Term 3, Week 6, 2024

Dear Parents and Carers,

If you are like me and enjoy almost any sporting event that is available to watch, you might have found yourself up early over the last few weeks cheering on Australia (or others) in the multitude of events at the Paris Olympic Games. It was fantastic to see 53 medals won by Australians who all achieved to their potential or close to their potential when it mattered the most to them.

However, there were even more athletes who attended the Olympics and didn't achieve as they had hoped.  How many things have to go right to win that medal? Forget the four years of training and preparation, how many things have to go right in the week leading up to competition?  Is it more mental or physical? Cath Bishop (Olympic Silver Medalist) recently published an article looking at how athletes peak for their big day.  She communicated 5 key points:

1. Focus on the present - concentrate on the session you're in and don't worry about the one ahead of time.  Daily mindfulness activities can help to stay grounded as well as self compassion to accept that you are human and you will make mistakes.

2. Hold on to perspective - understand that your sport is important, however the sun will come up, the world will keep turning and you'll still be that human being that you have always been. Sticking to established routines can help with this.

3. Control the controllables - You can't influence what your competitors are doing.

4. Connect to others - You're not alone in this journey, so reach our for help when you need it.

5. Tell your own story - You don't need to be the next Usaine Bolt or Michael Jordan.  Rather, what would you rather be remembered for when the nerves kick in, when the pressure ramps up, when luck goes the other way or when your teammates need you to stand up?

At SSPS, we are currently prioritising wellbeing initiatives for students and staff and don't these 5 key messages fit perfectly in that space?  Several of our Mercy Values, Learner Qualities and key messages are also indirectly mentioned above.  

The article certainly raised some interesting questions for myself as an adult who works in the business of educating children and is also a parent.  Do we help our young people focus on the present and stay grounded?  How do we help them understand that mistakes are inevitable and are worthwhile if we learn from them? Do we encourage them to reach out for help when they need it? When there is assessment or other potentially pressure situation coming up, do we teach them how to manage their stress?

Who knows, potentially some future olympians walking the corridors of SSPS in 2024.  Very happy to hear your feedback. sam.hannant@twb.catholic.edu.au

Enjoy your weekend.  

Sam Hannant

….experiencing FAITH in the Mercy Tradition

Dear families

I hope this finds you all well and warm.

You are all invited to our School/Parish Mass this Sunday 18^th August 9am St Patrick’s Cathedral. The purpose of these particular Masses is to strengthen the ties between the Cathedral and our school, take part in sharing our faith during Mass and take the opportunity for parishioners and school families to meet and enjoy morning tea together afterwards. Thanks to Fr Michael for his support and organization.

I’ve got a change in job title! Earlier this term, in consultation with a number of stakeholders, it was decided that the job title of APRE (Assistant Principal Religious Education) didn’t clearly reflect the duties, responsibilities and role description so it has been changed to Assistant Principal – Mission & Identity. ‘Mission’ referring to teaching the mission that Jesus showed us and ‘Identity’ being the way we do things at SSP and bringing to life the Catholic Identity of our school.

With the bugs and ills of the winter season well and truly infiltrating a number of our families, it’s important to take the time to focus on our own wellbeing so that we can look after others, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” So, my question is, what are you doing to look after your own health and wellbeing? And how are you showing compassion to yourself?

I’ve been fortunate to take the opportunities to spend a few days at Professional development around Restorative Conversations and Mental Health. We often spend much of our time focusing on teaching children about their own well-being that we might neglect our own.

The main aim of the restorative conversations we hold with our students are about staying curious, asking questions and listening to their thinking to see how they’re feeling. A good lesson, I think for both children and adults, is that we acknowledge our own behaviour and the role we play within the interactions we have with others and if we’ve hurt another person, we do something through word or action to repair any relationships that might have been damaged as a result. In our mission to be like Jesus, this is called reconciliation, saying sorry and working hard to be the best person we can be. When the relationship is repaired or at least we’re working on repairing it, it feels good, we feel positive, and we know we’re moving in the right direction to being our best selves.

If we don’t look after our own wellbeing, those around us can be affected. The way we feel impacts our behaviour and language. There is a ripple effect. I encourage you to start a new habit to ensure that you are being your best self (our school value of Excellence) and being kind to yourself (our school value of Compassion) by doing something for yourself or someone else (our school value of Service). It can be as simple as spending time in a library reading something of interest to you, doing a 10 minute meditation (check out the Apps called Insight Timer or Headspace), visit our parish church, St Patrick’s Cathedral, for some quiet time, or go for a walk in nature (check out the Toowoomba Regional Council website for lots of free recommendations).

Tap into what you need to refill your cup. We know from scripture, that when Jesus found the ‘noise’ around him too much or he was afraid and overwhelmed, he moved himself to a quiet space under a tree away from crowds and prayed, meditated, breathed and looked after his wellbeing.

The image below is helpful. It comes from the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Staff wellbeing framework. Focusing on the whole person, and how they feel and function, promotes life-giving work practices, healthy lifestyle choices and spiritual experiences. The wellbeing of our SSPS staff and students is paramount. We all want to feel good and function well as a whole; to live a full and flourishing life in our mental, physical and spiritual health.  

This week is Bullying No Way: National Week of action.   It provides an opportunity for school communities to demonstrate their commitment to bullying prevention and reflect upon ways we can all contribute to an environment that says no way to bullying in any form! The agreed national definition of bullying for schools list three main features of bullying – a misuse of power in a relationship, ongoing and repeated actions, and behaviours that can cause harm.  It is important to differentiate between bullying and conflict.  Conflict refers to ‘one off’ incidents where harm is caused either intentionally or unintentionally, without the existence of a power difference.  These incidents are obviously still damaging and are  responded to with a restorative lens, but are not referred to as ‘bullying’ as they do not have all three elements from the definition present.  Conflicts are very common, almost expected within a busy school environment as young students are still learning and developing their ability to navigate friendships, demonstrate resilience and solve problems.  Bullying however, is different in nature as it implies that there is a consistent pattern of unkind behaviour targeted towards a particular vulnerable student. 

The theme for this year's campaign is Everyone Belongs.  Consistently it has been shown that feelings of connection and a sense of belonging are powerful protections against bullying in communities.   A sense of belonging means students can embrace fully who they are, respect other’s differences, build their resilience and empower them to have the courage to stand up for others when it is needed. As a Catholic school we always look to our ultimate role model of Jesus to show us  how to reach out to others, particularly those in need, who are isolated or have been excluded.  Our Mercy values of compassion and service, inspired by the stories of Jesus, guide us in how to respond to ALL members of our school community.  This week teachers have been reinforcing these important messages and encouraging students to explore their part in developing a community where everyone belongs.

Equally important is ensuring that students understand the importance of their personal voice, in sharing their concerns for themselves or others who may be experiencing bullying or instances of harm,  and building their confidence to share it. Encouraging students to identify who their trusted adults are ( including yourselves)  is important to do, so that should they need support or feel unsafe, they know who they will go to for help.   I often am surprised when I hear about things that occur in the playground where harm has been caused, either intentionally or unintentionally, and students have observed that it was occurring without responding in some way.  It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every student has the  skills to identify situations that are not safe or kind,  trust their instincts when things are escalating and understand how to respond in ways that are responsible and safe.  Being upstanders rather than bystanders where students take action to support others and have a positive impact on the situation is the goal.

It is important that any bullying concerns are addressed as soon as possible to prevent prolonged impacts.  Please reach out to your child’s teacher, or anyone in leadership if you have concerns.  Below are some links to resources that you may find helpful

Another area of concern that many students and families deal with is Anxiety in young people.  Next Thursday the 22^nd of August from 2-3pm our School Counsellor, Anne Woodcroft-Brown will be presenting a Triple P seminar for parents titled ‘Helping Children Manage Anxiety’. I am aware of many students who need support and adjustments at school to assist in managing their anxiety.  I also know that many students may suffer with this without our knowledge, and parents are trying to find the best way to support them at home.  Please come along if you can. If you are unable to attend in person, you can register your email to receive a virtual link to the session:

Katie Hauser

APA

Central Zone Athletics Carnival 

On Wednesday, 7th of August, St Saviour’s students represented their school at the Central Zone Athletics Carnival. They ran, jumped, and threw with two to three students in each event. St Saviour’s did extremely well with many students placing in the top three for their events. All students are to be commended on the way they represented their school and the sportsmanship they showed on the day. Emily Carrigan broke the record for 11 Year Discus, throwing 34.48m and smashing the old record by 4m. The following students made the Central Zone Team and will compete at the Darling Downs Carnival later in the term. 

• Samuel Abot (100m, 200m, Long Jump) 

• Adelaide Adams (100m, 200m, Long Jump, High Jump) 

• Akeer Adol (200m, 800m) 

• Joseph Black (100m, 200m, Tetrathlon) 

• Emily Carrigan (Shot Put, Discus) 

• Kenn Corpuz (80m, 200m, 800m, Long Jump) 

• Aya Doherty (200m) 

• Raphy Duce (100m) 

• Georgie Hedge (1500m, 800m, Tetrathlon) 

• Jaxon Jessep (100m) 

• Ruby Land (100m, 200m) 

• Liam McHugh (Discus) 

• Darcy Phillips (Discus) 

• Olive Pole (80m) 

• Deborah Thomas (100m, 200m) 

• Jagger Witt (High Jump) 

Congratulations to everyone on a fantastic carnival.

 Friday sport 

Friday Sport kicked off again this Term with students in Year Five and Year Six participating in either Rugby League, Soccer or Netball. The feedback from the students is that they had an awesome time playing against other schools and really enjoyed playing in teams with their peers. I look forward to hearing about their games as the term progresses. 

Toowoomba Primary School Cup Futsal Carnival 

On Monday, 12th August, 9 students from Year Five and Six participated in the Toowoomba Primary School Cup Futsal Carnival held at USQ, Toowoomba. The team, a mix of 7 boys and 2 girls, engaged in exciting matches of Futsal against schools from the region. As the games progressed, the team demonstrated exceptional teamwork, resulting in highly competitive matches. They managed to secure victories in four games, securing a position in the grand final. Despite their remarkable performance, the team came runner up in the grand final. Nevertheless, I couldn't have been prouder of the players for their sportsmanship, game play, and how they represented the school on that day. Members of the team were William Prust, Oliver O'Toole, Chase Hartwig, Darcy Phillips, Ruby Boxsell, Mia Aylward, Parker Bohm and Jaxon Jessep. 

School Sport 

Congratulations to Mia Aylward who travelled to Townsville last week to represent the Darling Downs in soccer. Mia had an awesome experience playing some quality football. Great work Mia. 

Zone and Darling Downs Trials 

All Zone and Darling Downs trials will be placed on the Parent Portal. Please check the 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 the Parent Portal. Any questions, please contact me at brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au. 

Upcoming Events (Term Three) 

• Aussie Hoops (Wednesday 17th July – 28th August, 12:45-1:30) 

• AFL AusKick (Thursday 25th July – 29th August, 3:15-4:15) 

• Friday Sport (Friday 2nd August – 23rd August, 11 – 1:45) 

• DD Athletics Carnival – (20th August 2024, 8 – 2:15) 

• Touch Football Gala Day (Year 4) (Tuesday 10th September 2024) 

Cheers 

Brendan Luck 

HPE Teacher 

brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au 

Book Week, where we celebrate that “Reading is Magic”, is almost here! 

• Our dress-up parade takes place on Tuesday morning from 8.40am in the Mercy Centre.  
• Lunchtime activities will include some themed activities drawn from the short-listed titles and some magic tricks performed by students. 
• All are welcome to walk through the library to look at the displays that highlight how reading can add some magic to our learning and to our lives. 

 Magical Fantastical Writing and Colouring Competitions 

Well done to the following students who placed in these competitions: 

Xavier Adams, Maddison Skerman, Randuli Wijayaratne, Abby Bennett, McKenzie Wade, Emmeline Simpson, Lettie Stephenson, Kaleb Torres and Alexis Allen. 

Thank you to the other 14 entrants in the colouring competition, your work will appear on the AccessIT homepage shortly at St Saviours Primary School Toowoomba (accessit.online) 

 Prep-Year 2 Library Lessons

We have been viewing and thinking about the CBCA Early Childhood short-list stories. During Book Week, students will choose their favourite book and give a reason for their choice. This week, we worked with Bob Graham's latest book, The Concrete Garden and students illustrated their ideas for a paper garden.

  Hope to see you next Tuesday for some fun and magic around books for our Book Week celebration! 

 Anne Anderson

Teacher Librarian

Dear Parents,

I write to you regarding traffic and parking around the primary school. Please see the key points below. Thank you for your understanding as we best try to navigate a positive solution for all schools, businesses and traffic in the vicinity of SSPS.

STOP/DROP/GO

With relation to the afternoon pickup, I am receiving several complaints from members of the community regarding cars ‘parking’ on Lawrence Street from 2pm onwards on school days. This is extremely dangerous as it prevents traffic from entering the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office and the Cathedral carparks and also blocks traffic on Neil Street. Often, traffic is having to cross onto the wrong side of the road to get past.

Therefore, after careful consideration and consultation, the stop/drop/go will only open from 3pm beginning on Monday 19 August. Parents, grandparents and friends are still strongly encouraged to use the facility, however are asked to only arrive at school from 3pm onwards. Prior to 3pm, families are asked not to ‘park’ and wait on Lawrence Street, rather park in the angled parking and walk in to collect your child/ren.  Again, the main reason being that it is unfair and unsafe for traffic waiting for the stop/drop/go to be blocking Lawrence Street so early in the afternoon.

PREP CARPARK

A reminder that the prep carpark is only for parents who have children in prep this year. Additionally, please do not ‘double park’ or park behind other cars as it does slow the traffic in that area.

Prep families are very welcome to use the stop/drop/go on Lawrence Street in the afternoon as the school officers regularly walk children out the front of the school to wait to be collected.

 Thank you again for your understanding with both matters above as we work toward a sustainable solution.

Sam Hannant

Dear Parents, 

We are excited to recognize the Bullying No Way: National Week of Action from August 12th to 18th, with our main event being the Backflips Against Bullying Program on August 23rd. This engaging show uses parkour and acrobatics to teach students about the impact of bullying and the importance of standing up against it. 

The Backflips Against Bullying show is not only entertaining but also educational. It aims to empower students with the confidence and skills to create a positive and inclusive school culture. By combining physical activity with important life lessons, this program ensures that the anti-bullying message resonates with students in a memorable and impactful way. 

We encourage all parents to discuss the themes of the program with their children and reinforce the importance of kindness, respect, and inclusion. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that our school is a place where every student feels safe and valued. 

Thank you for your continued support in fostering a positive school environment. We look forward to an inspiring performance on August 23rd. 

Anne Woodcroft-Brown 
School Guidance Counsellor  

DATE CLAIMER - FATHERS DAY FUN NIGHT

Scheduled for Thursday August 29th from 5.30pm to 7pm. Please put this event in your diaries and keep an eye on the next Newsletter for more details!

BOOK WEEK PARADE - READING IS MAGIC