Principal News
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Have I mentioned how wonderful your children are lately! I am in awe of the children and staff and what they have achieved in the past week. There are many moments throughout our week, that we as staff make comment about how lucky we are to be teaching the children we have here at St Saviour’s.
Year 5 Camp
What an absolute pleasure it was to accompany the Year 5 children and their teachers on their camp to Murphy’s Creek last week. The children were amazing in the way they engaged and participated in the activities. The staff at Murphy’s Creek were equally impressed with our children commenting regularly, “The best kids we have had for a very long time.” The children were encouraging of each other throughout every task. A true credit to their parents and teachers. Congratulations Year 5 on your positivity, courage and respectfulness shown towards each other and your teachers. Over the next few weeks these students will engage in nominating and preparing for 2020 Leadership positions. Students from Years 4 – 6 will participate in the voting process and the positions will be announced at the End of Year Mass in Week 8.
In Week 4, our Year 6 students will head to the Gold Coast for their final Primary School Camp. I wish the students and staff a great time together and pray the weather is kind to them. I will be attending the Leadership Forum, next week and in my absence, Sam Hannant will be in charge whilst Judy Smith accompanies our year 6 students and staff on camp.
COMBINED SCHOOL MUSICAL
WOW! What a spectacular show by the talented students of SSPS and SSC in the musical: Wizard of Oz over the weekend. Thanks to everyone involved for their dedication and hard work in ensuring a great few nights of entertainment. Many thanks to Mrs Anita McVeigh and Mrs Anne-Maree Spalding for teaching the students the songs and dances, to Mrs Emma Daniels for organising and sorting those incredible costumes and the many staff who helped out with supervision. Congratulations to all!
Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) Visitors
Last Tuesday, we were fortunate to host visitors from QCEC, they came from as far as Townsville, Cairns, Rockhampton and Brisbane dioceses. Our school leaders accompanied me on a tour of our school where together we told the story of learning happening here at St Saviour’s. Following is an email from one of the visitors:
To The Principal, Ms Madonna Sleba.
Thank you for inviting us to St Saviour’s and allowing us to experience the quality students, staff, curriculum and culture of this fine school. We all agreed that each of us would love our own children and grand children to be part of your community.
I really enjoyed the interactions with students and staff and loved your innovative curriculum and caring whole school environment.
The school is a credit to your leadership and your staff’s professionalism and dedication.
Forty years’ experience in teaching and principalship enabled me to enjoy all the small things and great projects you are undertaking.
My warmest regards,
Kevin Garland,
Cairns Diocese QCEC rep
CONSISTENCY OF TEACHER JUDGEMENT (CTJ) DAY
On Monday 21st October, we joined with three other schools at Sacred Heart Primary School. I commend our teaching staff who organised and presented their teaching and learning journey of our STEM lighthouse project throughout the day. Staff were also able to engage with the other schools to see and hear about their Numeracy and Well-being projects. The sharing of ideas was greatly appreciated by all involved.
UNIFORMS
The two-year transition period from the ‘old’ to the ‘new’ uniform is coming to an end at the end of the year. As of January 2020, all students will be required to wear the new uniforms. Please refer to the uniform requirements via our school website. IN 2020 all students will have the option of wearing shorts and shirts to align with new uniform legislation. These items will be available in the new year.
The new dress for students will be available in two styles to accommodate all shapes and sizes by early January, 2020.
At St Saviour’s Primary School, students are expected to maintain a high standard of dress and grooming which:
- supports a positive atmosphere where study and learning can flourish.
- promotes school unity and pride.
- presents an appropriate image of our school to the broader community and to each other.
The school uniform is available from:
• Skooldayz Clothing Company the supplier of the school uniform.
• All uniform items can be viewed online and orders can be made at www.skooldayz.com.au
• Enquiries can be sent to info@skooldayz.com.au
• Skooldayz does have a Facebook page which all parents are welcome to follow.
• The shop operates from a ground level room in the Parent Community Room, and is open 2:30p.m. – 4:00p.m each Friday during the school year or contact Dan Eagleson on 0481 318 398 for an appointment outside these times. (NB. At the beginning of the school year, the Uniform Shop has longer trading hours)
SECOND HAND UNIFORMS
• Parents are advised to utilise the ‘Toowoomba School Uniforms for Sale’ page on Facebook to buy or sell their second hand uniforms. Once you are registered on this page you are able to search for ‘St Saviour’s Primary Uniforms’ which will take you to any available uniforms for sale.
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FROM SCHOOL OFFICE
• Swimming Caps (lycra)
• School Bags
• Library Bags
PREP REFURBISHMENTS TERM 4 2019
Over the past few months much of the School Board meetings have been taken up with enrolment growth and building applications. It was decided from these meetings that the school would need to fund the Prep refurbishment of expanding the current Prep building into three classrooms. This refurbishment is now in full swing, with tenders going out at the beginning of next week. The design and specifications have been published on the school noticeboard for parents to view. This is a huge financial commitment for the school. It is hoped that building will begin this Term in the last few weeks of term. Our current preps will be relocated to the Uniform Shop space and the Music room.
We continue to strive towards maintaining three classes per year level with no more than 20 – 25 students in each class. With the introduction of three classes in each year level over the next few years this opens potential to attract enrolments. St Saviour’s Primary School has a high profile in the Toowoomba Community, and we have many enquiries each week for enrolments. We still have enrolments available in most classes. Please contact the school reception for details.
In 2020, we will re-submit our Block Grant Application to QCEC for additional classrooms and new administration facilities.
STAFFING UPDATE
In 2020, we will welcome three experienced teachers through the relocation process of the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office. We will welcome back, Mrs Rebecca Thomas who will join our Prep team. Bec is excited to be returning to SSPS. Miss Lisa Kynoch, who is currently teaching at Mary Mackillop Catholic College, Highfields and Miss Caitlin Seng, who comes to us all the way from St Mary’s, Charleville will join our teaching team. We look forward to welcoming them to our community in 2020. It is hoped that they will be able to join us for the transition morning scheduled on Wednesday 4th December.
SSPS currently has a number of contract teaching positions and interviews will take place shortly. This will mean that many of our current teachers who have joined us in the last two years will be moving on. This is always an anxious time for all involved. Please keep all in your prayers during this time.
Over the September Holidays, interviews for the position of Learning Support Teacher took place due to the resignation of Mrs Elizabeth Poulton. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs Annette Murdoch and welcome her to the St Saviour’s Teaching Team in 2020. Annette has over twenty years’ experience in the field of Learning Support and is currently in this role at St Mary’s College, Toowoomba.
Miss Tilly Hose who is one of our valued school officers assisting students in Year Prep and Year 2 will be moving to Victoria next year. Tilly has been instrumental in supporting students in the area of literacy.
Mrs Jayne Greenhalgh has also informed me of her resignation as Japanese teacher for the end of year. Jayne has been instrumental in being our champion Language teacher here at St Saviour's. Her contribution to other culltures and language will be greatly missed.
We will farewell all staff at the end of the year mass on Wednesday 27th November.
SCHOOL FEES
Thank you to the families who have finalised their 2019 school fees. It would be most appreciated if all school fees can be finalised by the end of the month. Today your eldest child will be bringing home the 2020 School Fees and Levy information along with direct debit forms. These will need to be completed by the end of the year. Thank you for your continued support of our school.
Thanks for reading
Madonna Sleba