Term 1, Week 6 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

I wanted to share with you an article that was pointed out to me by Fr Michael in a recent edition of The Australian newspaper.  It is titled 'Catholic Schools Start Happier, Healthier Life'.  It is based on research conducted by the Centre for International Research on Education Systems and the first sentence really caught my eye.  It reads:

Catholic school graduates, on ­average, are more likely to be ­employed, earn higher wages and have higher life satisfaction and better general health compared with those from the government sector, according to a new analysis of national data.

It then expands on this paragraph by saying that people who had attended Catholic schools were more likely to work in a job that directly benefited the community and that many parents are looking for a spiritual dimension in education.

This research is backed by enrolment data at the beginning of the 2025 school year with enrolments in Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools up 2.79% and total numbers attending Catholic schools across the state up 1.31% from 2024.  

So why are parents choosing to send their children to Catholic schools like St Saviour's Primary School?  

I believe the answer is alluded to in the article.  A Catholic education is a wholistic education.  At St Saviour's Primary we consistenly look to our mission for guidance in a wholistic education.  We aim for children to Strive in Faith, Learning and Life.

Our students experience a contemporary Faith education guided by our Mercy Values of compassion, service and excellence where they come to know and experience Jesus in their lives.  A culture of Learning is evident where students understand the learning process and are able to use our learner qualities to assist in learning tasks so that progress is evident.  They are also engaged in their learning as they enter a safe and routine-based classroom environment where they learn to regulate their emotions and manage their wellbeing.  All of this helps us to prepare children to be good people in the Life that they choose, whether that be in primary school, secondary school or in life after school.

As always, thank you for choosing to partner with St Saviour's Primary to educate your child. I do encourage parents to further your knowledge of the school by being part of the Parent Engagement Network.  If you are interested, please send me an email sam.hannant@twb.catholic.edu.au 

Furthermore, if you would like to have a read of the article, please click below.

Sam Hannant

….experiencing FAITH in the Mercy Tradition

Dear Families

This week sees the beginning of Lent. Lent is a time to stop and reflect.  It is a time to be still, to take stock, to re-evaluate our lives and the people we are becoming.  It is a time to reflect upon how we can make a difference, especially to the people around us.

To mark the start of Lent, on Wednesday we held our school Ash Wednesday Liturgy for students in Year 3 -6 and Fr Michael visited the classes from Prep – Yr 2 to speak with them about how no one is perfect. We all have our strengths and our weaknesses; that’s what makes us special. We make mistakes and we learn from that and grow to become even more amazing and unique. In recognizing our faults, we make room for growth. Ash Wednesday reminds us of the power of forgiveness.

A Reflection for you and your family

Every great journey needs a good map! God has given us one – the Bible. It shows us how to live with love, honesty, and kindness. But what happens if we take a wrong turn? Maybe we hurt someone with our words, tell a lie, or take something that isn’t ours. That’s when we need to stop, check the map, and find our way back. The good news? Jesus is always ready to guide us! This week, be a traveller who follows the right path! Be honest, be kind, and help others along the way. If you lose your way, don’t give up – God’s map will lead you home.

Lent offers us all a very special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to a way of life, rooted in our baptism. Jesus invites us to have a ‘change of heart’.

Our school Captains and Vice Captains will represent our school at the diocesan Mass this Sunday 9am at St Patrick’s Cathedral. All are welcome! This Mass celebrates the launch of Project Compassion, the annual Lenten program which raises awareness and funds for those who live in poverty. This Lent, Caritas Australia's Project Compassion invites us to Unite Against Poverty and take action to make a lasting difference. Our school is taking part in Project Compassion – it is our key focus and fundraiser for Term 1. Each class has been given their own Project Compassion box into which any cash donations can be made right up until the end of term. There’ll be a class prize for the students who raise the most money. Who will it be?

We pray this Lent for a deeper trust in God’s plan.

May our commitment to prayer, fasting and almsgiving awaken within us a hunger for justice and compassion.

May the Jubilee year remind us of our need for a fresh start.

May our work for Project Compassion help us to Unite Against Poverty. Amen

Local artist Kim Walmsley will be here at school next week on Tuesday 11^th March from 1pm to work with students to design and paint our yarning circle.  We want to hear your voice so that we can collaborate on ideas as to how we can best have this space reflect who we are as a community and in particular, those students who are First Australians. Email your thoughts and suggestions to ann-maree.ward@twb.catholic.edu.au  Thank you for giving this your time and consideration.

Have a peace and grace filled week. Be sure to do one thing that fills your cup and brings you joy.

Thanks for reading,

Ann-Maree Ward (Assistant Principal – Mission & Identity)

Dear Parents/Guardians 

NAPLAN (The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9, and is the only nationwide assessment that all Australian children undertake.  This year the dates for Naplan for Year 3 and 5 students will be in Week 7 and 8 beginning Wed the 12^th of March. 

The students sit four separate assessments -  Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy - and results are reported using four levels of achievement; exceeding, strong, developing, or needs additional support. The descriptors for each category of achievement will make it clear to parents what their child’s literacy and numeracy skills are at the time of NAPLAN testing.  Ultimately, these assessments are "point in time" assessments that are designed to give feedback to parents and schools around how students are travelling in their learning journey.

The best way you can support your child is to reassure them that NAPLAN is just one part of their school program and all they need to do is try their best.  Teachers have been preparing students in Year 3 and 5 for these assessments.  Practice tests have occurred this week which have enabled students to familiarize themselves with the structure of the tests and how to navigate the online space.  It has also enabled the school to test the infrastructure needed for the assessments to work efficiently.  

Please speak with your child’s teacher, or myself if you have any questions or concerns. You can learn more about Naplan in the link provided.

Our Parent Engagement Network met for the first time last week.  Please read the attached information regarding the meeting and future plans for the PEN in 2025.

Stay safe over the weekend.  

Katie Hauser

Dear Parents and Carers,

At St Saviour’s Primary School, certain qualities stand out as essential for every learner. These learner qualities not only enhance our learning experiences but also pave the way for success in various areas of school life and life beyond the classroom. Our students display the below learner qualities daily:

Curiosity: At the heart of every great learner lies an insatiable curiosity. Curiosity is the driving force behind exploration, inquiry, and discovery. It compels us to ask questions, seek answers, and venture into the unknown realms of knowledge. Cultivating curiosity fosters a lifelong love for learning and opens doors to new perspectives and ideas.

Determination: Learning is often marked by challenges, setbacks, and failures. Determination is the ability to bounce back from these obstacles, to persevere and to learn from our mistakes. Embracing determination empowers learners to overcome obstacles, adapt to changes, and continue their journey with a "never give up" attitude.

Thinker: The ability to think critically is essential. Critical thinking enables learners to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information, separating fact from fiction and discerning the underlying truths. By honing critical thinking skills, learners become discerning thinkers, adept problem-solvers, and informed decision-makers.

Creativity: Learning is not merely about acquiring knowledge, it's also about creating new ideas, solutions, and possibilities. Creativity fuels innovation, imagination, and originality, empowering learners to think outside the box and to  explore uncharted territories. Nurturing creativity fosters a sense of curiosity and experimentation, igniting the spark of inspiration in every learner.

Collaboration: Learning is often a collaborative endeavour, enriched by the exchange of ideas, perspectives, and insights. Collaboration cultivates teamwork, communication, and empathy, fostering a sense of community and belonging. By collaborating with others, learners expand their understanding, leverage collective strengths, and embark on shared journeys of discovery.

Adventurous:  Adventurous students open up a world of possibilities! They seek out learning opportunities and take on challenging projects that push their boundaries. Being adventurous means stepping out of your comfort zone and approaching each day with curiosity and enthusiasm.

Communicator: Effective communication is not just about speaking fluently or writing well, it's also about being a keen learner. As a student, cultivating a mindset of continuous learning is crucial for becoming an effective communicator.

As we embark on our own learning journeys, we ask students and staff to embrace these qualities knowing that they will lead us to our own personal growth and growth as a school community. 

I look forward to witnessing our Learner qualities in action as the school year evolves.

Kind regards,

Bec Thomas

Swimming Lessons 

Swimming lessons will commence in Week 8 for Prep – Year 2 (including 4M) (17/03/2025 to 21/03/2025). 4M has been added to the Prep – Year Two block so there are 10 classes in each block as 11 classes in one block will not work with times and swim instructors. Please see the timetable below for your child’s class time. 

Students will need to change into their swim attire at school and then change back into their school uniform when they return to school. Students are welcome to wear sports uniform for the week of their swimming block. Students will need to bring a swim bag with them for the week containing towel, googles, crocs/thongs etc. and will need to take towels and goggles to lessons, and they are welcome to wear crocs or thongs to and from lessons and on the bus. They will receive a swimming cap from Glennie which will be colour coded to their swimming group. The lessons will be at Glennie Aquatics Centre. Parents are more than welcome to attend. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s teacher. 

Catholic Schools Year Four T-Ball Gala Day 

The 2025 Catholic Schools Year Four T-Ball Gala Day will take place on Tuesday 1st of April 2025.  Please see the related information below: 

DATE: 1st April 2025 

TIME: 9am – 1:00pm 

VENUE: Kearney Springs Touch Fields 

WHO FOR: Students in Year Four 

TRANSPORT: The children will catch a bus from St Saviour’s to Kearney Springs at 8.45am and return to school after the gala day.  Children can then be picked up at the normal time of 3pm. 

FOOD: The children will need to bring their own morning tea, lunch, and water as there will not be a canteen operating on the day. 

UNIFORM: Students will need to wear their sports uniform for the gala day.  

Parents are more than welcome to attend. Looking forward to a fantastic gala day and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Junior Swimming Carnival 2025 (Prep - Year 2) 

The 2025 junior swimming carnival will take place on Monday, 31st of March 2025. Please see the below information. 

DATE: 31st March 2025 

TIME: Prep - 9am – 10am 

Year 1 – 10:15am – 11:15am 

Year 2 – 11:30am – 12:30am 

VENUE: Glennie Aquatic Centre 

WHO FOR: Students in Prep – Year 2 

TRANSPORT: The Prep students will catch a bus from St Saviour’s to Glennie at 8:45am, Year One at 10am and Year Two at 11:15am. Children can then be picked up at the normal time of 3pm. 

PLEASE BRING: togs (Prep students to wear to school under uniform), towel, goggles, swimming cap (from Glennie swimming lessons, supplied by Glennie), swimming bag and water. 

COST: The cost of the swimming carnival has been covered by your child’s school fees. 

PERMISSION: Permission has already been granted through ‘Physical Education Activities/Carnivals 2025’ on Parent Portal. 

UNIFORM: The children can wear their sport uniform. Thongs are fine to wear to and from the pool. No zinc, face paint or hairspray is allowed in the pool. 

EVENTS: Your child’s events are listed below (All events are subject to time) 

Prep 

1. 25m Freestyle/Pool Noodle or Kick Board 

1. 25m Pool Noodle Horse Ride 

Year 1 – Year 2 

1. 25m Freestyle/Pool Noodle or Kick Board 

1. 25m Backstroke/Kick Board 

1. 25m Pool Noodle Horse Ride 

PURPOSE: No ribbons will be awarded at this carnival as this is purely a non-competitive carnival to encourage confidence and fun in the water.  

Extra Information: I understand that all students are at different levels and this carnival has been designed to accommodate that. Each lane will have a swimming instructor in it to assist the students as needed. All students will also have access to a flotation device (kick board or pool noodle) if needed. Students do not have to use these if they can swim and are welcome to do freestyle or backstroke in the pool noodle/kickboard events. We encourage all students to attend regardless of their swimming ability. Having an instructor with the students and novelty races ensure that this is a memorable day, whilst building confidence in the water prior to joining the more competitive races at the Year Three to Year Six swimming carnival in years to come. 

Parents, Grandparents and Family Members are more than welcome to attend. 

Thanks very much and if you have any questions, please feel free to email me at brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au. 

SSPS Cross Country 2025 

The SSPS Cross Country will be held on Friday 4th of April 2025. The cross country will be on the primary school oval this year. Please find all information regarding the day and if you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me Brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au. 

• There will be teachers situated outside the school grounds on the course to help students around the track. 

• Spectators are more than welcome at the cross country. 

• We ask that spectators do not enter the middle of the oval and spectate from the outside of the track. 

• The prep driveway will be closed and unable to be used on the day of the cross country. Please park on Lawrence Street or the Cathedral Centre. 

Order of Events: 

The order of events this year will be: 

1. Boys and Girls born 2020 - 2 laps of Primary School Oval (Year six students to form a wall around the inside and outside of the oval track to help cheer the younger students on for this race - not running with them or chasing them). 

1. Boys and Girls born 2019 - 3 laps of Primary School Oval (Year six students to form a wall around the inside and outside of the oval track to help cheer the younger students on for this race not running with them or chasing them). 

1. Boys and Girls born 2013 - 1 lap of Primary School Oval, 3 laps of school, 1 lap of Primary School Oval 

1. Boys and Girls born 2014 - 1 lap of Primary School Oval, 3 laps of school, 1 lap of Primary School Oval 

1. Boys and Girls born 2015 - 1 lap of Primary School Oval, 2 laps of school, 1 lap of Primary School Oval 

1. Boys and Girls born 2016 - 1 lap of Primary School Oval, 2 laps of school, 1 lap of Primary School Oval 

1. Boys and Girls born 2018 - 2 laps of Primary Oval, out of school and down to Ruthven Street, back up the stairs near Prep and finish on Primary Oval. 

1. Boys and Girls born 2017 - 2 laps of Primary Oval, out of school and down to Ruthven Street, back up the stairs near Prep and finish on Primary Oval. 

This order is so the older students, who are running the most distance will be running in the cooler part of the day. 

Starting Time: 

The event for children born in 2020 will start at 9am and will follow in the order below. All races will take place with the boys first, followed by the girls. No races will begin before the times listed below. Please keep in mind, races may start after the start time if races run behind.  

Cross Country 2025 

Fitness Club 

Fitness Club kicked off in Week Three and is a fantastic opportunity for your child to boost their fitness while having fun with friends, all in preparation for the St Saviour’s Primary Cross Country in the last week of Term One. Open to students from Year Three to Year Six, these sessions are designed to be both enjoyable and beneficial. 

Sessions will be held every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 7:15am to 8am, continuing until Thursday, March 27th, 2025. Whether your child attends all sessions, once a week, or as often as fits your family’s schedule, they will benefit from the expert guidance of Mrs. McHugh, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Logan, and myself. 

We aim to create a supportive and energetic environment where your child can thrive. If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to email me at Brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au. We look forward to seeing your child there! 

School Sport 

Congratulations to Ruby Land and Indi Brookman who made the Toowoomba Netball Team. Both girls will now attend Darling Downs trials to try and make the Darling Downs team. Good luck and we look forward to hearing all about your fantastic experience. 

Soccer Star 

Congratulations to William Prust who had a successful preseason football tournament with SWQ Thunder FC u12s on Saturday in Ipswich. His team won the tournament after a tough match in the final. William was picked as a player in the All Star team for the Right Back (RB) position. William played as Right Back (RB) and Right Wing (RW) and scored one goal. Awesome work William.

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Zone and Darling Downs Trials 

All information regarding Zone and Darling Downs trials will be posted on Parent Portal. To ensure your child is eligible to trial for these sporting teams, please check the Parent Portal regularly or set up notifications on your phone. You will need to obtain the necessary paperwork from myself. 

Please be aware that I am unable to nominate students after the closing date, so it is crucial to monitor the Parent Portal. If you have any questions, please contact me at brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au. 

Upcoming Events (Term One) 

• Prep – Year 2 Swimming Lessons – 17/3/25 – 21/03/2025 (10:30am – 1pm) 

• Prep – Year 2 Swimming Carnival – Monday 31st March 2025 (9am-12:30pm) 

• Catholic Schools T-Ball Gala Day (Year 4) – Tuesday 1st April 2025 (9am-2pm) 

• SSPS Cross Country – Friday 4th April 2025 (8:30am – 1pm) 

Cheers 

Brendan Luck 

HPE Teacher 

brendan.luck@twb.catholic.edu.au 

Wrap –up for the QLD School Libraries Art Competition 

 The entries sent to the State judging belong to Teddy Benvenuti and Nina Lucas. 

Enjoy the other entries on display in the school foyer. 

 Family Book Club 

Our next book to read together at home is “Wilder than Midnight” written by Cerrie Burnell. Published in 2022, this book is available online and from most bookshops.   

 Silverthorne is a place of secrets. A forest of twisting paths and tangled thorns. A castle with locked towers and whispers of tragedy. A village trapped between terrors known and unknown. But something is stirring in the leaves . . . 
 
Saffy is a good girl, tired of being told to stick to the forest paths, and always follow the rules. 
Aurelia is a hidden girl, locked in a castle tower, dreaming of escaping the fate she's told awaits her. 
Wild Rose is a fierce girl, raised by wolves, full of spells and fearlessness and cunning.   

Together, they will change life in Silverthorne forever. 

Good Reads (online) 2025 Wilder than Midnight by Cerrie Burnell | Goodreads 
         

We will meet to chat about the book on Monday afternoon 26th May in Week 6 which gives families plenty of time to be reading together. Students who have read the book with an adult are welcome at the book chat without their family member if this time is unsuitable due to other commitments. 

Family Reading week  

This term, Family Reading Week is set down for Week 9. During this week, regular homework is replaced with shared reading time, so break out those favourite stories, library books and great information books and spend time reading together. Send your classroom teacher a photo of where and what you are reading! 

 Happy reading everyone! 

Anne Anderson 

Teacher Librarian  

Dear Parents & Caregivers

 Term 1 Fees

Term 1 Fees and Levies are now due. Thank you to all the families who have made payment.

Reminder; If you are on a payment plan through Direct Debit or Direct Credit, please review amounts to ensure it covers the fees for the year. If paying via Direct Debit or Direct Credit we kindly ask that all fees are finalised by week beginning 5 October 2025. You can find all our fee information on our website Fees & Levies - St Saviour’s Primary School, Toowoomba . Please use your SSP code (top left of your invoice) for all payments.

 Term 1 Fees Invoice due: 28 February 2025 – Now due

 Invoices for Extra-Curricular Activities:

Stand alone invoices are issued throughout the year as required for various activities, such as sporting teams, chess club, various competitions etc. These invoices are issued and emailed out prior to the commencement of the activity. Please ensure you make payment for these invoices by the due date to ensure your child can be included.

If you have any questions about school fees or your account, please contact me on 07 4637 1700 or email accounts@sspstwb.catholic.edu.au

All the best.

 Alyce Webster

Finance Officer

accounts@sspstwb.catholic.edu.au