APRE News

Dear Parents and Carers,

As has already been mentioned, this week this has been unusually busy! We are of course extremely disappointed that our Grandparents'/ Mercy Day has had to be cancelled due to the weather and extend our apologies for any inconvenience/ upset this has caused, however, as Madonna said in her announcement, the safety of everyone has to be our number one consideration. We are hoping to provide another opportunity before the end of the term, for Grandparents to attend. Children can still wear their house colours tomorrow if they wish.

Year 5 Leadership Retreat

Student Reflections

Yesterday we visited the Micah Centre to expand our learning of leadership. We learnt about how the leader knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.  This helps us because next year the Year Five cohort will be the leaders of our school.

We also learnt that geese, when they travel together, will become 71% faster. This helps us because it shows us teamwork. Also, when a goose isn't feeling well and has to leave the flying V group, two other geese will go down with it and look over it till it's feeling better. This helps us because in a team we don't leave anyone by themselves! We help each other through the struggles.

All Year 5 students were given a piece of paper with a goose on it, we wrote down notes about the presentation on what a leader is and then went around and wrote on other people’s piece of paper on what leader qualities they were good at. After that, we wrote down a quality that we wanted to focus on for next year. We finished the day by doing a prayer singing a song and Ms Harlen gave each student a 3D printed goose that said 2023 leader on it. Sia Luck

I loved the Year 5 Leadership Day and the Geese Leadership Talk from Mrs Smith.  The positive thinking on the Geese Pages and the affirmations were my favourite part of the day. Hugo Watson

I learnt that being a leader is more than a badge to wear or a title to wield. Its leading by example, no matter if you're a Grade Six or a School Captain you are still a leader, so yesterday I learnt that being a leader means so much more than what meets the eye. Abby Phillips

Yesterday we had our Year 5 Leadership Day.  In the morning we designed our Year 6 Leadership Shirts for 2023 and in the afternoon we went to the Micah Centre to expand our knowledge on leadership for next year. We learnt about the importance of sticking together and being a leader for the other people to follow.

We learnt about why geese fly in a "V" formation to increase their flight speed by 71% compared to flying alone. Also, that they stick together in groups of three and if one of the geese gets sick or injured in some way they look our for each other.  We learnt that encouragement is a good way to talk to the other people.  I think that yesterday was really a boost of confidence to show the importance of being leaders and guiding the other people at this school and in life. Jimi King

Yesterday we had a full leadership day! It was so fun! In the morning we designed our leadership shirts, and it was pretty hard, we had to collaborate and use the Design Thinking Process to figure out what design would work the best and also represent us as Leaders in 2023.   In the afternoon we went to the Micah Centre and learnt that a leader is someone who leads the way, knows the way and shows the way! We learnt how geese always stick together and always work together. Overall, I had heaps of fun and learnt a lot about leadership and myself! Mae Kearney

THE ROSARY (October is traditionally the Month of the Rosary): At SSPS we do have a focus on the Rosary during October, particularly with the older students. The Year 5s again this year felt very special when they received a parcel of handmade rosary beads, made by the local St Patrick's Parish Rosary making group. 

CATHOLIC MISSION (October is also Mission Month) with classes accessing Catholic Mission Teaching and Prayer resources, to learn about the role played by Catholic Mission throughout the world. Next week, our Year 6s will be organising and promoting a raffle, selling tickets ($1) before and after school with the funds raised going to Catholic Mission Australia.

PARISH MASS

Parents and families are very welcome to attend the Tuesday morning 9am Parish masses which a different year level joing each week. Year 4s went on Tuesday and Year 6 will be going next Tuesday. 

FAREWELL FUMI

Over the past 18 months Mrs Fumika Sato has regularly spent days in the Yr 5, Yr 6 and Year 3 classrooms as part of her training to become a School Officer. In that time she has not only improved her understanding and skills in the classroom but has assisted our students with their Japanese conversational skills and given them first hand knowledge of Japanese culture and traditions.

Last week Fumi visited the Yr 3s, Yr 6s and the staff to say thank you and goodbye as she has just about finished her study and is moving on to more paid employment. 

This is my last APRE newsletter message as I am signing off for the last time as APRE.

Sincere thanks to those who have been so very supportive over my 10+ years in this role. I know SSPS will be in good hands as Annie Ward steps into the APRE role from Week 5, while I move into the APA role until March next year. 

Regards,

Judy