Week 3, Term 4, 2023

Dear Parents and Carers,

What an exciting first three weeks of Term 4 we have already had.

I had the pleasure of attending Year 5 Camp last week where all students had the opportunity to focus on mateship and leadership.  At St Saviour's Primary, we consider ourselves fortunate to attend camp at Emu Gully where the motto is 'Shaping Great Australians'.  All students participated in various activities that were enjoyable and challenging.  Some had to conquer fears, some had to support their classmates and others lead from the front. The camp is the start of the Year 5 leadership experience which will culminate with the elected leaders being announced at the final whole school assembly on the second last day of school this year.  I thank Rachel Harlen, Monica Conway, Narelle Jackson and Ann-MAree Ward who also had the privledge of attending camp last week.

Moving into Week 3 and Year 6 Camp has just concluded at the Gold Coast Recreation Centre.  My thanks to Nat O'Brien, Henry Logan, Eliza Smith, Bee King and Nicki Prentice for attending this camp.  From all reports, the children were all exceptional with regards to their manners, behaviour and willingness to participate in activities.  A great last camp of primary school for all.

Several students have excelled in the sporting arena recently both individually and as a team.  Mrs Conway has the friday night basketball students winning games and improving each week.  Thanks Monica for your tireless dedication to basketball at St Saviour's Primary.  Mr Luck's touch team went very close to making the grand final of the South West All School Carnival last weekend in Dalby.  This was the conclusion of several weeks of training and commitment from all members of the team.  We also had students attend the Queensland Athletics Championships in Brisbane recently.  Congratulations to Emily Carrigan, Ava Orr, Rose Stead, Liam McHugh and Samuel Abot for representing Darling Downs.  An even bigger congratulations to Emily Carrigan who placed first in Queensland for both discus and shot put and will now travel to the Nationals in Tasmania.

Learning has of course been a priority with all students working hard on their studies.  To complement our learning program, STEM club has been operating for students in both the early and upper years.  Drama festival concluded at the end of last term and choir continues each week.  Chess club on Friday mornings is a favourite of many with numbers continually increasing.  

This week we also welcomed our 2024 prep students for their second orientation morning.  These are a great opportunity for all of these children to visit their primary school and make their transition from kindy easier.  They are getting to know the teachers and the space at prep.  The building project is in full swing, with the temporary buildings now on the primary oval and access to the library being fenced off on the College oval.  It is anticipated that demolition works in the library will commence very shortly.

As you can see there has been plently happening at St Saviour's Primary over the first 3 weeks of Term 4.  Thank-you to all staff members for the work they are doing with each and every one of your children and importantly I would also like to thank all parents for your support, as we work in collaboration with you to provide the best education possible.  The children, the families and the entire community play a large part in making St Saviour's Primary a great school.  Keep an eye out in the very near future for some exciting developments as the next Strategic Plan for St Saviour's Primary iis nearly ready to be released.

Sam Hannant

Principal

Teachers have begun planning carefully for class groupings in 2024. I would like to provide the following information for the parent community to assist you in understanding how important we regard the task of class groupings and the many aspects that the staff take into consideration when working on these for the year ahead.

Staff consult with each other extensively on this undertaking. When doing class allocations, we reflect on the following points:

• What are the best learning combinations (What we know about the students this year/ last year/ previous years) for each class?
• How to ensure there is a balance of the learning needs in a class? Consideration is given to students with disabilities, a student with learning difficulties, difficulties with a learning area and students who are achieving above the expected level in a learning area.
• The balance of learning styles, including those who are fast, independent learners and those who require additional time to grasp concepts.
• Boy and girl ratios.
• Friendships between students that impact both positively and negatively on their ability to achieve the best possible learning outcomes.
• Social/emotional considerations.
• Family considerations such as keeping twins together or in separate classes, as well as the number of children who have siblings already at the school (particularly relevant in Prep class groupings).

The process of class allocation takes many weeks. Parental input has and is always welcomed and considered seriously by the staff. However, it should be obvious that friendships cannot always be catered for, especially if staff know that some friendships may inhibit classroom learning. As well, parent requests for specific teachers cannot always be guaranteed, as teachers may not be teaching in the same year level the following year. 

Parents are asked to send an email directly to the Principal: Sam Hannant sam.hannant@twb.catholic.edu.au for any considerations for class placement by MONDAY 30 OCTOBER 2023.

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

I hope this message finds you all well! As we mark World Teachers' Day next Friday the 27^th of October, I would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude and admiration for the extraordinary teachers who dedicate their lives to nurturing young minds here at St Saviour’s Primary School.

Our teachers are the heart and soul of our school. Their unwavering commitment, passion, and dedication have an enduring impact on the lives of our students. They are the guiding lights, the role models, and the pillars of knowledge that shape the future generation.

As we celebrate our teachers next Friday, I encourage you to take a moment to express your gratitude. Whether it's a simple thank you note, an email, or a message on social media, let them know how much you appreciate their hard work. The encouragement and support of our school community play an essential role in keeping our teachers motivated and inspired.

The theme for this year is ‘Hats off to Teachers’ and we have two ways we will celebrate here at school.

1. A gratitude wall for our teachers

Monday to Friday of Week 4

Write a kind message to a teacher on a hat template from the office, decorate it, cut it out and give it back to the office staff to display on our gratitude wall.

2. A photo booth photo to celebrate

Friday the 27^th of October

Get a photo at our photo booth in the office to celebrate on Friday – it might be parents and students, teachers and students, all students, all teachers etc! Send the photo to ssps@twb.catholic.edu.au or use our school camera with the help of a staff member.

We are Moving Out!

It has been a big two weeks of planning, sorting and packing to vacate the library so refurbishment work can begin! It is thrilling to think of a beautiful new space about to be created for all learners here at St Saviour's Primary School. Specials thanks to the wonderful staff, students and parent, Mrs Donna Enders for giving their time and muscle to pack the collection and rehouse it in the Mercy Centre and the temporary library in the demountable building.

Classes should be able to borrow from the library in Week 5. Please help us manage this busy time by holding library loans until Week 5 when we can return and shelve them in the temporary space. In the meantime, I will take library sessions with Years 3 -6 in their classroom.

Thanks for continuing to read together at home,

Anne Anderson

Teacher Librarian

School Travel Rebates Semester Two:

Reminders

Parking 

With the building works happening we are reminding parents of the parking situation around the school. Car parking spaces may be limited, so please take the time to find a park safely.  Please do not park on the footpaths of residents in Perth Street or on the nature strip outside the Bingo Hall.  Toowoomba Regional Council parking inspectors have already booked parents who park in these areas and will continue to monitior our school closely over the upcoming weeks.  

Prep 2024

Prep 2024 Parent Information Night is being held on Wednesday 15th November. 

Congratulations to our Weekly Award Winners for

Week 2 & 3

Sports shoes:

In the uniform requirements it says ‘mostly white’ school shoes for sports days. The new uniform supplier will stock these so it should be easy to find high quality, comfortable white shoes when you go to buy them in 2024. If there are cases where students find a certain type of shoe more comfortable or their shoes have more than a little white on them – we would accept them even if they are more colourful.

We still encourage ‘mostly white’ but we don’t enforce this strictly. If the children have shoes that draw significant, unnecessary attention eg. full fluro yellow, we would encourage you to buy ones that don't stand out so much next time. Feel free to have a chat to Nicki if you'd like more information or clarification.  Nicarla.prentice@twb.catholic.edu.au

Here is the link to the new uniform shop:

https://theschoollocker.com.au/schools/st-saviour-s-primary 

Here is the link to our uniform requirments:

https://sspstwb.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/7949/ssp043_uniform_requirements_flyer.pdf

Book Club orders are due back tomorrow, Friday, 20th October.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Book Club this year. 

Next year, we look forward to continuing Scholastic Book Club with all our families.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Please see the Term 4 Roster below for Tuckshop Volunteers to help out in the Tuckshop.