Week 5, Term 4 2020
Dear Parents, Staff and Students,
Reflection: Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic social teaching is centred upon several core principles which are deemed as necessary to creating an environment conducive to people’s authentic development, and their realisation of a ‘fullness of life’ (cf Jn 10:10). Underpinning the entire vision of this teaching is an awareness of the unique dignity of the human person, made in the image and likeness of God.
One of the key themes of Catholic social teachings is:
The Dignity of the Human Person:
Every human being is created in God’s image and likeness and therefore is valuable and worthy of respect.
Catholic schools play a vital role in promoting and sharing the substance and values of Catholic social teaching. Just as the social mission of the Church is central to the practice of Christian witness and discipleship, so the core dimensions of social teaching – justice, mercy and love – are integral to Catholic education. They must be treated as a core element of educational programs and formative experiences. Catholic social teaching should underpin all major policies, programs and practices, enabling all members of the community to:
+ reflect on the connection between their Christian faith, worship and justice
+ understand and articulate the core principles of Catholic social teaching
+ be familiar with key Church teachings, and the Biblical roots, related to social mission
+ recognise the sacredness of human life
+ know what the virtue of justice entails
+ recognise and identify social justice problems within local and global contexts
+ identify and articulate the causes and scope of these social justice problems
+ reflect on how they as individual Christians can respond to these issues
+ be familiar with, and practise, the methodology of ‘see, judge, act’
+ exercise and experience love, mercy and compassion
+ be committed to making a ‘difference in our world’.
Here at St Saviour’s we can continue and aspire to:
+ embed the anthropology and principles of Catholic social teaching appropriately within teaching/ learning programs
+ establish age-appropriate action and advocacy groups e.g. Mini Vinnies; Caritas Week, Socktober
+ prepare, train and engage students in age-appropriate mission experiences
+ establish partnerships with local schools or Church agencies on justice projects
+ establish a partnership with a school in a remote or disadvantaged area
+ develop an annual calendar so as to promote significant events and anniversaries that acknowledge and celebrate particular aspects of Catholic Social Teaching
+ support the diverse mission and outreach works of founding Religious Orders: Mercy Sisters
+ identify principles of Catholic Social Teaching particularly relevant to their community and consider and adopt appropriate responses in light of the methodology of ‘see, judge, act’.
Throughout a child’s life it is important that they experience the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ of growing up as this helps develop their resilience, tolerance of others and sets them up for success in their relationships and life events. They will all make mistakes along the way and we pray and hope that through education and guidance they learn to show empathy towards others, respect themselves and others, to reach their full potential and realise their human dignity.
As we draw to the final weeks of Term 4, I ask that we all, as staff, parents and students, be mindful of all those in our community who may ‘test’ us and remember that every human being is created in God’s image and likeness and therefore is valuable and worthy of respect.
With the end of the school year fast approaching following is a brief reminder of upcoming events:
WEEK 6:
Monday 9th November, 2020
- Year 5 Leadership morning - Cathedral Precinct
- Assembly 2.30 pm
Wednesday 11th November, 2020
- Remembrance Day
Thursday 12th November, 2020
- STEM Showcase Day with OLOL school visit combined with Team sports in the afternoon
WEEK 7:
Monday 16th November, 2020
- School Board Meeting
Wednesday 18th November, 2020
- 2021 Prep Parent Information (5.30 pm - Mercy Centre)
Thursday 19th November, 2020
- Pizza Treat Day
- Book Fair commences (19th - 24th November)
WEEK 8:
Monday 23rd November, 2020
- Assembly 2.15 pm - Mayoral Medal Award Presentation
Wednesday 25th November, 2020
- End of Year Liturgy - Leadership Presentation (9.00am Mercy Centre) Year 5/6 Parents welcome
- End of Year Thanks Dinner for P&F and School Board Executive 6.00 pm
Thursday 27th November, 2020
- STEM and ART showcase for Parents. Open classrooms 8.45am - 10.45 am.
- COLOUR RUN: 1.30 pm - 3.00 pm
WEEK 9:
Tuesday 1 December, 2020
- Year 6 Fun Day
- Report Cards sent home
Wednesday 2 December, 2020
- Transition Day (step up) for Prep - Year 6. 8.45 am - 10.45 am
- Final Assembly 2020
Friday 4 December, 2020
- Year 6 Graduation Ceremony 9.00 am
- School finishes for 2020 at 10.30 am
Today we welcomed Mrs Melinda Harkins back to school who will be on 'light' duties for the remainder of the year. Mrs Grundon and Mrs Bell will continue to be the class teachers of Year 3H till the remainder of the year.
Next week, I will be attending the Principal's Leadership Forum and Mr Sam Hannant will be Deputising in my absence.
Thank you for your continued support of the school.
Enjoy your weekend.
Regards
Madonna
REPORTING at St Saviour's Primary
Following on from the last two newsletters where I have explored assessment and feedback, reporting is essentially the multiple acts of communicating what students understand, know and can do at any point in time. This may include recommendations for future learning and can happen formally and informally.
Formal reporting includes report cards and certificates. At St Saviour's formal report cards are sent home in Terms 2 and 4, whilst parent/teacher interviews take place in Terms 1 and 3. Informal reporting includes all of those conversations that you have with your child's teacher either in person or via email.
The fundamental purpose of reporting student achievement and progress is to improve student learning. Additionally, reporting provides opportunities for parents to engage in their child's learning journey. It provides opportunities for to report on the whole child (not just academically) and it also provides information that can be used for external agencies such as secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
You may or may not have noticed that the definitions for A-E on the report card were different last semester compared to the previous year. In the Week 7 newsletter I will break down these definitions and explain what students need to achieve in a particular learning area to receive an A, B, C, D or E.
Source: Toowoomba Catholic Schools: Assessment, Feedback and Reporting Framework.
STEM SHOWCASE
Our Year 3-6 students are busy preparing for our STEM Showcase for 2020. This showcase will be held on Thursday November 12 in the Mercy Centre until 12pm.
It is an opportunity for Year 6 students from Our Lady of Lourdes to come to St Saviour's and for our students to teach them what they have been learning in STEM. Many of the lessons will be focussed around the design thinking approach and using digital tools to solve problems.
The students will be showcasing thier work with Codey Rockies, Microbits, CoSpaces and 3D Printing.
Following the STEM Showcase the Year 6 students will participate in some fun sporting games against the students from OLOL.
VISUAL ART AND STEM OPEN MORNING
Following on from the STEM Showcase, we are planning on having an open morning for parents, where students from Prep to Year 6 can celebrate what they have been learning in STEM and also Visual Art.
This morning is planned to take place on November 27, so please mark it in your calendar. This will obviously take place pending COVID restrictions.
Regards,
Sam Hannant
Dear Parents and Carers,
We continue our fast and furious race to the end of the school year with the days and weeks ticking by very quickly. Thank you for being so understanding of the limits to numbers attending various end of year events that we need to impse at this stage. We prefer to do things safely with smaller numbers rather than risk the health (and break the rules) just to keep people happy. Over the past few weeks we have
Participated in SOCKTOBER Day to raise funds for Catholic Mission. Thank you to everyone for your generosity as it seems we have raised nearly $1000.
4. My class enjoyed the rosary and were focused and committed each day. They liked hearing about each of the mysteries. Most of them had rosary beads which I believe helped their focus and made them feel a part of it. I'd be happy to do it again and believe the kids would too.
Find out more at https://australiareads.org.au/
*On 12th November we celebrate Australian Reading Hour where we are encouraged to take the time to read for joy, to share reading with our children or other people in our life. Take the challenge or join the author events on the website.
A Recommendation...
*Check the e-newsletter out at https://realprettykind.com/ if you have tweens in your family.
A Reminder...
*Next week is the last week for student borrowing. All returns are due by Friday 20th November.
*Invoices for overdue items will be posted over the next few weeks. Please act on your reminder letter to avoid receiving an invoice.
2020 Book Fair
Our annual Book Fair will run from Thursday 19th Nov. until Tuesday 24th Nov. (Week 7/8). Due to restrictions, adult visits to the fair are too difficult to manage. Students will create a wish list during their library time to take home for discussion, along with a flyer with further payment details. Payment can only be made online as a prepayment (see instructions below). Once the student list and receipt for payment comes back to school the library staff will collect and deliver purchases to students. If you would like to make surprise gift purchases for Christmas, library staff will parcel your selection and hold it for collection. Please email me anne.anderson@twb.catholic.edu.au with the book list, receipt number and your preferred method of collection, either from the library or from the school office. We look forward to your support of this library fundraiser.
Happy reading everyone!
Anne Anderson
Teacher Librarian
SWQ All Schools Touch Football Carnival
On Sunday the 1st of November, 12 students from year 5 and 6 competed in the SWQ All Schools Touch Carnival in Dalby. The students played some awesome games of Mixed Touch Football in a competition with 9 other schools. As the games went on the team really pulled together having some fantastic wins making it into the semi-final. The team played a tough game against Guardian Angles going down 2-1, coming third overall in the competition. A massive thank you to Mrs Robinson and Mrs McHugh who helped manage the team on the day offering encouragement and support, throughout the day.
Congratulations to our Weekly Award winners for Week 4 & 5
DIRECT DEBIT FORMS FOR 2021:
Just a reminder that 2021 Direct Debit forms need to be returned to the office no later than Friday 13th November.
PARKING:
Reminders -
Please remember to take care when parking in and around our school. Parents who are using the Prep entrance and driveway need to be reminded that this entry is for Prep parents only. Please do not park in the Bus Zones in and around our school and St Saviour's College.
Early Leave -
Just a reminder that children who leave school during the day for appointments must be signed out in the office by a parent/guardian. Children are not permitted to walk out of the school grounds on their own to meet parents.
P&F NEWS:
MANGO FUNDRAISER:
The P&F Mango Fundraiser is underway. Please support this great healthy fundraiser. Trays of Mangoes can be ordered via Flexischools. Outside orders are welcome. Orders need to be placed by this MONDAY 9TH NOVEMBER.
COLOUR RUN:
The St Saviour's Primary School Colour Run is being held on FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER. Please see attached letter below outlining all the details about the run. All children have received a School Fun Run Sponsorship Form.