Principal News
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
School Renewal and Improvement Process
In our last newsletter, I spoke about the School Renewal and Improvement process that was occurring. The School Renewal is a quadrennial review and improvement process that all school in the Toowoomba Catholic Schools system will complete over time. The Review is designed to draw out what the school is doing well and where improvement can occur in the areas of Teaching & Learning, Mission & Identity, Continual Renewal, Strategic Resourcing and Stewardship.
We welcomed to our community the four panel members: Mr Jim Midgley (Director of Teaching and Learning), Mr Paul Murphy (TCSO Senior Education Leader), Mr Norm Hunter (Independent consultant) and Mrs Mel Hobson (Principal St Joseph’s School, Chinchilla). All four panel members were impressed by the collegiality and hospitality of all members of our school.
I take this opportunity to thank the many parents, staff and Year 6 students for their involvement in the interviewing process over the past week. The panel were most impressed by how well the Year 6 students were able to speak about the teaching and learning that takes place here at St Saviour’s Primary School. Our review was a particularly affirming process in the above areas around the processes and practices that the school is currently doing well and feedback from the parent, staff and student interviews and review process helped identify recommendations that will form part of our strategic plan for the next four years.
Once the final report is presented, our School Strategic Plan will be developed in consultation with the School Board, P & F, Staff and Students and the findings (affirmations and recommendations) will be presented to the school community.
Thank you for your involvement in our School Renewal and Improvement process.
Building Application
Also, over the past week, I have met with town planners, architects, structural engineers and project managers as we prepare to submit our Capital Assistance Application for a new Administration, refurbishment of five classrooms (current admin, staff room area), library extension and a third Prep class. This building application was due on the 29th March to the Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC). On April 30th, QCEC members will visit our school site as part of the application. If successful we will begin further plans for this development over the remainder of the year. We are anticipating an increase in enrolments and are aiming for St Saviour’s Primary School to offer three classes for each year level from Prep – Year 6 by 2021.
We currently have three classes in Years 2, 3, 4 and the aim is for these to continue forward. At present we are also looking at the possibility of having three Prep classes in 2020. Our 2020 Prep interviews are scheduled for the second week of Term 2 (April 29th – May 3rd) and this will be our first round of interviews. The two classes at present are filling fast which puts us in a good place to possibly offer three Preps in 2020.
Parking around our School
As we know students are not as diligent in being mindful around traffic. We will continue to give safety reminders to the children and ask that parents adhere to the traffic rules.
It has been reported to the school office that parents are parking in the bus zones in Perth St for drop off and pick up at both morning and afternoon times. Please note that the traffic rules need to be adhered to for public safety.
Likewise, with the Perth St driveway into the Prep car park. Parents are not to stop in the driveway to let children out. If using this area, you must park in the carpark to drop off and pick up students.
Thank you for keeping our students safe at all times.
School Uniform
Over the next few months the Leadership Team and School Board members will be looking into the introduction of formal navy shorts/pants option for all Year 1 - 6 students. The shorts/pants would be worn with the green formal shirt. These formal school uniform items will be optional for all students. We anticipate that they would be introduced late this year or early next year depending on the clothing supplier.
PARENT TEACHER DISCUSSIONS
It is our hope that you have enjoyed several opportunities to discuss your child’s/children’s learning and development with the class teachers. At St Saviour's Primary we pride ourselves on an open and welcoming approach regarding families having opportunities to discuss with the class teachers their child’s progress. As I communicated during the Parent Information night in Week 2 this Term, class teachers would like the opportunity to discuss on a more formal basis, the progress of your child, focusing on their achievements for Term 1. To provide this opportunity, we have set aside time next week commencing Monday 1st April for parents/guardians to meet with the class teachers.
Teaching and Learning
St Saviour’s Primary School is engaged in focusing on improving student progress in literacy and numeracy across all areas of the curriculum. We have collected baseline data on all students in relation to aspects of literacy and numeracy development. We use this data to inform instructional planning in the classroom and to reassess against later in the year to measure progress. As a school, we are committed to continue to build teacher capacity to have a consistent and planned approach to improving literacy and numeracy standards for all students. We are investing in professional development so that teachers have a shared understanding of expected and effective practices in modelled, shared, guided, and independent reading and writing. We are building on the excellent practices already occurring at St Saviour’s Primary School and challenging ourselves to always learn and improve further in our instruction, in our collection and use of data and in our capacity to provide quality intervention within the classroom context in the first instance. This is exciting and challenging work for us all.
As we move to the close of Term 1, thank you for your support of our work in educating your children. We do not do this in isolation of one another. During Week 5, 7 and 9 of this Term the leadership team have lead the staff through a process to reflect on our student’s learnings, to note and celebrate the things that we are proud of, to acknowledge and thank others who may have supported their work during the term, and to affirm and celebrate the very special role teachers have as educators. As a professional group of educators, our work is a vocation. We are inspired to transform the lives of students with whom we relate and engage. I shared the following with the staff:
If ever you become discouraged and doubt that you are positively influencing others, then know that part of you will be flying with every pilot, building with every architect, diagnosing with every doctor, creating with every artist, fashioning with every craftsman, and teaching with every teacher. More than that, part of you will be woven into the fabric of every sound marriage and every good home. You are making your way into the hearts and minds of the children and youth you teach and lead. You are leaving a very valuable legacy for future generations (Cardinal Williams, New Zealand, 2000).
I sincerely acknowledge the efforts and commitment of all our staff and reaffirm in this public forum that it is a privilege to work with them and know that they are making a difference to the lives of children at St Saviour’s Primary School.
We have journeyed through the term and sharpened our focus to notice, be present and mindful of the wonderful blessings in our lives. I hope that the children are remembering to say thank you and to be grateful for the many good things that happen each day both here and at home.
I wish all a safe, peaceful and holy Easter holiday and look forward to your return after the break on Tuesday 23rd April.
Thanks for reading.
Madonna Sleba