Term 3, Week 10, 2025

Dear parents and carers,

As Term 3 draws to a close, we reflect on the many wonderful events and achievements that have brought our school community together over the past ten weeks.

From the cheers at our Athletics Carnivals to the thoughtful conversations during Parent Teacher Interviews, it’s been a term full of connection, celebration, and growth.  During Catholic Education Week, we celebrated our shared faith and commitment to learning, culminating in Grandparents Day that was a heartwarming occasion, with our students proudly sharing their learning and classrooms with loved ones.

Our students have shone in a variety of extracurricular activities, including Rugby League and Touch Football Carnivals, Chess Tournaments, and engaging Author Visits during Book Week. These experiences have enriched our students’ learning and fostered teamwork, creativity, and resilience.

We also welcomed future SSPS students during our 2026 Prep Orientation, and today celebrated the beauty of creation and community during Floral Friday—a colourful and joyful celebration of Spring and the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.

Looking ahead to Term 4, we’re excited to host the Blessing and Opening of our New Facilities, a milestone that reflects our commitment to providing inspiring learning environments. The much-anticipated SSPS Spring Fair will bring fun, food, and festivity to our grounds, and we know our community will come together to make it a memorable event.

Our Year 5 students will embark on their camp adventure, building independence and friendships, whilst we will begin the transition journey for all of our students into their new classrooms for 2026.

Thank you to our staff, students, and families for your continued support and enthusiasm. We wish everyone a safe and restful break and look forward to a vibrant Term 4.

Warm regards,
Sam Hannant
Principal

….experiencing FAITH in the Mercy Tradition

Dear Families,

I hope this finds you well albeit a little battle weary from another busy term. I think we’re all ready for a change of pace and some time to slow down. And isn’t this time in Toowoomba, a great time to literally smell the flowers. The scent of our gardens and parks is truly special this time of year…and it’s free! I highly recommend you come and visit St Patrick’s Cathedral beginning 19^th – 21^st September – enjoy the beautiful displays in particular the work of our SSP students. HUGE thank you to Mrs Cooper, Mrs Haddin & Mrs O’Brien for all the planning, preparation and presentation of our wonderful display. Our community spirit is well and truly alive. I hope you get the chance to slow down, connect with friends and family and experience the beauty of God’s nature in and around our city and region.

Congratulations to the following students who were recognized at our end of term assembly.

TERM 3 MERCY VALUE AWARDS & ENCOURAGEMENT AWARDS 2025

Whole school/community Service activities

Red Cross Life blood donations:

A special message from the Red Cross Life Blood Team: JOIN OUR SCHOOLS BLOOD DRIVE! Half way through Term 3 and the school holidays aren’t far away. Toowoomba schools have achieve the following so far: 544 donations which have impacted on 1,632 lives with 8 first-time donors 

Our goal is to achieve 1,750 donations and 75 first-time donors, and we’re on track to get there, but we’ll need your support to hit the target.  Can we count you in?

What are you doing these school holidays? Staying local?  Taking a much-needed break?  Lifeblood has 78 donor centres located across Australia, so book your seat to save lives and make a life-changing difference to someone in need.  Encourage family and friends to join your Lifeblood Team and watch your school’s life-giving donation tally grow!

It takes 3 simple steps to get involved.

1. Check you’re Eligible to Donate
2. Visit our websiteor download our free Donate Blood App to enrol, create your Donor Account and join your Lifeblood Team;
3. Book your blood or plasma donation at yournearest Donor Centre.

Thank you in advance for your support so please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to be part of our Group Booking in the future.

Thank you in advance for considering this opportunity.

TERM 4 DATE CLAIMERS

Week 1 – School resumes Tuesday 7^th October

Week 3 – Blessing & Opening of our new learning spaces Thursday 23rd October & Spring Fair Saturday 25^th October

Week 4 – World Teacher’s Day Friday 31^st October

Have a great break over the holidays, slow down and I hope you find a chance to do something that fills your cup and show yourself some self care.   

Thanks for reading,

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

Dear Parents

As we come to the end of another vibrant term, it’s a wonderful time to reflect on what makes a term truly successful. The most obvious criteria would be to measure students’ academic gains. Without doubt the growth in student learning is one of our fundamental purposes at SSPS and students and teachers alike have worked hard this term to ensure that all students are making progress towards curriculum achievement standards, as well as personal goals.  However, school is so much more than just growing academically. 

When I reflected with a few students about their highlights of the term they mentioned a number of things that broadens the idea of what a successful term might look like.

Sophia Year 2

Finding out about the spring fair was exciting!  I enjoyed dressing up for Book Week and also for Carnival of Flowers this week.  I learned about division and got it all right in my assessment.  I was happy for my friend to receive an award.

Fletcher Year 2

I’ve stayed healthy this term which is good.  We have done lots of art in class and learned division.  I’ve played heaps of footy and soccer with my friends at playtime.

 Masiey Year 2

We have played games in class like silent ball, wink down and heads down, thumbs up.  I’ve enjoyed handwriting lessons and writing narratives.

Candace Year 4

I really enjoyed PE lessons and the touch gala day.  I loved our class novel “Island of Dr Libris”.  Dressing up for book week was fun.  I have enjoyed playing on the monkey bars on the Ninja Warrior course at morning tea and doing handstands on the oval at lunchtime with my friends.

Freddy Year 4

I really liked it when my Dad came to Father’s Day and came into my classroom with me.  I liked our HASS unit learning about the First Fleet. I enjoyed playing lots of handball and hide and seek tag with my friends at lunch.

These responses really speak to the experiences that students valued about their term.  The students all spoke of elements of their learning that they found interesting, but equally as important were their social connections, their relationships with adults ( teachers and family)  their ability to be involved in all sorts of experiences outside of the classroom and across the curriculum. A successful term is not just about ticking off the weeks or finishing assessments—it’s about the growth, effort, and joy we’ve shared along the way.

Wishing all  students a relaxing and rejuvenating break and I look forward to an equally successful and enjoyable term 4. 

Katie Hauser

You're Invited to Our SSPS Spring Fair!

Get ready to celebrate the season of sunshine, blossoms, and community spirit—our Spring Fair is just around the corner, and we can't wait to see you there!

Date: Saturday, October 25

Time: 12:00PM – 4:00 PM

Location: SSPS School Grounds

Our first Spring Fair promises to be fun for the whole family!

Rides & Games – From laser tag, inflatables to petting zoos and face painting, kids will have a blast.

Food Stalls – Enjoy delicious treats from local vendors

Market Stalls – Explore handmade treasures & personalised gifts at our market stalls.

Live Entertainment – Enjoy performances from our talented students and a local artist throughout the day.

Raffle– Don’t miss your chance to win amazing prizes generously donated by our community.

Art Show – All students’ art work will be on display.

This is more than just a fair—it's a celebration of everything that makes our school community special. Bring your friends, bring your family, and let’s make unforgettable memories together.

Entry is $5 and can be purchased through the following link – https://www.trybooking.com/1448613

Raffle tickets will continue to be on sale early next term and will be drawn at the event. Thank you to all community members who have donated a prize for our raffle.

We’d love your help too! If you’re keen to volunteer, please send an email to Rebecca.thomas@twb.catholic.edu.au.  We are looking for parent helpers at the bar and popcorn/snowcone stations. 

Let’s make this Spring Fair the highlight of the year

Catholic Schools Year Four Touch Football Gala Day 

On Tuesday, our enthusiastic Year Four students laced up their runners and hit the field for the Catholic Schools Year Four Touch Football Gala Day, a joyful event that brought together schools from across the region for a day of movement, mateship, and memorable moments. This non-competitive celebration was all about participation, teamwork, and the pure joy of play. With the sun shining and spirits high, students rotated through friendly matches and laughter-filled games. The Gala Day highlighted the many benefits of physical education, boosting confidence, encouraging cooperation, and promoting a healthy lifestyle. It was heartwarming to see students supporting one another, trying their best, and discovering just how much fun being active can be. A big thank you to the teachers, spectators and to our students for bringing their energy and enthusiasm. We’re proud of the way they represented our school with kindness, sportsmanship, and smiles all around. 

Zone and Darling Downs Trials 

All information regarding Zone and Darling Downs trials will be posted on Parent Portal. To ensure your child is eligible to trial for these sporting teams, please check the Parent Portal regularly or set up notifications on your phone. You will need to obtain the necessary paperwork from myself. Please be aware that I am unable to nominate students after the closing date, so it is crucial to monitor the Parent Portal. If you have any questions, please contact me at brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au. 

Upcoming Events (Term Four) 

• Southwest Qld Touch Football Training – 8th October – 22nd October (3pm-4:30pm) 

• Southwest Qld Touch Football Carnival - Friday 24th October (8am-3pm)  

Cheers 

Brendan Luck 

HPE Teacher 

brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au 

CONGRATULATIONS to our Mercy Award winners for term 3, presented at this week's whole school assembly. Well done everyone!