Week 7, Term 3 2020

Dear Parents, Staff and Students,

I draw your attention to the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Parent Engagement Charter which can be found on this link:

https://twbcso.sharepoint.com/sites/intranet/PublishedDocuments/ParentEngagementCharter.pdf#search=parent%20charter

The following is from the above document:

The Parents and Friends Association (P&F), school boards and Parent Partnership Forum (PPF) are the three most prominent formal groups for parental involvement in processes.

P&F

The primary purpose of this group is to support the principal and staff in the provision of high quality educational programs, resources and facilities.

School Board

The School Board comprises members of the parent community who serve on the board for three years. The primary purpose of the Board is to support the Principal in the development of policy and provide advice in the areas of • curriculum • buildings and facilities • finance • enrolment • staffing.

Parent Partnership Forum

The PPF is an amalgam of the responsibilities of the P&F and school board. This model, originally designed for use in smaller school communities, currently operates in some of our schools.

This week at the School Board meeting and the Parent’s and Friend’s meeting, I proposed to those in attendance to consider adopting the Parent Partnership Forum model for 2021 rather than the traditional P & F and School Board models.  I raise this with the community to help strengthen our parent engagement, to ensure all parents feel welcomed and able to make a worthwhile contribution to the life of the school and the education journey of your child or children.

It is well researched that when parents engage with their children’s learning great things happen:

• Attendance increases
• Behaviour in school improves
• Homework return rates increase
• Volunteers increase
• Children’s achievement tends to improve
• Communication between all stakeholders is productive and informative

 What is a Parent Partnership Forum?

It is an alternative model to the traditional P & F and School Board groups, a PPF honors the place of parents in the life of schools and provides a more effective and realistic avenue for the voice of parents to contribute to school planning and decision making. The changing nature of families and schools has shifted the traditional understanding of parent involvement.  Other Toowoomba Catholic Schools have adopted this new model of parent involvement and engagement which have proven to better serve their current context.  (adapted from Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools: Parent Partnership Forum Constitution)

The Forum supports the work of the principal and staff in ensuring a comprehensive and contemporary education program.  Parents would continue to have an advisory role in decisions made in the development and implementation of the strategic plan and policies of the school as well as the provision of resources which support the educational endeavour of the school.

The Forum provides an alternative model which integrates the functions of the school Board and the P & F, acknowledging that not all functions can be replicated in this new model.

All are welcome to attend the meetings and assist in:

• developing a positive and affirming community spirit
• supporting the work of the principal and staff
• providing feedback to the principal and staff on school initiatives, policies and strategic direction
• prudent and consultative decision-making
• promoting interaction between home and school, parents and teachers
• encouraging parent engagement with their child’s learning and school life
• deepening parent understanding of teaching and learning programs
• promoting the school in the wider community
• creating a forum for discussion
• the provision of resources to support the educational program

Why consider the change to the PPF?

For several years we have had trouble in enlisting sufficient numbers of people to fill the traditional volunteer positions on the School Board and P & F Executives.  Often it is left to four people whose generosity of time and advice, which is truly valued by me as Principal and the school community, to make decisions, organize events and activities.  What is clear is that there have been diminishing numbers of parents willing and able to be involved in these groups.  

The PPF would still consist of an executive (chairperson, secretary and Principal and Parish Priest). The agenda would continue to include: Principal report, Finance report, Diocesan P & F report.  

On Monday 12^th October, the School Board and P & F executive will meet with the school leadership team to discuss and hear more about the Parent Partnership Forum.  The meeting is scheduled for 5:10p.m. in the meeting room off the school library. 

If you would like more information or are interested in attending, please contact the school reception. 

QLD WIDE STUDENT FREE DAY ON SEPTEMBER 4TH 2020

All students will have a student free day on Friday 4th September. 

Teachers will engage in professional development in the art of teaching writing,  whilst our school officers will participate in how best to support students in the classroom using assistive technologies.  

BOOK WEEK CELEBRATIONS

Thanks to Mrs Anderson, Mrs Powers and Mrs Milton, for bringing alive the 2020 Book Week theme: Curious Creatures, Wild Minds.  The students and even some parents have had fun together creating a variety of curious creatures and there is more to come later in the term with dress ups.  Check out LIBRARY NEWS for more information. 

Mrs Anderson is an advocate in promoting the idea that we, as learners, need to be curious creatures seeking information, ideas and answers through great questions and reading reliable information sources.  Thanks Library Team for your creativity and the enthusisam and joy you bring to our children's learning each week. 

Thanks for taking the time to read our news!

Madonna Sleba

Parent/Teacher Interviews

Reporting on student progress takes place officially four times a year.  Terms 1 and 3 are parent/teacher interviews and Terms 2 and 4 are report cards.

All parents are encouraged to attend an interview or talk to their child's teacher.  Interviews will be offered over the phone, via Microsoft TEAMS or in person.  Please select your favoured format when booking your interview.

Due to COVID restrictions the following health and safety protocols will be in place:  

1. All parents need to sign in on arrival 
2. All parents need to use hand sanitizer on arrival and exit.
3. All meeting spaces will be wiped down after each interview.
4. Parent and teacher need to respect social distancing (1.5m apart)
5. If you are unwell, please make an alternate time for an interview.
6. Locations for interviews – Need to have a designated entrance, exit and waiting area.  Please see below:

Parent Teacher Interviews:  

• Prep – Will take place in prep rooms (entries and exits will be clearly identified)
• Year 1 – All interviews in 1L room (Miss Lancuba). Entry via 1L room and exit via 1M.  Waiting area in undercroft outside the classrooms.
• Year 2 – All interviews in 2C (Miss K) room.  Enter via 2C room, exit  through 2F room and down library stairs. Waiting in main upstairs foyer outside Year 2C.
• Year 3 – All interviews in 3H (Mrs Harkins) room.  Enter via 3H room and exit down back stairs. Wait in 3P room.
• Year 4 – All interviews in spare room on top floor next to 5C room. Enter main stairs, exit back stairs Wait in 5C room.
• Year 5  - All interviews in 5W (Mrs Wagner) room.  Enter via 5W room, exit 5K room and wait undercroft
• Year 6 – All Interviews in Library meeting room.  Enter library, wait in library and exit back door

Year 5 & 6 Camps 2020

Year 5 Camp - All information has now been collected regarding Year 5 Camp in Week 9.  A reminder that payment is due by Friday this week.  We have received a final itinerary for the camp, which the students will be able to have a look at next week.

Year 6 Camp - An initial letter went out regarding Year 6 camp yesterday.  This camp is sheduled to start on October 20 next term.  Further information regarding this camp will be sent in the near future.

Sam Hannant 

APA

Dear Parents and Carers,

First Eucharist Photos: Over the previous two Friday evenings we have gathered at St Pat's Cathedral with Fr Michael to celebrate First Eucharist with 38 of our students along with several students from other schools.

We offer our congratulations to these students as they take this very significant step in their faith journey and we are delighted to be sharing this with them. The next step is Confirmation and while we await news from the Bishop's Office as to when this might be, our young people have been given the resource book so that they can start preparing. Well done everyone and thank you to Fr Michael, Vicky Cocoza and Aylish Ryan who helped ensure the First Eucharist Mass was quite special.

Update from Melinda Harkins: Melinda is continuing to recover at home after significant surgery to repair her right wrist. She tells me she is being very good with her hand therapy, but it will be a long road to recovery. Once she sees her surgeon next week she will have more clarity around returning to work and what she can and cannot do but she is very much missing her class. TEAMs meetings have been introduced so that she can catch up with them and have a chat and a laugh. We have fingers crossed that she gets the "all clear" from the doctor and is back amongst us as soon as possible. Good luck Melinda...we all hope to see you soon.

MATINEE PERFORMANCE TODAY: How lucky were we to be invited to attend St Ursula's College performance today!! 300 SSPS students (Years 2-6) walked to the Empire Theatre, which was an adventure in itself and then ventured into the beautiful surrounds of the historical theatre. 

For many students this was their first experience of live theatre and it was wonderful to see their faces as they watched what was happening on the stage infront of them. We saw many familiar faces on stage, with several past SSPS students in key roles in the performance. And it was AMAZING!! Such tremendous talent and expertise was on show today. Anyone whose daughter is involved will be very proud. Well done St Ursula's girls!!

I encourage you to ask your child about their day, as I am sure they will have plenty to share.

Long Service Leave: As was mentioned in the last newsletter, I am taking LSL from next Wednesday, and, with hubby, Adrian will be taking time to visit some new places in QLD, as our plans for overseas and then interstate travel are "off the table" for now. I leave you in good hands, with Paula Wagner taking on the APRE role for the last week or so. I will catch up with you all again after the September holidays.

Hoping that you are staying warm and well,

Regards,

Judy

Dress–up Parade Tuesday 15th  September 

Following the 2020 theme, students are asked to plan a costume that connects to one word in the theme Curious Creatures Wild Minds and tell us what connection they have made. 

Will you be a creature? 

Are you a curious explorer, scientist, artist.....? 

Where have you gone using your wild imagination/mind? 

 Collaborate and Create Challenge - Let your curiosity run wild... 

Students will be asked to reflect on and share what has sparked their curiosity during their learning and living this term. With teacher guidance, students will collaborate on a plan to showcase their reflections with the final product to be constructed in an hour challenge on Tuesday 15th. The library will display the students’ work for everyone to enjoy.  

“Create a Curious Creature”

All students who entered a curious creature were acknowledged on assembly this Monday and their creatures can be viewed in the library until early next week.

Winners 

Prep – Cooper Skuse (Prep T) 

Jethro Butel Prep A, George Gainey, Prep T, Lilia Bennett Prep H 

Year 1 – Harry Weeden 

Bailey Wunsch, Molly Everlyn, Madeline Franklin 

Year 2 – co winners Scarlett Wright and Fin Butel  

Jonah McGorm, Codee Smith, Georgia Boyes 

Year 3 – Isaac Ragh 

Stella Standing, Annabelle Horne 

Year 4 – Rose Burima 

Miley Zimmerle, Sophia Bumatay

Year 5 – Molly Standing and Olivia Dunlop

Angelo Jamin 

Year 6 - Evelyn Fuller 

Thank you all for your clever, creative and critical thinking!

 Year 6 Book Chat  

Hannah, Arwyn and Evie did a fabulous job on a tight time frame to share their book responses during our first Book Chat morning tea on Tuesday 18th August. Thanks for your effort and insights girls. The high standard of contributions to the conversation from all other group members added to the enjoyment of the session. I’m looking forward to our next chat. 

Keep being curious!

Anne Anderson

Teacher Librarian

PE Lessons (Term Three) 

For the remainder of Term Three, Prep to Year Two will be participating in a striking unit where they learn how to perform a punt kick with an AFL ball, in-step kick with a soccer ball and a hand strike using a tennis ball. The students will then utilize these skills in modified games working in team situations. Prep to year one will also participate in six station activities each week focusing on throwing, catching, bouncing, balancing, locomotive skills, and movement activities. 

Year Three to Year Six and participating in a touch football unit. Students will start with basic skills, such as passing, catching, making a touch, playing, and scooping the ball. Students will then work on more advanced touch skills such as a three-person ruck and draw and pass. Towards the end of the unit, student will then utilize these skills in a game of touch football. 

All – Stars Touch Carnival (Dalby) 

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 the annual All-Stars Touch Carnival which is held in Dalby has been cancelled. St Saviour’s looks forward to entering a team/teams in 2021. 

Afterschool Sport (AFL) 

On Thursday the 20^th of August AFL Queensland was organised through Sporting Schools to come to St Saviour’s Primary and run AFL sessions with students in Prep to Year Three. The feedback from the students has been very positive with the students having lots of fun and learning new skills. I look forward to hearing about the upcoming sessions over the next three weeks. 

Afterschool Sport (NRL) 

NRL started on Wednesday the 19^th of August through Sporting Schools for Year Three to Year Six students. The feedback from the students again has been very positive with lots of students letting me know they are super excited to be learning new skills and playing fun games. I look forward to hearing about the upcoming sessions over the next three weeks. 

Toowoomba City Cricketers 

Congratulations to Lachlan Ottobrino and Conor Ward who have been selected in the 2020 Under 12 Year Cricket Toowoomba City Side for DD Trials. St Saviour’s Primary wishes you both good luck at these trials. 

Zone and Darling Downs Trials 

All zone and darling downs trial dates will be posted on School Zine. To receive notifications, download the Schoolzine app and add St Saviour’s Primary School. 

Brendan Luck 

PE Teacher 

REMINDERS:

Term 3 School Fees:

Term 3 School Fees are now overdue.  Thank you to those families who have finalised their school fees for the year.

Bookclub: 

Orders for Bookclub need to be placed before the Friday 4th September.  Ordering is all done online via scholastic.com.au/LOOP or via the LOOP app.  Just a reminder that no cash orders can be accepted at school for Bookclub.

Pizza Treat Day:

Ordering via Flexischools.  Pizza Treat Day is on Thursday 10th September, 2020.  Please note that there is an option to choose Gluten Free and No Cheese.  Just a reminder that no late orders can be taken.  

Caremonkey/Operoo:

Please remember to check your caremonkey/operoo emails for all permission notes that are sent home for excursions and camps.  Thank you.

Parking in Prep:

It is important to remind parents that if you are using the Prep carpark, please collect your child quickly and leave promptly so that other parents can access parking.  Some parents are staying at Prep for a length of time after school.  With Covid guidelines still in place, we do ask parents to collect your child promptly and exit the school grounds as soon as possible.  

Road Safety Week:

This week is ROAD SAFETY WEEK 24 - 28TH August

Please click on the link below to access information about Road Safety Week.  As a school community, we are very thankful to our school crossing supervisors for always keeping us safe on the school crossings.

Remember to give a special shout out this week to Mal, Tony and Emma our school crossing supervisors who work on Lawrence and Perth Street.  We thank them for ensuring our families and children who use the crossings do so in a safe manner every day  It is always nice to say thank you to these supervisors so please ensure you do so this week.

Please remember to maintain safety in and around all school during peak times of a morning and afternoon.  

https://streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/qrsw-2020

Prep 2022:

Prep Enrolments for 2022 are now being taken.  If you have a child that is starting Prep in 2022 we encourage you to submit an application sooner rather than later.  Interviews will take place early 2021.

Unwell children at school:

We are still experiencing a high level of children who are coming to school unwell.  Parents please do not send your child to school if he or she is showing any symptoms of cold/flu/coughs/temperatures.  Due to the high risk of contagious spread, we need you to keep your child away from school until he or she is showing no symptoms and is well enough to return to school.  

Assembly:

Assembly takes place each Monday afternoon from 2.30pm.  Families wishing to attend Assembly need to sign in at the Mercy Centre before entering.   

Pupil Free Day:

Next FRIDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER is a Pupil Free Day.  There will be no school on this day.  Please contact Hall-Thorpe Sports on 4638 7965.  Bookings are essential.

Uniform Transition - WINTER to SUMMER:

As of next week, children can transition from Winter to Summer Uniform.  This will mean that until the end of term, children may wear either their full winter or summer uniform.  As of Term 4, full summer uniform will be in place. Please refer to our school website for all information regarding uniform requirements.

Congratulations to our Weekly Awards Winners for Week 6 & 7.

Celebrating Dads this Father’s Day through Best Dad Moments!

#bestdadmoments is something all students, dads and partners can do together!

We want all our students to draw their favourite Best Dad Moment and write a special message to give to dad this Father’s Day. Kids can do this at school or at home with their dad. Pick a moment and bring it to life through drawing!

Why not post the special drawing and message from your kids using the hashtag #bestdadmoments and share it with us and The Fathering Project!

The Fathering Project has invited celebrities and sporting personalities to also record their Best Dad Moments and share them on The Fathering Project’s Celebrating Dads Gallery. Go to www.thefatheringproject.org and check them out!

We wish all dads and father-figures at our school a very Happy Father’s Day and we can’t wait to see your special moments!

TUCKSHOP FOR WEEK 8: 

Tuckshop will be open for service on Thursday of next week (3rd September) as Friday is a pupil free day. The usual Friday menu will be available on this day. Please just order as normal but ensuring that you choose Thursday. 

REMINDER:

Ordering for THURSDAY will be under the Special 1st Break option and Special 2nd break option.  Please ensure you scroll across on the ordering section to find the special treat ordering as per picture below.

As we all know, Father’s Day is next Sunday the 6th of September. To help celebrate this special day, Tuckshop will be selling rocky road (nut free available) and the salty sweet snack Nuts and Bolts. These items will be available to order through Flexischools under the ‘Treats for Dads Day’ category. There will be a limited amount available....so get your order in early to avoid missing out!! These special treats for your Dad will be delivered to the children’s classrooms after lunch on Thursday. (Same ordering instructions as Thursday under Special 1st Break)

Please consider volunteering in the Tuckshop, even an hour or two is greatly appreciated. Bring a friend if you like! 

We still have some outstanding invoices that need to be paid before the end of the term. Please send the invoice along with the cash in an envelope or zip seal bag and take it to the office or the Tuckshop. 

Natasha Biggar

Tuckshop Convenor