Week 7, Term 1 2021

Dear parents, staff and students,

Something to Celebrate

2021 marks the celebration of 200 years since the first Catholic school opened in Parramatta in Sydney in 1821. The National video launch celebrated and paid tribute to the role Catholic education has played in the lives of generations of students and the successful learning outcomes it continues to deliver today.

As part of this launch a Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of Australia 200 Years Young has been circulated to educational leaders, school staff, students and parents. The full text is available at the link provided and I recommend it to those of you seeking a fuller understanding of the great story of Catholic education in this country. It also provides an insight into the challenges that Catholic education faces in the present and in looking ahead to the future.

For others, I share with you some excerpts which, in my mind, capture the essence of the letter’s message:

Two hundred years ago the first official Catholic school opened in Australia. Since then Catholic education has grown to the point that it now educates around 770,000 primary and secondary school students, in more than 1,750 schools, with nearly 100,000 staff. These are sponsored by dioceses and parishes, religious institutes and public juridic persons, and groups of parents. Six thousand Catholic catechists participate in the religious education of 200,000 children in government schools and parishes. Over the last few years, hundreds of Church sponsored early learning centres have been established, educating many thousands of preschoolers. Around 50,000 tertiary students are now enrolled in our two Catholic universities with their several campuses. It is an extraordinary achievement!

Catholic schools are a jewel in the crown of the Catholic Church in Australia, with few parallels in other countries. Alongside families and parishes they are the Church’s principal meeting point with young people. They are integral to the Church’s mission of transmitting the faith to the next generation. It is there that many young people encounter Christ, intensify their knowledge and love of God, and are formed as future contributors to Australian society. We hope all our students will emerge from our schools with a deepened sense of the sacred and greater appreciation of the true, the good and the beautiful. Catholic education is steadfast in its commitment to evangelisation, catechesis, religious education and spiritual and moral formation.

Catholic schools are also a major part of Australia’s educational ecosystem. They are the equal of other schools regarding educational programs, student achievement, teacher professionalism, facilities and innovation. They have provided high quality education to generations of young Australians, now numbering in their millions. They stand as a beacon in our society, for their contribution to the common good and to the nation’s social capital. They have helped nurture a more just, tolerant and cohesive society. Catholic education is determined in its commitment to excellence and equity.

In this bicentenary year more than one in five Australian students attends a Catholic school, and many others a Catholic preschool, college or university. There are Catholic schools in most towns and suburbs, and university campuses in most capital cities. The students come from diverse backgrounds and beliefs. They are no longer all from poorer families, as so many were in the first century and a half of Catholic education. Despite our continuing preferential option for the poor and concern to be more accessible to First Australians, refugees, those with disabilities or other disadvantage, our schools now boast children drawn from every part of our society. Yet for all their diversity, they form a community with a common purpose and shared mission. As Christ said that He had come “that they might have life, life to the full” (John 10:10), we seek to draw out our students’ gifts, address their challenges and enable them to experience fullness of life.

The extraordinary success of Catholic education did not occur by chance: it is fruit of the sacrifice of past generations and divine grace. We are heirs to that rich legacy, borne out of sincere belief, inspiring vision and unwavering resolve. The bicentenary of Catholic education in Australia invites us to remember the past with gratitude, be inspired by that story in the present, and look forward with faith in the future ...

“Let the little children come to me,” said Jesus, “for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Matt 19:14). As the Catholic education world in Australia celebrates its bicentenary, the Bishops of Australia share the Holy Father’s confidence in the power of a good Catholic education from P to T (preschool to tertiary). We also have great confidence in our young people: that inspired by their encounter with Jesus Christ and nurtured by a Catholic education, they will be young women and men of character and ideals, and will contribute as leaders and disciples in our world. And we have great confidence in our education leaders and staff: that in charting the course for Catholic education in Australia in its third century, you will help us imagine how our educational institutions can be schools in a deeper faith and humanity, and ensure that this dream is realised.

In Week 10 of Term 1, we will have further cause to celebrate at our end of Term 1 Awards Assembly on Wednesday 31^st March 8:45a.m. – 9:15a.m. in the Mercy Centre.  Parents are most welcome to attend this final assembly. 

We will celebrate and acknowledge our learners through the encouragement awards and cornerstone awards across the whole school.  Teachers will notify parents if your child is to recieve one or both of the following awards. 

The Encouragement Awards are one of the ways in which we strive to recognise a student in each class that has adopted the mindset and attitude that brings success as measured by improvement, not simply by the final result. Something to also celebrate!

Our Cornerstone Awards recognise a student who embodies the SSPS  school motto: strive for goodness and the cornerstone values around our school. 

These being:  • Service • Commitment • Quality • Compassion

PREP CARPARK

Parents please abide by the following rules when using the PREP CARPARK;

1.  Parking in this area is strictly for 5 minutes only to allow for drop off/pickup. If you need to meet with a staff member you need to park in Lawrence St and walk to  Prep. 

2.  Please refrain from stopping on the road way to wait for a park.  If there are no parks you need to move through the school road and circle back.

The conjestion is impacting on residents around our school and buses not able to safely stop to drop other students as parents have illegally parked or pulled up in bus zones.  If it is too busy, please consider parking or drop off options in Lawrence St. 

Remember; Patience is a virtue and we need all our children to be safe. 

This area will be closely monitored by members of the School Leadership Team over the next week to review the parking situation and possibly make changes in the use of this carpark.

Thanks for reading.

Madonna Sleba

RE: St Saviour’s Primary School Outside School Hours Care (OSHC), Toowoomba

Toowoomba Catholic Kindergartens and Care (TCKC) will be operating the Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) service at your school from Monday 19^th April.  Families wanting to enrol their children must visit our website www.tckc.qld.edu.au, click on OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE tab and complete an enrolment form relevant to your school. Our website also provides you with operating hours, fee schedules and other relevant information.  Our services offer Before School Care, After School Care and Vacation Care options. The services offer flexible arrangements to suit the needs of your family.

Those families who already have an existing or previous account with Xplor need to contact our office (details below) before completing the enrolment form.

Families needing care for the Easter holidays must contact the current provider at the school. We will be operating vacation care from the June/July holidays.

Please contact us if you have any queries. Email enquiries@tckc.qld.edu.au or Ph: 0436 381 304.    

Further instructions if needed:

It can be located at this web address:  www.tckc.qld.edu.au

SSPS families will need to:

Click on the Outside School Hours Care tab

Click on the St Saviour’s OSHC tab

Click on the Enrolment form tab.

OR/ you can access it via our Toowoomba Catholic Schools website. Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools (twb.catholic.edu.au).

Families will need to:

Click on the Kindergarten and OSHC box to the right-hand side of the web page

Then follow the steps above.

Dear Parents and Carers,

IGNITE LEARNING & ILLUMINATE

In 2021, two of our priorities at St Saviour’s Primary School are the Ignite Learning and Illuminate Projects. 

The starting point for the Ignite Learning Project at St Saviour's Primary is to develop Learning Dispositions.  These dispositions will create a common language and help learners engage in and relate to the learning process.  This learning process can be at school, but it can also be during play at home, playing sport on the weekend or at any time when learning is taking place.

The Illuminate Project is based around the teaching and learning of Religious Education and the starting point of this project is based around making daily life connections to scripture with students.

The collection of parent voice is an important part of beginning these two projects and as such it would be appreciated if you could complete the survey by clicking on the below link. 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=_f1LV0RCBUK3EBaPWwxYDcdH5Hb48LBAv1f8RYyhgBFUQjE2NFIwWFhUWkRCNzA0QUxXS1FWN1RKNC4u 

PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Parent/Teacher Interviews for some classes have already commenced and for others will commence shortly.  These are an important part of the learning process at St Saviour's Primary.  

Mrs Melinda Harkins will begin her interviews in Week 7 (8 March onwards) and Ms Lisa Kynoch will be commencing after the holidays.  All other teachers will either be commencing their interviews in Week 8 (15 March onwards) or 9 (22 March onwards) of this term.  

Bookings will be taking place via the Schoolzine App and were sent out last week.

BULLYING NO WAY!

Bullying No Way! Day is next Friday 19 March.  At St Saviour's Primary School, there will be a focus around bullying at assembly on Monday which will culminate in the students receiving a wrist band that they can wear for the week.  Whilst this concept is continually visited throughout the year, next week will have a particular focus around bullying never being okay.

Below is a definition of bullying that you might like to discuss with your child.

Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in
relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social
behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological
harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power,
or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop
it from happening.
Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms
and devices, and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert).
Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated,
over time (for example, through sharing of digital records).
Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium
and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.
Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in
person or online, are not defined as bullying.

Also some parent tips:

Parent tips:-
If your child talks to you about bullying:
1. Listen calmly and get the whole story.
2. Reassure your child that they are not to blame.
3. Ask your child what they want you to do about
it and how you can help.
4. Visit www.bullyingnoway.gov.au  to find
strategies.
5. Check in regularly with your child 

6. Contact your child's teacher if necessary.

NAPLAN ONLINE 2021

Students at St Saviour’s Primary in Years 3 and 5 will be completing NAPLAN Online in 2021. 

Preparation for the NAPLAN tests: there will be an online practice test for Year 3 and 5 students on Wednesday 31 March.  At St Saviour’s Primary, we are fortunate that our students are currently using devices to assist with their learning.  Teachers are currently asking students to write and read stories on their device, use an online calculator and drawing instruments in maths and teaching ICT skills such as drag and drop, copy and paste and understanding drop down menus. All of these skills will help them to complete the tests to the best of their ability.

For more information around NAPLAN please click on the below link for an online parent information brochure: https://nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/resources/naplan-online-information-brochure-for-parents-and-carers.pdf

The timetable for the tests is below:

WHOLE SCHOOL SPORTING EVENTS – Cross Country and Athletics Carnivals

As you would be aware, parents have unfortunately not been able to attend swimming carnivals this term.  With the school cross country and athletics carnivals coming up, our plan is for parents to be able to attend as they are outdoor events.  Obviously, this will be reliant upon future COVID outbreaks and the fact that parents must remain socially distant when attending.  The dates for the two events are as follows:

Cross Country – Thursday 1 April from 9am.

Athletics Carnival – Thursday 17 June (200m & 800m events) & Friday 18 June (Full day carnival for Prep – Year 6).

RACE DAY

SAVE THE DATE - Saturday October 30

St Saviour's Primary and St Patrick's Cathedral will again be holding a Race Day on Saturday October 30 in the Marquee at Clifford Park Turf Club.  This is also Victorian Derby Day and we will stick with the 'Black & White' theme for the day.

Please stay tuned for ticket sales and sponsorship opportunities in the coming weeks.

SWIMMING LESSONS

Swimming lessons for all students (P-6) will take place next week at the Glennie Pool.  A permission note has been sent home.  Please complete prior to the first lesson on Monday 15 March.  It is a requirement that all students attend swimming lessons.  Further information is available on Schoolzine. 

Sam Hannant

APA 

Hello Everyone,

I’d like to introduce you to Daisy! Daisy is a school therapy dog and I'm her owner -  Miss Prentice.  She would love to come to St Saviours Primary School, if you will have her!

Daisy and I have attended a week long training course in Brisbane in 2019 and a refresher and reassessment in 2020. She is a 4 year old Labrador and is a very friendly dog with no history of any aggression. She attended school with me at St Thomas More’s Primary school and was very loved by staff, students and parents.

I’d like to introduce Daisy at assembly early next term and have her visit the playground and classrooms early in Term 2. Before I do this, I want to touch base and see if anyone has any children with a fear of dogs or any severe allergies. If you or your children have any concerns with any possible interactions with Daisy, please email Nicki Prentice before the end of this term, prior to Daisy’s first visit. Nicarla.prentice@twb.catholic.edu.au.

I look forward to chatting to anyone who has any questions or comments.

Have a wonderful week

Kind Regards

Nicki Prentice – Middle Leader

Darling Downs Swimming Carnival 

On Wednesday March 3, six students from St Saviour’s competed in the Darling Downs Swimming Carnival at Gatton Aquatic Centre. These students are to be commended for the way they represented their school. They competed against other schools to try and qualify for the Darling Downs team. Emma Barram qualified for the Darling Downs team for 11-year-old girls and was successful in making the DD team for the following events; 100 Fly, 100 Back, 50 Fly, 50 Back, 50 Free and 200 IM. Emma was also awarded 11 years girls age champion. Emma will now go onto compete for a spot on the QLD team at Chandler. (picture below)

Students who competed at the Darling Downs Trials: 

• Mia Casagrande 
• Lucy Hardy 
• Taylor Wann 
• Emma Barram 
• Harper Eagleson 
• James Currie 

Zone and Darling Downs Trials 

All Zone and Darling Downs trials will be placed on SchoolZine. Please check SchoolZine 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. Any questions, please contact me at brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au. 

Prep – 8-year-old Swimming Carnival 

On Tuesday the 30th of March the prep to 8-year-old swimming carnival will be held at Glennie Aquatics Centre. This carnival is designed so the younger students at St Saviour’s can have some fun in the pool at a less competitive level. This carnival will follow on from your child’s swimming lessons. More information will be sent home next week. Any questions please email me at brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au. 

School Sport 

Congratulations to Hunter Tate-Roche and Murdoc Thompson who both successfully made the ZONE Team for NRL. Both boys will play to try and qualify for the Darling Downs team. Carter Wicks also made the ZONE softball team and will be attending the Darling Downs on the 29th of March. Fantastic effort and we are all cheering for you. 

Sporting Stars 

Lots of awesome sporting achievements are happening outside of school sport in an array of different sports. Murdoc Thompson made the Toowoomba team for NRL, Addyson Jackson made the Toowoomba team foe Netball, Scarlett Bishop made the Toowoomba team for basketball, Evie Phillips made the Toowoomba team for Touch Football, Maddison Kratzke made nationals for dance and Richie Warner came second in his first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition at Caloundra on the weekend (pictures below) 

Sporting Schools provides after school programs to St Saviour’s through grants provided by the Queensland government. To help students make the move from school to club sport, Sporting Schools have created a new Find a Club webpage, where parents can explore over 35 sports and find a club in their local area. Please visit the website below and sign your child up for an exciting new sporting opportunity today. 

Find a Club | Sport Australia 

Upcoming Events (Term One) 

• Fitness Club (7:15am – 8:00am) - Tuesday and Thursday from 9th February 2021 till 25th March 2021. 
• P - 6 Swimming Lessons – 15th – 19th March 2021 at Glennie Aquatic Centre 
• Junior Swimming Carnival – 30th March 2021(9am) at Glennie Aquatics Centre 
• SSPS P - 6 Cross Country - Thursday 1st April 2021 (9am onwards on Primary School Oval) 

Kind Regards 

Brendan Luck 

PE Teacher 

Life and Learning in the Library... 

Students in Year 1, 2 and 3 are becoming expert at finding books they are interested in exploring. Please invest the time to share these books in your family and chat to your child about why they choose a particular book. Library time is for free choice book selections and if students get it wrong and don’t want to read or listen to the book, please have a conversation with them about how they could make a more suitable choice next time. 

Year 4 students have been learning about the classification system for Non-Fiction and Year 5 have been locating relevant information about life in colonial Australia in books and online sources. 

Lunch-time fun 

Year 5 friends enjoying a game of UNO

AccessIT (Our Library Database) Update 

A curated list of web-based resources is available to students on the ONLINE RESOURCES dashboard at http://au.accessit.online/STS02. Students must log in using the blue, single sign-on button and select the dashboard from the drop-down menu. Please encourage your students to use these resources at home when they have a question, need age appropriate information or would like an e-book or to enjoy a story being read to them.

Happy Reading!

Anne Anderson

Teacher Librarian

School Fees:

School Fees are due on the 19th March.  Thank you to those families who have contacted the office with questions, concerns or queries in relation to their Fee Statement.  We appreciate your patience as we transfer to a new financial system across the Catholic Diocese.  Those families on direct debit will automatically receive a statement each term.  

Pizza Treat Day:

Pizza Treat Day is being held in Week 9 of this term on Thursday 25th March.  Ordering will be available via Flexischools.  This is a highlight for our children as Term 1 draws to a close.  Thank to our P&F for organising. 

Bookclub:

Bookclub has been delivered this week to the children who ordered.  Thankyou to Mrs Standing and Mrs Biggar who helped with the distribution of books.  

Prep 2022:

Applications are filling fast for Prep 2022. Interviews will be taking place from the 27th April - 7th May.  Please contact the office if you have not already enrolled your child for Prep 2022.  

Skool Dayz Uniform Shop:

The Uniform Shop will be closed on MONDAY 22ND MARCH.

Normal operating hours will continue until the end of Term 1.  Please contact Dan Eagleson 0481 318 398 for all any uniform enquiries. 

Ordering is available online at www.skooldayz.com.au

Well Being Week Photos:

Staff vs Student Hand Ball competition.  What a great lunch break we shared together as part of Well Being Week. Thank you to Miss Anne for organising such a great week of fun and activities.

Term 1 - LAST DAY OF TERM:

The last day of school for Term 1 is Thursday 1 April.  This is also our school Cross Country day. Term 2 begins on Tuesday 20 April.  

Congratulations to our Weekly Award Winners Week 6 & 7

Individual Chess Competition 

Congratulations to the thirteen children who competed in the Individual Chess Competition at Highlands Christian College on Tuesday 2nd March 2021.   

Liam McHugh, Parker Bohm and Hugo Seaby (Year 3) all competed in the Novice Section (Years 1-3) in a pool of over 50 children from different schools.  This was their first time competing in an individual competition and they did themselves and their school proud.  Well done boys! 

In the Open Section, there were over 200 competitors.  Several of our children competed for the first time – Bianca Flanigan, Kyara Flanigan, Isabel Hoole, Cooper Hoole, Jackson Horne and Annabelle Horne.  Along with them were also those that have competed previously -  Kruz Leifels, James Ottobrino, Kye McHugh and Sean Darvall. 

All of the children secured at least one win, with 3 of our players making it to the ‘clock tables’.  Congratulations to Sean Darvall who came 5th overall and who received the medal for ‘Best Year 6 player’. 

The students’ behaviour was exemplary, representing St Saviour’s well and they reported having an enjoyable day of chess. 

Sara McHugh 

Supervising Teacher 

Year 5 Mass

This week we celebrated our first class mass. In class we have been learning about the Mass. The first part of every mass is the Introductory Rite or Rite of Welcome. Father Michael greeted us at the front door and asked the students “How would you greet guests at your house?” You welcome them into your home; the introductory rite is like this. It is a welcome into our Parish Home. The second part of the Mass, is the Liturgy of the Word where Father Michael welcomed us to front of the church to listen and share God’s word. Next we celebrated Eucharist around the Altar. The Altar is representation of the table at the Last Supper. We have learnt that Eucharist is a sacred tradition, where we remember Jesus. Finally we sat at the baptismal font where we participated in the concluding rites and prepared for our Mini Vinnie Presentation.

Mini Vinnie Presentation

This year we have learnt that The St Vincent de Paul Society is a Catholic organisation that aims to help the needy in our community. The Society aspires to live Jesus’ Gospel message by serving Christ with Love, Respect, Joy and Justice.

The St Vincent De Paul Society helps people in need, people who are having a hard life, living on the streets or don’t have much clothing, food or shelter.​

During the week we practiced our Mini Vinnie Pledge:

As a member of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Mini Vinnies, I commit to making a difference in my world, to loving and respecting myself, to reaching out to others in my school and community through friendship and doing good works.

We are so excited to carry out this mission this year.

Thank you to Ms Nicki Prentice (Our Wonderful Middle Leader) who helped with the presentation of the badges.

Look Out for our First Mini Vinnie’s Project for this year, which will be announced on assembly next week.

Regards, 

Ms Natalie Lancuba and Mrs Nicole Cooper 

Year 5 Teachers 

Perth Street Parking 

It is important that we are respectful of our residential neighbours around our school.  Please refrain from blocking residential driveways and be mindful of the No Standing signs particularly in Perth Street.   

Perth Street is on the school side is a no standing zone between the hours of 8a.m. - 4p.m. 

You are not permitted to park or stop in the bus zones during these hours. 

Thank you for your consideration of the Queensland road rules. 

ST PATRICKS DAY

As we do every year, the tuckshop will be offering a selection of green-themed food for this special day. 

Healthy and fun options for both morning tea and lunch will be available for ordering via Flexischools.

Items available for morning tea:

Green Fruit Kebabs (green grapes, kiwi fruit and mini marshmallows)   $1-00 GF

Celtic Cupcakes    $1-30

‘Lucky’ Bread (fairy bread with green sprinkles)    70c  -GF AVAILABLE-

 Items available for lunch:

Paddy’s Pasta and Sausages  $4-00    -GF AVAILABLE-

‘Pot Of Gold’ Jelly Tub    $1-20   GF

Wishing you a pot o’ gold and all the joy your heart can hold

Regards

Tash Biggar