2019 Term 3, Week 7

CRITERIA:

Students should submit a covering letter detailing their performance in pursing the Aims and Goals of the School and must show evidence of consistently caring for others and helping them to live worthwhile and meaningful lives; students must have pride in their School and demonstrate this in their dealings with their peers and indeed the whole School community.

In addition to the covering letter, students should submit a 1000 word essay on “Building a Christian Caring Community in the 21st Century.”

In awarding the Ray Geise Bursary, particular attention will be paid to the performance of the applicants in pursuing the Aims and Goals of the School, and to any financial need which exists in the family.

APPLICATIONS:

All Bursary applications and offers are to be treated as private and confidential and are not for public discussion or announcement.  Applicants should submit:

1. A Bursary Application Form
2. A Covering Letter
3. An Essay

A separate application should be submitted for each child within a family.

Bursary Application Forms are available from the Headmaster’s Executive Assistant, Ms Sam Beeney, via email request:  [email protected]

Bursary applications (including the completed Application Form, Covering Letter and Essay) should be submitted in a sealed confidential envelope by Friday 18 October 2019 (the end of the second week of Term 4) to:  Dr Paul Browning, Headmaster, St Paul’s School, 34 Strathpine Road, BALD HILLS  QLD  4036.

We tell students (and prospective parents) that one of the goals of St Paul’s – arguably our most important goal – is to produce young men and women of character. This is a responsibility in which we partner with you, the families of our students. I trust that one of the reasons you send your children to St Paul’s is because you share our values and you endorse our Character Framework. I have shared with many of the students a favourite quote of mine, from Greek philosopher Heraclitus (500 BC), who said “Character is destiny”. I firmly believe that the type of person we choose to become, as a result of the things we think about, talk about and do, determines what will become of us. In Flex last Monday, I challenged the Year 10 cohort with a quote from NFL coach John Wooden – “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are”. It’s good advice for all of us.

Respect is one of the key virtues which comprise our Character Framework. We define respect this way – “Treating other people – their feelings and time, as well as their property and beliefs – as though they have value’, and we point out that a lack of respect for others is demonstrated by “Lack of courtesy for teachers and peers; racism; sexist behaviour or ‘joking’”. I have heard some argue that respect has to be earned, but I disagree. Rather, I would suggest that respect is an inalienable human right: all of us, regardless of our age, ability, gender, qualifications and even behaviour, are deserving of respectful treatment by others.

Courtesy may seem an old-fashioned idea in this modern world. Along with some of its synonyms – civility, deference, chivalry and gallantry – I wonder if some believe it has no place in the 21^st century. Of course, once we explain that courtesy is simply the showing of politeness in one’s attitude and behaviour towards others, it becomes obvious that this is a basic way of showing respect. We have been challenging the students to consider this, in particular, in the way in which they interact with those who volunteer to serve in our Tuckshop, and those who are employed to clean the school. Little things, like making eye-contact and smiling, saying “Please”, “Thank you” or “Good Morning”, can be simple gestures that mean a lot.

Mr Nigel Grant
Executive Director of Faith & Community

The celebrations kicked off on Monday with our now-annual whole school Book Week Parade. What a special privilege it is to be able to have the whole school join together to celebrate all the secret powers that reading encourages! The costumes were fabulous and so many students in the Junior and Secondary schools were involved. Certificates, Sippers vouchers and Dymocks vouchers were awarded to those costumes that impressed the judges, but there were so many deserving of praise!

The rest of the week saw more activities in both Libraries: craft galore and a Great Book Swap for the Junior School, and a guest speaker, a Kahoot competition and a Trivia Competition in the Secondary school. Thanks to all the students and staff who supported these events and joined in the fun.

IN THE SECONDARY LIBRARY

Tuesday: Guest Speaker, Mr Glover

Mr Glover speaking to the students about how the biography, “Rising out of Hatred”, changed his perspective on many things.

Wednesday: Kahoot Competition

Winners of the Kahoot competition were Cooper, Austine and Danielle

Friday: Trivia Competition

It was our largest Trivia Competition yet, with 18 teams playing! It was a great activity, enjoyed by staff and students!

Judy Bolton
Head of Information Services

You can do this in person or via Flexischools.

Check the list of requirements here.

There are still a number of Music events left this year, including Con Brio, and the MSG will be looking for assistance. The next Music Supporters’ Group meeting is this coming Monday at 6.30pm in the Music Centre. New faces are always welcome – especially from Junior School parents. If you’re interested in coming along to find out how you can get involved, please contact MSG President, Ben Myers, at [email protected], or feel free to simply turn up at the meeting.

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/stpaulsmusic

Instagram – @spsmusic

Mrs Karen Semple and Ms Amanda Pashen
School Counsellors

HELPFUL CONTACTS

QTAC/POST YR 12 INTERVIEWS

An additional day after block testing (Tuesday, 17 September) has been set aside for those students who have not yet made an appointment with a Counsellor to assist with any queries they may have regarding their QTAC application/preferences or provide advice if they are unsure of their post Year 12 options or choices. Students can make an appointment by contacting Mrs Harding either by email at [email protected] or by coming in to Counselling Reception, ground floor, Wellbeing Centre.

St PAUL’S SCHOOL CAREERS

Career information is available on the St Paul’s School Careers website at https://www.stpaulscareers.com.au/

Click here to see the latest newsletter from the website host, Career Tools.

USEFUL CAREERS WEBSITES

In addition to their House shirt, students will also need to be wearing School uniform green shorts and short white socks.

Please contact your child’s tutor or classroom teacher if you have further queries.

Nigel Grant
Executive Director of Faith & Community

According to Dr Paul Browning, Headmaster of St Paul’s, the awards are wonderful recognition of the hard work and dedication of all members of the St Paul’s community.

“I’m really proud of everything our school has accomplished. We provide students with an education worth having, one that builds resilient global citizens, who are innovative thinkers with a heart for servant leadership.

“To have this approach recognised in such a way is absolutely wonderful and I pay tribute to my colleagues, all our students and members of the broader St Paul’s community who have helped make this a reality,” he said.

According to the judges, St Paul’s was recognised chiefly for its vision for the future and world-class credentials as a centre of innovation.

In the Junior School the subject created by St Paul’s, Immersion Studies Time, has been singled out by schools across Australia and throughout the world as the pinnacle of primary school education.

According to Marianne Connolly, Director of Junior School at St Paul’s School, she was both humbled and delighted at the award wins.

“What a wonderful achievement for the Junior School!  We have all worked so hard to build a community of learning and innovation at St Paul’s and to win this award really commends the efforts all our staff have put in over the past few years,” she said.

These award wins follow St Paul’s School’s success at the 2018 Australian Education Awards where the School took out the School Principal of the Year – Non-Government award, Atomi’s Best Innovation in Curriculum Design, Best School Strategic Plan and Best Professional Learning Program.

Dr Browning discussed the School’s recent success at the National Education Awards, and fostering resilience and creativity within students to best prepare them for a rapidly changing future.

You can listen here (the interview starts at 2 hour 2 min).

Whilst NAPLAN can be a very useful tool, Dr Browning highlighted how there are many things that it doesn’t measure.

The full story is available for Courier Mail subscribers at this link.

Please note, the Retail Shop will be closed on Monday 21 October (student free day).

The uniform requirements at St Paul’s School vary depending on what year level students are in.

For a full breakdown of uniform requirements per year click HERE.

Please submit your notice in writing to the Headmaster – [email protected]

Debbie Cameron
Registrar (Domestic)

Term 3: Tuesday 16 July – Friday 20 September

Term 4: Tuesday 8 October – Friday 29 November

For a more detailed look 2019/20 dates, see HERE.

Blue Day – 7 September!

Each year in Term 3 St Paul’s holds a Blue Day.

The aim is to raise funds to donate towards men’s cancer charities.

We encourage all Volleyball players to purchase a pair of blue socks to wear on Blue Day.

They will be available to purchase for $10 a pair at the 2 upcoming home games.

This year we will also be holding a bake sale on Blue Day. If you are able to donate any baked goods it would be greatly appreciated. Donations can dropped off at the BBQ on the morning of the 7th Sept.  All proceeds will be donated.

We invite all parents and spectators to dress in blue to support the cause.

The BNJCA is one of the most popular junior cricket competitions in Queensland so check it out at www.bnjca.org.au.

The cricket teams are administered by the Cricket Supporters Group (CSG) and rely on parents for coaching, umpiring and scoring.  We are grateful to the School and grounds staff for the upkeep of fields & equipment.

Sign on for the 2019/20 season commences on 9^th August and ends 31^st August 2019.  Players (both boys and girls) can sign on at www.flexischools.com.au or by completing registration forms which are available from the CSG by email from [email protected]

For Year 3s and up the BNJCA competition runs in Term 4 each Saturday morning till early December. Then players will move to the school JTAS and TAS teams in the first term of 2020.

If there are any questions with sign-on or anything to do with BNJCA cricket in term 4 please do not hesitate to send an e-mail to [email protected] and we will do our best to answer your queries.

Go the Red!

Cricket Supporters Group (CSG)