APRE NEWS
Dear Parents and Carers,
We have made it to the end of another year- and what a year 2020 has been! Madonna has highlighted many of the successes we have had along the way, though she left this one to me to share. Just in the last 2 weeks the school has, through the efforts of the Guy family, become the sponsors of a whale shark, which is happily swimming off the WA coast. How did this come about, you may well ask?
During Term 2, when many of the borders were locked down and travel was severely limited, Anessa Guy and children Catherine (Yr 5), Addison (Yr 4) and Oliver (Yr 1) opted to head to the Pilbera Region of WA to keep dad company. While there, one of their amazing experiences was to go for a whale shark swim as part of the ECOCEAN project. This is the whale shark that they spent most time with.
Matt Guy contacted Dr. Brad Norman (AM) who is the Lead Scientist at ECOCEAN, and Adjunct Professor at University of Western Australia about assisting with whale shark research as the children had such an amazing experience with them. The kids had an idea of a naming competition so the school could adopt their own whale shark which means they will receive alerts when a new sighting is logged.
Finally, after much interest and communication between Qld and WA, the school has settled on the name 'Gujawari' which means whale shark in the language of the local Baiyungu People (Traditional Owners of the “Nyinggulu” (Ningaloo) Coast). In the new year, we will share the tracking details of "Gujawari" so that the students can become more involved and learn more about these amazing creatures.
On behalf of the school, we offer a huge "Thank You" to the Guy family for including SSPS in their WA adventures.
Mayoral Medal:
AWARDS ASSEMBLY today: This morning we had a final opportunity to gather as a whole school to remember, to celebrate and to acknowledge members of our school community.
AWARD Recipients are listed above. Congratulations!
We said farewell to:
Ms Jen Moore (1M teacher who is heading to the Sunshine Coast)
Mrs Cate Bell who finished her contract with 3H.
Paige & James (pictured below) from Hall-Thorpe After School Care who will be working at Middle Ridge State School.
Dennis Horne (retiring from the Board)
Spirit of Catherine McAuley Award: Gemma Smith
Congratulations to all our AWARD recipients. Well deserved!
LEADERS for 2021: At the Leadership Liturgy last week, all our Year 5s received their Leader Badge and the Captains, Vice-Captains, Councillors and House Captains for next year were announced. Congratulations to the whole cohort- we look forward to having you all lead SSPS next year.
SERVICE to our Parish Community: This morning, after the final assembly, our Year 4 students and teachers joined Frs Michael, Tom, Nandana & Hal and the older members of the parish for the annual Care and Concern Anointing Mass. The Year 4s were there to lead the singing and to share a smile and a quick chat with the parishioners, many of whom do not get out and about very often.
The benefits went both ways, as the young ones enjoyed sharing their singing talents as well as the iceblock they received afterwards. Thanks to the Year 4 teachers for "volunteering" to provide this service to the community. Well done!
Christmas Blessing
Whenever we gaze into a crib this Christmas season
May new hope and joy flood our spirit
Whenever we watch babies and young children playing
May a new energy delight our hearts
Whenever we are tantalised by the aroma of a BBQ
May we unwind, relax and enjoy time off
Whenever the crush of family and friends, overwhelms us
May the hospitality of our hearts expand
Whenever we provide a meal or a bed over the holidays
May we experience love and appreciation
Whenever we spy our reflection in the mirror or pool
May we find ourselves to be the images of God
Whenever we feel our distance from each other around the world
May the Christ child draw us into unity. Amen
(adapted from Catholic Mission card)
Thank you for your support throughout 2020,
I wish you and your family a joyful Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.
See you in 2021,
Judy