Term 1 Week 3 SSPS Newsletter

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Another eventful two weeks has passed, and much has been accomplished.  The children have settled back into the school routines and it is pleasing to see so many of them abiding by our four key messages in our Student Behaviour Support Plan:

Be Responsible

Be Respectful

Be Safe

Be a Learner

We have recently purchased four flags on display in the Mercy Centre to help the children remember our four key messages. I have included below the behaviour matrix to help support the children’s understanding of the above four messages.    The teachers have been covering this over the past three weeks with the children. Please take some time to talk about these with your child.  A reminder that our Student Behaviour Support Plan is on our website for your perusal. 

                                                                                                                           Whole School Mass

What a wonderful sight to see our entire school community, including the Preps, come together to celebrate our Beginning Year Mass on Wednesday morning. Thanks to Fr Michael for leading us in prayer and giving his blessing for a successful year. STRIVE was the central theme of the mass.  Together we can achieve many things by striving to give of our best in all that we do. The prayerful ambience and reverence shown by all present was pleasing to witness.

Our School Goals for 2019

Priority 1: Teaching and Learning

• To embed consistent teaching practice in Reading so every student makes visible progress in their learning.
• To ensure high quality curriculum and teaching practices that address the Australian curriculum Information Computer Technologies capabilities across all learning areas.
• For Students and Teachers to become curious learners, connect STEM learning to solve real-world problems, including collaborative and individual learning experiences that are hands on and inquiry based and support the achievement of deep learning.

Priority 2: Mission and Identity

• Cohesive and integrated approach to the faith formation of our students through prayer, liturgy and student retreats.
• Ensure high quality Religion curriculum

Priority 3: Continual Renewal

• Engage in School Renewal Improement Process
• Support peer mentoring and coaching of staff through observation, feedback, professional dialogue and reflection

Priority 4: Sustainable Resourcing and Stewardship  

• Monitor Funding / staffing allocations in budget to support school goals
• Establish School Technology Plan
• Capital Grant Program for future building 

Each and every day at St Saviour’s Primary School, in collaboration, we are challenged to ask the question: “How does what we do enhance the learning culture of our school?” Schools are places of learning first and foremost and we need to keep this at the forefront of our minds as we go about our very important work as staff, parents and students. Together, we strive to ensure that students experience rich and diverse learning experiences in a contemporary 21st century learning context.

School Student Protection Contacts:

The safety and wellbeing of our students is of the highest importance at St Saviour’s Primary School. As with all non‐state state schools, we have nominated School Student Protection Contacts who are staff members that students can raise concerns of abuse, harm or inappropriate behaviour by a staff member. Just a reminder to you and your child that at St Saviour’s Primary School, Toowoomba our School Student Protection Contacts are:

Anne Woodcroft-Brown (School Counsellor)

Samuel Hannant (Assistant Principal Administration)

Rachel Harlen (Year 6 Class Teacher)

Madonna Sleba (Principal)

All school staff receive regular training and information to be able to respond to student protection concerns. Please contact the Principal should you have any queries regarding student protection processes at St Saviour’s Primary School.

Something to think about…

Although the life of a person is in a land full of thorns and weeds, there is always a space in which

the good seed can grow. You have to trust God. Pope Francis

WELCOME LITURGY: Our Mass this morning was "downsized" to a Liturgy of the Word, in consideration of the unusually hot weather. Thanks to Fr Michael for being so willing to make adjustments to suit his young audience. Our overall theme of "STRIVE" was examined and explained as having to make an effort, not everything is easy but that doesn't mean we give in.

Our Year 6 Leaders made a Leadership Pledge, were acknowledged and blessed by the community. Thanks to those family members who were able to join us.

THIS SUNDAY: Our school choir is leading the singing at 9am Mass. All choir members are asked to arrrive a little early so they can "warm up".

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM: Boys and girls who are taking part in the Sacramental Program have been invited to make an Enrolment Promise this weekend at 6pm or 9am Mass. Cluster Group Week 1 (Session 1) starts on Sunday at 10:15am in the Bingo Hall. Thursday time is 3:30-4:15pm. We hope to have the Reconciliation Books by then.

BRODRIBB  AGED CARE VISIT: On the first Monday of each month, Fr Michael visits and says Mass at Brodribb Home. He has invited our Year 6 students to take turns in coming along and interacting with the "oldies". Last week I took Charlotte, Milly, Esther-Leigh and Mackenzie who really enjoyed their visit  and had plenty of positives to say about their experience.

PASTORAL CARE PROGRAM:    Anyone who is interested is invited to be a part of our Pastoral Care Program which aims to help make people feel welcome in our school. We also endeavour to build community by assisting families in small ways when we can. We try and keep a supply of meals or home baking (slices/ cakes) in our freezer which we then send home with families either when things aren't going so well or alternatively, to celebrate the good times (eg new baby in the family).

Currently our freezer is empty so I would really encourage anyone who is able, to do some baking and send it in. We are able to supply foil trays and some ingredients and there will be some meat available for cooking up next week. If you can help please let me know. I will be holding our first Pastoral Care Meeting this Friday at 8:40am for anyone who is free. Otherwise I will email some notes out to those on my PC list. Thanks in advance for your support. It is truly appreciated!

FREE DRESS DAY next FRIDAY: Next Friday (22nd) we are inviting students and staff to wear " Free Dress" and to then bring a gold coin donation. This money will be sent to our sister Diocese of Townsville where many families and schools are endeavouring to get back "on their feet" after the recent floods. I thank you in anticipation for your generosity. 

Enjoy the rest of your week,

Judy

It has been a busy start to the term and year for staff at St Saviour's Primary School in terms of teaching and learning.

The teachers have been busy getting to know your children and how they learn in the classrooms as well as attending several professional development opportunities.

This week Mrs Conway and Mrs Fuller have attended training on the use of the Diocesan Learning Profile, which is an online tool used by all Toowoomba Catholic Schools for assessment and reporting.  Also this week, Mrs Jarrett, Mrs Conway and Mrs McHugh have attended professional development around the Toowoomba Catholic Schools' Reading Improvement Strategy (RIS).  All other staff at SSPS have already received this training in the last couple of years.

Mrs Smith, Mrs Poulton and myself have also been to training this week as Middle Leaders and Learning Support.  On Monday, we studied the best way to use student results from testing and assessment to improve academic acheivement.  On Tuesday, Mrs Smith and I attended a teaching and learning day based around our roles and also several updates of the Reading Improvement Strategy.  We look forward to putting all of this learning into practice at St Saviour's. 

Sam Hannant

Congratulations to all of the students who attended and participated in the 2019 Swimming Carnival.

There were some fantastic results on the day.  Congratulations to the following students who were age champions:

9 years girls: Emma Barram - Age Champion

                    Erin Ward - Runner Up

9 years boys: Noah Sanders and Noah Betros - Age Champions

                     Patrick Chappel - Runner Up

10 years girls: Harper Eagleson & Lillian Cook - Age Champions

                      Evangeline Wann - Runner Up

10 years boys: Dominic Seaby - Age Champion

                       James Currie - Runner Up

11 years girls: Lainey Currie - Age Champion

                      Hannah Marsh - Runner Up

11 years boys: Dominic Marsh - Age Champion

                       William Boland - Runner Up

12 years girls: Chloe Barram - Age Champion

                      Mia Ballard - Runner Up

12 years boys: Logan Sanders - Age Champion

                      Joel Campbell - Runner Up

OVERALL HOUSE AND RELAY CHAMPIONS FOR 2019 WAS XAVIER.

The 2019 Catholic Swimming Carnival is taking place today in Dalby.  26 students from St Saviour's Primary are attending the carnival.  Good luck to all involved.

Letters have also been sent home to those students participating in the 2019 Central Zone Carnival.  This carnival will be held next Wednesday at the Glennie Pool.  Parents are asked to please complete the permission form on Caremonkey for this carnival.

Sam Hannant

 

Library browse and borrow is in full swing. Please support your students by providing a water proof bag and reading with them for pleasure.

PLEASE NOTE:

Our policy for unreturned library items has been modified so that all items overdue by one term will be billed on the next term’s school fees. Thank you for your assistance in returning all overdue loans. Regular reminders of overdue items will be shared with students and parents in an attempt to reduce the number of outstanding loans.

 During Week 1, Year 6M were in the library when Prep students came to visit. It was a special moment for siblings, Jayden 6M and Kai (Prep H).

Why can't I skip my 20 Minutes of Reading Tonight?

STUDENT 'A' reads 20 minutes each day, which equals 3600 minutes in a school year.  That is 1, 800, 000 words.  

STUDENT 'B' reads 5 minutes each day, which equals 900 minutes in a school year.  That is 282, 000 words.

STUDENT 'C' reads 1 minute each day which equals 180 minutes in a school year.  That is 8,000 words.

Some questions to ponder....

Which student would you expect to read better?

Which student would you expect to know more?

Which student would you expect to write better?

Which student would you expect to have a better vocabulary?

Reading with your child is so important...... Enjoy!!

The Importance of Family Time

Let’s face it—life is busy! Between work and life responsibilities, the days pass us by in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately this can have direct impacts on the time we spend with our children. A recent study in the Journal of Marriage and Family questions the impact the amount of time parents spend with their children has on the academic achievement, behaviour, and emotional well-being of their children. This is not to negate the importance of time spent with children, but rather, to reinforce the point that quality of time is much more important than quantity of time.  Children need high-quality time with parents and caregivers—that is what is most beneficial to children and what can have a positive effect on them as they grow. It isn’t about endless hours of time—it’s about how you choose to spend that time that truly matters.

As parents and caregivers, we can make choices to ensure time spent with our children is high-quality. I encourage you all to watch this quick 2-minute video to discover new ways to make time with your children:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IljMvbKLM0

Meaningful connections are about quality of time, not quantity of time. Keep it simple and connect with your child in ways that make sense for your lifestyle and relationship. Each connection has a lasting impact and provides the support and reassurance that your child needs. Remember, every little bit of time makes a positive impact.

Anne Woodcroft-Brown

School Counsellor

BOOKCLUB

Scholastic Bookclub orders are due tomorrow (Friday 15th February)

Visit the website:  scholastic.com.au/LOOP or download the APP.

Please note if you are using the Scholastic APP to purchase and are having difficulties ordering, you will need to reinstall the APP on your device.  

SCHOOL FEES

School Fees have now been issued for Term 1 via Email.  The due date for payment is Friday 8th March, 2019.

SCHOOLZINE APP

Our Schoolzine APP is a fantastic way for you to keep informed about everything that is happening here at school.  

Did you know you can call the office from the APP, send an absentee notification or message, check the school calendar which has all the dates listed for upcoming events here at school.  You can acesss forms and Newsletters and even order Tuckshop. We ensure that the APP is updated regularly so please ensure you have downloaded this APP on your smartphone or device.  

MUSIC BUS

Uniform Shop open hours for February:

OPEN:  Every Friday 2:30pm till 4:00pm

If you need to arrange another time please contact Dan - 0481 318 398

Dan Eagleson

Skool Dayz - School Uniform Suppliers

Ph 0481 318 398