Term 4, Week 6, 2024

Dear Parents,

Very hard to believe that we have four weeks of school left for the 2024 school year.  At this point in time I would like to make you aware of some of the important events coming up and acknowledge those who are doing a lot of work behind the scenes so that your children can Strive in Faith, Learning and Life..

The beginning of this week saw the Year 6 students celebrate the launch of their book, 'Maverick', which was co-authored with celebrated author Emma Mactaggart.  This was a great learning opportunity for the students, with a very positive message regarding sun safety as the theme.  This week of celebration is currently being completed with Year 6 Camp at Currimundi on the Sunshine Coast.

On Wednesday next week, some of our current Year 5 students will have the opportunity to further their leadership aspirations when they give their speech on why they should be a school or vice captain at St Saviour's Primary in 2025 with voting to commence shortly after.  That same afternoon, we look forward to welcoming our 2025 prep parents for their final information session with the prep teachers.  Thanks to our Prep and Year 5 teachers for organising these two crucial events.

Of course, our annual Christmas Concert is sheduled for Thursday 28th November.  Mrs Kelly, with the assistance of Mrs Thomas, have been working on this one for a number of weeks and is sure to be a truly special occasion.  The night will be split into two, with a disco also happening on the oval for the children.  Feel free to bring along picnic blankets and chairs and enjoy the new facilities on the oval.  Thanks to the Parent Engagement Network for organising this fantastic community event.

It is hoped that teachers and staffing will be announced for 2025 in the week 8 newsletter.  Children will then find out their teacher on Tuesday 3 December.

The final week of term will see report cards going home on the Tuesday and transition morning on the Wednesday 4 December for all students (including our new prep students).  This then leads into our final awards ceremony on Thursday and Graduation for the Year 6 students on Friday.  

So much to look forward to over the next four weeks at St Saviour's Primary and as always I look forward to seeing as many parents as possible as these events unfold.  Please remember, you are always welcome at your child's school.

Instrumental Music

Please take the time to read the article on a potential instrumental music program that will be introduced in 2025.  We are at the expression of interest stage at the moment to see if the program would be viable.  

Haircuts

A quick mention with relation to appropriate hair cuts.  All students are to have hair at an appropriate length and are to be in a manner that do not attract attention to themselves.  Therefore, long hair does need to be tied in the school colours (red,navy,greeen) and hair should be neat and tidy at all times.  'Mullet' type haircuts are not acceptable and I do thank those parents who have modified these haircuts in the last few weeks.

Sam Hannant

….experiencing FAITH in the Mercy Tradition

Dear families

Next Monday 11^th November is Remembrance Day, a day where we acknowledge those who died or suffered while serving in wars, conflicts and peace operations. Thank you to Mrs Conway and the students of Yr 5C for leading our whole school Liturgy.

The 11th November each year is also our foundress’ feast day, Venerable Catherine McAuley. Her story is as follows:

Catherine Elizabeth McAuley was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1778. From the time she was a young child, Catherine saw her parents living their Catholic faith through service to the poor. After her parents died, Catherine lived with Protestant relatives who wanted her to become a member of their church. Catherine remained true to the Catholic faith.

When Catherine was 25, she was invited to be a live-in companion to a wealthy retired couple. Her faith and loving care for them and the needy people in the neighbourhood was a powerful example for them, and they both became Catholic before they died. They left their fortune to Catherine.

This inheritance gave Catherine the money she needed to establish a house to serve people in need. Catherine purchased property and a large house was built. It was called the “House of Mercy” and opened in 1827. It included a church, school, a work area for training the residents for jobs, and dormitories for the poor and any women who wished to join Catherine in her ministry.

Catherine did not wish to form a religious order. Nuns in Ireland in those days spent most of their time cloistered away from the people Catherine was determined to serve. Catherine knew that to be a real help to the poor and needy, she needed to be among them so that she could see the realities of the struggles they faced on a daily basis.

The Archbishop of Dublin convinced Catherine that becoming a religious order would help her to serve more people. Catherine agreed, and she and two friends began training to become nuns. When they took their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, they were allowed to include a vow of service to the poor, sick, and uneducated. Catherine’s order, the Religious Sisters of Mercy, was born in 1831. The nuns wore plain clothing and were known in Ireland as the “walking nuns” because they spent so much time in the community helping people.

Catherine died in 1841. Today there are more than 12,000 Sisters of Mercy worldwide. They run 200 health care facilities, 19 colleges, and 58 schools and provide many other services that help people of every age.

Pope John Paul II declared Sister Catherine McAuley “Venerable” in 1990. This is the first step on the path to sainthood. Catherine always said that “proof of love is deed.” Like Catherine McAuley, we can let our kind and caring deeds be the proof of our love for Jesus and others.

Thank you for supporting our awareness and fundraiser project for “Day for Daniel” - $497.25 was raised which will go towards continued development of free resources and programs for parents, carers and educators to teach children how to stay safe.

Huge shout out and thank you to our Yr 5 students for using their initiative and taking action to raise $113.50 for Catholic Missions through their Pyjama day! Well done and thank you! That money will go towards supporting the local church and community in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in particular, and the training and formation of priests, religious, catechists, care for vulnerable children and promoting and forming people for mission.

The new play space on our oval is being enjoyed by our students, with part of the design including a Yarning circle. We’d love to hear your ideas and thinking around how we can design this space in consultation with local artist Kim Walmsley.  You are invited to join us at 4.30pm on Thursday 14^th November for a very casual chat. We’ll meet at our yarning circle to collaborate on ideas and how we can best have this space reflect who we are as a community. Thank you for giving this your time and consideration.

Enrolments are now open for students from Years 4 and older (in 2025) in the St Patrick’s Cathedral 2025 Sacramental Program. Children who have already been Baptised complete their initiation into the Church through the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Communion. This is a partnership in which families and the Parish community work together as your child is nurtured in the practice and love of the Catholic faith. An information session will be held early next year, where you’ll be given a preparation workbook which is to be completed at home. The Enrolment forms, dates and details will be sent home with students in Year 3. If you’ve any questions or queries, please contact the Parish office on 46 371 500

Date claimers:

Week 7 Thursday 14^th November – Have a chat at the yarning circle 4.30pm

Week 8 Friday 22^nd November – Yr 6 Service Learning group Christmas visit to Brodribb

Week 9 Thursday 28^th November – Anointing Mass (Year 4 students to attend)

Week 10 Thursday 5^th December – End of Term Awards Assembly 8.45am Mercy Centre

Have a great week and thanks for reading,

Ann-Maree Ward (Assistant Principal – Mission & Identity)

Dear Families

As I move about the school it is exciting to see classes working hard to finish learning and undertake assessments.  At St Saviour’s our learning dispositions lay the platform for students to be active and engaged learners, who take responsibility for their progress.  I was in a classroom this week where students were completing a writing task and were using very clear scaffolds to self-reflect on their effort, as well as utilising prompts to improve their work.  I’ve also spent time in music lessons as students diligently practice drumming patterns and ukelele chords, continuing to ‘give it a go’ as they fail and start again.  This evidence of ‘striving’ in learning can be found across the whole school and as the term moves closer towards the end of the year, I encourage all students to finish strong!

Last week I was privileged to be able to attend training that aligns with our goal of improving student wellbeing.  The model is called Collaborative Proactive Solutions and is a way of reframing how we perceive concerning behaviours and a framework to assist in problem solving.  As the name suggests, the goal of the framework is to bring all key people to the table to collaboratively develop solutions to difficulties that students are facing in the school environment.  Key to the approach is the importance of hearing student voice in these solutions, as opposed to strictly ‘adult imposed’ solutions, acknowledging the impact this can have on likely success. One key underlying belief of the model is that ‘kids do well if they can.’  This mantra certainly helps to shift to a more compassionate lens when viewing concerning behaviour and triggers a response to problem solve. We look forward to aligning components of this approach into our practices at SSPS.

I hope you can stay cool over the weekend!

Mrs Katie Hauser

Dear Parents,

Last week I had the opportunity to attend The Middle Leader Day with other Middle Leader’s from the Toowoomba Diocese.  This was a wonderful opportunity to share our learning journey for 2024 with other schools and reflect on our school’s curriculum journey - what a journey it has been!  Our big 3 undertakings in 2024, involved upskilling teachers and planning for Version 9 Maths, English & HASS, implementing the new Diocesan approach to reading and Decodable Reader’s Australia for our early years.  What have we learnt in 2024?  Our teachers are amazing and dedicated in supporting our students and we have seen amazing growth in our student’s learning journeys.  Through this reflection, we now begin to prepare for 2025 and can’t wait to see some exciting changes implemented in the 3-6 space.

STEM:

STEM is a point of difference for our School where students not only engage in STEM in their classrooms but also have the opportunity to join our Junior and Senior STEM Clubs.  Over the school holidays, your child can continue the love of STEM, through the Integrated STEM opportunities provided in Toowoomba.  The first opportunity is at Fairholme College  from the 16^th – 20^th Dec.  You can register for as many days as you like.  Please see the flyer attached.  If you register, please include St Saviour’s when choosing your school. 

Family Reading Week

During Week 9 of this term, you are encouraged to read as many stories as you like throughout the week and send a photo of your and your family enjoying a story into your classroom teacher. As a school we would love to promote the joy of reading and see the spaces where you and your family love to read.

Enjoy your weekend,

Bec Thomas

Teachers have begun planning carefully for class groupings in 2025. 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 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. Additionally, although we do our best, parent requests for specific teachers cannot always be guaranteed, with some of the reasons in the dot points above.

Parents are asked to send an email directly to the Principal: Sam Hannant sam.hannant@twb.catholic.edu.au for any considerations for class placements in 2025 by MONDAY 12 November 2024.

Marg Dolijanin Medallion

The Marg Dolijanin Medallion was introduced in 2021 to acknowledge a Year Six student each year who displays exemplary sporting ability throughout their final year of schooling. Miss Doljanin is about to commence her 50th year of teaching at St Saviour’s Primary in 2025. Over these years Miss Doljanin has been instrumental in sport at St Saviour’s Primary. Amongst her achievements are the fact that Miss Doljanin was the very first PE teacher at St Saviour’s Primary. To do this she would take other classes for sport whilst her class was at music or drama. She has organised many athletics, swimming and netball carnivals at school level, Catholic Sport Level and Regional Level.  Miss Doljanin coached Darling Downs Netball teams for many years, winning the state title twice and was also a QLD selector for netball and due to this is a life member with QLD Primary Schools Netball.  Miss Doljanin still helps organise athletics carnivals and coaches athletics in the morning.  She has always been a supportive sounding board for both Mr Hannant and Mr Luck as PE teachers over the last few years. Miss Dolijanin has spent countless hours over the years helping students to become the best versions of themselves in their chosen discipline or sport. St Saviour’s Primary thanks Miss Dolijanin for all her hard work over her time at St Saviour’s Primary.

To be considered for this award students need to qualify and represent St Saviour’s Primary in the Central Zone/Toowoomba, Darling Downs and State teams. Points are then awarded to students throughout the school year with two points given for making a Central Zone/Toowoomba team, four points for making a Darling Downs team and six points for making a State team. We are very excited to announce our recipient of the Marg Dolijanin Medallion at our Week Ten assembly. If you have any questions regarding the Marg Dolijanin Medallion, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr Brendan Luck at Brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au.

Sporting Schools Soccer Sessions

Afterschool Soccer sessions started last week with around 35 students attending. These sessions are organised through Sporting Schools and funded by a grant accessible through the Queensland Government. This initiative provides students with the opportunity to try out new sports and engage with their community. Soccer is a popular sport in Australia, and it's wonderful that students have the chance to participate in these sessions. It not only promotes physical activity but also helps build teamwork and sportsmanship among the participants.

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

UPDATE ON THE COVERING OF NEW HOME READERS FOR 2025! 

THANKS TO OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS; Ange Bonsey, Donna Enders, Helen Maddison, Merryl Nunn, Penelope Pole, Emma Somerfield, Michelle Nicholls and Melinda Harkins, we are making progress with this task BUT MORE HELP IS NEEDED.  Please call in or speak to any staff member to register your interest in taking a bundle of 20 readers home to cover so we can complete this job for the start of the new school year. 

FAMILY BOOK CLUB WILL MEET ON MONDAY 18TH NOVEMBER IN WEEK 8 

I have 1 copy of “Night Ride into Danger” Night Ride into Danger by Jackie French | Goodreads available for borrowing if you would like take up the challenge of reading this story together as a family and then join us for a chat and afternoon tea on Monday 18th at 3.15pm in the library. This book will also make a great read aloud for Family Reading Week coming up in Week 9!

FAMILY READING IN WEEK 9!

NO SET HOMEWORK THIS WEEK, JUST SPEND TIME READING TOGETHER AND SHARE A PHOTO WITH YOUR CLASS TEACHER OF WHAT THAT READING LOOKS LIKE AT YOUR PLACE.

IMPORTANT END OF YEAR DATES FOR LOANS! 

LAST BORROWING WEEK FOR STUDENT LOANS IS THIS WEEK 6;  4th – 8th November 

 ALL STUDENT LOANS DUE BY END OF WEEK 7; 15th November 

ALL STUDENT LEASED DEVICES DUE BY END OF WEEK 9; 29th November 

CONTINUING STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO BORROW FOR THE HOLIDAYS IN WEEK 8; during lunchtime on Monday and Tuesday 18th and 19th November   

 PLEASE NOTE: 

OVERDUE LOANS FROM SEMESTER 2 2023 and SEMESTER 1 2024 WILL BE INVOICED SHORTLY.

LUNCH-TIME IN THE LIBRARY

We are enjoying some origami sessions thanks to our expert, Tia from Year 4 and we are starting to create some paper decorations for the Christmas season!

Students can come along to hear a story read by our Year 6 students or just enjoy a book or some colouring each Monday and Tuesday lunch-time. 

Happy Reading

Anne Anderson

Teacher Librarian

Dear Parents,

Please see below an exciting offer where students may be given the opportunity to learn an instrument beginning in 2025.  There are many benefits to music including a means of self-expression, an influence on motor, language, social, cognitive and academic abilities, and it can provide an outlet for feelings and emotions.  It is for all of the reasons above that I am seeking expressions of interest for music lessons in 2025.

As I am unaware of how many students and families would be interested in this opportunity, the EOI will give me the chance to gauge interest and then make an informed decision of where it is best placed in the school. For example, we may only offer it to certain year levels, on certain days, at certain times.  This will be decided after expressions of interest close.

Below is the information I can provide so you can make an informed decision:

Lesson Options:

• One-on-One Lessons: Available for recorder, guitar, ukulele, and piano.
• Group Lessons: Available for recorder, ukulele, and guitar (if students bring their own instrument).
• All lessons will take place during school time

Cost: 

• • Group Sessions: $15 per person for a 20-minute lesson.
  • One-on-One Lessons: $25 for a 20-minute lesson.

Showcase: 

To help parents make this decision a Musical Instrument Showcase will take place on Thurday November 14 with Miss Ruby Kelly.  The first showcase will happen from 7.45am and the second from 3.10pm.  Both will be in the music room (near Year 1 classrooms).   These sessions will involve a demonstration, hands-on experience and question time.

Expressions of Interest: 

Please complete the form at this link to indicate your EOI by Thursday November 21.

https://forms.office.com/r/FqX9LqMuJP 

Further information will be available once expressions of interest close.

Sam Hannant

Teacher: 

Meet Ruby Kelly: A Passionate Music Educator and Musician

I wanted to take a moment to share a little bit about myself and my background in music, so you can better understand the experience I bring to my music lessons.

I’ve been surrounded by music my entire life, having grown up in a family where my mum is a music teacher. I began playing music at the age of three, and since then, I’ve developed skills in a wide variety of instruments, including piano, guitar, ukulele, recorder, drums, trumpet, trombone, and even the keytar!

For the past four years, I’ve been teaching music privately and providing group lessons to students. Most recently, I’ve worked with a company in Toowoomba, delivering music classes to children in day care centres, as well as running mum-and-baby music sessions and even visiting Toowoomba Base Hospital Paediatrics Ward. This experience has given me a deep understanding of how music can positively impact people of all ages.

Currently, I am studying a Bachelor of Creative Arts and Community Wellbeing, with a major in music, at the university here in Toowoomba. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of playing in town and school bands, competing in various competitions across Queensland, and participating in music festivals like Eisteddfods and the Central Highlands Festival of Music camps. At present, I am actively performing as the lead keytarist in a pop/rock band. This role allows me to combine my love for music with live performance, and I have the opportunity to collaborate with talented musicians to create dynamic, high-energy shows. Playing in the band has also deepened my understanding of contemporary music styles and performance techniques, which I’m excited to share with my students.

Beyond my formal music qualifications, which include achieving the highest level of piano certification (AMEB Grade 8 with High Distinction), I have a diverse background in the performing arts. I’ve studied dance and drama for over 15 years, including completing two years of stage school to enhance my skills in these areas. My training in jazz, tap, ballet, modern theatre, hip hop, street performance, cabaret, contemporary, and lyrical dance has enriched my understanding of how music and movement come together. As a result, I’ve had the privilege of performing lead roles in three musicals, which has further fuelled my passion for the arts.

I truly believe in the power of music to engage and inspire students, and I’m excited to bring this passion to St. Saviour's next year. Music is a universal language, and it’s an incredible way to help students build confidence, creativity, and self-expression.