St Paul's Grammar School

RICOCHET // LAST CALL FOR TICKETS - Please join us at The Joan on Friday 14 June 2024 at 7:00pm. Tickets available here: https://www.thejoan.com.au/events/ricochet-2024/

Ricochet is our mid-year dance showcase including all Secondary School Dance Academy ensembles as well as our curriculum dance classes.

SCIENCE // Our Year 7 students have been researching forces at a distance, including magnetic forces.

Sprinkling iron filings over a clear plastic sheet, they were able to visualise and draw the field lines around the bar, horseshoe, and ring magnets.

This research has led to further discussions in class relating to the practical applications of magnetism in technology.

GRANDPARENTS DAY // Sharing more photos from our annual Grandparents Day held last week.

Thank you to all who the day so special.

CHAIR OF THE BOARD // MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL, MR IAN WAKE

Dear St Paul’s Community,

I am writing to let you know that Mr Brett Redman has been appointed as the new Chair of our School Board. Brett has been associated with the school for many years both as a parent and a board member. I am looking forward to working closely with Brett into the future.

I do also want to acknowledge our outgoing chair, Mr Peter Mackie, who has been Chair of the School Board for the past eight years. Peter has served the school exceptionally well in this important role and has been faithful and dedicated in his approach – always striving to serve God to the best of his ability. We are very blessed that Peter is willing to continue to serve on the School Board as Deputy Chair for the next 12 months.

We pray that God will continue to bless our school into the future and will give the School Board wisdom and insight as they continue to govern our school community.

RICOCHET // One week away! Ricochet is our mid-year dance showcase including all Secondary School Dance Academy ensembles as well as our curriculum dance classes.

Please join us at The Joan on Friday 14 June 2024 at 7:00pm.

Tickets are available from 31 May 2024 via the following link: https://www.thejoan.com.au/events/ricochet-2024/

GRANDPARENTS DAY // Today was a big day at St Paul’s, with over 550 grandparents visiting our campus for Grandparents Day.

We were blessed to have many grandparents travel from overseas, including China, India, New Zealand, and Canada.

Thank you to all the grandparents who made today so special. More photos of the event will be posted over the long weekend.

SCIENCE // Last Monday, our Year 12 HSC Earth and Environmental Science class attended an excursion to the Core Library at the WB Clarke Geoscience Centre.

This excursion gave invaluable insight into geological studies occurring across NSW and a glimpse into the technology used, as well as the data collected.

Students engaged in a hands-on experience with fossils, rocks, and minerals, whilst also participating in activities centred on sustainability and managing Earth's natural resources.

THEATRUM // On Friday 7 June at 6:30pm, our Year 12 IB Theatre and HSC Drama students will be performing 'Theatrum'. Please come along to support our drama students in their production.

Booking is now available via Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1203443?

SOUNDSCAPE // Only a few hours left until Soundscape 2024! Book your tickets now to see our Music Academy in action tonight at 7:00 at the Joan:

https://www.thejoan.com.au/events/soundscape-2024/

As part of the Music Academy Ensembles Programme at St Paul’s, students perform in a dynamic showcase of diverse repertoire. Soundscape features Junior and Secondary School Music Ensembles including strings, wind, percussion and choral groups in a range of musical styles.

Thank you for supporting the Music Academy at St Paul's.

RICOCHET // Ricochet is our mid-year dance showcase including all Secondary School Dance Academy ensembles as well as our curriculum dance classes.

Please join us at The Joan on Friday 14 June 2024 at 7:00pm.

Tickets are available from 31 May 2024 via the following link: https://www.thejoan.com.au/events/ricochet-2024/

SOUNDSCAPE // Only FOUR days left until Soundscape 2024! Book your tickets now to see our Music Academy in action on Monday 3 June 2024 at the Joan:

https://www.thejoan.com.au/events/soundscape-2024/

As part of the Music Academy Ensembles Programme at St Paul’s, students perform in a dynamic showcase of diverse repertoire. Soundscape features Junior and Secondary School Music Ensembles including strings, wind, percussion and choral groups in a range of musical styles.

Thank you for supporting the Music Academy at St Paul's.

LEADERSHIP // Our school captains from the Secondary and Junior School attended Civic Leader's Reception where they were acknowledged by the Mayor of Penrith, Councillor Todd Carney.

Congratulations to Corinda Mavin, Scarlett McHattan, Martin Drayton, and William Orde.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES // St Paul's Grammar School is a dynamic working environment, offering a range of benefits and career opportunities for staff in a collegial and caring Christian environment. Apply for a position within our community today.

https://www.stpauls.nsw.edu.au/contact/employment/

SCIENCE // Last week, our Year 12 HSC Chemistry students explored the synthesis of esters as part of their Organic Compounds unit.

They successfully produced a variety of esters with delightful aromas, including banana, rum, and deep heat, among many others.

SOUNDSCAPE // Only one week until Soundscape 2024! Tickets are available to purchase via: https://www.thejoan.com.au/events/soundscape-2024/

As part of the Music Academy Ensembles Programme at St Paul’s, students will perform in a dynamic showcase of diverse repertoire.

The concert will feature Junior and Secondary School Music Ensembles including strings, wind, percussion and choral groups in a range of musical styles.

The performance will take place at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre on Monday 3 June 2024 at 7:00pm.

Thank you for supporting the Music Academy at St Paul's.

STORYTIME // On Wednesday, our Junior School students participated in the National Simultaneous Storytime. More than 2 million students, teachers, and carers around the nation took part.

Aura Parker read her beautiful picture book - 'Bowerbird Blues', which has been short-listed for Children's Book Council Awards.

Our students loved listening to her read and tell stories, as well as viewing the Bower Bird Display with examples of student work.

CAMPS // Secondary School students from the various camps that took place this week have arrived back safely.

Whether it was Bronze Duke of Edinburgh, 'Student vs Wild' in Colo, or camp at Lake Macquarie, all of our students had a wonderful time.

SCIENCE // As part of their mandatory scientific investigations, Year 12 HSC Earth and Environmental Science students are conducting a practical experiment to investigate the impacts of ocean acidification.

This week-long investigation allows students to collect primary data, providing valuable insights into the potential impacts of carbon dioxide on the world's marine ecosystems.

SPORT // It has been a fantastic season of swimming for the St Paul's representative swimmers in the Junior School. At the most recent HICES event, St Paul's was the Champion School for 2024.

Two of our students were named Age Champions, Irene Kim for 10 years girls and Alex Kim for 10 years boys.

Over half of our students who competed at HICES progressed through to CIS Swimming.

Congratulations to all on this huge achievement.

CRU // A few weeks ago, our Junior School students involved in lunchtime CRU group were visited by Nigel from Crusaders.

Nigel presented a magic show to our students and spoke about the hope we have in Jesus.

SCIENCE // Recently in Year 12 HSC Chemistry, students engaged in a hands-on experiment crafting Aspirin.

They guided their teacher through the process, emphasising green chemistry principles such as atom economy, organic chemistry, and maximising yield.

Demonstrating their understanding and application of key concepts, students showcased impressive communication and research skills throughout the activity.

SPORT // Last week, our Junior Girls Basketball team played in the regional finals of the Basketball NSW All Schools Tournament, winning their division. They will progress to the Basketball NSW All Schools State Championships later this month.

Our Junior Boys Basketball team also performed well, finishing in 3rd place after winning 3 out of 4 games.

Congratulations to all who competition in this tournament.

DEB BALL // Our Year 11 students at the Annual Ball for Debutantes are excited for their wonderful evening.

It is an honour to have Jay and Emma Johns join us as our guest speakers this year.

More photos of the evening to come at a later date.

MUSIC // Our Junior School students were recently visited by Musica Viva Australia's ensemble, Wyniss, who performed an engaging and thought-provoking show.

From spinning tops to string figures, this First Nations ensemble conveyed how music, culture and history are passed on through generations.

LEADERSHIP // It was exciting to see our newly inducted Junior School leaders for term two acknowledged this week. Alongside these students, we also awarded students who have displayed outstanding qualities with merit awards.

Congratulations to all who were presented across our stage this week.

SPORT // We would like to acknowledge the sporting achievements of the following students, Tara Seppelt (Year 12) and Vienna O'Connor (Year 7), from recent events:

Congratulations to Tara Seppelt for her fantastic results at the Interschool Equestrian Australia competition, coming away with the following awards:

Preliminary Dressage 1.2: 4th Place
Preliminary Dressage 1.3: Equal 1st Place
Secondary 95cm Combine Training: 6th Place
Overall: Secondary Senior Preliminary Dressage Reserve Champion

Congratulations to Vienna O'Connor for representing St Paul's with class at NSWCIS Swimming, coming away with 4th place in 3 events, and overall, 6 top 10 finishes.

DEBATING // From Medicare levies to safe driver instruction, matters of public health were well deliberated and presented as part of HICES debates against Kinross Wolaroi recently.

Congratulations to all of our debaters in their respective rounds. An honourable mention was made by the adjudicators to Ellen O'Rourke, Zeena Alfadhli and Ruby Lamb.

A congratulations is also warranted to Sam Morris and Shae Davis for 'Best Debater' in their respective age groups.

SOUNDSCAPE // As part of the Music Academy Ensembles Programme at St Paul’s, students will perform in a dynamic showcase of diverse repertoire.

The concert will feature Junior and Secondary School Music Ensembles including strings, wind, percussion and choral groups in a range of musical styles.

The performance will take place at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre on Monday 3 June 2024 at 7:00pm.

Tickets are available to purchase via: https://www.thejoan.com.au/events/soundscape-2024/

Thank you for supporting the Music Academy at St Paul's.

MOTHER'S DAY // On Friday morning, Year 7 and Year 8 girls gathered with the important women in their lives for our Mother / Daughter Breakfast.

It was fantastic to hear from four of our staff at St Paul's who are themselves mothers, reflecting on their experiences and sharing some words of wisdom.

Happy Mother's Day to all in our community.

WELLBEING // As part of our Flourishing Framework, we have partnered with Wellio to deliver evidence-based wellbeing lessons within our 'learning to flourish' programmes, which are to be launched later this year.

Alongside this, parents have the opportunity to access their webinars, which are designed by psychologists to give parents strategies to support their child/ren's wellbeing.

The upcoming webinar on Tuesday 14 May at 6:30pm focuses on phones and social media. You can register your attendance at: https://www.wellioeducation.com/en_au/webinars