2018 Term 4 Week 9 SSPS Newsletter

As parents are aware the school is working towards consolidating the apps used for communication. As of 2019, the school will no longer be using the Skoolbag app and will begin using the Schoolzine app. The app is synchronised with our website, calendar, absentee submissions and much more. We also anticipate using the app for bookings for future events.

School alerts and notifications are one of the main features of this APP where the office can send you a message about a bus being late or reminders about upcoming events. Parents will be able to access Class Communication Notes, Newsletters and any other calendar events plus several other great features.

Further information and support can be found at http://www.schoolzine.com.au/szapp

Welcome to the final newsletter for the year.

Our community festivities for the end of year are coming to an end with our Leaders celebrating their graduation tomorrow morning.  A special acknowledgment must be extended to the parents for your incredible support of the school during your time with us. To all those who have journeyed and created memories with the children leaving us this year, on behalf of all involved, I thank you. These faces of the future will continue to create their own stories and we are blessed to have spent time with you. Best wishes for the adventures ahead.

It is full credit to our senior students for the way in which they consistently conduct themselves in a most commendable manner. They have served our community well this year by being exemplary leaders and positive role models to all students.
I extend further acknowledgement of others who leave the St Saviour’s Primary community to take up residence in new schools and new places.  To the longstanding families who leave us with their youngest moving on, I say thank you for your support and engagement in the life of our school.

ADVENT

As we head into the beginning of Advent. This is a time to prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. It is through the Gospel stories of Jesus’ life that we find our greatest role-model. It is through Jesus’ life and teachings that we learn the values of love, forgiveness and thankfulness. Taking time throughout Advent to reflect on our own actions and comparing them to Jesus’ example allows us to challenge ourselves to become better Christians.  
When we think of New Year's celebrations, we usually think of party time. It's time to let the old year go. We anticipate the new year by making resolutions and promising changes in behaviour.  As Christians, we celebrate the arrival of a new liturgical year differently. The new year that begins on the first Sunday of Advent is a quiet one. In the readings for the four Sundays of Advent, we remember the time when people waited in anticipation for the coming of the Messiah. And while we know that the Messiah has come in Jesus Christ, and we have remembered his life, Death, Resurrection and Ascension many times, we can still reflect on and celebrate the newness of his coming once again.
What is great about celebrating the coming of Jesus with children is that they help us approach the season with fresh eyes and insight. They present us with a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge they present is the way they soak up the values of the culture that has had them anticipating Christmas since the beginning of November. The opportunity they present is that we can introduce them to the timeless rituals celebrating the coming of the Messiah that will add depth to their spiritual lives.
Source: ‘Celebrating Advent with Your Family’ by James P. Campbell, D.Min from
One such ritual to celebrate the coming of the Messiah is to use an Advent Calendar. Advent Calendars help us to focus on the true meaning of Christmas as it encourages us to wait and hope for what is to come. Many of the store-bought calendars are filled with treats to consume. The following example is one that encourages us to give of ourselves to others. This can be printed out and put on the fridge as a reminder of how to be servants to others as we wait for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ at Christmas.
https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/advent/calendars/childrens-advent-calendar

Student Leaders for 2019

Congratulations to all the upcoming Year 6 students for 2019 as they prepare to become the leaders of our school.  Our leaders of position are as follows:

2019 School Captains
School Captains:  Paris Orr & William Smith
Vice-School Captains:  Lily Maher & Logan Sanders

2019 House Captains

Goretti Captains: Lainey Currie and Michael Foley            
Coolock Captains: Charlotte Condon and Harriet Sullivan-Johnson
McAuley Captains: Bridget STaines and Khai Greenhalgh
Xavier Captains: Milly-Rose Allan and Blaze Luck

2019 Councillors

Technology: Mia Ballard and Lindsay Rodrigues

Library: Charlotte Ballard and Lara Anderson

Service: Pascal Harboe-Green and Amelia King

Wellbeing: Chloe Barram and Digby McGregor

Reports

Having recently read all of the student reports for this semester, I am extremely grateful to the teachers for their time and commitment to providing quality reports to parents. It is clearly evident to me that the teachers really know and understand the children they have been working with throughout the year and have succinctly and effectively communicated each child’s achievements and potential areas for future focus. It is an enormous task to bring together all of the information, assessment, observations and notes that teachers collect on an ongoing basis, to then collate this and report it to you in its current format. I hope in your own special way, you will have the opportunity to say thanks to your child’s class teacher, not just for the report card, but for being that very influential person in your child’s life during 2016. The role of the teacher should never be underestimated and the fruits of their labour are sometimes not evident until years down the track.

Starting Dates for next year

Please note the following dates for the beginning of the school year:

• Teachers return Monday 21st January.
• Year 1- Year 6 children return Tuesday 29th January 2019.
• Prep 2019 children will commence in small groups for the first two days starting Tuesday 29th January.  Separate information was included in the Prep Package handed to parents at the Information evening indicating which day each child should come to school for the first time.
  

Finally, I would like to thank you all for your generous support, open conversations, and precious time throughout 2018. It is hard to imagine that we are almost at the end of the school year. As I reflect on this past year, I am extremely proud of all we have achieved as a community. It has been a very rewarding and challenging year in several areas. I am blessed to work with wonderful staff, supportive parents and the children every day make me smile. I look forward with hope to the New Year ahead at St Saviour’s Primary School. May this season of Christmas be a time spent celebrating the birth of Jesus and the joy of life with those closest to you. Stay safe and we look forward to continuing the journey next year. Every blessing for you all over the Christmas Holiday.

Thanks for reading.

Our Final Assembly this week was a very special one with lots of achievements celebrated and special people acknowledged.

Spirit of Catherine McAuley Award

This award which was organised and donated by St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish. Maddie Moloney was selected as a student who epitomises all that we want our students to aspire to. Congratulations Maddie!

Cornerstone Value Awards for TERM 4

Congratulations to the following recipients…

1. Prep H- Maya Adams- Service

2. Prep A- Georgia Boyes- Quality

3. 1C- Mia Casagrande - Service

4. 1L- Everard Hamilton - Compassion

5. 2G – Maddison Kratzke- Quality

6. 2C- Elijah Grundon - Service

7. 3L – Abigail Hardy- Commitment

8. 3A – Bella Layt- Compassion

9. 4D- Evelyn Fuller- Compassion

10. 4C- Gemma Smith-Service

11. 5LW- Connor Leicht-Compassion

12. 5W- Digby McGregor- Compassion

13. 6M- Isabella Casagrande- Quality

14. 6H- Sienna Wagner – Quality

15. Mini Vinnies – Helan Jeni – Commitment

Medals for ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Sienna Wagner (Year 6), Paris Orr (Year 5) and Erin Ward (Year 2) received their medals as they achieved “Straight As” on their Report Card. They attained As across all 9 learning areas, which is quite extraordinary. Well done, girls!

ADOPT-A-COP AWARDS

These awards are presented at the end of each semester to a student in each year level who has been identified as displaying courage, pride and/ or fairness. These awards were presented to the following students, by Sergeant Kirsty Gleeson who is the SSPS’ Adopt-A- Cop.

Congratulations to: Max Allan, Zoe Giles, Evie Phillips, Isabel Hoole, Arwyn Daniells, Mia Dillon & Joe Gray

MOVEMBER

Thank you for your generosity. We raised $400 for Mens’ health.

Sacramental Program 2019

St Patrick’s Parish Sacramental Program will start at the beginning of 2019. As part of this program students and their families prepare for, and celebrate, the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Communion in the first two terms of the school year. 

Detailed information and an Enrolment Application have been sent home to all students in Year 3 who have been baptised, as well as older students who may have  been “missed” along the way. If this is something that you wish for your child to be a part of then please keep an eye out for this paperwork.

Mrs Judy Smith | APRE

New SMARTBOARDS 2019

St Saviour’s Primary has purchased six new SMARTboards for the 2019 school year to replace some of our older models.  The new boards will go into the prep, year 6 and two of the year 4 classrooms.

Last Friday, the teachers received training into how the SMARTboards work from  Rebecca Woolnough from SMART.  Rebecca works at a school in Melbourne and uses this technology regularly.  It was a fantastic day, which saw the teachers learn simple things like marking the roll on the board to more complex tasks such as creating interactive lessons.

More to come in 2019.

TRANSITION MEETINGS 2019

This week all teachers have been engaged in transition meetings.  These meetings are at the end of the year so that the teachers can learn about the students entering their class in 2019 and can plan teaching units around their strengths and areas that need consolidation.  At these meetings teachers look at student data from assessment pieces and whole school testing.  This data also informs 2019 planning.

Mr Sam Hannant | APA

Sport Uniform 2019

We have recently fielded a number of enquiries  regarding which days students will be wearing their sport uniform next year. 

So everyone is aware, all children will wear their sport uniform for two days a week and their formal uniform for three days. 

Every child will wear sport uniform on Friday and the other day will depend on which day your child has physical education. 

That second day will either be Wednesday or Thursday and it will be confirmed at the beginning of 2019. 

If you do have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. 

Friday Night Basketball – Term 4

A special thanks to Mrs Conway, Mr Luck and Mrs Greenhalgh who have coached and helped with the Friday Night Basketball Teams in 2018.

PLEASE ADD PHOTO OFF SCHOOL CAMERA OF MONICA AND THE KIDS

Basketball Supercamp – January 5-9 2019

The annual Basketball Supercamp with Pop Dickerson takes place from January 5-9 2019.  If you would like your son or daughter to attend, please visit www.supercamp.com.au for more information and registration forms. 

TFL Super Sign on and Fun Day

The Toowoomba Football (Soccer) League will be holding a sign on and fun day on Saturday February 2 at Queens Park (Cnr Hume and Margaret Streets).  It will commence at 10am and conclude at 1pm.

There will be development officers from Football Queensland in attendance on the day and also members of local clubs who can sign children up.

2019 Sport Dates

The following dates have now been finalised for St Saviour’s Primary Sport in 2019:

• Swimming Carnival (9-12 year old students) – Tuesday 5 February at Glennie Aquatic Centre
• Swimming Lessons (P-6 students) – Monday 18 – Friday 22 February at Glennie
• School Cross Country (P-6 students) – Friday 29 March starting on the school oval
• School Athletics Carnival (9-12 year olds) - Thursday 9 May at O’Quinn St Oval
• School Athletics Carnival (All students) – Friday 10 May at O’Quinn St Oval.  This is a lot earlier than usual due to the national athletics carnival being in Darwin in 2019.

Mr Sam Hannant | APA

Mr Howard and Mrs Watson from St Vincent’s Aged Care Services called in on Monday to collect our gift bags. These gifts have been prepared for their residents who don’t receive visitors or gifts at Christmas using funds raised by Mini Vinnies this year. We enjoyed preparing the items and making a Christmas angel. Well done Mini Vinnies members for your work in 2018.

Mrs Anderson | Teacher Librarian

Holidays are here!

Please check out the following ideas for ways to add to your reading enjoyment.

Respond to comments on our Summer Reading @ Home blog

It is always great to talk about what you are reading! (Please ask an adult to help you with posting on the blog)

• The blog can be found at http://ssplibrary.edublogs.org/ or via the Reading page on the Library website.
• The password is read and the instructions are found under the Guidelines link on the left hand bar.

Your Local Library

• Visit or join the Toowoomba Regional Library and borrow from a wide range of reading material on their shelves
• Check out their calendar of holiday events

Digital Books

• e-platform app from Wheelers – Use this free app to browse (Resource Centre – Diocese of Toowoomba) and borrow e-books by signing in with your CeNet login
• Tumble Books – Use your public library membership number to login at www.tumblebooklibrary.com

Stories online

• Login to Storybox Library at www.storyboxlibrary.com.au

(School login: username is ssps, password is stories) to listen and view Australian literature begin read by Australians.

More Reading online

• The State Library of Queensland provides access to a large number of e-resources including online journals, newspapers, magazines, websites and encyclopedias. All e-resources can be accessed from home using a SLQ membership. You can register online (http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/services/membership/how-to-join) to get immediate access to services, collections and facilities.

Other Things to Do

• Write about your reading in a journal
• Log your reading and talk about it with your family
• Re-read your favourite book on your bookshelf
• Ask for books for Christmas
• Swap a book with a friend
• Buy a second-hand book with your pocket money

Happy holiday and happy reading from,
Mrs Milton, Mrs Powers and Mrs Anderson

The Executive Director: Catholic Schools has responded to principal requests for additional Professional development and planning days and has approved additional days for 2019 to assist with professional learning agendas, and to reduce the number of days teachers are away from schools during each term. Please note the below dates in your family calendar for 2019. St Saviour’s Primary School 2019 Professional Development and Planning Days (previously Pupil Free Days):

The girls dresses and the boys formal short sleeve shirts are now available for purchase from Skooldayz.

Please see the following lists of times we will be open this year.

• Saturday 8th December - By appointment only
• Any other days and time - By appointment only

Next year:

• Reopen Wednesday 16th January 2019 - 1:00pm to 6:00pm
• Thursday 17th January - 1:00pm to 6:00pm
• Friday 18th January - 1:00pm to 4:30pm
• Saturday 19th January - 9:00am to 1:00pm
• Monday 21st January - 1:00pm to 6:00pm
• Tuesday 22nd January - 1:00pm to 6:00pm
• Wednesday 23rd January - 1:00pm to 6:00pm
• Thursday 24th January - 1:00pm to 6:00pm
• Friday 25th January - 1:00pm to 4:30pm

Buying/Ordering options for 2019:

All uniforms are available for purchase and can also be ordered online.

• Buy via uniform shop (credit card, pay wave or cash) 
• Order now online, pay now, pick up in January (direct debit, credit card or PayPal)
• Order now online, pay in January for pick up in January (direct debit, credit card or cash)

Please note - all orders must be paid for before collection.

Skooldayz Contact Information

Dan Eagleson - 0481 318 398

www.skooldayz.com.au

info@skooldayz.com.au

Clothing Pool

• The Clothing Pool is now operating on a FRIDAY AFTERNOON from 2.30pm - 4.00pm.
• Located in the Parent Community Room (next to the Library)
• Any enquiries please contact our Convenor, Cathy Condon 0438 647 082

Skool Dayz (New Uniform Supplier)

• Skool Dayz will be open in the Parent/Community room on Fridays from 2.30pm till 4.00pm.
• If you would like to organise another time to try on uniforms or have any queries regarding the school uniforms please contact Skool Dayz directly on 0481 318 398.
• New orders can now be placed online via the website or follow Skool Dayz on Facebook.
  Skooldayz http://www.skooldayz.com.au 

Prep Driveway and Carpark

Parents please remember to STOP at the sign in the Prep driveway. The Prep car park is strictly for the use of families with children in Prep.

Parking near the Mercy Centre

Parents just a reminder that parking down the driveway beside the Mercy Centre is strictly for deliveries and for those families needing to access the Disabled Park. It is not to be used in the morning for drop off or in the afternoon for pick up. Thank you for your understanding.

Before and After School Care

If you are unable to collect your child before 3.30pm please contact Hall-Thorpe Sports directly (Phone: 4638 7965 or Mobile 0438764752). Bookings Essential. Email admin@hallthorpesports.com.au

Bus Zones

Strictly no parking in the Bus Zones. Police do regularly monitor these areas in the morning and afternoons.

Available to purchase from the Office

• School Badges $5
• School Back Packs $60
• Swimming Caps $5
• Library Bags $10
• School Water Bottles (Large $8 Small $5)

Early Departures

Parents needing to collect students early throughout the day must come to the office to sign your child out. Please inform your child’s teacher via email or note if you are wanting to take your child early.

Absentees

If your child is absent from school please ensure you contact either the school office (messages can be left on the school answering machine) or on Skoolbag App. Please ensure this is done before 9am. If no contact has been made the office will contact you. If your child will be absent for a long period at a time, it is important you discuss this with your child’s teacher and make relevant plans to ensure work can be provided.

School Contacts

Before/After Schoolcare

Hall Thorpe Sports
Phone: 4638 7965

Cobb & Co Museum Christmas 2018