2023 Term 1, Week 3

We all want to belong somewhere. We want to be valued by others. Introverted or extroverted, we all thrive on relationships. Being connected with others is what makes us human. Not only does it meet a deep need, but connectiveness helps to inoculate us against life’s challenges. While being in community doesn’t mean we will avoid life’s challenges, it does really help to get through them when we have others around us who care and who we can lean on.

Students aside, many parents make life-long friendships through their children. I see a number of parents who are still involved in our community, St Paul’s School, long after their last child has graduated.

The Supporter Group, Parent Connections, was a established a few years ago at St Paul’s School with the vision to support parents to become engaged in their child’s education. Their vision is not only to build a greater sense of community for families, but also to help you understand how we do things at St Paul’s School. What exactly is Realms of Thinking and how can you support the teaching and learning that happens in the classroom in your home? We know that when families work in partnership with the School, the outcomes for their child improve dramatically. In some cases, it can add more than 12 months of additional learning.

Building on the work of the Parent Connections group, the School has created a new position:  Head of Family Engagement.  Rev Stephen Brown has been appointed to that role.

Stephen has a young family of his own, so he has experience of what it means to be a parent. Being new to the School, he’s trying to get his head around Realms of Thinking and Ways of Being. He has a passion for people and a heart for community.

The primary purpose of Stephen’s position is to create a link between the School and the home, build a strong sense of community for you, and to help you engage with your child’s education in a meaningful way.

If you’re lucky, Stephen will be offering complimentary coffee from Sippers (when it finally reopens) as he’s eager to meet as many people as possible. I know Stephen is keen to hear about your family’s journey at St Paul’s School and how he can foster deeper partnerships between parents, students, and staff.

Dr Paul Browning
Headmaster

I am sure that, from time to time, your children drive you mad with their capacity to lose various items that they bring to school. It is not only inconvenient but also potentially quite expensive to have to replace essential items.

May I urge you to help us help you by ensuring that all items your children bring to school are clearly labelled with their name (and, ideally, House)? Where items are labelled, we will undertake to return them to their rightful owner. However, in cases where lost items cannot be identified, then either –

1. (in the case of school uniform) they will be donated to the Retail Shop (or the Junior School Supporters Group) for re-sale as second-hand;
2. (in the case of other items) they will either be donated to a charity shop at the end of each term, or disposed of.

In the secondary school, all students have been allocated a locker, which should be kept locked. Students have also been advised that no belongings are to be left on top of the lockers at the end of the day. We hope that these measures, also, will assist you in minimising the loss of valuable items belonging to your children.

Junior School lost property is located in the Frost Reception area.

Secondary School lost property will be located in the Wellbeing Centre (although valuable items, including phones, jewellery and cash, will be held at Tooth Reception).

Congratulations Year 7’s on your wonderful achievement.

Here are some photos of the Year 7’s proudly lighting their first Bunsen.

Physical Resources

The Secondary School Library has a large collection of physical resources, including graphic novels, fiction, magazines, and non fiction. Students can browse the collection via the Library catalogue here.   Interested in reading something we don’t have? Students can place a purchase request via the link on the homepage of the Library catalogue.

Access to ebooks, audiobooks

Students can access a massive range of ebooks and audiobooks 24/7 from any device using the ePlatform or ePlatform app, which enables them to read or listen on the go. The platform enables students to change font, font size, and background reading colour for ebooks, making them accessible for all readers.

A how-to video guide for accessing ebooks and audiobooks can be found below.

Databases

When conducting their research, students will find the information they need on a variety of databases to which the Library provides access. Britannica School provides articles, videos, biographies and more in a range of reading levels. Students will find the login details on the Library platform. Clickview is a video database for students and staff to use both in lessons and in research, with films and tv shows, step-by-step tutorials and subject-based videos. The Library also teaches students how to access databases, journals and other online resources via the State Library of Queensland. Login details, tips for best use can all be found on the Library platform. 

Research Guides

Students will find a range of study guides on the Library platform for subjects including English, HPE, Science, IST, Humanities and more. These guides include videos, articles, podcasts, study guides, further reading and more to assist students with research tasks. They’ll also find plenty of fun links and helpful information.

If you need assistance, please reach out via email at [email protected], follow us on Instagram @SPSLibrary or check out our blog.

Physical Resources

The Junior School Library has a large collection of picture books, fiction, non fiction, graphic novels, magazines and more. Students are introduced to these collections and borrow from them during their Library Lessons, during breaks and before and after school.

Story Box Library

On Story Box Library, books are read aloud in video format by actors, authors and celebrities. This is a great opportunity for students to develop their vocabulary, auditory memory, imagination and more. It’s also lots of fun. Students in Junior School have access to hundreds of stories. Information about how to log in will be shared with students in their Library Lessons.

ePlatform – ebooks and audiobooks

Need a good book? Need something to listen to? The ePlatform enables students in Year 4 to Year 6 (Prep to Year 3 coming soon) to access ebooks and audiobooks that can be read or listened to on a range of devices and via the ePlatform app. Students will be shown how to login in their Library Lessons.

Family Access to the Junior School Library

Want to borrow books from the Junior Library collections? The Junior School Library is open to students before and after school, and families are welcome to come in and browse, borrow or just find a nice place to sit and enjoy a book with their child. The Junior School Library is open to families each day from 8am to 8:20am and from 3:10pm to 3:30pm.

It is vital that all contact details remain up to date so that we can contact you as necessary and continue providing your family with relevant information via email, phone and post.

Visit Parent Lounge

Parents/guardians can report their child’s absence from school via parent lounge.  An email detailing the process will be sent to you in the coming days.

If you have forgotten your Parent Lounge password, you can reset this yourself via the Parent Lounge login screen. If you have forgotten your Parent Lounge username, please contact the School’s reception.

This change is another improvement in the School’s approach towards child protection as it adds a level of security and authentication to child absences from school.  If you have any questions please contact the Risk and Compliance Officer, Mark Barratt ([email protected]).

Please note, if your child will be absent for three days or longer email your child’s House Leader.

We would like to introduce 2 more staff to our exceptional counselling team at St Paul’s School.  This means we currently have 4 Counsellors, Miss Amanda Pashen (4 days per week for Years PP-8), Mr Ross Adams (2 days per week for Years 9-12) and our New Counsellors, Ms Samantha Morrison (2 days per week for Years 10-12) and Ms Kim Bertwistle (2 days per week for Years 10-12) (while the wonderful Mrs Semple is on leave for Semester 1).  We also have the lovely Mrs Rexina Harding who is our Administration Assistant.  We are located on the Ground Floor of the Wellbeing Centre.

If you have concerns about your child, please speak with their Teacher or Tutor in the first instance.  All children referred to Counselling in PP-Year 9 require parental permission to attend.

 HELPFUL CONTACTS

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

We encourage you to start a conversation about online safety and Connect, Reflect and Protect. 

Connect safely and with purpose – by keeping apps and devices secure and using social media in positive ways.
Reflect before we act – by taking a moment to consider how what we do and say online may affect others.
Protect ourselves and others by taking action – by telling family, friends or colleagues about eSafety and how we can help.

By doing these simple things, we can work towards making every day a Safer Internet Day.

To learn more about Safe Internet Day please click on the links below;
https://www.saferinternetday.org/

https://www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom/whats-on/safer-internet-day-2023

Insights_StartingTheYearRight

Did you know that we have a SPS Careers Website?  You can find it on the School Portal or at https://www.stpaulscareers.com.au/.  Check out the Important Info section that has a Calendar of Events from Universities, Defence, TAFE, Expo’s etc!

To see the latest Career Tools Newsletter click here. You can also click here to view SPS Career Tools Weekly on the SPS Careers Website.

Please click here for more information.

The SPS Junior School Supporters Group are preparing for a busy Term 1. Click to see the Term 1 Events 

For more information contact: [email protected]

The 2023 Annual General Meeting for the Touch Football Supporters Group will be held on Wednesday 15th February 2023 at 6.30pm in Sutton Building.

We would love to see you there.

Thank you to Amanda Carter, Emmaline Ball and the other members of the committee with a special mention to Trevor Wendt, Rowena Derksen and Janet Payne. We did a significant amount of fundraising and received sponsors and donations to be able to afford the girls a training shirt ( very importantly to the girls that they were female specific cut). We will also be able to present the first team with their jersey at the end of the season.

The MSG supports the St Paul’s School Music program through fundraising and provides support to the many activities necessary for the development and implementation of a successful music program. Our work has a direct benefit to all students in the program from beginners to advanced students.

Membership in this group enables parents to be more actively involved in music within the school with extra advantages, such as:

• Providing a clearer understanding of the learning environment and Music Department processes
• Knowledge is shared and decisions are owned collaboratively through discussion
• The opportunity to put ideas forward and discuss new initiatives. Innovation is encouraged!
• Meeting with a group of like-minded people to share ideas and socialise

You are hereby given notice of the Music Supporters Group Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Monday 8th March 2021 at 6.30pm in the Music Department. Please find the official notice and nomination form for executive and committee member positions HERE.

To ensure the Music Supporters Group continues to support the music department we encourage all families to play their part moving forward. To achieve this we need voices from across all year levels, so please accept our invitation to become involved. There are many ways in which you can become involved:

1. Participate at MSG meetings (held 1st Monday of each month during term time)
   2. Sign up to volunteer at Music events like Music in the Dark and Con Brio
   3. Sign up to receive the MSG meeting minutes to be kept informed

We understand that attending meetings is not possible for everyone so I ask that you support the team in other ways, like helping out at events when we send out a call for extra volunteer support. This is especially the case for Music in the Dark and Con Brio.

If you have any queries or would like to know more, please don’t hesitate to make contact:  [email protected]

Looking forward to working with you!

Committee Executive Roles

Kathy Wright
President Music Supporters Group