Term 2 Week 4 - 19 May 2023

Dear Parent/Carer

“I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

John 16: 29-33

The last few weeks have been very busy weeks for our College. Our Agriculture/Cattle Team represented us well at the Wingham Beek Week – with some exceptional results. I continue to be incredibly proud of the students’ efforts in this area. The work of our staff, well led by Mr Graham Bramley and his team, together with a dedicated parent/carer group ensures success. I thank everyone involved.

The ‘Tell Them from Me’ survey was held across last week and the completion rate from our students was well over 90%. This is a tremendous effort and I thank the staff involved in facilitating this and the students in completing this important activity. Over the coming days we will receive the results which will assist us in determining our strategic plan over the next few years.

We will also be welcoming a School review and Improvement team to the College on the first week of next Term. This accredited review team will join us for three days to gather information about St Paul’s to assist us in identifying areas of commendation as well as areas of improvement. The team will be speaking to a large cross section of the community and I would warmly encourage any parent/carer who would like to be involved to email the Executive Assistant to the Principal, Mrs Alys Farley, alys.farley@lism.catholic.edu.au to be a part of this. We embrace any opportunity to be better at what we do in order to provide our families with the best educational opportunities we can.

The enrolment application period for Year 7, 2024 concludes shortly and we will commence interviews across the next few weeks. We have over 150 applications which is a reflection of the tremendous work of our staff at the College. We have added into our interviews questions specific to the Catholic dimension of St Paul’s. Students and families considering St Paul’s need to think about what our College stands for and regards as important. We deliver a high quality educational experience, but this is always in the context of an understanding of our Catholic values and wish to not only better ourselves, but also be aware of what we can do to better the lives of those around us.

I thank Mr Matthew Mitchell (Leader of Evangelisation) and Maxwell Winn (Youth Ministry Officer) for their work in motivating our community to donate items for Mother’s Day which were provided to the Women’s Refuge in Kempsey. There was a great deal donated and the P & F assisted by members of staff and parents took time to wrap these items and prepare them for delivery. They were well received and meant a lot to this vulnerable group within our community.

The next few weeks will involve significant assessment and reporting work from our whole community. Year 12 reports have just been released and reflect strong, consistent efforts from students and staff. I would encourage all families to talk with their children about managing their time, reading through work carefully and reaching out to teachers if something is confusing or not clearly understood. The reports families receive need to be a snapshot of what students have learnt about and can do.

The Vinnies Winter Appeal kicks off this week and I ask you all to be aware of this as we seek donations to support those less fortunate in our community. Please respond where you can to requests for assistance. Finally, I thank the Student Leadership team for their management of the ‘Do it For Dolly’ day that was held last week. Students had an out of uniform day, to raise awareness of the influence poor communication, poor decision making and power imbalance can have on others. Our whole College community was involved in this awareness day and it set a clear message to our community.


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

Year 12 are working towards their next Assessment Block which will take place between Weeks 8-9 this Term. Please remember that ATTENDANCE is the greatest contributor to improvement. As parents, please push hard for students to attend school each day to ensure they have the best access to their teachers and peers to make those learning gains.

Ms Emma Tamblyn and I will be meeting with some Year 12 students over the next couple of weeks to discuss how they can focus on specific learning goals that their teachers have set for them in order to improve. This is a supportive initiative that will provide students with an opportunity to gain some specific understanding of how they can move their learning forward in the lead up to the next assessment block.

The Year 11 assessment block will be in Week 7 and 9. Make sure they are planning and organising early for this important checkpoint in their preliminary course. Their teachers and PC leaders are available to support them through this period of planning.

Year 10 will be working towards subject selection over the second part of this Term. I would encourage students to speak to their current teachers over the next few weeks to ask questions about what subjects look like in HSC years.

From Year 7-9 we are encouraging all students to attend the College every day to ensure they have as much input in their learning as possible. The students who attend every day are more engaged with the culture of learning in the College and find they have more access to the people who can help them improve.

We thank parents as we remind them of our upcoming Staff Development Days on 2 June and 9 June. We understand the strain this puts on our families and we thank you. These days are valuable learning opportunities for our staff to continue the improvement of our work.

Thank you again for the warm welcomes I have received from families across the College community. Please reach out if you have any questions about the learning for your students.



Ms Kate Fullbrook - Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

kate.fullbrook@lism.catholic.edu.au

Understanding the early history of St Paul’s as we consider our Values and Mission
On Friday 2 June, the College staff will be working together and with the Catholic Schools Office regarding Proclaiming Catholic Education, Past, Present and Future. As part of this day we are going to discuss the important values that underpin the Mission of St Paul’s College Kempsey, and throughout the day consider how these values in the 21st Century relate to the original values and motivation for establishing St Paul’s College in 1965.

The timeline of the establishment of St Paul’s is outlined below:
1923-1941- Father Thomas Morris, the Kempsey Parish Priest outlined his dream of a Catholic Boys school in Kempsey during his residence.

1947- The Parish Priest of Kempsey reached out to the Christian Brothers of Australia making enquiries of establishing a Catholic Boy’s school in Kempsey.

1950- The Kempsey parish purchased a 12 acre block on the corner of Sea Street and North Street at a very reasonable price from a local parishioner.

1961- Christian Brothers Mullen and Hanby visited Kempsey, a site was proposed and the decision was made to begin the school in 1965.

1965- St Paul’s College opened on 8 February with 87 students, Brother Cryan was School Principal. School colours were red and black stripe tie, blue shirts, grey shorts.

1967- School enrolment had grown to 182, statue of St Paul erected.

1969- Some co-educational classes were bused to St Paul’s from St Pius X girls school between 9-11am.

1973- The St Pius X girl’s school was transferred to West Kempsey next to St Paul’s.

1980- St Paul’s and St Pius X combined to form the new co-educational school, Macleay Regional Catholic High School- 280 students Years 7-10.

1986- Macleay Regional Catholic High School renamed as St Paul’s College.

1992- First HSC class taught at St Paul’s (28 students).

During 2023 the College community will be asked to consider the most important values that have shaped the College today in the 21st Century considering the hopes and aspirations of the founding educators from previous years. In 2023, St Paul’s presents as a diverse and inclusive community, enrolment numbers are at record levels and the Mission of the school is based on Christ’s teachings of love and care for others.



Mr Geoffrey Melville - Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing

geoffrey.melville@lism.catholic.edu.au

Embracing the Ascension of Jesus and Our Personal Journey
Men of Galilee, why gaze in wonder at the heavens?
This Jesus whom you saw ascending into heaven will return as you saw him go, alleluia.

As we approach the end of the Easter season and the Ascension of the Lord, we are reminded of the profound significance of this event in the life of Jesus Christ and its relevance to our own spiritual journey. The Ascension marks the culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry, but it also holds a deep meaning for each one of us as believers in Christ.

In the Gospel of Luke, we read how Jesus, after His resurrection, spent forty days appearing to His disciples, teaching them about the Kingdom of God and preparing them for their mission. As the time came for Him to return to the Father, Jesus gathered His disciples on the Mount of Olives. There, in their presence, He was lifted up and ascended into heaven, entering into the glory of the Father.

The Ascension is not merely an event of the past but a continuing reality in the life of every Christian. We are called to remember that Jesus lives in us through the power of the Holy Spirit. This indwelling presence empowers us to experience our own personal crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.

Just as Jesus was crucified and laid in the tomb, we too are called to die to ourselves and our sinful nature. This process of crucifixion involves surrendering our will to God's will, allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. It requires self-examination, repentance, and embracing the cross daily.

However, the journey does not end at the cross. Like Christ, we are invited to experience resurrection, a newness of life that comes from being united with Him. Through the power of His resurrection, we are set free from the chains of sin and death. This liberation empowers us to live as children of God, bearing witness to His love and mercy in the world.

Finally, the Ascension reminds us that we are not alone in this journey. Jesus, who ascended to the right hand of the Father, intercedes for us and sends us the Holy Spirit as our guide and advocate. The Spirit strengthens and equips us to fulfil the mission entrusted to us, just as Jesus prepared His disciples for theirs.

At St Paul's College, we are blessed to have the opportunity to nurture the faith and spiritual growth of our students. As educators, we strive to help them understand and embrace the significance of the Ascension in their lives. Through our Catholic identity, we aim to instil in them a deep sense of purpose and mission as they journey through life, knowing that Jesus walks with them every step of the way.

May the upcoming celebration of the Ascension be a time of reflection and renewal for each one of us. Let us open our hearts to the transformative power of Jesus' presence within us and embrace our own personal crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Together, let us continue to be a community that witnesses to the love and mercy of God, spreading the light of Christ in our world.

Embarking on a Sacramental Journey with Father James
We are excited to announce a special opportunity for our students who are seeking to deepen their faith and participate in the sacramental life of the Church. St Paul's College, in collaboration with Father James, will be conducting a sacramental program, offering the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, and Holy Communion to interested students.

At St Paul's, we believe that the sacraments are sacred moments that allow us to encounter God's grace and experience His presence in tangible ways. They are pivotal milestones in our faith journey, guiding us closer to Christ and strengthening our relationship with Him and the Church community.

Under the guidance and support of Father James, our parish priest, this sacramental program will provide an enriching and meaningful experience for our students. Father James brings a wealth of knowledge, pastoral care, and spiritual guidance to our community. His deep commitment to nurturing the faith of our students ensures that they receive the support and guidance they need throughout their sacramental journey.

The program will encompass a series of formation sessions, where students will explore the significance of each sacrament and its relevance to their lives. These sessions will provide a deeper understanding of the sacraments, their biblical foundations, and their transformative power in our spiritual lives. Students will have the opportunity to engage in discussions, reflection, and prayer, fostering a sense of community and shared faith experience.

As part of the program, students will have the chance to receive the Sacrament of Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, and Holy Communion, according to their individual readiness and desire. These sacraments will be celebrated within the loving embrace of our St Paul's College community, providing a beautiful and sacred moment for students to publicly profess their faith and receive God's abundant grace.

We invite all interested students, regardless of their current sacramental status, to consider embarking on this sacramental journey. Whether they are seeking to receive these sacraments for the first time or to deepen their understanding and commitment to their faith, this program offers a unique opportunity for spiritual growth and enrichment.

We encourage parents and guardians to engage in conversations with their children about this sacramental program and discern together if this is the right path for their child's faith formation. Our team at St Paul's College is here to support and guide both students and their families through this process.

We are truly blessed to have this sacramental program available within our school community, providing our students with an opportunity to encounter God's grace and grow in their faith. Together, let us embrace this special journey and open our hearts to the transformative power of the sacraments.

For more information and to register for the sacramental program, please reach out to Mr Mitchell, Leader of Evangelisation matthew.mitchell@lism.catholic.edu.au. We look forward to embarking on this sacramental journey with our students and witnessing the beauty of their faith-filled growth.

Catholic Schools Office Retreats
The CSO has invited St Paul’s students to a number of retreats. If you are interested in attending could you please contact Mr Mitchell, Leader of Evangelisation matthew.mitchell@lism.catholic.edu.au to put your name down.

Ignite Conference
Who: Year 7 - Year 12 students
When: Week 10 Term 3, 21–24 September, 2023
Where: Brisbane
What: The Ignite Conference is one of the largest Catholic events of its kind in Australia for young people - adults, teenagers and children. The conference includes live bands and awesome speakers, with streams and workshops in areas such leadership, worship, creative arts, mission, culture and prayer!
Cost: $250

Festa Christi
Who: Year 8 Students - 4 Boys and 4 Girls
When: Week 3 Term 3, Boy’s Retreat: 1–2 August, 2023
Girl’s Retreat: Thursday 3–4 August, 2023
Where: Coffs Harbour
What: A two-day retreat experience with activities that focus on ‘walking in another person’s shoes’, having the students overcoming their fears and gaining a greater awareness of social justice.
Cost: Nil. All transport, food and accommodation expenses will be met by the Catholic schools Office.



Mr Matthew Mitchell - Leader of Evangelisation

matthew.mitchell@lism.catholic.edu.au

Assessment Schedules
Please use the following links to access the assessment schedules for Years 7-12:

Year 7: Year 7 Assessment Schedule 
Year 8: Year 8 Assessment Schedule 
Year 9: Year 9 Assessment Schedule
Year 11: Term 2-Year 11 Assessment Schedule 2023
Year 12: Term 2-Year 12 HSC Assessment Schedule 2023

Da Vinci Decathlon
A number of students from Year 7-11 travelled to St Columba Anglican School in Port Macquarie this week for the Mid North Coast Regional da Vinci Decathlon. Throughout the day, students worked collaboratively to solve various challenges across a range of academic disciplines including: Science, Creative Producers, English, Ideation, Mathematics, Engineering, Art and Poetry, Cartography, Code Breaking and Legacy.

Thirty four teams from schools across the Mid North Coast were in attendance on each day and our students performed admirably. A special mention to the Year 11 team who placed 5th overall in the competition. All of our students displayed exemplary behaviour and represented our College community with distinction.

Thanks to Ms Bethany Rennes, Mr Chris Franey and Ms Tess Minett who assisted the teams on the day.

Let Your Light Shine Award
Congratulations to this weeks Let Your Light Shine Award recipients.

Edmund: Marlie Van Hugten, Amelya Sutherland, Madeleine Kurilowich, Ava Banks
McKillop: Tahla Kennard, Abby Breitkreuz, Erin Van Kal
McAuley: Nicholas Kenny, Briella Petterson, Zoe King, Kingsley Liang, Jimmy Browning, Tahlia Wall, Mia Matlock, Taylah Moffitt
Farrelly: Isabelle Koivu, Emily Brack, Zahlee MacDonald

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 at 4pm and 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.



Mrs Amy Tovey - Leader of Curriculum

amy.tovey@lism.catholic.edu.au

Resources for Parents and Carers about Vaping
Please click on this link for Resources for Parents and Carers about Vaping which has reliable information for parents/carers to keep informed and support their children and protect them from vaping.

How to communicate effectively with your teenager
Parents and young people tell us that the most important thing they want to know is how to keep their relationship strong through effective communication. Psychologist Clare Rowe gives tips on creating quality and effective conversations that can help your teenager to open up about their feelings.

Please follow this link How to communicate effectively with your teenager.



Ms Fiona Stuart - Leader of Pastoral Care

fiona.stuart@lism.catholic.edu.au

St Paul's students and staff showed their support for Do It For Dolly Day by wearing all shades of blue on Friday 12 May and helped raise over $900. Thank you to those in our community who contributed to this worthwhile cause.

Thank you to those in our community who donated items for Mother's Day and to the parents/carers and families who assisted in wrapping the gifts. These were provided to the Women's Refuge in Kempsey and meant a lot to this vulnerable group in our community.

Congratulations to St Paul's Agriculture Team for their success at Wingham Beef Week. The Wingham Beef Week Herdsperson Award was won by Rawdon Drayton (Year 9) and Declan Bewert (Year 7) placed 5th. Jorja Barnett (Year 11) won the prestigious Bill Hobbs Award for the best all rounder.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

Students are reminded to wear a seat belt while travelling to and from the College on the bus. Students are to follow the Transport NSW Code of Conduct for School Students at all times.

It is every student's responsibility to behave in a manner that ensures the safety and comfort of passengers and drivers. This includes wearing the seat belt properly adjusted and fastened, if one is available while travelling on the bus. Students are reminded to treat the bus driver with respect and follow any requests to wear a seat belt to ensure their safety, and the safety of their peers and the driver.

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.