Week 1, Term 4 2020
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Welcome back to Term 4. I hope you all had a restful holiday break. It is hard to imagine that we are approaching the last part of the school year. Only 9 weeks in duration, it is already shaping up to be a very busy term. I really enjoy this part of the year where we can reflect on the year to date and marvel on the academic, emotional and spiritual development of each child in the school. Term 4 also signals the final term of Primary School for our Year 6 classes. This class has had to endure COVID restrictions for many of the ‘normal events’ that take place for them in their final year and I look forward, together with their teachers Mrs Harlen and Mrs Ward, in finishing off the school year in an enthusiastic and positive manner. Please keep our Year 6 classes in your thoughts and prayers as they prepare for the next stage of their lives.
As we commence this term, let us keep a firm focus on the importance of children attending school each day for the full day. The message is clear in the research Report: Every Day Counts. Being late for school or missing parts of the day soon adds up over time. This is a useful summary highlighting just how significant it is when a child is absent from school 1 or 2 days a week, or when they miss a smaller portion each day.
I would hope by increasing awareness about the importance of children being at school on a consistent basis, we would be able to increase our attendance data for the remainder of this year and in future years to come. Of note, when reviewing the late passes to school, we consistently have a high proportion of children not ready to start the school day at 8:30am. It would be wonderful to see a reduction in this area. As the data in the table above indicates, 10 minutes a day certainly adds up over a child’s life time at school.
2021 ENROLMENTS
Our numbers for next year are looking extremely healthy. With additional classes we still have enrolment places available in Yr 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. If you know of anyone considering St Saviour’s Primary School for their child’s schooling future please let them know to email Madonna Sleba on: ssps@twb.catholic.edu.au
STAFF UPDATE
Unfortunately, Mrs Melinda Harkins, will not be able to return at this point in time to teaching Year 3H as she is still recovering from a significant break to her right arm which continues to cause issues. Melinda is extremely appreciative of the warm messages of care and concern. It is unlikely that she will return for Term 4 at all. We will know more in early November after her next visit with her surgeon. Please continue to keep Melinda in your prayers.
Mrs Jennifer Moore (Year 1 teacher) has given notice that she will not be returning to St Saviour’s Primary School in 2021. Jen and her family will be moving to the Sunshine Coast. Jen has been with us for the past two years and we thank her for her contribution to the teaching and learning of the children. We will farewell her later in the term at the end of year mass and wish Jen all the best for the future.
Over the holiday period, we interviewed for a new position here in 2021 for a Curriculum Middle Leader. This person will be responsible for leading and supporting teachers in teaching and learning. Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office has increased our allocation of hours to further enhance and support the high quality of education delivered by our teachers. Much of the role will be working alongside teachers in the classrooms modelling and coaching in the areas of literacy and numeracy. I am pleased to announce that Miss Nicarla Prentice will be joining the staff in 2021 as our Curriculum Middle Leader. Miss Prentice has previously been the Middle Leader at St Thomas More’s Primary School, Toowoomba, has eleven years teaching experience and is familiar with the expectations and role she will take on here at St Saviour’s Primary School. I congratulate Nicki on her appointment in joining the SSPS Leadership Team and look forward to welcoming her to our school early next year.
Combined P & F and School Board Meeting
This meeting will be held on Monday 12th October at 5:15p.m. in the meeting room beside the library. We will be discussing moving to a Parent Partnership Forum for 2021. All are welcome to attend.
Recently the Catholic School Parents Australia Toolkit – Gearing up for parent Engagement in Student Learning – has been updated with case studies.
The toolkit has been developed for families and schools to help make the transition into primary and secondary school a great experience for children and young people.
This information will assist the unique relationship between parent and child to flourish into a meaningful partnership between home and school towards improving the learning and wellbeing of students.
Minister Tehan launched this addition to the toolkit and the media release is attached.
Minister’s video launching the toolkit is here https://www.parentengagementcspa.edu.au/website-search?s=tehan
The case studies are a series of short videos and vignettes to share Parent Engagement experiences of Principals and parents.
They are from State, Catholic and Independent schools.
I draw your attention to this worthwhile website as we begin discussions around the Parent Partnership Forum for 2021.
The resources can be found at https://www.parentengagementcspa.edu.au/
2021 School Fees Schedule:
The following link outlines the 2021 School Fee schedule discussed and approved by the SSPS School Board. Please read carefully. The 2021 Direct Debit Request Form is located at the back of this file and it would be appreciated if this form could be returned the school office early this term for processing.
SSP106_2021_Schedule_of_Fees.pdf
Thanks for reading...
Madonna Sleba
Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back for what no doubt will be a busy end to the year. First of all, sincere thanks to Paula Wagner who stepped into the APRE role while I was on leave at the end of last term. I had no doubt that the transition would be seemless and I congratulate Paula for undertaking the many and varied tasks involved in leadership with confidence and skill. I am sure we will see her stepping up again in the future.
Could I ask that you all keep two members of our community in your prayers please. As you know, Melinda Harkins is still on leave as she waits for her injuries from a pushbike incident to heal. Cate Bell and Siobhan Grundon will be teaching 3H in her absence. Last weekend, Paige Thompson, who many of our students and families know from Before/ After School Care (Hall thorpe) had a very nasty crash while particpating in motorcross. Paige is recovering at home and we wish her a speedy recovery as well.
Speaking of prayer... traditionally, October is the month of the ROSARY and at SSPS we do spend the month of October sharing the rosary together. Already I have had a number of students come and show me the Rosary Beads that they have been allowed to bring from home. They all know that these are not to come outside but are vey special and used during prayer time each day.
Our Year 5 students were all presented with a surprise gift yesterday, which comprised of a personal set of Rosary Beads that were donated to the school by Mary's Rosary Making Group (Toowoomba based), with the following message...
" These beads have been made with loving hands and we pray that the children will receive many blessings as they journey through the mysteries of Christ's life and throughout their own journey of life."
SOCKTOBER:
Any funds raised will be sent to Catholic Mission who have a variety of projects around the world that focus on supporting vulnerable children to fulfil their basic needs. Classes are running their own fundraising during October, culminating in our Socktober Day, where everyone is invited to wear crazy socks and bring a gold coin donation. This is scheduled for Friday, October 30. Thanks for your support for this initiative.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM:
Bishop McGuckin has given us a date for the celebration of Confirmation for our students participating in the St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish Sacramental Program - Friday, 13th November (5.30pm and 7.00pm). The limit for candidates will be 24 at each time with a maximum of four people (Candidate plus three others). Families will need to contact the Parish Office as soon as possible on 4637 1500 to nominate their preferred time, together with the name, address and phone number for the sponsor. Hopefully, your child has been working through the sessions in his/her preparation booklet and a reminder, too, about decorating his/her sash if he/she would like.
As discussed at the celebration of First Eucharist, your child may choose to use his/her Baptismal name (since this sacrament is confirming the baptismal promises made at his/her Baptism) or a saint’s name whose story resonates with your child. There are many books and websites with stories of saints that your child may like to explore. Please contact either Father Michael, Paula Wagner or me, if you need further clarification.
Enjoy the rest of the week,
Regards
Judy
Term 4 Reporting
As you will be aware, students will receive their second report card for the year at the end of this term. Report cards include judgements and comments on student learning, effort and behaviour for the semester.
The final A-E mark that you see in the report card is the result of an assessment process that takes place in each classroom that is facilitated by the class teacher over the course of the semester.
The Toowoomba Catholic Schools' 'Assessment, Feedback and Reporting Framework' provides the following definition of assessment:
Assessment is the ongoing process of gathering, analysing and reflecting on evidence by teachers and students in order to make informed judgements about what students know, understand and can do.
The same framework also provides a purpose for assessment.
The fundamental purpose of assessment in education is to establish and understand where learners are in an aspect of their learning at the time of the assessment and to map student progress over time. It involves teachers making ongoing judgments about student progress which are then used to design and deliver effective feedback.
One key principle in both of those definitions is that assessment is ongoing. No longer does a student's final result rely on a test at the end of the unit or term. Students are now frequently assessed within lessons to help teachers understand where students are in their learning and to inform what teaching they need moving forward. All of these assessment and observations then contribute to the final mark that you see on the report card.
Throughout this term I will include further information relating to assessment, feedback and reporting. This will include the definitions of what an A, B, C, D or E represent with an explanation or example.
Year 6 Camp
Year 6 Camp is taking place from Tuesday 20 October to Friday 23 October at Sunshine Coast Recreation Centre, Currimundi. All information has now been sent home via Operoo and teachers have sent some hard copies home as well. Please take note that money for camp is due tomorrow, 9 October 2020.
Welcome to Term 4 in the Library!
Significant Events and Dates:
We celebrate reading in numerous ways this term.
- Student borrowing continues until Week 6, all loans will be due in Week 7 and then continuing students can borrow for Summer reading @home in Week 8.
- Students in Year 5 and 6 are writing and publishing quality reviews in our database, while Year 3 and 4 students are encouraged to complete a “Read it, Review it, Recommend it” template to display in the library. These reviews serve as reading recommendations for others and require students to reflect on what they have read.
- We will mark International School Library Day on 20th October with some fun activities in the library at lunchtime. The winning books of the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) awards will be announced this week.
- Australia Reads is a national event running from 1st Nov – 12th Nov. Our staff will come together for an informal book chat over afternoon tea in the library on Monday 2nd November.
- Our annual Book Fair will run from Thursday 19th Nov. until Tuesday 24th Nov. (Week 7/8). Due to restrictions, students will create a wish list during their library time, payment will be made online and library staff will collect and deliver purchases to students. Further details for Book Fair will be available in the next newsletter.
Reminder – entries for the Book Links Short Story Competition are due this Friday 9th October. Well done to those students who have entered a story.
Thank You for the Amazing Book Week Costumes!
We had such a fun time during our dress-up parade in Week 10 last term. Thank you to all parents and caregivers for the time and effort given to your children’s costumes and thanks to our staff, especially Miss Sleba for your wonderful support and enthusiasm. A very special thanks to Mrs Robinson for the wonderful job of sharing class photos on Schoolzine when we weren’t able to have family as an audience at the parade.
PE in Term Four
Prep to Year Two
Prep to Year Two students will be engaging in a Soccer and AFL unit utilizing skills they have learnt throughout the year. Students will further develop their punt and in-step kicks and learn a hand pass. Over the weeks, students will learn to work with their peers on passing, kicking, and catching, utilise these skills in both a Soccer and AFL game learning to work as a team. Prep and Year One students will also participate in six station activities each further developing on their catching, passing, scooter board, locomotive skills, and balancing. This term they will be introduced to new skills such as balancing and bouncing a tennis ball on a tennis racket.
Year Three and Year Four
Students in Year Three and Four will be completing a Sport, Sport, Sport unit where they learn and revisit skills for a particular game one week and then play the game in teams the following week. Students will play games they already know and have a go at games they may never have heard of. The four sports for this unit will be Basketball, Gaelic Football, European Handball and Buroinjin (Tradition Aboriginal Game).
Year Five and Six
Year Five and Six students are developing their STEM skills as they design and modify their own game. Students will work in groups of four to first design a brand-new game or modify an already existing game. Each week two groups will teach their game to the class and then once the class has had a chance to play their game, they will receive feedback on what worked and what could be improved. The group presenting then makes any changes they feel will enhance their game and the class plays it again with the changes helping the students to engage in creative and critical thinking as they continue on their journey towards becoming 21st century learners.
I am very excited to be teaching all the above units with your child/ren and look forward to lots of fun, engaging learning throughout the term.
Mr Luck
PE Teacher
Lost Property:
We have a large amount of Lost Property at school. Items include, jumpers, spray jackets, lunch boxes, water bottles and hats. Most items are not named. If your child is missing any items, please get them to check Lost Property over the next few days.
Pupil Free Days:
Term 4 does not have any Pupil Free Days. The last day of Term 4 is Friday 4th December.
School Fees/Direct Debit forms 2021:
Families wishing to Direct Debit their school fees for 2021 need to return the 2021 Direct Debit form for processing. If you require any help in completing the form, please contact the office on 4637 1700. Just a reminder that school fees for 2020 should now be finalised. Please contact the office to finalise your school fee account if you have not done so yet.
Recycled uniforms:
If you still have a collection of the old style uniforms these are being collected next week at school. These will be recycled with the help of the Lions Club and will be shipped to overseas schools with their recycled for sight program.
Donations of suitable boxes for packing or bags, such as large stripe style from the cheap shops would be greatly appreciated. While you are collecting uniforms if you have any old glasses you can include these and we will happily pass these on for the Lions club project.
Thank you to Emma Daniells for organising this collection. Anyone able to assist with sorting on Monday or Tuesday of next week, please contact the office to leave your details.
Skool Dayz Uniform Shop:
Opening Hours for Term 4 remain the same as Term 3.
Friday afternoon 2.30pm - 4.00pm or by appointment. Please contact Dan Eagleson to arrange a suitable time - 0481 318 398.
Dear Parents,
As with many things this year, Chess Club has suffered due to COVID. We couldn't have it in Term 2 and unfortunately didn't have enough interest in Term 3 for it to go ahead. Kye McHugh has prepared a presentation about Chess Club, which he shared with the school, to hopefully encourage some new and familiar faces so it can go ahead this term.
A permission form has been sent out, so if your child is interested, please complete this ASAP so we can inform our chess expert.
If you have any questions, please contact me on sara.mchugh@twb.catholic.edu.au
Regards,
Sara McHugh
https://sspstwb.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/3291/chess_club_powerpoint_1.pptx
