Week 5, Term 2, 2023

Dear Parents and Carers,

School Renewal Process

As you would be aware, the school renewal and improvement process took place last week where we welcomed a panel consisting of Dr Pat Coughlan (Executive Director: Toowoomba Catholic Schools), Mr Luke Barrett (Acting Senior Education Leader) and Mr Lawson Short (Principal: St Joseph's Millmerran).  During the three days the panel spent time informally listening and asking questions of the leadership team, staff, parents and students.  The final report is being finalised and will be made available on our website in the next month, however it was affirming to listen to the positive feedback from the panel around the past 4 years at St Saviour's and the future direction.

Once the report is made available, the next part of the process is to look to the future and create the next Strategic Plan for St Saviour's Primary School.  This, in turn, will feed into our Annual Action Plans.  We would very much like to involve as many parents, students and community members as possible in this process, so keep an eye out for further information or feel free to send me an email to express your interest in planning for the future of St Saviour's Primary.

Student attendance

A reminder of the importance of student attendance at school and in particular attendance at school for the entire day.  

If a child is 15 minutes late every day or leaves 15 minutes early that equals 8 school days missed per year.  Additionally, if a child is absent 1 day a fortnight, that equals 1 year of learning over 12 school years.

If you are finding it difficult to have your child at school on time, please talk to your child's classroom teacher.  We are here to help.

Source: Toowoomba Catholic Schools

Staffing News

Mrs Deb Volp, our Year 2 school officer, has recently moved to the Sunshine Coast with her husband and has made the difficult decision to resign from St Saviour's Primary. 

Deb will be missed and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Deb for her commitment to the school over the last 10+ years that she has been on staff and prior to this as a parent of her 3 daughters who all attended St Saviour's Primary.  Good luck on your new adventure Deb!

At this time, I would also like to announce Deb's replacement at Mrs Kathryn (Kat) Bird. Kat had been working with the year 2 students prior to Deb leaving and therefore knows the routines and the students well.  Welcome to St Saviour's Primary, Kat!

Have a great weekend!

Sam Hannant

Welcome to Week 5!

I've just finished reading "The Resilience Project" by Hugh van Cuylenburg (highly recommend you read it or watch his documentary on Amazon Prime).

The Resilience Project’s Education Programs support mental health in the classroom, staffroom and family home. On their website it states, "The research is clear; the more positive emotion you experience, the more resilient you will be. For that reason we focus on three key pillars that have been proven to cultivate positive emotion; Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM), with Emotional Literacy being a foundational skill to practise these strategies." 

These three pillars really resonated with me. 

While reading about the importance of GEM, it became apparent that to successfully implement new habits, practice is key. This GEM philosophy is a modern day idea which I can relate to in how Jesus lived his life. He practiced Gratitude in his daily life and showed empathy in his interactions with others. Examples of mindfulness are interwoven through the Bible stories in the way Jesus told stories and focussed on the simple and repetitive message of Love. 

If you get the chance to read this book, download the App or browse their website, it's time well spent. As a parent, teacher and school leader, I found many practical takeaways and I think you will too. 

Term 2 School/Parish Mass will be held at the end of Week 6 on Sunday 28th May. All are welcome to join us for the celebration of Pentecost.

Please indicate your attendance via this link https://forms.office.com/r/GG5CvX9q6s

Yr 3 visited the Cathedral last week as part of their learning about the local parish of St Patrick's. The whole cohort took part in the Mass and then interviewed Fr Michael (parish priest) Gabrielle Sadie (Sacristan) and other parishioneers by asking questions like:

• • How long have you lived in the parish?
  • What do you like about the parish?
  • How has the parish changed?  What has stayed the same?
  • Who have been the priests or religious who have been part of this parish?
  • Do you know when this church was built?  What has changed? What has remained the same?
  • Have any of your family members been part of this parish?
  • Who do you remember as a significant person in this parish?
  • What are some of the significant parish events that you remember?Students walked around the church and noticed objects within the church eg images, symbols, plaques, stained glass windows, statues etc.

Pastoral care @SSPS

At our recent PEN meeting, it was decided that the best way to support families in need would be to give gift vouchers rather than cooked meals. Necessary items to be purchased could include nappies, baby formula, sanitary items, cleaning products, meat and petrol. We are asking our school community to kindly donate a gift voucher (the purchase value is completely your decision) to the Pastoral care team. These vouchers would then be distributed on a needs basis. If you could bring your donations to the office, that would be very much appreciated. Thankyou for your ongoing support.

In the long term, we would really like to support our local businesses and those in our school community who have businesses who could assist us in supporting families. If you have a business and/or you’d like to be part of our pastoral care program, please contact myself at ann-maree.ward@twb.catholic.edu.au

Last week, the Year 6 students, teachers and myself had the pleasure of attending the College’s Catherine McAuley Feast Mass. It was a great opportunity to come together as Mercy school’s and acknowledge on whom our faith education is based, The Mercy Sisters. We were reminded of those who have come before us, those women who took risks, thought creatively and embarked on an adventure to offer hope to those less fortunate. Let us continue their work through serving others in our communities.

Wishing all of our students, who make their Confirmation this week on

 Friday 19th May, our prayers and special blessings. 

New Award for our Learners: The Phoenix Progress Award

One of the biggest things we noticed when we reflected on the awards we have at SSPS, is the absence of an award that celebrates progress. Our core business is learning, and while it is important to celebrate students who are high achievers, it is perhaps even more important to celebrate those students who have made positive progress in their learning. The student who moved from being below expected to expected in their knowledge in Science. The student who practiced reading everyday at school and home that enabled them to move past the expected level for their year group, when they were once behind where they needed to be. Or the student who went from being a reluctant writer who wrote 1 sentence in 15 minutes, to being able to excitedly produce quality writing in the same amount of time.

Celebrating progress over achievement allows EVERY student to be in the running for this award. It encourages EVERY student to believe in themselves and that they have potential to be better. It encourages all students to see themselves as learners who can improve everyday. 

We have named the new award ‘The Phoenix Progress Award’. This is because we want it to symbolise a rising from where a student once was in their learning. We want to celebrate that they are flying and succeeding, thanks to their resilience and endurance.

At the end of Term 2 & 4, 1 student from each class will receive a Phoenix award, along with a 3D printed medallion keychain (Thanks Mrs Harlen for your expertise in creating these!).

Dear Parents and Carers,

As you know St Saviours have implemented Learner Qualities to help build a culture of learning.  Our ‘why’ behind this is to implement a common language of learning across our school.  I would like to take a moment to reflect on our journey thus far.

When we asked students in 2020 what a learner was, students responded with:

• We sit quietly
• We listen
• We put our hand up
• We answer questions
• We complete all of our work.

These responses were largely around classroom expectations and behaviours. Now in 2023, students are on the way to understanding what a ‘learner’ at SSPS looks like.  Below are their responses from 2023:

A learner:

• Shows determination
• Makes a start
• Learns from mistakes
• Asks questions
• Goes into the pit

How amazing and what a change!

These responses are developing our culture of learning where we want to build a welcoming environment that is challenging and engaging.   An environment where everyone develops learner qualities to become confident, self-directed learners.  We aim to encourage students to take risks, learn from their mistakes and transfer learning into life. 

While we acknowledge how far we have come, we also acknowledge we are still on the journey.

I look forward to keeping you updated with our progress as a school in the near future.

Have a great weekend,

Bec Thomas 

Acting Middle Leader 

St Saviour’s Primary Athletics Carnival 2023

As you might be aware the 2023 athletics carnival will take place on Friday the 16th of June 2023. To streamline the carnival, we are going to trial running the carnival in one day meaning 200m and 800m events will be moved to the Friday instead of being run the day before. As this is the first year attempting this, we ask parents to be mindful that all events may not run to schedule, and changes may need to be made on the day of the carnival. We thank you for your understanding with this.

Field Event Qualifying

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 1st, 2nd and 3rd 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.

Friday 16th of June 2023 (O’Quinn Street)

DATE: 16th June 2023

TIME: 8am – 12pm – Prep to Year Two (Students will need to be dropped off by 8am, but transport provided back to school). Please respond to Microsoft Form sent by Miss Nicki Prentice about whether your child/ren require transport.

8am – 3pm – Year Three to Year Six (Students will need to be dropped off by 8am, but transport provided back to school if required). Please respond to Microsoft Form sent by Miss Nicki Prentice about whether your child/ren require transport.

VENUE: Glynis Nunn-Cearns Oval, 16 - 44 O’Quinn Street, Toowoomba.

EVENTS: Shotput, Discus, High Jump, Long Jump, 60m, 80m and 100m Sprints, 200m, 800m, Relays, Prep – Year 2 Rotations

WHO FOR: Prep – Year Six Students

TRANSPORT: Prep to Year Two (Students will need to be dropped off by 8am, but transport provided back to school). Please respond to email sent by Miss Nicki Prentice about whether your child/ren require transport.

Year Three to Year Six (Students will need to be dropped off by 8am, but transport provided back to school if required). Please respond to email sent by Miss Nicki Prentice about whether your child/ren require transport.

FOOD: The children will need to bring their own morning tea, lunch, and water. There will also be a canteen operating on the day.

SPECTATORS: We encourage as many parents as possible to come and support your child/ren at the St Saviour’s Primary Athletics Carnival. We ask that all spectators remember to keep their encouragement positive and to respect the officials’ decisions on the day. The main purpose behind this carnival is for the students to have fun, whist showing their school spirt gaining points for their house.

COST: This carnival and transport is all inclusive in your child/ren school fees.

UNIFORM: Students are welcome to dress up and can wear clothing of their  house colour. Hair spray and zinc is also allowed. If your child/ren does not wish to wear their house colours, can they please attend in their sports uniform. Please ensure your child wears shoes suitable for running.

NOMINATIONS: All students will run in either a 60m, 80m or 100m race and year level relay. Students in Prep to Year Two will participate in modified athletics activities to gain points for their house. Students in Year Three to Year Six will also compete in 200m and 800m races. The qualifying eight from PE sessions will compete in shotput, discus, high jump and long jump finals.

PERMISSION: Permission has already been granted through ‘Physical Education Activities/Carnivals 2023’ on Parent Portal.

If you have any questions or concern, please feel free to contact me (brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au).

Darling Downs Cross Country

Congratulations to Lucy Hardy, Joe Black, Rose Stead, Akeer Adol and Lachan Giuffida who represented the Central Zone team in cross country this week. It was a tough competition in wet, muddy conditions. All students did an amazing job with Rose Stead qualifying for the Darling Downs cross country team.

School Sport

Congratulations to Mia Alyward who made the Darling Downs team for soccer and will be travelling to Cairns in August. What an awesome experience and we look forward to hearing all about it (photo below).

Gymnastics Competition

Leo Hasted travelled to Warwick over the weekend for the Warwick Invitational gymnastics competition coming 8^th overall in the boy’s competition. Leo is only new to competitive gymnastics but has done a really great effort at his first competition. We look forward to hearing about your gymnastics success over the coming months and years (see photo below).

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)

• SSPS Athletics Carnival (P-6) – 16/06/2023 8am-3pm 

Cheers

Brendan Luck

HPE Teacher

brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au

The 2023 Athletics Carnival is on at O'Quinn Street oval on the 16th of June. We have restructured the programme to include all athletics events on the one day. More communication has been sent out by Brendan Luck today.

Students are required to be dropped off at O'Quinn street at 8.00am. The Junior Carnival will conclude at 12.30pm and the Senior Carnival will finish at 2.50pm.

All students need to have the attached form completed by a parent or guardian before Friday 19th May, so transport can be organised. If you have more than one child at SSPS, please complete a form for each of your children.

Prep to Year 2 form link: https://forms.office.com/r/gXx0bBkAL4

Year 3 to Year 6 form link: https://forms.office.com/r/me25nvfinc

Step into Stories Author Visits

Gus Gordon and Sami Bayly shared their enthusiasm and skills for creating award winning books during their presentations last week. These authors were visiting Toowoomba to take part in the Step into Stories event. Students in Years 3-6 enjoyed their interactions with Gus and Sami! Check out the photos below. 

Aya Doherty was the winner of a signed copy of Sami Bayly's Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals. Well done Aya for your thoughtful response to your most amazing animal and thanks to all the competition participants who displayed our learner qualities of thinking and determination to complete their entries.

National Simultaneous Storytime

This event is a national celebration of story set down for Wednesday 24th May. We will be sharing the book The Speedy Sloth in classrooms on this day. 

Volunteer Coverers Needed

We have a number of home readers to be covered. If you can assist with this task, please contact the library staff or email anne.anderson@twb.catholic.edu.au. We are happy to provide instructions.

Thank you Mrs Michelle Standing - Book Club Volunteer

Book Club is only possible in our school due to Michelle's generosity so a big thank you Michelle. Please consider taking on this role in 2024 as Michelle leaves our school community next year.

Unclaimed Personal Books

If these books belong to your family please claim them from the library!

Engaged Year 2 Readers!

Music News – Choir Rehearsals 

We are so proud of our students in the SSP Choir who are working persistently and collaboratively to rehearse our performance pieces for the upcoming Arts Fest. Thanks to all the parents for your support in bringing your children to our rehearsals on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Please note that for all future Tuesday mornings, we will meet to rehearse in the hall (Mercy Centre).  

• 7:45a.m. Tuesday – Choir (in Mercy Centre) 
• 7:45a.m. Wednesday – Choir (in Music room) 

This week students received pink permission forms regarding the Verse Speaking performance at the Empire Theatre on Tuesday 20 June.  Please return them to Mrs McVeigh directly, or via your child’s teacher or the office.  

Another reminder to choir members in Years 4 - 6: Return green notes regarding the Arts Fest Music Theatre singing ensemble and the Choral workshop at St Mary’s on 29 May. Registrations for the Choral workshop at St Mary’s College are due to Mrs Stewart on Friday 19 May.  

Arts Fest Updated Performance Times  

Please note the following Arts Fest rehearsal and performance commitments. Two events with changed times are shown in bold:  

• Daytime rehearsals during school hours Tuesday 20 – Thursday 22 June (no change) 

• Tuesday 20 June 3:00pm – 5:00pm - Verse Speaking Choir at Empire Theatre  

• SSP Choir members from Years 3 – 6 
• (Originally advertised as an evening performance, now afternoon) 

• Wednesday 21 June 5:30pm – 8pm: Music Theatre ensembles at Empire Theatre  

• Selected students only from Years 5-6 (dancers and singers) 

• Thursday 22 June 9am – 12pm - Sacred Choral Concert at St Patrick’s Cathedral 

• SSP Choir members from Years 3 – 6  
• Rehearsal from 9am 
• Concert to commence 10:45am 

Please refer to the class communication notes for further updates.  

Eisteddfod Success 

We are delighted to celebrate our students who competed in the recent Toowoomba Eisteddfod.  Congratulations to Alessandra Ocampo, who competed in numerous vocal solos as well as choral events, receiving multiple medals including (first place in the 12 years and Under Vocal Solo section,

Congratulations also to Alexis Allen and Estelle Harlen for winning first-place in the Year 5 Poems in Pairs section of the Speech and Drama Eisteddfod. Well done to Bailey and Cooper Skuse for their entry in the Year 3 Poems in Pairs section. Thanks to Mrs McVeigh for coaching the students for their poetry performances. We are so proud of their amazing efforts.  

Kathryn Stewart (Music Teacher)

Kathryn.stewart@twb.catholic.edu.au  

Anita McVeigh (Drama teacher)

Anita.mcveigh@twb.catholic.edu.au

Pictured below:

Allesandra Ocampo in costume as Annie after singing "Tomorrow' in the Music Theatre vocal solo section at Toowoomba Eisteddfod.

School Fees:

Reminder that Term 2 School Fees are due for payment this Friday 19 May.   

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 mornings 7:30am - 9:30am

Friday afternoons 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:

Book Club orders were delivered this week to the children who placed orders.  Special thanks to Mrs Standing for all her hard work in organising Book Club each term for our children.  Mrs Standing will finish her role as Book Club Coordinator at the end of the year, so we will be looking for a parent volunteer who would be willing to take on Book Club from 2024.  It is a simple process and full training will be provided.  If you would like to consider becoming our Scholastic Book Club Coordinator please contact the office or Mrs Anderson in Library - 46371600.  

Lawrence Street Parking:

It has come to our attention again, that some parents are crossing with their children unsafely in Lawrence Street.  We cannot stress enough the importance of using the school crossing to cross safely with your children.  This morning we had reports of a parent crossing between traffic with their daughter whilst texting on a mobile phone.  Please cross at the Pedestrain crossings at all times so as to avoid any risk of accidents occuring around our school.

Sickness and Covid:

We have noticed a rise in sickness at school and Covid cases are being reported to us.  We need to stress the importance of keeping your children home if they are unwell.  If your child is presenting symptoms of feeling unwell, high temps, sore throat, we would suggest that a Covid Test be undertaken.  If positive please report it to our school.  Once symptoms are no longer, students can return.  If your child presents to our sick bay with symptoms, a parent will be rung and you will be asked to come and collect.  Thank you for your understanding and suport as we try to remain on top of sickness at school, particularly leading into the colder months.

Congratulations to our Weekly Award Winners for Week 5

Year 4 Mini Vinnies are going to collect, organise and create Blessing Bags to be made and donated to one of the local women’s refuges here in Toowoomba.

Blessing Bags usually contain things that you would need, like toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, deodorants, shampoo and hairbrushes, sanitary products, lip balms and moisturisers. They can also contain treats like chocolate, healthy snacks, biscuits, as well as tea and coffee sachets.

We would like to collect all these lovely treats to help women who visit the refuge look good and feel good about themselves. We are asking for donations to help fill these bags and with your generous help we will be able to make a difference in the lives of many women within our community.

Posters will be up around the school this week, showing some of the items that you could donate to help fill these bags. We will be gathering donations from Week 5 until Week 9. All donations can be dropped off to the blue Mini Vinnies baskets that can be found at the office.

Service and simple acts of kindness to each other is very important, especially to those in our community who are vulnerable and need our help. We encourage all members of our school community to commit to this activity for the term and be of service to others, just like Catherine McAuley was.

Mrs Cooper

Year 5 Teacher 

Our Mother's Day Movie Night was held on the school oval last Thursday evening.  It was a wonderful success and we would like to say a big thank you to our PEN Committee and in particular Katie Boydpratt, for all her help behind the scenes in ensuring this event happened for all our Mum's.

Katie spent numerous hours and time sourcing food and drink vans for the night.  The extra touches she went too, to make sure the night was a beautiful success are all due to her hard work and time.  Thank you Katie.  Your efforts were amazing.  

Our Prep Mother's Day Liturgy was held on Friday afternoon in the Mercy Centre.  Thank you to all our Prep Teachers and School Officers who ensured our Prep Mum's enjoyed their special afternoon with yummy cake.  

We know several of our classes made gifts for our Mum's so we hope that you enjoyed opening these on Mother's Day.  The children loved making these gifts and cards for you, and we know they will be treasured for years to come.