Term 1 Week 6 - 14 March 2025

The opportunity to work in a positive and supportive school environment is a wonderful vocation for teaching and non-teaching staff in a school. I have been incredibly blessed to work in two such communities during my 38th year of teaching.

On Tuesday of this week, our staff caught up via a zoom meeting to support each other during our fourth day of school closure due to the effects of the recent flooding in the Macleay and Nambucca Valleys. Mr Brendan Goswell led the staff prayer from Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus teaches the Lords Prayer, as he spoke, suddenly over 90 voices recited those precious words together. The recitation of the Lords Prayer during this zoom was not simply speaking words, in this case I believe it was wonderful colleagues coming together presenting loving support for each other in prayer. The reading finishes with ‘For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you’; I see these words lived in action at St Paul’s every day where staff wish to support and inspire students sometimes not at their best, to find the right way to be a better person. Fr James also spoke to us during the Ash Wednesday Mass that Lent provides us a time to be a better person as well, I am pleased to say that I continue to be impressed with the staff of our community continuing to live the Gospel values that the College has been founded on 60 years ago.

Important Matters
Many thanks for the patience and generosity of families during the recent school closure due to the significant weather events affecting both the Macleay and Nambucca Valleys. A significant strength of our College is the advice and support we receive from the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited (DLCS). I met with DLCS leadership throughout the recent significant weather events affecting all schools within the Lismore Diocese and their concern for the St Paul’s community was consistent. I would also like to thank the Principal of St Joseph’s Primary School, Mr Guy Campbell, for his support and advice when we met considering the impacts of school closure on families in both our schools. I would like to recognise the hard work of many of our students during the past week supporting farms impacted by floods, I received many communications outlining the great work of our students in the field helping with stock movement, fencing, etc.

Term 1 Classrooms
The recent school closure was supported by excellent organisation of Term 1 assessments led by the College Learning & Teaching team. There was immediate advice sent to families on Friday Week 5, supporting student learning during school closure which was superb. We have begun the year very well in our classrooms with a focus on being prepared to begin work at the commencement of class working closely with our teachers. We have a focus of being at class on time with the correct equipment and getting down to work. We will not accept disruption in our classrooms, which includes distracting others or defiance towards the teacher, there is an expectation that our classrooms are vibrant positive learning environments and any efforts by students to undermine this requirement will be met with a strong response from the school.

DLCS Parent and Caregiver Concerns and Complaints Policy
The most recent Parent and Caregiver Concerns and Complaints policy can be accessed via this link and via the College website. I recommend that you review this policy carefully as it provides excellent information regarding circumstances where you feel a concern or complaint needs to be raised with the College. The most productive schools are ones where parents and families have confidence in working closely with the College in supporting the best interests of their children. As such we are always keen to seek feedback from parents and families regarding these matters. The Parent and Caregiver Concerns and Complaints policy provides a clear framework of how concerns and complaints should be followed up within our College community.

Best wishes for Weeks 7 and 8.

Kind regards

Mr Geoff Melville  BRurScEd, MEd, GCertRE

Principal
kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au

We are aware that some parents/carers miss vital communications from the College when emails are filtered by their email provider into spam/junk folders.

As this is not something the College can control we ask families to:

1. Regularly check your spam/junk folder
2. Mark any items from us or via Compass as 'not spam' or 'not junk'

Often employment based emails have additional filters that stop emails even arriving in spam/junk. We recommend parents use a personal email account for communications from school. You can update your email address in Compass or by emailing the College on kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au

We also ask that parents/carers enable notifications on their Compass app so that they receive information alerts as soon as possible.

If you are having any difficulties with accessing Compass please contact the College office - kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au or 6562 7200

Thank you to the families and students who have completed the Digital User Agreement. If you and your child have yet to do this please make this a priority so students can still access the Diocese of Lismore's digital network.

In order for students to continue to use this network, parents/carers should sit down with their child, go through the agreement and agree to all statements listed within.

The Digital User Agreement is found on your child’s dashboard in Compass. Please log into Compass via the browser and not the Compass app. It is located on the right hand side and is inside a green bordered box.

If you have any questions then please reach out to me at douglas.gately@lism.catholic.edu.au

amy.tovey@lism.catholic.edu.au

Year 7 and Year 9 NAPLAN testing is being held at the College on the following days:

• Monday 17 March - Writing
• Tuesday 18 March - Reading
• Wednesday 19 March - Conventions of Language
• Thursday 20 March - Numeracy

Please ensure that your child has the following items everyday during this time:

• Fully charged device
• Headphones (that are capable of being plugged into their device) 'Airpods' or similar wireless devices are NOT permitted.

If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact the College kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au

Families are asked to ensure that their child/ren are equipped throughout the school year with the listed equipment. 

Required equipment lists for students in 2025 can be found here:

• Year 7 and 8 Compulsory Equipment
• Year 9 and 10 Compulsory Equipment
• Year 11 and 12 Compulsory Equipment

The required equipment lists are also available via Parent Resources in Compass School Documentation.

Over the last couple of weeks, we certainly have seen the power of nature and some of the devastation it has caused in our country and in our own region. I hope you have not been impacted too much.

The College community began the journey through Lent, starting with receiving the ashes on Ash Wednesday. During the time of Lent, and in particular in this Jubilee Year of hope, Pope Francis calls us to begin our ‘annual pilgrimage of Lent in faith and hope’ and asks us to consider and reflect on the following:

• ‘Christians are called to walk at the side of others, and never as lone travellers. The Holy Spirit impels us not to remain self-absorbed, but to leave ourselves behind and keep walking towards God and our brothers and sisters’ (We have seen this very evident by our first responders and all those who have helped others in the last few weeks).
•  ‘Am I really on a journey, or am I standing still, not moving, either immobilised by fear and hopelessness or reluctant to move out of my comfort zone? Am I seeking ways to leave behind the occasions of sin and situations that degrade my dignity?’
• Are we ‘walking side-by-side, without shoving or stepping on others, without envy or hypocrisy, without letting anyone be left behind or excluded? Let us all walk in the same direction, tending towards the same goal, attentive to one another in love and patience.’
  
  

As we continue to journey through Lent, we can as Pope Francis says, try to reflect on what ‘God is asking us to examine whether in our lives, in our families, in the places where we work and spend our time, where we are capable of walking together with others, listening to them, resisting the temptation to become self-absorbed and to think only of our own needs.’

Below is excerpt about another millennial saint. It is important for us to realise that saints are not just someone from hundreds of years ago but people in our own lifetime as well.

Pierangelo Capuzzimati

The Servant of God, Pierangelo Capuzzimati, was a young Italian who from the age of 14 suffered from leukemia but lived with strong faith and a deep trust in God. He was born in Taranto, Italy, in 1990 and grew up in a peaceful environment with his family in Faggiano.

His illness, far from plunging him into despair, led him to intensify his spiritual life, devoting his time to prayer, study, and contemplation of the beauty of creation. An admirer of the thought of the saints and with a great passion for the history of the Church, his testimony of serenity and dedication left an indelible mark on those who knew him. He died on 30 April 2008, at the age of seventeen with the conviction that his suffering was a gift from the Lord.

On 26 April 2018, the Holy See granted the “nihil obstat” (“nothing stands in the way”) for the opening of his cause for beatification, and on 20 January 2024, the diocesan phase of the process concluded after an exhaustive collection of testimonies and documents about his life and virtues. All the documentation will now be sent to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, where it will be evaluated by theologians and historians. If his heroic virtues are recognized, Capuzzimati will be declared venerable, which will mark a new step on his path to sainthood. (source: The Catholic Telegraph).

Mrs Lesa Morrison - Assistant Principal - Mission 

lesa.morrison@lism.catholic.edu.au

St Paul's community came together on 5 March to celebrate our Ash Wednesday Mass. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, a time where we focus on improving upon ourselves and building our relationship with God. It also kicks off the 'Caritas Australia Project Compassion' initiative which will run throughout the school during Lent, with students being invited to participate through donations and various fundraising activities.

The Ash Wednesday Mass was celebrated in the College's Mercy Centre which was a wonderful way to use this new space for the first time - together as a community. 

Mr Adam Clay - Leader of School Evangelisation

adam.clay@lism.catholic.edu.au

Shrove Tuesday
Last week Tuesday, a group of Year 12 Catholic Faith in Action students cooked pancakes on the BBQ to sell to staff and students for a gold coin donation towards Project Compassion. Thank you to the Year 12 students who helped out on the day, and to the staff and students who supported the event. This was an excellent community event to kickstart Project Compassion on the eve of the Lenten season.

Lent 
As we enter the season of Lent, we are called to walk the path of hope—a hope rooted in Christ’s sacrifice and the promise of new life. Lent is a time for us to draw closer to God through reflection, repentance, and renewal.

Just as Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness, we are also invited to journey through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving; not as burdens, but as ways to strengthen our trust in God. When we surrender our worries, serve others, and open our hearts to grace, we discover that true hope is found not in our own strength, but in the love of Christ.

This Lent, as we hear the words “Repent and believe in the Gospel,” may we embrace this call with courage. Let us seek hope in the midst of challenge, knowing that beyond the cross lies the joy of resurrection.

On Ash Wednesday, St Paul’s staff and students reflected on the above words as we received the ashes on our forehead. This was an extra special occasion, as we celebrated Mass in the new Mercy Centre for the first time.

The Church invites us into a Jubilee Year - a time of renewal, mercy and joy.

Mr Brendan Goswell - Leader of Catechesis

brendan.goswell@lism.catholic.edu.au

Diocesan Representative Sport
Many St Paul’s College students have been trialling for representation in Diocesan teams in a variety of sports. Chelsea Stringer (Year 10), Tylah Rixon (Year 9) and Emma Dowdle (Year 9) have all been selected in the Diocesan Open Girls football (Soccer) team. Andie Laird (Year 8) won selection in the Diocesan 15 years touch football team and Cooper Anderson (Year 8) has been selected in the Diocesan 15 Years rugby league team. Congratulations to all these talented athletes who we wish every success as they now move through the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) sport representation pathway.

I will continue to advertise on Compass and the SPC Sports Desk if opportunities arise for students to nominate for selection to trial in a wide variety of individual and team sports.

Year 7 Swimming
Year 7 will be attending Kempsey pool for an intensive swimming program in Weeks 7 - 10 of Term 1. Parents/Carers will need to consent to this activity on Compass before students are able to participate. Costs associated with the internal swimming program will be billed to parents via the school fees billing system.

Year 8 Basketball
Year 8 will be utilising the new Mercy Centre for the rest of Term, completing an intensive basketball program conducted by Meghan Kemp from the Kempsey Basketball Association and funded by Sporting Schools Australia. This program will continue into Term 2 and will involve skill development sessions followed by competitive games.

Diocesan Swimming Championship
The Diocesan Swimming Carnival has been rescheduled to Wednesday 26 March and the venue has changed to Alstonville Aquatic Centre, Alston Avenue, Alstonville. Parents need to consent to attending this new event on Compass and pay online or at the office if you haven’t already done so. I will be contacting families regarding the rescheduling of this event.

Mr Leon Robinson - Teacher and Sports Coordinator

leon.robinson@lism.catholic.edu.au

Supporting Students After a Natural Disaster
Schools play a vital role in providing stability and reassurance for students. One of the most effective ways schools can support students is by maintaining familiar routines. Predictability and structure provide a sense of safety, helping students feel more in control of their environment. Regular class schedules, school activities, and learning expectations offer consistency, which is essential for emotional recovery.

While flexibility is necessary for individual students who may need additional support, an overall commitment to normalcy helps reduce anxiety and uncertainty. St Paul's College provides meaningful paths to healing by offering opportunities to pray for and support those affected by the recent natural disaster. These experiences help young people live out their faith through acts of compassion, fostering both a sense of connection and personal healing through service.

Encouraging your child to return to school and actively participate in learning can help them regain a sense of purpose and belonging.

Together we can help your child move forward with resilience and hope, knowing that they are supported every step of the way.

Visit the Parent Resource Centre for additional information on supporting your child after a natural disaster.  


Building a Culture of Respect and Safety
At the heart of our Catholic faith is the call to love one another as Christ loves us. This extends to how we treat others in friendships, relationships, and online interactions. Creating a culture of respect and safety within our College community is a shared responsibility for both online and face-to-face behaviour.

Practical Steps for Parents

• Open Conversations: Foster trust by talking openly and age-appropriately about online risks and the value of respect in relationships.
• Model Respect: Demonstrate respectful communication and boundaries in your own relationships online and offline.
• Teach Respect: Emphasise the importance of respecting themselves and others, both online and offline.
• Encourage Critical Thinking: Help your young person question the messages they encounter in media and online spaces, including the risks of engaging with or sharing AI-generated images.
• Engage in Faith: Discuss how Catholic teachings guide our understanding of love, respect, and human dignity.

Conversation Starters for Parents

• ‘What does respect look like in our relationships with friends and family?’
• ‘How can we be kind and supportive to others, especially online?’
• ‘What would you do if someone treated you disrespectfully online or in person?’
• ‘How can we work together to make our community a safe and respectful place for everyone?’
• ‘What would you do if you saw a peer being bullied online?’

Mrs Krystal Brady - Leader of Pastoral Care

krystal.brady@lism.catholic.edu.au

Due to the disruption of the recent flood event and subsequent clean up, the School Community Forum AGM has been rescheduled for Wednesday 9 April 2025 at 5:30pm in the Mercy Centre. All are welcome!

St Paul's School Community Forum (formerly known as P & F Association), recently purchased three gazebos for the College to use for events such as carnivals, school camps, community days and Agriculture Team shows.

We look forward to welcoming new and current parents/carers to support our students.

St Paul's Year 11 Agriculture students travelled to Aldavilla to undertake a Farm Case Study at a local mixed farming operation run by former St Paul's student, Stewart Witchard. The day was a great opportunity for the students to learn about farming practices, technologies, chemicals and management techniques.

The students are pictured with Elders Kempsey Branch Manager, Michael Barbour, and Stewart Witchard in a crop of forage corn that is being grown for a local dairy farmer.

Thanks to Mr Graham Bramley for accompanying the students and to Stewart and Michael for taking time out of their day for this valuable learning opportunity.

The College Office has a large number of lost uniform items that remain unclaimed. Parents/carers are asked to please ensure their child's uniform, such as hoodies and hats, are all clearly labelled to ensure that lost items may be easily returned to their owners.

St Paul's Year 10 and 11 Drama students will be competing in the annual Shakespeare Carnival which is a state wide competition focusing on Shakespeare. Students will compete in the categories of Duologue, Ensemble Scene and Group Devised. All are warmly invited to be entertained and captivated by the exceptional performances held on Thursday 10 April at 5:30pm in the Edmund Rice Centre. No RSVP required.

NSW Health School Vaccination Program 2025
Each year, St Paul's College provides the venue for NSW Health to conduct the NSW Schools Vaccination Program for our students. Register online (see below) or contact the College kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au to request a paper form.

Online consent for school vaccinations
If your child is in Year 7 or Year 10 this year, you can now provide online consent for their routine school vaccinations.

⦁ Year 7 students are offered free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (Boostrix) and human papillomavirus (HPV).
⦁ Year 10 students are offered a free vaccine for meningococcal ACWY.

Please note - Year 8 and Year 11 students who have an online consent/signed consent form from 2024, will be offered catch up vaccinations in 2025.

If parents/guardians consent online they will receive a reminder text 3 days prior to the clinic date.

Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received.

Vaccination Program Dates for 2025:

Term 2 – Thursday 8 May

⦁ Year 10 (Meningococcal ACWY)
⦁ Year 11 & 12 (Meningococcal ACWY) - (Catch up)
⦁ Year 7, 8 & 9 HPV (Human papillomavirus) and Boostrix (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis) - (Catch up)

Term 4 – Tuesday 21 October

⦁ Catch up clinic if required

To provide consent for vaccination online, parents/carers will need to:
⦁ Visit the online consent portal here.
⦁ Follow the steps to log in to your existing Service NSW account. This is the same account you may already use to renew your driver's licence. If you don't have a Service NSW account, refer to Service NSW to create one.
⦁ Enter Medicare details for yourself and your child and provide consent.
⦁ If you consent online, you will receive a reminder text 3 days prior to the clinic date.
⦁ Read a step-by-step guide on how to provide consent online. Translated guides are available online.
⦁ If you or your child do not have a Medicare card or you cannot provide consent online, please email the College Office kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au to request a paper consent form to be sent home.

Please ensure your child has eaten breakfast on the morning of the clinic, this helps prevent fainting.

The benefits of providing consent online:
⦁ easily update your child's details.
⦁ receive SMS and/or email notifications when vaccinations are given.
⦁ faster upload of vaccination records to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination. If you have any questions regarding your child's school vaccinations, please contact the NSW Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.

All current and previous students, staff and family are invited to save the date to join St Paul's 60th anniversary celebrations on Sunday 5 October 2025.
Mass will be held at 9:30am in the Mercy Centre at St Paul's College, followed by a BBQ picnic. More details to follow closer to the date.

Elevate Education delivers high-impact workshops to our students that help to develop their study skills, motivation, and exam preparation. Over the next term, you're invited to join their parent webinar series, where you can help support your child at home by reinforcing the skills they're learning at school.

Hear expert advice on the following topic:

• How You Can Help Improve Your Child’s Memory
  26 March 6:30pm

Register here today 

The NSW Council of Catholic School Parents has one remaining free parenting education session this Term:

• Algorithms and Adolescents
  Find out about the rewards and risks of recommender systems for young people.
  Wednesday 19 March: 7pm - 7:30pm. Follow this link to register.