8 June 2023

08.06.23

From the Acting Principal

On-track for Online

Since our last College newsletter, a fortnight ago, we have lived the exceptional beauty of ‘diversity’, one of our four values at St Paul’s College.

National Reconciliation Week was most pivotal in our community’s ongoing commitment to genuine Reconciliation. Additionally, we have celebrated Carnevale as our Italian language program came to life. Only two weeks, and so much to show for.

While we live our commitment to relationship and respect for diversity each day, social media continues to challenge this commitment when we seek the worst of ourselves and others. For its many benefits, we also understand that criticism and negativity feed on social media, the standard communication for society, and yet a challenging medium to navigate for young people as the grow up, learn about themselves and establish their identity.

Often families and staff alike are supporting young people with challenging behavioral choices made online and on social media. Education about online safety and positive online behaviors, is something that the classroom and society must continue to prioritise.

In doing so, we must have forthright conversations with young people and ensure transparency if they are using online applications and social media.

Social Media Resource – Helping parents with an enormous task!

Recently, I have worked with Tasmin London, Executive Director of ySafe. Yasmin and ySafe are especially helpful in their diverse approach to this complex issue of online safety.

Their website is an ‘Online Safety Hub’ and unlike so many other websites that address online safety, it provides clear and concise information:

“Children today are growing up in an increasingly online world and it's essential that we are doing all that we can to support and guide their digital journey. The Online Safety Hub supports the school community by providing practical insights and advice directly from internationally-renowned Online Safety & Digital Wellness Experts.” – ySafe Website.

The website can be accessed HERE and I urge all member of our community to explore this amazing resource, particularly:

The guides and practical suggestions for any parent wanting to help their child be safe online: Click here for ySafe parents' guide
The review of online applications/programs, which clearly explains many popular programs that young people use and their risks, alongside helpful information about who and why they are used: Click here for ySafe app-reviews

Knowing that families and schools can’t assist young people with online safety unless we know about what and how they are engaging online, here is one example of the ‘known risks’ for an applications/programs available on the ySafe website – this example is for TikTok.

As we work hard to support our young people, let’s also use the valuable resources available to us. I urge you to visit the ySafe Website and discuss it with your family/child. Above all, let’s keep working together for the safety of our young people, including online safety.

Please engage our staff wherever we may assist your young person (or your family) with resources or conversation that may help us navigate the online challenges we share. Above all, please speak openly and honestly with your young person(s) and share their online presence.

Josh Foulis
Acting Principal

On-track for Online

Since our last College newsletter, a fortnight ago, we have lived the exceptional beauty of ‘diversity’, one of our four values at St Paul’s College.

In doing so, we must have forthright conversations with young people and ensure transparency if they are using online applications and social media.

Social Media Resource – Helping parents with an enormous task!

Recently, I have worked with Tasmin London, Executive Director of ySafe. Yasmin and ySafe are especially helpful in their diverse approach to this complex issue of online safety.

Their website is an ‘Online Safety Hub’ and unlike so many other websites that address online safety, it provides clear and concise information:

The website can be accessed HERE and I urge all member of our community to explore this amazing resource, particularly:

The guides and practical suggestions for any parent wanting to help their child be safe online: Click here for ySafe parents' guide
The review of online applications/programs, which clearly explains many popular programs that young people use and their risks, alongside helpful information about who and why they are used: Click here for ySafe app-reviews

Josh Foulis
Acting Principal

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Primary Years Update

Dear Families,

Our College operates a formal behaviour expectation based on Our Common Ground from Reception to Year 12. This allows all students to recognise that choosing inappropriate behaviour will result in formal consequences. In the Primary Years, when a student has not followed the College’s expectations of having a safe environment for all by treating others as you wish to be treated, they are asked to reflect on their actions and behaviour, their impact on others, and how they could make more appropriate choices in the future.

Behaviour incidents are recorded and monitored to identify trends where a student, student group or cohort may benefit from some targeted support to develop their behaviour regulation skills. For more serious and/or repeated behaviours parent contact and Student Support Plans may be required as a strategy to support the student in modifying their behaviour in the future.

At St Paul’s, and in the Primary Years, we are committed to partnering with our students and their parents and caregivers, to ensure behaviour expectations are valued and upheld and that behaviour incidents are managed in a timely, fair and supportive manner.

Cyber Safety is becoming more and more prominent as technology progresses at a rapid rate. As parents, please be vigilant with what your children are accessing on a daily basis. What might look safe and secure is often, in reality, the opposite. Most sites these days have a minimum age acceptance of 12/13 years old. Placing your children in a position that is quite dangerous is something you need to be conscious of in a real way. Your children may think they are talking to their friends when in fact 'their friends' are someone totally different. I know you face many parenting challenges on a daily basis, but, as a parent myself who faces these same challenges, I implore you to think about this seriously for the sake of your children's safety.

There are many in our college community and Primary Years coping with coughs, colds, flu and Covid-19. Thank you to those many parents who are keeping their sick children at home. As we enter the cold and flu season, we again encourage everyone in our community to maintain good hygienic practices to prevent the spread of such illnesses.

Take care and have a great fortnight.

Marianne Loftus - Head of Primary Years

Reconciliation Week

Our R-12 community gathered for a special assembly to reflect on National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week. We reflected on the wrongs of the past, and the pain our First Nations communities have felt as a result and acknowledged the importance of moving forward together in harmony.

We heard from our First Nations students regarding the importance of Reconciliation week, we watched a performance in Kaurna language by our Year 4 students, our Year 5 students showed their purple hibiscus flowers in acknowledgment of the stolen generation, we listened to our band play ‘Beds are Burning’ by Midnight Oil and raised new flags courtesy of Dana Wortley MP - Member for Torrens.

At the end of the week, it was a pleasure having Nicholas Emili return to St Paul's as a graduate of the College in 2020 and a proud Kokatha man from the Flinders region. Nicholas spoke to the Year 11 and 12 students and staff about the upcoming referendum and a First Nations Voice to Parliament. He delved into this topic in great detail with our students, giving them the information needed to make an informed decision in the referendum later this year. We are fortunate to have such knowledgeable and passionate ex-students willing to come back and be involved in our teaching and learning programs.

Our week was rounded off with a celebration of First Nations music in the Quad at lunchtime on Friday.

Italian Carnevale

On Tuesday Week 6, our Middle Years students (7,8,9) had the opportunity to celebrate Italian Carnevale – a celebration of Italian language and culture.

The day began with our Year 9 Italian class engaging in a pizza making workshop with Mattia's Pizza. They learnt about the techniques of making the perfect pizza ‘alla napoletana’. Once Mattia took students through the demonstration, the Year 9s made their own and enjoyed their pizza in true al fresco style.

From lesson 4 onwards, Middle Years students, along with their Home Group teachers, journeyed through an array of activities, in round-robin style, moving within their House Groups. The activities comprised of: bocce; soccer; mask making; Italian short film; a history of Carnevale; a cannoli demonstration and an Italian building competition. Students were also treated to either gelato or zeppole at lunchtime, accompanied by Italian music.

The Italian faculty would love to continue to see students engaged in Italian language learning and culture and we look forward to another opportunity to hold a similar event in the future.

The Italian Faculty
Grazia Lustri and Tania Vial

Year 11 Retreat

From May 31st to June 2nd, our Year 11 cohort attended their Retreat, theme ‘Stepping Up’. The Retreat provides time away from the busyness of school and provides a spiritual setting to reflect and ponder on the type of person you are and wish to thrive for. The ability to connect after sunset provides a significant experience, and the opportunity for a deep inner reflection and time to share stories with our friends.

Our Retreat was held in the beautiful setting of Victor Harbor, students participate in several spiritual and physical workshops all building on developing and enhancing our students’ values and goals. Looking out to the ocean from Granite Island we realise the smallness of each of us in the grand scheme of life. It’s a time to acknowledge there is more to life than just ‘me’, a time to step up, set goals, and affirm the goodness surrounding us. The retreat ends with a Liturgy, reinforcing and celebrating who we are as a Catholic College in the Edmund Rice tradition.

Maria Girolamo‑Corbo - Acting APRIM

Cocurricular Wrap Up

Year 4 Soccer

It was great to see teacher and First XI Soccer coach Walter Chatindiara taking the time to help out with some extra training for our Year 4 team. Our players were very eager and enthusiastically listened to learn some new skills of the world game. Our team is currently undefeated, so hoping this will help us to continue with the wins.

Chess results - Round 2

For the second round of games on Friday 26-5, our Yellow team played against Wilderness in the first match and Walford in the second game of the evening.

The overall results were as follows:

Dhyey Rajput (Year 7) played against a year 11 student from Wilderness and won. Overall for the evening also winning against Walford.

Ikreet Bisla (Year 7) – our only female competitor lost against Wilderness and after a game that went for 40 minutes drew against Walford. It was great to see so many girls in the competition from a range of schools and Ikreet is improving with every game.

Tyler Nourse (Year 6) who trained with the senior team a few weeks ago was also invited to play on Fridays. He went extremely well winning both of his games. His second game was very short – within 5 moves having his opponent in checkmate!

Brahm Walia (Year 6) who was our reserve did a great job – losing one game and having a draw in the second with a stalemate – both players ending up with only their king on the board! Brahm was in fact our reserve on the evening and his presence was appreciated since we had 2 players call in sick at 7 pm.

Overall:

St Pauls V Wilderness: 2 wins/2 loss

St Pauls V Walford: 2 wins/2 draws

A very successful evening considering we were one player down.

Mr Campbell

Senior Football Knockout Comp

Our Senior Football Team competed in the first round of the State Schools Knockout Football Competition taking on Nazareth and Gleeson Colleges. The team played with incredible positivity and “Fought the Good Fight” all day long as we battled through some tough conditions and were challenged by some formidable opposition. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in moving through to the next round this season, however, the way that all players approached the game and were able to use this as a learning opportunity will certainly have a positive effect on the season ahead. Our Senior Footballers continue to compete in the Wednesday Schools Competition and will push towards making finals for the second year in a row. We wish them all the best as they continue to represent the College Community with pride!

Week 4 results

Click here to view

Upcoming Events

Year 11 Exams

Date: Tuesday 13 June - Friday 16 June

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Middle Years Learning Expo

Date: Thursday 15 June

Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Venue: St Paul's College -

St Paul’s College is holding its Semester 1 Middle Years Learning Expo on Thursday June 15 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00pm. As part of students' overall learning programme, they are required to attend the Learning Expo and present their learning journey through the projects they have undertaken in Semester 1, 2023.

All current students who are a part of our Learning Expo are required to attend this event and all parents/caregivers, family members and friends are also warmly invited to see the students showcase their work.

The night will consist of interactive displays created by our students along with the opportunity to discuss with them, aspects of their learning journey. The Parents and Friends Committee will be holding a Sausage sizzle (vegetarian options available). Tea and coffee will also be available for purchase during the Expo. We look forward to seeing and welcoming you into the College.

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