APRE NEWS

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We are almost at the end of the term, with the Carnival of Flowers and holidays just a week or so away. I am currently away (again) for a few days on retreat with the other APREs of the Diocese at the James Byrne Centre at Highfields, after our venue at Stanthorpe was unable to accommodate us due to the bushfire emergency earlier in the week. With a theme of "Praying with the Earth", amongst other reflections, we have taken time of course to pray for our colleagues in the Granite Belt and the wider drought stricken communities. Next term we will be holding a fundraising disco to again raise funds to support our rural communities.

Prayer for the Life of the World

It is when we are still

that we know.

It is when we listen

that we hear.

It is when we remember

that we see your light, O God.

From your stillness,

we come.

With your sound

all life quivers with being.

From you

The light of this moment shines.

Grant us to remember you at the heart of each moment.

Grant us to remember.

Amen

SERVICE/ OUTREACH ACTIVITIES: 

In the last week of each term, each class has been undertaking a Service/ Outreach Activity and this is coming up again next week. For Year 5 and Year 3, they are continuing with ongoing projects, which has seen benefits not only to different community groups, but most significantly, for our students. Both Year 5 classes and their teachers have been and will continue to walk to Salem Aged Care once a month and share their stories/ songs/ experiences with the residents. The Year 3 classes will do more baking to restock the Pastoral Care freezer with goodies for both Rosies and our own community. A sincere thank you to the teachers for your ongoing commitment which has seen some really strong bonds forged. 

Some examples of other year level activities are:

Year 6:"Buckets of Biscuits and Tonnes of (paper) Towels" to contribute to the Rosies' stock to assist with their outreach to the homeless each week. 

Year 4: Putting together "Thank You" Hampers for our priests and parish workers.

Year 2: Making specially designed Bookmarks to send to students at St Joseph's in Stanthorpe to let them know we are thinking of them in the drought/ bushfires and to cheer them up, (and hopefully make Tiddalick laugh)

AWARDS ASSEMBLY: 

As we do at the final assembly each term our Cornerstone Value Awards (one per class) will be presented on Monday afternoon at 2.30pm. These awards are given to students who have demonstrated Compassion, Commitment, Quality or Service.

Encouragement Awards will also be presented (one per class) to students who have been putting in a consistent effort towards their learning.

A list and photo of recipients will be in the first newsletter of next term. Everyone is invited to attend this assembly at 2:30pm on Monday. 

FLORAL DISPLAY in the CATHEDRAL:

We will send you a reminder next week, but I would strongly encourage you, if you are out and about in Toowoomba during Carnival Week, to call in to St Pat's to view the marvellous floral display.

Every year, the cathedral is truly a sight to behold, with displays by floristry students and professionals, as well as schools and parish groups transforming the interior into a floral masterpiece. SSPS has been a regular contributor over the years and this year is no exception. Rachel Harlen, Emma Daniells and Bee King have generously offered their time and creative talents to coordinate our contribution to the theme of "SPIRIT".

Thank you ladies for all you have done and we look forward next Thursday and Friday to seeing "the fruits of your labours". 

Only one more week to go! Looking forward to seeing many of you on Friday night at the Dancefever Presentation.

Regards

Judy