2024 Term 1, Week 4

We’re working closely with the architects to finalise the designs, but I’m confident this refurbishment will not only rejuvenate the physical space but will also introduce state-of-the-art facilities that will enhance the learning experience for our students. Key features will include: enhanced facilities and flexible spaces, new staff facilities, state of the art technology and greater collaboration areas.

The refurbishment will be carried out in two phases. Phase one is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024, with phase two following suit by the end of 2025. During this period we are constructing a temporary village near the Junior School undercover court. This temporary village will accommodate the classes whose rooms are being renovated, ensuring minimal disruption to their learning environment. We will be in contact in the coming weeks to confirm which classes will be renovated during each phase.

You can learn more about the project and also see some early proposed renders on our website.

If you have any questions about the refurbishment process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mrs Connolly or myself.

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm as we embark on this journey to enhance our Junior School for years to come.

Warm regards,

John O’Sullivan-Williams
Acting Principal

But what is Lent? Lent is a season of the church lasting six weeks and ends the day before Easter or Resurrection Sunday. During these six weeks, we journey to Good Friday, the day Jesus died on the cross for us, and look forward to Easter Sunday, the day He rose from the dead! Lent is a time of reflection and penance where we try to do things to help us better understand of the meaning of and live out the Christian faith.

Traditionally during Lent many people give something up. It might be your favourite drink or sweet treat, or it could be something less tangible such as not watching your favourite TV show or not playing your video games. The idea of course is that every time you think about what you have given up for Lent, it will remind us of what Jesus gave up for us all – His life!

In recent times many people have decided to use Lent as a time to not just give things up but to take things on, such as supporting a mission or engaging in Bible Study courses, attending worship more regularly or even just spending extra time in personal reflection on their spiritual journey. Whatever you choose to do this Lent I pray that it will help you to prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Christ during the great festival of Easter.

God’s blessings to one and all; may your Lent be a time of reflection and growth,

The Reverend Mark Leam – Chaplain

At the Honours Assembly, Gold Awards were presented to the highest achieving A standard student for each subject. Also, students who received 90+ ATAR score from QTAC were recognised and their achievement celebrated with a certificate of Academic Excellence.

In December, students’ final results were released by QCAA and their Queensland Certificates of Education (QCE) were awarded. An exceptional number of students received overall A grades across a broad range of subjects, with many receiving overall A grades in at least 4 of their 5 subjects. Using the data provided by QCAA, the highest academic achievers of the cohort were identified with awards presented to:

Olivia Grant – Dux of Year 12 (The Sir Edwin Marsden Tooth Memorial Prize)
Abid Islam – 2^nd to Dux (The Horace and Daphne Gartside Memorial Prize)
Kate McComb – 3^rd to Dux (The Thomas Morton Forster Memorial Prize)

Tiffany Schneider, who graduated from St Paul’s in 2013, was invited as the guest speaker for the event. Tiffany was an outstanding student during her time at our school, and she has been very successful on her post-schooling pathway. Tiffany graduated from QUT in 2019 with First Class Honours for a Bachelor of Laws, and with Distinction for a Bachelor of Justice majoring in Criminology and Policing. Whilst at university, Tiffany received 5 awards for achieving the highest mark in her class, including in Contract Law and Sports Law. She now works as a commercial litigation lawyer at one of Australia’s leading law firms. In her address to the students, she spoke of her changing interests and how she remained open to the opportunities and possibilities that were available to her. Tiffiany also spoke about the importance of service and giving back to the community. She is a proud member of the Corporate Health Alliance Australia’s Early in Career Committee, which is dedicated to ensuring workplaces are mentally healthy, with Tiffany’s particular area of focus being on supporting early career employees in Australian businesses.

Julie Bryce
Director of Curriculum

JUNIOR LIBRARY

On Mondays at lunchtime, the Junior Library hosts Minecraft for students in Year 4-6. Tuesdays are Tech Tuesdays and on Wednesdays students in Year 3-6 can join the Book Wizards Book Club.

Students can also play chess and boardgames, colour in, and read and borrow every day in the Junior Library at lunchtimes.

SECONDARY LIBRARY AND INNOVATION PRECINCT

Mondays

• Innovators and Inventors Club
• Anime and Manga Club – Odd Mondays only

Tuesdays

• Lego Drop In

Wednesdays

• Sewing and Textile Club
• Readers of the Round Table Book Club – Even Wednesdays only

Thursdays

• Create activities in the Hub

Every Day

• Chess, reading, boardgames, esport, puzzles, and project work in the Possibility Hub.

Extra-Curricular Groups – meeting dates to come.

• Dungeons and Dragons Club
• Romantasy Book Club – first meeting on Wednesday Week 5 at lunchtime.

To celebrate Queensland Schools Library Week, we are having a House Reading Challenge. We would like to challenge the Junior School students to read, read, read! Reading is so important because it helps you in class and in life. Junior School students will collect reading points while they are reading for enjoyment at home AND the winning house will receive an ice block party after assembly on Friday 23^rd February. The completed form should be returned on Thursday, 22^nd February to the classroom teacher.

Click below for more information.
Pre-Prep-Year 2
Year 3-6

Happy Reading,
Mrs Janelle Hamling
[email protected]

From left to right,

Karm Vaghani    Cap number        436

Daniel Melloy                                   433

Ryan Merritt                                     435

Lucas Merritt                                    434

Lucas Mackenzie-Smith                  432

Bailey Gillett                                     431

Interested in hearing Paul’s start-up story ?

Please register your attendance here.

For more information please click here. 

Term 1 Fees

Term 1 fees were due for payment at the start of term, Tuesday 23 January 2024.  If you didn’t receive your statement or need to request an extension, please email Charyn at [email protected]

Symptoms to watch out for include but are not limited to:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Body aches

By adhering to this reminder, we collectively contribute to the wellbeing of our entire school community and help prevent the further spread of illness.

Your cooperation and commitment to the health and safety of our students and staff are greatly appreciated.

2024 TERM DATES:

• Term 1: Monday 22 January to Thursday 28 March
  Monday 22 January: Pre-Prep to Year 6, Years 7, 11 & 12, and New International (all day)
  Tuesday 23 January: All students (Pre-Prep to Year 12 & International)
• Term 2: Tuesday 16 April – Friday 14 June
• Term 3: Monday 8 July – Friday 13 September
  Monday 8 July: Pre-Prep only
  Tuesday 9 July: Prep to Year 12
• Term 4: Monday 30 September to Friday 22 November

For a more detailed look at the term dates for 2024, see HERE.

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.

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

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.

Nominations are invited for the following positions on the Committee:
President & Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Committee Members

Nominations should be made in writing HERE and lodged with the Secretary ([email protected]) on or before 6/3/23. All nominations must be proposed and seconded by persons eligible to vote at the subsequent elections. This can be done on the night of the meeting should you wish to nominate.