Week 1, Term 4, 2023

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to Term 4.  I truly hope all students enjoyed a well earned break and hopefully some parents managed some time away from work as well.

This week, I would like to update you on a few staffing matters as well as the latest with the St Saviour's Primary building project.

STAFFING

After 40 years of service to Catholic Education, Mrs Judy Smith has announced her intention to retire at the end of the 2023 school year.  Judy has a wealth of experience and will be missed immensely.  She has held teaching positions at St John's Roma, Sacred Heart Toowoomba and St Saviour's Primary School, whilst also spending many years in leadership at St Saviour's.  We will officially farewell Judy during the last week of school this year.

Miss Nicarla Prentice will also be finishing her time with St Saviour's Primary and Toowoomba Catholic Schools at the conclusion of the 2023 school year.  Nicki is moving to Brisbane and will be missed at St Saviour's Primary.  Nicki has been Middle Leader and Acting Assistant Principal during her three years with us.  We wish her all the best and will also formally farewell her during the last week of school.  The role of Middle Leader is currenly advertised and will be finalised over the next few weeks.

With the Assitant Principal role being advertised before the holidays, I am happy to annouce the appointment of Mrs Katie Hauser.  Katie is extremely experienced and brings a wealth of knowledge as she is currently Assistant Principal: Religious Education and Middle Leader at St Anthony’s Primary School, a role she has held since 2020. In addition to an extensive teaching career, Katie has also held the roles of Education Officer: Early Years Literacy and Reading Coach within TCSO and has experience as a middle leader at St Thomas More’s Primary Toowoomba.  We look forward to welcoming Katie in 2024.

Beginning in week 2 this term, I am delighted to welcome Mrs Helen Ryan to SSPS for six hours per week.  Helen is currently the Chaplain at St Saviour's College and she will be performing a similar role at SSPS.  This role is a wellbeing role and involves being available to work with students who may have lost a loved one, are experiencing family separation, friendship issues, are moving to secondary school next year etc.  At this point in time we have funding for the remainder of this year and are hoping this might be extended into 2024.  I will introduce Helen at assembly next Monday as Chappy Helen (a title she already uses at St Saviour's College).  

BUILDING PROJECT

As part of the building project that will see a new library, new early years playground, new early years classrooms, disability lift and stop/drop/go, two demountables will be delivered to SSPS on Saturday 14th of October.  These demountables will be placed on the concrete slab (old cricket nets) on the northern end of the oval.  It is anticipated that we will have access to these demoutable during Week 3 and these two buildings will house 3C and the library for the remainder of this year.  

This will allow the preferred building contractor McNab to commence demolition works in the current learning support, library and 3C classroom space as early as week 4 this term with the hope of having the library completed to commence the 2024 school year.  

There will also be several access points to the work site via the SSPS oval and St Saviour's College Oval.  These will be erected over the next few weeks.  

Whilst the aim is to not disrupt learning time, noise is unavoidable during demolition, however it is hoped most of the loud work will be completed on weekends and before/after school.  Further information will be made available as it comes to hand, however it is extremely exciting that this project is finally coming to life and that your children will be able to enjoy modern facilities whilst attending SSPS.  

Regards,

Sam Hannant

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Welcome back to Term 4! An exciting and busy term ahead of us for sure. It’s been great to see the students back looking well rested and ready to get back into the routine.

For me, holidays mean reading for enjoyment and listening to podcasts. One of the most informative, entertaining, and worthwhile ones to listen to is called “The Imperfects” with Hugh van Cuylenburg who is also the founder of “The Resilience project.” This particular podcast with their resident Psychologist, Dr Emily, discusses positive psychology which isn’t to be confused with positive thinking. She talks about how OTHER PEOPLE MATTER and what it is about ‘other people’, that matters so much, and how much it relates to our never-ending search for that elusive thing we call ‘happiness.’ It refers to how important it is when we connect with others, celebrate, and acknowledge others’ achievements and possible disappointments and how this has a direct impact on our wellbeing. We build trust and cooperation with others and it strengthens our connections with them.

It asks the question - Where do we show up to other people’s experiences? Is it for both their successes and struggles? When we do, those connections between other humans is the Holy Spirit working in amongst us. It gives us strength, and we feel hope and love. We need to be present to other people’s experiences to feel connection, have intentional conversation and build a stronger community. When I was a child, my family ate dinner together every night. The 6 of us shared a meal and put our faith was in action as we said Grace before meals. My parents were intentional and modelled to us how important it is to showing gratitude for the food we were about to eat.  These moments are amongst some of my favourite childhood memories. Kudos to my parents for their commitment to this beautiful ritual one for which I’m grateful. They obviously knew how important it was to come together to share the events of the day to build strong connections between siblings and to show up for each other no matter what.

I highly recommend you take a listen to this podcast.

May the Holy Spirit be with you and your family as we begin a new term.  

Date claimers:

Week 4 Tuesday 24^th October Whole school Mass – Coolock house to host 9.30am St Patrick’s Cathedral

Week 5 Tuesday 31^st October TCS Leadership forum – SSPS singing at Mass 5.30pm St Patrick’s Cathedral

Week 6 Sunday 12^th November School/Parish Mass 9am St Patrick’s Cathedral

Have a great week!

Thanks for reading,

Ann-Maree

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome back to Week 1 of Term 4!

I hope everyone had a restful holiday and your children are ready to rock Term 4!

Student Protection Contacts:

Below is an excerpt from the TCSO handbook: “Student protection information for parents and caregivers.” It outlines our responsibility to ensure all of our students are safe and supported.

I regularly refer to the phrase that ‘student protection is everyone’s responsibility’. If you have any concerns around the wellbeing of children at SSPS, please be sure to contact one of our student protection contacts on the poster below. 

Important Dates for Term 4:

All important dates for this term can be found on the Sentral App Calendar. If you need help accessing this please get in touch with the office. Here are a few you must put in your calendars now!

Reimagined Race Day: Saturday the 4^th of November

Christmas Concert: 22^nd of November

Transition morning: 29^th of November

Year 6 Graduation and final Mass: 1^st of December

Whole School Testing:

During Week 2-4, we will be conducting Whole School Testing with Year 1 – 6 students. This is an opportunity to measure growth in the areas of Spelling, Maths and Reading. The tests we use are mostly online and are standardized, which allows us to measure growth in student achievement from one year to the next. The teachers analyse this data and will often use the results for the end of term report cards, along with their in class work.

It would be great if you could have a conversation with your children before the start of next week about the testing and the importance of trying their best. The tests are a great way for us to measure growth of our students and also identify any collective areas of need that will then be taught in the future. Please contact your teacher in around Week 6 if you’d like to see how your children went on the tests.

All the best for the rest of the week and I hope you enjoy this delightful weather!

Warm Regards

Nicki Prentice

Welcome to Term 4! 

Where has the year gone.  We would like to take this opportunity to remind you of a few things coming up over the next few weeks.

Camp Payments:

Payment for Year 5 and Year 6 Camp is now overdue.  Please ensure payment is made ASAP if you have not yet done so.

School Fees:

Please ensure your commitment to school fee payments are now finalised for the year. Families on direct debit or have a payment arrangement with the school, please contine with your current payment plan.  Accounts are not issued in Term 4. 

Thank you.

Prep 2024:

Our Prep 2024 Transition Program continues this Term for our incoming Prep families.  Please see information below.

Device Agreement Forms:

2024 Digital Program "Use of Device" Levy Agreements need to be returned as soon as possible for those students entering Year 4, 2024.

School Locker Uniform Shop:

Please see information attached to today's Newsletter about our new Uniform Shop supplier, School Locker.  

School Locker will operate out of the current uniform shop site, at the top of the driveway off Neil Street.  

Opening Hours:

Monday - 7.30 am - 10.00 am

Thursday - 2.00 pm - 4.30 pm

Order uniforms online 

click and collect or home delivery

https://theschoollocker.com.au

Please note that these are the only operating times for School Locker

Enquiries at service@theschoollocker.com.au or 07 3725 2500

Important Dates:

• Year 5 Camp (Thursday October 12 - Friday October  13)
• Year 6 Camp (Monday October 16 - Wednesday October 18)
• SWQ All Schools Touch Football Carnival (Sunday October 15)
• Prep 2024 Orientation #2 (Wednesday October 18 - 9.00am - 10.30am)
• Term 4 Whole School Mass (Tuesday October 24 - 9.30am - 10.30am)
• World Teachers Day (Friday October 27)
• Derby Day reimagined (Saturday November 4 Cathedral Centre)
• Prep 2024 Parent Information Night (Wednesday November 15 - 5.30 pm - 6.30 pm)
• Whole School Xmas Concert (Wednesday November 22 - 5.30 pm - 7.30pm)
• Pizza Treat Day (Thursday November 23)
• Final School Assembly (Thursday November 30) 9.00 am - 10.00 am
• Last day of Term 4 and Year 6 Graduation to be held in The Cathedral Centre (Friday December 1)  School will finish at 1.00pm this day.  

Last Day of Term 4:

The final day of Term 4, will be on Friday December 1.  This day is also our Year 6 Graduation.  Year 6 children only attend for their Graduation ceremony.

School will finish at 1.00 pm on this day for all remaining students.  If your child will require care after 1.00 pm, you will need to contact St Saviour's Primary OSHC and arrange a booking.  Bookings can be made via the website www.tckc.qld.edu.au

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to our final term of the schooling year!  This term we have lots happening in teaching and learning with whole school testing set to happen in the next few weeks and report cards being sent home towards the end of the term.  We also have a big term continuing our commitment to STEM. 

Our Junior and Senior STEM academies have been a huge hit this year and we look forward to continuing these in Term 4. 

The SSPS Junior STEM Academy will be open to new students for Term 4.  There was lots of interest in the Term 3 STEM Academy and other students were placed on a waiting list.  This term we are going to accept all 25 students who were placed on the waiting list. An email has been sent to parents of students who have been accepted into the Junior STEM Academy for Term 4 and a response is needed by Monday 9^th October to confirm your spot.  Our Junior STEM Academy will run from Week 2 – 6 in Term 4.

Our Senior STEM Academy flyer is attached and will start in Week 3, due to the Year 5 school camp in Week 2.  This term the SSPS STEM Academy for students in Year 4, 5, & 6 will be exploring real-world problems and using the Design Thinking Process to solve a problem that sparks their Learner Qualities of Creativity and Curiosity.  Students will determine possible solutions to their chosen problem and then will become Inventors and Entrepreneurs and present possible solutions to a panel of their peers, teachers and SSPS Leaders! 

It is great to see so much enthusiasm around STEM and we look forward to celebrating National STEM day with some whole school activities on Wednesday November 8^th.

Kind regards,

Bec Thomas

(For any enquiries please email rebecca.thomas@twb.catholic.edu.au)

Drama Fest Finals  

Congratulations to those students who were involved in the Drama Fest finals last term on their outstanding achievement and entertaining performances. We are so grateful to Mrs McVeigh for her vision, creativity, skill and time in organizing this hugely successful event and providing this invaluable opportunity for our school community.  

Term 4 Performance Dates 

Rehearsals are underway and anticipation is building for a number of upcoming events this term, including our end of year Christmas concert at which all students will perform with their year level. 

Our choir has been invited to participate in Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Tuesday 31st October, when St Saviour’s Primary School will host the Leadership Forum for the Toowoomba Catholic Schools. Please see Sentral for permission form and further details.  

Listed below are key dates from the Term 4 calendar for your reference:  

• Choir Rehearsals: Wednesday mornings in Music room (7:45am – 8:30am)

• Choir sings at Leadership Forum Mass: Week 4, Tuesday 31st October (5pm – 6:30pm) 

• Year 6 Drama Performance/Plays: Week 6, Wednesday 8 November (11:15am – 12:45pm)

• SSPS Christmas Concert (Prep – Year 6): Week 8, Wednesday 22 November (5pm – 7:30pm)

• Prep Nativity Play: Week 9, Tuesday 28 November (8:45am – 9:15am)  

Further information about these events will be forthcoming in future newsletters and via Sentral.  

Kathryn Stewart

Music Teacher        

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR WINNERS OF THE ST SAVIOUR’S DRAMA FESTIVAL FOR 2023! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU ALL! 

YEAR 1 COMPETITION  

YEAR 2 COMPETITION  

YEAR 3 COMPETITION  

YEAR 5 COMPETITION 

YEAR 6 COMPETITION 

Welcome to Term 4 in the Library 

• Year 5 – 6 will be writing a short review of their chosen book to post in AccessIT for future students to read.  Students need to bring their chosen title with them in Week 2 and Week 4. Later in the term, Years 5 and 6 will be practising some information skills. 
• Year 3 and 4 classes will be learning how illustration adds to the meaning of a story. 
• First few chapter read-alouds will continue for Years 4 – 6 
• Story-time for our younger students is part of their library session 

Browse and Borrowing in Term 4 

• Students must have a waterproof bag to transport library loans home. The library is no longer providing plastic bags so loans will remain in classrooms until students bring their bags. 
• All loans will be due in Week 6 and continuing students, who have returned their loans, will be invited to borrow for the summer holidays in Week 7. 
• We will be relocating for refurbishment work during Week 3 and 4 so borrowing will resume in Week 5. 

Thanks to our Year 6 volunteers who gave their play time to tape up boxes for the move!

Charade Fun during lunch time in the library

Please claim these books from the library if they belong to your family  

 Happy Reading

Anne Anderson

Teacher Librarian

Physical Education – Term Four (Prep to Year Two) 

In Term Four, Prep to Year Two students will participate in a Striking/AFL and Soccer unit. This unit will incorporate skills such as an in-step kick, punt kick and hand pass. Students will then play modified games of AFL and Soccer focusing on game play and working as a team. Students in Prep to Year Two will also engage 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 rackets, hopping, jumping, side stepping, animal crawling and balancing. 

Physical Education – Term Four (Year Three and Year Four) 

Students in Year Three and Year Four will be engaged in a Sport, Sport, Sport unit. The students will learn four different sports on a two-week rotation. In the first week, students will learn the skills and rules required to play the game and then play the sport the following week. The four sports students will learn this term are Soccer, Gaelic Football, European Handball and Buroinjin which is a tradition Aboriginal game. Students will not only learn many gross motor skills but also learn game play and to work collaboratively while engaging in games from other cultures.  

PE – Term Four (Year Five and Year Six) 

Students in Year Five and Year Six will been engaged in Group Challenges and Aboriginal Games. Students will work in pairs, groups or as a whole class to solve different challenges using the UNITE process. This unit will involve students working collaboratively within these lessons. Students will also participate in Aboriginal Games not only having a lot of fun but also learning about Aboriginal culture. I look forward to watching the students participate in these activities. 

Health -Term Four (Prep) 

In this unit students will explore information about what makes them unique, identifying their strengths and achievements. Students will identify safe settings where they can move and play safely and identify actions that keep them safe in different settings. They will identify different emotions people experience in different situations. Students will also identify and describe different emotions people experience and explore and practice ways to interact with others in a variety of settings. 

Health -Term Four (Year One) 

In this unit, students recognise similarities and differences in individuals and groups, and describe how these differences can be respected. They will identify and practise emotional responses that reflect their own and others' feelings. They examine and demonstrate ways to include others in activities, and practise strategies to help them and others feel they belong. Students also identify social changes that occur as they grow older and recognise ways, they can take some responsibility for their own safety in different situations including road safety. 

Health -Term Four (Year Two) 

In this unit, students explore safe and unsafe situations so that they understand their responsibility in staying safe. They examine the safety clues that can be used in situations and will explore the emotions they feel in response to safe and unsafe situations. Students consider different aspects of sun safety and how they can promote their health, safety, and wellbeing. Students will also examine the purpose of advertising and the techniques used to engage children. They explore health messages seen in advertising and how they can be used to make good decisions about their own and others' health and wellbeing. 

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 

brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au