Dear Friends of St Paul’s,
It has been wonderful being able to welcome some families back onto the property for the College’s two Sports days this week. With our world of uncertainty, it is lucky that all things aligned so these events could occur, outdoors and COVID-wise as we can be too. We know from speaking to lots of parents that they too, have missed not being able to feel more of the community and for so many it was their first genuine taste of these amazing family days at the College. I must thank Mr Nick Gillard, all the Physical Education staff, Leaders of house and Wellbeing as well as all the staff who so willingly embrace the spirit of these days. In addition to the Sports Days, we also celebrated Harmony Day, albeit in a different format to what we would like. St Paul’s is an extremely multicultural community and Harmony Day provides us with an opportunity to not only teach about who we are and who we want to be as a community but also to show off the fact that we do live in harmony within this community.
Sports and Learning Centre
As we approach the end of term 1 (in whatever way that may evolve over the next week or so) we are pleased to tell you that our brand-new building is nearing completion. We have had an MFS inspection this week, which is a big step towards occupation, we have had the use of some of the amazing new bathrooms and hopefully our staff will be able to move into their new offices in the next two weeks. This will allow full occupancy and hopefully use by students by the beginning of next term (hopefully!) To see the look on the faces of the students and to listen to their conversations when most of the building fences came down on Wednesday morning was wonderful. They, like all of you, are really excited about the way the college looks and feels now!!
End of Term Arrangements
By now you would have heard or been reading that there are conversations happening around how this term will end, i.e., speculation that will we be asked by the government to close for week 11 or other arrangement. As of today, we do not know the answer to that, but we will certainly communicate to all our families as soon as we can in relation to that. Like every school and college, and so many families, we have had our COVID challenges. Our staff and students have been wonderfully resilient and as we know, work so closely together to make the most of the time and opportunities we have together.
Term 1 Reports
Also, as we near the end of the term the teaching staff are busily preparing reports for students and families. As we always say at the end of each term, we ask the students to undertake the “mirror test” and ask that person if the report reflects their absolute best. In the year where we acknowledge that “Together We Grow” we understand that this growth applies in all facets of our lives and particularly academically. We challenge students to strive not only for their personal best, but personal excellence!
Take care, God Bless
Paul Belton
Dear Families,
On Monday 21 March, we celebrated Harmony Day, which is an initiative that was developed by the Australian Government in 1999 promoting the message that “Everyone Belongs”. It reinforces the importance of inclusiveness to all Australians.
It is a very important day for our College each year as we celebrate our cultural diversity. We are so lucky to have such a culturally rich and diverse community which brings amazing learning opportunities and life experiences to all our students!
Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. Students across the College wore a sea of orange or dressed in the national costume of their original country and participated in a range of activities. Thank you to all parents who were able to help their children support the day.
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is the 21st day of the 3rd month. This date was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome which causes Down Syndrome. In the Primary Years we celebrated WDSD by wearing lots of different socks with our Harmony Day dress. The idea behind the ‘Lots of Socks’ initiative is acceptance of all our differences, and what makes us unique as individuals.
What a wonderful teaching and learning opportunity for us all as we deepen and remind ourselves of our own understanding our college values - Faith, Relationships, Excellence and Diversity!
In the last Newsletter, I gave some tips on how to initiate healthy conversations with your children. To expand on this, I recently read an excellent article by Dr Michael Grose about building healthy partnerships with your child’s class teacher which I encourage to read and you’ll find here. Dr Michael Grose is the founder of Parenting Ideas and is one of Australia’s leading parenting educators. Developing a healthy relationship with your child’s teacher is a great way to improve your child’s performance in school. I also believe in the relationship being reciprocal and we always look forward to working in partnership.
How exciting it was having our Primary Sports Day where everyone; students, staff and families both new and old could attend. Personally, I love Sports Days, they’re always a highlight on my school calendar. It began with house cheers followed by an energetic afternoon of athletic and sports events as well as novelty challenges. I loved the sense of community and focus on everyone participating and enjoying themselves, which made for a wonderful celebration of athletics, sports and teamwork. Well done to Dally, Gleeson, Marlow, Nagle and O’Loughlin!
Together We Grow!
Take care and have a great fortnight.
Marianne Loftus
Head of Primary Years
On Monday 21st March, all students participated in the celebration of Harmony Day. Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values. Students wore either their cultural dress or a piece of orange clothing as a visual acknowledgement of the national day. The them this year was ‘Everyone Belongs’ which we positively celebrate and demonstrate as a school community each and every day. Students shared their personal cultural backgrounds within their home groups, providing an opportunity for further understanding of each student’s individual story. The College Prefect Team decorated the main quad and played cultural music during recess and lunch, which really added to the celebration. I would like to thank all students for your participation and hope the celebration allowed us to acknowledge that St. Paul’s College is a place where ‘Everyone Belongs’.
Mr Nick Callary
Head of Wellbeing (Year 7-12)
The Year 5 students have been learning about plant and animal adaptations in Science. Blubber was the focus of the science experiment, wherein students observed Miss Iuliano cover her hand in copha to mimic the fatty tissue known as blubber and plunge her hand in cold water. Students thoroughly enjoyed seeing this experiment come to life and were able to make connections between blubber and its ability to store energy and insulate heat. Miss Iuliano and Ms Dunn cannot wait to see where this unit takes the Year 5 cohort.
