Term 2, Week 2, 2024
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to our first newsletter for Term 2. I do hope that your routines are back in place and your children are settling back in. It was fantastic to see so many students and families at the BBQ and Disco on Wednesday evening and great to hear the positive comments relating to the new library. I would like to thank the Parent Engagement Network for organising the event and for engaging parents in learning at St Saviour's Primary School.
Parent engagement is so important and a working partnership between the school and parents is key to fullfilling our mission for our students to Strive in Faith, Learning and Life. To help guide us in the right direction, I find it useful to reflect on the Toowoomba Catholic Schools' Parent Engagement Charter that is attached below:
Below is an extract for the document that can help with some tips for engaging with your child's learning:
While parents strive to be involved in school-based activities the opportunities to do not always balance with many other demands of work and family. Parents have a powerful influence on their child’s educational outcomes through what happens at home.
Parents are highly influential when they:
- have high expectations for their children’s conduct and courtesy, punctuality, sense
of responsibility and involvement in family activities
- show interest in their children’s learning by helping them relate what they are
learning in school to the world beyond school
- are supportive of the work of teachers
- model the behaviours of successful learners
- talk to children about things that interest them and provide opportunities for children
- to extend their engagement in these areas discuss their children’s educational and career aspirations and encourage children to set goals for their progress.
Again, I emphasise the importance of a partnership between home and school and certainly appreciate the influence that our St Saviour's parents and families have on our students' learning.
Sam Hannant
….experiencing FAITH in the Mercy Tradition
Welcome back to Term 2! I trust you had a safe and blessed Easter break with your family and friends.
In the Church’s year, we continue in the Easter season and continue to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The Easter season lasts 50 days ending on Pentecost Sunday. It is a time to reflect on the significance of Christ’s victory over death. It’s a time of renewal and spiritual growth for Christians, emphasizing the hope and new life found in the Resurrection. We pray for those Yr 4 students who continue their Sacramental journey and look forward to celebrating with them as they receive the sacraments of Confirmation (Tuesday 14th May) and First Eucharist (15th/16th June)
Last week, on the student free day, the whole staff participated in professional development at Laurel Bank for our Spirituality day where we focused on the question, “How do our relationships affect our wellbeing?” Firstly, we looked at our relationships in amongst our staff, those with our God and those with our students. Virtually, we listened to Fr Damien Price speak about coming as guest into others’ lives and the importance of being present when in the company with those around us. It is in those relationships and interactions where we feel the Holy Spirit working and enact our Mercy values of compassion and being of service to others.
Our first day of term, the Yr 6 students attended their weekly Mass along with special guests from Catholic Missions. Sue and Martin joined the Service Learning team to share with them, in more detail, the work that they do and in particular, how the Catholic Social Teachings can be use to strengthen our outreach to others in our community. We look forward to working with Catholic Missions and the Service Learning team to drive our fundraiser in October
Our elected Captains attended the Mayoral Morning tea at Highfields last week. It was a great opportunity to hear about what other school leaders believe is important to them when leading their school community. Mayor McDonald also shared his and the TRC’s values and how they are guided by these values to make decisions. Mayor McDonald also left the students pondering the question, “What will be our legacy when we leave SSPS?”
On Wednesday this week, we came together as a whole school for our ANZAC Day Liturgy. Thank you to Mrs McHugh and the students of Yr 5M who organized and presented our assembly.
A prayer for ANZAC Day
God of peace and justice, we remember the brave men and women who served our country with courage and sacrifice.
On this ANZAC Day, we honour their commitment to freedom, their selflessness, and their unwavering dedication. We pray for all those who have served, for those who have fallen, and for those who continue to serve today.
Grant them your strength, comfort and peace.
May we never forget their sacrifice, and may we strive to build a world where peace reigns and justice prevails.
Amen
Date claimers:
Whole School Mass on Friday 3rd May @ 9am
School/Parish Family Mass on Sunday 26th May @ 9am
Have a great week and thanks for reading!
Ann-Maree Ward
Dear Parents and Carers,
AEDC Data Collection:
From May 2024, our school, along with thousands of others across the country, will participate in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). The AEDC is a teacher-completed census which provides a comprehensive picture of how children have developed by the time they start their first year of full-time school. Children don’t miss any class time while the AEDC is completed, and parents/carers don’t need to supply schools with any new information. The data collected through the AEDC is used by schools, communities, and governments to better understand children and families’ needs, and identify the services, resources and support they need.
Participation in the AEDC is voluntary, however the AEDC relies on all schools with children in their first year of full-time school participating in the collection. Parents/carers don’t need to take any action unless they choose not to include their children in the census. To find out more about the AEDC and how it is being used to help children and families you can visit: www.aedc.gov.au. If you have any questions, you can contact Bec Thomas – Rebecca.thomas@twb.catholic.edu.au.
Senior and Junior STEM Club
We had lots of interest in our Junior STEM Club for this Term. Unfortunately due to space and resources we are only able to take a limited number of students. If your child is interested in Junior STEM, please keep an eye out for our TERM 3 information. Student’s in Years 4-6 who are still keen to join our Senior STEM Club, are welcome to come along a on Thursday morning to Mrs Harlen’s room. For further information, please contact myself or Rachel Harlen.
Decodable Reading Journey
As you will be aware our school has taken a synthetic approach to phonics to align with Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum. This has seen SSPS using Decodable Readers Australia to support our teaching of phonics and reading. The process of rolling out decodable readers and a synthetic approach to phonics will occur over the next 3 years as we spend time updating our resources and investing time in training staff and parents on how to best support children. Our first parent information session will be for our Prep parents on Wednesday 1st May – 3:00pm – 3:30pm. During this time Prep parents will hear from our Prep Teachers on how to best support their child. Prep children will be supervised in the Prep Playground by a member of leadership during this time.
Enjoy your week,
Bec Thomas
SSPS Cross Country 2024
On the 17th of April, St Saviour’s Primary Cross Country was held. It was a fantastic day with many students competing, earning points for their house. Xavier was the overall winner on the day taking out the shield winning by only ten points. Listed below are the top three places in each age group (photos attached).
12-Year-Old Boys – Joe Black, Hari Vinod, Olly Goodland
12-Year-Old Girls – Rose Stead, Aya Doherty, Akeer Adol
11-Year-Old Boys – Lachlan Giuffrida, Liam McHugh, William Prust
11-Year-Old Girls – Georgie Hedge, Mia Aylward, Deborah Thomas
10-Year-Old Boys – Harry Black, George Gainey, Darcy Phillips
10-Year-Old Girls – Nina Lucas, Letti Stephenson, Akech Adol
9-Year-Old Boys – Levi Nash, Xavier Adams, Frederick Mooketsi
9-Year-Old Girls – Jemma McHugh, Randuli Wijayaratne, Jailei Moy
8-Year-Old Boys – Jack Black, Alfie Ruhle, Mach Adol
8-Year-Old Girls – Kaiya Jeffrey, Alice Prust, Annabelle Johnson
7-Year-Old Boys – Knox Witt, Wyatt Goodsell, Ollie Duke
7-Year-Old Girls – Havana Hilton-Russ, Winnie Duce, Nariah Monagle
6-Year-Old Boys – Cash Hubbard, Kuch Adol, Nathaniel Katuna
6-Year-Old Girls – Ivy Ferguson, Pia Brown, Ellanor Adams
5-Year-Old Boys – Maverick Wilson, Hugo House, Beau Densley
5-Year-Old Girls – Mia Gale, Neve Welsh, Molly Cryle/Indie Quinlan
School Sport
Congratulations to William Prust and Mia Aylward who made the Toowoomba team for soccer. Ella Maddison also made the Toowoomba team for hockey. They will all attend Darling Downs trials to try and make the Darling Downs team. Good luck and we look forward to hearing all about your fantastic experience.
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
We are thrilled to be moving into our brand new library space this week! It will take time to settle in and establish routines but we are very pleased and grateful to have such a beautiful place to enjoy books and reading and to participate in lessons and other learning activities.
Our staff have given practical support but I wish to especially thank Mr Logan and the Year 6 students for their help relocating resources and our parent helpers, Donna Enders, Fiona Case and Katie Boyd Pratt for their generous support during the move this week.
Anne Anderson
The Year 6 students have been the first year level to enjoy our beautiful new Library space, with a reading time session in the tiered space on Monday. The year level moved into their new classrooms adjacent to the main Library earlier this week, with other classes scheduled to walk through the lovely new facility in the following days. Parents also had the opportunity to inspect the Library during Wednesday's welcome BBQ and Disco event.
Biggest Morning Tea - in the afternoon!
We will be holding a fundraiser on Friday 31st May from 2:30pm - 3:30pm and welcome parents to come along, have a cuppa and a biscuit and donate to the Cancer Council. The service learning group will be serving inside or outside The Mercy Centre. Cancer affects us all, with one in two Queenslanders diagnosed by the age of 85. The Cancer Council navigate cancer with Queenslanders, working to reduce risk, improve early detection and provide much-needed practical and emotional support for anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis. We encourage you to get your parents to read this week's school newsletter so they can join us on the day or by donating via our special link Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - Natalie O'Brien.
Minni Vinnies Winter Appeal
As winter is fast approaching, we are launching the Winter Appeal now, so that when the weather truly cools in towards the end of the term, we can donate the goods to Minni Vinnies in readiness to support those less fortunate than us. We launched this initiative at assembly, with our students standing with bags we have collected from our homes, to show we are leading by example. Donation points will be put onto our posters that will be out across the school by the end of this week. Please when you get the chance, look in your wardrobes at your winter clothes and consider donating suitable items that may no longer fit your family, in addition to any spare blankets, etc. Even if it is just one item, that is one item that someone wouldn't have if it wasn't for you.
Natalie O'Brien - Year 6 Teacher
Congratulations to our Awards winners
Weeks 1 & 2
Date Claimer: Thursday 6 June, Sing Out Twilight Concert, Empire Theatre
On Thursday 6 June, our St Saviour’s Primary School Choir will participate in Sing Out, an exciting choral event at the Empire Theatre. This will involve a daytime choral workshop and an evening concert, working with Mrs Jenny Moon, a guest conductor from Brisbane. The Sing Out Twilight Concert will be given by choirs from about 12 primary schools, who will combine to perform in a massed choir of about 500 young singers.
Choir rehearsals are held Wednesdays from 7:45am – 8:25am. This term, its important that students arrive on time and attend all rehearsals as we are prepare for our upcoming Sing Out performance at the Empire Theatre.
Please refer to Sentral for further information regarding Sing Out, including permission forms, to indicate your child’s intentions and ensure they are able to participate.
Kathryn Stewart (Music Teacher)
A reminder that the Uniform Shop cannot accept EFTPOS payments at this stage, due to the upgrade of our 3G network.
Items can only be purchased using cash. Alternatively, please go online to The School Locker website - choose St Saviour's Primary School, then "collect from store or deliver to school".
Normal Uniform Shop hours are Mondays from 730am to 10am and Thursdays from 2pm to 4.30pm. The Uniform shop is closed during public holidays.
Welcome back everyone for term 2. Here is the roster for tuck shop for this term. All volunteers are welcome to join in supporting our tuck-shop. If you are available to help on a Friday, even if it just for a couple of hours, your efforts would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Renee on on 0417797854 or via email at renee.kilpatrick@twb.catholic.edu.au
Week 1 Friday 19th April -Public holiday
Week 2 Friday 26th April - Prep
Week 3 Friday 3rd May - Year 1
Week 4 Friday 10th May - Year 2
Week 5 Friday 17th May - Year 3
Week 6 Friday 24th May -Year 4
Week7 Friday 31st May - Year 5
Week 8 Friday 7th June - Year 6
Week 9 Friday 14th June - Athletics Carnival
Week 10 Friday 21st June - Anyone Available
Policy updates
A number of the policies that we implement as a school have recently been reviewed. These policies are a part of the enrolment agreement we have with you as parents/legal guardians and are available on the school’s website and from the links below. If you have any questions about these policies please contact the Principal.
- School renewal and improvement policy
- Student behaviour support policy
- School fees policy
- Teaching and learning policy
- ICT in Catholic schools policy
- Student diversity in Catholic school policy
- Enrolment in Catholic schools policy
- TCS Privacy policy
Kind regards
Dr Patrick Coughlan
Executive Director: Catholic Schools
Diocese of Toowoomba
Applications are invited for the position of Parish Administration Officer at St Patrick’s Cathedral and St Thomas More’s. This is a permanent part-time position. As this role is spread over 2 locations you may like to consider applying for any of the following:
- St Patrick’s Cathedral, 123 Neil St, Toowoomba (12hrs)
- St Thomas More’s Parish, 71A Ramsay St, South Toowoomba (12hrs)
- Combined 1 & 2.
Position Description is available by contacting St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish Office on 4637 1500 or admin@stpats.org.au. Applications close 10/05/2024.
Alessandra Ocampo took part in the Starbound Eisteddfod in Gold Coast during the school holidays. She did an incredible job and received a medal in every category she entered. Alessandra achieved 1st place and won a Gold Medal in the 10-year Country Song Vocal category, 2nd place and a Silver Medal in the 10-year Popular Vocal category, and another 2nd place and Silver Medal in the 10-year musical theatre category, where she played the role of Little Red Riding Hood.
Her outstanding performance allowed her to qualify for the "winner of winners" event, which includes contestants who secured 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place across all age groups from 8 years old and up. Alessandra achieved an impressive 3rd place in this highly competitive competition, earning herself a trophy and an Encouragement award.
Well done, Alessandra!
