Term 2 Week 2 - 5 May 2023

Dear Parent/Carer

‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you know me, you know my Father too. From this moment you know him and have seen him.’

John 14: 1-12

Welcome to Term 2, 2023, it is hoped that the holidays were well enjoyed and that the Term has started well. I acknowledge the energy and focus from our students on their return. Staff have commented that students are quite settled and are well engaged in lessons and the completion of assessments leading up to the reporting period for Semester 1.

The Term has started well with significant involvement in ANZAC commemorative services across the Macleay and Nambucca Valleys. It was evident that our students value the significance of this day as attendance at the mass at All Saints Catholic Church, Kempsey and the various dawn services and marches increased from previous years.

Our new Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching, Ms Kate Fullbrook has joined us and is an excellent addition to our strong Executive team. Her knowledge of Curriculum together with her understanding of context (being a local to the area) has placed her well to continue our excellent work within the Learning and Teaching space.

I thank all families who continue to support the College in maintaining high standards regarding uniform, jewellery and mobile phone usage. It is obvious that high expectations around these areas has created a very settled, focussed student community.

As many in the community would be aware, we have been required to support over the last few years, from a distance, the Debutante Ball involving a number of our Year 11 students. COVID and more recently the College renovations have certainly impacted on the part St Paul's plays in the running of this event. Unfortunately, this year is no exception. Due to the ongoing delay with the completion of our new hall we will again be relying on a strong parent body, and the P & F to facilitate the organisational matters associated with this long standing event. I thank the students who have approached the College and the P & F for support. I note that a committee has been formed to move this forward and I thank them for their interest and commitment. The Debutante Ball has been scheduled for Saturday 2 September at the South West Rocks Country Club and I am sure it will be a terrific experience for all involved. As it stands, the Debutante Ball for 2023, while involving a significant number of St Paul's students, will not have any College affiliation with the event and will be administered and coordinated through the recently formed Debutante committee.

This week we launched our official survey called ‘Tell Them from Me’. Our students engaged in this survey, during PC time, under the directions of their PC teacher. School community voice is critical and we are structuring the completion of this survey in a way that supports a high completion rate – so the information we gather is authentic and reflective of ALL within our community. I would also invite as many parents/carers as possible to also take time to complete this survey. We will be looking at this information to provide direction as we consider our School Annual Improvement Plan and 3-Year Strategic plan.

I would remind our school community that we will be engaging in a School Review in the first week of Term 3. Reviewers trained in the use of the National School Improvement Tool (NSIT) will be coming to the College to meet with teachers, students and parents/carers to gauge how we are travelling as a school providing considered and informed direction for next steps and how to best resource. We are very excited about this opportunity and I strongly encourage parents/carers to communicate to the College if interested in taking part. School community support in this process is warmly encouraged.

Our Agricultural team, supported by Mr Graham Bramley, Ms Lisa Frewen and parents/carers, again performed extremely well across our regional shows. It continues to be evident that we have an exceptional Agricultural teaching team that has an enthusiasm that motivates students to continually give of their best. The students presented themselves incredibly well, demonstrated exceptional skills across all areas and showed a dedication to learn more and appeared as proud ambassadors for our College. They are indeed an impressive group of students!

We had a number of successful events across the first week of Term. Our Year 12 Science students travelled down to Sydney for a three-day excursion, which was an excellent opportunity for all involved. I thank Ms Rayleigh Keith (Acting Leader of Science) and her team in organising such a wonderful experience. Staff attending overnight events, being away from family, is a significant sacrifice and I thank them all. We also had our Cross Country Carnival which was held under beautiful skies. The route took students through Francis Farm (thanks to Mr Graham Bramley) and some great results were achieved. Participation and enthusiasm from students across the day was exceptional and I thank Mr Heath Needs and his team for all their work in bringing this event together.

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

kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au

Thank you to all staff, students and parents for the very warm welcome to the College. I am thrilled to be here working with the St Paul’s College Community. As a previous student myself, I know the incredible journey this College marks for so many in the Macleay and Nambucca Valleys. My family and I are delighted to be back in the area.

Attendance
As the school year continues, we build closer to the HSC and final months of schooling for our senior students. At this time I would like families to consider the importance of school attendance in the lead up to these crucial periods. If students are in class with their teachers they are far more likely to be educationally successful. This requires parents to push hard at times to ensure that students are not having odd days at home. The last few years have been difficult when navigating sickness, however as we approach the winter months I encourage students to do what they can to stay healthy and push themselves to come to school.

Non-attendance has a variety of effects on students, both academically and socially. Absenteeism can increase social isolation, including alienation and lack of engagement with the school community and peers, leading to emotional and behavioural difficulties (Carroll, 2013; Gottfried, 2014).

Year 12
Term 2 presents no formal assessment period, this can be a trap for students as they continue to work through HSC content while also preparing for the major Trial HSC exams in Term 3. There are critical HSC assessment tasks due in Term 2 with increased weightings. Each Year 12 student must have a simple plan for Term 2:

• When are each of my tasks due in Term 2?
• How will I prepare, for eg, what content notes have I got to prepare with?
• What past HSC questions/marking criteria/marker feedback are relevant to the task?
• I must be in each class to attack this task.
• I must send drafts to my teacher prior to the task for best preparation.

Every minute counts in class during Term 2 as well as using each evening towards revision to better prepare for the task ahead.

Year 11
Year 11 students trialled their first assessment block last Term which means they are a third of the way through the Prelim course. We will continue to run the assessment blocks this Term and review the students feedback.

Learning across Year 7-10
Since I arrived, I have been incredibly impressed by the culture of learning across the College. The students are doing wonderful work in the lessons and the teachers have created environments that have reflective and engaging practice. I am excited to be part of this learning environment.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you would like to get in touch.



Ms Kate Fullbrook - Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

kate.fullbrook@lism.catholic.edu.au

The College Hangar- a wonderful community space at St Paul’s
The first Term at St Paul’s provided opportunities for our community to gather and celebrate together often, in particular in the presence of God with our Opening Mass, Ash Wednesday and Easter Liturgy. Our gathering venue for all whole school events since the beginning of last year has been the College Hangar, where we all bring a chair to the space, align in PC groups and prepare to share time together. There have been some challenges within this open space during this time; dogs barking, minor neighbourhood disputes, lots of building works at the nearby all-encompassing College community venue and hot, often rainy and windy conditions to name a few. However, this space has allowed us to build a great sense of our culture, we are very proud of our community and everyone who walks through our gates as a staff member, student or family member.

Each second Wednesday per Term our students gather together in the Hangar for Assembly, during this week it was a student led assembly. There are usually only three staff members present at student led assemblies; Mr David Johns, Ms Kate Fullbrook and myself with well over 600 students - there is a great sense of community. The College Leaders run the show, they provide the agenda and source ideas and interests from the student body. This week the focus was towards the Do it for Dolly Day supporting adolescent mental health initiatives. Our College Leaders in this instance have driven a range of activities allowing our College community to strongly support this wonderful charity on Friday 12 May. I am writing to our St Paul’s families in particular to commend the fantastic ethic our students bring to these gatherings in the Hangar. They are not perfect and we always reflect on what we agree is best practice; however you should be very proud, as I am, of our young women and men showing respect when we meet and share together, reflecting on the many interesting and positive opportunities at the College.

The refurbishment of the Edmund Rice Centre (known to longer tenured school community members as the old Hall or J Block) is nearly complete which will allow College gatherings to return to this venue, equipped with carpeted seating, air conditioning and audio-visual facilities. While the refurbished J Block provides more comfortable and accessible technological resources, I still consider there will be the beautiful place we know as the Hangar for us all to occasionally gather within the richness of the Macleay environment and reflect on ourselves as a welcoming, supportive and respectful community, which has been clearly evident during our times together over the past two years in this space.



Mr Geoffrey Melville - Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing

geoffrey.melville@lism.catholic.edu.au

Celebrating the Resurrection
As we approach the end of the Easter season, we are reminded of the joy and hope that the Resurrection brings to our lives. This Sunday marks the 5th Sunday of Easter, a time when we reflect on the gift of new life that Jesus offers us through his death and resurrection.

The Gospel reading for this Sunday comes from John 14:1-12, in which Jesus tells his disciples that he is the “Way, the Truth and the Life”. He reminds us that we must remain connected to him in order to live a life for others. This message is particularly relevant as we navigate the challenges of the current times. It is through our connection with Jesus that we find the strength and resilience to overcome obstacles and grow in faith.

As we continue to reflect on the message of Easter, we also look forward to the upcoming celebration of the Ascension of Jesus. This feast marks the day when Jesus returned to his Father in heaven. It is a reminder that Jesus is not just a historical figure, but a living presence in our lives today. He continues to guide us and intercede for us as we journey through life.

As we celebrate the Ascension, we are also called to remember our own mission as disciples of Jesus. We are called to share the good news of the Gospel with others and to be witnesses of Christ’s love in the world. This is not always an easy task, but we can take comfort in knowing that we are never alone. Jesus promised to send us the Holy Spirit, who will guide and empower us to carry out his mission.

As we move through the school year, let us take these messages to heart and renew our commitment to living as disciples of Jesus. May we remain connected to him, perform acts of kindness, and share his love with others. Let us also pray for the grace to carry out this mission with courage and faith.

CSYMA Supporting St Patrick’s Retreat
Last week a group of Year 10 students from our College had the opportunity to travel to St Patrick’s Primary School in Macksville to lead a spiritual retreat for Year 5 students. It was a wonderful experience for all involved, and a great opportunity for our students to live out their faith in a meaningful way.

The theme for the day was “Journeying with Jesus,” and our students did an excellent job of leading groups, giving testimonies, performing role plays, and running a liturgy. They worked collaboratively with the St Patrick’s Primary School staff to create a program that was engaging, informative, and spiritually enriching for the Year 5 students.

Our students began the day by introducing themselves and explaining the theme for the retreat. They then led the Year 5 students through a series of activities that helped them to reflect on their own faith journey and to understand the importance of having Jesus as their companion on that journey.

The highlight of the day was the liturgy, which our students planned and led. They chose readings, and prayers that were relevant to the theme of the retreat, and they delivered a message that was both inspiring and thought-provoking. The Year 5 students were fully engaged throughout the liturgy, and it was clear that our students had done an excellent job of preparing and delivering it.

Overall, it was a wonderful day for everyone involved. Our Year 10 students did an outstanding job of representing our College and sharing their faith with the Year 5 students at St Patrick’s Primary School. We are very proud of them and grateful for the opportunity to serve in this way.

As we reflect on this experience, let us be reminded of the importance of living out our faith in practical ways. May we continue to look for opportunities to serve others and share the love of Jesus with those around us.

matthew.mitchell@lism.catholic.edu.au

Year 11 2024 Subject Selection Information Night
Our Year 11 2024 Subject Selection Information Night will be held on Monday 19 June. This night provides all Year 10 students with the opportunity to obtain information about Year 11 and 12 requirements and subject options. There will be two formal information sessions being held on the night. The first information session will begin at 4pm and the second session will begin at 5pm. After each of the information sessions, Year 11 and 12 teachers from each subject faculty will be available to answer questions about each of the subjects on offer for 2024. This event will take place in the Edmund Rice Centre. Please note that this is a mandatory component for all students entering into Year 11 at St Paul's College next year.

Year 11 and 12 Assessment Weeks
Year 11 Assessment tasks will be held across Week 7 and Week 9 this Term to accommodate the History excursion occurring in Week 8. The assessment schedule will be released on Monday 8 May in order for students to have time to adequately prepare for these tasks.

Year 12 Assessment week will be held across Week 8 this Term. The assessment schedule will be released on Friday 5 May.

HSC Written Timetable
The HSC written examination timetable has been released and can be accessed using the following link HERE. Students are also able to access their personalised HSC timetable via the Student’s Online portal.

The Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Classroom
AI is a powerful new tool that students can use for research and writing assistance. However, the use of AI is considered to be a form of plagiarism when used for assessments and other classwork. This is because it generates written content without proper acknowledgement from the original source.

If a student is found to be using AI and therefore not following the principles of academic integrity, they will receive a zero for the assessment or task submitted. All work that is not a student's original work must be properly cited to recognise the source in which the information was used from.



Mrs Amy Tovey - Leader of Curriculum

amy.tovey@lism.catholic.edu.au

Cross Country Results

MacKillop - 1st on 319 points.
McAuley - 2nd on 222 points.
Farrelly - 3rd on 195 points.
Edmund - 4th on 172 points. 

Thanks to all the staff who helped across the day and in particular to Mr Graham Bramley who always creates a fantastic track for the kids to run on - thanks for always going above and beyond. 

Surfing
Congratulations to St Paul's Year 8 student, Joey Silk, who recently competed in the 2023 Billabong Oz Grom Cup, which is an annual surfing event held in Coffs Harbour. Joey competed in the U14 division and placed first overall. He is now ranked second in Australia in the U14 division. What a result, well done Joey!

Mr Heath Needs - Teacher and Sports Coordinator

heath.needs@lism.catholic.edu.au

Congratulations to our PBRS Points Winners and High achievers for Term 1:

School Refusal and Teenagers
Being the parent or carer of a teenager who refuses to go to school can be incredibly challenging, putting a strain on your relationship with them and on your family and home life.

You may be unsure about how to act in the best interests of your teen while at the same time offering them effective support, but there are many things you can do to manage the situation and maintain a positive relationship. It’s also important to acknowledge your own feelings and to prioritise your own mental wellbeing.

Here’s everything you need to know about school refusal, including its signs, causes and implications, as well as resources and strategies for managing it.

Do it for Dolly Day 2023
St Paul’s are taking part in 'Do It For Dolly Day' on Friday 12 May. Students are encouraged to wear Mufti, with a Blue theme and make a gold coin donation. Cupcakes will be available for sale as part of our Fundraising.

It is a day dedicated to bringing the College community together, spreading kindness and uniting in taking a stand against bullying. We have set up a Fundraising page for St Paul’s to help raise much-needed funds for Dolly's Dream and support their anti-bullying initiatives and programs that are helping to empower and educate our community about the power of kindness and bullying prevention.

Please support our donation page by clicking on this Fundraising Link.



Ms Fiona Stuart - Leader of Pastoral Care

fiona.stuart@lism.catholic.edu.au

Premier's Reading Challenge Update
Congratulations to Evangelina Gately and Matthew Collins who have read 20 books for the Premier's Reading Challenge and are now eligible for a PRC Certificate at the end of the year. As they have also read 10 books, Eva and Matthew will go into the draw to win our PRC prizes, which will be drawn at the end of August.

Other students that have logged 10 books and are now entered in our draw are William Perry, Emma Miller and Emilia Pankhurst. Well done!

Students who have entered this year's Premier's Reading Challenge still have plenty of time to read and log their books as the Challenge will not close till Friday 18 August. To help find reading material for the Challenge a collection of PRC books from the PRC Booklist is available for borrowing from the trolley near the library entrance.

If your child is having any issues with the Challenge, such as entering their results, please email patrice.martin@lism.catholic.edu.au or have them call into the library for assistance.

Kind Regards


Mrs Patrice Martin, Mrs Cathy Whalen & Karen Irvine - Library Assistants

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

The St Paul’s College P & F Association has filled 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 next P & F meeting will be taking place on Monday 8 May in the staff lunchroom. Parents/carers and friends of the College are warmly invited to attend. Helpers are requested to assist with the wrapping of donated gifts for the Mother's Day appeal at 4:30pm and the meeting will begin at 5:30pm. You are welcome to assist with the wrapping of Mother's Day gifts or attend the meeting or both. 

The P &F Association looks forward to seeing new faces next Monday.


Sarah Osborne - President of the P & F

Year 10 students have the opportunity to engage in an optional Work Experience for four days from 20 - 23 June. As students rapidly progress through their schooling career, this is a valuable time to consider the many future pathways available.

A Work Experience in a field of choice and approved by the College may provide that taste of what could be a future career for your young person. During this week there will also be the College’s Subject Selection evening on Monday 19 June.

Work Experience forms are available from Mr Lee Hancock and Student Reception. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact Mr Hancock at the College or via email at lee.hancock@lism.catholic.edu.au

St Paul's Agriculture Team have achieved fantastic results after an intense round of competitions at the Wauchope, Kempsey and Macksville Shows held in the last week of the Easter holidays.

The Team has shown an outstanding commitment to the task and are strongly supported by their parents/carers. They have participated in training sessions throughout the holidays and have been rewarded with some incredible results in the showring. Agriculture Primary Industries teachers, Mr Graham Bramley and Ms Lisa Frewen, are extremely proud, not only of their results, but the way in which the students have conducted themselves. They have been approached by several cattle studs asking to show their cattle and this is a testament to the Team's professional approach.

The Agriculture Team is extremely lucky to have the involvement of parents who provide an amazing level of support, including transporting livestock; packing gear; transporting equipment; grooming animals and taking photos. The success of the Agriculture Team is a joint effort by the students, parents and staff of St Paul's College.

A large number of St Paul’s students commemorated ANZAC Day by participating in marches and ceremonies held in Kempsey, South West Rocks, Macksville and Crescent Head.

St Paul’s College also held a special ANZAC Day service on the first day of Term, Monday 24 April, where all students commemorated the ANZACs who have lost their lives fighting for our freedoms and peace. Lest we forget.

St Paul's Drama department was fortunate to again host the Shakespeare Carnival this year during the first week of Term 2. This is a state wide competition organised by the Sport for Jove Theatre, showcasing students across NSW as they tread the boards and creatively engage with Shakespeare's works on the stage as actors, dancers, musicians and designers.

Students in Year 9 and 11 performed scenes from Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Night's Dream” and “Romeo and Juliet”. Each performance was well rehearsed and impressive to watch. The audience were certainly taken on a journey with laughter and joy followed by tears. After a difficult deliberation by our host judge, Ms Jennifer Igerl, the winners emerged. Congratulations to Phoebe Laws and Logan Hill for winning the Duologue section and to Sasha Shipp, Ellia Baywood and Amelia Perry for winning the ensemble section. These students will compete at Regional level in May, hopefully then progressing on to State titles.

Congratulations to all of our Drama students for their impressive performances. This was a very successful competition and the students are commended for their dedication and commitment to their performances.

A group of Year 12 students from St Paul's College studying Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Earth and Environmental Science, attended a series of Science venues and workshops in Sydney to deepen their understanding of a range of scientific disciplines.

Students visited the Powerhouse Museum, Australian Museum, the Museum of Human Disease, undertook a tour of the campus of the University of New South Wales and attended workshops and a facilities tour of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). At each venue students were able to appreciate real world examples of Science relevant to the syllabi they are studying as part of their preparation for the HSC.

The visit to ANSTO (Australia’s only nuclear reactor) on the final day brought all disciplines together in a world class facility applying nuclear medicine to both the medical, environmental and research fields. Students also enjoyed the opportunity to experience city life during their meals together over the three days.

All attending Year 12 teachers, Mr Matthew Wilson, Miss Jade Tildsley, Mr Douglas Gately and Ms Rayleigh Keith appreciated the professional learning opportunities that the venues provided.

The students were excellent ambassadors for St Paul’s College and were a credit to themselves and their families.

The safety of our students, families and staff is our highest priority. In order to best ensure this, St Paul's College leadership and staff, supported by the Catholic Schools Office, plan for a number of possible incidents, emergencies or natural disasters that could take place at the College or during the school Term. The events of recent years have reinforced how important this planning is and we all have a role to play when it comes to emergency management, including families.

Our students participate in various safety drills and staff participate through training and safety drills. We’d like to share with you the role of parents and families in emergency management.

School Lockdown
A number of the situations we plan for include a school lockdown as one of the immediate safety actions to ensure the safety of our students and staff. We understand that some may understand the word ‘lockdown’ to mean there is an immediate safety risk to all students. It is important to understand that when a school initiates a lockdown this may not be the case.

Depending on the situation, the purpose of a school lockdown will differ. A lockdown may be a preparation step for an evacuation, or it may allow emergency services access to an area of the College without having to navigate past students. Regardless of the purpose of a school lockdown, no one can be admitted to the College grounds other than emergency services.

Should we initiate a school lockdown, parents and families will be informed via text message and Compass notification. We will also inform parents and families as soon as the school lockdown has been lifted or if there are any actions required of parents and families. It is important that you do not attempt to attend the College during a school lockdown. We understand that you may be concerned however attending the College may also add risk to a possible emergency situation, block emergency services or impede an evacuation.

Natural Disaster
In the event of a natural disaster, such as flood or bushfire, the College leadership, supported by the Catholic Schools Office, will determine if it is safe for the College to open. If there is a probability that the College may have to close part way through the day, it will not open for that day as it is extremely difficult to evacuate a school site and ensure all students are able to go directly home safely.

In a bush fire or flood event it is important that parents and families have a plan to get your child/ren home from school, or into your care, at short notice. Please be aware that school buses may not be running and the College can not allow your child/ren to go home to an empty house or home with another parent without your permission.

Family Preparedness
How can you help us prepare for emergency situations?
Please ensure that:

• You have downloaded Compass and have allowed notifications.
• Any changes to your contact details or custodial arrangements have been updated with the school.
• You have a bush fire/flood plan in place that all members of your family understand.
• In the event of a school lockdown or evacuation, directions in the parent notifications are followed.

It is always our hope that these measures will never be needed but it is also our responsibility to ensure our College community is prepared and informed should the need arise. We thank you in advance for your support and cooperation.

Mr David Johns, Principal and Nigel McIntyre, Work Health and Safety Manager, Catholic Schools Office, Lismore

Our College as part of the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited (DLCSL), like all child-safe organisations, is implementing the Child Safe Standards. As a part of this work, we share our Child Safeguarding Commitment Statement which reinforces our dedication to the safety and wellbeing of all children.

Please take the time to read the commitment statement and if you have any questions please discuss with the College leadership team. We will continue to engage with you on this important matter.

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.

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

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.

Owing to the serious nature of the allergic reactions of some members in the St Paul’s College community to aerosol products, such as deodorants, hair spray and body spray, the school community is banning these products.

The aim of this policy is to ensure the health and safety of St Paul’s College staff and students.

Aerosol products for personal use are not to be brought onto the school grounds.

Students and staff are asked to use pump sprays instead of aerosol cans, or use liquid or paste forms of products, or in the case of deodorants roll-ons. Pressurised aerosol products emit volatile organic chemicals and produce a fine mist that is easily inhaled and absorbed into the lungs and bloodstream. Teachers are asked to confiscate any aerosol products found at school and take them to the relevant Year or House Pastoral Coordinator. Parents will be informed that the products have been taken from their child and that they can call into the school and collect the item. Products will not be returned to students.

Exemptions may apply with teacher permission for the limited use of aerosol products in some courses. Students will be specifically advised of this permission, and must not assume that it is given.

The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT, in conjunction with the eSafety Commissioner, is holding a 45 minute webinar on Tuesday 23 May, to provide families with strategies for supporting children and young people to have safe, positive experiences when playing games online. It is designed for parents and carers of children aged 7 to 14.

It will cover the following:

• When gaming can be beneficial.
• Strategies to promote better in-game experiences.
• How to keep children safe online – using safety and privacy settings in games and platforms.
• Strategies to promote more balanced gaming and how to create smoother transitions from game-play to other activities.
• Key online risks and where to find help for things like bullying and harassment in games.

For more information and to register, click HERE.

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

It is important for all St Paul's students, staff and families to keep road safety in mind. Please take the time to talk with your child about travelling to and from school safely.

Some safety tips:

• Be alert and aware by travelling distraction-free. Ensure students take off their headphones when walking, exiting or entering the bus and crossing the road.
  
  
• Choose a safe place to cross. The fastest way, may not be the safest way. Walk the extra distance to use a pedestrian crossing or traffic island.
  
  
• Keep safe getting in and out of the car. Always use the door closest to the kerb.
  
  
• Keep safe getting on and off the bus. Wait at the bus stop and stand at least one step back from the edge of the road. Wait until the bus has gone, before you cross the road.
  
  
• Bus Stops/Bus Interchange Areas. Model safe behaviour while waiting for the bus. Remember that younger students look up to you, so please lead by example, so they learn to behave safely while waiting for the bus and travelling on the bus.
  
  
• Student driver reminder: If your child will be driving to and from school, remind them that they are required to adhere to all road rules and drive in a safe and responsible manner. Inexperienced drivers commonly underestimate the risks associated with particular driving behaviours or situations and overestimate their capacity to deal with them. Have a caring conversation about road speeds on the route that they travel, where they will park and the importance of wearing a seatbelt. According to recent research 1 in 5 teens has been found to consistently not wear a seat belt.

Restricted licence holders including learner, P1 and P2 drivers are not permitted to use their phone at all while driving or riding. This includes the use of hands-free and Bluetooth functions. Ask them to keep their phone in their bag or glovebox.

The following video highlights the risks of casual speeding:

Be a positive role model when you are a pedestrian, passenger and driver. Children learn from what they see, as well as what we say.

Source: https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/

Please note that the College has a Traffic Management Plan which can be viewed on the College website here.