Week 7, Term 4, 2022
Dear Parents and Carers,
It is my pleasure to inform the community of the classroom teacher allocations for 2023. As previously mentioned, we do farwell Jo Cosgrove officially from the St Saviour's Primary Staff, whilst Maryanne Lee and Melinda Harkins are taking leave next year. We will welcome Linda Ogg, Sarah Logan, Lisa Cavanagh and Eliza Smith to the teaching staff.
Prep:
Mrs Luci Hogan (Prep A), Mrs Rebecca Thomas (Prep T), Mrs Katie Horne (Prep H)
Year 1:
Mrs Paula Wagner (1W), Miss Mikaela Kliendienst (1K), Miss Sarah Logan (1L)
Year 2:
Mrs Sara McHugh (2M), Mrs Karen Fuller (2F), Miss Linda Ogg (2O)
Year 3:
Miss Lisa Kynoch (3K), Mrs Lisa Cavanagh (3C), Mrs Judy Smith (team teaching with Mrs Melinda Harkins in Term 1) (3S)
Year 4:
Mrs Nicole Cooper (4C), Mrs Fiona Case/Mrs Siobhan Grundon (4GC)
Year 5:
Mrs Monica Conway (5C), Mrs Rachel Harlen (5H)
Year 6:
Mrs Natalie O'Brien (6O), Mr Henry Logan (6L), Miss Eliza Smith (6S)
The teaching team will be assisted by our fantastic school officers: Mrs Kate Franzmann, Mrs Anna King, Mrs Elise Bishop, Mrs Samantha McKenzie, Mrs Tarsha Scotts, Ms Deb Volp, Mrs Shelley Murphy, Mrs Narelle Jackson, Mrs Bee King, Mrs Mary Milton, Mrs Katrina Bennett, Mrs Jodie McLachlan, Mrs Julie Robinson and Mrs Alex Sleba.
The specialist teaching team includes Mrs Annette Murdoch (Learning Support Teacher), Ms Margaret Doljanin (Learning Support), Mrs Anne Anderson (Teacher Librarian), Mr Brendan Luck (HPE), Mrs Anita McVeigh (Drama), Mrs Madeline Whip (Music).
As previously mentioned Mrs Tash Biggar will no longer be the tuckshop convenor in 2023. After a recruitment process, Mrs Renee Kilpatrick has been appointed the St Saviour's Primary Tuckshop Convenor. Renee is a well known member of the school community and is a qualified chef who brings vast experience to the role. We look forward to welcoming Renee in 2023.
Mrs Anne Woodcroft Brown will continue in her role as School Counsellor, working 3 days a week next year. Mr Warren Farquharson will continue as the School Groundsman next year and Mrs Roya Esmaeilani will continue as our IT Technician.
Finally the leadership team who will serve the St Saviour's Community in 2023 will consist of Mrs Madonna Sleba (Principal - returning Week 8 Term 1), Mr Sam Hannant (Acting Principal/APA), Mrs Judy Smith (Acting APA Term 1), Mrs Ann-Maree Ward (APRE) & Miss Nicarla Prentice (Middle Leader).
2023 Class Lists - The 2023 class lists have now been finalised and families will be informed of class placements on Tuesday 29 November. Requests for specific teacher/friendship placements have now also closed. The students will then have the opportunity to meet their new teacher during the transition morning on Wednesday 30 November.
There are numerous events taking place over the final two weeks of school this year. Please keep an eye on the Sentral Calendar, Facebook and class communication notes so that you are up-to-date will all of these events.
Some of the major events include:
Final Whole School Mass (2023 Student Leadership Presentations and Staff Farewells) - Wednesday 23 November at 9am in the Cathedral Centre
Christmas Concert (All year levels) - Thursday 24 November from 5pm in the Mercy Centre. Followed by a BBQ and Drinks until 7.30pm
Report Cards sent home via Sentral on Tuesday 29 November
Transition Morning on Wednesday 30 November
Final Whole School Assembly (Academic Awards, Cornerstone Value Awards, Special Awards - Thursday 1 December at 8.45am in the Mercy Centre
Year 6 Graduation - Friday 2 December at 9am in the Mercy Centre
I look forward to seeing as many families as possible at the various events over the next two weeks.
Sam Hannant
Acting Principal
Hello SSPS Community!
Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in a professional learning day at the Principals' Leadership Forum. The theme for the day was “Human flourishing – God’s way to the good life”. We were visited by Br David Hall a Marist Brother. Together, we reflected on the challenges of education in the 21st Century, but also on the opportunities. For example, Br Hall believes that education is formation of our students and staff and that we are co-creators of the students in our care. David spoke to us about the idea of humility in our leadership and work with others. We are “spiritual beings having a human experience” created in God’s image, therefore, our purpose is to live a life where we have our heads and hearts open enough to have our minds listen to others. We are called to be hope for others.
Living a flourishing life is about being a community together, being stronger and better together. We come together next Wednesday (Week 9, 23rd November) at 9am, as a school community to gather for our end of year whole school Mass to celebrate another year of successes and challenges, “Stronger. Better. Together”. We acknowledge those who have contributed to our school community, both students and staff, and we look forward to blessing and welcoming our new school leaders for the new school year in 2023.
2023 Sacramental Program – enrol now! St Patrick’s Parish Sacramental Program will start at the beginning of 2023. We plan to prepare for, and celebrate, the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Communion in the first two terms of the school year in 2023. Our program begins with Parent Information Sessions outlining the structure and background of the sacraments. The Parish will require a copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate. If you would like to enrol your child/ren in the 2023 Parish Sacramental Program, please return Enrolment Form which was sent home with the Year 3 students, along with a copy of your child/ren’s Baptismal Certificate to the Parish Office by Friday 23 December 2022 or to the School Office by Thursday 1 December 2022. If you didn’t receive this form, you can collect one from the school office. If you’d like to know more information, please don’t hesitate to contact either the Parish office for information or email myself on ann-maree.ward@twb.catholic.edu.au.
Thanks for reading!
Mrs Ann Maree Ward
Dear Parents and Carers,
It is that time of the year again where we are doing our best to end the school year well, but also set things up for a positive start to 2023. Part of this has been:
-Last night we held our Parent Information Session, for parents of our 2023 Preps, where our Prep Teachers (Katie, Bec & Luci) shared with incoming Prep parents some information about the practicalities of getting children best prepared for a smooth start to Prep at SSPS.
This follows two earlier Orientation Sessions, where incoming Prep students spent time in the Prep classrooms with the Prep teachers.
In the final week of school, Wednesday Nov 30, we will hold our Whole School Transition Morning, where we have:
- new Preps for 2023 attending
- new older (Yrs 1-6) students for 2023 attending
- all current, onging students
... spending time in their 2023 classroom, with their 2023 classmates and for the majority, they will meet their 2023 teacher.
- Tuesday night we hosted a Headspace Workshop for parents of students in Year 6, who are transitioning to secondary school and perhaps experiencing some anxiety. Parents were told that this is perfectly normal, that we need to all have conversations with our children about both their physical and mental health. While my own children (3 boys) are all past puberty (which lasts from about 11 until 21) the talk last night did remind me of conversations had as they tried to find their place at high school. My own generation has not grown up with open conversations about mental health (and many other topics) but as I reflect on my time as a parent of teenagers I do see this as another positive societal change, where discussions about mental health are encouraged. The Headspace presenter, Ricki, reminded those present, several times, that just as we would take notice of, and speak to our children about any physical issue (sore leg, sunburn) etc we need to be just as forthright and open about checking in on their mental health. "You seem a little sad/ down/worried"... what's going on?"
Our Year 6 students all received a booklet which they filled in individually to then share at home, with you, their care givers. If you have not already done so, Year 6 parents are encouraged to ask your child about this and look at it together. It could/ should generate an interesting conversation with your "soon to be teenager".
Below are support services which you and your Year 6 student are welcome to access at any time.
Prep to Year One Transition
Our current Prep Parents have been invited to meet with the Year One teachers, visit the Year One classrooms and hear about some of the changes ahead as the Preppies move to the "big school". For instance, Preps only wear the sports uniform, whereas in Year One and beyond, they will be expected to wear the formal uniform on 3 days of the week.
So on Tuesday next week (Nov 22) at 2:30pm current Prep parents are invited to gather at the playground on the primary oval, where Year One teachers will meet you and then take you on a quick tour of the lovely new Year One classrooms.
The following Tuesday (Nov 29) at 8:10am, there will be a quick walk through the Year One classrooms for those unable to attend the afternoon visit.
Year One students are also working on a Digital Tech project, where they take a photo of a Year One particular space, eg bag racks, drink taps, playground etc which they will share with the Prep students, explaining the significance. Hopefully this helps with the move as well. Thanks Year Ones.
Transition Meetings (Teacher to Teacher)
Now that 2023 class lists have been finalised, teachers will be meeting in the coming weeks to share information (do a hand over) about the students they have had this year and what has worked well as far as learning and behaviour have gone.
Teaching and Learning Meetings
This week, all teachers have met with our Middle Leader (Nicki Prentice) to look at and discuss our whole school data that has been generated from standardised testing (English and Maths) which took place earlier this term.
This has led to much reflection as to what has led to positive growth, what has inhibited this growth and where to from here. This data will also be shared with the students' 2023 teachers.
Report Cards
Bringing the 2022 school year to a close, means that the teachers have been assessing students' learning and now gather this data to present to parents via the Semester Two Report Card.
As well as overall grades (A-E) for all eight learning areas (Religion, Maths, English, Hass, Science, HPE, The Arts, Technology), students will be given a rating on their effort, which perhaps is more telliing than the overall grade. If your child is receiving a C overall grade but an A for effort, then you should be very happy with that as the student is obviously doing their very best.
As well as General Comments, and English and Maths Comments, for the first time at SSPS, all students will get a comment for Religious Education, commenting on the acquistion of concepts/ knowledge/ skills taught.
When I look at all the above, it explains why everyone at school, including our wonderful office ladies, are feeling very much "under the pump". We are all very busy, with lots to finalise and not a lot of time left to do it!!
Thanks for reading
Judy
Summer Holiday Borrowing Next Week
Summer holidays are almost here. Please encourage your students to return their library loans, all due Friday 18th so they can borrow a fresh supply of books next Thursday 25th or Friday 26th to have at home over the long break ahead. Students will need their library bags and a safe place at home to keep their loans together. I hope you as parents and caregivers have some time to relax with a book too in the coming weeks.
Using Online Resources over the Holidays
Access the library database at https://au.accessit.online/STS02/#!dashboard
Students sign in under the Guest dropdown by clicking the blue single sign on (SSO) button
Select Online Resources under Dashboards
The log in details for Clickview (educational video, G and PG movies and TV), Storybox Library (Australian children’s literature read aloud), Wheelers e-Platform (e-books) and Britannica Online are provided in this section.
PLEASE NOTE: Once students are signed in, they can select borrowing details under their name to see their loans and loans history.
Do you own these books?
These books have been left in the returns trolley over the last 2 weeks. Please claim them from the library if they belong to your family.
Thanks Year 6 Helpers!
The library benefits immensely from the assistance provided by the rostered Year 6 helpers each week. Thank you, Year 6, for your help across the year.
The library is indebted to Merryl Nunn, Andrea Nunn and Tarsha Scotts for their tireless covering work all year. Your contribution to our service is outstanding and very much appreciated.
Thanks Parents and Family Members
A key function of our library is to enable and encourage free choice reading. Thank you for supporting our work by continuing the effort at home so children are reading something they enjoy each day.
Happy Reading this Summer!
Anne Anderson
Teacher Librarian
Physical Education – Term Four (Prep to Year Two)
In Term Four, Prep to Year Two students participated in a Striking/Soccer and AFL unit. This unit incorporated skills such as an in-step kick, punt kick and hand pass. Students then played modified games of Soccer and AFL focusing on game play and working as a team. Students in Prep to Year Two also engaged in station activities where six stations are set up and they rotate between them throughout the lesson. These activities included passing, catching, kicking, dribbling with feet, hands and hockey sticks, shooting hoops, scooter boards, skipping, goal shooting, ups and downs with tennis racquets, hopping, jumping, side stepping, animal crawling and balancing. It has been fantastic to watch the students develop over the term.
Physical Education – Term Four (Year Three and Year Four)
Students in Year Three and Year Four have been engaged in a Sport, Sport, Sport unit. The students learn four different sports on a two-week rotation. In the first week, students learn the skills and rules required to play the game and then play the sport the following week. The four sports students learnt this term were Soccer, Gaelic Football. European Handball and Buroinjin which is a tradition Aboriginal game. Students not only learnt many gross motor skills but also learnt game play and to work collaboratively while engaging in games from other cultures.
PE – Term Four (Year Five and Year Six)
Modified Games was the unit for Year Five and Year Six this term with students having to plan and then teach their modified game to the rest of the class. Students spent one session planning their game in groups of four and then each week, two groups presented their games. After around ten minutes of playing time, the group would be given feedback from the rest of the class and make any changes necessary to improve their game. Students would then have another go of their game with the new and improved changes. I have been extremely impressed with the quality of the games the students have created.
Health (Year 3)
Students have been exploring the concept of sustainable practice and the ways that they can contribute to the sustainability of the environment in their home, classroom, and school. They also investigated the concepts of physical activity and sedentary behaviours while exploring the recommendations of physical activity for five- to 12-Year-Olds. Students also examined the benefits of physical activity, investigating ways to increase physical activity in their lives.
Health (Year 4)
Students identified health messages and the methods used to influence decisions looking at how health messages change over time. They then applied decision-making skills to different health scenarios examining and interpreting health information about cybersafety, cyberbullying and online protocols. With this knowledge they described and applied strategies that can be used in online situations that make them feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Finally, they explored the importance of demonstrating respect and empathy in online relationships reflecting on young people's use of digital technologies.
Health (Year 5)
Students gained an understanding of multiculturalism by examining the changing nature of Australia's cultural identity. They examined how sharing traditional foods and physical activities from different cultures can support community wellbeing and cultural understanding. Students also explored developmental changes and transitions that occur as they grow older, investigating strategies available to assist them with the transition.
Health (Year 6)
Students explored drink products that contribute to health and wellbeing, focusing on investigating a variety of drink options, including soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit juice, and the effects they have on the body. They then examined available alternatives to various drink options. Students also looked at the feelings, challenges and issues associated with making the transition to secondary school, devising strategies to assist them in making a smooth transition.
Swimming Star
Mia Casagrande attended the DDRSA Toowoomba Open where she came 1st in the 400IM 11-12 Years Girls age group and 2nd in the 100fly 11 Years Girls age group. Mia has now qualified for the DDRSA Development team and will travel out to Roma in 2 weeks time to compete (Photo 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
Pizza Treat Day:
Our final Pizza Treat Day for the year is being held on Thursday 24 November. Ordering is via Flexischools. Please note the Year 6 children will be on their Year 6 Fun Day this day, so they will not be taking part in Pizza Treat Day.
The last day for ordering is Wednesday 23 November at 11am.
Christmas Concert:
Please RSVP no later than next Tuesday 22nd November for catering purposes via the link below:
https://forms.office.com/r/03t1XQGiU5
We are asking the children to please wear christmas clothes on the night.
Year 2 can bring a Mexican hat only if you have one at home and Year 5 are to wear cap of any sort. Please note that it will be EFTPOS only on the night if you wish to purchase a drink. Free Sausage Sizzle provided.
School Fees/Finance News:
Please finalise all outstanding School Fees for the 2002 school year before the end of term. All Direct Debit forms for the 2023 school year need to be returned by next Friday 25th November for processing. Thank you.
Updated details:
If you have updated your residential address, phone numbers or email addresses, please let us know. Communication between school and home is very important so we do need to know if you have changed your details and keep accurate records.
Parent Portal:
Please remember to check the Portal for updates, messages and notifications. Semester 2 Report Cards are uploaded via the Portal.
New families to St Saviour's will receive their access key (sent via email) early in the new year for access to the Parent Portal. (Sentral for Parents)
Farewell Jo Cosgrove:
On Tuesday our staff shared a special morning tea for one of our much loved teachers at St Saviour's Primary, Miss Jo Cosgrove. Jo has taught at St Saviour's for over 30 years and now has decided to retire from teaching. We wish Jo all the best for her future. Pictured with Jo is Mrs Janelle Wann. Janelle and Jo both were teaching partners in Mrs Wann's first year of teaching. We will miss you Jo. Thank you for your dedication, commitment and compasssion throughout all your years at St Saviour's Primary.
Congratulations to our Weekly Award Winners from Week 6 and Week 7.
Year 5 Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal
Every year St Vincent De Paul help hundreds of families throughout the Christmas period. This appeal provides food hampers and financial support for families doing it tough at Christmas.
To help with the Christmas Appeal, Year 5 will be running a SSPS Christmas Appeal from Week 4 until Week 8.
They are asking for donations of Christmas food, pantry supplies and non-perishable food items that will be used to make much needed food hampers.
Donation boxes have been distributed to each year level and you can drop off your grocery items each morning. Posters are up around the school to remind you of the items we will be collecting.
It would be wonderful if we could bring a little Christmas cheer to families who need it. Please donate to our Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal.
