1st April 2022
From the Principal
Dear Families,
Focus on Progress – Last Monday, our families made themselves available to come in and speak with classroom teachers about the progress of their children. These conversations are an important part of the partnership that must exist between home and the classroom to guarantee progress and success for your child. This idea of ‘success’, extends far beyond whether or not a child is ‘at standard’ academically. Success for your child at school, must include a focus on their social and emotional development too. Disregarding these elements of their development, will, in turn, affect their academic learning progress too.
Parents at our meetings last week will have noticed this intentional focus. Teachers cannot progress any aspect of a child’s learning without your genuine interest in the process. Likewise, what you as parents can bring to the table is valuable for us in getting to know and engage your child in their learning progress. As I have said before, school is not like a service station where you drop your child off and pay for them to be looked after and ‘fixed’. We work together to ensure your child feels successful every day. Thank you for your continued engagement; both in your child’s learning and in the positive and productive relationships with your children’s teachers.
During our staff meeting this week, teachers presented the progress of your children in a data wall conversation. These conversations were focused on progress in reading and mathematics. Teachers discussed where their learners are currently and what their next steps are in this learning. Likewise, teachers met today during our ‘Student Support Committee’ meetings to discuss those children in their classes that are requiring intervention to progress their learning. The focus in these meetings is to share and develop strategies that will have an impact on learning. This is for both children that are having difficulty in reaching the learning standard and for those children that are ‘at standard’, and capable of going beyond.It is wonderful to see that, even with the distractions of the world going on around us, both teachers and parents have been able to maintain what is most important for our children; a focus on progress - socially, emotionally, academically, and spiritually. One of our core values at or school is ‘excellence’. In winding up a wonderful term of learning, I would like to congratulate our teachers, students, and families on their continued focus on this value. ‘Excellence’ is not about being ‘the’ best, it’s about aiming to give of our best for ourselves and each other in everything we do. In doing so, we are truly ‘walking with Jesus every day’.
Term 2 Reminders – The first week back is a short and busy one. Please note:
- Monday - this is ‘Easter Monday’ and a public holiday – the school is closed.
- Tuesday – this is a professional learning day. The school will be closed to students.
- Wednesday –
- School photos: Students are to be in their formal uniforms for school photos.
- The uniform shop will be open (due to public holiday on Monday).
- Thursday –
- The uniform shop will be open.
- 6.00-8.00pm - ‘2022 Meet and Greet’. Come along for some fun for the whole family. Food will be available and a free jumping castle, all within the friendly atmosphere of our school. We look forward to seeing you there!
- Friday – ANZAC Day Liturgy
Please don’t forget that our school’s winter uniform begins on Tuesday 3rd May, the first school day after ‘Labour Day’. Now is a good time to check the state of uniforms in readiness for this date.
Have a wonderful Easter Break.
Mr Tyronne Maher
From the APRE
Easter Pageant
I would like to acknowledge the effort of Mrs Cherie Runciman as well as all the students who prepared so well for the Easter Pageant. This is my first experience of the preparation and what it takes to plan out, rehearse and present the pageant. This year’s pageant used the 'Stations of the Cross' as a base for preparing for and reflecting on the significance of the events that led to Easter Sunday.
Excellence in Action
This term, as a whole school the teachers have been focusing on the Mercy value of Excellence. In Prep to Year 3 that looked like explicitly teaching and reinforcing the Learning Pit. By teaching about the Learning Pit and constantly using the Learning Pit as a common language for both teachers and students we’re reassuring students that taking risks, asking questions, and trying new things can help them develop their abilities and deepen their understanding.
In the Upper Years, we focused on students identifying excellence in action in their classmates as well as themselves.
PB4L
On Wednesday 30th March, our Gotcha Pizza Party was hosted by Mr Maher! Students who were lucky enough to have their gotcha ticket drawn out were awarded a highly sought-after golden ticket to the party. One student from every class was also invited and they were selected by their classmates to attend. The conversation would have looked similar in each class; in 5L we short-listed students who were nominated for consistently striving to do their best and also students who rarely negatively impacted another student to also do their best. After short-listing, students voted on their choice from the short-list, however, we really could have relied on picking a name out of the hat as they were all worthy recipients! Congratulations to all the students who consistently set high expectations for themselves.
Student Protection Contacts
Everyone has the right to feel safe. You can talk to an adult you trust - parent, family, teachers, school staff and our Student Protection Contacts.
Mrs Alice Lucas
Classroom Awards
From Prep
Please enjoy some pictures of the Prep students participating in many of the maths activities they’ve done over the last few weeks.
Ms Mandy Johnson and Ms Jesses Curtis
From 1J
A big focus this term for 1J has been on the ‘Zones of Regulations’ program. The children explored different emotions and can recognise when they are in the red, blue, and yellow zone and what strategies they can use to move back to the green zone. As part of this program, the boys and girls identified different scenarios and spoke about what ‘strong choices’ they could incorporate when they are confronted with a problem.
In the 1J class, we have also had a focus on the ‘Five’ when someone is doing something we do not like. The ‘Five’ includes:
- Ignore
- Talk Friendly
- Walk Away
- Talk Firmly
- Report
It is important that the children follow this process to build resilience and so that the other student involved is aware that they are doing something someone doesn’t like. It is also important to note that when someone is hurting us or doing something that is inappropriate and/or unacceptable, that they go straight to Step 5 and report the incident so the teacher can step in and do something about it.
As Term One draws to a close, I would like to thank our wonderful school community for getting involved in 1J and 1/2T’s Easter Raffle. We had so many families donate wonderful prizes and buy tickets to raise much needed funds for Caritas Australia. Thank you!
Wishing you all a peaceful and relaxing Easter break. The holidays are an ideal opportunity for students to recharge their batteries, reflect on what they have achieved so far and enjoy time with their families. I look forward to seeing everyone’s eager, cheery faces in Term Two.
Mrs Jesshope
From 1/2T
It is hard to believe that this is the last week of Term 1. What a busy time we have had! With the students learning so much it will be all systems go for reading in Term 2, so I hope they get plenty of rest over the break. Congratulations to all the children for participating and giving their best in the cross country. 1/2T did a great job participating in our whole school Easter Pageant presenting their song “We Fall Down”. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and wish you all a very safe, holy and happy Easter. Mrs Mrs Angela Tevelein
From 2/3A
Here we are at the end of Term 1.
Honestly, I am finding it hard to believe the term is over.
We have had a great term, despite the interruptions.
I know the children are all looking forward to a break with many saying they cannot wait to sleep in.
I hope you all have a very relaxing time away from the norm.
Keep happy and safe in all you do.
See you on Wednesday 20th April for the start of Term 2.
Happy Easter to you all.
God bless.
Mrs Jacque Armstrong
From 3/4G
The term is at an end and so are many of the things that we have worked on for many weeks. Finally, everyone has finished with weaving, and their masterpieces are now seen adorning our classroom back wall as our Lenten Cross.
Later in the year these skills will come in handy for another project.
This week our class took part in an EXCELLENT presentation on assembly. Usually, we prepare and practice well ahead of time. This time due to unforeseen circumstances we got this all together at the last moment. All the students are to be congratulated for working so well together on this EXCELLENT presentation.
Have a lovely break.
Mrs Rhonda Gath
From 4C
Last Wednesday 23 March was World Maths Day for 2022. Students right across the school were involved in a range of engaging and fun Maths activities. In 4C students worked in small groups to solve the mystery of ‘Who had the key to the locked cupboard?’ By solving a range of maths problems, students found clues to find the key holder.
Miss Allison Campbell
From 5L
How much have we learnt?
As Term 1 draws to a close, it’s a time to reflect on how far we’ve come as a class! The students have all learnt so much about themselves and others as well as the actual teaching and learning that comes with being in Year 5. They should all be proud of their first Term in Year 5, and I hope that they take this time to reflect on their learning as well as to set goals for Term 2.
World Day of Maths
Last week we celebrated World Maths Day by participating in an Amazing Race style Maths challenge. The students were presented with a made-up scenario where someone had turned the freezer off to the ice-cream truck and the students worked in teams to solve the 5 maths challenges so they could collect clues as to who the culprit was. On correctly solving the challenge, students were rewarded with their very own ice-cream.
Excellence in Action
In 5L we have been focusing on the Mercy value of Excellence this term. Can your child list our other 3 Mercy values? Last week we reflected on how their ideas about Excellence have adapted. Students chose to reflect on this in a variety of ways – some interviewed students from all of our classes to ask them what Excellence means to them, some created a wanted poster for classrooms, some interviewed students and asked how our teachers are helping their students strive for excellence. During Monday’s Assembly we shared the videos they created as well as the awards to the teachers to recognise their efforts.
Mrs Alice Lucas and Mr Paul Toohey
Year 6B
Thank you to our seniors for their hard work in Term 1.
What a busy term of learning; both of curriculum and in our leadership skills. It has been wonderful to see the confidence levels of all year 6 students increasing. Starting from Emu Gully, our Leadership Workshop, Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, International Women’s Day Breakfast, Mayoral Morning Tea, Life Education Lessons, Heart Shop visit, Leaders’ Induction Mass and Parent Breakfast, Harmony Day, World Math Day, Gothcha Pizza Party, our Easter Pageant and the Cross Country. Our seniors have really stepped up in their roles and are looking at ways they can be of service to our school. Running assemblies, liturgies, assisting on Cross Country day, delivering messages, leading our pageant and carrying out various duties around the school has seen much pride in our seniors. This is really showing their understanding and demonstration of our Mercy values being explored and taught – HOSPITALITY, INTEGRITY, EXCELLENCE & COMPASSION. When we spoke of what excellence looks like to Year 6 students, they were able to articulate well that this was not necessarily about academics; more that it was about attitude. Oliver and Lachlan stated that they are enjoying being role models to the rest of the school and in doing so are showing excellence. Michaela was clear in her thoughts that helping and welcoming our prep buddies was a sign of excellence. Overall, it was agreed that our class can show excellence by turning up daily, being punctual and ready for each day, wearing the right uniform, being friendly and positive, and most importantly trying your best.
If this is the way our year has started: we look forward to seeing what the seniors can do for the rest of the year.
We wish everyone a safe and blessed Easter season.
Mrs Barrett & Mrs Anderson
From the Library
Dear Parent/Carer,
We are delighted to let you know about an education resource that is available to your child at home as part of our school subscription – Story Box Library.
Your child can watch favourite stories, read aloud by fabulous storytellers, at home as well as in the classroom.
Reading aloud to children, by diverse and engaging storytellers, greatly improves language and literacy skills, especially in the early years of a child’s development. Story Box Library is committed to supporting and engaging the practice of storytelling. It is intended for use as a complementary form of delivering the precious experience of being read aloud to, in order to improve children’s lives. Connecting children with literature through the complementary medium of film, providing a vibrant, interactive experience via a diverse range of storytellers sharing the best of our local children’s picture books.
To access Story Box Library at home:
- Either: Visit storyboxlibrary.com.au
- Or Open the Storybox App on your child’s iPad
- Choose Log In from the top right corner of the screen
- Log in using the username and password provided below
- Enjoy the library of stories on any device with internet connection
Please note the following features:
- Story Box Library regularly adds new stories, so is an ever-growing library
- Content is aimed at Prep/Foundation through to Year 6 students
- Includes a range of short films to inspire by our stories, creators, and storytellers
- Resources are provided for each story, including Classroom Ideas, Activity Time, and Student Task Sheets – all designed to assist at-home learning
- Captions can be turned on or off for each story
- Story Box Library is a safe online space free from advertising
Yours sincerely
Mrs Jan Watkins and Mrs Becc Wheeler
From The Arts
Easter Pageant: Stations of the Cross
Congratulations to everyone involved in the Easter Pageant this year. A big shout out to the Year 6 and 5 students who had speaking roles or filmed. Thank you to the parents who came and supported the students in this performance. It is wonderful to see so many of you there!!
Thank you to Mrs Lucas for her wonderful PowerPoint and Jye Ridley for the poster.
Instrumental Lessons
If you are wanting to enrol your child into instrumental lessons for term 2, please fill in the online form link below.
Please remember that lessons are paid directly to the tutor, and it is important that invoices are PAID ON TIME. If you are unable to pay for the term in a lump sum, please contact the tutor directly and discuss a payment option. If lessons are not paid on time, your child’s lessons will be cancelled until paid.
Sacred Heart Choir
If your child would like to be involved in the school choir and is in year 3 to 6, please contact me. Rehearsals are Tuesday 2.55-3.30pm in the music room.
We are currently preparing pieces for the Toowoomba Eisteddfod, which is held at the Empire Theatre between 5th- 15th May. I will send a note home to members parents as soon as I know the details of the performance.
The pieces we are working on are: The Servant King and The Purple People Eater.
Mrs Cherie Runciman
Easter Raffle
Our very successful Easter raffle was drawn at the completion of the Easter pageant on Thursday.
We wish to thank everyone who supported this and we congratulate all the lucky winners especially the major prize winners.
1st - Kailee Harrison and 2nd - Alana Reyes.
Cross Country
Congratulations to all our cross country runners today.
How fortunate were we to have such a beautiful day to hold this event.
Everyone ran so well and did their best.
Well done to our Age Champions are:
Also a big congrtaulations to Kelly House the 2022 Country Country winners.
House points were: Kelly 270, Kattie 240 and Byrne 184