2020 Term 2, Week 5

St Paul’s School started the time away with the theme, “A time of wonder”. This theme came from the lessons Isaac Newton learned while he was in isolation during the great plague of London. We challenged the students to use the time at home as an opportunity.

As the students return to School, we have been surveying them to find out what they learned, and what we as a school can change to make the experience at St Paul’s School even better. Year 11 and 12 students have had an opportunity to give their feedback. The remaining students will provide their feedback next week.

The data collected was hugely encouraging. Year 11 and 12 students said that they felt that they learned as much academically as they might have if they were physically present. This is really encouraging for those in Year 12 who worry about the impact the pandemic may have on their ATAR performance. I think this year’s cohort will have an advantage. I think the Year 12s have fared very well indeed and have nothing to worry about.

The students said that they improved their independent learning skills and self-discipline while exhibiting greater patience, perseverance and self-control while learning at home. The time away strengthened their character and soft skills.

Not surprisingly, while academic learning hasn’t appeared to have been negatively affected, the students did say that the period of isolation had a negative impact on their mental and physical health. To support all the students as they return, we will engage a third counsellor for a few months.

What the students missed the most were their friends, closely followed by the real interactions with their teachers. What was clear from the results of the survey is that nothing can replace the real thing. A great school is all about relationships.

When it came to asking what students “wondered about”, the comments and reflections were honest, humbling and mature. These are impressive young people:

“I have learned about the importance of the smaller things, such as going for walks and embracing and being grateful for the little things in life.”

While the pandemic has disrupted every part of our lives, caused significant anxiety, stress and worry, there have also been some wonderful things that have occurred. I pray that the lessons we have learned in isolation are not lost, that the time has been an opportunity to “reset” and return to the things we normally take for granted.

Dr Paul Browning 
Headmaster

What should we keep from our lockdown lives and make part of the new-normal?

I’ve read a couple of things recently that made me stop and think. Let me share three of them with you…

Theologian and teacher Michael Frost suggests that the old-normal wasn’t working. “It wasn’t working for the poor. It wasn’t working for the elderly. It wasn’t working for über-busy middle-class commuters. And it wasn’t working for the planet.” And he observes that, during the COVID-lockdown “Families are cooking together. Whole neighbourhoods are singing together. Nursing homes are being overhauled. The freeways are free. There’s clear water in the canals of Venice and blue skies over Beijing…” Why don’t we keep it that way?

Psychologist Michael Grose, in the latest “Parenting Ideas” (attached), suggests that “the imposed period of social isolation has provided an opportunity for parents to forge new habits that have potential to bring more joy and less stress to their children’s lives once the threat has subsided.” I like the sound of that, don’t you? We have had one of my daughters and her Norwegian family staying with us for the past couple of months (which has brought with it a mix of joy and stress, as you might imagine). Last night, six of us sat around the table playing Yahtzee, and we realised how long it had been since we last indulged in such a simple pleasure. We should continue with the games nights and slow, home-cooked dinners, don’t you think?

My third ‘aha’ moment came as I listened to a TED talk called “What makes a good life?” Psychiatrist Robert Waldinger speaks about a study run by Harvard University over 75 years, trying to find out what the secret is for living a happy and healthy life. It’s a really fascinating talk – just under 13 minutes – which you can view here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KkKuTCFvzI. And what do you suppose the answer was? It wasn’t fame, wealth and success. Rather, his conclusion is that “Good relationships keep us healthier and happier”. Social connections, with family, friends and the wider community are really good for us.

As restrictions are lifted, as all students return to ‘proper’ school and as parents return to your workplaces, it could be really tempting to also return to all of our old habits. Let’s not do that – at least, not without giving serious thought to some of the ‘plusses’ of life in lockdown. Let’s make sure that in a post-COVID world (and we pray that it will come) we quarantine some time for the things that matter most.

Mr Nigel Grant
Executive Director of Faith & Community

Students have the opportunity to work with RACQ Free2Go or Anti-Ordinary;

two companies needing the creative minds of our students to help them solve real problems and challenges and present innovative, fresh ideas for their businesses.

We have created an experience flow to show the DLV Journey students will undertake.

Find out more and view our DLV Video at Designledventures.com.au .

Expressions of interest are open to Sunday 14^th June.

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

• learn new digital skills, hone their creative thinking skills, 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.

Renae Jones (Director of the Centre for Innovators & Entrepreneurs) and Tim Osborne (Realms Coach)

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA).

This year at St Paul’s it will look different as we are spreading the love of reading over the whole week as we celebrate the book, Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas by Lucinda Gifford. This picture book is written and illustrated by an Australian and will be read in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 20^th successful year, NSS is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children’s book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

The Junior School Library will host lots of fun activities throughout this special week!

Red Class – Ming Yan (Dorothy) MAU and Peixin (Jason) LI

Green Class – Kitphumthanat (Kane) MEESAWAD and Seonyeong (Seon) LEE

These students received this award for demonstrating diligence in their classes. Specifically, for engaging well, completing all assigned tasks and responding well to questions. Taking responsibility for their own learning, being engaged and communicative throughout the online learning experience. Being in a good, positive mood every day and bringing a bit of fun to their lessons. Asking more questions when they are unsure and submitting their homework each day.

Congratulation Dorothy, Kane, Jason and Seon!

One of the initiatives that Joey has been able to implement recently is a penpal program. Members of the school’s International Committee has been allocated a buddy from the St Paul’s International School (students in our High School Preparation Program). Joey has encouraged students to write a friendly message to their buddy introducing themselves and telling them what they have been doing while they have been learning from home. Joey is encouraging students to form a connection now so that they can continue their new friendship once everyone has returned to school. Students have shared photos and some have even started joint activities such as colouring in pictures together. Some of these students are currently learning from overseas, so this has been a wonderful way to make sure they feel extra welcomed and part of our St Paul’s community.

The students have now started their penpal activities and we are so proud of the student’s willingness to connect and support each other, and Joey’s determination to bridge the gap between Australian and International students, and those students in the main school (Australian and International) with students still developing their English skills in the HSP Program.

If student’s are interested in joining the International Committee, please feel free to contact Joey Wong at [email protected].

Some examples of the penpal letters are below:

As outlined in the emails sent to parents and students on Thursday, all Instrumental Music lessons will occur at school as normal from the beginning of Week 6. Ensemble rehearsals will begin again at their regular time but in a different format, with sectional rehearsals or staggered rehearsals depending on the rehearsal goals of each Ensemble Director. Ensemble Directors will be in touch with students and parents before the first rehearsal to explain what will be happening for each group.

To stop the spread of COVID-19 we have also had to implement a number of extra measures to ensure the safety of our students. These were outlined in the email sent on Thursday and can also be viewed on the St Paul’s Music website.

It was wonderful to be able to share their music with everyone even though they couldn’t perform in person for us. Current students Nivrithi Bhaskar, Joshua Crawford, Grace Spinks, Eloise Horsfall and Naomi Phillips sounded incredible, and it was also great to hear from our past students Shania Perera, Ben Joyce and Rahel Phillips who were able to share with us what they’ve been doing musically since they left St Paul’s.

Where possible we ask that orders be made through flexischools.  These orders will be delivered to your child’s tutor or class in Junior School.

If you require assistance with any specific uniform requirement, appointments can be made by ringing the Retail shop on 3261 1388.  There may be a delay in assisting you if you arrive without an appointment.  Upon arrival, please wait in Reception.

If you have any uniform enquiries, please ring Retail on 3261 1388

SENIOR SCHOOL

Embellished blazers have returned.  Please ring the Retail Shop to arrange payment over the phone.  Once paid for, blazers will be  distributed through Tutor Group.

Blazers are compulsory for Term 2 and 3.  If you require a new blazer, please order through Flexischools or make an appointment for a fitting.

Students with outstanding basketball, football and hockey shirts are asked to return these ASAP. 

The Retail Shop is open from 8.00am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday (during School term time only).

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.

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.

10 WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF DURING CORONAVIRUS

These strategies can help you navigate life and cope with the impact of COVID-19.

The world is pretty topsy-turvy right now, because of the global panic around coronavirus (COVID-19). If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed by it all, be reassured that this is a very normal response. However, it’s important to go easy on yourself and to take time for self-care. We’ve put together this list of self-care activities that you can do from home. They’ll help you feel a little better and give you a sense of control during a very uncertain time.

https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/managing-my-daily-life/coping-with-isolation-and-being-at-home/10-ways-to-take-care-of-yourself.html

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.

DATE CLAIMER – QTAC INFORMATION EVENING

The School Counsellors have organised a Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) Information Evening for all Year 12 students and parents/carers.

Date:      Wednesday, 29 July

Time:      6pm

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, QTAC has decided all 2020 presentations will be online. Further details on accessing the presentation will be provided closer to the date.

YEAR 12S, THIS IS STILL YOUR YEAR. HERE’S WHY: 

Vice-Chancellor and President of CQUniversity Australia Professor Nick Klomp has penned the following editorial to Year 12 students amid the Coronavirus pandemic:

Think you’ve got it tough sitting at home watching the news, rationing toilet paper and worrying about the future?

Try being a current Queensland year 12 student.

If you are one of the state’s 50,000+ year 12 students, you must feel like you’ve been robbed.

This was supposed to be your year – arguably the most formative year of your life where you finally gained your social, academic and economic freedoms.

But as it turns out, most social, academic and economic freedoms have been suspended until further notice.

This was meant to be the year of school formals, driving your friends around with your new drivers’ licence, parties, sports team trips, schoolies week, and getting the guts to ask out your crush.

How is any of this meant to happen while you are in lockdown with your parents?

This was meant to be the year where you took a part time job, earned a bit of coin, and splashed some cash on festivals and shoes.

Now you’ve suddenly found yourself locked out of those minimum-wage retail and hospitality jobs, stuck at home, broke.

And this was going to be the biggest academic year of your life so far. Huge.

We’re talking final year exams, external ATAR testing, university preferences, TAFE applications, academic awards, school captaincies and school leadership roles.

Right now you are probably wondering how COVID-19 disrupts all of this, and also why has the Class of 2020 been the educational piñata year after year, taking all the hits but not spilling any rewards your way?

No, you are not imagining it. Throughout your entire journey from Prep to senior high school you and your year have been the subject of repeated academic disruptions.

Back in 2008 you were the first full wave of students to enter the compulsory prep year – the guinea pigs for an education system unfamiliar with the new concept.

Being the first year of the national curriculum you jumped straight to year five mathematics (and other subjects) when you were still in year four, with you and your amazing teachers scrambling to catch up.

You were the first group of year 7 kids to be removed from primary school and dropped into our high school system that wasn’t quite as ready for the learning and infrastructure needs of pre-teens like it is today.

As year 12 students in 2020 you will be the first students in Queensland expected to negotiate the new external ATAR examinations as we say goodbye to the old OP system.

And if you hadn’t already been through enough to reach your most vital, final year of schooling, along comes a global pandemic, a societal shutdown, an economic calamity, and an unprecedented interruption to your education.

No adults can understand what you are going through because no other peace-time year 12 school cohort has ever had to deal with anything like this before.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t help.

As a university Vice-Chancellor, I spend a lot of time talking to schools and students about their post-school options. Here are some of the most common questions I am being asked by year 12 students over the past days and weeks:

The virus is already impacted my schooling. Will it impact my plans to go to university or TAFE?

Absolutely not. Zero chance. A big nooope on that one.

We get that it can be difficult to study year 12 from home.

We get that not all homes and families are the same, and some of you will be disadvantaged by this.

But if you have tertiary education aspirations, and you are prepared to push yourself this year, put the work in, and seek help and support from your teachers and your schools, then you will find all sorts of flexible arrangements waiting for you at universities and TAFEs.

Should I just give up on 2020 now and repeat year 12 next year? 

This is not a good option for most students.

Picture yourself and some of your friends restarting year 12 next year alongside everyone who is in year 11 today, in crowded classrooms, competing for the limited spots at university and TAFE afterwards.

Should I just park 2020 in the shade, kick back, leave school at the end of the year and take 2021 as it comes? 

I would come up with a stronger plan than that.

The jobs market next year will be tough.

Experts are forecasting record high unemployment levels, so you’d be competing for low-skilled positions alongside hundreds of thousands of more experienced and higher-skilled workers (many with families to support) who were made unemployed this year.

If university isn’t an option for you, I’d consider vocational training at TAFE to give yourself higher skills and stronger employment prospects.

How can things get any worse for me? 

Easy. Simply neglect your year 12 studies and blow the next six months on Netflix, Xbox and TikTok. Seriously, worst possible choice, and completely unnecessary.

Your teachers are working around the clock on solutions to keep your studies going at home.

They may not have all the answers in place today, but you should know this: Queensland has one of the most advanced education systems in the world, staffed by the best teachers on the planet.

They are currently deploying every resource, program and expert into finding a way for you to continue receiving a world class education for the weeks and months to come.

Right now, universities and TAFEs all over the state are working on innovative ways to support and enrol year 12 school leavers whose education may be interrupted by COVID-19.

My own university is working directly with school principals to identify eager students who might benefit from early enrolment processes. I have been holding webinars with schools to find creative solutions to keep your study aspirations on track, like allowing you to Start University Now, or finding ultra-flexible ways to enrol.

The universities and TAFEs don’t have every answer in place today, but they will be ready for you soon. University and TAFE will absolutely remain an option for you.

But while your teachers, universities and TAFEs figure this out – and they will – they are going to need you to keep your eye on the prize.

That means:

• Don’t treat 2020 as a Netflix vacation
• Be patient with your teachers; they have been asked to do the extraordinary and they are focussed entirely on you
• Stay in touch with your universities and TAFEs; reach out to them and they will offer you information, flexibility and support, even while you are still in year 12
• Use technology to check in with your friends and classmates regularly; the coming weeks will be made easier by you looking after one another
• Be forgiving of your parents, these are stressful times for them as well
• But most importantly, stay on track with your studies and look after yourself. Don’t waste time worrying about things beyond your control – the system will find ways to make adjustments for you. Instead, focus on the things you can control, including what you do with today

Remember, yours is the cohort that has seen more oddness embedded into your 12-year educational journey than any other.

Because of this you have developed a resilience you probably didn’t know you had.

You will have everything you need to make it through year 12 successfully this year – just stay on track, and keep off the couch.

Source: https://www.bundabergnow.com/2020/04/06/cqu-year-12s-this-is-still-your-year-heres-why/?fbclid=IwAR0T_JhGB5l6dKjCwodE2r1bfbajsaMb4MQJVXFQwE8eTlx2Au21NYXY03E

ADF GAP YEAR

Gap Year is a great option for students interested in experiencing life in the Navy, Army or Air Force. In just 12-months, you will gain a great salary package, security and stability, unparalleled skills and experience, plus friends for life. All of which will help you decide on a future career – and excel in it.

With more than 20 roles to choose from, you are sure to find one to suit your interests. You’ll experience life in management, engineering, logistics and warehousing, combat and security, and administration.

Applications for the following job roles are closing soon:

There’s still time to apply. For more information call 13 19 01 or visit defencejobs.gov.au

USEFUL CAREERS WEBSITES

In this digital era, chances are we’ve all experienced our children throwing a techno-tantrum. Techno-tantrums are completely normal and often a result of the neurobiological changes that occur when kids use technology. But this doesn’t mean that we have to simply accept that they’re part of our modern parenting reality. In this webinar Dr Kristy Goodwin helps parents and carers understand why children and teens emotionally combust when they digitally-disconnect, and how to establish new, healthy technology habits.

Key learning and discussion points include:

• The science behind why kids and teens have techno tantrums and find it challenging to switch off screens
• How to establish and enforce firm guidelines and boundaries
• How to be the pilot of the digital plane
• Researched based, realistic strategies to help develop healthy digital behaviours so that screen time doesn’t always end in ‘scream time’

Presented by
Dr Kristy Goodwin
Award-winning speaker and bestselling author

Video overview
Click this link to view the video overview: https://vimeo.com/375565375

When
Wednesday 17 June 2020 at  8:00 PM AEST

Redeem your webinar now – it’s easy

• Click this link:
  parentingideas.com.au/parent-resources/parent-webinars/webinar-understanding-techno-tantrums
• Click ‘Add to cart’
• Click ‘View cart’
• Enter the voucher code TECHNO and click ‘Apply’
• Enter our school’s name to verify your eligibility. The $37 discount will then be applied.
• Click ‘Proceed to checkout’
• Fill in your account details. These are the details you will use to login to your account and access your webinar and resources
• Click ‘Place Order’

This offer is valid until 17 September 2020. If you’re unable to make the broadcast time, just register anyway and you will get access to the recording.