A New Semester Begins – Respecting person, place and space
Primary Years and Secondary assemblies welcomed students to the new Semester this week, including celebrations of academic success in secondary during Semester One; there was certainly lots to celebrate.
As communicated to families in my opening letter for Term 3, a very basic and essential focus on ‘respect’ was the centerpiece of both assemblies. Our Common Ground guides all that we say and do at St Paul’s College; founded on respect, this essential document obviously lends itself to our requirement for respect, in all places and at all times.
Put plainly, students were urged to note that one is either respectful, or disrespectful…there is no middle ground. Urging a most respectful approach to Term 3, I outlined what respect ‘looks like and sounds like’, making no assumptions and to ensure all members of students and staff can reflect on the positive behaviours they wish to emphasise in the term ahead.
Respect demonstrates value in the person, place or space that we are engaged with. Disrespect demonstrates that we do not value that person, place or space.
We are urged to continue this deep conversation on a most basic concept (respect), throughout our Term 3, noting that we can always strive for improvement.
Update: Middle Years Review
As our community has been informed, the college is undertaking a rigorous review of the Middle Years Learning Program, which is undertaken in Years 7, 8 and 9.
I am grateful to the significant number of families who responded to the parent-survey as part of this review, and likewise I thank the students in years 7-12 who all submitted feedback. The information from students, families and staff has been pivotal in reviewing the current model. Our Secondary Learning Council has been particularly important in analysing information and considering options that respond to the wants and needs of our community, as well as the ever-changing educational landscape and best practices for learning.
In coming weeks, I will share the outcome of the review with our community, as the college finalises the implementation process ahead of any changes beginning in 2025.
Communication with Staff
Communication between staff and families is a cornerstone of the care for students at the centre of St Paul’s College. For this reason, we always encourage families to liaise with staff to celebrate success, name challenges, or provide updates related to their young person(s) at the college.
It is therefore essential to clarify communication expectations to ensure families know when and how they can gain responses from staff, and so that staff can appropriately work within reasonable expectations, while supporting students.
Phone calls are always preferable and encouraged, noting our office ours are 8am – 4:30pm weekdays, during usual school days. A staff member will endeavor to phone back within 2 school days, if unavailable at the time a family phones the college.
Given that technology is at the centre of our world, we understand that communication via email or SEQTA may be preferred. Again, two school days for acknowledgement of receipt is our aim.
Importantly, families cannot expect communication with staff outside of 8am - 4:30pm. For this reason, families are asked to consider emergency responses if ever the need arises outside of those hours, rather than relying on the school after hours.
We thank all families for their ongoing partnership and communication.
Our Year 10 and 11 students recently had the incredible opportunity to participate in a creative workshop led by the artist Holly Geyer. This workshop was a key part of preparing for our upcoming mural, which promises to be a vibrant addition to our school environment.
