Week 10, Term 4, 2023

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we conclude another school year, it is with a sense of pride and gratitude that I reflect on the amazing journey that the St Saviour's Primary community has been on in 2023.  This has culminated in a sensational final week of school.  Early in the week, the prep students performed their Nativity Play and all current and new students participated in the Transition Morning. Yesterday, we celebrated our final assembly for 2023, where we acknowledged several students who achieved excellence in learning, sport, faith and culture.  It was fantastic to be able to acknowledge our 2024 leaders at this assembly as well.  These students are extremely deserving of the positions that they have received and I look forward to working with all Year 6 students, as leaders, in 2024.

Today, we took time to recognise our 2023 Year 6 Leaders with their Graduation Ceremony and Mass.  Thank-you to the Year 6 teachers for organising and to our special guests;  David Janetski - Member for Toowoomba South, Paul Murphy - TCS Senior Education Leader and Sharon Collins - Principal of St Saviour's College.  I wish all of our departing students the best as they continue their educational journey at a secondary school or elsewhere.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Parent Engagement Network (PEN) in 2023 - Hayley Hubbard, Fr Michael O'Brien, Renee Kilpatrick, Katie Boydpratt, Kristy Fitzpatrick, Shauna Green, Kim Benvenuti, Rachel Harlen, Nicki Prentice, Rebecca Thomas and Ann-Maree Ward.  The commitment and dedication that you have all shown to St Saviour's Primary this year is most appreciated.  An invitation is extended to all parents to be part of the PEN in 2024.    

Looking forward into 2024, we have some exciting developments on the horizon.  These include:

• Completion of the school building project that will see SSPS gain a new library, some new early years teaching spaces, a new early years playground, a disability lift and a stop-drop-go on Lawrence Street
• The launch of the new SSPS Strategic Plan that will include a new and contemporary logo (don't worry - you won't need to buy new uniforms), an updated vision and mission and refined Mercy Values
• A focus on wellbeing and on restorative practices within the school community, which includes employing a new school officer that will focus on student wellbeing
• Students being taught from an updated Australian Curriculum that our teachers have spent 2023 familiarising themselves with.  
• Welcoming 70 new prep students to our fantastic SSPS community

Finally, I would like to thank all parents and families for your support of the school this year.  St Saviour's Primary School is a very special place and I sincerely value and appreciate the relationship that we are able to build with each of you.  Thank-you for entrusting your child's education to us.

Have a happy and Holy break and I look forward to a new school year in 2024.

Sam Hannant

Principal

Goodbye and Good luck

Mrs Anita McVeigh

Mrs Lisa Cavanagh

Miss Nicarla Prentice

Mrs Annette Murdoch

Mrs Judy Smith 

Dear Parents and carers,

Week 9! It has been such a privilege to spend the last couple of weeks celebrating a wonderful year of learning with our students and the beginning of the Christmas season.

As we approach the festive season, we are excited to usher in the spirit of Advent—a time of anticipation, reflection, and celebration. Advent, derived from the Latin word "adventus," meaning "coming," marks the beginning of the liturgical year and invites us to prepare our hearts for the arrival of something truly special, the birth of Jesus.

Countdown to Christmas: Advent is traditionally a time of anticipation and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. To make this season memorable for your family, consider creating an Advent calendar together. Each day leading up to Christmas, open a new door or box, revealing a small treat, a family activity, or a thoughtful message. This simple tradition can build excitement and foster a sense of togetherness.

Lighting the Way: The Advent wreath is a beautiful symbol of this season. It typically consists of four candles, representing the four weeks leading up to Christmas, with a fifth candle in the center, representing the Christ candle. Each week, light a new candle, and use this time to reflect on themes such as hope, peace, joy, and love. Encourage your children to share their thoughts and feelings about these concepts.

Acts of Kindness: Advent is not just a time for personal reflection but also an opportunity to spread kindness and goodwill to others. Consider engaging in daily acts of kindness as a family. Whether it's donating to a local charity, volunteering together, or simply being kind to neighbors, these actions can create lasting memories and instill the true meaning of the season.

Storytelling and Reflection: Gather your family for storytelling sessions focused on the Christmas narrative. Share the story of the birth of Jesus, and encourage your children to ask questions and express their thoughts. Additionally, take time for personal reflection, contemplating the values of gratitude, generosity, and compassion.

As we embark on this Advent journey together, let us embrace the opportunity to slow down, connect with our loved ones, and cultivate a spirit of joy and hope in our homes. May this season be filled with warmth, love, and the true blessings of togetherness.

Thankyou to the staff who work at OSHC who have been generously donating their food scraps to Fr Michael’s chickens! We love seeing sustainable practices occur in our school community.

Congratulations to the recipients of our Cornerstone Awards for Semester Two. You should be so proud of your achievements and we thank you for living out our Mercy values here at SSPS.

The 2023 recipient of the Catherine McAuley award goes to Year 6 student, Abiar Geu. Congratulations Abiar! This award acknowledges the great work St Saviour’s Primary does to engender wonderfully Christ-like values in our school community and Abiar has demonstrated the same compassion and caring attitude throughout her school life, just like Catherine McAuley. Abiar is a very worthy recipient. Congratulations Abiar!

Christmas Mass! All Welcome!

In closing, I wish for you a special Christmas message filled with peace, joy, and gratitude. Christmas is not just about twinkling lights, festive decorations, and delicious treats; it's about the joy of giving, the warmth of friendship, and the love that celebrating the birth of Jesus brings. The true spirit of Christmas lies in the love we show to those around us. Whether it's a kind word, a helping hand, or a simple smile, your actions can brighten someone's day and make this season even more special.

I hope you have a restful and peace filled Christmas break. Wishing you and your families a Merry Christmas filled with love and the peace of Jesus Christ.

Thanks for reading, see you in 2024!

Ann-Maree

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Thank you and goodbye!

It is with great sadness that I write my last newsletter for SSPS! In my 3 years here at the school, I have felt so blessed to get to know each and every student. We have an incredible team of staff who guide and support our students both in learning and in life. I have happily accepted a Year 3 teaching position in Brisbane Catholic Education and can’t wait to get back to a full-time class role. I wish everyone every success and if our paths cross down the road, be sure to say hello!

Academic Medals

This year we have celebrated two students who were the recipients of an Academic Medal. This Medal is extremely hard to get, as it requires all A’s in every subject area! It is very rare to have anyone get this Medal, let alone two in one Semester! A huge congratulations to these students, for their determination and curiosity for learning.

Year 2 Recipient: Randuli Wijayartne

Year 6 Recipient: Charlotte Franklin

Phoenix Awards

This award celebrates progress and is an absolute honour to receive! It acknowledges that the whole point of learning is to move forward and get better. It might mean a student moved from a D to a C. It might also mean they have progressed positively in a particular area eg. Reading.

This year’s recipients of the Phoenix Awards are listed below:

Ella Johnston, Hunter Filipetto, Indi Hobday, Allen Forkpah, Luke Barram, Aria Hickey, Fletcher Templeton, Maddie Steger, Novah Walker, Ruby Land, Jagger Witt, Zakk Mogg, Darcy Phillips, Joshua Ruhigira, Ruby- Lola Boxsell, Maya Adams, Lacey Sanders, Harrison Bolitho, Finnegan Hannam.

Academic Awards

This week we handed out a number of Academic Awards from Prep to Year 6. A huge congratulations to these students. To receive this award a student needed to receive all A’s and B’s on their report card, with only one C. They were presented by a member of the leadership team amongst their cohort.

YEAR 6 ACADEMIC AWARDS

The importance of reading over the holidays

As we eagerly approach the festive holiday season, we want to take a moment to highlight a gift that keeps on giving— the power of reading. The Christmas break offers a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, create lasting memories, and, importantly, foster a love for reading in our children.

Why is reading so crucial, you may ask? Well, the benefits extend far beyond the classroom. Studies consistently show that children who read regularly not only perform better academically but also develop stronger communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and a richer vocabulary.

Here are a few compelling reasons why incorporating reading into your child's holiday festivities can set the stage for academic success:

1. Mental Exercise:

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. It stimulates brain function, improving concentration and memory. Encouraging your child to dive into a good book during the break ensures their minds stay sharp, setting a positive tone for the upcoming school term.

2. Vocabulary Expansion:

The more a child reads, the more words they are exposed to. A rich vocabulary is a cornerstone of academic success, contributing to improved writing skills and comprehension. Make reading an enjoyable family activity by exploring new books together and discussing the stories afterwards.

3. Imaginative Growth:

Reading fuels creativity and imagination. Through the pages of a book, children can explore new worlds, ideas, and perspectives. This imaginative growth not only enhances their ability to think outside the box but also makes learning in all subjects a more engaging experience.

4. Family Bonding:

The holidays are all about spending quality time with loved ones. Consider setting aside designated "reading time" each day, where the entire family can gather with their favorite books. This not only strengthens the bond between family members but also serves as a positive example for your child.

Wishing you and your family a joyous holiday season filled with laughter, love, and the magic of reading!

Warm regards,

Nicki Prentice

Acting APA

Dear Parents,

What a wonderful year it has been in the space of teaching and learning.  Over the last week, I have had the pleasure of reading each child’s report card. It has been exciting reading about academic growth, progress and the learning happening in each classroom.  Well done to teachers and students for their dedication and diligence in and outside of the classroom in 2023.

On another note, NAPLAN prep for 2024 has begun in the last two weeks.  Students in Year 2 and 4 completed several mini lessons preparing them for the NAPLAN tests which will occur in early Term 1 2024.  Some of the preparation included a discussion on why student’s take the NAPLAN test and the importance of students using their learner qualities throughout the test.  Teachers have also been busy helping students learn test taking skills for NAPLAN, such as how to respond to success criteria in the writing component as well as how to eliminate answers in a multiple-choice question.  Both skills that will serve them well in other areas of assessment and learning in English. The main message from teachers to students: NAPLAN accesses student prior knowledge and what they can already do and most importantly to remain calm and do their best. We look forward to continuing this preparation in 2024 and guiding students through the NAPLAN assessments.

Well wishes and happy vibes for the school holidays,

Bec Thomas

Congratulations 

Graduating Class of 2023

Photos of individual children receiving their

Graduation Certificate will be emailed home next week.  

Physical Education in 2023

St Saviour's Primary School had an incredibly successful and eventful year in sports. We kicked off with our SSPS Swimming Carnival with Goretti winning the carnival and relay on the day. Next, we had our SSPS Cross Country which was an awesome day full of cheering and smiles from students and parents with Goretti taking out this event. We finally got to hold our SSPS Junior Swimming Carnival which was full of smiles and excitement and had our SSPS Athletics Carnival which was another very exciting event. Goretti also won this carnival and took out the field event trophy and ball games trophy. McAuley and Xavier tied for points winning the relay trophy. St Saviour’s Primary also participated in Catholic, Zone, and Darling Downs Carnivals, Gala Days, Interschool Sport, Fitness Club, SWQ Touch Football Carnival, and Friday Night Basketball showing a diverse range of sporting activities and a strong commitment to promoting physical activity and teamwork among the students, highlighting the diverse and enriching sports program at St Saviour's Primary. Here's to another year of sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun at St Saviour's Primary. Wishing all students and parents a safe and Merry Christmas and I look forward to seeing our families in 2024.

School Sport

It's truly commendable to acknowledge the dedication and achievements of the students who have represented their school at higher levels in sports. Making it to the Central Zone team, Darling Downs team, or the State team is a significant accomplishment that reflects not only talent but also a strong commitment to training and hard work. The effort and time these students have invested in their training leading up to events are a testament to their passion for sports and their desire to excel. It's clear that they have demonstrated resilience, discipline, and a strong work ethic in their pursuit of success. Congratulations to all the students who have made school sport teams. Their achievements not only bring pride to their school but also serve as an inspiration to their peers and the broader community. Best wishes to these young athletes for their continued success in their sporting endeavours. May they continue to strive for excellence, enjoy the journey, and find fulfillment in their chosen sports (pictures attached).

Swimming

Zone – Lily Brookman, Mia Casagrande, Lucy Hardy

Touch Football

Zone – Lily Brookman, Mahaylie Weribone

Basketball

Zone – Claire Ward, Akeer Adol, Heidi Stockwell

Darling Downs – Claire Ward, Akeer Adol

Rugby League

Zone – Mahaylie Weribone, Matilda Crothers

Darling Downs – Matilda Crothers

Hockey

Zone – Lucy Hardy

Darling Downs – Lucy Hardy

Netball

Zone – Charlotte Franklin

Soccer

Zone – Mia Aylward

Darling Downs – Mia Aylward

Rugby Union

Zone – Matilda Crothers

Darling Downs – Matilda Crothers

Cross Country

Zone – Lucy Hardy, Joseph Black, Rose Stead, Akeer Adol, Lachlan Giuffrida, Deborah Thomas (Shadow)

Darling Downs – Rose Stead

Athletics

Zone – Ayen Gakeer, Lucy Hardy, Joseph Black, Rose Stead, Ava Orr, Aya Doherty, Samuel Abot, Liam McHugh, Mary Quiles, Deborah Thomas, Emily Carrigan, Nyigok Gakeer, Mia Alward, Harrison Black

Darling Downs – Rose Stead, Ava Orr, Samuel Abot, Liam McHugh, Emily Carrigan

State – Emily Carrigan

National Discus Champion

Congratulations to Emily Carrigan on her outstanding achievements at the 2023 Australian Schools Sports competition. Winning the 10-year-old Girls Discus Championship with a throw of 37.29m is a remarkable accomplishment, especially being 5m ahead of 2nd place. Her performance also places her in the top 5 throws at Nationals in the last decade, showcasing her exceptional talent and dedication to training. Additionally, securing the 2nd place in Shotput with a Put of 10.67m is another impressive feat. The fact that Emily is the only rotational shot-putter in her age group highlights her mastery of an advanced and technical skill, demonstrating her prowess in the field. Beyond her athletic achievements, Emily's character shines through her humble and caring nature. Her sportsmanship is commendable, as seen in her encouragement of a fellow competitor from Queensland and offering support with a big hug during a challenging moment. Taking the time to thank officials and congratulate competitors at each event reflects her positive attitude and genuine desire for everyone to give their best effort. St Saviour's Primary is extremely proud of Emily, acknowledging her as a true superstar. Her dedication, sportsmanship, and caring spirit not only make her an exceptional athlete but also a role model for others. Congratulations again to Emily on her well-deserved success (pictures attached).

Friday Night Basketball

Congratulations to the SSPS students on their outstanding performance in the Friday Night Basketball Competition. It's clear that their determination and commitment have paid off, with the boys securing a 1st-place finish in Division 3 and the girls achieving an impressive 2nd place in Division 1. These results are a testament to the hard work and teamwork of the players. A special shout-out to coach, Mrs Conway for her superlative guidance and leadership. The entire school community are proud of these wonderful achievements, and the students should be commended for their dedication to excellence on the court. Here's to celebrating the teamwork and the spirit of sportsmanship that the SSPS students have demonstrated throughout the competition (pictures below).

Zone and Darling Downs Trials

All Zone and Darling Downs trials will be placed on Parent Portal. Please check Parent Portal regularly or set up notifications on your phone if you wish for your child to be eligible to trial for Zone and Darling Downs sporting teams as you will be required to obtain paperwork from myself. I am unable to nominate students after the closing date so please make sure you do keep an eye on Parent Portal. Any questions, please contact me at brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au.

Cheers

Brendan Luck

HPE Teacher

brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au

STATISTICS FROM THE LIBRARY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - AccessIT  

• 64,270 items were circulated from the library  
• $56,978.45 worth of school resources were added to AccessIT  
• 870 new items, valued at $9,180.00 were added to our student collections  

LIFE and LEARNING in the LIBRARY  

• Weekly borrowing sessions for free choice reading material  
• Regular sharing of fabulous stories as read-alouds with follow up discussion  
• Sharing picture books to make meaning from visual elements  
• Independent searching of AccessIT to locate and select titles for free choice reading   
• Student use of online resources, Clickview and Britannica to gather information. 
• Prep-Year 1 lessons to build knowledge of story and information and how we use books to get answers to our questions 
• Year 5 and 6 book reviews published in AccessIT which demonstrated book knowledge and responses as well as informing future readers   
• Engaging displays created by the library team to promote new books, special calendar events and Australian authors  
• Lunchtime activities each Tuesday
• Celebrations of Australian literature and libraries during:  

  *Queensland Schools Library Week -School Libraries Devoted to You 

  *National Simultaneous Story-time - The Speedy Sloth 

  *Step into Stories - Successful Australian book creators Gus Gordon and Sami Bayley visited and shared their passion and skill with Year 3 - 6 

  *Book Week, we looked closely at the short-listed books and the theme              “Read Grow Inspire” and enjoyed a performance “Way Too Cool” 

LIBRARY MANAGEMENT/IMPROVEMENTS  

• Managed the move to a temporary space so that we could continue our service 
• Student collection was refreshed and reorganised during the stock-take of the Fiction collection 

We have much to celebrate and to be grateful for across this year of life and learning in the library.   

HOLIDAY READING AND VIEWING 

Students can access the following school subscriptions for stories and information over the break. Access is via the online resource dashboard in AccessIT https://au.accessit.online/STM33/#!dashboard  

• E-Platform - E-books and audio books can be borrowed from the Diocese of Toowoomba Resource Centre Wheelers platform using student’s school login details   
• Story Box Library – Great Australian stories read aloud while the text displays on the screen  

https://storyboxlibrary.com.au  

Log in with;  

Username –ssps 

Password - stories  

•  Storyline Online  

https://www.storylineonline.net/  

Professional actors read the books, includes close-ups of the book pages and displayed text  

• Kidlit TV 

https://kidlit.tv  

A tv show about story makers that includes “Read Out Loud” story time and children’s literature podcasts for kids  

Read great information and get answers to those curious questions at:   

Britannica School - https://school.eb.com.au/  

Login with – stsaviour, sspsqld 

ClickView - https://online.clickview.com.au/  

Login with – school email (sspusername@twb.catholic.edu.au)  

ABC Education - https://www.abc.net.au/education#!/home 

 FAMILY BOOK CLUB

THE WINNER OF THE READING HOUSE TROPHY FOR 2023 IS...

Xavier with 143 points!

followed by Goretti on 132 points, McAuley on 123 and Coolock on 120

OVERDUE LOANS 

Students with overdue loans have been given a list. Please ensure these items are kept in a safe place for return Week 1 2024, thank you. 

IS THIS BOOK YOURS?

This lovely picture book was left in the returns trolley by mistake. Please advise library staff if it belongs to your family.

A BIG END OF YEAR THANK YOU TO... 

• Merryl Nunn, Tarsha Scotts and Donna Enders for endless book covering and Book Club coordination 
• All the wonderful SSPS staff who value our service and contribute to the equitable functioning and ongoing improvement of the library 

 Christmas blessings from the library staff!  

Enjoy this special time of the year and happy holiday to everyone! 

Office Hours - Christmas Holidays

The Office will be open the following times over the holidays.

OPENING TIMES

Monday 4th December - Friday 15th December  

9.00am - 12.00pm

CLOSED

December 18th - January 9, 2024

OPEN Wednesday January 10 - January 12 2024 (9.00 am - 12.00 pm)

OPEN Monday 15th January from (8.00 am - 4.00 pm)

Term 1 2024:

The first day of Term 1, 2024 is Tuesday 23 January. 

Monday is a PUPIL FREE DAY.

Student Devices Year 4 2024:

Invoices for 2024 Devices will be emailed home over the next week to families who are purchasing devices.  Please keep an eye out for this invoice.  Payment will need to be made in full by Wednesday 17th January, 2024.

BOOK DROP 2024

FRIDAY 19 JANUARY 2024

8AM - 9AM

Weekly Awards - Week 8