Week 3, Term 2, 2023

Dear Parents and Carers,

Over the past three weeks, I have had the pleasure of conducting interviews with families of children attending prep at St Saviour's Primary in 2024. The families of these children are either brand new to the school or a current family where older siblings are already enrolled. Regardless of their current afilliation with the school, one of the first questions we ask is, 'Why St Saviour's Primary?' or 'Why do you think St Saviour's Primary will be a good fit for your family?'  I thought I would share with you the three most consistent responses to this question:

1. The positive feedback from a family member or friend who have children enrolled at St Saviour's Primary

2. The welcome and the 'feeling' that they got when attending open mornings and school tours

3. The Catholic option and the values that go along with this

My response to the first point is always that current parents and families at St Saviour's Primary are our best advertisement.  It is fantastic to hear the positive information that you (as parents) are sharing with prospective families.

There certainly is a special 'feeling' at St Saviour's Primary that is hard to describe.  Even though we have new buildings and more on the way, I can only attribute this to the amazing students and staff who have a clear focus on learning and are happy to greet new parents and students as I show them around the school.

It is also great to hear that parents are selecting St Saviour's Primary because we are a Catholic School.  A school where Jesus is present, where faith is present and the education of the whole child is paramount.  It is our aim that children who are educated in a distinctively Catholic school feel that they are valued, feel like they belong and feel that they can achieve success.  

Just a few of the responses that we are consistenly hearing from new and current families, and again, thanks for spreading the word!

School Renewal Process

As previously mentioned, next week we welcome Dr Pat Coughlan (Executive Director - Toowoomba Catholic Schools), Mr Luke Barrett (Acting Senior Education Leader) and Mr Lawson Short (Principal - St Joseph's Millmerran) to St Saviour's Primary for the School Renewal Process.  Over three days, the panel members will be conducting interviews with staff and parents and reviewing multiples sources of information.  A report will be produced after this process that will allow for future planning at St Saviour's Primary.  It will certainly be shared with all community members when available.

Sam Hannant

Acting Principal

An exert from the St Patrick’s Cathedral newsletter (30 April 2023) written by Fr Michael

Pope Francis has gifted to Prince Charles an amazing personal gift for his coronation from the treasuries of the Catholic Church. In a grand ecumenical gesture, Pope Francis has given wood slithers from what is believed to be the true cross on which Christ was crucified. These pieces have been intricately placed within the centre of the processional cross, encased in rose crystal to be used for the entrance of the coronation ceremony. In fact, it will lead and enter Westminster Abbey before all others. On the reverse of the cross will be the following words (translated from the Welsh language)

“Be joyful. Keep the faith. Do the little things.”

These words really resonated with me. These three phrases really encapsulate what it is that we strive to do at SSPS in learning and life. What simple words to live by and what a great mantra or affirmation to have on the fridge at home, as a screensaver on your phone or visible in your workplace. We encourage our students to find joy in their learning at school and outside school, continue to be like Jesus and follow in his footsteps and to be ready to be of service to others at all times.

I challenge you to remind yourself of these words from the last sermon of Saint David, the Patron Saint of Wales, who lived in the sixth century, and make them relevant to you in our contemporary world today.

St Patrick’s Cathedral Sacramental Program continues this term with the next step being Confirmation and then first Eucharist. We pray for those Year 4 students who are taking part in the program, and support them on their sacramental journey, a very special and memorable time for them and their families.

As part of our service-learning, some Year 6 students will be visiting Brodribb Home on a monthly basis beginning next week. It’s a great opportunity to make real links between the curriculum and a real life context to what the students are learning in the classroom. It is wonderful that we’re able to enact our Mercy values in this way.

Hope you have a great week and keep an eye out for the joy in the little things. 

Thanks for reading,

Ann-Maree

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

A past principal of St John’s School in Roma had the saying:

‘If you look good you feel good, if you feel good, you do good.’

I agree that indeed, the better we present ourselves, the more likely it is that we come to school with the right attitude towards learning and succeeding in our endeavours! We are lucky at St Saviour’s Primary that we don’t have a set Summer or Winter uniform. We also have gender neutral uniforms, to give flexibility for our students and choose which uniform they feel most comfortable in.

Here are a few considerations regarding our school uniform:

• no 'official' change date to Winter uniform – when it gets cold, long pants/stockings can be worn
• formal hat goes with the formal uniform
• sports hat goes with the sports uniform
• spray jacket with sports uniform, or on cold days, over the top of the school jumper
• sleepers or studs in ears only, no other seen jewellery
• All long hair – boys or girls, needs to be tied up
• Nail polish is not to be worn

If you have any questions or queries – please contact your class teacher or the office. I’ve also attached the Uniform requirements for SSPS.

Have a wonderful Week!

Warm Regards

Nicki Prentice

Acting APA

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week we had a Year 5 and Year 6 team compete in the Math’s Team Challenge at St Ursula’s College.  The Team Challenge was for high potential learners and consisted of a team event involving 5 students working co-operatively on several questions over 45 minutes.  There was also a relay event where students worked in groups of 2 and rotated over 60 min solving 20 questions.  Many of our St Saviour’s learner qualities were displayed, with students strongly replying on collaboration and determination to solve problems. 

There were over 20 teams who competed on the morning and our St Saviour’s Team’s placed 5^th and 11^th overall – AMAZING! Thank-you to all those who trialled to be apart of the day.  There was a huge interest from both cohorts with many maths minded students willing to participate.  A huge thank-you to Miss Doljanin who helped ‘coach’ our teams and assisted in organising our students for this event.  A thank-you also to Mrs Bee King who supervised on the day.

Under 8’s Day

This year the theme for Under 8’s Day is PLAY – You, me and our communities and St Saviour’s is excited to be holding our Under 8’s Day on Friday 19^th May from 8:30am to 10:30am on our school oval.  This day is for students from Prep and Year 1 and we are excited to welcome the following organisations from our community for Under 8’s:

• ALF
• Fire Brigade
• Rugby League
• First Five Forever
• Cricket
• Vera Lacaze
• PCYC
• Bunnings
• Students from St Saviour’s College for cultural face painting.

We look forward to welcoming our community to St Saviour’s and having fun celebrating being Under 8!! Parents are welcomed and encouraged to attend. 

Kind regards,

Bec Thomas

Central Zone Cross Country

On Friday the 28th of April, Kobie Matthews, Cooper Hoole, Isaac Ragh, Lucy Hardy, Angelina Ones, Ayen Gakeer, Joe Black, Finn Hannam, Grayson Nissen, Rose Stead, Akeer Adol, Lachlan Giuffrida, Liam McHugh and Deborah Thomas competed at the Central Zone Cross Country. All students did a fantastic job on the day with Lucy Hardy, Joe Black, Rose Stead, Akeer Adol, Lachan Giuffida and Deborah Thomas (Shadow) qualifying for the ZONE team and will now be competing at the Darling Downs Cross Country on the 16^th of May (pictures attached).

Athletics Carnival (Qualifying)

As you might be aware the 2023 Athletics Carnival will take place on Friday 16th of June 2023. More information will come out in the following weeks. Due to the success of last year, qualifying will continue as per last year. Please see information below.

All students in Year Three to Year Six will participate in Shotput, Discus, Long Jump and High Jump. Students will throw and jump to determine the top eight in each age group (boys and girls) who will compete at the school Athletics Carnival on the 16th of June (9-12 Year Olds).  I will work out 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd for 8 Year Olds in Year Three from qualifying and they will be presented with a ribbon at the athletics carnival. Qualifying will happen in PE lessons again this year as the feedback from students is it is a much more relaxed and fun experience. Qualifying has been designed so all students get a chance to participate in each event in a fun environment regardless of ability. The top eight in each event (age group, boy and girl) then compete at the school carnival in a fun but more competitive level. It is important to note that whilst all students are not doing all events at the athletics carnival, all students have participated in an event during PE sessions which is a part of the athletics carnival and have gained points for their house in these sessions.

Qualifying for Year Three and Year Four will start this Friday the 5^th of May and Year Five and Year Six will start on Monday the 8^th of May. If your child is away during any of the qualifying sessions, a make up session will happen during lunch time the following week. These make up sessions will be posted on Parent Portal.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at:

Brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au.

School Sport

Congratulations to Lucy Hardy who made the Darling Downs team for hockey and will be travelling to Capricornia in June. Mia Alyward also made the Zone team for soccer and will now trial for the Darling Downs team next week. What a fantastic experience and we look forward to hearing all about it.  

Congratulations also to Sophia Holcombe in Prep T who received a Highest Personal Best Performance 1st Place in Little Athletics for Under 6 girls.  Amazing effort Sophia! 

Athletics Superstar

Emily Carrigan attended the Sports Darling Downs Quarterly breakfast last Friday to receive an incentive award (sponsored by The Athletes Foot) for her achievements in track and field. She was recognised for her dual state championships and breaking the 36 year old Downs and Southwest shot put record (pictures attached). We are all super proud of you Emily and look forward to watching your journey.

Rugby Carnival

Matilda Crothers played in the U12s Armidale Rugby Union Carnival last weekend with her team coming runners up in their division winning four out of five of their games. The carnival consisted of teams from across the country including Gold Coast, Moree, Canberra Sydney and Coffs Harbour. Matilda has also been selected by Downs Rugby to join the U12s Rugby Union Team competing at carnivals in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Awesome work Matilda and we look forward to hearing all about it (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

Upcoming Events (Term Two)

• Darling Downs Cross Country (9-12) – 16/05/2023
• SSPS Athletics Carnival – 17/06/2023 9am-12pm (TBC)
• SSPS Athletics Carnival (P-6) – 16/06/2023 8am-3pm

Cheers 

Brendan Luck

HPE Teacher

brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au

Step Into Stories Author Visits 

Year 3 and 4 are preparing for their session with Gus Gordon next Monday by viewing and listening to his various picture books, details of which can be found in an AccessIT search and on Storybox Library.

Year 5 and 6 will spend an hour with Sami Bayly, creator of The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals, Dangerous Animals and Peculiar Pairs on Wednesday 10th May. All of these titles have been honour books in the CBCA Awards in consecutive years. Sami's most recent book features the little known sea creatures of the deep ocean trenches!

Students have a chance to win a copy of The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals, which Sami will sign on the day. Competition entry forms are with the books near the Yr 5/6 classrooms.  

Year 5/6 Student/Parent Book Club 

We met for the first time over afternoon tea in the library on Monday 24th April. There was some great chat about our first book, what we liked about it, what we were left wondering about. Thanks Stella, Estelle and their Mums for being our inaugural Book Club members! 

• The next read for our Year 5/6 Student/Parent Book Club is the short-listed title Runt by Craig Silvey. It is a heart-warming story of a family, its adopted dog and their struggling small community.
• We will meet to chat about the story after school (approx. 3.20pm) on Monday 17th July (Week 2 Term 3).
• Please consider buying a copy (approx. $14.00 at Big W or Target) and share in reading this book at home before our get –together next term. It is a great story for the whole family to listen to!

Regional Readers' Cup Team

Our team of Charlotte Franklin, Lily Kucuku, Emily Ray, Charlize Rogers and Willa Schuh are busily reading their way through 5 novels in preparation for the Darling Downs Competition in Week 9 this term. Thanks girls for your dedication to the task!

Prep and Year 1 Library Lessons

This term students will be exploring the world of living things through Non-Fiction texts. Our young students are always so curious about their world and it is a joy to see them engage with words and photos in age appropriate information texts to satisfy this curiosity.

Overdue Notices 

Starting next week, the details of library loans over 2 weeks late will be emailed to parents and carers. Thank you for your prompt attention to these reminders.

Lunch-time Fun in the Library

Happy Reading!

Anne Anderson

Teacher Librarian

Bus Assistance - Semester 1:

Please see attached informattion regarding Student Travel Rebates for Semester 1.   

Skool Dayz Uniform Shop:

Please note the change in times to Opening Hours for Term 2.  The Uniform Shop will now be open the following times:

Monday morning 7:30am - 9:30am

Friday afternoon 3:00pm - 5:30pm

Monday Pupil free days, the Uniform Shop will open from 2:30pm to 4:00pm.

All other times are by appointment only.  Please contact Dan Eagleson via Skooldayz on 0481 318 398.

SkoolDayz Uniform Shop is also on Facebook - we encourage you to like and follow for updates, changes in times, and information on stock. 

Scholastic Book Club:

Orders for Book Club close tomorrow, Friday 5 May.  Ordering is via the Scholastic Loop https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/book-club/

Thank you for supporting Scholastic Book Club. 

Anzac Day Assembly:

Anzac Day Assembly was held last Monday 24th April.  Our Year 5H class presented a very moving Assembly.  Lest We Forget.

Congratulations to our Weekly Award winners for Week 2, Term 2, 2023.

Arts Fest Update - Rehearsals for Choir & Music Theatre ensembles

It has been wonderful to welcome some new members to our St Saviour’s Primary School Choir this term. We have made a great start learning poetry and choral repertoire to perform at the upcoming Toowoomba Catholic Schools Arts Fest in the final week of Term 2 (18 - 22 June).

As advertised in previous newsletters, during Term 2 Choir rehearsals will be held twice a week, commencing at 7:45am on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings in the Music room.

Mrs McVeigh (Drama teacher), Mrs Stewart (Music teacher) and Miss Robinson (School officer & Pre-Service Teacher) are leading rehearsals at the following times.

Choir Rehearsals:

• Rehearsals Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 7:45am
  • All choir members Years 3 – 6
  • Tuesday 7:45am – 8:45am and Wednesday 7:45am – 8:30am

Music Theatre Rehearsals:

• Rehearsals Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtimes 12:45pm – 1:15pm
  • Selected students from Years 5 – 6 only (dance and singing ensembles)

Performance Times during Arts Fest

If your student is a member of our Choir and / or the Music Theatre Ensemble, please note the following details regarding Arts Fest rehearsal and performance commitments:

• Daytime rehearsals during school hours Tuesday 20 – Thursday 22 June
• Evening performances:
  • Tuesday 20 June 5:30pm-8pm: Verse Speaking Choir at Empire Theatre
    • All SSPS Choir members from Years 3 - 6
  • Wednesday 21 June 5:30pm – 8pm: Music Theatre ensembles at Empire Theatre
    • Selected students only from Years 5-6 (dancers and singers)
  • Daytime performance:
    • Thursday 22 June 9am – 12pm: Sacred Choral Concert at St Patrick’s Cathedral
      • SSPS Choir members from Years 3 – 6

Please contact Mrs Kathryn Stewart via email if you have queries or to notify me if your child is unavailable for the Arts Fest performances. Thanks to all families and staff for your support!

Email: kathryn.stewart@twb.catholic.edu.au

In Year 6 we are learning to explain the key institutions, roles and responsibilities of Australia’s levels of government, and democratic values and beliefs. To coincide with this learning, we were honoured to welcome Mayor Antonio, State Member for Toowoomba South Mr David Janetkzi, and Federal Member for Mr Groom Garth Hamilton to come and chat to the students and answer questions they had on their roles. It was a very informative and engaging experience and we thank them for taking time out of their busy schedules to support our student's learning.

Some pictures below from this morning's visit.

Volunteers

Volunteers are needed in the Tuckshop!!  Our Tuckshop operates on Monday and Friday.  Without volunteers we cannot operate the Tuckshop. If you can help out in the Tuckshop, even for a few hours, please contact me on 0417 797 854.  

Please remember that Tuckshop is only available to order via Flexischools.  No cash orders.

The cut off time for ordering is 9.30am.  Please keep an eye out for special treat days that come up throughout the Term, in particualar Pizza Treat Day.  

Renee Kilpatrick

Tuckshop Convenor