St Saviour's College Newsletter Term 2 Week 8

Principal

PENTECOST

Pentecost is known as the ‘birthday’ of the Church. It marks the official beginning of the disciples’ ministry on earth, following Jesus’ ascension. It is a clear reminder that the Holy Spirit has the capacity to bring gifts to life within us that help us to daringly face the challenges life presents.

2020 has been a difficult year for the world at large. What is of the greatest importance, is that each of us draw on the gifts of the Holy Spirit to play our part in making the world a better place. It is as simple and as difficult as that.

Pope Francis challenges us this Pentecost, “We need to be united in facing all these pandemics that are spreading,” said the Pope. “Not only that of the virus, but also those of hunger, war, contempt for life, and indifference to others.”

May all in our Mercy community commit to this as we strive to be people of the Holy Spirit, whose actions are borne out of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and wonder and awe.

VIRTUAL OPEN DAY

In the coming weeks, we will be releasing our videos for Virtual Open Day. Keep your eyes peeled for the release of ten clips, that will be showcased on Facebook, Instagram, and our College website, showcasing the great things happening at St Saviour’s College. Thanks to all the girls who were involved in the filming and to Mrs Linda Creedon and Mrs Wendy Collins for their technical support.

• Principal’s Welcome
• Faith and Mercy
• Year 7 Transition
• Cultural Pursuits
• Sport
• English, Humanities and Japanese
• Science, Maths and Technology
• Design, Business and Hospitality
• Boarding
• Community Engagement

END OF TERM

As the term quickly draws to a close, I would sincerely like to thank all members of our community for their flexibility and resilience over the past months. In these unprecedented times, we have been blessed to have great, adaptable staff who have worked tirelessly across a number of learning platforms; wonderful students who have coped with such enormous change; and supportive parents and families who have worked with their daughters to ensure continuity of learning. We have so missed our boarders who are yet to return. We look forward to their return next term so we can fully experience that great sense of community that is St Saviour’s College.

Blessings for the coming week.

Sharon Collins
Principal

Deputy Principal - Curriculum

EXTENSIONS

As per the College Assessment Policy, extensions for assignment submissions need to be requested from the Deputy Principal at least 2 days before the due date. Extensions are only granted in extenuating circumstances with evidence to support the application.

For students in Year 7-10, a parent letter with an explanation of the reason for seeking an extension or a Medical Certificate is required for extension approval. A new due date will then be negotiated with the subject teacher. A parent letter or Medical Certificate is also required for missed exams or performances. Exams and performances will then be completed once the student returns to school.

For students in Years 11 and 12, a Medical Certificate is required for an extension approval. A new due date will be negotiated depending on the time of the absence. A Medical Certificate is also required for missed exams or performances. Exams (comparable tasks) and performances will then be completed once the student returns to school. These processes are in alignment with the QCAA requirements for assessment.

NON-SUBMISSION OF DRAFTS

The submission of assessment drafts is an important part of provided students with targeted feedback. The draft submission also provides evidence of student to teachers which can be marked if no final task is submitted. At St Saviour’s our Drafting Policy uses the Academic Support system to work with students who fail to submit a draft by the due date.

If a student does not submit a draft on the due date, they will then be enrolled in Academic Support which runs in the library at first break on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The classroom teacher makes parents aware via phone call or email that the student has been requested to attend one of these sessions. The Academic Support time is used for reflection on why the draft was not submitted on time, the reasons around this and how we can improve this in the future. Some additional time for students to work on their draft documents can then be used if the student brings the required materials to the session. Following on from Academic Support, students are required to take their reflection sheet home to be signed by their parents before returning it to the Curriculum Leader.

Your support in completing this process through follow up conversations and by ensuring the reflection sheet is signed and returned is appreciated. If you have any questions around our Academic Support system, please do not hesitate to contact one of our College Curriculum Leaders or myself.

REPORT CARDS

Unit One/Three for Year 11 and 12 students are being sent home on Monday 15 June (Week 9). All Report Cards for students in Years 7 – 10 will be posted home at the end on Week 10 (Friday 26 June). Please ensure the College office has your correct mailing address.

YEAR 12 EXTERNAL EXAM BLOCK

The QCAA has officially released the Year 12 External Exam block for General subjects 2020. This exam block was emailed to all Year 12 students and their caregivers last week. The exam block runs from Monday 26 October to Tuesday 17 November. More information regarding these exams at St Saviour’s will be released closer to Term Four; however, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

TITRATION COMPETITION

After a very successful 2019, the 2020 RACI Titration Competition is fast approaching. We currently have three senior teams entered into this year’s competition, which will now be run on our campus (not USQ) during Term Three. More information for students competing will be available later this term. In the meantime, our labs are open for students to practice at any long break (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at first break and Wednesday at second break). The internal SSC Titration Competition will take place during National Science Week in August. Students from all grades are invited to be part of this competition.

TUTORING

Tutoring is available for all students from Year 7-12 and is held on Thursday afternoon from 3:15-4:30pm in the library. All students are welcome to attend.

If you have further questions about any of the information above, please do not hesitate to contact me at the College or at Jennifer.Smeed@twb.catholic.edu.au

Jennifer Smeed 
Deputy Principal

Assistant Principal - Mission and Student Wellbeing

Connecting with our community this term has been a mixture of trial and error, lots of “visits to the drawing board” and, of course, lots of successes. One of the lovely things to come out of these weeks of on-line learning has been the creativity expressed through many forms and shared with the people of our College community. 300 local Churches coming together in Australia to sing a blessing over our nation, which was then uploaded to YouTube. “From the bush, to the beaches; from the migrant, to the Indigenous…” is the catch cry for one such uplifting and beautiful expression and appreciation of shared faith, love and solidarity. Click on this link to experience this masterpiece:

NAIDOC Week

Looking forward in faith and reconciliation: Term 3

As we walk forward, towards the end of Term 2 we begin to plan for the celebration of NAIDOC 2020, which was postponed from May. This week invites all Australians to embrace the true history of this country – a history which dates back thousands of generations. The theme, "Always Was, Always Will Be." acknowledges that hundreds of nations and our cultures covered this continent. All were managing the land - the biggest estate on earth - to sustainably provide for their future. Through ingenious land management systems like fire stick farming we transformed the harshest habitable continent into a land of bounty. NAIDOC Week 2020 acknowledges and celebrates that our nation’s story did not begin with documented European contact whether in 1770 or 1606 - with the arrival of the Dutch on the western coast of the Cape York Peninsula. The very first footprints on this continent were those belonging to First Nations’ people, who have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65 000 years.

Youth Ministry – Rosie’s

Rosie’s donations are still coming in this term. Fay and Jim will be calling in again soon, as donations continue to pour in from the local community. Thank you to all who contribute so much, making a real difference in the lives of those in our community who endure hardship.

WELLBEING

FUNDAY FRIDAY

Over the Funday Fridays we have included games and activities to involve the whole community, with something for everyone. Reconciliation Week was a huge success and we plan to use this same enthusiasm in our planning for NAIDOC Week, held in the first week of Term 3. Last week, back due to popular demand, skipping is always a favourite with our students. It is a great way to beat the cold, and a fun way to have a cardio-vascular workout! Mr Baines and I were “out-skipped” by the students, who were such good sports in making sure all the girls who participated, were encouraged for their efforts.

Student Behaviour Reminders for all students…

Use of Mobile Phones at the College - Page 9A of the Student Learning Journal outlines general Mobile Phone guidelines for students. Unless you are using the phone under the direction instruction by your teacher, phones need to be turned off. When a mobile phone is handed in to the office, a parent or carer will be contacted, and they will need to sign the phone out.

Last year, a lot of time and energy was put into ensuring the College Uniform Requirements on page 8A of the Student learning Journal were clearly defined. How we present ourselves shows our level of pride of the College and respect for ourselves.

Skirt length - The College skirt must fall below the knee and is not to be rolled up.

Stockings - must be the correct thickness without rips.

Jewellery – one pair of earrings, in the lower lobe.

The College sports uniform and spray jacket - only to be worn on Wednesdays, scheduled sports days and for scheduled PE lessons. Students are given, for which you will be given time to change into and out of your sports uniform for these lessons.

Promoting Student Wellbeing

Five Ways to Wellbeing five types of behaviours or everyday things we can do (and ideally should do) to help ourselves to stay emotionally, socially, spiritually and psychologically healthy.

Evidence shows:

• happier people can add 7.5 years to their life, and
• that each of the following Five Ways has been shown to improve personal sense of wellbeing across the life span & regardless of starting point in mental health.
• the higher the level of wellbeing the more likely a person is to be in work or full-time education

Connect

• Friendship is one of the highest positive correlations with self-rated happiness.
• People with stronger social relationships have a 50% increased likelihood of survival from conditions such as coronary vascular disease and cancer.
• The magnitude of having good social relationships is comparable with quitting smoking, and it exceeds many well-known risk factors for mortality (e.g. obesity, physical inactivity).
• The most significant difference between those with mental ill health and those without is social participation.

Keep Learning

• Adult learning has been correlated with positive effects on well-being, reports of life satisfaction, optimism and efficacy.
• The opportunity to engage in work or educational activities helps lift older people out of depression.
• There is a synergy between wellbeing and keeping an active brain. Older people who report higher levels of wellbeing also have better cognitive function.

Be Active

• Regular physical activity results in a greater sense of wellbeing, stress reduction and lower rates of anxiety. It also protects against depression.
• Mental wellbeing in later life can be altered by exercise and physical activity, even amongst frail elders.
• In older people, long term regular physical activity is associated with significantly better cognitive function and less cognitive decline.
• Even low-impact physical activity such as stretching, toning and yoga increases psychological wellbeing.

Be Aware

• Being in a state of mindfulness predicts positive mental wellbeing.
• Training your brain to be aware of sensations, thoughts and feelings has been shown to enhance well-being for several years.
• Mindfulness training is a promising intervention for treating anxiety and mood problems.

Help Others

• Supporting others is shown to be associated with reduced mortality rates.
• Committing an act of kindness once a week for 6 weeks is associated with an increase in well-being, compared to control groups.
• Volunteering is associated with positive wellbeing and more meaning in life, and in older people it acts as a preventative agent against cognitive decline.

For every day, we give thanks – God bless.

Heather Hagemann
Assistant Principal - Mission and Student Wellbeing

Assistant Principal - Administration

Senior Girls Night In

On July 24, our INTERACT club will host the Senior Girls’ Night In. Girls’ Night In is a fun evening for Years 10, 11 and 12. The evening starts at 5.30pm in the Callaghan Centre and will finish at 9pm. The theme is Retro and there will be a lip sync battle, photo booth, dance competition and heaps more fun.

Grandparents High Tea - save the date

Our Grandparents Mass and morning tea will go ahead next term on Friday July 24. An invitation will be posted out with report cards.  We will hold our Mass and our High Tea at the Callaghan Centre. More details in the coming weeks but, claim the date!

NYSF - National Youth Science Forum

Our year 12 College Captain, Zina Dorado was invited to attend the 2020 National Youth Science Forum earlier in the year. The NYSF is a residential STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) outreach program. Using hands on STEM experience activities and workshops the program aims to foster an interest in STEM, by showing participants that science is all around us and can be used in a variety of careers outside the classroom. The program also develops leadership skills.

Zina has recounted her experience at the forum:

The National Youth Science Forum, better known as the NYSF, is an immersive science program held at the Australian National University for year 11 students going into year 12. It is an 11-day program where you participate and learn STEM and its’ applications outside the classroom setting. The application process was rigorous, and I was fortunate enough to be selected along with three other Fairholme girls from Toowoomba to attend session A, which was held earlier this year. Unfortunately, it was cut short because of the bushfires in Canberra, which accounted for the hazardous air quality. Nevertheless, it was a great opportunity for networking and expanding my horizons on the national level, meeting like-minded students who are passionate in STEM and making a difference. It was truly an eye-opening experience for me because it made me realise just how prevalent STEM is in our everyday lives.

Linda Creedon
Assistant Principal - Administration

Library

NEW PROCEDURES FOR REMAINDER OF TERM

1. There is a designated entry and exit for the library.
2. Sanitiser is available at the entry and exit for use.
3. Cleaner is available to wipe desks and handles, etc. after each class/break.
4. Books will only be returned through the system once a week to allow time and cleaning to occur. Students may return when needed.
5. Borrowing will only occur via the online catalogue and reserving the item. A notification will be sent to the student with a collection time.
6. There will be no browsing of the physical items in the library, it is all through the online library (Check out how, below).
7. The library will be open at breaks for work purposes only. Students will be at the desks.
8. There is to be only one student per desk/workspace at any time.
9. No furniture is to be moved.

NEW BOOKS

Peruse the images of the new books below. Look them up on the catalogue (online library) to find out more about them.

We also have some new Senior Fiction books designated for Year 10-12 students:

HOW TO BORROW IN COVID TIMES

If you would like one, reserve it through the online library. Make sure you sign in through the Single Sign On in the top right corner of the screen. https://au.accessit.online/STS03

Once you have found a book you click on the image in the results screen and drag it up to the Reserves in the menu bar:

Many thanks

Andrea King
Teacher Librarian

“Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey, they are home.” – Anna Quindlen

Sport

NETBALL

Girls have been asked to nominate so team selections can be given to Toowoomba Netball Association by the 12 June. Please see Mr Leathart or Mrs Schulze if you would like to express an interest. Please note due to the increased criteria for community Sport it is possible that St Saviour's College does not enter in the Saturday Competition for 2020. If the 'green light' is given by TNA to commence a season, it will start in term 3.

Decisions and plans around the return of play for community sport are changing almost by the hour. The latest update from Netball Queensland is that the State Government has approved the Industry Plan allowing greater flexibility in Stage 2 restrictions for community sport. Stage 2 restrictions had originally allowed for the resumption of non-contact training at outdoor and indoor sites in groups of up to 20 people PER VENUE. The flexibility approved through the Industry Plan has seen this restriction revised to 20 people PER ZONE. This means that St Saviour's College will be able to return to training following these guidelines.

Toowoomba Netball Association are still yet to confirm that a competition will happen in 2020. There are a number of issues that need to be resolved so guidelines from both State and federal governments can be followed. These include:

• Entry and exit to playing space
• No unnecessary spectators (there is a duty of care for boarders and students at the College)
• Contact information collection for those who attend
• Sign in sign out procedures
• No mixing of groups
• Social distancing 1.5m
• General hygiene and the need for supervisors
• Toilets use and the need for supervisors

More information will be available as it comes to hand until then we are still to following the road map to easing Queensland restrictions for Stage 2.

NETBALL HOODIE

The College as a few reminding Netball Hoodies avaialable for purchase through Student Services. The cost is $40 and there are Medium and Large sizes avialable. See the Sports Office for more details. 

WATER BOTTLES

During the cooler months it is still important students maintain a healthy level of water intake. In the current climate, it is vital that students have their own bottle and never share drinks. Having a water bottle will also improve your time management as you will have a ready to go drink when needed. College Water bottles are available for sale for $6 at Student Services.

WEDNESDAY SPORT

Wednesday Sport has continued in a modified program designed to help students have a break from schoolwork and screen time but also so they can engage in lifelong learning with the aim of helping them to look after their mental and physical health. Students have been grouped in their year levels and activities have ranged from structured games to nontraditional activities. More activities are planned for the reminder of Term 2 with an Olympic style theme to commence in Term 3.

• Walking
• Social distance and minimum touch of equipment games like net and court
• Skill testers
• Art workshops
• Drama Workshops
• National Reconciliation Week activities, “In My Blood It Runs”, a documentary following the story of 10 year of Arrernte/Garrwa child Dujuan living in Alice Springs.
• Trivia Competitions

Students are reminded to maintain social distance where possible, practice good hygiene and follow hand-washing protocols as posted around the College. This way we can continue to provide a safe environment for all sport staff and students.

SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE SPORT

The Department is planning to release the 'Reboot of Representative School Sport' guidelines and return to play checklists this week. Once this has been received this information will be forwarded to all students. A revised Darling Downs sport calendar for the remainder of 2020 will follow. Once again, the way sport was conducted will look different. Students should keep an eye on notices for more details about School Sport.

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

Due to COVID - 19 restrictions, the planned Athletics Carnival that was to take place on the 22 July (Term 3, Week 2) has be modified to reflect current conditions. With information and updates changing all the time, the decision was made so that at least St Saviour's College would have some clear direction regarding this event. Students will compete in events over the term with a gala afternoon planned for Wednesday 2 September which will include all students from the College. For more information please contact the Sports Office.  If TSSS athletics does go ahead St Saviours College will enter a team to compete as a pathway for our more serious competitors for 2020.

CROSS THE BLOCK (MODIFIED CROSS COUNTRY)

A modified Cross Country will be conducted for students in Years 7-10 during Sport on Wednesday Week 10. Students will have an opportunity to participate for house points and we will also acknowledge the top two finishes from each age group that afternoon. Students are encouraged to run in their house Colours. (shirt or hat)

FAIRPLAY VOUCHERS

Greg Leathart
Middle Leader HPE, Sport and Activities

Uniform Shop

Opening hours for the Uniform Shop are as follows:

Mondays 2:30pm – 4:00pm

Fridays 2:30pm – 4:00pm

If you require an appointment outside of these hours please call 0481 318 398.

Skool Days have advised that on occasion the shop may be open around school drop off time (8.00am - 9.00am). Just knock on the door to check if someone is there.