Term 1 2019 Week 9 Newsletter

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

School Renewal and Improvement Process

In our last newsletter, I spoke about the School Renewal and Improvement process that was occurring. The School Renewal is a quadrennial review and improvement process that all school in the Toowoomba Catholic Schools system will complete over time.  The Review is designed to draw out what the school is doing well and where improvement can occur in the areas of Teaching & Learning, Mission & Identity, Continual Renewal, Strategic Resourcing and Stewardship.

We welcomed to our community the four panel members: Mr Jim Midgley (Director of Teaching and Learning), Mr Paul Murphy (TCSO Senior Education Leader), Mr Norm Hunter (Independent consultant) and Mrs Mel Hobson (Principal St Joseph’s School, Chinchilla).  All four panel members were impressed by the collegiality and hospitality of all members of our school.

I take this opportunity to thank the many parents, staff and Year 6 students for their involvement in the interviewing process over the past week.  The panel were most impressed by how well the Year 6 students were able to speak about the teaching and learning that takes place here at St Saviour’s Primary School.  Our review was a particularly affirming process in the above areas around the processes and practices that the school is currently doing well and feedback from the parent, staff and student interviews and review process helped identify recommendations that will form part of our strategic plan for the next four years. 

Once the final report is presented, our School Strategic Plan will be developed in consultation with the School Board, P & F, Staff and Students and the findings (affirmations and recommendations) will be presented to the school community.

Thank you for your involvement in our School Renewal and Improvement process. 

Building Application

Also, over the past week, I have met with town planners, architects, structural engineers and project managers as we prepare to submit our Capital Assistance Application for a new Administration, refurbishment of five classrooms (current admin, staff room area), library extension and a third Prep class.  This building application was due on the 29^th March to the Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC).  On April 30^th, QCEC members will visit our school site as part of the application.   If successful we will begin further plans for this development over the remainder of the year.  We are anticipating an increase in enrolments and are aiming for St Saviour’s Primary School to offer three classes for each year level from Prep – Year 6 by 2021. 

We currently have three classes in Years 2, 3, 4 and the aim is for these to continue forward.  At present we are also looking at the possibility of having three Prep classes in 2020.   Our 2020 Prep interviews are scheduled for the second week of Term 2 (April 29^th – May 3^rd) and this will be our first round of interviews.  The two classes at present are filling fast which puts us in a good place to possibly offer three Preps in 2020.

Parking around our School

As we know students are not as diligent in being mindful around traffic.  We will continue to give safety reminders to the children and ask that parents adhere to the traffic rules.

It has been reported to the school office that parents are parking in the bus zones in Perth St for drop off and pick up at both morning and afternoon times.  Please note that the traffic rules need to be adhered to for public safety. 

Likewise, with the Perth St driveway into the Prep car park.  Parents are not to stop in the driveway to let children out.  If using this area, you must park in the carpark to drop off and pick up students.

Thank you for keeping our students safe at all times.  

School Uniform

Over the next few months the Leadership Team and School Board members will be looking into the introduction of formal navy shorts/pants option for all Year 1 - 6 students.  The shorts/pants would be worn with the green formal shirt. These formal school uniform items will be optional for all students.  We anticipate that they would be introduced late this year or early next year depending on the clothing supplier.

PARENT TEACHER DISCUSSIONS

It is our hope that you have enjoyed several opportunities to discuss your child’s/children’s learning and development with the class teachers.  At St Saviour's Primary we pride ourselves on an open and welcoming approach regarding families having opportunities to discuss with the class teachers their child’s progress. As I communicated during the Parent Information night in Week 2 this Term, class teachers would like the opportunity to discuss on a more formal basis, the progress of your child, focusing on their achievements for Term 1.  To provide this opportunity, we have set aside time next week commencing Monday 1^st April for parents/guardians to meet with the class teachers. 

Teaching and Learning

St Saviour’s Primary School is engaged in focusing on improving student progress in literacy and numeracy across all areas of the curriculum. We have collected baseline data on all students in relation to aspects of literacy and numeracy development. We use this data to inform instructional planning in the classroom and to reassess against later in the year to measure progress.  As a school, we are committed to continue to build teacher capacity to have a consistent and planned approach to improving literacy and numeracy standards for all students. We are investing in professional development so that teachers have a shared understanding of expected and effective practices in modelled, shared, guided, and independent reading and writing. We are building on the excellent practices already occurring at St Saviour’s Primary School and challenging ourselves to always learn and improve further in our instruction, in our collection and use of data and in our capacity to provide quality intervention within the classroom context in the first instance. This is exciting and challenging work for us all.

As we move to the close of Term 1, thank you for your support of our work in educating your children. We do not do this in isolation of one another. During Week 5, 7 and  9 of this Term the leadership team have lead the staff through a process to reflect on our student’s learnings, to note and celebrate the things that we are proud of, to acknowledge and thank others who may have supported their work during the term, and to affirm and celebrate the very special role teachers have as educators. As a professional group of educators, our work is a vocation. We are inspired to transform the lives of students with whom we relate and engage.  I shared the following with the staff:

If ever you become discouraged and doubt that you are positively influencing others, then know that part of you will be flying with every pilot, building with every architect, diagnosing with every doctor, creating with every artist, fashioning with every craftsman, and teaching with every teacher. More than that, part of you will be woven into the fabric of every sound marriage and every good home. You are making your way into the hearts and minds of the children and youth you teach and lead. You are leaving a very valuable legacy for future generations (Cardinal Williams, New Zealand, 2000).

I sincerely acknowledge the efforts and commitment of all our staff and reaffirm in this public forum that it is a privilege to work with them and know that they are making a difference to the lives of children at St Saviour’s Primary School.

We have journeyed through the term and sharpened our focus to notice, be present and mindful of the wonderful blessings in our lives. I hope that the children are remembering to say thank you and to be grateful for the many good things that happen each day both here and at home.

I wish all a safe, peaceful and holy Easter holiday and look forward to your return after the break on Tuesday 23rd April.

Thanks for reading.

Madonna Sleba 

NCCD_Information_Sheet_for_Parents.pdf

Dear Parents/ Carers,

With Term One drawing to a close, our Lenten journey is well underway and our thoughts turn towards Easter. With Easter over two weeks away, at the end of the upcoming holidays we have decided to share the Easter message a little differently this year. All classes have been involved in some way in the production of short videoclips which depict Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and Good Friday. These videoclips will be uploaded to the SSPS Facebook page and also on SZapp for viewing on the actual day. So, over the holidays,

-on Palm Sunday weekend (April 13/14), the videoclip depicting Jesus being welcomed into Jerusalem will be available for viewing. (Preps and Year 6) 

-on Holy Thursday (April 18) SSPS families will be able to watch Jesus washing the disciples' feet (Yr 2 and some Yr 6) the Last Supper (Yr 5), Praying in the Garden and Jesus being arrested (small group Yr 6).

- on Good Friday (April 19) the way of the Cross and Jesus dying on the Cross will be remembered. (Yr 1 and group of Yr 6)

Year 3 and 4 will seen in a photo as they provided the backing vocals to the videoclips.

The Resurrection will be celebrated at our whole school Mass on Tuesday, 9:30am at which we will revisist (show) the stories again to the students on the newly installed AV screens in the cathedral. Everyone is of course invited to join us for this "Easter Mass".

HARMONY DAY is celebrated around Australia on 21 March each year.

It is a day for all Australians to celebrate our cultural diversity.

Harmony Day aims to engage the Australian community, particularly young people, in celebrating the cohesive and inclusive nature of Australia.

Harmony Day provides an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the benefits and potential that cultural diversity brings.

At SSPS, we held a Free Dress Day on Monday and invited students to wear cultural dress that depicted their family heritage. When we actually investigated and made a list of the countries/ cultures with which the students or their parents identified we were amazed at the number (approx 30) and the diversity. Some if these were: Indigenous Australian, Canada, Egypt, Korea, Japan, Fiji, Samoa, Sierra Leone, India, France, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, The Congo, USA, Papua New Guinea.

NAPLAN 2019

In Week 4, Term 2 the year 3 and 5 students will be completing NAPLAN online.  A more detailed letter has been sent home via Schoolzine, however please see the exact dates and times below.  If your child is going to be away from school on these dates, please let the classroom teacher know ASAP.

Academic Achievement Awards

At assembly next Thursday, one student from each class will be acknowledged for their commitment and effort to learning in Term 1.  These students have been identified by their class teachers.

All children are encouraged to strive for goodness and success in their learning and everyday activites both within the classroom and the playground.

Class teachers will contact parents of those children receiving the award, prior to the day.  I hope to see everyone at our final whole school assembly for Term 1 on Thursday April 4 at 8.30am in the Mercy Centre.

CROSS COUNTRY

Congratulations to the following students who placed first, second or third in their races this morning:

5 years old boys: 1. Darcy Phillips  2. Lukah Smoothy  3. Kai Bailey

5 year old girls: 1. Madeline Franklin 2. Lillyarna Ruthenberg Clibborn 3. Isabelle Steemson

6 year old boys: 1. Samuel Abot 2. Hugo Seaby 3. Max Allan

6 year old girls: 1. Deborah Thomas 2. Ayak Geu 3. Lola Wood

7 year old boys: 1. Joseph Black 2. Reito Mori-Bumatay 3. Riley Betros

7 year old girls: 1.Rose Stead 2. Aya Doherty 3. Claire Ward

8 year old boys: 1. Taylor Wann 2. Casey Weeden 3. Jasper Eagleson

8 year old girls: Ariana Jeffrey 2. Sianna Thomas 3. Rhiannon Stephenson

9 year old boys: Hunter Tate-Roche 2. Sean Darvell 3. Joe Phillips

9 year old girls: 1. Erin Ward 2. Addison Guy 3. Bridgette Cowley

10 year old boys: 1. Lachlan Ottobrino 2. Ben Hawkless 3. Dominic Seaby

10 year old girls: 1. Grace Oughtred 2. Kara Cumming 3. Olaya Santonja

11 year old boys: 1. Cameron Dennis 2. Flynn Goodall 3. Conor Ward

11 year old girls: 1. Milly-Rose Allan 2. Lainey Currie 3. Rheanna Hart

12 year old boys: 1. Joel Campbell 2. Hugh McCabe 3. Logan Sanders

12 year old girls: 1. Olivia Cowley 2. Paris Orr 3. Pascal Harboe-Green

OVERALL HOUSE POINTS:

XAVIER: 153  GORETTI: 119  McAULEY: 110  COOLOCK: 109

Congratulations to all students who participated this morning and thanks to all parents and friends who were here to support the students.

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

The 2019 school athletics carnival will take place over two days on Thursday 9 May and Friday 10 May.

Thursday 9 May is for children who are turning 9-12 in 2019 only and will be the 200m heats and 800m finals.  In the afternoon of this day, the years 4-6 students will also participate in ball games at school.

Friday 10 May is for all SSPS students from Prep - Year 6 and will involve all other athletics events for the older students and running and rotation events for the younger students.  A timetable and further information will be sent home early next term.

To help prepare the 9-12 year old students for the athletics carnival, Mr Luck has been teaching the students the different field events in PE lessons.  The finalists for the field events (who will compete on May 10) will be chosen on the final day of school this term (4 April), when we will have athletics rotations.  Every child will get the opportunity to make the final on this day.  Please let your child's classroom teacher know if they are going to be away on this day.

We have many super readers using our library to increase their powers!

Year 2, 3 and 4 students have loved sharing their knowledge of books via the Book Buzz questions and book chats.

Year 5 and 6 super readers have been invited to take part in the Regional Readers’ Cup and a parent/child book club in Term 2.

• Students wishing to take up the Readers’ Cup challenge will be issued with books for holiday reading next Wednesday.
• Families wishing to read “Artemis Fowl” by Eoin Colfer https://www.eoincolfer.com/artemis-fowl can buy or borrow their copy and start reading together over the term break ready for our first discussion on Tuesday 21^st May at 4pm in the library. We will aim to wrap up the book with another book chat on Tuesday 11^th June.  

Lunch-time Library

Students love creating with paper during lunch-time activities

Year 6 students do a great job helping out in the library

 Super searcher!

Great thinkers!

 Happy holiday reading everyone!

Anne Anderson

Teacher Librarian

We prepared 20 small Easter treat bags for clients of SVDP and Julie Inskip collected them on Monday.

Parenting can be hard work; it’s okay to ask for help and free help is available. "Triple P" (Positive Parenting Program) online is currently FREE for parents and caregivers across Queensland. Triple P is a helpful, practical approach to raising children that focuses on the positive. Triple P uses strong, nurturing relationships, good communication and positive attention to help children develop. The program uses easy-to-follow suggestions and strategies for small changes that make big differences. The program will give you practical skills and tools, and help build the confidence you need, to:

• Manage your children’s behaviour
• Set family routines and rules that everyone follows
• Develop positive relationships, so you can get along well with your kids and argue less
• Raise happy, healthy and confident children
• Balance work and family without stress
• Create a happy, safe environment where your family can thrive.

To access this invaluable and highly recommended resource visit: https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au

Anne Woodcroft-Brown

Year 3 has had an amazing start to 2019. The children have been keen to learn new things and have been busily writing persuasively, adding and subtracting to 3-digits with and without regrouping, investigating Australia’s early history as well as researching St Patrick and St Mary of the Cross. Students have also been working collaboratively with their peers to plan, design and construct all kinds of things including bridges and spaceships. Some of the children have also had the privilege of working with STEM PUNKS and flew drones. We are looking forward to finishing the term with our school cross country, excursion and prayer gathering.

BRIDGES

SPACESHIPS

STEM PUNKS

STEM Club

Unplugged activities, Lego Mindstorms, Edisons, Spheros, Coding, Creating, Littlebits

Our Term 2 STEM Club for Years 4, 5 and 6 students will run each Tuesday morning from 8am - 8.30am starting in Week 3 and finishing in Week 8 (6 sessions).

Just a reminder that students wishing to join STEM CLUB for Term 2 need to apply, via the Care Monkey form that was emailed home recently

STEM Committee