2020 Term 2, Week 1

Tired of reading the doom and gloom around COVID-19, I also hunted for hope. I turned to the history pages and found that before this one, there have been quite a number of pandemics (or plagues) – many far more deadly than the one we are experiencing. In each case, life did return. We will live through this one.

Then I came across an interesting story. While in his early 20s and studying at Cambridge University, Isaac Newton found his world turned upside down. The Great Plague of London began in 1665 and continued through to 1666. The only defence then was social isolation.

Newton and all the other students were sent home with work in hand.

With no idea of when the students might return, one couldn’t but wonder about the possible “lost year” of learning. But Newton thrived.

He continued to work on mathematical problems and “invented” calculus.

He acquired some prisms, and cutting holes in the walls of his bedroom to let in small shards of light, he developed theories on optics.

No doubt be spent much of his time bored. In one of those moments of boredom, he sat under the apple tree in the garden. Maybe his mind was wandering when an apple fell.

The year away in isolation was Newton’s annus mirabilis, or “year of wonders.” The time gave rise to some of the most important scientific revelations in the history of humankind.

We can look at our present situation as an imposition. We can see the lockdown through a frightening, negative and oppressive lens, or we can see it as an opportunity.

While St Paul’s is providing a very full day of education for all its students, with the cancelation of community activities there will be times of great boredom. But boredom is actually a good thing. With our hugely busy lives we have forgotten just how to be bored and what it can lead to.

Boredom is the nutriment for imagination. The imagination gives birth to creativity. Many people living in our modern times have lost their ability to imagine because every moment of our lives is usually filled.

These next five weeks away from school with heavy restrictions on our movements could just be our “time of wonder”. What new idea could we come up with? What could we research and learn more about? Just what might be?

If your imagination starts to run wild, why not get in touch with our Centre for Innovators and Entrepreneurs? You never know, a nasty incident while sitting under the tree in the back yard might just end up changing the world!

Dr Paul Browning 
Headmaster

I trust that you, also, are finding some positive aspects to life in isolation. I hope that you are having meaningful conversations within your family about the impact this pandemic is having – not only on us, but even more so in other parts of the world.

I think many of us are beginning to wonder about not only when things might get back to ‘normal’, but whether we even want them to. I read a provocative quote along those lines from Dave Hollis – “In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to”. Similarly, in a blog called “7 Predictions for a Post-Coronavirus World”, Emma Rose Bienvenu suggests that, like the Great Depression and the 2008 GFC, this pandemic will permanently reshape our social and economic behaviour.

There used to be an expression people would use when they were feeling overwhelmed – “Stop the world, I want to get off”. Now, in a strange case of ‘be-careful-what-you-wish-for’, it’s as if the world has stopped and we have a chance to think about how we might like a post-coronavirus world to look. Perhaps it’s time to re-imagine the ‘rat-race’? Perhaps this is a conversation you could have this week in your family. What has this time of uncertainty and isolation taught us – about what really matters? About work and leisure? About the value of friendship and family? About the importance of caring for others and the futility of selfish hoarding?

Then, there are some other big conversations we could take the opportunity to have while the world’s pause-button has been pushed. As the skies and water clear from their usual levels of pollution, can we consider whether now is the time to make the big changes that are necessary to save our natural environment? As economies begin to crank up again, can we consider whether consumerism has really served us well, or whether its time has come and we can adopt a simpler, fairer and more sustainable approach to stewarding the resources with which we have been blessed?

I realise some of these ideas might sound provocative, but that is actually one of the ways we encourage learning at St Paul’s School. In IST and through our Design-Led Ventures, we deliberately provoke students to imagine solutions to complex challenges, by designing products, services, process and strategies to address an identified need.

So here is my Covid-19 isolation challenge for you: within your family, consider the above quote. Discuss it. Pull it apart and question what it means. Ask yourselves what values it challenges and affirms. Then, try to imagine what the ‘new garment’ referred to by Sonya Renee Taylor might look like – for your family, for our School community and for wider Australian society. Perhaps, if we can make some changes, then some lasting good will have come out of this really difficult situation.

Mr Nigel Grant
Executive Director of Faith & Community

The inherently practical nature of our craft has presented some challenges when it comes to learning online, but our Music Tutors and Ensemble Directors have worked tirelessly to redesign the way they teach and learned new technologies to ensure that the music doesn’t stop. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful Music team and are very grateful for their efforts.

Our online lessons are continuing this week with much success. It’s great for students to have regular contact with Music Tutors, and it means that they can continue to progress with their learning while much of the world is still on hold. Our Overall Music Captain in the Junior School, Charlotte Noy, wrote to tell us how much she’s getting out of the lessons with her Violin Tutor, Miss Fry:

“I love online lessons! In these lessons you can make your own rehearsal space and still be taught your instrument. When in the lessons you can connect with your teacher face to face when you can’t learn your instrument in person. Overall, I think that online lessons are great for learning your instruments.”

• – Junior School ensembles (except for Year 4 Band, which is continuing as they did in Term 1 for the moment) all have a Seesaw page. Ensemble Directors will upload weekly tasks to these pages on the day that students would usually have their rehearsal, and these tasks will be due by the following week.
• – Secondary ensembles (except for Symphony Orchestra and Worship Band which are not currently running) are having live meetings via Teams at their regularly scheduled rehearsal time.

While it’s not possible to have rehearsals in which students all play at the same time because of the lag that happens in online situations, Ensemble Directors have been very creative in designing activities that propel students forward in their learning, and help to recreate as much as possible the feeling of playing alongside other people. Yesterday Big Band had ‘sectionals’ in break-out video conferencing groups and St Paul’s Chorus had a ‘silent’ rehearsal. Stage Band will be producing a music video and St Paul’s Singers are working on a collaborative audio recording of one of their pieces. We’re looking forward to hearing the results, and to seeing what other interesting projects our ensembles are involved in over the next month!

Year 7 to 12 students are still busy practising for this year’s Solo Competition. While we’re crossing our fingers that we’ll be able to hold the Final at Sandgate Town Hall on June 19 as originally planned, we’ll be adapting the format to suit whatever restrictions are in place at the time. The first event in this competition is the Audition Round, which would usually be in front of a panel of Music teachers at school in lunchtimes. Instead of this, we’ll be accepting video submissions of students’ pieces. The deadline for submissions is Monday May 11 at 5pm. Students will be emailed soon with information about how to enter and where to submit their videos.

While we can’t do performances in the way that we usually would, our students will be doing Livestreams at Lunch over the coming weeks. You’ll be able to catch students performing on our Instagram account (@musicsps) at 1pm on certain days over the next few weeks – keep an eye on Instagram and the St Paul’s Music FB page to find out when performances are happening.

We’re also looking forward to hearing from some of our incredibly talented Music Tutors during this time. Mr Cotgreave showed us his awesome home studio set-up and played some drums for us in a video that you can see on Facebook and Instagram, and we’ll have other videos of our Music Tutors coming up.

No official decisions have been made as yet in relation to TAS or JTAS sport for Term 2 or Term 3. The only decision that has been made by QLD School Sport is to cancel all Term 2 representative sport, including State Championships and any scheduled trials.

Until further decisions are made, there is unfortunately very little updated information that we can provide. I completely understand that you may have a range of questions regarding sport but with so much uncertainty as to what parameters we will be working under when sport resumes, it is very difficult to suggest what this may look like.

The one thing that I can assure our SPS sporting community, is that it is my intention to do whatever we can to provide sporting opportunities for our students as soon as we possibly can. We are looking at a number of different options and structures that will enable students to be involved in sporting activities. This will likely mean a degree of flexibility and adaptability from everyone involved to allow sport to happen.

In the meantime, I am sure you have seen some wonderful ways to keep active and fit. Unfortunately these don’t address the social benefits that are normally provided through sport – something that I am dearly missing. However, they do provide an opportunity to be creative, to be self-motivated, to take responsibility and show discipline, all character traits that are critical in a normal sporting environment. The PE and Sport department will be sending a range of resources, activities and challenges each week to try and keep our SPS community continually engaged in physical activity. Our Executive Sports Captains are also currently preparing something to share with our SPS community to help keep us motivated as we navigate through the next five weeks.  Please keep safe and stay healthy (physically and mentally) through these difficult times. I cannot wait to welcome you back to sport at SPS.

Mr Tim Hughes
Head of Sport Development

The newspaper popped out to School on the last day of school holidays to take some photos of what schooling will look like for the children of essential workers who need to physically attend school.

Inside the paper is a photo of Madeline with her two siblings, Emmanuel and Anabelle, as well as Ms Kenny (via an iPad).

Instructions:

ACCESS 

(a)For access while at school:

Access to the Wheelers ebook platform is via the Student portal. Click on the Wheelers eBooks icon and you will be taken to the ePlatform site

(b) For access on home devices (iPads, laptops, mobile phones)

Wheeler’s Mobile Apps (IOS, Android, Windows)

Apps link: https://stpauls2.wheelers.co/help/apps/eplatform-app

Direct link to App Library:

– IOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/eplatform-by-wheelers/id912668852?mt=8

– Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eplatform.android.googleplay&hl=en

– Windows: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/p/eplatform/9nblggh3z38k

You also may search ‘ePlatform’ in Play store or iOS store for further information.

FINDING and BORROWING BOOKS

1. Sign in with student number and password.

1. Use the Browse functionality to find titles. You can search for a specific title (type in your search term near the magnifying glass icon) or use the filters on the left hand side to refine your search
2. If you wish to borrow a title, click on the cover and you will be taken to a screen giving the details and description of the resource. Click Borrow to add it to your personal Library (loans are for two weeks and are returned automatically after this time), and click on Reading Options to select your preferred method (an explanation is given for each)

• If accessing a book via a school device, please use the Web browser option

4. If a title has a ‘washed out” appearance, it is already borrowed. You can reserve a title by clicking on the cover as above

1. Books are automatically returned after 14 days; If the loan expires before the student has finished the book, they can immediately reborrow the book as long as it has not been reserved by another library member. Alternatively, titles can be returned ahead of time by clicking on the Loans tab

IMPORTANT NOTE: The suggested year level for each individual book is set by the Teacher Librarians. If access to a non-approved book is attempted, a note will appear denying the User access.

Other Digital Resources

Here are some other digital resources that may also be helpful to encourage student reading.

Whilst Council Libraries are currently closed, if you are a member you can also access their array of eBooks and audiobooks. You can use Council’s online library catalogue (eLibCat) to find:

ebooks (download or read online)

e-audiobooks (download or listen online)

e-magazines (download or browse online)

digital music (download or stream)

digital films (download or stream).

We are looking forward to students using these fantastic resources and continuing to develop along their reading journey.

Mrs Judy Bolton (Head of Information Services) [email protected]

Mrs Janelle Hamling (Junior School Teacher Librarian) [email protected]

Businesses are having to manage new risks in everyday practices with proximity and hygiene concerns, staying on top of daily changes to rules and regulations and also having to service and communicate with their customers more regularly than ever before.

In these uncertain times, businesses (and employees) need to call on their creative mindsets, hone their tolerance for ambiguity, undertake trial and error, and practice being adaptable and agile.

There are examples all around us of adaptive and creative business thinking. In chatting with a Queensland business this morning, I learned about how they have managed to transition approximately 2500 staff from offices to working from home (where possible) whilst maintaining critical services.

Gyms are developing online programs and hiring out equipment to their members. Our libraries (prior to closure) were encouraging us to borrow more books and extended due dates by three months. Several beer and spirit brands are using the alcohol content from their products to make hand sanitiser instead. Musicians are live streaming their concerts for free and the Opera is streaming for free too! Virtual birthday parties, conferences going from 500+ in person to live streaming events, restaurants rejigging menus and processes to deliver take away options, grocery stores extending operating hours, and so much more.

These are hard times for businesses everywhere. We have been discussing with our CIE student businesses about adapting in these circumstances – revisiting their value, customer interactions, and products and services.

Here are some hints and tips for businesses to support adaptive thinking and being future focussed during these uncertain times:

The value you provide and to who:
Can you still provide the same / similar value to your customers but just through a different channel?
Even if the value is slightly less, is it worth pursuing to maintain brand and customer loyalty until you decide what to do next or things settle down?
Example: A La Carte Restaurants providing takeaway meals but without the 5-star restaurant dining experience.

Customer Interactions:
What can you do to ensure your customers feel safe, informed, and cared for?
Is there a safe way to still interact with them without cutting services totally?
Is there a way you can ensure the safety of your product and keep customer confidence?
Example: Cleaning Services are now going touchpoint free. No longer do you need to interact with the cleaners, exchange keys, equipment, or money.
Our Schools moving to on-line learning!

Products / Services:
Is there another service or product you could add to help your customers during this time?
For example: Workout Apps adding live sessions during peak periods (morning & night) to help customer feel supported and connected. Even adding mini mobility routines to keep remote workers moving at home.

This has been helpful for our student businesses to help them navigate the Covid-19 world we currently find ourselves in.

Please refer to the Queensland Government – Business Queensland site for up to date information and resources for impacted Queensland Businesses.  https://www.business.qld.gov.au/

If you would like to chat through any ideas or changes for your business, the CIE is available to support you.

Please contact me on [email protected] and we can arrange a suitable time to meet (via phone or video call).

Dr Renae Jones
Director, Centre for Innovators and Entrepreneurs

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.

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.

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.

For a detailed look 2020 and 2021 dates, see HERE.

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.

Any students requiring an appointment should email Counselling Administration Assistant Mrs Rexina Harding [email protected] or phone 3261 1388.

Successful close quarter living

By Michael Grose, Parenting Insights

The current physical distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be with us for some time. This cocooned existence is a test of parental patience, children’s willingness to cooperate and a family’s ability to pull together.

So, if you’re about to enter the family cocoon, or even if you’ve been living in close family quarters for some time, the following tips will help ensure your children not only survive each other, but emerge from the cocoon with a strong sense of camaraderie, a greater appreciation for their siblings and knowledge that they belong to a rock solid family who can pull together in a crisis.

Get kids on board

Start your period inside the family cocoon by getting everyone on board. Give kids a voice in how they’d like their social isolation time to flow. Listen to their fears and worries. Empathise with any concerns about missing regular activities and contact with friends but point to the positives of having more free time than normal. Consider providing kids with family organisation roles – the music girl, games guy, food planner and so on – and swapping these regularly to maintain interest. At Parenting Ideas, we believe that it’s reasonable to expect kids to help at home and there are many resources at our website that help with this.

Establish structure

Many kids struggle with anxiety when routines break down, so ensure that you have a regular structure that brings predictability to each day. Parents and kids need their own routines starting with get up times, work times and in the event of at home learning, times for schoolwork. Break the day into different time zones that mirror their school days. A regular structure will make the days more workable, feel shorter and be more manageable. It’s important to keep daily foundation behaviours in place such as waking up at the same time, dressing for school and preparing for class as they trigger your child’s readiness for learning. Similarly, relaxing your routine on the weekend gives everyone a break from the structure of the school and working week. A regular family meeting provides an ideal way to give kids some input into their own routines and also a say in how family-life looks in the cocoon. If formal meeting are not for you, then ask for opinions and gain feedback in more conversational ways.

Set up activity zones

The Nordic countries with their long, dark winters lead the way in successful close quarter living. One of their major strategies for success is the establishment of living zones within homes and apartments. These zones differ from the usual sleeping, cooking and communal living areas that you may be used to. They incorporate areas for individual activities including learning, playing, chilling out and exercise. With consistence use children soon associate a specific activity with a particular zone making concentration and focus a great deal easier. Avoid having multiple activities in one space as this may lead to conflict, while diluting the impact of this whole zoning strategy.

Get moving, grooving and having fun

Maintaining children’s healthy exercise levels when organised sports and informal group play are prohibited is a major challenge for parents. Some organisation and creativity will help. Establish mini movement breaks during each day involving dancing, shooting hoops and exercise to movement. Remember that any activity that gets kids arms and legs moving is beneficial to their physical and mental health. Amp up the fun factor by incorporating music, dancing to online videos and playing simple indoor games.

Instil good mental health habits

As the old saying goes ‘prevention is better than a cure’, which is pertinent if your child is prone to anxiety and depression. With routine preventative measures such as playing and talking face to face with friends on hold, consider introducing regular mindfulness and breathing into your daily routine. At Parenting Ideas we recommend the resources at smilingminds.com.au as they cater for mindfulness for all groups and at any level. Schedule times for kids to digitally connect with friends so that they don’t experience the effects of isolation.

Know when to steer clear

It’s hard for family members who are used to doing things on their own to suddenly be thrust together in each other’s company for extended periods of time. Many family holidays end in sibling squabbles because family members aren’t used to spending so much time together in the same space. Encourage kids to spend some time alone each day so they can relax, reflect and draw on their own emotional resources. Time alone is an under-rated contributor to a child’s resilience and mental health.

And know when to come together

While time alone is important it’s also essential for your family to come together to connect, to have fun and to enjoy each other’s company. Work out your regular family rituals and make these non-negotiable. Evening meals, family discussions and at least one weekly movie or entertainment activity give children and parents the opportunity to come together on a regular basis.

This time spent with your family inside the cocoon at first may be difficult, as it requires changes of habit and behaviour from everyone. There are many positives to close quarter living brought about by COVID-19. Families now get a chance to connect with each in real time and bond with each other in deep, meaningful ways.

Parents also get the chance to establish the positive behavioural and mental health habits in their children that has so often been made difficult by the insanely busy lifestyle that we’ve all been living for some time now.

The roller coaster has stopped. It’s now time adjust to a slower pace and have the types of conversations and pleasurable times with kids that have meaning, have impact and leave lasting memories.

Related webinar…

Our school has a membership with Parenting Ideas. As part of this membership, you can access the below webinar recording ‘Sibling Fighting’ at no cost.
Spend an hour with renowned parenting educator Michael Grose as he explores the weird and wonderful world of sibling relationships. He’ll help you develop an active approach to resolving sibling disputes so they learn valuable life skills.

To redeem:

1. Click this link: https://www.parentingideas.com.au/parent-resources/parent-webinars/sibling-fighting-what-to-do
2. Click ‘Add to cart’
3. Click ‘View cart’
4. Enter the voucher code HARMONY and click ‘Apply.’ The $37 discount will then be applied
5. Click ‘Proceed to checkout’
6. Fill in your account details including our school’s name to verify your eligibility. These are the details you will use to login to your account and access your webinar and resources
7. Click ‘Place Order’

This voucher is valid until 5 May 2020.

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