Acting Principal News
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to the second half of Term 4. Amazing how quickly the year is progressing, with a lot to still look forward to.
A good time of year to bring into focus our ‘why’ and what makes our school unique or different from the countless others in Toowoomba.
During the many enrolment interviews over the last year, I enjoyed talking to parents and future students about this exact thing. My ‘pitch’ usually begins with the quote that our goal for St Saviour’s Primary students is to ‘Strive in Learning and Strive in Life’. That is, we work in partnership with students to achieve to their potential academically, but we also want to see them grow to be good young people.
Whilst the academic results are important , it is the 'plus' that St Saviour's Primary is also able to offer. The below image captures this vision.
Catholic Fatih Community: St Saviour’s Primary School, in strong partnership with Fr Michael O'Brien and the parish community of St Patrick’s Cathedral, is recognised for proudly offering a quality, inclusive Catholic Education. As the school has grown and changed, we have continued to build on the traditions established by the Sisters of Mercy. Their spirit of commitment, service, compassion and quality flows through the school community
Student Wellbeing: The importance of student wellbeing cannot be underestimated. Setting the foundation that children need of positive relationships with other children and their teacher and a genuine happiness to come to school that creates the ultimate learning environment. Whilst not replacing the positive interactions that are taking place every day between teacher and student, St Saviour’s Primary offers the Positive Education Curriculum: a research-based curriculum designed to explicitly teach students the key concepts of wellbeing so they can live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Culture of Learning: At St Saviour's Primary we aim to develop expert learners: those who know how to learn and have developed the qualities to become a lifelong learner. They understand the process of learning, who seek and act on feedback and know what they are learning, where they are at and what their next steps are.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) has been a focus for the last five years and is taught through the Design Thinking Process. A process that helps develop key skills including problem solving, creativity, critical analysis, teamwork and independent thinking. The skills that your children will need to succeed in an ever-changing world.
STAFFING 2023
The staffing process for 2023 is well underway. Whilst the class allocation of teachers has not yet been finalised and will likely be published in the Week 7 newsletter, I would like to announce some staffing changes below:
We will farewell two staff at the end of this year. Miss Caitlin Seng is moving to Brisbane and is taking a teaching position in a kindergarten. Caitlin has been an early years teacher at St Saviour's for the last three years and has gifted our children with a love of learning and fun in her classroom.
After ten years, Mrs Natasha Biggar has decided to resign from her position as tuckshop convenor. We will miss her amazing cooking skills, efficient ways and the high standard she has set in ensuring our staff and students always have the best for morning tea and lunch. Our new tuckshop convenor will be announced in the next few weeks.
Three teachers will be taking leave for the next 12 months. Maryanne Lee has accepted a teaching position at St Eugene's Primary School, Burpengary. We wish Maryanne all the best as she moves closer to her children in Brisbane. Mrs Melinda Harkins has also decided to take leave in 2023, although she will job share with Mrs Judy Smith for Term 1 and part of Term 2. We then look forward to seeing Melinda around St Saviour's Primary in a relief teaching role. Mrs Natalie Lancuba will continue on leave in 2023 and is enjoying being a mum to baby Hugh.
We will welcome back Mrs Fiona Case who is returning from leave. Fiona will job share with Mrs Siobhan Grundon. Fiona will return to work for three days and Siobhan will continue two days a week.
There will be four new teachers joining us in 2023. We welcome Mrs Lisa Cavanagh, Miss Sarah Logan, Miss Eliza Smith and Miss Linda Ogg.
Mrs Lisa Cavanagh is an experienced classroom teacher who is currently in the role of Education Officer: Mission and Identity with Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office. Lisa is known to our staff through this role. Lisa has a high interest and experience in sharing her love for drama and musical performances with the students.
Miss Sarah Logan is an early year's teacher who has been teaching at St Agatha's Primary School, Clayfield. Sara has a background in psychology and was drawn to teaching young children three years ago after completing a research project as a psychologist.
Miss Eliza Smith is moving from the Ballarat Diocese in Victoria and has been in the role of Year 6 teacher and Mathematics Curriculum Leader at St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Gordon. She is a committed teacher who strives to cater for all students' diverse learning and well-being needs. Eliza is looking forward to moving to Toowoomba.
Miss Linda Ogg will join the St Saviour's Community after teaching experience in North Queensland in the Townsville Diocese and has taught at St Joseph's Catholic School, Mt Isa and St Patrick's Catholic School, Winton. Linda's energetic nature and passion for providing the very best educational opportunities for all students have been evident each time I have met with her.
As previously notified, we also welcome Mrs Ann-Maree Ward into the position of acting APRE this term and officially as the St Saviour's Primary APRE from the start of 2023.
The teachers for each year level will be published in the Week 7 newsletter in the lead up to the whole school Transition Morning on Wednesday 30th November.
Sam Hannant
Acting Principal