2018 Term 4 Week 3 SSPS Newsletter

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Celebrating our Success

On Monday of this week, St Saviour’s Primary School, played host to our neighbouring Catholic Schools, Holy Name, Our Lady of Lourdes and some from afar, St Monica’s Oakey and St Joseph’s Millmerran.  Staff spent the day learning about best practice in the areas of Collective Teacher Efficacy, Building School Culture, the importance of staff and student well-being and Visible Learning. Each school was able to showcase their journey of success in 2018.   Our staff was proud to show the collective teaching efficacy that is highly evident and provides excellent learning opportunities for the students here at St Saviour’s.  Which is also evident in our NAPLAN and whole school testing data for 2018. 

As a staff we were able to take away from the day some great learning and teaching initiatives that we will consider for implementation for 2019.  Particularly in the areas of making our learning more visible and raising the awareness of the well-being of staff and students.  As we all know happy staff makes for happy students!

Principal for A Day

Excitement is mounting as to who will be the winning student who becomes Principal for A Day!  Be sure to return your ‘Fun Day’ multi-raffle tickets to the office to be the winner.  I am looking forward to sharing the load even if it is for one day!

Leadership Team

Planning for 2019 is well underway.  The Leadership team have been busy meeting to discuss the School Annual Action Plan, staffing, enrolments and resourcing and we hope to have most of these complete to share with parents by Week 8 of this term.

School Fees

With only 6 weeks of Term 4 left it always proves to be an extremely busy term with many school events to organize along with end of year assessment and reporting to complete. As a result, it does not leave much time to chase up overdue fees. Could I ask all families to be mindful of this and to reconcile all fees and levies by early November. This also allows the school to confidently meet all of its financial commitments, purchase new resources and undertake classroom refurbishments over the Christmas holiday. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support.

Year 5

The Year 5 classes will be heading off to Currimundi on the Sunshine Coast for their 4-day camp from Monday 12th Nov – Thursday 15th Nov.  On their return the school will vote for the 2019 School and Sport Captains, and Counsellors.  The Year 4, 5 and 6 students along with the staff will be involved in selecting our school representatives for 2019 on Friday 23rd November.  Announcements will be made at the Farewell Mass on Wednesday 28^th November.

Upcoming Events

Please take the time to peruse your school calendar, newsletter, class notes etc., for the many upcoming events which will be occurring. It is a very busy time of year so be informed to avoid any unnecessary disappointment.

Mayoral Awards 2018

Congratulations to Deegan Beard (Year 6) who was awarded a Mayoral Achievement Award last Thursday evening.  Such a special night to hear of the many children who have achieved success in their education despite the difficulties that they have had to endure.  Well done Deegan.  We were all so very proud of you.  A true ambassador of our school.

2019 Prep Orientation Morning

Next Friday 2nd November from 8:45a.m. – 10:30a.m. we will welcome to our school the 2019 Prep Students.  They will begin their morning meeting together in the Prep rooms.  They will have time to play, explore and meet new friends during this time. 

Parents are welcome to drop and go, or, stay and join the leadership team in the Mercy Centre for some light refreshments and hear how parents can get involved in the school.  This is a great opportunity to get to know other parents before the school year begins in 2019.

Skooldayz (uniform supplier) will be present on the morning and open for business if parents wish to be super organised and purchase any school uniforms.

I look forward to meeting with you and welcoming you back to our school community.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend.

Ms Madonna Sleba | Principal

The Executive Director: Catholic Schools has responded to principal requests for additional Professional development and planning days and has approved additional days for 2019 to assist with professional learning agendas, and to reduce the number of days teachers are away from schools during each term. Please note the below dates in your family calendar for 2019. St Saviour’s Primary School 2019 Professional Development and Planning Days (previously Pupil Free Days):

The Religious Life of the School

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Mrs Anne-Maree Spalding (Music Teacher), Mrs Anita McVeigh (Drama Teacher) and Miss Jo Cosgrove (Year 2 Teacher) for their unwavering commitment to coordinating and leading the choir. Our Choir is rostered to sing on the 3^rd Sunday of each month but not only do these ladies always turn up (on the Sunday morning) but they are super organised and always have the students well practiced beforehand. Considering that Anne-Maree and Anita only work at St Saviour’s Primary for one day a week, they certainly get a lot done.

These three ladies are all very busy women, with many and varied commitments outside of school, so for them to do what they do, we are very appreciative. Thank you, Anne-Maree, Anita and Jo! You are amazing!

Year One Prayer Gathering

On Wednesday, Fr Michael joined with parents, staff and the Year One students for a lovely, prayerful Prayer Gathering, which focused on Mary and the Rosary. Throughout October all classes have been praying a decade of the Rosary, being mindful of a special intention. Thanks to Mrs Fiona case and Miss Nat Lancuba for their preparation of the students.

Year 4 Mass

This morning, the Year 4s gathered around the altar in St Patrick’s Cathedral with Fr Michael, parents and staff, this time for a Mass focusing on Mary and the Rosary. Fr Michael talked about the history of the Rosary in Australia, how he grew up saying the Rosary and how he prays it every day, still.

Fr Michael’s message to the students was that as they pray each decade of the rosary, they should be able to relate the Mary/ Jesus story to a “modern day” context. For example, when praying the 3^rd Joyful Mystery- The Birth of Jesus, they could be thinking and praying for anyone they know who has had a new baby. When Fr Michael prays the 3^rd Sorrowful Mystery- The Crowning with Thorns, he prays for all those who suffer from a mental illness.

Again, thanks to Marg Doljanin and Nicole Cooper for organising the Mass and preparing the students.

  

Class Baptism

No photos yet, but tomorrow the 1L Class is gathering at St Pat’s Cathedral for a very special occasion- the baptism of their friend and classmate, Louis. Obviously, Louis has listened carefully to his teachers in Prep and Year One when talking about being part of God’s family because earlier this year he mentioned to his parents that he would like to be baptised. Today, when I asked him why he decided to be baptised, he replied- “To be closer to God.”

We are all very excited to be a part of this special occasion with Louis and his family.

Mrs Judy Smith | Assistant Principal Religious Education

World Teachers’ Day 2018

Celebrated in over 100 countries, World Teachers' Day acknowledges the efforts of teachers in an increasingly complex, multicultural and technological society. It is a day on which students, parents and community members can demonstrate their appreciation for the contributions that teachers have made to their community.

At St Saviour’s Primary, the staff will be celebrating with a morning tea in the staff room.

Parking at St Saviour’s College

St Saviour’s College has brought to my attention that some parents from the primary school have been parking in both the convent and the staff car park off Neil Street.

Please remember that these places are not for parent parking.  Alternatively, parents can park in the parking spaces in Lawrence Street.

Mr Sam Hannant | Assistant Principal Administration

This month, Morris Gleitzman in his role as Children’s Laureate has written about the ability of stories to make us think more deeply, to see other perspectives and to walk in another’s shoes.

http://www.childrenslaureate.org.au/on-the-other-hand-october-stories-make-us-thoughtful/

Students have been challenged to see how the stories they are reading lead to different thinking and more empathetic responses, great dinner table conversation for you at home!

Parent and Student Book Club

Our first ever Parent and Student Book Club met last Tuesday evening to share our thoughts on Emily Rodda’s latest novel His Name was Walter. We all agree that it is a great read so check it out!

Our next gathering is planned for 20^th November (Week 7) so it is not too late to read this fabulous story with your student and join in the chat.

Mrs Anne Anderson | Teacher Librarian

Sporting Schools – QLD Cricket

Sporting Schools is Australia’s largest school-based sports participation program to help children foster a lifelong interest in sport.  St Saviour’s Primary has been lucky enough to secure funding for Term 4.

Thanks to this funding, QLD Cricket will be running afterschool sessions on the school oval at no cost to parents.  These sessions will take place on Wednesday and Thursday from 3-4pm during weeks 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Wednesday sessions will be open for Prep – Year 2 students and Thursday sessions for Year 3-6 students.  Session numbers are limited to 30 children.  Please be aware that these sessions will be run by QLD Cricket and not by a teacher.  Parents are more than welcome to watch and/or help out.

If you would like your child (boy or girl) to participate, please login to Caremonkey and complete the permission form.  The first 30 completed for Prep – Year 2 and the first 30 completed for Years 3-6 will be accepted.  Please complete the form, even if you are late as I can then have a waiting list if anyone pulls out.  You will be notified via email if your child is successful.

Friday Night Basketball – Term 4

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

MyGolf Program

An introduction to golf is being held at City Golf Club during term four on Mondays, Wednesdays or Sundays from the 15^th October to 9 December.  The cost is $100.  To register please go to mygolf.org.au

Basketball Supercamp – January 5-9 2019

The annual Basketball Supercamp with Pop Dickerson takes place from January 5-9 2019.  If you would like your son or daughter to attend, please visit www.supercamp.com.au for more information and registration forms. 

South West Queensland All Schools Touch

The South West Queensland All Schools touch Tournament will now take place on Sunday 28 October in Dalby.  This tournament was cancelled last weekend due to the rain. The final training will take place on Thursday October 25 from 3-4pm on the school oval.

Congratulations to the following children who will attend the carnival:

BOYS: Khai Greenhalgh, Connor Leicht, Logan Sanders, Cooper Van der Linden, Noah Watson, Josh Whale, Tom Adams, Cooper Heinemann, Nathan Ottobrino, Seth Beutel, Dante Adesna.

MIXED: Lily Maher, Ally McMahon, Sienna Wagner, Anna Abot, Chloe Ewing, Elanore Santillan, Joe Gray, Nate Willey, Harry Baker, Patrick Muir, Nick Grant

Mr Sam Hannant | Assistant Principal Administration

Our second-hand stall raised $233.00! Thank you for your wonderful support. We will be preparing Christmas gifts for residents of St Vincent’s Aged Care with this money.

Mrs Anne Anderson | Teacher Librarian

Our first STEM Club session was enjoyed by students who took part in sequencing and construction activities, both hands on and digital. This week, students built on their knowledge from week 1 to create new challenges, to invent and to figure out what works and what needs improvement, all great STEM concepts.

Students programming the Edison devices to travel the route they planned.

Mrs Anne Anderson | Teacher Librarian

In Religion, the children are presently discussing what life was like for Jesus when he was a boy.  They will learn about some Jewish customs and traditions and then they will use the Jesse tree to follow all the important people in the Old Testament who prepared the way for the birth of Jesus.

In English, the children are really enjoying hearing ‘Charlotte’s Web’ being read in modelled reading time.  In shared reading time, the children are looking at persuasive writing texts.  Our grammar this term has also been focused on how we write persuasive texts, using the subject of the sentence and relating verbs, good adjectives and compound sentences.

In Maths, concepts covered will be division and multiplication, flip, slide and turn, rounding to 10, grid references and directions, trading in subtraction, quarter and half turns, calendars, money, symmetry and graphing.

In Health, the children have started discussing how to have a healthy lifestyle.  They will write an exposition of this and present on the app ‘Explain Everything’.  They will also create, in groups, a healthy advertisement using dance and song.

In Science in Term 4, we usually have a day of Science as the topic is ‘All Mixed Up’.  The children observe different mixtures using oil and dishwashing liquid, cocoa, rice bubbles, coconut and icing sugar.  They predict what will happen when certain ingredients are mixed together. 

Miss Jo Cosgrove and Mrs Siobhan Grundon | Year 2 Teachers

Last week Mackenzie Lyons represented St Saviour's Primary School in the Interschools Horse Extravaganza in Tamworth. Mackenzie and her horse Vegas finished 9th overall in the 9yrs and Under Working Horse Challenge. Congratulations Mackenzie! 

Clothing Pool

• The Clothing Pool is now operating on a FRIDAY AFTERNOON from 2.30pm - 4.00pm.
• Located in the Parent Community Room (next to the Library)
• Any enquiries please contact our Convenor, Cathy Condon 0438 647 082

Skool Dayz (New Uniform Supplier)

• Skool Dayz will be open in the Parent/Community room on Fridays from 2.30pm till 4.00pm.
• If you would like to organise another time to try on uniforms or have any queries regarding the school uniforms please contact Skool Dayz directly on 0481 318 398.
• New orders can now be placed online via the website or follow Skool Dayz on Facebook.
  Skooldayz http://www.skooldayz.com.au 

Prep Driveway and Carpark

Parents please remember to STOP at the sign in the Prep driveway. The Prep car park is strictly for the use of families with children in Prep.

Parking near the Mercy Centre

Parents just a reminder that parking down the driveway beside the Mercy Centre is strictly for deliveries and for those families needing to access the Disabled Park. It is not to be used in the morning for drop off or in the afternoon for pick up. Thank you for your understanding.

Before and After School Care

If you are unable to collect your child before 3.30pm please contact Hall-Thorpe Sports directly (Phone: 4638 7965 or Mobile 0438764752). Bookings Essential. Email admin@hallthorpesports.com.au

Bus Zones

Strictly no parking in the Bus Zones. Police do regularly monitor these areas in the morning and afternoons.

Available to purchase from the Office

• School Badges $5
• School Back Packs $60
• Swimming Caps $5
• Library Bags $10
• School Water Bottles (Large $8 Small $5)

Early Departures

Parents needing to collect students early throughout the day must come to the office to sign your child out. Please inform your child’s teacher via email or note if you are wanting to take your child early.

Absentees

If your child is absent from school please ensure you contact either the school office (messages can be left on the school answering machine) or on Skoolbag App. Please ensure this is done before 9am. If no contact has been made the office will contact you. If your child will be absent for a long period at a time, it is important you discuss this with your child’s teacher and make relevant plans to ensure work can be provided.

School Contacts

Before/After Schoolcare

Hall Thorpe Sports
Phone: 4638 7965

U12's Girls Only RAMP Program

P&F Fun Day Multi-Draw Raffle

Creator Kids - A Night to Remember

Rookies2Reds - Girls only clinic - Toowoomba - Term 4 2018

Rookies2Reds - Super tots - Gold park - Term 4 2018