2022 Term 1, Week 1

I’ve met three of my classes already and am looking forward to meeting the others in the next couple of days. I would like to extend a special welcome to those parents and students who are new to St Paul’s School this year. We are delighted that you chose to become part of our community.

As I’m sure you are all aware, at St Paul’s we take a particular approach to education, described as a holistic education. I trust this is one of the reasons why you chose to enrol your child(ren). This holistic ideal of education, means that we focus on who the child is becoming, rather than simply what knowledge and skills they have acquired. Or, to use a definition that I like – “Holistic education is concerned with educating the whole person – body, mind and soul – to develop his or her fullest potential”.

Like you, I am sure, we aren’t just interested in intellectual development, although that is clearly central to what we do: we want your children to live good lives. We want them to flourish. Consequently, we have developed two, complementary frameworks that shape a St Paul’s education – Realms of Thinking and Ways of Being.

In coming newsletters, I plan to explain in greater detail what we mean by Ways of Being.

Best wishes for a successful 2022, to you and those you love.

Mr Nigel Grant

Executive Director of Faith & Community

We’re very proud of you for receiving 100% for Music Extension (which means he got full marks for his three internal and one external assessment items) in 2021. We saw how hard you worked throughout the year and you couldn’t deserve it more. This is just the very start of your journey and we can’t wait to see what you do next!

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 login can be found on Seesaw and will be shared with students in their Library Lessons. You’ll also see the ‘Story of the Day’ on your child’s Seesaw journal. Following the link and listening to the story is a choice, however, it’s a great way to practice using Story Box Library. There is no response required from your child, it is just designed to enhance their learning.

ePlatform – ebooks and eAudiobooks

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 ebooks and audiobooks that can be read or listened to on a range of devices and via the free ePlatform app. Students will be shown how to login in their Library Lessons.

Family Library

Want to borrow books from the Junior Library collections? During Week 2 of online learning, the Junior Library will be open for 10 minute bookings to enable families to browse and borrow from the collection. More information about these bookings will be shared on Seesaw.

Textbooks

The Secondary Library has been working to get textbooks to students in Year 9-12. If your student missed the textbook collection booking times, please contact [email protected] to organise collection of their English novel or textbooks.

Access to ebooks, audiobooks and the Library Catalogue

Students can access the Library catalogue, ebooks, audiobooks and more 24/7 from anywhere via the Pulse.  Students will also find a range of information and study guides on the Pulse for subjects including English, HPE, Humanities and more. 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 new blog.

Update: Gympie Arterial Road and Strathpine Road interchange upgrade – Road resurfacing works

These specific roadworks are expected to commence in early December 2021 and end in late February 2022. Please read the following document to learn more about the changes to traffic conditions in this area. Bald Hills Road and Hoyland Street update.

Update: upgrade the Gympie Arterial Road and Strathpine Road Interchange

The latest update from the Queensland Government indicates the next phase will involve changes to the Attley Road and Strathpine Road intersection.

These specific roadworks are expected to commence in late November 2021 and end in late January 2022. Please read the following document to learn more about the changes to traffic conditions in this area. Attley Street works update.

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Email : [email protected]

[email protected]

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, Mark Barratt ([email protected])

Please note, if your child will be absent for three days or longer email your child’s House Leader.

We hope you had time over the break to rest and recharge!  And, to our new students and families, welcome to our amazing school!  We would like to take this opportunity, to introduce the wonderful counselling facilities at St Paul’s.  We are fortunate to have 2 full time Counsellors, Miss Amanda Pashen who looks after all students in PP to Year 9 for personal counselling and Mrs Karen Semple who works with students in Year 10 to Year 12 for personal as well as careers counselling.  We also have the lovely Mrs Rexina Harding who is our Administration Assistant.  We are located on the Ground Floor of the Wellbeing Centre.

If you have concerns about your child, please speak with their Teacher or Tutor in the first instance.  All children referred to Counselling in PP-Year 9 require parent permission to attend.

HELPFUL CONTACTS

• Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
• Youth Beyond Blue http://www.youthbeyondblue.com/

ST PAUL’S SCHOOL CAREERS WEBSITE

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!

Click here to see the latest newsletter, Career Tools from the website host.

USEFUL CAREERS WEBSITES 

• My Future myfuture.edu.au
• Job Outlook jobsearch.gov.au/joboutlook