2019 Term 4, Week 1

That comment for me was contrasted with a presentation I saw last week from Dr Jordan Nguyen. Jordan is a biomedical engineer. On Jordan’s website he states, “[my] mission in life is to improve the lives of as many people as possible and to be a driving force behind positive human and technological evolution in to the future”. Jordan has been using his expertise to partner with others to design and build solutions to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

Jordan has invented some very impressive things and is achieving his life’s purpose. But what struck me when he spoke was his tremendous humility.

Historian, theologian and author John Dickson describes humility as “the ability to redirect your power, to forego your status and deploy your resources or use your influence for the good of others before yourself.” (Humiltas, 2009).

Many think humility is a weakness (probably the author of the quote, “in my great and unmatched wisdom”), but the reality is that we admire those with great humility. The great Jim Collins, author of best seller “Good to Great” asserts that it is possible to be humble, iron-willed and successful. True humility is a strength.

The last phrase in our School’s purpose statement says, “… with a heart for servant leadership.” As I have written in the past, servant leadership is a description of people who go about making a positive difference to other people’s lives without a desire for recognition.

I see many current students and past students who have a servant heart and a wonderful sense of humility. Like Jordan Nguyen, they are looking for ways to make a positive difference.

As we begin the final term of the year, our current senior students (Year 12) literally only have a few School days left. Sooner than they can imagine, they will be walking through a guard of honour at their final assembly to leave St Paul’s and begin the next chapter of their lives.

Deciding what to do with the rest of your life is no easy task. Some will be determined, others will still be indecisive, anxious and unsure. That’s okay. Everyone will eventually find their way. But I hope that every student leaves St Paul’s with a desire to make a positive difference to others. Our world will be a better place for it.

Dr Paul Browning 
Headmaster

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.

As you know, we use a chart across the school that outlines Behavioural Choices and Consequences. Positive (or virtuous) behaviour results in affirmation and rewards, while bad behaviour results in sanctions. The power of this approach is that the consequences are known before the students choose their behaviour, and in this way we hope we are helping them to become more responsible. We are currently reviewing the Choices and Consequences chart, ready for 2020, and I recently asked the teachers to provide feedback on any changes that might be required. I also suggested that many of us have a tendency to issue sanctions more frequently than we do rewards. We are more ready to chastise than to praise. Perhaps that was unfair – perhaps it is only me!

Then, this morning, I read a devotion which included the following – “The negatives in life are necessary. Young children need to learn, for example, not to run into the street. But sometimes we can get stuck in the “don’ts.” As parents, we can sound like a broken record with our children: “Don’t break that. Don’t touch that. Don’t talk to me that way.” At times the church has fallen into the “don’t” rut as well, emphasizing all the things people should avoid without moving on to what we should embrace. I’m not suggesting that don’ts are wrong or unnecessary. God has given us the Ten Commandments, after all, which contain several clear “Thou shalt nots”, so the don’ts are necessary and helpful. But we don’t want to get stuck in the don’ts.” (Mark Roberts, Fuller Theological Seminary)

I wonder if your experience of church was like that? I know that I grew up in an old-fashioned Baptist church where it sometimes felt as though our lives were more characterised by the things we didn’t do (dancing, drinking, smoking, gambling) that the things we did do. Why is it that we tend to drift towards legalism, rather than liberty?

The gospel, and the life we are called to live as believers, is a positive thing. How much better would our community be if we took the following biblical commands seriously –

• “Love one another” (John 13: 34)
• “Honour one another above yourselves” (Romans 12: 10)
• “Accept one another” (Romans 15: 7)
• “Serve one another in love” (Galatians 5: 13)
• “Carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6: 2)
• “Be at peace with each other” (Mark 9: 50)

Mr Nigel Grant
Executive Director of Faith & Community

Welcome back to Term 4 in the Junior School Library.

Next Friday, 18^th October, Jacqueline Harvey will be visiting the Junior School.

Jacqueline is the author of the Clementine Rose, Alice Miranda and Kensy and Max series of books.

She is going to meet with all Junior School year levels and will be available to chat with the students during lunchtime.

We are looking forward to her visit!

Library Activities

There is something for everyone in the Junior School Library!

On Mondays, students can play boardgames.

Tuesdays  is construction.  This term we are going to be doing some paper folding and making things using paper.

Wednesday is technology for the Years 3-6 students.  This term we are going to learn how to program with Scratch.

Thursday is a quiet day where you can come to the library and read with a friend.

On Fridays, the Years 1-3 students can use the Scratchjr and Kodable apps on the iPad.  Later in the term we will be able to use the Spheros again.

I look forward to seeing you all in the library!

Ms Helen Gardener
Junior School Teacher Librarian

Families are invited to attend the Season Launch of the Pre-Prep to Year 6 Swimming Club.

FAMILY FUN NIGHT
Friday 18 October

Details can be found on the flyer HERE.

This is another busy term (aren’t they all?!) in Music. The two biggest events are Con Brio and the Junior Ensembles Concert. For more detailed information on these events, including arrival times and attire, please visit the ‘Music Performance Schedule’ via ‘Quick Links’ on the main School website.

This is outlined on the 2020 enrolment form, which you will be sent in the next few weeks to re-enrol for instrumental lessons next year.

We will be providing JS teachers with a list of lesson times for students in their class for Week 2 as students may be a little caught up in the busyness of the week, and perhaps be more forgetful about their lesson than usual! Please help your children to remember their lessons during this very exciting week.

We also welcomed Mr Bob Schultz as a Trumpet Tutor this term. Mr Schultz will teach some of our older students, while Mrs Harding continues to teach most of the other trumpet students and French horns. Mr Schultz is a very experienced music teacher and professional musician and we’re sure the students will love learning from him.

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

Instagram – @spsmusic

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.

SCHOLARSHIPS 

Students are encouraged to research and apply for any scholarships they may be eligible for.  There are many different scholarships apart from the more traditional academic scholarships for example sports, community service and more.  You can find out more by going on to individual Universities websites for a summary and link to scholarships and financial assistance available.

QUT INTERNTIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DAY

This event is for international students studying Year 11 and 12.

Explore QUT and talk to their international team and students about range of study options available.

Monday, 21 October (Student free day)

9.30am – 3pm

Gardens Point Campus

For further information and to register go to https://www.qut.edu.au/study/events/international-high-school-day

USEFUL CAREERS WEBSITES

As of last term, 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.

The email address: [email protected] will still be operational for a short transition phase but will not work from 31 October 2019. After this time the only way to electronically advise your child’s absence will be via parent lounge.

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, Renaye Ansell ([email protected])

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

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 4: Tuesday 8 October – Friday 29 November

For a more detailed look 2020 dates, see HERE.

PARENT DINNER

Friday 11 October

6.00pm to 8.00pm

Pavarotti’s

Carseldine Central

See flyer HERE.

GENERAL MEETING

All parents and caregivers are invited to our next group meeting – Monday 21 October, 6.30-8.00pm in the School Library.

Come and meet other parents and be part of an awesome Supporters Group.

GENERAL MEETING

The Football Supporters Group is a small group of committee members/helpers, trying to enhance the culture within the school’s Football community. Please come along to the next general meeting, bring a friend , so we as a group can share the load. Our next FSG meeting is Monday 14 October at 7pm in the School Library.

If you are unable to make the meeting or have any queries please direct them to [email protected]

Looking forward to seeing you at the meeting!

NOTICE OF AGM

Notice of the Football Supporters Group Annual General Meeting (AGM) is on at 6.30pm Monday 18th November in the school library. Please find an official notice HERE.

To ensure the FSG caters for the Football needs across the entire school, all supporters are welcome to play a part moving forward. To achieve this we need voices from Junior, Middle & Senior schools so whether you have one or ten years remaining at the school, please get involved. So rally up a few football faces and come along to the meeting.  The AGM will be followed by a General Meeting.

In the interim, please don’t hesitate to make contact if you have any questions .

Peter Deane
Football Supporters Group
[email protected]

Notice of Annual Hockey Supporters’ Group Meeting, to be held Monday 14 October at 6.00pm in the Eatons Hill Hotel (New Hotel) and afterwards in the restaurant for dinner.

Notice is hereby given that the St Paul’s School Hockey Supporter’s Group of St Paul’s School (Bald Hills) Supporters’ Association Inc. will hold its Annual General Meeting on Monday 14 October 2019 at 6.00pm in the Eatons Hill Hotel. Dinner will be provided afterwards in the restaurant.

All parents, carers and supporters are welcome to attend this meeting and are eligible to both nominate for the Committee positions outlined below, and vote on the election of Officers to that position.

Nominations are invited for the following positions on the Committee:

President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Committee members

Nominations can be made by filling out the attached form and returning it to the HSG President Sandra Stanley [email protected] or HSG Secretary Annelise Price [email protected] . Any questions please don’t hesitate to email us.

Come show your appreciation to this years committee and thank our outgoing Treasurer Moira for her tireless efforts supporting our hockey players.

Join us for a night of laughs and celebrations, no skills neccessary!

Hockey Supporters Group

End of Year Celebration – 26^th October

@ Bracken Ridge Indoor Sports

Check our Pumas Volleyball Facebook page or Instagram for more information about our end of year celebration.

We’re having a beach volleyball mini tournament including parent’s and coaches, and food trucks for dinner!

Tickets available now on Flexischools.

Notice of AGM

The Volleyball Supporters Group AGM will be held on Monday 11 November 2019 at 6pm in the School Library.

We invite all parents, coaches, interested parties to attend.

We will be looking for nominations for executive positions for next year, as we have a few members who are Year 12 parents, so will be leaving us at the end of this year.

Also general members are required. If you’re interested in getting involved with volleyball, and supporting your student’s sport please come along. It’s not a massive commitment in terms of time. We’re planning five or six meetings next year, and we normally have around eight home games per year inclusive of both boys and girls seasons.

It’s a great way to meet other parents, get involved with the school, and also to learn a bit more about the school functions.

Please find an official notice and nomination form HERE.

Notice is hereby given that the St Paul’s School Netball Supporters Group will hold its Annual General Meeting on Monday 21 October 2019 at 6.00pm in the Library.

All Parents, Carers and Supporters are welcome to attend this meeting and are eligible to both nominate for the Committee positions outlined below, and vote on the election of Officers to that position.

Please find an official notice and nomination form HERE.