WEEK 5, TERM 4, 2019

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

St Saviour's Primary and St Patrick's Cathedral RACE DAY

What a fantastic event. Thanks to our Race Day Committee for their organisation and hard work over the past months in making this day such a great success.  We were priviledged to have the generosity of several sponsors and donations that helped to support such a successful day.

Big shout out to our major sponsors, we couldn't do it without you!

Major Sponsors – Fortress Financial Solutions (Chris Black), Luke Brookman Electrical (Luke and Erin Brookman), SWIN (Peter Jackson), Vision Exercise Physiology (Adam and Bee King), Millmerran Flyash (Peter Dennis), Fix and Clean(Damen and Heidi Phillips), Blake Leifels Painting and decorating (Blake and Caitlin Leifels) , Victoria Hotel Goondiwindi, Royal Hotel Goondiwindi, Maskill (Kim Maskill).

Raffle Sponsors – Christine Cosgrove, SWIN, Blake Leifels, Helen Moloney, Janelle Wann, Dan Eagleson, Cave Gym, Harvey Norman, Cake House (Katrina Allan).

Over 210 parents and parishioners were entertained and won fabulous prizes whilst mingling and enjoying each others company. Click on the link to the many photos taken of the fashions and fun on the day. 

Protected Industrial Action in Catholic Schools

You may have heard that some staff in Catholic schools in the Toowoomba Diocese have elected to take protected industrial action. This action is part of negotiations towards an enhanced Enterprise Bargaining Agreement and may range from withdrawal from attendance at staff meetings and other partial work bans however it does not involve strike action.

The education and wellbeing of students remains the primary concern of all schools. The industrial action is not expected to interfere with classroom teaching at this stage and alternative arrangements will be put in place should that be necessary. The school will keep you informed should the situation change in the future.

Negotiations with the union will continue in good faith with the goal of reaching a resolution in the near future.

END OF YEAR 

Where have the days gone this year?  The final few weeks of the school year are approaching, and, in my experience, it is a crazy time not only in schools but in all aspects of our lives. End of year assessment & reporting, concerts, camps, Graduation, carnivals, staffing, budgets and planning for the impending holidays and Christmas, swamp us at a time when our energies may be low and many of us feel we are running on empty.

At the end of each term, especially Term 4, we are more likely to be sensitive, a little ‘thin skinned’ and emotional because we are run down and in need of that well-earned break, we shouldn’t be surprised. The same thing happens at this time every year. The important thing is how we all, parents, teachers and students respond to this challenge.

Monitoring our talk and our sensitivity are particularly important at this time of the year. We are far more susceptible to allowing irritations that would not normally have an effect on us to get to us. Our resistance is low and we are vulnerable to both attack from outside and poor decisions within. Now is the time to watch our words, resist the temptation to ‘shoot from the hip’ and make decisions on the run. It is the time when things get us down, to take that deep breath and a moment to reflect on the real importance of the issue at hand. It is when times are tough that reputations are truly made. A harsh or insensitive word to someone can undermine our good work in building relationships throughout the year. It is important to be aware of our moods and on guard that we think before we act.

Remember back to the start of the year. Most of us start the year with energy and enthusiasm. We were rejuvenated by the break and were ready to put all of our energies into being as effective as we possibly could.

The old adage ‘beginners are many, finishers are few’ is worth remembering. It is important to finish strong. Whilst our reserves may be running low, it is vital to remain focused and finish the year well. Our credibility in the eyes of others is based on results and our ability to complete our projects, meet deadlines and follow tasks through to completion.

Stephen Covey, the author of the book, “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” talks about when world-class marathon runners ‘hit the wall’ and they feel like they can’t go on, instead of focusing on their exhaustion and how tired they are feeling and going into the ‘survival shuffle’, they lift up their head and pick up the pace.

With this in mind, the end of term is near but there are still lots to do. Let’s do them in a spirit of co-operation and as always…let’s do them to the very best of our ability and do them well.

SCHOOL FEES

It is most important that your prompt attention to ensure all outstanding school fee invoices are paid by the end of school term. This is an extremely busy time of year and chasing up overdue accounts draws precious time and effort away from other school initiatives and activities. The school too has many financial commitments to fulfill by the end of the year and over the school holidays. Your support in paying your fees and levies in full greatly assists the school to continue to provide and upgrade school and classroom resources.

PREP REFURBISHMENT

Interest of tender for the Prep refurbishment have been advertised, it is hoped that a decision will be made mid-November and building will begin towards the end of term.

2020 PREP PARENT INFO NIGHT

On Monday 11th November starting at 5:15p.m. in the Mercy Centre our PREP team will be hosting an information night for our 2020 PREP Parents.  We look forward to welcoming all new parents on the night.  

ENROLMENTS 2020

Once again our enrolment intake for the new school year is quite strong and there remains a high demand for places here at SSPS. In planning for the new school year, it is important that we have an accurate idea of the level of enrolment in each year level. To assist us in this area, it is vital that we receive plenty of notice if your child or children are not returning to SSPS in 2020. This enables us to contact families that may be on the waiting list and to prepare appropriate levels of resources across the year levels. Furthermore, if you know of any family who may be considering enrolling their child at St Saviour's Primary School, please encourage them to make contact with the school as soon as possible.

2020 LEADERSHIP SPEECHES

Next week, students from our Year 5 cohort who are considering a role as School or Vice Captain in 2020 will deliver their leadership speech. Each year I have been most impressed by the standard of delivery and level of confidence of the Year 5 students and I’m sure this high standard will be once again on show. Following the speeches, all students from Years 4-6 will vote. I thank them all for their interest and effort in being a leader and wish all candidates the best of luck next week. The announcement of next year’s School and Sports Captains will be made at the end of year Mass on Wednesday November 27th 9:30a.m. at the Cathedral Centre. 

Thank you for reading.   

Regards,

Madonna Sleba

Dear Parents and Carers,

The Catholic Church in Australia has dedicated the month of November 2019 as a time to pray for those affected by crippling drought conditions and to pray for the gift of rain. The initiative is called the National Prayer Campaign for Drought. There is a specially dedicated prayer as well as prayer slides and other prayer resources available on this website.

https://www.catholic.org.au/drought

SSPS students and wider schol community are supporting this initiative in at least three ways. We are sharing and saying the prayer during class time, we are communicating about the Prayer Campaign to our families and we are holding a fundraising Disco for Drought in two weeks time (Thursday of Week 7). Details regarding the Disco are on a flyer within this newsletter and will also be sent home via the class Communication Notes. You have been very supportive in the past and we thank you in advance for your continued support.

YEAR 5 VISIT to SALEM

Year 5LJ visited Salem nursing home on Tuesday of week five. These have been regular visits between both year five class every two weeks. The students have had a huge impact on the residents whose spirits are lifted during and after their visits. The students tell stories, sing songs and make arts and crafts with the residents. Mrs Wagner, Mrs Jarrett, Mrs Jackson and Mr Luck have been so proud of the compassion shown by the year fives during this service activity.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM for 2020: If your child has been baptised and you are wanting them to participate in the Sacramental program for 2020, please be on the lookout for Enrolment Forms which will be sent home (paper copy) in the next fortnight. Mrs Wagner and I will visit Year 3 classes to talk with the students and distribute paperwork, however parents need to be aware that this program is NOT school-based but a home/ parish program that does involve weekly commitments outside of school hours, for the majority of Terms One and Two. A Schoolzine notification will go out when the forms are distributed so that parents know to ask/ look out for them.

Enjoy the rest of the week,

Judy

RACE DAY THANKS

As Madonna has mentioned previously, I would also like to take the opportunity to thank all of the people involved with the School and Parish Race Day.  In particular, the committee who put a lot of hard work and time into preparations for the day.

Special thanks to Annie Ward and Bee King in particular.  These two ladies did majority of the hard work including promotion, liasing with the turf club and setting up.  They were very well supported by the other members of the committee including Madonna Sleba, Fr Michael O'Brien, Fr Hal Ranger and myself.  

Thanks also to all of the sponsors of races and raffle/auction prizes.  Your support is very much appreciated.

FRIDAY NIGHT BASKETBALL

Please see below the draw for the next two weeks of Friday Night Basketball:

November 8

4.15pm  Girls 3V3 V Fairholme at St Mary’s Court 1

4.15pm  Boys 3V3 V Grammar and East SS at St Mary’s Court 2

6.30pm  Boys Senior B V Toowoomba Christian College at Concordia Court 1

November 15

4.15pm  Girls 3V3 V Fairholme at St Mary’s Court 1

4.15pm  Boys 3V3 V Our Lady of Lourdes at St Mary’s Court 2

6.30pm  Boys Senior B V North SS at Concordia Court 1

ACARA PARENT UPDATE

Please see the link to the latest parent update from ACARA (Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority).

http://createsend.com/t/j-99B5FEB2C31D8CB22540EF23F30FEDED  

Of particular note in this update is an article on online milestones for your child.  The Office of the eSafety Commissioner has released information on navigating key online milestones for children. Factsheets include 'Your child's first smartphone – are they old enough?' and '7 tips about screen time'. There's also a quick video that gives you an overview of some of the most popular social media sites and apps.

DIRECT DEBIT FORMS FOR 2020:

Just a reminder that 2020 Direct Debit forms need to be returned to the office no later than Friday 15 November.  

All families received information on this last fortnight.  Please contact the office if you require assistance in completing the Direct Debit form.

STUDENTS NOT RETURNING IN 2020:

Parents of children NOT returning to St Saviour's Primary in 2020 must advise the Principal, Ms Sleba, in writing of this.  Enrolments for 2020 are filling fast and we do have families who are currently on waiting lists, so if you are aware that your son/daughter is not returning or moving schools in 2020 please advise us as soon as possible.  

PREP 2020:

Prep 2020 information evening is being held next Monday evening 11 November from 5.30pm - 6.30pm.  Prep 2020 Transition morning will be held on December 4 from 8.45am - 10.30am.  St Saviour's Primary is still taking enrolment enquireis for Prep next year.

IMPORTANT END OF YEAR DATES:

Date Claimers:

• Pizza Treat Day - 21 November
• Disco for Drought - 21 November
• Mango Fundraiser (orders due 20 November)
• Final school mass - 9am (Year 5 leadership badge ceremony)
• Year 6 Graduation - Friday 6 December 
• Final Day of Term 4 - Friday 6 December

MANGO FUNDRAISER:

The P&F Mango Fundraiser is underway.  Please support this great healthy fundrasier.  Trays of Mangoes can be ordered via FLEXISCHOOLS.  $25 per tray. Outside orders welcome.  Orders need to be placed and returned by Wednesday 20 November for expected delivery 25-29 November.  

PREP CARPARK:

Several parents are using the Prep carpark as a drop off zone in the morning.  The Prep car park is to used for PREP parents only.  Parents of children who are in the upper years, are asked to not to use the PREP carpark for drop off and pick up.  It has also been reported to the office that vehicles are stopping in the driveway leading into Prep of a morning for drop off.  This is highly dangerous and children are not to be dropped off in the middle of the driveway.  Please also take care when driving in and out of Prep, particularly at peak times.  Children can be unpredicatable so it is very important we be vigilant at all times as our children's safety is our number one priority.

MISPLACED UNIFORM ITEMS:

As the year draws to a close, we have a number of parents who have contacted the office in relation to missing uniform items, in particular school hats. These items are clearly named.  Please check over the weekend to ensure your child has their right uniform items, in particular the school formal and bucket hats.

TERM DATES 2020:

Please see attached Term dates for 2020.

Magnificent Me – supporting your child’s self-esteem and confidence

Self-esteem is the opinion we have of ourselves.  Good self-esteem helps children to believe in themselves and their ability to try new things and face challenges.  It impacts on every aspect of our lives, from how we communicate to what friendships we choose.  Parents are pivotal to a child feeling accepted and nurtured.  This feeling of acceptance ultimately enables a child to develop their own individuality and self-expression, which supports the development of a healthy self-esteem.  Ways parents can support their child to develop a positive self-esteem are listed below.

 Focus on strengths, while working on weaknesses

• Model good self-esteem and ways of coping with difficult situations
• Provide emotional support when mistakes are made and encourage them to keep trying
• Provide encouragement for effort made in learning new skills and trying new things
• Teach your child how to handle negative comments and harsh criticism
• Teach new skills (e.g. gardening) and demonstrate how to show persistence, as well as, to have positive thinking

 For further information on self-esteem:

 Your child’s self-esteem (kidshealth.org)

About self-esteem: children 1-8 years (raisingchildren.net.au)

7 ways to help your child develop positive self-esteem (understood.org)

The best self-esteem books for kids (happilyeverelephents.com)

Self-esteem and confidence kit (biglifejournal.com)

Wellbeing Week

Week 6 is ‘Wellbeing Week’ and this Term we are bringing our focus back to Kindness. Wednesday of Week 6 (Nov. 13^th) is World Kindness Day and we will be making a school-wide effort to promote and encourage kindness in our community. Students will be invited to complete a ‘random act of kindness’ or unexpected kindness for another person in the school. As parents, we encourage you to join the movement and model kindness towards another and share your experience with your child.  We look forward to sharing some highlights of World Kindness Day with you soon!

Anne Woodcroft-Brown

School Counsellor

WEEK 3

WEEK 4

WEEK 5