Term 3 Week 6 - 30 August 2024

It has certainly been a very busy few weeks for the College. We have had our Year 11 Science/HSIE excursion to Sydney, along with the PASS Camp both which were most successful. We also had a large number of students who took part in our SHINE Faith experience that was well enjoyed by those who took part. I continue to acknowledge staff who were required to supervise students across these experiences, which involved overnight and time away from family and friends. This is a huge ask and I honour our staff who continue to do this to provide our students with such experiences.

Our Year 12’s concluded their HSC Trial examinations this week and our Stage 6 staff are now busy marking to provide feedback and overall results which will inform students of actions required leading to the ‘real thing’ in early Term 4! I note the many Year 12 students who met with their teachers across the last few weeks in preparation for these examinations. It is now critical that students keep attendance high for the remaining weeks of Term to make the most of lesson time and revision which will fine tune their knowledge and skills. 

Our VET Work placements were out across this week. As usual our students were exceptional and we are so pleased to receive positive comments on how students engage with their work and the skills that they are able to demonstrate within these varied work settings. It speaks volumes about the quality of our VET teachers at the College. I also acknowledge the generosity of employers within the local business community who continue to open their doors to our students. 

The HSC Creative Arts Showcase took place this week and was another significant celebration for the College. It showcased the incredible skills of our Year 12 Drama, Art and Music students and the commitment of our teachers to their students. What talent exists at our school!

The build is progressing well and we are close to completion. We are on target for completion in late September, when we can have a final check and then a gradual assimilation into our whole school footprint. This facility would sit pride of place in any school across the country and is set to be well enjoyed by our College, parish and local community. 

Finally I would like to acknowledge the work of the Mission team (Mr Geoff Melville, Mr Matthew Mitchell and Ms Olivia Eberhaut) who put together an incredible Year 11 Retreat experience at Bonny Hills. The comments from our students and the feedback from staff indicate that it was most successful. This Retreat aligns with the commencement of our Student Leadership Programme and I commend families to speak with their Year 12, 2025 young people about Leadership in 2025. It is a wonderful opportunity to lead our College community across our 60th Year - so much to acknowledge, honour and share with all in our community. 

Mr David JOHNS   B.Ed., Cert. Gifted Ed., Grad. Cert. Adol. Health and Welfare, M.Ed. (Ed Lead), M.Ed. (Theol) 

Principal

kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au

Equipment
This is a plea to all parents and carers to please check in with your children regarding their equipment. Students need to ensure they are fully equipped for lessons so they can be prepared for their learning. We have several students at the moment coming to school without the basic equipment for class and this makes learning and teaching a real challenge. Please check in with them this weekend to ensure they have what they need.

Atomi
Congratulations to Isabelle Koivu and Emma Miller who were the highest Atomi users over the last 7 days! The students will receive a canteen voucher for their reward. Many students are using Atomi to revise for their upcoming exams and I encourage them to continue doing so!

Year 12 - Trial HSC exams
We congratulate the Year 12 students who are finishing their Trial HSC exams today. These exams prepare the students for the upcoming HSC and we thank them for their diligence and hard work during this period.

We look forward to seeing Year 12 back in classes next week!

Year 11 Preliminary Exam Period
The Year 11 classes are working towards their preliminary exams in Week 9. This culminates the course for these students before they move into their HSC year which starts in Term 4. Encourage Year 11 students to work with their teachers for revision tasks during this period. Atomi is an excellent resource for these students at this time.

Preliminary Exam Timetable

Attendance at school during the above exam period is mandatory. We do understand that there is a lot of sickness around at the moment. Students must follow the guidelines on the notification if they are unwell on the day of or the day before a task. This is incredibly important as it follows the necessary guidance from NESA in preparation for their HSC. Students are permitted to attend school for their exams and remain home when they do not have an exam. They are able to use the library to study in between if they wish.

Please reach out if you have any questions about the learning for your students.


Ms Kate Fullbrook - Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

kate.fullbrook@lism.catholic.edu.au

The NSW Education Standards Authority, in partnership with The Sydney Morning Herald, has released the 2024 HSC Study Guide, which is packed with everything students need to reach their HSC exam goals.

Students can find tips to help their study routine, access the HSC quiz and read advice from past students and markers.

The guide also includes advice from mental health and wellbeing experts at ReachOut on how to support students, as well as tailored tips for parents and families on how to support their children in the lead-up to exams.

This year’s HSC Study Guide busts some of the common misconceptions about the HSC, including how marks are calculated, the disability provisions program, and illness misadventures. It also provides specific information regarding vocational education and training (VET) courses as part of the HSC and advice on finding the right course that fits different career goals.

To access the study guide click here.

Mrs Amy Tovey - Leader of Curriculum

amy.tovey@lism.catholic.edu.au

Faith Q&A for St Paul’s Staff, Students and Parents
St Paul’s has created an email address for members of our College community to send in any questions they may have regarding faith, church, religion, spirituality, etc.

Questions will be addressed by someone from a team of staff from the College and Parish. At this stage, questions won’t be anonymous but they will be handled discreetly and sensitively - the author of the question won’t be shared beyond the person who is delegated the question.

If you would like to submit a question of this nature, please send them through to kmps-faithquestions@lism.catholic.edu.au

If you have any questions or concerns about the process, please email me.

Thank you and God bless.


Mr Brendan Goswell - Leader of Catechesis

brendan.goswell@lism.catholic.edu.au

R U OK? Day 2024

R U OK? Day will be held on Thursday 12 September and the theme for 2024 is ‘Ask R U OK? Any Day’. The annual campaign is a national day of action highlighting the importance of meaningful conversations. In 2024, R U OK? is calling on everyone to Ask R U OK? Any Day because life happens every day.

R U OK? encourages Australians to check in with others all year around. Recent research commissioned by R U OK? found that people who are regularly asked if they are okay feel more supported, connected and cared about. Katherine Newton, CEO R U OK? says, “There is an increase in supporting behaviours around R U OK? Day, our National Day of Action. However, we don’t want people waiting until September to reach out to the people in their world who might be struggling because life happens every day.”

Ms Fiona Stuart - Leader of Pastoral Care

fiona.stuart@lism.catholic.edu.au

2024 Premier's Reading Challenge
Congratulations to our winners of the Premier's Reading Challenge this year!

Ms Karen Irvine, Mrs Cathy Whalen and Mrs Patrice Martin - Library Technicians

Nominalisation

• Nominalisation is turning a verb into a noun e.g. reflect-reflection, react-reaction, imply-implication, inform-information.
• Nominalised verbs often end in –ion, -ment, -al, -age, -ing, -ance, -ant, -dom.
• Using nominalisation changes the focus from the action to the object or concept. It is often found in academic writing and adds formality as we would rarely nominalise in regular speech. It is particularly useful for writing short answer responses regarding facts or information.
• Warning: Do not overuse!
• Nominalisation requires the addition of another verb. If this verb is then nominalised the sentence can become noun-heavy and confusing.
  
  

What does nominalisation look like in writing?

• History
  The Russian army invaded the Ukraine in February 2022.
  The invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces occurred in February 2022.
  
• Science
  Organic matter will decompose to form a new structure known as humus.
  The decomposition of organic matter forms a new structure known as humus.
  
• PDH
  Sports people need to comply to the referee’s whistle.
  Compliance with the referee’s whistle is fundamental to any officiated sport.
  
• Geography
  Earthquakes, mountain ranges and volcanos occur when tectonic plates move.
  The occurance of earthquakes, mountain ranges and volcanos can be attributed to the movement of tectonic plates.
  
• SOR
  Christians believe that the rituals of baptism and the Eucharist are important in worship.
  The importance of rituals including baptism and the Eucharist are fundamental to Christian belief and worship.
  
• Music
  Composers select particular instruments to create tones with atmosphere in music that support films. Atmospheric music for films requires the selection of instruments which allow the creation of particular tones.
  
• Art
  Artists may express themselves using a variety of media.
  Utilisation of various media allows artists a freedom of expression.
  
• Food Tech
  Use-by dates and storage routines are important in maintaining food quality standards.
  The importance of observing use-by dates and storage routines are crucial in maintaining food quality standards.
  
• Overuse
  Information nominalisation leads to a proliferation of confusion.
  
  
  

Mr Roger Shipton - Literacy Coach

A group of seventeen enthusiastic St Paul's students, including an exchange student from Switzerland, were accompanied by three volunteer teachers as they recently completed their first practice journey as part of the Duke of Edinburgh's Bronze Award programme. This exciting new initiative was introduced to our College this year and is open to all Year 9 and 10 students.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award aims to inspire and challenge young people to develop essential life skills, engage in physical activities, contribute to their communities, and explore the great outdoors. Through this programme, participants gain valuable personal and social skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

For their practice journey, the group ventured to Yuraygir National Park, where they hiked from Angourie to Sandon, covering an impressive distance of 26 kilometres over two days. Despite some sore feet, blisters, and the discovery of muscles they never knew they had, the students were buoyed by excellent weather, which made the experience both successful and enjoyable.

Next Term, the team will return to Yuraygir National Park to complete the full 65 kilometre track for their assessment journey. In addition to the hiking expedition, students in the Duke of Edinburgh's programme are also involved in volunteering, skill-based activities, and personal physical recreation, all of which contribute to their overall development and achievement in the Award.

Thanks to Ms Bethany Rennes, Ms Jade Tildsley and Mr Glen Northey for their support and accompanying the students.

A group of St Paul's Year 10 Agriculture students travelled to Breeza and Gunnedah last week to visit a large mixed cropping farm operated by David and Jillian Tudgey. The Tudgey family grow a variety of crops including cotton, chickpeas, faba beans, wheat, barley as well as canola.

The students were able to observe first-hand the level of technology being used to produce crops, including: massive baler pickers, precision seeders, combine harvesters, and infrared camera technology on the boom spray that is capable of identifying and applying herbicide to green weeds as small as a 50 cent coin.

After enjoying a sausage sizzle lunch provided by our hosts, the students observed as the farmer loaded a road train with cotton, and then followed the truck to the Carroll Cotton Gin to watch the cotton ginning process from start to finish.

The students stayed at St Mary’s College, Gunnedah for the night before travelling to the AgQuip Field Day. This is one of Australia's largest field days which attracts crowds of up to 100,000 people each day. While at the Field Day, students were able to look at a wide range of Agricultural technologies that are being used in the production of food and fibre.

Thanks to Mr Graham Bramley and Mrs Angela Bramley for accompanying the students, and to the Tudgey family, the Carroll Cotton Gin staff and the staff at St Mary’s College, Gunnedah for making this a great experience for the students.

A group of Year 11 students from St Paul’s College studying Modern History, Business Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth & Environmental Science attended an excursion in Sydney last week to deepen their understanding of their chosen subjects and to engage in real world learning opportunities.

On the first day of the trip the students visited Taronga Zoo. The Biology students attended an Animal Encounter experience which was very informative about the origins and adaptations of a variety of birds, mammals and reptiles. Students were in an immersive enclosure where the animals were free to roam amongst the students. The Business Studies students focused particularly on how Taronga Zoo markets itself to the public using the tiger exhibit as an example of how the enclosure is designed as an Indonesian village to recreate authenticity of their living environment and make it appealing to visitors.

During the trip, the Science students visited Australia's Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) which is the home of Australia’s most significant landmark and national infrastructure for research. Students attended a lecture specific to either Chemistry/Physics or Earth & Environmental Science and Biology, where they learnt about the Science behind nuclear physics and some of the work that ANSTO is currently carrying out to improve human health, environmental pollutants, paleontology and past events. The students spent two hours touring the facilities with a guide and were able to speak to a young scientist running core samples through an x-ray fluorescence machine and could see the data generated from this process.

The Business Studies students visited the Sydney Cricket Ground which enhanced their knowledge of operations, marketing and human resources at the SCG. On the last day of the trip they visited Parliament House to see how our laws are made in NSW and how they impact business activity in our state. This was a great opportunity for the students to gain an insight into the realities of our business environment and how it operates.

The science students visited the Royal Botanic Garden to experience the huge biological diversity represented by the gardens plants and themed areas. The last venue for the Science students was the Australian Museum which showcases our natural and cultural history. Apart from the standard exhibits a favourite of the students this time was the special exhibition from the 2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year National Geographic Competition.

Thanks to Ms Kerri Dakin, Ms Rayleigh Keith, Mr Brendan Goswell, Mr Doug Gately and Mr Peter Pitt for accompanying the students.

St Paul's Year 11 Hospitality students have undergone their 'Competency Skills Day' this week. The students prepared a delicious range of sweet treats and savoury dishes to industry standards as part of their demonstration of skills and practical competence. St Paul's staff were able to purchase sweet and savoury sample tasting boxes which were thoroughly enjoyed. Well done girls!

Thanks to Ms Laura Vonholdt and Ms Laura Campbell for their support of the students. For more information on the VET courses offered at St Paul's College, please visit https://www.kmpslism.catholic.edu.au/student_learning 

St Paul's Creative and Performing Arts faculty (CAPA) presented the '2024 HSC Creative Arts Showcase' yesterday. The showcase featured the artworks of Year 12 Visual Art students and featured the HSC student's music and drama performances.

Thank you to the parents/carers, families and friends, and staff and students who made the evening a huge success and a special thanks to Mrs Ingrid Yssel, Ms Heidi Tamblyn, Mrs Amanda Jordan, Ms Donna Swan and Mrs Elizabeth Smith for their support and guidance of the students through their major HSC projects.

A group of St Paul's students attended the Yuwa Nyinda Dream Academy Festival held in Kempsey this week. The festival is designed to inspire and engage the local youth while focusing on education, employment, careers and training opportunities through a Dunghutti cultural perspective. The students enjoyed participating in a range of cultural activities and workshops throughout the day. Thanks to Mrs Linda Pogson and Mr Dre Barker for accompanying the students.

Families are cordially invited to join the College in celebrating the Graduation of Year 12, 2024 on Wednesday 25 September. In order to accommodate all those who wish to attend and for catering purposes please RSVP using the form below by Monday 16 September.

When calculating numbers attending, please do not include students who will be in attendance at St Paul's on the day including your Year 12 child. If your attendance intentions change please contact the College on kmps@lism.catholic.edu.au or 6562 7200.

RSVP here.

If you experience difficulty using the form, please contact the College for assistance.

NSW Health will be conducting the NSW Schools Vaccination Program catch up clinic on Thursday 24 October for Year 7 and Year 10 students.

Online consent for school vaccinations
If your child is in Year 7 or Year 10 this year and have not received their routine school vaccinations, you can provide online consent for them to receive their vaccinations at the catch up clinic.

⦁ Year 7 students are offered free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) 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 2023, will be offered catch up vaccinations in 2024.

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.

Catch Up Clinic for 2024 Vaccination Program:

• Term 4 - Thursday 24 October

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.

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.

If you or someone you know are experiencing any issues that are causing distress, please contact the services below for further support options.

Family Connect Service
The Family Connect services at St Paul's offers support with ANY issues your children or family unit may be experiencing. The service assists to link families to the appropriate specialist services all while providing a confidential and safe space to work with you and advocate for your needs.

St Paul's Family Connect and Support Worker, Ashleigh Howe, works at the College on Mondays and Fridays. Ashleigh has a professional background in the Family Support, Specialist Domestic and Family Violence and Mental Health spaces, and has worked and supported the Macleay Valley community for over 10 years.

If you would like to talk or need advice or support, please contact Ashleigh via email ashleigh.howe@socialfutures.org.au or text/call her on 0448 526 777.

• The root causes behind the deteriorating state of mental health, and who (or what) is responsible.
• The tools you need to reverse this trend for your children.
• Realistic approaches for managing screen time in a way that protects your child's wellbeing.
• Creating margin in your home and family life to protect and promote mental wellness.

To register please follow this link or download the PDF flyer.

Research into how to best support children and young people with mental health challenges is critical to ensuring that as a society we have evidence-based, best practice support strategies for our young people. Southern Cross University is offering parents of children aged 10-13 with mental health needs an opportunity to access a high quality online education program as part of a research project. Further information is available on the flyer below for those parents/carers who would like to learn more or apply to be a part of this research project.