Principal News
Dear Parents, Staff and Students,
Well that's a wrap for 2019!
Our community festivities are nearly finished for 2019 with our Leaders celebrating their graduation from Primary School happening tomorrow morning. A special acknowledgment must be extended to the parents for your incredible support of the school during your time with us. To all those who have journeyed and created memories with the children leaving us this year, on behalf of all involved, I thank you. These faces of the future will continue to create their own stories and we are blessed to have spent time with you. Best wishes for the adventures ahead.
It is full credit to our Leaders of 2019 for the way in which they have consistently conducted themselves in a most commendable manner. They have served our community well this year by being exemplary leaders and positive role models to all students.
I extend further acknowledgement of others who leave the St Saviour's Primary School community to take up residence in new schools and new cities. To the longstanding families who leave us with their youngest moving on, I say thank you for your support and engagement in the life of our school. To the staff leaving for various reasons: Mrs Elizabeth Poulton, Mrs Lesley Jarrett, Mrs Sara McHugh, Mrs Emma Daniells and Miss Matilda Hose I wish all the best in your next journey ahead.
Christmas is coming, the season of Advent is here. A time when we begin to prepare and celebrate for the birth of Jesus Christ and all the special family traditions that happen around Christmas. The end of the school year has come and this brings excitement and joy for all as we head off to holidays.
What a wonderful year it has been for our school.
Well Done SSPS Teachers, Students and Families for an incredible array of 2019 ACHIEVEMENTS:
- 2019 Academic Excellence Awards
- 2019 Effort Awards
- 2019 Adopt a Cop Awards
- 2019 Cornerstone Awards
- 2019 Swimming Champions
- 2019 Cross Country Champions
- 2019 Athletics Champions
- Catholic Touch & Netball Carnival - Years 5 & 6
- Year 4 T-ball and Touch Carnival
- Interschool Sport Term 3
- Year 6 Leadership Program
- Buddies Program
- Maintaining our High results in NAPLAN in all areas
- School Renewal and Improvement Process in Term 1
- Association with STEMpunks company
- STEM showcase day
- STEM conference - It Takes a Spark
- Introduction of the Surface Go devices in Year 4
- Service and outreach to communities - Brodribb and Salem Nursing Home, Rosies, Families in drought stricken areas
- Mini Vinnie’s program
- Sacramental Program
- Book Week
- Reader’s Cup
- Colour Fun Run, Trivia Night, Dance Fever Night, Mango Drive
- Record breaking tuckshop orders for Term 4!
- Combined School and College Musical
- Speech & Drama Performances
- Chess Club
- Japanese immersion program
- School Choir Performances
- Year 5 and Year 6 Camps
- Various excursions across year levels
- Reaching our school target of 90% of students reaching Reading benchmarks for their year level
- Prep playground refurbishment
- Planning for PREP classroom refurbishment in readiness for 2020.
- Increase in enrolment from January 2019 at 368 students to finishing the school year on a current enrolment of 404 students.
This list is only a snapshot of what we collectively together have achieved. We are truly blessed because of the extraordinary contribution of the work and commitment of so many. The dedication of our staff, parents and parish advances the mission of Catholic Education here at St Saviour's Primary School. Thank you for your selflessness of time and talents shared in our community. I hope that you can take the time to reflect on the significance of your work in this busy time and look back on the positive impact you have had on the lives of our students. I hope this realisation provides for you a deep appreciation for all that you have done for the St Saviour's Primary Community.
I pray that the upcoming Christmas holidays is a time to be holy, refreshed and rejuvenated. Have a safe and Holy Christmas and I look forward to working with you all in 2020.
SCHOOL UPDATES FOR 2020:
Class Placements 2020:
The time frame for class placement requests has now well and truly passed. No further requests will be considered as all classes for next year have been finalised. All needs and requests have been given due consideration.
Reports
Having recently read all of the student reports for this semester, I am extremely grateful to the teachers for their time and commitment to providing quality reports to parents. It is clearly evident to me that the teachers really know and understand the children they have been working with throughout the year and have succinctly and effectively communicated each child’s achievements and potential areas for future focus. It is an enormous task to bring together all of the information, assessment, observations and notes that teachers collect on an ongoing basis, to then collate this and report it to you in its current format. I hope in your own special way, you will have the opportunity to say thanks to your child’s class teacher, not just for the report card, but for being that very influential person in your child’s life during 2019. The role of the teacher should never be underestimated and the fruits of their labour are sometimes not evident until years down the track.
Starting Dates for next year
Please note the following dates for the beginning of the school year:
- Teachers return Monday 20th January for a week of Professional Development.
- All children return to school on Tuesday 28th January, 2020
- Book Drop Off before school starts is on THURSDAY 23rd January 8a.m. - 9a.m.
- Reminder 27th January, Monday is a public holiday celebrating Australia Day.
Changes in the delivery of Japanese classes for 2020
A change in circumstances has seen us retain Mrs Jayne Greenhalgh in the role of Japanese teacher at SSPS for 2020. Jayne currently teaches in four of our Diocesan Schools which comprises of over 1200 students. This is a huge workload for Jayne. In 2020, she is available to continue teaching Japanese to our Year 4, 5 and 6 students. We are extremely grateful to Jayne for accommodating us in her very busy schedule across four schools. Thus, we will not be farwelling Jayne as previously advised.
Phone Service to the School
Thank you for your patience during the recent phone issues we have been experiencing lately. Although the issue was not at our end, we will be changing our phone system in early 2020 to avoid any further issues as at this point in time I have been advised that the issue cannot be solved by our provider. Further details will be published about our new system in early 2020.
School Uniform 2020
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 link following for uniform requirements. You will note that there are some additional options for all students in the line of 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.
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 www.skooldays.com.au. Please refer to opening hours published via schoolzine app last week for further details of opening hours.
Year 6 Leaders 2020
Congratulations to all our 2020 Year 6 Leaders.
School Captains: Grace Taylor and Lachlan Ottobrino
Vice Captains: Grace Gleeson and Leon Smith
To all our Sports Captains and Counsellors and the student leaders of 2020. I look foward to working with you in 2020.
Many blessings,
Madonna Sleba