2021 Term 2, Week 1

A key aspect of our purpose as a school is to prepare resilient global citizens… There is no better way of helping a young person understand and appreciate that they are not just part of a local community, but also a global community, than by providing opportunities for friendships across borders. Tolerance and respect is gained when we seek to understand cultural differences and the real value different perspectives bring to our lives. Our School is becoming increasingly diverse, which is a wonderful thing: we are richer for it.

While we are incredibly blessed to be in Australia during this time in history, there are still many countries that are in lockdown with children who haven’t been able to physically attend school for months on end. As a result of the technology we put in place in preparation for last year’s lockdown, we have been able to offer online schooling to more than 30 overseas students. These young people join classes each day, sometimes starting far earlier because of the time difference. Could you also pray for these students? While a great opportunity for learning, I am sure they are missing the physical connection and the benefits that a real community brings.

New Building Project Update

This term, work will start on our new building project. The first stage will see new electrical conduit laid around the perimeter of the site.  In the June/July holidays, Blocks 1 and 2 will be demolished and the building site established. Egress around the School will change for 12 months, but we will ensure there is directional signage to help you navigate from one side of the campus to the other.

Important Reminders – Student Illness and Absences

Procedure if your child is ill at School:  If you child is ill at School, they must go to the Infirmary and the School will call you if they need to be collected. Students are not to text/call parents from the classroom to be ask to be collected. Please remind your child of the procedure if they do contact you from School.

Absences: It is important to note that attendance rolls will be taken during Tutor Group and Period 1 (as they are every lesson) and SMS notifications will be sent to parents based on unexplained absences as at the end of Period 1.  Secondary students who are late for (or miss) Tutor Group need to present themselves to sign in at the Tooth Building. If your child is going to be absent, parents/guardians are asked to notify the School as soon as possible either by ringing Reception on 3261 1388 or by entering student absences via Parent Lounge.  When students are absent for five or more days, parents are required to contact the House Leader or Director of Junior School.

Parent Survey

Finally, thank you to all those parents who have offered feedback through the Annual Parent Engagement Survey (emailed to you on Tuesday 13 April). The survey will close on Wednesday 28 April. If you haven’t already responded, we would love to hear your feedback.

Dr Paul Browning

Headmaster

I expect you have probably heard us use the phrase “St Paul’s School offers a holistic education”, but perhaps you aren’t (yet) so familiar with Ways of Being. As you will gather from the Aristotle quote above, Ways of Being is the framework we have developed at St Paul’s to deliver a holistic education. It’s a framework that acknowledges that schools like ours see students as whole people – that is, as individuals with a heart and soul, as well as a mind.

Much of the current debate around education in Australia at the moment is centred on the issue of what really matters. Government policy (driven by economic imperatives) and much of the media commentary seems to suggest that what matters most are academic outcomes, as measured by NAPLAN and ATAR results. Yet most educators (and many parents) would argue that the most important outcomes are not these numbers, which indicate academic progress at a particular point in time. Rather, most of us subscribe to a more holistic ideal of education, in which we focus on who the child is becoming, rather than simply what knowledge and skills they have acquired. We want our children to live good lives. We want them to flourish.

At the heart of “Ways of Being” is the belief that true human flourishing requires that we be thriving in all aspects of our lives – physically, psychologically, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Our commitment to a holistic view of human development leads us to understand that achievement of (especially intellectual) skills and understanding cannot be separated from a concern over the type of person that we are becoming. While we believe that each child is born with unique predispositions, capabilities and personality traits, we also believe that the education of the child (at home, at school and for the rest of their lives) involves the development and optimisation of both intelligence and character.

Our Ways of Being framework (like our complementary Realms of Thinking framework) comprises six elements, as shown below. In coming weeks, I will explain each of these elements in further detail.

Mr Nigel Grant

Executive Director of Faith & Community

Some parents and carers may feel uncertain about how best to support their daughter through the ups and downs of adolescence and how to keep the lines of communication open. With the rise of social media and technology, mental health difficulties in girls are increasing as often they are faced with online images that make it difficult to see themselves as acceptable. Ensuring a daughter’s opinions are heard and her views listened to, will go a long way towards making her feel loved and supported as she tries to establish her own identity.

In this edition of SchoolTV, adult carers will attain a clearer picture of what girls are wanting from their adult carers and how best to support them through adolescence. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to this month’s edition https://stpauls.qld.schooltv.me/newsletter/raising-girls

It is that time of year for Year 7-12 students to express their interest in our exciting Design Led Venture Program (DLV) for 2021.

Students have the opportunity to work with companies, government and/or community organisations to:

• understand their industry and business,
• interact with stakeholders (customers, employees, managers, suppliers etc),
• hone their design thinking skills, and
• work as a team to present the best solution to the client.

These organisations need the creative minds of our students to help them solve real problems and challenges and present innovative, fresh ideas.

Find out more, including blog posts about previous DLV Team experiences, visit Design Led Ventures.

Expressions of interest are open until Monday, 26 2021.

Over 12 weeks, 2.5 hours a week during school time, your student will:

• learn new digital skills, hone their creative thinking skills, teamwork, 21^st Century skills, entrepreneurial skills and so much more.

Joining a DLV is a great way for students to develop and demonstrate the leadership qualities and values our Global Citizenship Program and workplace skills.

Dr Renae Jones + Mr Tim Osborne (DLV Facilitators)

The main event that most students will be involved in this term (except for Year 4 Band students) is Music in the Dark on Saturday, May 15 in the Walker Centre Courtyard. Parents of students involved in this event will be sent a schedule of performance times soon, but the event will begin at 3.30pm and finish around 8.00pm. The Music Supporters’ Group will be selling delicious food and drinks, and there will be activities such as face painting for students to get involved in when they’re not performing. We hope to see you there!

The competition consists of a short audition round in front of Music staff, followed by a Round Two Concert Series and a Final at Sandgate Town Hall. Details will be sent to students soon, but in the meantime they can register by clicking on this link. We encourage all students to participate in this event as it provides as excellent opportunity for practise and a different kind of performance experience than playing in ensembles.

We didn’t want to distract them too much as it was all very new and exciting, but here’s a sneaky picture of Wednesday morning’s rehearsal with Ms Sharp. As you can imagine, it sounded very beautiful, but we’re looking forward to hearing them perform in a little while once they get the hang of being an ensemble.

International Capital Lee LI gave the lovely address below at the student’s online orientation last week:

“It is our honor to have you join our School this term. I understand that currently, you cannot come to Australia because of Covid-19. Please know that you are all still a very important part of our school community and we look forward to the future where we may be able to meet up in person. In 2021 I will be working hard to ensure that you are included in many of the events that we have planned for our international School community. I am always available for any questions you may have or even if you just want a chat”

We would like to say a big Thank You to Miss Hennessey, who ran a wonderful cooking class for our students during the School holidays. The students cooked a beautiful Sri Lankan vegetarian curry and a Danish apple cake. They were delicious!

The fun-filled 60-minute musical, designed for school-aged performers, is based on the 2006 Disney Channel Original Movie and the subsequent National Tour. Our 60 cast members in Years 7-12 are supported by a team of teachers and students across our School Community.
We are excited to be celebrating these performances with the St Paul’s Community and are looking forward to an amazing show. There are a limited number of tickets are left, so please book now and remember, don’t hold back!

Tickets

Please Click Here to book your tickets.

Programs

Programs are now available for pre-order for $3 each. Pre-ordered programs will be available for collection before each show.

Pre-orders will close 11.59 pm Sunday, 25 April.

Programs will also be available for purchase at the door for $5 each. Limited stock will be available at the door so please pre-order to guarantee yourself a copy.

Would you like to wish a Cast Member luck?

You can order a bouquet or a single stem arrangement to be delivered to a cast member backstage before the show. Simply tell us who you would like the flowers delivered to and which show to deliver them.

Orders will close 11.59 pm Sunday, 25 April.

If you need assistance with ticket sales and program orders please contact Maxi Taylor [email protected].

Thank you – The Musical Team

The St Paul’s Community came together on Friday for our ANZAC Day Commemorative Service to remember and acknowledge those who sacrificed their lives for our country.
We were honoured to have distinguished guests, family and friends join our students, staff and cadets for the service. We reflected on the spirit of the ANZACs with guest speaker, Colonel David Ward and we prayed with Rev Mark Leam that we can build on their legacy.

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn;
At the going down of the sun and in the morning –
We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

Establish home as a safe place to talk

Is your home a place where children can talk about any topic? Sexuality and relationship education are subjects that many parents place in the ‘let’s talk about this when you are older’ basket.

Professor Kerry Robinson, who is in the School of Social Sciences and Psychology and the Sexualities and Genders Research Network at Western Sydney University advises parents to be factual when answering children’s questions, emphasising the importance of staying informed about the subject kids are interested in.

In a recent article in The Guardian, she said “…. have set it up early with your child that when they talk about certain things you give open, simple, honest answers, then you set a precedent that you can build on.”

Professor Robinson also advises parents not to fob off children’s questions: “Straight away you’re setting a pattern of not answering and putting it off. Kids learn really quickly that this is a taboo subject. They will talk to their friends about it: they won’t talk to their parents and other adults about it because it’s taboo.”

Teach no means no

Children learn about mutual consent through their play and sharing. A child who doesn’t want to share their toys has a right to be left alone, rather than being scolded to change their mind. A parent who withdraws a privilege in response to a teenager’s poor behaviour shouldn’t be subjected to repeated attempts to negotiate a different outcome. Reinforce with children and young people that a no is not an invitation to ask again.

Emphasise choices

Framing behaviour as a choice is a central consent strategy for children or all ages. A young child who shares a toy with a friend can be told, “Good choice Harry. Now you can have fun together.” A primary school child who completes their homework assignment early can be reminded, “Now you’ve got plenty of time to relax. Smart choice.” The teenager who quietly helps you prepare a meal can be told “You could have done anything after school, but you chose to help me. I appreciate that.”

Teach kids to seek consent

Another important component of consent is that children and young people should also develop the habit of seeking consent from others. “Ask your sister if it’s okay for you to play that game next to her.” “Ask grandma if she feels like a cuddle right now.” Permission-seeking is another piece in the respectful relationships puzzle that you can reinforce with kids.

In closing

The best age to start teaching your children about consent is when they are young. The second-best age is whatever age they are right now. Consent education is too big an issue to ignore or leave to schools to manage. It’s something we all have to commit to if we want real change to occur.

HELPFUL CONTACTS

• Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
• Youth Beyond Blue http://www.youthbeyondblue.com/

It will be a wonderful evening congratulating our cricket players. There will be entertainment and great raffle prizes to be won.

Tickets are now available on Flexischools until Friday, 14 May. Any questions or concerns please contact Ivanka Babijas via email on ivanka27optusnet.com.au or 0414 842 820.

See the flyer here.