Term 2 Week 8 - 16 June 2023
- Principal's Message
- Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
- Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing
- Ministry and Evangelisation
- Curriculum
- Sport
- Pastoral Care
- Student Focus - Junior Rugby League
- Student Focus - Tayla Hiscock
- Ration Challenge
- Vinnies Winter Appeal
- St Paul's Feast Day - 30 June
- Reminder - Term Dates
- Be a Sponsor for St Paul's Major Awards Ceremony
- Australian Air Force Cadets Macleay Valley - Open Day
- Mad Food Science Family Event
- BRAVE Parenting Conversations Webinar
- FREE Let's Bounce Basketball program
- Change to Medication Policy
- St Paul's Emergency Management Planning
- Vinnies Kempsey - Volunteers Needed
- Vinnies Kempsey - Now open on Saturdays
- Newsletter Sponsors
The last few weeks of the school Term will be very busy for our College community! Last week the staff took part in a Professional Development Day focusing on the Google Suite which contains a variety of applications that enhance teaching practices across our classrooms. Our staff developed some excellent resources during the day and I am looking forward to seeing these roll out to all classrooms within the next few months. I thank our parent/carer community for allowing the staff the opportunity of a Pupil Free day to conduct this important work.
This week I farewelled the Year 11 HSIE students who travelled down to Sydney for a three day excursion. There has been significant preparation for this trip and I thank the students for their enthusiasm and the staff who were required to spend time away from their own families to support this important educational experience. The level of support the St Paul’s staff demonstrate outside of normal school hours is significant and I thank them for this.
There has been a great deal of work done in the preparation for the last week of Term. We will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week, honouring NAIDOC Week and enjoying St Paul’s Feast Day. Our Student Representative Council and Senior Student Leadership Team have developed a week long programme of activities that I hope will be well enjoyed.
The ‘Tell Them from Me' survey has been looked at more closely and it is hoped that this information will be used to create a College that values appropriate, timely and informative communication regarding student academic progression. COMPASS was identified as a useful form of communication BUT not at the expense of face-to-face gatherings and/or phone calls. Many parent/carers requested we look at processes to ensure a timelier response to communication about academic/pastoral issues and we certainly have taken this on board. To this end, we have also been speaking with our P & F Association who are keen to further enhance the link between school and home. As a result, a number of activities have been planned to encourage families back into the ‘gates’ of the College. This includes attendance at P & F gatherings that provide information to support families in bringing up young people in a constantly changing society. Along with fundraising initiatives that allow for families to contribute to decision making as to where this money can be spent across the College.
The NAPLAN results will be released shortly and I am excited to receive this information. Success at school and ultimately into the world of work, is determined by competence within the Literacy and Numeracy space. The NAPLAN results will provide us with the opportunity to resource our staff to focus on areas of growth for our students across all year levels. These results together with the formative and summative testing that takes place in all our classes everyday, will give us data that we will use to ensure academic growth for all students.
Finally, I draw your attention to our refurbished Edmund Rice Centre which we are now able to utilise in full. The classrooms are amazing facilities that have quality IT throughout, as well as the capacity for team teaching and wider class collaboration. The flexibility of these rooms to be opened up into a hall capable of accommodating a complete school assembly is tremendous and will be well enjoyed. I cannot commend the students and staff enough for how they have managed our outdoor assembly times across this last 18 months. Outstanding efforts by the whole College 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
Online Maths Platform
We have purchased the online platform Mathspace and your child will have log in details. Please see the following information about using this product:
MATHSPACE Benefits for Students
|
Tell Them From Me Feedback
Year 12 Assessments
Year 12 have started their assessment block and will be working very hard both at home and at school. Please encourage them to plan their time wisely, have a dedicated space for home learning without distractions and prioritise school over other commitments during these periods.
Year 10 Subject Selection Evening
Don’t forget that Monday 19 June will be our College Subject Selection evening for students embarking on Year 11 2024. There will be crucial information given to students and parents on the evening, so please come along to this important event.
Please reach out if you have any questions about the learning for your students.
Ms Kate Fullbrook - Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
Week 10 Term 2 at St Paul’s - Celebrating Catholic Schools Week and NAIDOC Week
The final week of Term 2 will be a week of exciting celebrations at St Paul’s. The College has designated this week to highlight the great work in K-12 in Catholic education as St Joseph’s Primary and our College celebrate Catholic Schools Week together.
We will be launching Catholic Schools Week with a combined celebration in All Saints Catholic Church, Kempsey with Fr James beginning at 10.20am on Monday 26 June. Our two schools will also launch our focus on the importance of NAIDOC Week with some St Paul’s Year 11 students sharing their learning of Dreaming stories with Year 3 & 4 students at St Joseph’s. The St Paul’s Year 11 Studies of Religion 1 unit students, presented some outstanding multimedia presentations this Term where they narrated and provided their own explanations of important Dreaming stories, and we are looking forward to sharing these learnings with St Joseph’s.
On Tuesday 27 June, the College will be celebrating NAIDOC Week with NAIDOC Assembly, BBQ lunch for all students and then a range of NAIDOC activities through lunch and concluding with the Warwick Clarke Shield during period 5 (Staff v Year 12 ultimate frisbee). On Wednesday 28 June, the College is supporting a Pyjama Day to publicise the final week of the Vinnies Winter Appeal. On Thursday 29 June, the St Paul’s Feast Day Mass will occur including gifts donated from the Vinnies Winter Appeal to be presented during offertory procession and St Paul’s Awards presented to staff and students at the end of Mass. The College will be celebrating St Paul’s Feast Day on Friday 30 June with a range of house events throughout the day, Food trucks available for lunch and the end of the day with the re-emergence of the famous St Paul’s Talent show.
St Paul’s is a Catholic College whose fundamental values are built on respect and care for others, and as outlined above there will be so many opportunities to reflect and celebrate the beauty of Aboriginal traditions and Catholic Mission.
Mr Geoffrey Melville - Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing
Over the past few weeks, we have had the privilege of witnessing two remarkable house liturgies, celebrating the values and spirit of two of our beloved houses: Farrelly and Edmund. These liturgies were held on 24 May and 14 June respectively, at All Saints Catholic Church in Kempsey, with the invaluable support of Fr James.
The Farrelly House liturgy was a beautiful testament to the enduring values exemplified by its namesake. As we gathered together in prayer and reflection, we were reminded of the importance of faith, education, social justice and compassion. The students of Farrelly House demonstrated their deep understanding of these values through heartfelt readings, thoughtful reflections and uplifting hymns. The liturgy served as a powerful reminder of the incredible community we have at St Paul's, and the ways in which we can make a positive difference in the world around us.
Building upon this momentum, the Edmund House liturgy on 14 June brought forth an inspiring celebration of the remarkable spirit within the house. Named after the Blessed Edmund Rice, the liturgy was a true testament to the touchstones of Gospel Spirituality, Justice and Solidarity, Inclusive Community, and Liberating Education. The students of Edmund House showcased their dedication to learning and personal growth through their participation in the liturgy. With eloquent speeches, heartfelt prayers, and melodic performances, they brought the spirit of Edmund to life and inspired all who attended to strive for greatness.
The involvement of All Saints Catholic Church in Kempsey, along with the unwavering support of Fr James, added an extra layer of significance to both liturgies. Their partnership in hosting these events allowed us to come together as a community in a sacred space and deepen our connection with our faith. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to All Saints Catholic Church and Fr James for their generosity and commitment to nurturing the spiritual growth of our students.
These house liturgies serve as a reminder of the importance of our house system and the values it instils in our students. They provide an opportunity for our young individuals to come together, honour their respective houses, and reflect on the values that guide their daily lives. Through these liturgies, our students have demonstrated an incredible depth of understanding, maturity, and spiritual growth.
Mr Matthew Mitchell - Leader of Evangelisation
Subject Selection Evening
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.
Two formal information sessions will be 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.
Mrs Amy Tovey - Leader of Curriculum
Diocesan Junior Soccer Gala day
Last week our College entered the Lismore Diocesan Junior Football (soccer) Championships held at Coffs Harbour, Leisure Park. Our Year 7-10 boys team, coached by Mr Conrad Tamblyn, performed well across the day against a very tough pool of schools. They managed two draws and two losses but held their own in all games. Well done boys!
The junior girls soccer team, coached by Ms Elizabeth Smith, did exceptionally well in their pool against four other schools from the Lismore Diocese, losing 3 games by only a goal or two and drawing 2-2 against Banora Point.
The girls were highly competitive on the day, proving to be particularly strong in defence and having a solid mid-field. Special mention goes to Zara Lee and Pippa Smith, who had exceptional stints in goal across the four games played.
Thank you to Ms Shanon Thomas for her help with the team across the day, and Mr Heath Needs for his exceptional organisation of the whole Gala Day. This is a very young team who are already showing a lot of talent. The future of junior girls soccer at St Paul’s is certainly looking strong. Bring on the 2024 season!
NSWCCC Cross Country Championships
Six St Paul’s students competed in the NSWCCC Cross Country Championships on Tuesday 13 June at Eastern Creek, Sydney.
The students represented the Lismore Diocese and should all be commended for their achievements on the day:
- Hamish Davies - 1st in U12’s Boys event
- Amelia Wilson - 1st in U13’s Girls event
- Wilton Townsend - 1st in U14’s Boys event
- Cleo Schubert - 9th in U15’s Girls event
- William Czisz - 27th out of 60 competitors
- Shayla Cronin - 28th out of 55 competitors
A special mention to Hamish, Amelia, Wilton and Cleo who are now eligible to attend the NSW All Schools Cross Country Championships on 21 July. We wish you all the best of luck in the next level of competition!
Upcoming sporting events at the College
⦁ Junior and Senior Touch football – 26 June
⦁ College Athletics Carnival – 27 July (Thursday, Week 2 Term 3)
Mr Heath Needs - Teacher and Sports Coordinator
In the recent 'Tell Them from Me' Survey, students were provided with a definition of bullying and then asked about behaviours of other students and if they have experienced bullying from them. As a parent/caregiver we would like to know what is happening in our child’s life and what we can do if they are struggling.
Do you know if your child is being bullied?
Reachout.com has some great resources on Bullying for students, for the parent/caregiver and for educators.
Please click on the link Bullying at school: what to do if your child is struggling? It contains some useful information and resources to help as a parent/caregiver on the following issues:
- What are some signs that my teenager is being bullied?
- What can make handling bullying incidents difficult?
- Who can your teen talk to about bullying at school?
- How can you support your young person?
Ms Fiona Stuart - Leader of Pastoral Care
Congratulations to St Paul's Year 8 students, Mitchell Hornick and Bailey Rogan, and to Year 7 students, Ethan Harper, Sam Harper, Oliver Haydon and Eli Cheers for being selected for the Group 2 Junior Rugby League Development Squads.
Best of luck for your upcoming games!
Congratulations to St Paul's Year 12 student Tayla Hiscock on her fantastic achievement winning the 2023 NSW North Coast Region School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year.
Tayla is currently pursuing a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance at TAFE NSW while attending her traineeship with New South Wales Health service.
A group of 19 brave St Paul's students are participating in the 2023 "School's Rations Challenge".
For 3 or 5 days, students will eat the same rations as a Syrian refugee and get sponsored to do it. The rations consist of just a small amount of rice, flour, lentils, chickpeas, beans, fish (or tofu) and oil. The money they raise will provide emergency food, healthcare and life-changing support for refugees, and by sharing their experience they will help create more empathy and compassion in society.
Please see visit https://schools.rationchallenge.org.au/ and search St Paul's College Kempsey to support these incredible students.
- $120 can fund a referral to a medical centre for 5 refugees, enabling them to access life-saving treatment.
- $485 can enable one refugee woman in Jordan to attend a small business training course, giving her the skills and knowledge to start her own business and support her family.
- $1,902 can provide food rations (the same food you will be eating during the challenge) for a refugee family for an entire year, ensuring they have enough to eat.
If you are between the ages of 13 and 18 and would like some adventure in your life, come and join us for an open night on 29 June from 5:30pm at our local Air Force Cadet Squadron at the Corner of Lachlan and Middleton Streets, South Kempsey.
Make life long friendships, learn about the AAFC and develop qualities such as leadership, self reliance and initiative. See where this experience can take you.
The BRAVE Parenting Conversations webinar will empower you to discuss the tough topics with your teenager. Young people are in desperate need of conversations with people they can trust. They need reliable information and guidance around how to navigate these challenging and difficult topics. In this 75 minute webinar, information will be shared to assist you in:
- Equipping young people with an understanding of Positive Masculinity in a world with damaging stereotypes.
- Empowering young people to consider the qualities and attributes they want to be known for.
- How to help teens navigate an Image-Based society that places so much emphasis on the physical.
- Instilling in young people the importance of placing value on character over the way we look.
- The Why, How and When around talking to your child about the topics that really matter.
Parents can register via this LINK
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:
- 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).
- A completed and signed Medication Indemnity form.
- 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
