Principal News

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

NAPLAN Yrs 3 & 5

Next week is NAPLAN week for our Year 3 and 5 students.

 Recently, we received a congratulatory email from ACARA (Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority) as follows:

 Dear Principal, 

 I am pleased to advise that ACARA has identified your school as having demonstrated substantially above average gain in reading and/or numeracy achievement, as measured by NAPLAN……

…….On behalf of ACARA, I would like to extend my congratulations to you and your school community on this achievement. Improvement in student literacy and/or numeracy of this magnitude, as measured by NAPLAN, is significant and worthy of highlighting and acknowledging.  

Our school has performed exceptionally well in NAPLAN over past years and due recognition has been received. Of course, we are all proud of our efforts, but we need to be very careful in not allowing performance in a one-off test becoming the be all and end all of our existence as a Catholic School. We have always and will continue to strive for excellence in our academic teaching and learning, however we will only continue to do so if we continue to strive to improve the abovementioned things.

Someone once wisely observed that the secret of education is to be found in respecting the student. In all our discussion on accountabilities and organisational structures, it is important to stop every now and again and focus on the core of our work which is the student and the ways in which his or her learning can be genuinely improved. The more time we spend in doing this we become more acutely aware of the context, characteristics, values, learning styles, interests and personal experiences of those we are called to teach. When this happens, we are able to raise the bar and genuinely improve the quality of the service we offer.  

Wishing all our Year 3 and Year 5 students the best of luck in the forthcoming NAPLAN tests.

 School Renewal and Improvement Report

The attached link will allow parents to view the final report for our recent School Renewal and Improvement Report.  At the School Board meeting held last Monday night, members of the School Board began the process of ‘unpacking’ the commendations and recommendations in producing the School’s Strategic Plan for the next four years.  We have invited Dr Judy Smeed to assist us in the process.  Dr Judy Smeed, is a consultant with Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office and has a great deal of experience in working with School’s in this area. 

 ‘IT TAKES A SPARK’ STEM CONFERENCE FOR GIRLS

Today, St Saviour’s College hosted the ‘It Takes a Spark” STEM conference for girls. Over 550 students from across Australia came together.  St Saviour’s Primary School hosted students in the Mercy Centre for breakout sessions.   I extend a huge thank you to our budding STEM teacher: Mrs Rachel Harlen who presented and lead student and teacher sessions throughout the day. A number of our young female students attended the conference experiencing firsthand the exciting developments in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.  Thank you, St Saviour’s College, for an outstanding conference, in true and reliable style your hospitality and welcome was well received by all in attendance.

LAWRENCE ST DROP OFF AND PICK UP

Thank you to the parents who are keeping our children safe both morning and afternoon around our busy streets.  This week I spoke to the children about the MUST in using the pedestrian crossing to ensure their safety when crossing to their parents cars.  Please parents don't ask your children to walk across the road amongst cars reversing from both sides of the street.  Keep all our children safe by teaching them to use the pedestrian crossing.  Teachers will also be reinforcing this direction within their classes.  

Looking forward to catching up with parents at the Annual SSPS Athletics Carnival at O'Quinn St Oval tomorrow.  

Thanks for reading.

Madonna