Principal News
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to Term 4. I truly hope all students enjoyed a well earned break and hopefully some parents managed some time away from work as well.
This week, I would like to update you on a few staffing matters as well as the latest with the St Saviour's Primary building project.
STAFFING
After 40 years of service to Catholic Education, Mrs Judy Smith has announced her intention to retire at the end of the 2023 school year. Judy has a wealth of experience and will be missed immensely. She has held teaching positions at St John's Roma, Sacred Heart Toowoomba and St Saviour's Primary School, whilst also spending many years in leadership at St Saviour's. We will officially farewell Judy during the last week of school this year.
Miss Nicarla Prentice will also be finishing her time with St Saviour's Primary and Toowoomba Catholic Schools at the conclusion of the 2023 school year. Nicki is moving to Brisbane and will be missed at St Saviour's Primary. Nicki has been Middle Leader and Acting Assistant Principal during her three years with us. We wish her all the best and will also formally farewell her during the last week of school. The role of Middle Leader is currenly advertised and will be finalised over the next few weeks.
With the Assitant Principal role being advertised before the holidays, I am happy to annouce the appointment of Mrs Katie Hauser. Katie is extremely experienced and brings a wealth of knowledge as she is currently Assistant Principal: Religious Education and Middle Leader at St Anthony’s Primary School, a role she has held since 2020. In addition to an extensive teaching career, Katie has also held the roles of Education Officer: Early Years Literacy and Reading Coach within TCSO and has experience as a middle leader at St Thomas More’s Primary Toowoomba. We look forward to welcoming Katie in 2024.
Beginning in week 2 this term, I am delighted to welcome Mrs Helen Ryan to SSPS for six hours per week. Helen is currently the Chaplain at St Saviour's College and she will be performing a similar role at SSPS. This role is a wellbeing role and involves being available to work with students who may have lost a loved one, are experiencing family separation, friendship issues, are moving to secondary school next year etc. At this point in time we have funding for the remainder of this year and are hoping this might be extended into 2024. I will introduce Helen at assembly next Monday as Chappy Helen (a title she already uses at St Saviour's College).
BUILDING PROJECT
As part of the building project that will see a new library, new early years playground, new early years classrooms, disability lift and stop/drop/go, two demountables will be delivered to SSPS on Saturday 14th of October. These demountables will be placed on the concrete slab (old cricket nets) on the northern end of the oval. It is anticipated that we will have access to these demoutable during Week 3 and these two buildings will house 3C and the library for the remainder of this year.
This will allow the preferred building contractor McNab to commence demolition works in the current learning support, library and 3C classroom space as early as week 4 this term with the hope of having the library completed to commence the 2024 school year.
There will also be several access points to the work site via the SSPS oval and St Saviour's College Oval. These will be erected over the next few weeks.
Whilst the aim is to not disrupt learning time, noise is unavoidable during demolition, however it is hoped most of the loud work will be completed on weekends and before/after school. Further information will be made available as it comes to hand, however it is extremely exciting that this project is finally coming to life and that your children will be able to enjoy modern facilities whilst attending SSPS.
Regards,
Sam Hannant