1. education
2. school

St Stephen’s Catholic School
Newsletter
T E R M
1 ,
W E E K
3
F E B R U A R Y
1 1 T H
2 0 1 5
Library Happenings!
“We have
much for
which to be
thankful”
Mary
Mackillop 1873
Opening School
Mass
Father will
celebrate Mass
with the school
community on
February 26th
9am.
All are welcome
to join us for
this Eucharist
Celebration.
Welcome everyone to the Library for 2015! It has been exciting to see the many
students using the library before school. Our Library is open to all students and
families on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30 am to
8:45am. All parents, grandparents, other family members and carers are very
welcome – a great time to enjoy a book with your child.
We also have a Parent Library from which you are welcome to browse and
borrow as well. Topics include education, family structure, behaviour
management, student needs etc.
In the Library, we now also have a Learning Centre display which is proving very
popular, as seen in the photos. This will include a variety of educational displays
from our school resources and from the Cobb and Co museum. Families are also
very welcome to send in items of interest to display for the students’ interests.
Displayed at the moment is “Mad Max” our school skeleton and a collection of
insects with a magnifying glass for closer observation.
Happy reading to you all!
Mrs Claire Carlaw
PAGE
2
Principal’s Message
Last year the staff decided that Assemblies in
2015 would be held on Wednesday afternoons
each week at 2:40p.m. It was pleasing to see at
the second assembly that our parent numbers
had returned to the high twenties in the
audience. The change was made to avoid
‘prime’ teaching time in the morning. We will
continue to monitor this change and thank those
who have shared their thoughts.
banking at home you may prefer to set up your
school fee account as follows. Please ensure you
identify your payment with your surname and
school fee account number listed on the right
hand side of your Fees Statement.
Archdiocesan Development FundSt Stephen’s School
BSB: 064786
Account: 000024992
What a wonderful sight to see our entire school
community, including the Preps, come together
Please, if families have difficulty in meeting fee
for the first time in 2015 at last week’s assembly. commitments; contact the school office prior to
Our Year 6 students did a an amazing job in their
the due date to make arrangements.
role in coordinating proceedings, including
leading prayer, the celebration of birthdays and My sincere thanks, in advance, to the vast
presenting Student of the Week awards.
majority of families who will ensure that they
meet their financial commitments on time and in
full.
New Staff facilities and meeting room
complete.
The staff is ecstatic with their
renovated staffroom facilities and
the meeting room has become a
hive of activity for teachers,
visiting specialists and parent
meetings. I would like to thank
the St Stephen’s Catholic School
community for their generosity in
funding this much needed improvement and
invite you all to drop in and take a look at the
new facilities.
School Fees 2015
Parents will receive their school fee account for
Term 1 2015 today. Every family receives a
statement of fees, regardless of whether your
account has a credit balance or not.
Whole school consideration for the
needs of others:
1. Follow Directions
2. Keep Hands, Feet and Objects to ourselves
3. Listen Attentively
4. Show respect for ourselves, others and the
environment
These 4 simple actions are the umbrella of how
we live our lives at St Stephen’s Catholic School in
Pittsworth. All classroom rules will connect with
these 4 actions. It is expected that all students,
parents and staff support these 4 strategies on
all occasions. Classroom rules will evolve from
these strategies as well and will apply to both in
the classroom and outside.
Nut Allergy Awareness
We are a nut aware school. Food is not to be
Please note that ADF Direct Debit is the
shared among children and our tuckshop will
recommended payment option for school fees at endeavour to NOT supply foods with traces of
St Stephen’s School as it allows school fees to be nuts. Parents are encouraged not to supply their
paid in regular instalments, weekly, fortnightly, children with any food that includes elements of
monthly and quarterly. If you have internet
nuts.
PAGE
Principal’s Message continued…..
Tuckshop News
We would like to thank Leah Moore for the wonderful contribution she has made to our school community
through her commitment to the efficient management of the tuckshop over the past years. This is no easy
task and we thank Leah for her time and energy in this role. Thank you Leah.
Sonya Markey has agreed to manage the tuckshop in 2015. Thanks Sonya and all her volunteer helpers! Let’s
hope it’s a wonderful experience for all involved.
Acceptable Use of Technology
This year all children in Prep-Year 6 will continue to be taught computer skills in class activities. Over the next
two weeks we will be discussing correct use of computers and the internet, with a focus on the 'Acceptable
Use of Technology Contract'. Contracts have been sent home with the newsletter to be discussed, signed and
returned to school. Signed forms must be returned to your child’s classroom teacher by Friday the 13th of
February or your child will not be permitted to use the school computer network.
Yours in peace and faith
Madonna Sleba
Principal
[email protected]
School Fees
School fees are invoiced monthly over ten months.
School fees will be sent home with this Newsletter. The first month’s School fees
are due on February 27th 2015.
Please be aware that your School Fees in 2015 will include the $90 per child
Incursion and Excursion Fee.
School Diaries
The compulsory School Diary’s that are part of your booklist are available at the
School Office. They are $8.50, correct change is appreciated.
3
PAGE
4
From the APRE’s Desk
A Blue Print for Life
In a recent prospective parental interview, I was asked a very pertinent question. What are the
qualities, experiences and values that my child would be exposed to at St Stephen’s Catholic
School? Of course my initial response linked heavily to effective teaching and learning
experiences that will be tailor made to meet the needs of an individual student. I then talked
about the faith component of the school. I was invariably met with a number of enthusiastic
nods. The parent then suggested that as long as the school has access to an effective
Sacramental Program, the faith development of their child will be met. While I agreed to some
extent, I think our faith development is a little more complex.
While the sacraments are extremely important, exposure to evangelisation is critical. In other
words, our students will not only be sacramentalised they will also be evangelized. Being evangelized allows each of us, not just our students, to encounter a person of God, a person of
faith. It is our aim that everyone at St Stephen’s will be that person of God. “By proclaiming the
Word, offering prayerful Worship, forming a Community of faith, placing ourselves at the
Service of others, exercising Stewardship over all God’s gifts and a shared Leadership modelled
on that of Christ himself, we fulfil the Church’s essential mission of Evangelization” (Pope John
Paul II, 1996).
On Wednesday, all Year 6 students will attend the Caritas Just Leadership Day at St Saviour’s
Catholic Primary School in Toowoomba. Students will explore the attributes of leadership within the context of the marginalised and disengaged in our society and surrounding world. What
a fantastic Blue Print for Life!
Another activity that the Year 6 students have been invited to is the Launch of Project Compassion on Sunday 15 February with all schools from across the Diocese. Mass will take place at
9am at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Toowoomba. What a fantastic Blue Print for Life!
All families are invited to attend the School Beginning of Year and Leader’s Mass to be held in
St Stephen’s Church at 9a.m. on the 26th February. This will be followed by morning tea in
Mackillop Hall.
God’s Blessings
Keith Blaikie
TERM
1,
WEEK
3
PAGE
Official Forms to be Completed
In week 1 we sent the following forms home for completion, could you please ensure that all
these forms are completed and sent back to school asap.
1) Media consent forms,
2) Volunteer student protection forms and information.
3) 2015 Family Particulars Update form
4) Medical form (should you need this throughout the year). Must be completed for individual
children who have been diagnosed with asthma, allergies, daily medication requirements etc.
Attached to this Newsletter is the Internet Consent Form, could you please complete this form and
hand it back in by Friday 13th February.
Also for all those parents that have a child that suffers with Asthma a new School Asthma Plan is
required each year. This form must be signed and dated by a doctor. Could I please request that you
get an Asthma Plan to us asap as no Ventolin can be administered to a student without it.
P & F NEWS
Just a short note today to thank all those parents/guardians who helped run the morning tea in
week 1.
Remember this Thursday sees the first of our P&F Meetings for the year. Please come and join us in
the library at 6:30pm, all welcome. At the meeting we will be discussing fundraisers and events for
semester 1 please come along and have your say.
Our first function for the year will be hosting the BBQ at the Parent Information Night on Monday
16th February, helpers are required for the evening with serving and setting up. If you can be of
any assistance at all please contact Carol Hicks on 0400937020. To assist with the catering of the
evening could you please complete the form below
Name/s: ________________________________________________________________
No. of Steakettes Required _________
No. of Sausages required.__________
5
PAGE
6
Parent Information Night
Parent Information Night is a great way for parents to engage with teachers early in the
school year. These nights provide teachers the opportunity to outline how their classroom
will operate throughout the year and will give parents an overview of the curriculum that
will be covered.
Parents please keep in mind that this night is a general overview of the school year. If you
have a specific concern about your child please makes an appointment to see the classroom teacher.
Time
5:30 – 6:00p.m.
6:00 – 6:30p.m.
6:30 – 7:00p.m.
Monday 16th February 2015
Prep –Year 6 Information Night
Activity
Classroom Meeting
Volunteer Workshop
School Information:
School 2015 Action Plan
Literacy Blocks
(all Year levels)
Classroom Meeting
Volunteer Workshop
Venue
Your child’s classroom
Mackillop Hall
Your child’s classroom
The timetable for the evening is outlined below:
Please note: All meetings will begin promptly at the scheduled time.
The second classroom meeting is a repeat of the first meeting.
This invitation is for parents/carers only; however, in the situation where parents are
unable to attend unless they also bring their children), children may accompany their
parents. In these circumstances, children are to be supervised by their parents. This is not a
play time.
Volunteer training is mandated by Toowoomba Catholic Education for all volunteers at our
school. An information package has been sent home in the first week of school for parents
to read and sign. Please take advantage of this opportunity to ask your class teacher any
questions, so that you are eligible to assist at our school. It may be that you would like to
volunteer to walk with the children to swimming, assist in the classroom with reading or
work in the Tuckshop. In each instance, a signed copy that parents/volunteers are very
familiar with our volunteer code of conduct and student protection procedures.
A literacy block should provide a balanced program of literacy instruction. Literacy blocks
enable teachers to timetable for explicit teaching across reading, writing, speaking and
listening, accompanied by differentiated learning, the independent application of skills and
knowledge and a time to reflect or share. At St Stephen’s, literacy blocks are scheduled for
2 hours each day. Years Prep – 2, 8:50 -10:50a.m. every day and Years 3 – 6 ,
11:10 -1:10p.m. each day. Information sessions about this program will be run by our Year
3 and Year 4/5 teacher, in the hall on Monday 16/2/15 evening.
PAGE
New Faces Around the School
St Stephen’s Families,
My name is Tanya Dickenson and I am the new School Counsellor. You may hear me
referred to as Mrs D. I am married and live in Toowoomba. I have three children ages, 9, 12,
and 14. I have over 20 years of counselling experience including 2 years as school
counsellor to St Joseph’s Stanthorpe and support for St Mary’s Primary, Warwick and Our
Lady of Lourdes, Toowoomba. I have also worked for 13 years in a tertiary setting at the
University of Southern Queensland within the Student Services team. Prior to that, I have
worked with Endeavour Foundation, Sexual Assault Service, Domestic Violence Service and
Baillie Henderson Psychiatric Hospital.
I am a Psychologist by profession and my qualifications include Master of Education,
majoring in Guidance and Counselling; Master of Psychology, majoring in Health and
Community and a Bachelor of Psychology.
I met most of your children today, which was entertaining to say the least. When I asked if
they knew what a school counsellor does, there where various responses including the
person who:
takes the money to the bank
looks after the school
helps the Principal
and my personal favourite, mow the lawns (some
even invited me around to their house to
mow the lawn)
Although I am very good at mowing lawns, I hope the
children are much clearer on my role now. I look
forward to becoming a part of the St Stephen’s
community and working with you and your children to
assist them on their learning journey.
I will be at St Stephen’s every second week on a
Wednesday. If you would like to meet with me,
please email me on [email protected]
Cheers
Tanya
7
Emma Goddard
Occupational Therapy Visits
During 2015 and as part of
the occupational therapy
support provided to St Stephen’s School, the Catholic
Education Occupational
Therapist (OT), Emma Goddard, will be spending time
in some of our classrooms.
In the school setting, the OT is able to work with students and teachers to enable
students to more optimally participate in activities that they need or want to do at
school. Specifically, the OT may work with teachers to:
Set up the classroom and school environment for optimal learning e.g. make sure desk
and chair heights are a good fit, check pencil grips and scissors
Plan activities to support development of gross motor and fine motor skills e.g.
balancing, climbing, hopping, using a pencil or scissors
Suggest strategies and activities to support development of pre-writing and handwriting
skills
Identify when students may require additional support to boost the development of
their skills in these areas.
These visits will focus on whole class strategies. They are not intended to replace
individualised OT and assessment for students who require that support. If specific
support from an OT would be of benefit to your child, you will be provided with
information regarding this and an opportunity to give your consent prior to your child
being seen.
If you have any questions regarding Emma’s visits, please contact your child’s class
teacher.
PAGE
9
Time Keeping
Caption describing
picture or graphic.
Remember Assembly is on Wednesday 2:40pm in The Mackillop Hall.
Inner Downs Trials
The Inner Downs Tennis Trials will be held on Friday 6th March at Millmerran Tennis Courts from 9.30am to
12.30pm. Cost to nominate is $6 (payable upon nomination to The School Office
Boys and girls born 2003 or later are eligible to attend these trials. Please note parents will be responsible
for transporting their children to and from the trials.
For more information or to nominate your child please contact the school office by Thursday 27 th February.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- —————————--------------------------------Inner Downs Zone Trials
I ________________________ give permission for my child _________________ to participate in the Inner
Downs _____________ Trial. I understand there is a $6 fee per student participating in these trials and this has /
has not yet been paid to our school’s office.
Parent/Guardian ___________________________ Signature:_______________________________________
INTERNET USAGE AGREEMENT
ST STEPHEN’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Information Communication Technology Acceptable Use Policy (Years Prep-6)
INTERNET USE AGREEMENT
When using the Internet at St Stephen’s Primary School I will:


Only work on the web for the purpose specified by my teacher.
Not give out personal information such as my surname, address, telephone number, parents' work address/
telephone number etc.
 Turn off the screen and inform the teacher if I come across any inappropriate material
 Never send a person my picture without first checking with my teacher.
 Always have my teacher's permission before sending e-mail.
 Compose e-mail messages using only language I understand is acceptable in my school.
 Not respond to any messages that are unpleasant or that make me feel uncomfortable in any way. It is not my
fault if I get a message like that.
 Contact my teacher and show them any inappropriate messages/pictures.
 I will not use material from other web sites unless I have permission from the person who created the material.
If I am unsure I will check with my teacher.
 Not use the internet to frighten, annoy or intimidate another person.
Follow school guidelines & procedures when preparing materials for publication on the web.
I understand that breaches of the rules will see me lose my internet access rights for a period of time determined by
the school.
Student Name_____________________________________________________________
Student Signature __________________________________________________________
Date___________________
PARENT CONSENT
As the parent / guardian of this child, I have read the "Acceptable Use Policy". I understand that internet access is
designed for education purposes. I understand that St Stephen’s School will provide adequate supervision and that
steps have been taken to minimize risk of exposure to unsuitable materials. I understand that home filters apply
when my child is on the school website and My Internet pages, not the school filters. I grant permission for my child
to use the Internet in a manner described by this policy.
Parent/ Guardian Name________________________________________________________
Parent/ Guardian Signature ____________________________________________________
Date_______________________
PAGE
12
STUDENT OF THE WEEK
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:
Top Row:
Harry Topp
Mathew Smith
Kirilly Mahon
Bottom Row
Hayley Heinemann
Samuel Steger
Congratulations Students on your hard
work and efforts in Week 1.
Thank you to the Saal, Sevil and Denning Families for all their hard
work on Sunday at the Working Bee, your time and efforts are
really appreciated.
TERM
1,
WEEK
3
PAGE
13
Get your family active and eating well
The healthy lifestyle program for families called PEACH™ - Parenting, Eating and Activity for Child Health – is taking registrations now for a group to start in Toowoomba in
term 2.
The FREE program is available to families with a child aged between 5-11 years who is
above a healthy weight their age.
The program is fun for kids and helps parents and carers make healthy eating and activity a part of every-day life.
It consists of 10 group sessions that run for 90 minutes each. The first 9 sessions are
held weekly within the school term. Ongoing individualised family support is offered
through the second half of the program ending with one final group session.
Some of the topics covered include nutrition skills, relationships with food and eating,
changing family lifestyle behaviours and making healthy eating affordable. While the
parent sessions are taking place, children enjoy active play with a trained child physical activity facilitator.
The program is funded by the Queensland government and being delivered by the
Queensland University of Technology.
If you would like more information about the PEACH™ program or to register please
contact free call 1800 263 519 or visit www.peachqld.com.au
DATE
ORDER COLLECTION
SERVING
CAKE DONATION
04/02
Margaret Smith
Leah Moore
Margaret Smith
Sonya Markey
Amy Briskey
11/02
Sonya McKinlay
Belinda Saal
Sharon Denning
Sonya Markey
Rebecca Heinemann
Geraldine Sevil
Geraldine Sevil
Sonya Markey
Juanita Park
VOLUNTEER NEEDED
Melanie Smith
Sonya Markey
VOLUNTEER NEEDED
Naomi Janz
Pam Murphy
Sonya Markey
Geraldine Sevil
Geraldine Sevil
Leah Moore
Sonya Markey
Sonya McKinlay
Naomi Janz
Nardi Robertson
Sonya Markey
Pam Murphy
Sonia Boyce
Leah Moore
Sonya Markey
Juanita Park
Rebecca Heinemann
Melanie Smith
Sonya Markey
18/02 Ash
Wednesday
25/02
04/03
11/03
18/03
25/03
01/04
Leighanne Simmons
Juanita Park
Karen Miller
Jodie Frost
Miranda Stirling
Leisa Robertson
Dawn Jocumsen
Amanda Polzin
EASTER HOLIDAYS
St Stephen’s Catholic Church Timetable
1st weekend
Pittsworth
Sat 6.30pm liturgy
1st weekend
Southbrook
Sun 9.30am liturgy
2nd weekend
Pittsworth
Sat 6.30pm Mass
3rd weekend
Pittsworth
Sun 9.00am Mass
4th weekend
Pittsworth
Sun 9.00am Mass
4th weekend
Southbrook
Sun 9.30am Mass
4th weekend
Mt Tyson
Sun 10.30am Mass
5th weekend
Pittsworth
Sun 9.00am Mass
5th weekend
Southbrook
Sun 10.30am Mass
(Even numbered months)
PAGE
15
Desks for Sale
We have a number of desks for sale , if interested please make an offer. These are great for homework.
Caption describing
Save the date for
St Stephen’s Catholic School’s
100 Years Centenary Celebrations
6th & 7th August 2016
What’s On
Date
Activity
FEBRUARY
12
P & F Meeting 6:30p.m. in school Library
16
Parent Teacher Information Evening 5:30p.m.
18
ASH WEDNESDAY—Prep to 3 Mackillop Hall 12pm, 4 to 6 Church
19 & 20
Literacy Consultant Visit
23 & 24
APRE Cluster days
24 & 25
Teacher Librarian Cluster days
26
Beginning of Year School Mass– 9am St Stephen’s Church
27
State Census
MARCH
2
Inner Downs Basketball
6
Inner Downs Tennis
6&7
Pittsworth Show
17
School Photo Day
19
Toowoomba Show Holiday NO SCHOOL TODAY
28
P & F catering Lion’s dinner
29
PALM SUNDAY
30
Inner Downs Netball & Rugby League
PO Box 285,
Pittsworth
QLD
4356
Tel: 0746931627
Fax: 07 46932156
Email:[email protected]
St Stephen’s Catholic School