Term 2 Week 3 Newsletter 2019

Please find attached the final program for the 2019 Athletics Carnival.

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

NAPLAN Yrs 3 & 5

Next week is NAPLAN week for our Year 3 and 5 students.

 Recently, we received a congratulatory email from ACARA (Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority) as follows:

 Dear Principal, 

 I am pleased to advise that ACARA has identified your school as having demonstrated substantially above average gain in reading and/or numeracy achievement, as measured by NAPLAN……

…….On behalf of ACARA, I would like to extend my congratulations to you and your school community on this achievement. Improvement in student literacy and/or numeracy of this magnitude, as measured by NAPLAN, is significant and worthy of highlighting and acknowledging.  

Our school has performed exceptionally well in NAPLAN over past years and due recognition has been received. Of course, we are all proud of our efforts, but we need to be very careful in not allowing performance in a one-off test becoming the be all and end all of our existence as a Catholic School. We have always and will continue to strive for excellence in our academic teaching and learning, however we will only continue to do so if we continue to strive to improve the abovementioned things.

Someone once wisely observed that the secret of education is to be found in respecting the student. In all our discussion on accountabilities and organisational structures, it is important to stop every now and again and focus on the core of our work which is the student and the ways in which his or her learning can be genuinely improved. The more time we spend in doing this we become more acutely aware of the context, characteristics, values, learning styles, interests and personal experiences of those we are called to teach. When this happens, we are able to raise the bar and genuinely improve the quality of the service we offer.  

Wishing all our Year 3 and Year 5 students the best of luck in the forthcoming NAPLAN tests.

 School Renewal and Improvement Report

The attached link will allow parents to view the final report for our recent School Renewal and Improvement Report.  At the School Board meeting held last Monday night, members of the School Board began the process of ‘unpacking’ the commendations and recommendations in producing the School’s Strategic Plan for the next four years.  We have invited Dr Judy Smeed to assist us in the process.  Dr Judy Smeed, is a consultant with Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office and has a great deal of experience in working with School’s in this area. 

 ‘IT TAKES A SPARK’ STEM CONFERENCE FOR GIRLS

Today, St Saviour’s College hosted the ‘It Takes a Spark” STEM conference for girls. Over 550 students from across Australia came together.  St Saviour’s Primary School hosted students in the Mercy Centre for breakout sessions.   I extend a huge thank you to our budding STEM teacher: Mrs Rachel Harlen who presented and lead student and teacher sessions throughout the day. A number of our young female students attended the conference experiencing firsthand the exciting developments in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.  Thank you, St Saviour’s College, for an outstanding conference, in true and reliable style your hospitality and welcome was well received by all in attendance.

LAWRENCE ST DROP OFF AND PICK UP

Thank you to the parents who are keeping our children safe both morning and afternoon around our busy streets.  This week I spoke to the children about the MUST in using the pedestrian crossing to ensure their safety when crossing to their parents cars.  Please parents don't ask your children to walk across the road amongst cars reversing from both sides of the street.  Keep all our children safe by teaching them to use the pedestrian crossing.  Teachers will also be reinforcing this direction within their classes.  

Looking forward to catching up with parents at the Annual SSPS Athletics Carnival at O'Quinn St Oval tomorrow.  

Thanks for reading.

Madonna 

Dear Parents and Carers,

These short weeks have certainly ensured that staff and students have been kept "on their toes" as they endeavour to get things done in a reduced amount of time. Since our previous newsletter, just a couple of events around the school have been:-

The DRAMA FESTIVAL: While the "finals" were held yesterday, there has been months of planning (teachers) and practising (students) right across the school. Congratulations to every student who participated, whether you won a prize or not. To be able to get up on a stage, infront of your peers, and others, to present a poem (or monologue/ duologue etc), is a feat in itself. So you are all winners, in my estimation.

A huge and sincere thanks to the teachers who coordinated the event, from Prep to Year 6: Mrs Emma Daniells, Mrs Anita McVeigh and Mrs Anne-Maree Spalding. We at SSPS count ourselves extremely fortunate to have you creative, and hard-working, highly motivated ladies on our team. Well done!

And the Toowoomba Eisteddfod is on in the next few weeks!! Stay tuned for updates on our choir.

YEAR 5JL VISIT to SALEM AGED CARE: As mentioned previously, all classes undertook a Service Activity at the end of last term. Year 5 had theirs planned but took a little extra time to work out the logistics, however last week, Mrs Jarrett took her class to visit with "the oldies" to share with them some of the student's poems. From all accounts everyone had a great time, with further visits planned by both Year 5 classes throughout the rest of the term.

CELEBRATING OUR WONDERFUL MUM'S IN YEAR 6:

NAPLAN

The Year 3 and 5 students will take part in NAPLAN online starting on Tuesday next week.  Please see the timetable below:

A reminder that all students participating in the test will need headphones as per the class booklist.  If your child does not have a set of headphones, the school does have a supply.

We do wish all year 3 and 5 students the best over the next two weeks.

ACARA (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority) Parent Newsletter for April

Please follow the link below to access the April parent newsletter from ACARA.  Some points of interest to you may include how ANZAC Day fits into the Australian Curriculum, decoding the news for kids and a NAPLAN online brochure for parents including a link to the demonstation site.

Woolworths Earn and Learn

Woolworths Earn and Learn launched last week and St Saviour's Primary is participating again this year.  If you do shop at Woolworths please collect the stickers and send them in to school or drop them into the boxes with our logo at your local Woolies.

If we can collect the same amount as last year, our aim is to invest the stickers in some drones that can be used for STEM projects around St Saviour's.

Darling Downs Netball Representative

Congratulations to Lainey Currie who was recently selected in the Darling Downs 11 years netball team to compete at the QLD State Championships.  We wish you luck at the tournament.

Zone Soccer Representative

Congratulations to Grace Oughtred who has been selected in the zone soccer team.  We wish her all the best at the Darling Downs Trials.

Central Zone Cross Country Representatives

After the Central Zone Cross Country last Friday, the following students have been selected in the zone team:

Grace Oughtred (5th), Milly-Rose Allan (1st), Lainey Currie (6th), Lachlan Ottobrino (1st), Cameron Dennis (3rd) and Conor Ward (7th/shadow runner).

Congratulations to all St Saviour's Primary students who competed so well last week.

Congratulations to our Weekly Award Winners.

.

BOOK FAIR 2019!

         

Our Catch the Reading Wave Scholastic Book Fair is underway. Sale times are as follows:  

Thursday 9th  3 pm – 4 pm 

Friday 10th  – Closed 

Monday 13th – 8 am – 9 am and 3 pm – 4 pm 

Tuesday 14th -  8 am – 9 am and 3 pm – 4 pm 

We look forward to your support as each sale contributes to commission which we use to provide new items for the student collection.  

The book cover competition is now closed and winners of the $10 voucher to spend at the Fair will be announced next Monday morning. 

OVERDUE BOOKS 

Reminders have been issued via class teachers so please check with your student that they are taking responsibility for their library loans and returning them on time or requesting an extension. 

My work with students aims to develop independence using the library and the material accessible via the library. I, and indeed all school staff expect students to be respectful and responsible when using the library and returning loans is a key independent behaviour I expect of all students. 

 Year 5/6 Parent Child Book Club    

Please mark the following dates and times in your family diary for our chats around Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer; 

Tuesday 21st May and Tuesday 11th June 4pm in the library 

Anne Anderson 

Teacher Librarian 

NEWS AND EVENTS

It’s been a busy time for the P&F and its executive team with the School Fun Run and BBQ last Friday. The event was fantastic and I would like to thank all the teachers, parents and families that provided support and got involved. This event was a hit with the children and I know that those who took the opportunity to get covered in colour overwhelmingly enjoyed themselves. Please see the photo section within the newsletter to see images that capture the fun of the day.

Special thanks goes to our school Teachers and Staff who put themselves in the line of fire (paint powder) and the local emergency services personnel from Queensland Fire & Emergency Service and the Queensland Police Service who accepted our invitation to participate as part of the wider community in our School Fun Run.

Apart from being fun, this is also the primary fundraising event for the school year. We expect to be able to announce the total amount fundraised and prizes earned by registered runners in the coming weeks.

Get Involved in 2019!

For 2019 the P&F has sanctioned the following upcoming events and is looking for volunteers to helps us make these events run smoothly. 

• 26/07/2019         Trivia Night
• 13/09/2019         School Dance Event

 The P&F welcomes all parents to participate in meetings and encourages you to get involved in upcoming events committees. If you are interested in getting involved please contact myself or any of the executive team in person, via the school office, or via email ssppandf@twb.catholic.edu.au.  

 Adam Prust

Michael Darvall

Danielle Hart

Stephen McDonald   

If you have an ideas to improve the school community please contact us to discuss how the P&F can help make it a reality.

Catholic School Parents Queensland

The SSPS P&F Association is modelled on the model constitution provided by Catholic School Parents Queensland. Please take the time to look at their website for news and information www.pandf.org.au/

Upcoming P&F Meeting  

When:                  Monday 13^th May 6:30pm

Where:                 SSPS School Library

Adam Prust

President 

TERM 2 SCHOOL FEES:

Term 2 School Fees have been emailed home. Please contact the office if you have not received your statement.  The due date for payment is Friday 24th May.

SCHOOL PHOTOS:

School Photos have arrived at school today and have been sent home with your child.  For those families who missed the free delivery your photos will need to be collected from Owens Studio direct.  Please email Syd directly:  syd@owenstudios.com.au

SKOOLDAYZ UNIFORM SHOP:

Opening Times:

THIS FRIDAY 3PM - 4PM

SATURDAY MORNING - By appointment only (please contact Dan directly) 

0481 318 398

WINTER UNIFORM:

The official changeover date to Winter Uniform will commence from next week.

All children will need to be wearing full winter uniform.  

Information on correct uniform items is on the skooldayz website:

www.skooldays.com.au

YEAR 2 NEWS

This term in Religion the children will be undertaking a unit based on the New Testament. They will be analysing the stories ‘Jesus heals a Crippled Woman’, ‘The Two Blind Men’ and ‘Jesus Walks on the Water’. They will also be discussing how these stories about Jesus give meaning to our community today. *In English, the children will be reading stories from Australia and other countries. They will revise the structure of a narrative and during the term will write their own narrative. Their second draft will be put on the ‘Toontastic’ app. *In HASS, the unit is called Indigenous History. The children will be discussing Uluru, local significant sites and early indigenous technology.

*In Science, the unit is entitled ‘Water Works’. The children will be undertaking experiments with water, doing a water walk around the school and learning about the water story from “the clouds to their taps”.

*In Maths, concepts covered include addition and subtraction to 99, multiplication and division, numbers to 1 000, halves, quarters, thirds and eighths, 3D objects (faces, edges and corners), area, mass, litres, 2D shapes, comparing data and picture graphs.

Jo Cosgrove

Year 2C Teacher

2nd Hand Clothing Pool 

Closing Down Sale!

Gold Coin Donation for each item.

These items can be worn until the end of the year, but don’t forget some other places to wear them.....

Tracksuits and jumpers are great for camping and keeping warm at home!!

White shirts - Pony Club or other club uniforms

The Final Day will be Thursday 16 May 3pm-4pm

Regards

Cathy Condon

Clothing Pool Convenor

MOTHER'S DAY TREATS:

The Tuckshop is selling Mother's Day treats at the Athletics Carnival tomorrow.

Delicious oven baked Muesli especially made in the Tuckshop.

Available until sold out.  Surprise Mum with a yummy gift for Mother's Day.

Natasha Biggar

Tuckshop Convenor