive?
Young people can be drawn to vaping for a number of different reasons including peer pressure, accessibility and affordability, the belief that vaping is harmless and curiosity. Sometimes a family member who vapes can also influence children and young people to try vaping.

This short video provides some insights into why vaping is attractive to young people and is important viewing before parents and carers use the conversation starters at home.

Conversation Starters
Be ready to have these conversations with your child with a sense of calmness and interest in what they have to say. Be ready to listen to their responses without jumping in too quickly to correct them. Choose your timing wisely, perhaps during a relaxed moment at home, when driving somewhere together, or when no other stress or distractions are present.

• Why do you think more children and teens are vaping? Listen to understand. Your child may mention one of the reasons listed above or have another opinion. This conversation starter opens the door to healthy dialogue.
• Could you confidently say no if you were offered a vape? How could you do this? Help your young person create an ‘exit plan’ if they are offered a vape.
• How do you think the person offering you the vape would react to you saying no? How might that make you feel about this friendship?
  Now might be a good time to talk about what your child values in their friends.

Peer pressure can be powerful, so coming up with realistic action steps and practising them together in a safe environment will prepare and empower your child to make good choices when it matters. Remind them that not everyone is vaping. There are many young people making healthy choices to say no.


Ms Fiona Stuart - Leader of Pastoral Care

fiona.stuart@lism.catholic.edu.au

At a College assembly recently, I shared with the student body a story about a personal workplace experience from about 15 years ago. The essence of the story was that I was replaced. Not by another human, but a robot. A blue arm who was far more efficient than me, didn’t take sick leave and was much more reliable than I ever could be.

Whilst undertaking my studies to become a teacher I worked for a large corporation that specialised in making cereals. I would work about twenty hours a week on a production line packing boxes. This all changed when the ‘blue arm’ was introduced. I shifted roles and had to develop new skills.

I shared this story to exemplify that the future workplace may look very different to what it has and even what it looks like now. Our students, our sons and our daughters will need to develop the capacity to be agile in their learning and develop skills to not only compete for the finite number of jobs with their peers, but also new technologies. Although it might seem far off, for me it occurred over a decade ago.

Work experience is an opportunity to identify and develop employability skills, discover what is appealing and also what is not. For Year 10 in 2023 an optional work experience block will occur in Week 9 of Term 2 (June 19-23). This presents an opportunity and challenge for students considering their future and allows them to explore the world of work. More information will be provided, but for now please consider this opportunity with your young person and start to have discussions around the future of work and their place in it.


Mr Lee Hancock - Leader of Innovation and Engagement in the World of Work

The St Paul’s College P & F Association held its AGM on 13 March, filling all executive positions except for the Treasurer. We invite anyone who has been considering contributing to the P & F and may be interested in this position to contact the College office. The outgoing Treasurer has offered support during the transition period to the new Treasurer.

The P & F meet on the second Monday of each month (this is usually two or three times a Term), with our next meeting taking place on Monday 8 May at 5:30pm.

The P &F Association looks forward to seeing new faces at the next meeting.

P & F Survey
Parent representative bodies such as P&Fs and Parent Forums are important ways for schools and families to work together for the good of the whole school community.

All schools in the Diocese of Lismore are being encouraged to adopt one of two approved models for parent representation in our schools over the next 2 years.

The St Paul’s P&F Association has decided to explore which model would suit our school community best and would like to give all parents and carers the opportunity to offer their opinion. A brief description of the two models follows. After you have read through the two options available please provide your opinion about the model that you believe would best suit our school community in the short survey that follows.

Two Models for Parent Representative Bodies
Option One: The School Community Forum
This is the formal model of a parent representative body and has executive positions e.g., Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary to which parents/carers are elected. This model has a constitution that governs its operations and as it is a legal entity, it can be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission and can hold a bank account for fundraising. This group is responsible for the financial accountability of any fundraising money held in this bank account.

Option Two: The School Community Group
This is the informal model of a parent representative body and has NO executive positions. This model has a handbook that helps guide proper meeting procedures and topics for discussion. This group would not be able to register with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commision and could not hold a bank account for fundraising money.

Understanding the Similarities and Differences
Similarities

• The purpose of both groups is to support the mission of the Catholic school, strengthen family school partnerships and parent connection, be welcoming and inclusive and provide good communication to the whole parent community about the parent body initiatives.
• Both groups will invite the parish priest and a parish representative to be a part of the group to strengthen ties between parish and school.
• The meeting agendas for both groups will include prayer and faith formation and an educational component that will provide attendees with insights and information about a wide range of school and parenting topics.
• Both models will hold open meetings so that any parent/carer can attend at any time.
• Both models will publish an agenda prior to the meeting and topics that are not listed on the agenda cannot be raised in either the informal or formal settings.
• Both models have a code of conduct that attendees must agree to abide by.

Differences

• Only the School Community Forum (SCF) can have a bank account. The School Community Groupl model may still assist the school in fundraising initiatives the school decides to pursue, but fundraising is not the central focus of the group’s efforts.
• The SCF must elect parents/carers to executive roles such as chairperson etc. School Community Groups decide if they would prefer to identify one person to act as a chairperson for a year or rotate the role of chairing the meeting each Term. The chairperson’s main tasks are to help the principal set the agenda for the meeting and ensure the meeting guidelines are followed. Similarly, a note taker can be nominated for the year or rotated each meeting to keep a brief record of the content of the meeting.
• The formal model must abide by the constitution and strictly follow:
  - meeting protocols regarding how motions are moved and seconded;
  - the financial accountabilities associated with having a bank account in the parent body’s name;
  - the presentation of reports including financial reports.
• The informal model has an agenda to follow but discussions can be more relaxed and there is no need to move and second motions or have any financial accountabilities.

If you would like to learn more you can read a more detailed explanation HERE.

Your Opinion Matters
Please click HERE to answer a short 2 question survey.

Stage 4 Food Technology Pancakes Practical 
Across the last few weeks, the Year 7 and 8 Food Technology classes have been practising their presentation skills through their pancake practical lesson.

Students were given the chance to express their creativity and artistic skills in a class competition to see who could present the best pancakes. Each class performed well and the decision was tough.

Congratulations to the following students who presented the best pancakes in their respective class:

Congratulations to St Paul's students, Caitlin Williams, Nick Kenny, Isaac Gorline-Singleman and Bryce Peters for taking part in The Leukaemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave this week.

They have collectively raised over $8000 for this good cause - well done to our senior students and thank you to all in our community who have supported their initiative. If you would like to donate please follow the link HERE

The College is no longer permitted to refer to previous permission given to administer paracetamol to students. From Term 2 the College will no longer provide paracetamol to students, unless prescribed to the student.

If a student requires any medication, including paracetamol, to be administered by the College, then parents/carers are required to provide:

1. The medication in its original packaging with a pharmacy label detailing the student's name, dosage and time to be taken ('as required' is not acceptable).
2. A completed and signed Medication Indemnity form.
3. A letter from the prescribing doctor detailing the name of the student, the condition for which the medication is required and the guidelines for its administration.

Further information is available here: Medication Policy

Medical Indemnity form is available here: Medication Indemnity form

Please note that this information is also available via Compass under School Documentation (access via your browser not the app).

If you have any queries please contact the College office on 6562 7200.

ABSTUDY is assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with the cost of studying and training. 

Students can get ABSTUDY when they start high school and can continue to receive payments whether they live at home or away from home. ABSTUDY continues to help when students move on to higher education or starting an apprenticeship. There are also extra payments for those students who go on to do Masters and Doctorate studies.

Depending on a student’s circumstances, ABSTUDY can help with:

• school fees
• boarding fees
• living costs
• travel costs
• buying school materials (uniforms, textbooks and stationery)

For more information about ABSTUDY visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/ABSTUDY or call 1800 132 317.

It’s not too late to claim ABSTUDY support for the 2023 school year.

You can download the ABSTUDY high school eKit HERE

The Diocese of Lismore is seeking applications for a permanent part time Prison Chaplain who will be supporting the Mid North Coast Correctional Centre in Kempsey, NSW, working alongside existing Catholic chaplains Caroline Coggins and Fr James.

This Chaplain position is for 3 days a week. The suitably qualified Chaplain will provide high quality transformational pastoral care and spiritual support to inmates, their families/carers, and staff.

Please click on this Seek link to access more information and to apply online for the role or alternatively email mbradley@lismore.catholic.org.au or call Marijo Bradley on
02 6621 9444. The closing date for this role is Friday 14 April 2023.

Enrolments for Year 7 for 2024 are now open and we have begun interviewing. If you have applied you will be contacted in the coming weeks to arrange your interview time, we interview all applicants. Applications for Year 7, 2024 must be lodged before 31 May 2023. This is applicable to students from all schools including Catholic feeder primary schools.

Please follow the link HERE for further information regarding enrolments at St Paul's College.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Youth mental health outreach service, headspace, is hosting free webinars for parents and carers who are supporting young people with their mental health during the school holidays.

The session aims to:

• Identify challenges and opportunities of the school holiday period
• Offer practical ideas for parents and carers
• Provide information about additional support services
• Highlight the importance of self-care

Click HERE to register for this free webinar.

Each year, St Paul's College provides the venue for NSW Health to conduct the NSW Schools Vaccination Program. PLEASE NOTE: NSW Health has a new process for collecting consent for your child to receive their vaccination at school. Please read the information below provided by NSW Health.

Vaccination Program Date remaining in 2023:

Term 4 – 17 October 2023

· Year 7 catch up (HPV & Boostrix)

· Year 10 & 11 Nimenrix (meningococcal ACWY) catch up

Online consent for school vaccinations
If your child is in Year 7 or Year 10 this year, or is in Year 11 and missed their Year 10 vaccinations in 2022, you can now provide online consent for their routine school vaccinations.

• Year 7 students are offered free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Year 10 students are offered the meningococcal ACWY vaccine.

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

How to provide consent:

1. To complete online consent for your child’s school vaccinations, visit: https://nswhealth.service-now.com/school
2. Click the login with ‘Service NSW Account’ button and log in using your Service NSW details. This is the same account you may already use to renew your driver’s licence. If you don’t have a Service NSW account, refer to Service NSW to create one.
3. Update or confirm your personal details in Service NSW as required.
4. Complete the School Vaccination Consent Form for your child/ren. You will need to:
   ⦁ Enter your child’s personal details
   ⦁ Provide the Medicare card details for you and your child
   ⦁ Read the linked Parent Information Sheet and privacy statement
   ⦁ Provide consent

If you or your child do not have a Medicare card, consent can still be provided by requesting a paper-based consent form (please contact the College office on 6562 7200 to ask for a hard copy form).

Read a step-by-step guide on how to provide consent online. Translated guides are available in Arabic, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese.

For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination or contact the Port Macquarie Public Health Unit on 02 6589 2120.

Catholic Schools New South Wales (CSNSW), in line with current health advice, has advised that all Catholic schools are to continue with ‘baseline’ COVID-smart measures during Term 1 2023.

Masks
Mask-wearing is strongly encouraged when indoors for all staff and for all students, when physical distancing is not possible, and for people who believe they have been exposed to COVID-19.

Illness
Staff and students should stay at home when unwell, even with mild symptoms.

The My School website has been updated for 2023 with new profile information on schools and the latest school-level NAPLAN data. 

From the Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority (ACARA) CEO, David de Carvalho, “My School provides data on schooling right across Australia, helping parents, schools and governments to understand the performance of schools.”

“It’s an important resource for parents to make informed decisions about their children’s schooling. As well as providing an overview of approach and focus of the school, parents and carers can also find information on student and teacher numbers, attendance rates, financial information and NAPLAN results.

“It also provides teachers with important insights into school performance, supporting and driving improvements across the nation.”

The 2023 My School update includes the following:

2022 school profile and population data

2022 school attendance data

2022 NAPLAN results for schools

2021 school financial information, including capital expenditure and funding sources

2021 post-school destinations data.

 Student progress data for 2020 – 2022 is not available following the cancellation of NAPLAN in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, parents can still view NAPLAN performance data relative to Socio-Educational Advantage by school on the NAPLAN results page.

My School’s Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) indicates the average educational advantage of the school’s students and is calculated using information about a parent’s occupation and education, school geographical location and the proportion of Indigenous students. A school’s ICSEA value is provided to encourage taking socio-educational advantage into account when comparing school achievement.

My School shows a decline in students’ attendance during Semester 1 and Term 3 2022, but this can be attributed to the impacts of the COVID-19 Omicron outbreak, high influenza outbreaks and floods experienced in some regions of Australia during that time.

To have a look at the College's profile and results, go on the My School website and enter St Paul's College in the search field.