Week 3, Term 4, 2022
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
As this will be my last newsletter till March 2023 before moving into the role of Acting Director: Education Services at Toowoomba Catholic Schools, I wish to extend my gratitude to Mr Sam Hannant, Mrs Judy Smith, Mrs Ann-Maree Ward and Ms Nicarla Prentice for continuing to lead our great school. Knowing that the school will be in the capable hands of Mr Sam Hannant as Acting Principal is a blessing for our community.
Week 3 has certainly been very busy with a number of events:
On Monday and Tuesday staff were fortunate to attend professional development with Mr James Nottingham the creator of ‘The Learning Pit’. TCS staff, School Leaders and Teachers from across many Toowoomba Catholic Schools were also present at St Saviour’s Primary. The excitement at being able to observe modelled lessons by James and have the opportunity to ask questions of such a world renowned educator was evident in the energy and buzz in the room. The students of Year 5L and 1K are to be congratulated on engaging in the lessons so freely. Mr Nottingham was very impressed with their knowledge and responses to his questioning.
Our 2023 Prep students and their families joined us on Wednesday for the second transition morning. All happily explored the Prep learning areas, met new friends and teachers. Many smiling faces all round. Mrs Annette Murdoch (Learning Support Teacher) and Mrs Anne Woodcroft-Brown (School Counsellor) talked with parents about the emotions children may feel transitioning from Kindergarten to the Primary School and tips for parents to support their prep child.
Our Year 5 students recently enjoyed their camp at Emu Gully in preparation for becoming leaders in 2023. Thanks to our staff who accompanied the children over the two days. Yesterday, Mrs Judy Smith and the Year 5 teachers led the children at their Leader’s session at the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Micah Centre. The focus for the session was exploring what makes a good leader. Thanks to the staff and Year 6 students for supporting our Year 5 students. We look forward to receiving their leadership expressions of interest in the next few weeks. The 2023 leaders will be announced at the End of Year Mass in Week 8 of this term.
Be Committed, Be Determined
As the school year enters its final chapters, many Year 6s will be looking forward and looking back. I have already heard the phrase, “This will be the last time we…”. Memories are precious, and they form us. Our Year 6 students will be heading to Currimundi Recreational Centre for their final primary school camp together in the next few weeks. Parents and Year 6 students now know what this camp means and its unique experience.
The challenge now for all our students Prep to Year 6 is to commit to this last term. Two key points to keep in mind for the remainder of the year for all students are:
Don't make excuses
You can do anything if you commit to the task.
With such a short time left in the year, I wanted to encourage each of them to strive for excellence, and it is my hope they will discover and value the importance of hard work, effort, commitment and self-discipline.
In striving for excellence, you need to work hard. You need to continue to put in 100% effort. You need to continue to push yourself. Nothing in life is worth achieving without hard work.
As you strive for excellence, you must be committed. You can’t be half-hearted. You can’t be a little bit committed. You must keep going through difficulties and setbacks.
In striving for accuracy and determination, you have to be self-disciplined. You have to be prepared to do things over and over. You have to be ready to do things which aren’t always fun.
My favourite Wayne Bennett quote sums up self-discipline like this:
Do what has to be done;
when it has to be done;
as well as it can be done; and
do it that way all the time.
I hope all our learners take heed of this advice and finish what has already been a fantastic year for the school strongly.
Thank you to all in our community who continue to support our learners and staff.
Thanks for reading.
Madonna Sleba
Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
As has already been mentioned, this week this has been unusually busy! We are of course extremely disappointed that our Grandparents'/ Mercy Day has had to be cancelled due to the weather and extend our apologies for any inconvenience/ upset this has caused, however, as Madonna said in her announcement, the safety of everyone has to be our number one consideration. We are hoping to provide another opportunity before the end of the term, for Grandparents to attend. Children can still wear their house colours tomorrow if they wish.
Year 5 Leadership Retreat
Student Reflections
Yesterday we visited the Micah Centre to expand our learning of leadership. We learnt about how the leader knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. This helps us because next year the Year Five cohort will be the leaders of our school.
We also learnt that geese, when they travel together, will become 71% faster. This helps us because it shows us teamwork. Also, when a goose isn't feeling well and has to leave the flying V group, two other geese will go down with it and look over it till it's feeling better. This helps us because in a team we don't leave anyone by themselves! We help each other through the struggles.
All Year 5 students were given a piece of paper with a goose on it, we wrote down notes about the presentation on what a leader is and then went around and wrote on other people’s piece of paper on what leader qualities they were good at. After that, we wrote down a quality that we wanted to focus on for next year. We finished the day by doing a prayer singing a song and Ms Harlen gave each student a 3D printed goose that said 2023 leader on it. Sia Luck
I loved the Year 5 Leadership Day and the Geese Leadership Talk from Mrs Smith. The positive thinking on the Geese Pages and the affirmations were my favourite part of the day. Hugo Watson
I learnt that being a leader is more than a badge to wear or a title to wield. Its leading by example, no matter if you're a Grade Six or a School Captain you are still a leader, so yesterday I learnt that being a leader means so much more than what meets the eye. Abby Phillips
Yesterday we had our Year 5 Leadership Day. In the morning we designed our Year 6 Leadership Shirts for 2023 and in the afternoon we went to the Micah Centre to expand our knowledge on leadership for next year. We learnt about the importance of sticking together and being a leader for the other people to follow.
We learnt about why geese fly in a "V" formation to increase their flight speed by 71% compared to flying alone. Also, that they stick together in groups of three and if one of the geese gets sick or injured in some way they look our for each other. We learnt that encouragement is a good way to talk to the other people. I think that yesterday was really a boost of confidence to show the importance of being leaders and guiding the other people at this school and in life. Jimi King
Yesterday we had a full leadership day! It was so fun! In the morning we designed our leadership shirts, and it was pretty hard, we had to collaborate and use the Design Thinking Process to figure out what design would work the best and also represent us as Leaders in 2023. In the afternoon we went to the Micah Centre and learnt that a leader is someone who leads the way, knows the way and shows the way! We learnt how geese always stick together and always work together. Overall, I had heaps of fun and learnt a lot about leadership and myself! Mae Kearney
THE ROSARY (October is traditionally the Month of the Rosary): At SSPS we do have a focus on the Rosary during October, particularly with the older students. The Year 5s again this year felt very special when they received a parcel of handmade rosary beads, made by the local St Patrick's Parish Rosary making group.
CATHOLIC MISSION (October is also Mission Month) with classes accessing Catholic Mission Teaching and Prayer resources, to learn about the role played by Catholic Mission throughout the world. Next week, our Year 6s will be organising and promoting a raffle, selling tickets ($1) before and after school with the funds raised going to Catholic Mission Australia.
PARISH MASS
Parents and families are very welcome to attend the Tuesday morning 9am Parish masses which a different year level joing each week. Year 4s went on Tuesday and Year 6 will be going next Tuesday.
FAREWELL FUMI
Over the past 18 months Mrs Fumika Sato has regularly spent days in the Yr 5, Yr 6 and Year 3 classrooms as part of her training to become a School Officer. In that time she has not only improved her understanding and skills in the classroom but has assisted our students with their Japanese conversational skills and given them first hand knowledge of Japanese culture and traditions.
Last week Fumi visited the Yr 3s, Yr 6s and the staff to say thank you and goodbye as she has just about finished her study and is moving on to more paid employment.
This is my last APRE newsletter message as I am signing off for the last time as APRE.
Sincere thanks to those who have been so very supportive over my 10+ years in this role. I know SSPS will be in good hands as Annie Ward steps into the APRE role from Week 5, while I move into the APA role until March next year.
Regards,
Judy
Dear Parents and Carers,
WORLD TEACHERS' DAY 2022
World Teachers' Day takes place on Friday 28 October. This year is a great opportunity to thank teachers for the resilience they have shown during particularly difficult times, all in the best interest of the students.
The 2022 theme is “Hats off to teachers!” What do teachers and teaching mean to you? Feel free to share your thoughts with your child's teacher next Friday!
Click on the link below to see how you can create your own special "Hats off to teachers" social media posts.
World Teachers' Day - 28 October 2022 (worldteachersday.edu.au)
DAY FOR DANIEL 2022
Also on Friday 28 October, St Saviour's Primary School will again support the annual Day for Daniel Fundraiser.
Please see the below information direct from the Daniel Morcombe Foundation Website:
Held annually on the last Friday of October, Day for Daniel honours the memory of Daniel Morcombe. We ask all Australians on this very special day to Wear Red, Educate and Donate.
Our theme for 2022 is brave conversations.
Parents, carers, and educators are encouraged to start a conversation with children and young people about personal safety. Schools and early learning centres conduct child safety education activities. Businesses and community come together to raise awareness of child safety issues.
Day for Daniel is the Daniel Morcombe Foundation’s biggest fundraiser each year. Your support through fundraising helps us to continue developing free resources and programs for parents, carers, and educators to teach children how to stay safe. Funds also contribute to supporting young victims of crime.
Your support of this worthwhile cause is greatly appreciated.
NAPLAN 2023
In 2023, NAPLAN is moving to Week 8 in Term 1, rather than the tradional testing dates in May.
This will only concern those students who are in Years 2 and 4 this year.
This is for your information only, however if you do feel that your child would need adjustments or may potentially not sit the tests, please touch base with myself or Annette Murdoch this term. We are more than happy to discuss.
Sam Hannant
APA
Dear Parents and Guardians,
On Monday and Tuesday this week, some teachers from SSPS had the absolute privilege of hearing from James Nottingham and Carmen Bergmann, two highly influential leaders in Education from the UK.
James is well known for his idea of the Learning Pit. A process where the students start with a singular, simple idea about a concept and through a series of questions and strategies, are able to leave the learning experience with a more complex, deep understanding.
On Tuesday, they took 5L and 1K into the learning pit, with 25 educators looking on. The Year 5s explored the idea of Australian Values, honing in specifically on Respect – what it is and what it isn’t. Year 1s explored the question: ‘What is a toy?’ and soon discovered the concept was a little more complicated than they’d originally thought!
Enjoy a description of the learning pit from James himself at:
Warm Regards
Nicki Prentice
Outstanding Outcome from our Book Fair
We sold over $6 000.00 worth of stock during the 5 days of the Book Fair! This entitles our school library to $2 410 worth of commission.
I have selected $1100.00 worth of new books from the Fair stock and the remainder of the commission will be converted to rewards points to be used across the next year for new library books.
A huge thank you from our students to our school families for such generous support.
Thanks also to Mrs Milton, Mrs Scotts, Mrs Murdoch and Mrs McVeigh for your assistance with sales.
Just a selection of the new books earned from Book Fair!
Congratulations to Sadie Thompson - A Published Author
SWQ All Schools Touch Carnival
On Sunday the 16th of October, 12 students from Year Five and Six competed in the SWQ All Schools Touch Carnival at Dalby. The team was a mixed team consisting of 6 boys and 6 girls who have been attending training sessions since Term Three with myself. The students played some awesome games of Touch Football against other schools across the region. As the games went on the team really pulled together working as a team, resulting in very competitive games of touch football. I was extremely proud of all players game play, sportsmanship and how they represented the school on the day (picture below).
State Athletics Championships
Rose Stead, Joe Black and Ava Orr recently competed at the State Athletics Carnival in Brisbane. They all did extremely well with Rose finishing 11th in the state equalling her PB of 2:46. Joe competed in long jump and the combined event (long jump, shotput, 100m and 800m) coming 5th in the state for combined and 19th in long jump. Ava also did a fantastic job coming 10th in the state for discus. We are extremely proud of you all and look forward to watching your athletics journey (picture below of Rose Stead).
Soccer Champ
Congratulations to William Prust, who represented South West Queensland in the Under 9 boys futsal team at the Australian Futsal Association National Schools Championships over the holidays, held at the Gold Coast. The competition was held over 4 days, with teams travelling from around Australia to compete. During the competition, William caught the notice of the Australian selection panel and has been selected to play for Australia in an international 10-day tour to Fiji in July 2023. Well done William on this achievement and we look forward to hearing about this awesome adventure (picture below).
Netball Star
Ariana Jeffrey has been selected to play for the Australian Wonders 13- to 14-Year-Old team. Ariana will travel to Fiji in December next year to represent Australia in netball. We wish her the best of luck and are excited to hear how she goes (picture 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
2023 School Fees:
Prep 2024:
We are accepting Prep 2024 enrolments. Interviews will be taking place towards the end of Term 1, 2023. If you know of anyone wishing to enrol at St Saviour's we would encourage you to remind them to fill in an application. The link for enrolment applications are on the school website. If you have a son or daughter eligible for Prep, please download an application as soon as possible. Places are filling.
Booklists:
2024 Booklists have been sent home today.
The link is available here for you to download.
https://www.brownsstationery.com.au/?ItemNo=1002
Last day of term:
The final day for Term 4 will be FRIDAY 2ND DECEMBER.
School will finish on this day at 1.00pm
Fantastic workers:
Some of our Year 3 children, were chosen to come visit Mr Hannant and show him their fantastic art work that they have been doing in class. As you can see the quality of these drawings were very impressive!! We may have some future picassos on our hands here. Well done!
Prep Vision Screenings:
Reminder to our Prep families to register for the Prep Vision Screenings, that will be taking place on Tuesday 1, November. Please click on the following link to access the information letter and consent form.
https://visionscreening.health.qld.gov.au/ParentalConsent/0106k1wP
Congratulations to our Weekly Award Winners for Week 2 and 3.
Last week the Year 5 students attended our Leadership Camp at Emu Gully! We all had an AMAZING time exploring the ANZAC values of Mateship, Courage, Self-Sacrifice and Perseverance. Through some incredible camp experiences, such as the Tunnel Rats, the mud pit, a night walk and the parachute slide, we learnt the importance of looking out for our mates, encouragement of others and ourselves, leading by example and leading as a team. We are very grateful to our instructors and for our parents for sending us on this AWESOME camp!
School Dayz Uniform Shop:
New Opening Hours:
Monday: 2.30pm - 4.00pm
Friday: 3.00pm - 5.30pm
Saturday: Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 11.00am - 1.00pm
Term Holidays and all other times by appointment only. 0481 318 398.
Dan Eagleson
Uniform Shop Supplier
Volunteers Needed!
Please see attached Tuckshop Roster for Term 4.
As you can see, we are in need of volunteers to help on certain days leading into the remainder of the Term. If you can help please help out, please contact Tash. Jobs in the Tuckshop can be as easy as sticking labels on paper bags, chopping fruit, assembling snacks/sandwiches etc. If you can't offer a full day, an hour or two would be fantastic.
Thank you.