I do not think that there is any high performing school across the globe that does not recognise that its fundamental task is to prepare students to take their productive place in an uncertain future. Every good school embraces contemporary, research driven approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. At St Paul’s this is what underpins our approach to the teaching of creative and critical thinking. Our educational programs will continue to be taught by highly skilled teachers, well versed and trained in current educational research about thinking skills, while dedicated to teaching the Australian Curriculum. Teachers are currently preparing their 2024 units of work to include the requirements of the new Version 9 Curriculum, renewing literacy and numeracy programs, assessment standards and calendars across the Key Learning Areas and the General Capabilities, including Creative and Critical Thinking.

I can assure you that St Paul’s will always honour and celebrate the diversity of its community and will provide opportunities for all students to discover where their strengths, talents and abilities lie. In this way, when they leave us, they will know what it is that they are good at and be well prepared for the next step in their learning journey, be it the world of further study or work.

This means that we have a responsibility to ensure that our students are not only positioned for academic success leading them to university, vocational programs and employment, but also that their learning at St Paul’s is grounded in a rich culture of creative endeavour, innovation and entrepreneurialism. Most importantly, though, it is our priority to ensure that our students grow into contributing citizens with a servant heart who understand that their fundamental obligation is to seek to make a positive difference to those around them.

This week I attended the St Paul’s Supporters Association meeting with Mr O’Sullivan Williams. It was a great experience to meet with such a committed group of parents and to hear of their vision for a revitalised Sporting Program, in particular. I have their long “wish list” with improvements that could be made to this important area of school life. Initially, a priority list will be made so that some of the essential changes can commence in the new year. As soon as we can secure quotes for the bigger items and determine the equipment required, we will prepare for the 2024 season. A big thank you to the dedicated supporter groups who drive the sporting program and ensure that our students can compete with other JTAS and TAS schools and in external sporting competitions.

We will not be hosting additional Friday Information sessions, however I am encouraged by the number of parents who are making time to see me about their particular questions. Mr O’Sullivan Williams and I are always happy to talk about your child’s learning needs now and in the future. Please do not hesitate to call for an appointment at any time.

This Friday is World Teacher’s Day and I ask that you join me in thanking our teachers, the backbone of the St Paul’s school community, who are always there looking after our student well-being, focusing on their academic success and fostering a servant heart at every opportunity.

Kind regards

Suzanne Bain

Executive Principal

On Friday our year 8s took part in our Japanese Day with our visitors. They participated in a variety of activities including traditional games from both countries, art – painting boomerangs and designing rice bowls, as well as tasting a variety of foods, and making sushi and lamingtons.

The purpose for the day was for the students to be introduced to a number of Japanese cultural experiences and to teach some Australianisms to our guests. Our students were able to try out their Japanese skills by interviewing their buddies with a list of 20 questions they have created throughout the term. It was a fun day filled with lots of challenges and a chance to try many new things.

Riley’s winning artworks were the results of his Internal Assessment in General Visual Art and titled Backyard and Ribcage.  Riley created these drawings in response to his view of an empty Brisbane Central Station and train carriage, which he passes through most days.  These have been meticulously drawn with mechanical pencil and graphite, observed from his own photographs.

Riley’s artist statement reads –
Backyard and Ribcage are completely devoid of human presence, yet solely human.  The work focuses on the places we inhabit, rather than our physicality between them.  Tonal distortion of texture, shape and light are manufactured by mechanical pencil, creating a shadowy sense of desolation both haunting and captivating.  The drawings offer a moment frozen in time, allowing you to observe and contemplate the often over-looked spaces that we move through amongst the complexities of everyday life.  The work is influenced by Jeffrey Smart’s urban landscape, my own experience growing up in Brisbane and my dreams which are often in black and white.We look forward to seeing Riley’s work in GOMA in April of 2024

We look forward to seeing Riley’s work in GOMA in April of 2024.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion, the Australian Government contributed $90.00 per child under the Parliament and Civic Education rebate program. This rebate will be paid directly to the school.

So far this term, the Year 6 students have been introduced to the Secondary Library spaces, exploring them with a QR code scavenger hunt. They have learnt about the non-fiction collections and how they are arranged by topic, so they can easily find books on entrepreneurship, creativity, wellbeing, travel and more. The sport books have been very popular! The Year 6 students also get their first taste of the Secondary Library’s massive Manga and Graphic Novel collections, always a hit.

To assist them with the creation of their Year 6 Yearbook pages, the students have done a Canva refresher course during their lessons, a taste of the many sessions they experience in Secondary School, targeted to the information and digital literacy skills they need to succeed in Year 7 and beyond.

This week, the students have been introduced to the fiction collections, completing a genre tasting activity, so they can sample each of the fiction genres we offer and help them to discover what they might like to read.

The Secondary Library is a place all students are welcome, can find a place to belong, and find something to interest them, a game to play, a good book to read or a friend to connect with. It is wonderful that through this transition, the Year 6s are introduced to the Secondary Library and know that, come next year, it will be a familiar and safe space for them. We are loving watching their excitement about borrowing and exploring the space and look forward to the rest of the term’s activities.

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.

The way we breathe is strongly linked to the way we feel. When we are relaxed, we breathe slowly, and when we are anxious, we breathe faster. “Normal” breathing involves taking in oxygen that is used by the body, and we expel carbon dioxide as a waste product when we breath out. When our breathing is steady and relaxed the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide are balanced – so our body functions as it should. When we are anxious our breathing rate increases, but because we are not working harder than usual (for example, we are not breathing in more oxygen because we are exercising) we are not using up extra oxygen and therefore not producing any extra carbon dioxide. The temporary change in our body (and the balance of carbon dioxide in our blood concentration) leads us to feel awful; we can feel light-headed, tingly in our fingers and toes, clammy and sweaty. When our breathing returns to normal we start to feel better.

It’s really important to practice being aware of your breathing, and how it changes with your emotions. Have a go at deliberately practicing deep breathing. Square breathing is one example of a practise method (see below). If you would like to try an app, I would recommend having a look at iBreathe (find it on the app store for free).

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.

Notice is hereby given that the St Paul’s School Football Supporter Group will hold its Annual General Meeting on 8^th November 2023 at 6:30 pm in the Sutton Building.  All Parents, Caregivers and St Paul’s Community members are welcome to attend this meeting and are eligible to both nominate for Committee positions and vote on the election of Officers. 

Nominations are invited for the following positions on the Committee: 
President  
Vice-President  
Secretary 
Treasurer 
Committee Members 
 
Nominations should be made in writing and lodged with the Secretary by 1/11/2023. 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.  

COLOURING IN COMPETITION