Week 5, Term 3, 2022
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
As we enter the mid-way point of Term 3, I wish to commend staff and students on their continued enthusiasm and effort noted in their approach to learning and social interactions. The continued vibe of happiness is testament to the strong school culture that exists here at St Saviour’s Primary School. Each time I am on duty around our school, it is wonderful to see the joy on the faces of our students in their play and interactions with their peers. Parents, we don’t do this alone and know that your support, understanding and acknowledgment of our school approach to student and staff well-being is appreciated. Let’s keep this going for the remainder of the term everyone!
Thank you to members of our school community for your participation in Mrs Judy Smith’s summative performance review recently. Judy as you know, has been our APRE for the past 10 years and before this time also held Acting APRE and Assistant Principal Administration duties for the previous 10 years. Judy’s contribution to the St Saviour’s Primary School has been well acknowledged in this process and we are thankful for her dedication to the religious life of the school. The panel have met with Judy and there was certainly much to celebrate on her ten years and more as APRE here at St Saviour’s. Judy’s strength in Religious Leadership was well noted as she fosters the Catholic ethos and identity of the school and leads by example through living a Christian life. Judy has been instrumental in building connections between the school and parish with a concerted accent on social justice and outreach.
Judy is to be congratulated on the many commendations that have been highlighted in this review process. Judy is encouraged to pursue goal setting and professional learning conversations upon reflection of the recommendations. Congratulations Judy on a successful review.
This week, I have been in Cunnamulla with my fellow principals across the Diocese at the Term 3 Leadership Forum. The matterof the recent release of the ABS 2021 Census data around the increase in the numbers of people identifying as having ‘no religion’ was a topic of discussion amongst us as Catholic Principals. This trend was paralleled by the decrease in the numbers identifying as Christian. Both have been growing trends over many years and they were highlighted by a change in the Census question structures.
While there is no doubting the figures, nor the fact that these trends require deep reflection and analysis by those of us who hold a religious belief there is a counterpoint to them. This is another emerging trend across Australia over many years that the ABS Census does not identify.
This trend is reflected in the growing numbers of students attending faith-based schools and the growing numbers of such schools. This is certainly true for Catholic schools. I can only speak from my knowledge of Catholic schools that it is also a reality that a significant number of the students and families are non-Catholic and some would identify as ‘no religion’.
Similarly, there is continuing growth in faith-based hospitals and health care services. This is replicated in the increasing provision and uptake of Catholic aged care as well as Catholic family and social services delivery. Anyone and everyone can access these services and people of faith and no faith at all are doing so.
The majority of these faith-based schools, hospitals and health care services are founded in the mission, values and beliefs of Christianity. People may not be filling the Church pews anymore but they are filling the classrooms, the waiting rooms and wards of many faith-based institutions. This is cause for hope. It is also a reason to reflect on why.
I can only reflect on why families choose to send their children to Catholic schools because that is my area of expertise. I believe they do so because of the high quality of education and care that Catholic schools almost universally provide. Further to this, Catholic schools are considered places that expect high standards of behaviour based on explicit values.
The best of these schools are also considered to be welcoming communities. They are communities that engender a sense of belonging, connection and attachment. This can be true for students, staff and parents alike.
For those of us who are fortunate to be a part of the St Saviour’s Primary School community these feelings of connection and belonging are deeply felt. We experience them in all sorts of ways, be they at intimate moments for small numbers of people or large gatherings with big numbers. To highlight just a few from recent days and in upcoming weeks at the school I mention the following:
- Celebrating together at Assembly – St Mary Mackillop’s Feast Day
- Staff organisation and student athletes representing our school at the recent Central Zone Athletics
- School Choir’s commitment each Wednesday morning in participation of celebrating all the father figures in our children’s lives at the upcoming ‘Dad’s BBQ and putt putt” evening on 31st August.
- The extraordinary success of so many of our students at the Eisteddfod taking out first, second, and highly commended across the year levels. Congratulations students and Mrs McVeigh.
I expect that you could add to this list with your own experiences of where you find or have found this sense of community connection and belonging at St Saviour’s Primary School. There may be ‘no religion’ in such moments but there is God. Joan Chittister captures this profoundly:
“It is in community that we come to see God in the other. It is in community that we see our own emptiness filled up. It is community that calls me beyond the pinched horizons of my own life, my own country, my own race, and gives me the gifts I do not have within me.
Every blessing to you all and thanks for reading.
Madonna Sleba
Are your child/children’s circumstances changing in 2023?
The school’s financial planning for the delivery of services in 2023 is approaching completion and as such, we draw your attention to the processes relating to withdrawing a student.
Parents I ask that you complete the Microsoft form indicating a change in enrolment for 2023 by Friday 12th August 5p.m.
CSPA 2022 Parent Survey on Student Wellbeing and Learning
Have your say on what matters regarding the wellbeing and learning of your child.
For example, has COVID or your partnership with the school affected your child’s wellbeing and learning?
If you are a parent or carer with a child in a Catholic school, CSPA would love to hear from you.
Click on the survey link and share your feedback to assist CSPA in reporting to the Federal Government and Catholic education.
Your feedback will remain anonymous.
Click here for CSPA Parent Survey
Dear Parents and Carers,
Hoping that everyone is enjoying the slightly warmer weather, the longer days and the sunshine!! This last fortnight we have been busy as usual but I have picked a few events/ items to share with you.
Firstly, Monday, August 8th, was the Feast Day of Australia’s first saint, Mary MacKillop. Mary MacKillop is also known as Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop and she is Australia’s first saint. At assembly, we enjoyed singing "A Cross of Stars" and watching a videoclip showing photos of "Mary Mac" and explaining how she made a difference, particularly in the lives of poor Australian Catholics.
One of Mary MacKillop's sayings was,“Find happiness in making others happy.” As a school community we prayed...
God of happiness,you have given us many gifts and talents.
Help us to find small ways each day to make others happy
by smiling, speaking positively and looking for ways we can help others.
This coming Monday (August 15), we are gathering for our whole school Term 2 Mass at 1:45 at St Pat's.
WE WOULD LOVE to have parents/ grandparents attend this with us, on the Feast of the Assumption.
CEW ARTWORKS, representing each school in the diocese. Thanks to Melinda Harkins for creating our " masterpiece" depicting what makes SSPS special as a "Community of LOVE".
The Week 5 staff meeting was delivered by me, revisiting the Pedagogy of Encounter model, a process which invites both teacher and student to feel comfortable to open their experiences, feelings and thoughts in reflection and meaning-making. This process can be utilised across all learning areas but is particularly powerful when interpreting scripture as it assists learners (teacher and student) to find links between Jesus’ message and their own lives.
Weekly Parish Masses: Over the last two weeks, Years 4 and then Prep and Year 5s participated in the 9am Tuesday Mass. Again, everyone is most welcome to attend these simple but most enjoyable celebrations.
Next week, Year 6s will be attending.
Year 5s' Mini Vinnies Chat with Julie Inskip:
Last Friday, Julie Inskip (St V D Paul) visited the Year 5 classes. Along with collecting the last of the blankets (Winter Appeal), she shared information about St V d Paul, describing how big their fridge and freezers were, to store food. She also mentioned that if people don’t feel safe at home, there are places available where people can go to find sanctuary. Even Mrs Inskip does not know where these safe places are…it is all very confidential.
She mentioned Frederick Ozanam who lived in Paris in the 1800s, where there was lots of sickness and the men got sick mostly as they were leaving the homes to work. On one occasion Frederick found a widowed mother who needed firewood and so he left it at their door without speaking with them. One of his friends prompted him to actually talk to them and this was the beginning of Ozcare, Mini Vinnies and Rosies type community support groups.
Kobe and Emily found Mrs Inskips’ talk to be very interesting, and inspiring and look forward to her visiting again in the future.
Enjoy the rest of your week,
Judy
Dear Parents and Carers,
Parent/Teacher Interviews
During Week 9 (week beginning 5 September), parent/teacher interviews will take place at St Saviour's Primary School.
These interviews provide an opportunity for teachers to communicate information to parents and/or carers on what their child knows, understands and can do at this point in time. This feedback may also include recommendations for future learning.
Additionally, reporting via parent/teacher interviews allows opportunities for parents and teachers to engage about the learning journey of the child and opportunites to report on the education of the whole child. Attending an interview also indicates to your child that you are interested in their learning needs and what's happening to them at school.
Bookings for interviews will take place via the Sentral Application and will be made live in the coming days.
This year, Tuesday afternoon (6 September) will be an afternoon where all teachers are available in the Mercy Centre commencing at 1pm until at least 6pm. This will allow parents some more flexibility in booking times over lunch breaks, straight after school or later in the afternoon. Alternate times will also be available with each teacher during the week if this afternoon does not suit.
Years 5 & 6 Camps
Year 5 Camp will take place at Emu Gully on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th October 2022. Further information will be sent home regarding this camp in the very near future. This camp is a very integral part of selecting 2023 leadership positions, with further information about these positions and the selection process available soon.
Year 6 Camp will take place at the Sunshine Coast Recreation Centre from 31 October to 2nd November 2022. Please keep these dates in mind and further information will be sent home to parents prior to the September holidays.
Sam Hannant
APA
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Twilight Staff Meeting
Last Wednesday night, staff took part in some professional development. The evening gave teachers an opportunity to reflect on their own planning and give feedback to their peers. We were focussing on ways to ensure the purpose and details of learning is clear for our learners, as well as what students need to do to be successful in their learning.
Learner Qualities
Thank you for the positive response to our updated Learner Quality posters. If you would like to receive a printed colour copy for home, please email me at Nicarla.prentice@twb.catholic.edu.au.
Here is the link to the posters if you wish to access a digital copy and print them yourself.
STEM Academy
On Thursday mornings, students from Grades 4-6 have been participating in a STEM challenge. We are in the process of creating our designs on Tinkercad and in a few weeks we will present the designs to our peers and vote on the most effective design for our users. We have been following the design thinking process and the level of creativity and innovation has been very impressive. A big thank you to the teachers who volunteer their time each Thursday to make STEM Academy happen!
Have a wonderful week!
Warm Regards
Nicki Prentice
Book Week - Monday 22nd – Friday 26th August
We celebrate Book Week on Tuesday 23rd with our dress-up parade. Students are encouraged to dream of their future self OR dream themselves into a story as inspiration for their costume. A physical book is not required for the parade and parents are welcome to attend.
We will continue to enjoy the short-listed books and library-based activities and competitions to mark this memorable event which highlights the quality of children’s literature available in Australia.
Remember to bring your entry for the colouring competition to the library next Monday!
Prep’s response to the short-listed book Jetty Jumping
Our class dreamcatchers are adding colour to our space
thank you everyone!
Step into Stories 2022
Year 5 and 6 classes enjoyed an online session with Mark Wilson, a creator of amazing picture books as part of the Step into Stories event. Students spent class time becoming familiar with Mark's work and during the session they heard first-hand how Mark goes about his writing and illustrating. Students followed Mark's direction to produce their own works of art! The session resulted in a broadening of student knowledge around book creation and inspiration for enthusiastic students to be writers and illustrators.
This year, Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office and Queensland School Libraries Association contributed to the cost of this event and many schools across the Diocese took advantage of the online as well as face to face sessions.
If these books belong to your family, please collect them from the library
Catholic Schools Touch Football/Netball Gala Day
Year Five and Year Six students competed against other schools in Netball and Touch Football for Catholic Education Week. Students played in either competitive or non-competitive teams. All students are to be commended on their sportsmanship and the way they represented St Saviour’s Primary on the day. Everyone played with heart and determination with lots of fun had by all teams (pictures attached).
Zone and Darling Downs Trials
All Zone and Darling Downs trials will be placed on Parent Portal. Please check Parent Portal 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. I am unable to nominate students after the closing date so please make sure you do keep an eye on Parent Portal. Any questions, please contact me at brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au.
Cheers
Brendan Luck
HPE Teacher
School Fees:
Reminder that Term 3 school fees are due on Tuesday 30 August. Payments can be made into our bank account (see details below) or via eft/cash at the school office.
- Account Name: St Saviour’s Primary Account
- BSB: 064-786
- Account Number: 100025243
- Bank: Commonwealth Bank of Australia
- Branch: ADF
Important Dates Coming Up:
- Prep 2023 Orientation #1 9.00am August 31
- Book Week - August 22 - August 26
- Father's Day Event - August 31
- Pupil Free Day - September 2 (Friday)
- Pizza Treat Day - September 8 (Thursday) Ordering via Flexischools
- Last Day of Term 3 - September 16
School Calendar:
Please remember to check the school calendar regularly on the parent portal, for all important dates and events happening throughout the school year.
Uniform Shop:
Opening Hours:
Monday 2.30pm - 4.00pm
Friday 2.30pm - 4.00pm
Please contact Dan Eagleson for all enquiries:
0481 318 398
Late Arrivals:
Any children arriving after 8.30am need to be signed in at the office in the Late Arrival book and be given a Late Slip to take up to class. The classroom rolls are marked promptly at 8.30am so it is important to come to the office and sign in.
School Crossings:
Please remember to use the school crossings when crossing in Perth and Lawrence Streets. It is important to teach our children the correct way to cross, when using the school crossings. Please be respectful to our Crossing Supervisors who supervise the crossings to keep us all safe.
Speed Limits:
Please be aware that our school has a zoned 40k limit both in Neil, Perth and Lawrence Streets of a morning and afternoon. It has come to our attention that some parents are driving at speeds over this limit at peak times for morning and afternoon drop off. We cannot stress the importance of drivng safely around our school. Please stick to the speed limit, take your time when trying to find a park and remember children can be unpredictable - accidents can occur in a blink of an eye.
Congratulations to our Weekly Award Winners for Week 4 & 5
Congratulations to several of our students who performed at the Toowoomnba Eisteddfod last week.
Congratulations to Alexis (1st place), Estelle (2nd place) and Liam (Highly Commended) who performed in the Humorous Poem Section - Year 4. There were 17 performers in this section from schools all across Toowoomba. Special thanks to Mrs McVeigh for all her support and mentoring to ensure that everyone who performed did an amazing job. Well done also to Alya in Year 6 who competed in the Year 6 Humorous Poem section at the Eisteddfod. She received Highly Commended. Well done Ayla.
St Saviour's Primary Outside School Hours Care operates from 6.30 am - 8.30 am and 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm Monday - Friday.
For bookings please contact Taylor on 0429 381 561
SSPcare@tckc.qld.edu.au or visit their website www.tckc.qld.edu.au
