Current Newsletter - St Saviour's Primary School

St Saviour’s Primary School Newsletter
“making a difference since 1863”
14 Lawrence Street
PO BOX 1145
TOOWOOMBA Q 4350
From the Principal -
Phone: 07 4637 1555
Fax: 07 4637 1556
Email: [email protected]
Week 1 - 27th January, 2015
Donna Muir
Dear Families,
Welcome Back for 2015 and welcome to our new families and staff!
It is with great pleasure I welcome you all back for 2015 and greet our new families. We have another
eventful and quality learning year ahead for our students. Over the next few weeks we have several special
occasions happening so we look forward to seeing you and meeting our new families.
New Teaching Staff
Welcome Miss Fiona White in Year 4 and Mrs Siobhan Grundon in Year 2!
Leadership Year 6 Students
Congratulations to our Year 6 Students who presented their life stories today about why they are quality
leaders for St Saviour’s Primary School this year.
Our leaders will be presented with leadership positions at our Whole School Mass on Tuesday, 10 th
February at 1:15pm at our whole school mass in the Cathedral. We welcome all parents and families of our
Year 6 students to attend this special Mass as well as our wider community members.
Over the next few weeks we will encourage our Year 6 students to demonstrate their potential through the
various events happening at the school – all the best to our 2015 leaders!
Parent Information Nights – NEXT WEEK
Parents are strongly encouraged to attend the Parent Information Nights held next week. This gives you an
opportunity to see what is happening with your child’s learning this year.
Monday, 2nd February
Year 1 – 5:00pm
Year 2- 5:40pm
Year 3 –6:20 pm
Tuesday, 3rd February
Year 4 – 5:00pm
Year 5- 5:40pm
Year 6- 6:20pm
The Information Nights will be held in your child’s classroom. Coffee and Tea will be provided in the foyer for
parents who have to wait for later sessions. See you there!
HOMEWORK
This year we are taking a more consistent approach to homework so that it makes it easier for families. Every
class will be issued homework on a Friday and it will be due back the following Thursday. This allows families
a weekend if they need to help children complete homework. Also, class communication notes will be sent
home Fridays with the homework.
SCHOOL CONTACTS:
Mrs Donna Muir—Principal
Mrs Judy Smith—Assistant Principal APRE
Mr Sam Hannant—Senior Middle Leader/PE
Mrs Anne Anderson—Librarian
OFFICE ADMIN
Christine Cosgrove
Julie Robinson
STUDENT SUPPORT
Maria Dau
ESL:
Ann-Maree Ward
TUCKSHOP CONVENOR
Natasha Biggar
BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOLCARE
Hall Thorpe Sports
Phone: 4638 7965
From the Principal -
continued
ASSEMBLY:
This will be held on Monday afternoons at 1:30pm – parents and families are welcome to attend anytime! This time has been
chosen to ensure all children are at school. We tended to miss students to receive messages as they would be late etc. We also
want to minimise disruption to the best teaching time which are the morning sessions.
P & F Welcome BBQ!
This year our annual Welcome BBQ will be held on Friday, 20th February from 5:30pm. Performances by the children will
begin at 5:30pm followed by a free BBQ provided by our P & F association. Bring the family, meet new faces and catch up
with old friends! BYO alcoholic drinks in your esky – SOFT DRINK AND FOOD WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE NIGHT
COMPLIMENTARY OF THE P & F!
P & F AGM!
Tuesday, 10th February – 7:00pm in the staffroom – ALL WELCOME!
It will be held after the Parent Information sessions so why don’t you stay and have a listen!
School Board Meeting
Monday, 23rd February – 6:00pm in the staffroom
We are inviting parents in our community to consider joining the Board. We have parents who have finished their time – please
consider it and contact the office if you are interested.
Race Day 2015
Date: Saturday, 21st March
Cost: $60 per head
BOOK YOUR TABLE!
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, 4th February – 7:00pm in the staffroom
Peak 2 Park
Date: Sunday, 1st March
Check out the website - http://www.peak2park.org.au/
We are entering as a school community once again this year. You can either walk or run to enter this event. Please sign your
name and pay your money at the office from Friday this week. It was a great morning last year and our school was very well
represented. What a great way to spend a weekend!!!
iPads 2015
Thanks so much to the families who have returned their iPad forms. We haven’t ordered them as yet so please don’t worry if
yours isn’t here yet. They won’t be rolled out until at least term 2. We’ll just allow the students some time to settle in first.
There have been a few changes since the end of last year – a letter will be sent home tomorrow.
*iPads – 3 options 1. School Option – iPad mini
2. iPad Air – this is a larger screen size
NEW OPTION 3. Your own device – some parents have approached me saying children received these devices for Christmas
etc. This is a viable option as long as you are willing to put on the educational apps recommended by the classroom
teacher. Please just put on the form own device so we don’t order for your child.
*iPad Information Nights – these will be held later in the term – repeats of last year and demonstration of devices
*iPad payment – this has to be separate to the School Fees but can be made on a weekly basis
*iPad Curriculum usage plan – teachers will have these developed and they will be presented to you later in the term at the iPad
Information Nights
PLEASE COME AND SEE ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
Have a wonderful first week back!
The newsletter will be sent home next Thursday – enjoy! Make sure you have updated your email address as it will only be
emailed from next week – hard copies are always available at the front office. Have a great week! Donna Muir
From the APRE
- Judy Smith
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we ask for Your help as we begin this new school year.
Allow us to experience Your presence in the many blessings You
put before us.
Open our eyes to the new challenges and exciting
opportunities that this new school year brings.
Open our heart and mind to new friends and new teachers.
Give us a generous spirit to be enthusiastic with our studies and
courage to accept new opportunities.
Help us to be attentive to one another and let us
experience Your presence in our new friends.
Jesus, inspire us to do our best this year! Amen
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM 2015
Thank you to those families (Year 4 and older) who have handed in enrolment forms with a copy of their
child's Baptismal Certificate in preparation for the Sacramental Program. There will be Parent
Information Sessions on Thursday, 5 February at 3:30pm and 7:00pm in the Parish Centre. It is expected that at least one parent/ carer will attend one of these sessions as they provide important information that you will need to know with regards to the sacraments that your child will be celebrating, cluster groups he/she will need to attend each week and resources that will be needed throughout the program. If you have not yet handed in your enrolment form, please do so as soon as possible (yellow form
can be collected from the office if you need another one) with a copy of your child's Baptismal Certificate.
We look forward to your child taking part in the program for 2015.
If you have any questions please contact either me or Mrs Paula Wagner
WHOLE SCHOOL MASS
Our 1st Mass for 2015 will be held on Tuesday, Feb 10 at 1:15pm in St Patrick’s Cathedral. Our whole
school will gather to celebrate the start of the school year. Our Year 6 leaders will also be recognised and
be presented with their badges and certificates. We invite all parents and families to join us for this special celebration. More detailed information regarding the processes and procedures for the Leadership
Awards will be in the Year 6 Communication Notes sent home each week.
I hope your year has started smoothly.
Regards
Judy
General Notices
School Photos:
School Photos for 2015 will be on MONDAY 16TH FEBRUARY. The photos will be taken by Owens Studio
Professional Photography. Each child will be sent home a Photo Envelope this week which outlines the
information packs available to purchase. Please note Owens Studio does NOT do ON-LINE ORDERING.
Strictly cash or cheque only. Please ensure that you have the correct money enclosed in your child’s
envelope as no change can be given on or before the day. All envelopes will need to be returned to your
child’s teacher no later than FRIDAY 13TH FEBRUARY. Please ensure that your child is wearing their full
summer uniform on the day.
FAMILY PHOTO ENVELOPES - If you require a family photo envelope please call in to the office to collect
one. Siblings from St Saviour’s College are welcome to be part of the photo, however approval will need to
given from the College for your daughter to come down for the photo.
St Saviour’s Primary Skoolbag APP:
Skoolbag is a company who provide an APP for your smart devices where the school and parents can
communicate to each other. The APP is synchronised with our website and it provides you with the latest
information about what is happening around the school. Push alerts are one of the main features of this
APP where the office can send you a message about a bus being late or reminders about events the next
day. Parents will be able to access Class Communication Notes, Newsletters and any other calendar events
plus several other great features. Our aim is to ensure all families have downloaded the APP by the end of
Term 1. We use this as our main form of communication to the families. As always we will always provide
hard copies of Newsletters and send emails to ensure everyone in the community recieve the latest
information. An instruction sheet has been attached to this Newsletter for new families on how to download the APP. Newsletters and other information will be updated on the APP and it will be linked to the
school website too. We look forward to making communication more efficient and convenient for you.
Parking:
Parking at St Saviour’s Primary School is at times very busy. For pick up and drop off, please note that the
top car park in Neil Street is only for Staff of the College and Primary School. The Prep car park is strictly
for parents of Prep children. The car park in St Patrick’s Cathedral grounds can be used for drop off and
pick up of an afternoon, however there is no parking permitted on the grassed areas. Please be very mindful of children arriving and departing at the busy morning and afternoon times. Thankyou.
Pink Record Cards:
Each family will be sent home a Pink Record Card this week. It is important that these be returned as soon as
possible as these cards ensure that our records are kept up to date. Please check your child’s homework folder for
this.
NEWSLETTER DAY:
This year the Newsletter will be sent home on a Thursday. Today is an exception due to the start of school year.
General Notices continued
SCHOOL FEES:
Families please note the following important points in relation to your Term 1 School Fees: All families will
receive their Term 1 school fees via the eldest child in the family in the next few days.
 School fees will sent home with the eldest child in the family. Only those families who are in a special
arrangement with the Principal will receive their account via mail.
 Every family will receive a statement at the beginning of each term (3 in total) including those families
who direct debit and direct deposit.
 Each statement will outline the direct debit/direct deposit payments that we receive from you.
 The due date for payment is always printed on the statement. If payment cannot be received by this
date, please ensure you contact the Principal to make alternate arrangements.
 If you are having difficulties in making payment, please come and speak to Donna.
ABSENT CHILDREN:
If you child is absent from school, a phone call to the office is required before 9am. The rolls are marked
promptly at 8.40am and children who are not accounted for in class will be marked as absent. The school
does have an answering machine so messages can be left prior to school commencing. If we have not
heard from a parent regarding an absence a phone call will be made home. If your child will be away for a
period of time, a note is required for the class teacher and the office.
SICKNESS:
If for any reason your child is unwell at school, a phone call will be made to a parent for the child to be
collected. Due to the high volume of children who sometimes “visit” sick bay, we unfortunately cannot
keep them in sick bay for prolonged amounts of time. Thank you for your understanding in relation to this
matter.
BELL TIMES:
Bell times for the 2015 school year remain the same as last year
8:30 am 10:45 am 11:15 am 12:45 pm 1:30 pm 3:00pm -
Please ensure your child is here on time.
Morning Tea
Middle Session
Lunch
Afternoon Session
Home
SCHOOL WEBSITE:
Please refer to our school website for any information, form and latest newsletters.
www.sspstwb.catholic.edu.au
ASSEMBLY:
School Assemblies will be held each MONDAY this year at 1.30pm. Parents are welcome to attend these
Assemblies.
From the Sports Desk
Mr Sam Hannant
Swimming Lessons 2014—Feedback
Thank you to everyone who completed and returned the swimming feedback form last year. I am currently in the process of collating the feedback and a final decision on swimming
lessons will be made in the
coming weeks.
Swimming Carnival 2015
· The swimming carnival for 9yrs (born 2006) to 12yrs (born 2003) children is on Tuesday 3 February
2015 commencing at 9am and concluding by 12.30pm. The carnival will be held at Milne Bay Aquatic
Centre in the outdoor pool.
· The children will nominate tomorrow (Wednesday) which events they would like to swim in the carnival.
All four strokes are available and they can swim either 25m or 50m. Please discuss with your child
tonight which events they would like to nominate to swim in. It would be great to see every child
participate in the carnival and earn points for their team.
· There will be a bus from school to Milne Bay on swimming carnival day. The bus will leave school at
8.40am. Therefore, it is extremely important that all children are at school on time on this day. The bus
will then return to school at the conclusion of the carnival. Children will then finish at school at 3pm as
normal. There will be a cost for this bus which will be added to the term one school fees.
· The children will need their morning tea, lunch, water, sunscreen, swimming cap (compulsory), goggles,
towel etc. They may wear thongs to the pool. No zinc or hairspray is allowed in the pool.
· No children will be allowed to enter the indoor pool area for safety reasons. This includes buying food or
going to the toilet. They are able to use the toilets and change rooms at the outside pool. Sunscreen will
be provided and it is important that children apply this during the day, wear covered clothing and a hat.
· Parking is an issue at Milne Bay. Parents will need to park on the street or the car park at the PCYC.
There is a cost involved with parking in these areas.
· It is a great idea for the children to wear a swimming cap which is the colour of their house. It makes
them easily identifiable and also encourages house spirit. These swimming caps are available from the
office for $5.
· If any parents would like to time keep on the day of the carnival can you please come and see Mr
Hannant and your name can be added to the program.
Fitness Club 2015
Fitness Club will begin for 2015 in week 2. We will start on Wednesdays (Mr Hannant) and Fridays (Mrs
Dau) from 7.15-8.00am at the school. Children who turn 9 this year or older are welcome to attend. A
permission note is attached to this Newsletter and a copy will also be distributed early this week. This
must be returned before any child can participate in Fitness Club. For further details please see attached
note.
Student Support News
Maria Dau
Welcome back from the Student Support Team! We look forward to a positive and productive year ahead
in 2015! Our team this year comprises of:
Maria Dau : Student Support
Ann-Maree Ward: English as a Second Language /Dialect (EALD) and Student Support
Teacher Aides: Prep– Marlene Collins , Jenny Flannery and Deb Tully
P-6 - Monica Conway, Debbie Hudson, Narelle Jackson, Shelley Murphy and Maree Sanders
Our team will be working within the classrooms and in small groups outside the classrooms where necessary on planned programmes following collaboration between teachers and our support staff. The programmes will focus on each child’s specific learning needs in both the Literacy and/or Mathematics areas.
There will also be students with additional needs relevant to special plans such as Individual Education
Plans, Modified Plans and Individual Learning Plans.
Next week, we will be forwarding a letter to parents of students with whom we would like to work this semester. Inclusion in our support plan means that your child will work with support staff on class content,
usually within the classroom environment when the general class is also working on that content. It has
always been a most positive experience for our students and for ourselves!
Our Occupational Therapy (O.T.) groups will be up and running in Week 3 as will our fantastic Mini-Lit Programme for targeted students in Years 1-3. You will also be notified next week if your child/children will
participate in these great support programmes.
We all look forward to working with many of you this year to ensure the best possible outcomes for your
child, personally and academically.
Maria Dau Student Support
SOME PHOTOS OF OUR YEAR 1’s
Reminders and Important Dates
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Before and After School Care: - Please contact Hall-Thorpe Sports directly
(Phone: 4638 7965 or Mobile 0438764752). Bookings Essential
Email [email protected] Website
www.hallthorpesports.com.au
School Banking: Each Tuesday. For information packs on becoming a school
banker, please contact the office.
Prep Car Park - The Prep car park is strictly for the use of families with children
in Prep. If you do not have a child in Prep then you are not to access the Prep
drive-way or car park, unless walking in from Perth St. Please do not park in
the Disabled Car Park at Prep. It is strictly for the families who need this facility.
Parents please remember to STOP at the sign in the Prep driveway.
BUS ZONE PARKING: Please do not park in the Bus Zones.
Clothing Pool is open from 8am to 8.30am every Wednesday and Friday
morning. Our convenor for 2015 is Cathy Condon. Any donations or items for
sale can be dropped off at the school office anytime. A completed form must be
attached to items for sale; this form can be found on our website or the school
office.
Clothing Pool News
The Clothing Pool will be open the following days and times for
2015.
WEDNESDAY MORNING
8AM – 8.30AM
FRIDAY MORNING
8AM – 8.30AM
For this week only the Clothing Pool will be open each morning from 8am
– 8.30am in the Mercy Centre. Just a reminder that if you would like to
sell any uniforms through the Pool, you must complete a form (available
from the office or website) that outlines all the items you wish to sell. Our
Clothing Pool convenors for this year are Cathy Condon, Leah Millward,
Genevieve Chappell and Helen Henningsen. Please note that payments
for any items through the Pool are strictly CASH only – no EFTPOS and
payments must be made directly to the Pool not the office.
IMPORTANT DATES
TERM 1
February
February 3
Swimming Carnival Year 4-7
Milne Bay Aquatic Centre
February 10
Whole School Mass
P&F AGM
February 11
Catholic School Swimming
Carnival
February 16
School Photo Day
February 17
Central Zone Swimming
Carnival
February 18
Ash Wednesday
February 20
P&F Welcome BBQ
March
March 19
Toowoomba Show Holiday
March 21
School Race Day
Tuckshop News
Natasha Biggar
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who donate their time to help run the
tuckshop. This is an incredibly generous gift to our school and its students.
There is NO paper-bag ordering of tuckshop , all ordering is done via Flexischools.
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY - PREP - YEAR 6
Cut off time for orders is 9:30am Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Volunteers Urgently Needed!!!!
We are in desperate need of fresh volunteers for tuckshop this year. Without the valuable
help of mums , dads and extended family , there is no way that the tuckshop can run. We
lost quite a few volunteers at the end of last year due to their youngest child finishing
here at St Saviours. The tuckshop service is a well loved part of school life , so please consider donating a day or two of your time to help out in the tuckshop. Email Tash in the
tuckshop [email protected] or drop into the office and fill out a volunteer form.
MENU ITEMS FOR TERM 1
Fresh
fruit
salad
cups
will
remain
on
the
menu
for
Term
1
at
$2.
Hot dogs will be available for this term also and wombok salad , these items will be taken off for the
cooler Terms .
BIRTHDAY CUPCAKES - available again for 2015!!
Birthday cupcakes are now available as a special order. These orders will need to be placed a week in
advance through the school office. Special price for a Birthday order will be $1 each, with a minimum
order of 20. Please advise of any dietary requirements.
ROSTER FOR TERM 1 2015
If you find the days you have been rostered on for are unsuitable can you please let me know as soon as
possible.
2
2/02/2015
4/02/2015
Jenny
Moloney
3
9/02/2015
11/02/201
5
Tracey
Barram
6/02/2015
Leah Boland
13/02/2015
Anna King
Richelle
Jefferey
Melissa
Darvall
Tuckshop News
Natasha Biggar
FLEXI-SCHOOLS:
Registration is easy and free! Using any PC, go to www.flexi-schools.com.au
Click Register Now! And enter your email
You are emailed a link to the online form.
Choose your own username and password and enter your contact details.
For each child, click “Add a student” and follow the prompts to place an order.
You will be required to top-up your pre-paid account. VISA or Mastercard preferred. Transaction fees are
29cents per top-up. Debit transfer is possible but will take around 2 days for the money to show up on
your account, credit cards go through instantly. Last year there was an app available, but this is no longer
working.
TUCKSHOP WEEK 2
Tuckshop will commence next week
WEEK 2
The tuckshop will be operating this week only at lunch times to sell
iceblocks, chips and drinks.
P&F News
P&F Meeting and AGM - TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY - Staff Room 7.00pm
WELCOME BBQ: 20th February 5.30 pm
Outside Activities