St Saviour’s Primary School

NEWSLETTERTERM 2 - WEEK 9 - 14 JUNE 201814 Lawrence Street | PO Box 1145, Toowoomba Q 4350

Phone 07 4637 1555 | Email ssps@twb.catholic.edu.au

Please refer to our school website for any information, forms and latest newsletters www.sspstwb.catholic.edu.au

From the PrincipalMadonna SlebaDear Parents and Caregivers,

THINGS THAT PRINCIPALS KNOW ABOUT GREAT TEACHERS……I have had the privilege of working with many great teachers. These are some things that are true about them:

Great teachers don’t always have the best lessons. But they always have the best relationships with kids. Great teachers understand that developing the right classroom climate is a prerequisite to teaching the right lesson. When a lesson does not go as planned, great teachers are not looking around the room...they are looking in the mirror.

Great teachers always come to class ready to teach...but they are mindful of the fact that not all students come to class ready to learn. Great teachers understand the power of human connection, so they are diligent about building relationships with their students. They are even relentless about connecting with those that challenge.

Great teachers don’t show for up WORK. They show up for KIDS! It’s a passion—not a job. Great teachers understand the ‘Golden Rule’ for educators: Teach every child the way

you would want your own child to be taught. Great teachers are not intent on winning ‘battles’ with the students. They understand that if there is a battle in the classroom, nobody wins. Great teachers define their success by the success of their students. They understand it’s not about the teaching...it’s about the learning.

Great teachers are in it for the kids. It’s not about the lesson plan, the rules, or the massive pay check. It’s always about the kids. Great teachers will spend some time this summer thinking aout how they can improve their lessons next year. That’s just what they do. Kids leave their class feeling better about themselves...because great teachers understand there is more to teaching than delivering instruction. Great teachers are not driven by courses of study...they are driven by the faces in front of them. Great teachers can look past the bad attitude. They realise there’s always something else going on. Great teachers did not become great by accident. They became great because they made a decision that being ’good’ was not enough.

All teachers have bad days. Great teachers never lose perspective, and they refuse to let their personal drama

SAVE THE DATE

June14th JuneAthletics Carnival (1/2 day) for ages 9 to 12

15th JuneAthletics Carnival - All Grades

17th JuneSacramental 1st Holy Communion

27th JuneDrama Festival Finals

28th JuneP&F Pizza Treat Day

Mass 9am Years 4-6

29th JuneEnd of Term 2

undermine the positive energy in the classroom. Great teachers are always in pursuit of a better lesson. They demand the same excellence of themselves that they work for in their kids. Our world is a better place because of the passion and dedication of great teachers everywhere. They inspire me daily.

Adapted from Danny Steele @steelethoughts.com

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT SURVEY This year our school will be participating in a School Review and Improvement Survey managed by Research Australia Development and Innovation Institute (RADII). As well as school staff and students from Years 5 and 6, all parents are invited to participate in the survey. The survey provides valuable feedback for the future directions of our school.

It would be appreciated if parents could update their contact details prior to the 24 June 2018. This will ensure delivery to the correct parent email addresses that are available.

On Monday the 30 July 2018, RADII will send all parents a personalized invitation to complete the survey online. If both parents’ email addresses are on file at the school, the invitation will be sent to both parents. However, the survey will close once the first person has completed it. If you do not wish to complete the survey, simply delete it.

The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. You can complete the survey from anywhere you have access to the internet. The survey will close on Sunday, 12 August 2018 for parents.

We encourage you to be very honest in your responses to the surveys. All responses go directly to RADII so they are confidential and anonymous. When the surveys are completed, and responses aggregated by RADII, overall data is sent to us so that we can then share the findings with you.

REPORTING STUDENT PROGRESS THROUGHOUT THE YEARReporting is a process, not simply a report card. No single method, such as a twice yearly written report, can be left to carry the whole burden of reporting student progress each year. Assessment and reporting processes play a strategic role in moving student learning forward. At St Saviour’s Primary School, we believe the most effective reporting occurs when various approaches are used throughout the year. Parents are also encouraged to contact their child’s teacher at any time throughout the year to discuss their child’s learning at a time convenient to teachers and parents.

Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal Caring for others...

The following is an overview of the reporting process that is currently used at St Saviour’s Primary School.

TERM 1• Years Prep - 6 Parent/Teacher Welcome Evening (early in

term) • Parent/Teacher interview offered - as required• Class news – May be sent home throughout the term.• Work Samples –May be sent home throughout the term.TERM 2• Class news – May be sent home throughout the term.• Work samples –May be sent home throughout the term.• Years P - 6 formal written report – End of termTERM 3• Class new – May be sent home throughout the term.• Work samples –May be sent home throughout the term.• Year 3 / 5 NAPLAN student report to be forwarded home

– Generally, end of term.• Parent/Teacher interview offered - as requiredTERM 4• Class news – May be sent home throughout the term.• Work samples –May be sent home throughout the term.Years P - 6 formal written report – End of term.

REPORT CARDS:One of the benefits of being Principal is that I get to see what is happening in all classrooms and witness how each student is progressing through the school year. Currently I am in the midst of reading the student’s recent report cards, I must comment on the effort level of the vast majority of students in all year levels. A high level of effort tells me that the students are putting in 100% effort into a learning area and that they

are doing the very best they can do. Yes, we can all work on improving some part of our performance but if we are giving it our very best, success is sure to follow. The first Semester Student reports will be sent home on Wednesday 27th June.

STAFFING UPDATELucille Adams will be taking leave beginning today until the end of Term 2. Mrs Sara McHugh will replace Luci whilst she is on leave. Sara is a regular relief teacher here at St Saviour’s Primary and is familiar with the school routines and processes. I take this opportunity to wish Luci all the best.

Annual St Saviour’s Primary Athletics Carnival:

Prep to Year 6

Date: Friday 15th June Time: 8:30am start

Venue: O’Quinn St Oval, Harristown

Special thanks to the following teachers: Mr Brendan Luck for preparing our athletes each week in their lessons. Mr Sam Hannant, Miss Margaret Doljanin and Mrs Shelly Murphy who do an awful lot of work behind the scenes and in their own time generously keeps giving to our school community.

Thank you for all that you do to support the staff and the students of St Saviour’s Primary School. We are all looking forward to another fun- filled day of events.

Thanks for reading.

Madonna Sleba

Principal

From the APREJudy Smith

RIVAL SUPPORTERS COME TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD.Last Wednesday, on Day One of State of Origin the school was a sea of maroon and blue. Whilst rivalry was fierce and supporters tried to outdo the opposition with their chants and war cries, it was all done in good spirit.

Good spirit as well as compassion and care for others was evident too in the wonderful supply of food stuff, blankets, beanies and other winter warmers donated to our Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal. Sincere thanks to everyone who gave so very generously and also thanks to Mrs Anne Anderson, our Mini Vinnies Coordinator, who organised the appeal.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMLast weekend we gathered at two special Masses where First Holy Communion was celebrated with family, friends and the wider parish community. Fr Michael ensured that the boys and girls will forever remember this special occasion as not only did they lead the Entrance Procession, take part in the Offertory Procession but they also joined Fr Michael around the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Then they received Holy Communion for the first time, with their families.

This Sunday, at the 9am School/ Parish Mass, three more of our students will make their First Holy Communion and we will celebrate the end of the program with morning tea. Please join us if you can.

IS THIS YOURS?Are you missing a lunch bag (or 2 or3)?? Or a drink bottle or spray jacket? As you can see in the photos, the number of unclaimed items is growing, particularly the lunch bags/ cooler bags and none of them have names. If any look familiar, please ask your child to collect it. Please, please ensure that everything your child brings to school has a name on it. If you do not own a permanent marker pen, tell your child to come to the office or ask their teacher to write their name on their jumper/ track pants etc.

With Athletics Carnival this week, students will be taking off hats, jumpers, track pants etc. If it has a name on it, it should make its way back to you. But if not, then perhaps not.

PLEASE NAME ALL ITEMS CLEARLY

From the APASam Hannant

YEAR 6 STUDENTS READING THE WEATHER ON RIVER 94.9Each weekday on River 94.9 during school term, students from a primary school in South East Queensland read the weather live from school. In Week 11, five students from Year 6 will be reading the weather live at 8.30am on the breakfast show with Marnie and Campo. We wish these students all the best in their role as a part-time weather man/woman.

DANIEL MORCOMBE CHILD SAFETY CURRICULUMDuring family week in Week 11, every class will take part in lessons about protective behaviours. These lessons come from the SafeStart Program and also the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum. As the students are about to go on holidays, this provides the perfect opportunity to remind them about safe behaviours.

The first key safety message of the curriculum is recognise. Recognise is about being aware of your environment.

Children, young people and adults can all learn to take notice of what is happening around them to help keep themselves safe. Everyone can use clues, such as the things we see, hear, smell or feel to help protect us from harm and keep ourselves safe. Clues can be simple things that warn us about a danger, e.g. hearing a fire alarm or seeing smoke, that prompt us to react. We can also use clues to prepare for potentially unsafe situations, e.g. if we are walking alone at night, then we try to use a well-lit route and avoid secluded lanes or parks.

When we recognise that there might be a safety problem we can take steps to move away or reduce the risk or develop strategies that can help keep us safe. For instance, if you are in a busy environment such as the Ekka or a local event where there are big crowds, you might consider what you and your child could do if you became separated. Strategies could include: going to a highly visible pre-determined meeting spot; writing your phone number on a card and placing it in your child’s pocket; identifying who your child could approach if they become lost, e.g. police, staff at a booth.

From the Sports DeskSam Hannant

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL 2018FRIDAY 15 JUNE 2018 • To be held on the O’Quinn Street Oval. There is NO bus.

Parents are responsible for their children’s travel to and from the oval.

• Commencing at 8.30 a.m. Children need to be there by 8:10am.

• Please stay off the running tracks during the races. Parents please keep close supervision of little children.

• Children may come to the carnival dressed in their house colours as per swimming and cross country.

• School Hats should be worn at all times, as practicable.• The area closest to the street and the far toilets are out

of bounds for play. Children are to be behind the fence with their supervising House teachers, unless involved in an event.

• No scheduled Morning Tea or Lunch for 9-12 year olds. Children eat between events. There will be a canteen operating on this day, however children are welcome to bring their own lunch and morning tea. There will also be a coffee van available for parents.

• A timetable of events is attached.

FIELD EVENTSHeats for field events will be completed on Friday 1 June at school. Up to ten finalists for each age group and each field event will be nominated to participate in the final of these events to be held on the day of the Carnival – Friday 15 June

BALL GAMESPrep – Year 3 children will participate in ball games during their rotations on Friday 15 June. Years 4-6 children will have a ball games carnival on Thursday 14 June from 1.30pm.

Parents are more than welcome to come and watch their children compete in ball games. If the weather is a problem, a decision will be made early in the morning and parents/children notified via Skoolbag. If the Sports Day is postponed, a replacement day will be notified as soon as possible.

Congratulations toOur Weekly Award Winners

Thank you for supporting our ChoirThank you to our amazing Senior School Choir (Year Four to Six) who have been preparing for SingOut so wonderfully well. By the time this newsletter goes to print we will have spent a great day at a workshop, presented our Solo Song and sung with more than 500 other choir members on the Empire Theatre Stage.

We have really appreciated the commitment shown by our 53 choristers this semester. If you would like to join choir for the second part of the year please feel free to come and see us after the July holidays. We have even more planned for next semester!

Anne-Maree Spalding and Anita McVeigh

Mini Vinnies News Anne Anderson

MINI VINNIES SAY THANKS!Thank you most sincerely for your generous response to the winter appeal. Your donated items will be collected and distributed by St Vincent de Paul members from the St Patrick’s conference next week.

Thank you to Mrs Jackson who helped pack the donations on Wednesday while our Minni Vinnie members were practicing for war cries on Friday.

MINI VINNIES HOT MILO SALE 1pm Tuesday 19th June

50 cents per cup

available from the Mercy Centre kitchen

after lunch time eating has finished.

Funds raised will be put towards the Winter appeal.

A message from our School CounsellorAnne Woodcroft-BrownFollowing on from our previous newsletters, here are some further tips to consider you are dealing with your child’s complaint or concern about something that has happened at school:

When your child communicates a school concern, try to not do all the talking, advising, lecturing and sharing. Use the following three step communication strategy:

Initially, just listen and reflect back what you are hearing and seeing. For example, “I can see by those big tears that this has really been a tough day for you.” When you reflect well, your child will keep talking and sharing as they won’t feel judged.

When they share more of their story, try to validate their experience, even if they have done things that you don’t agree with. For example, just say “well I can see why you might have thought that was helpful.” one way to solve the problem.” You are not actually agreeing with your child but your child will get the sense that you are listening and understanding their situation.

Try some empathic statements to help get your child to their real feelings. Throw in some statements like, “If that happened to me, I would be so mad. Do you feel mad too?” Once you have moved the child from venting to connecting with their true feelings, they will feel listened to, validated and understood and will be very receptive to your advice. Continue to work together to problem-solve the situation and decide on a course of action.

Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal Caring for others...

In our HASS unit this term, the Year 2 children have been looking at “Indigenous History” and how the Aboriginal people are connected to the land. We have learnt how the Aboriginal people used the land to not only survive, but for their entertainment and Dreamtime stories. In Science, we looked at how “Water Works”. We went on a ‘water walk’ to observe how water is used around our school. We discussed the water story that brings water from dams to our homes. Both Year 2 classes worked in teams to make their own dams in the sand pit, which they found very enjoyable.

In English the children over a few weeks followed the process of writing a first draft of a narrative, then an edited second draft and finally the last draft was put on the app ‘Toontastic’. The children were very enthusiastic to use images and music to bring their narrative to life. ‘In Making Jesus Real’, children found a partner in the winter sunshine and asked them questions about themselves. While they were on the oval, they met Fr Michael and his dog, ‘Sr Rosie’!

What’s Happening in Year 2

Tuckshop NewsNatasha Biggar

Tuckshop RosterWEEK 9

MON 11/06/2019 Volunteer Needed

WED 13/06/2018 Danielle Bryan

FRI 15/06/2018 SPORTS CARNIVALO’QUINN STREET OVAL

WEEK 10

MON 18/06/2018 Susan Kotzur

WED 20/06/2018 Gen Chappel

FRI 22/06/2018 Heidi PhillipsKeth CapilitanKellie Casagrande

WEEK 11

MON 25/06/2018 TBA

WED 27/06/2018 TBA

FRI 29/06/2018 TBA

Clothing PoolCathy Condon

OPENING TIMESWednesday afternoons from 2.30 pm - 3.30pm

Located in the Parent Community Room (next to the Library)

Any enquiries please contact our Convenor Cathy Condon 0438 647 082

Skool Dayz Uniform ShopMessage from our SupplierOver the next fortnight 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 at www.skooldayz.com.au or follow Skool Dayz on Facebook.

Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal Caring for others...

Important ContactsSCHOOL CONTACTS: Principal Ms Madonna Sleba Assistant Principal APRE Mrs Judy Smith Assistant Principal APA Mr Sam Hannant LibrarianMrs Anne Anderson

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION: ssps@twb.catholic.edu.auChristine CosgroveJulie RobinsonJodie McLachlan

STUDENT SUPPORT: Elizabeth Poulton Mrs Karen Fuller

ESL: Ann-Maree Ward

TUCKSHOP CONVENOR: Natasha Biggar

BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOLCARE:Hall Thorpe SportsPhone: 4638 7965

Remindersfrom SSPS

PREP DRIVEWAY AND CARPARKParents 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 CENTREParents 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 CAREIf 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 ZONESStrictly no parking in the Bus Zones. Police do regularly monitor these areas in the morning and afternoons.

AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE FROM THE OFFICESchool Badges $5; School Back Packs $60; Swimming Caps $5; Library Bags $10School Water Bottles (Large $8 Small $5)

EARLY DEPARTURESParents 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 Dojo/email/note if you are wanting to take your child early.

ABSENTEESIf 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.

Every Friday afternoon 3-4pmHomework Club

Bring some afternoon tea and get a head start on your homework. Fully supervised.

PARENTS PLEASE COLLECT PROMPTLY AT 4PM.

No Homework Club in Week 9 (15/6/18)

Host Families needed for

Japanese Students

from

IMABARI PREFECTURE

Sunday, 12th August to Saturday, 18th August

5 night staySingle Placement

Attending St Saviour’s Primary Schoolon weekdays.

Free to spend afternoons and weekends with the family

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HOST FAMILY REQUIREMENTS:

No other Japanese staying with the family

3 Meals per day

Own bed, but can share a room

Over 18’s hold blue card or willing to apply

Safe travel to and from school

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Remuneration $35 per night for hosting 1 student

Friendly bilingual support available (24 hours/7days)

Sunday, 12th August to Saturday, 18th August

Please contact your school or Learn Discover Advance Australia (LADA) for further information:

Email: Ladajane15@gmail.com Phone: 0401 049 641