2024 Term 1, Week 2

I’d like to thank all our families for the support and goodwill they’ve shown towards the start of School this year.  The weather has certainly not been our friend so far! However, I’ve been so pleased to see how our students are treating one another and engaging with their learning in the face of these obstacles. We are a resilient community and the clear demonstration of this characteristic makes me very proud to work at St Paul’s School.

This past week in the Secondary School, I have been attending ‘Whole House’ meetings to provide some clarity around the uniform policy at St Paul’s.  We have a high standard of dress at St Paul’s School, with many students taking pride in their uniform and personal presentation, which is excellent.  However, there are some areas of the policy that needed further communication to ensure we keep our standards high. Tutors will be working hard next week to ensure students understand what is expected in being a member of the St Paul’s community.

I look forward to meeting you all throughout the year and my best wishes for a positive and successful 2024.

Erica Trudgian
Head of Wellbeing

One of the exciting things to happen recently has been the re-introduction of Sunday Worship services at school. St Paul’s School is delighted to welcome the Lakes Anglican Church, now meeting in the Chapel of St Paul’s every Sunday at 9.30am for services of Holy Communion. While the Lakes Anglican Church began out of a vision for an Anglican Church in the North Lakes, Mango Hill and Griffin area, everyone is welcome to come along from wherever you are located. It is a great opportunity for those who may be looking for a new church home to meet for fellowship and worship. Although the Lakes Community is looking for a new priest to lead them on the next steps of this exciting journey locums are providing a great ministry currently. For more information email or speak to Reverend Mark Leam or check out the Lakes Anglican Church website or Facebook page.

https://www.thelakesanglican.org.au/ or https://www.facebook.com/thelakesanglican/

I look forward to meeting with many of you as the year progresses and pray that 2024 will be great year for your children, yourselves and our fabulous St Paul’s community.

The Reverend Mark Leam – Chaplain

Year 8 students in Design and Technologies are actively learning the characteristics, properties, and application techniques of plywood, which has been designated as the primary material for prototyping their design solutions.

Year 10 Manufacturing students are enhancing their knowledge of workshop safety and manufacturing processes through a hands-on project, ‘BBQ Fold a Pit.’ This project serves as a platform for exploring various metal fabrication methods and techniques.

Year 12 Industrial Technology Skills students are crafting drinks coasters utilising a combination of epoxy resin and natural timber sourced locally from our campus for a unique and innovative final product.

Junior School Library

Physical Resources

The Junior School Library has a large collection of picture books, fiction, non fiction, graphic novels, magazines and more. Students are introduced to these collections and borrow from them during their Library Lessons, during breaks and before and after school.

Story Box Library

On Story Box Library, books are read aloud in video format by actors, authors and celebrities. This is a great opportunity for students to develop their vocabulary, auditory memory, imagination and more. It’s also lots of fun. Students in Junior School have access to hundreds of stories. Information about how to log in will be shared with students in their Library Lessons.

ePlatform – ebooks and audiobooks

Need a good book? Need something to listen to? The ePlatform enables students in Year 4 to Year 6 (Prep to Year 3 coming soon) to access ebooks and audiobooks that can be read or listened to on a range of devices and via the ePlatform app. Students will be shown how to login in their Library Lessons.

Family Access to the Junior School Library

Want to borrow books from the Junior Library collections? The Junior School Library is open to students before and after school, and families are welcome to come in and browse, borrow or just find a nice place to sit and enjoy a book with their child. The Junior School Library is open to families each day from 8am to 8:20am and from 3:10pm to 3:30pm.

Secondary School Library

Physical Resources

The Secondary School Library has a large collection of physical resources, including graphic novels, fiction, magazines, and non fiction. Students can browse the collection via the Library catalogue here.   Interested in reading something we don’t have? Students can place a purchase request via the link on the homepage of the Library catalogue.

Access to ebooks, audiobooks

Students can access a massive range of ebooks and audiobooks 24/7 from any device using the ePlatform or ePlatform app, which enables them to read or listen on the go. The platform enables students to change font, font size, and background reading colour for ebooks, making them accessible for all readers.

A how-to video guide for accessing ebooks and audiobooks can be found below.

Databases

When conducting their research, students will find the information they need on a variety of databases to which the Library provides access. Britannica School provides articles, videos, biographies and more in a range of reading levels. Students will find the login details on the Library platform. Clickview is a video database for students and staff to use both in lessons and in research, with films and tv shows, step-by-step tutorials and subject-based videos. The Library also teaches students how to access databases, journals and other online resources via the State Library of Queensland. Login details, tips for best use can all be found on the Library platform. 

Research Guides

Students will find a range of study guides on the Library platform for subjects including English, HPE, Science, IST, Humanities and more. These guides include videos, articles, podcasts, study guides, further reading and more to assist students with research tasks. They’ll also find plenty of fun links and helpful information.

If you need assistance, please reach out via email at [email protected], follow us on Instagram @SPSLibrary or check out our blog.

The Junior Library is open from 8am – 3:30pm and the Secondary Library and Innovation Precinct are open from 7:30am – 4:30pm Monday to Thursday and 7:30am – 3:30pm on Fridays. Students are welcome to use the space before and after school and during breaks, and to join in on the many activities happening.

Here’s what’s been happening in the Library and Innovation Precinct so far this year.

Junior Library classes have started for the year. The students are loving borrowing. Lunchtime activities are also super popular.

Exploring the Entrance Gallery in the Innovation Precinct

Year 6 Leadership Day in the Possibility Hub.

Lunchtimes in the Secondary Library are very popular, creating in the Possibility Hub, reading, playing chess, studying and playing eSports in the Connect Lounge.

Library lessons have started for the Year 7 students. They are studying graphic novels in English and have enjoyed selecting their graphic novel to read, as well as exploring the other library collections.

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.