St Saviour's College Newsletter Term 2 Week 10

Principal

As we draw closer to the close of Semester One, we look back with gratitude for the many blessings bestowed upon us. While this has be an unprecedented time of uncertainty, the community of St Saviour’s College has most certainly risen to the occasion, ensuring the continuity of learning, and the ongoing provision of a learning environment for our young women, as we walk with them as they become empowered young women in this changing world.

Pivotal to this has been the unwavering commitment of staff and the holistic education of our mercy girls. While we have been mindful of expectations around social distancing and gathering numbers, every effort has been made to ensure that life and learning continues and that every day there is an opportunity for us do and be better than the day before.

Our unwavering faith has fortified our resilience and I thank the girls for always prioritising our commitment to being young women for others. Our students, ably led by the Youth Ministry Team, have sought out new and creative ways to live out our call to be of service as a faith-filled community, through initiatives such as cookie baking for Rosies, our ongoing commitment to the collection of provisions for Rosies, and our latest alignment with Tony’s Kitchen. We have accepted the invitation to pray and gather in different ways, through our assemblies, lay led liturgies and class Masses.

Learning has continued under all circumstances in a variety of ways, be it through online classes in the first part of Term Two, or, in the case of our many boarders, relying on the provision of ‘hard copy’ resources made available by their teachers so they may work from their own communities. Our teachers have done an incredible job, and I am sure that the reports that your daughter’s will receive in the coming days, will evidence our commitment to continuity of learning under any circumstance.

I wish all members of the St Saviour’s College Community a refreshing and replenishing break. It most certainly has felt like a very LONG term, so, please enjoy this break time. We look forward to a more ‘predictable’ Term Three, as we welcome back all our students and the full complement of the boarding community. It will be great for our community to feel ‘whole’ again.

VIRTUAL OPEN DAY

We look forward to upcoming release of our Virtual Open Day series that will appear on Facebook, Instagram and the College website. Many thanks to Mrs Linda Creedon and Mrs Wendy Collins for leading this project and to Shayne from ShootNedit for his filming, editing and project management. It is a great showcase of life at St Saviour’s College.

FAREWELL

With sadness, we bid farewell to our Administration Officer, Mrs Melanie Cavanough who many of you will know from Front Reception, who finishes up this week. Melanie has been a wonderful member of staff who has been the ‘face of the College’ and has carried this out with zeal, professionalism and joy. We look forward to welcoming Mrs Kerri Prentice who will take up this position for the commencement of Semester Two.

WELCOMING BACK OUR BOARDERS

It is with great excitement and expectation that we welcome back our full complement of boarders next term. Many of our more remote students returned to their communities during Week 7 of Term 1, so this extended absence from formalised learning has necessitated us to put provisions in place to further support these students upon their return in Semester Two. We are delighted to welcome Mr Josh Waters to our community for Term 3. Josh is an experienced Indigenous Education Officer who has worked extensively in this role, more recently, at the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office. Josh will be working across St Saviour’s College and Good Samaritan College in a shared capacity. We will be blessed to have Josh working with us from Mondays through Wednesdays.

I thank members of our Leadership Team, Learning Support Team and our Boarding Team who are working hard together to ensure a seamless transition for these students in the first couple of weeks of Term 3. In addition, we will be welcoming Mrs Nadine Dolan in a part time capacity who will be picking up some additional classes to assist us we roll out this transition program.

VALE

We pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Patricia MacGinley rsm, loved member of the Sisters of Mercy Brisbane Congregation, who, sadly, was buried last week in Brisbane. Sr Patricia passed away on 11 June, 2020, and was in the 64^th year of her profession. She was buried at Nudgee Cemetery on 18 June. We pray for Patricia’s family, particularly her brothers, Fr Jack MacGinely and Fr Rod MacGinley who are Toowoomba diocesan priests. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and may Your perpetual light shine upon her. May Sr Patricia rest in peace. Amen.

Blessings for a safe, enjoyable and restful winter break.

Sharon Collins
Principal

Deputy Principal - Curriculum

ACADEMIC INTERVIEWS

Over the first few weeks of Term Three, Year 11 and 12 students, along with their parents/carers are invited to participate in our SSC Academic Interviews. These interviews are run by a member of the College staff and focus on student progress to date, goal setting and areas of improvement and future pathway options. Details about the timings of these interviews were emailed to Year 11 and 12 parents/carers two weeks ago. If you have any questions about these interviews or would like to RSVP please contact Kathleen.mcdonald@twb.catholic.edu.au.

JUNIOR REPORT CARDS

All Report Cards for students in Years 7 – 10 will be posted home at the end on this week (Friday 26^th June). Please spend some time over the holidays reviewing these documents with your daughter to celebrate the successes and set some goals around improvement for Semester Two.

YEAR 11 2021 SUBJECT INFORMATION NIGHT

The subject information evening for current Year 10 students will be held on Monday 20 July at 6.00pm. More information in relation to this evening will be distributed with report cards later this week. I encourage all Year 10 students and their parents to keep this date and time free.

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.

TUTORING

Tutoring will resume in Term Three and will run for all students from Year 7-12 on Thursday afternoon from 3:15 - 4:30pm in the library. Everyone is 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

Jen Smeed
Deputy Principal

Assisant Principal - Mission and Student Wellbeing

NAIDOC WEEK

“Always was, always will be”

National NAIDOC Week recognises that First Nations people, who have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65 000 years. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, new dates were announced last week, postponing celebrations until the 8-15 November. I believe it is important we acknowledge and hold sacred the first people of our country and pay our respect to elders, past, present and emerging. Every day is a day to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements.

Creator Spirit,
All creation once declared your glory,
Your laws were honoured and trusted,
Forgive us our neglect as our country approaches
the most critical moment in its history.
Listen to our prayer as we turn to you,
Hear the cry of our land and its people,
Just as you heard the cry of Jesus,
your Son, on the Cross.
Help us to replace our national shame
With true national pride by restoring the
dignity of our First People whose antiquity is
unsurpassed.
May our faith and trust in you increase.
Only then will our nation grow strong and be
a worthy place for all who wish to make their home in our land.

Amen

YOUTH MINISTRY

The St Saviour’s College Youth Ministry Team is made up of girls from all year levels and is doing some great work aligned with Mission and Wellbeing initiatives. They are currently working on providing personal care items and non-perishable foodstuffs for Rosie’s and are regularly assisting the organisations with the preparation of a barbecue dinner, sharing stories, and positive conversation with the people they meet. 

Our Youth Ministry team has been quite active in the community of late. We have been busily setting up some exciting ventures and partnerships for the remainder of this year and beyond, as restrictions relax, moving out of COVID-19. We like to think that when parents choose St Saviour’s College as the environment for their daughter, they know they are choosing a pathway that positions them to see the world through the lens of Mercy spirit.

The team have also partnered with Tony’s Kitchen and are assigned to their meal preparation cooking roster once a month. As an outreach program, the College’s ‘Calls of Compassion’ has the girls making a phone or video call on a fortnightly basis to elderly or isolated family members, members of our College community and fellow parishioners. 

Additionally, St Saviour’s College Youth Ministry team has been busily networking with the Youth Ministry teams from other schools in the Toowoomba Diocese, Mary MacKillop Catholic College, St Joseph’s College, St Mary’s College and Good Samaritan College. Together they are collaborating on social justice initiatives that in response to our everchanging world.  

FAITH AND WELLBEING IN THE CLASS CONTEXT

The Year 9 Religion class recently participated in a meditation experience to introduce their Term 3 topic, "Good and Evil". The labyrinth near St Luke's Cathedral in Toowoomba was used to facilitate this experience. Led by Mr Chris Grierson, the students walked the labyrinth while meditating on the co-existence of good and evil in their own lives and how we come to terms with that, considering the Christian faith. It was a solemn experience and one that allowed for a moment of quiet reflection amidst the tumultuous year we have experienced so far.

Below, is a photo of my Year 7 Drama class, actively celebrating the end of Drama assessment for the term. You can tell by their jubilant enthusiastic faces, that they have loved every minute of school! Seriously though, the students have been wonderful and embraced on-line learning with creativity, curiousity and good humour. They enthusiastically performed their play scenes this week and I can proudly report that all of them had memorised their lines! What a fabulous effort!

STUDENT REMINDERS...

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 direct instruction by your teacher, phones need to be turned off. If a mobile phone is confiscated by a teacher for unauthorised use during school hours, the phone is to be 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 time to change in and out of sports uniform for these lessons.

For every day, we give thanks – God bless.

Heather Hagemann
Assistant Principal - Mission and Student Wellbeing

Assistant Principal - Administration

We may not have any excursions or big events this term, but there has still been plenty of activity in the grounds of the College.

For their major project, this term our Year 12 Certificate 111 in Business class created an online Instagram business. The students guided by Mrs Alyson Holmes, made tie dye T shirts, and then launched their business online as well as selling their goods during lunchtimes. The Crazy Colour Company is still in business and you can purchase your t- shirts online.

The Craft Club continues to go from strength to strength. The current project, scrunchies, was instigated by Year 7 students Mackenzie Crompton and Roxanne Gelston. Their idea was supported by Mrs Holmes and they went to work to produce a range of sizes and colours. The scrunchies stall is located outside the Library on a Wednesday. Craft Club is held every second Tuesday.

Mrs Holmes Year 7 Design class created an array of unique biscuits for their latest class project. The baking was a highlight for the enthusiastic class, who spent time gathering ideas to ensure the biscuits were a creative delight. Edible flowers and colourful designs were created by the class, who also enjoyed eating their creations.

Enjoy time with your daughters over the break.

Linda Creedon
Assistant Principal - Administration

Counsellor

HAPPINESS IN GRATITUDE 

"Practising gratitude may improve both happiness and offer feelings of hope for the future" (APS, 2020).

Building a set of skills and strategies that build psychological resilience is an important life skill for all people. Expressing gratitude, whether through written form (journaling) or verbally (sharing gratitude) can be a strong buffer to a current stressor.  While researchers acknowledge that this intervention may not produce lasting results, they recommend grateful remembering as a technique to increase current happiness and a sense of hope for the future (APS, 2020). When we increase our feelings of hope, our perspective broadens, and we may better cope during times of stress and uncertainty.

For Funday Friday last week we set up a Gratitude Station. This provided an opportunity for our students to reflect on aspects of their lives that are important and provide joy and hope. Typically, during weeks 6 to 10 of each term students experience increased stress and anxiety as exams and assessment can feel all consuming. It was timely to focus on skills building in the area of gratitude to build our students capacity around resilience.

Check out the poster that was created from all the responses our students provided around what they are grateful for.

One of the key areas that our students identified that they are grateful for is family. As a parent we know just how important our relationship with our children is in improving their self-esteem and confidence, and in developing their identity. If you feel you would like more skills in this area please consider the online parent course “PPP”. This course has been tried and tested for many years and is a great resource for building parenting skills. There is even a course to support you parent during these uncertain times – Parenting during COIVD19.

STAY CALM THIS WINTER – DESPITE UNCERTAIN TIMES

Children (and families) who are developing skills for emotional resilience are able to cope better with uncertain times – and the right support can help you role-model emotional resilience for your children.

Not everything is within your power to change, but you can make beneficial changes to your family with help from the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program®.

This winter, while you’re scrolling through your phone after the kids have gone to bed, or on your laptop, swap just one hour of social media for one hour of Triple P Online, and be finished before you know it!

Triple P Online is FREE statewide, thanks to Queensland Government funding, and now includes a special extra module: “Parenting During COVID-19”. Start now at: www.triplep-parenting.net

Renee Hunter
Counsellor

Sport

In line with the Queensland Government’s Stage 3 easing of restrictions, the Department of Education will recommence a staged reintroduction of inter-school and representative school sport from 10 July 2020. For representative school sport, some district and regional school sport events will commence in Term 3 2020, with consideration of the Roadmap, AIS Framework and Return to Play Guide.

Selected Queensland School Sport state championships will take place in Term 3 and Term 4, with consideration of the current COVID-19 restrictions. For the latest advice, please refer to the Queensland School Sport website.

With the requirement of having a maximum of 100 people attending including students, officials & spectators as from 10 July it became apparent that many schools would not be able to conduct their school event/carnival early Term 3.

It was decided by the DD School Sport Board and approved by the Regional Director that no Regional Track & Field carnival would occur in 2020. Schools can now conduct their own school track & field carnival at a time that suits them without having the pressure of meeting a certain date to attend the next carnival. St Saviours College will conduct events throughout term 3 during break times and Wednesday Sport.

If you have any questions about the reboot of the representative school sport program or return to sports in general please email me at greg.leathart@twb.catholic.edu

NETBALL UPDATE JULY 2020

The return to Netball fixtures is getting closer. From our recent TNA meeting, there are changes to some days and times for fixtures to become compliant with the COVID-Safe Industry plan and allow all teams to play every week. At this stage, I am just providing you with information regarding days and times of fixtures with game-day protocol coming later.

Competition dates are:

• Wednesday Night 15 July to Wednesday 16 September (5.00pm or 6.15pm)
• Saturday Grading Sunday 19 July Week 1 starts 25 July until 19 September

Game times Jnr 4.18pm and Snr 1.42pm or 4.18pm depending on grading

Training times

• Netball Fitness 7am @ Callaghan Centre
• In school training once teams are confirmed

Due to interest and the current climate, there may be trials for the 2 teams entered in the Saturday Competition. Please email Mrs Schulze megan.schulze@twb.catholic.edu.au with a confirmation to play in the 2020 season ASAP.

Cost

• $150 (this is to cover the netball Queensland and Toowoomba netball costs) this needs to be paid at Student services ASAP.

Please be aware that with the constant easing of restrictions by the Queensland Government there may still be changes and everyone will be made aware of them as soon as they become available.

Greg Leathart - Middle Leader Sports & Activities
Megan Schulze - Netball Co-Ordinator

Greg Leathart
Middle Leader Sports and Activities

McAuley Boarding House

1 John 2:15
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

And just like that, the term of sanitiser, social distancing, extra cleaning responsibilities, changed routines and online remote learning is ending. What a tremulous and exciting time for education and our little boarding house. We have had two students with us for ten weeks, Mia Biazos and Holly Anderson. These two amazing young women have endured the closeness of very few within the walls of McAuley House. They have also welcomed each and every other boarder and staff member back into the comfort of our walls and the College as restrictions have eased; all the while restrictions have remained within the boarding house.

We have acknowledged our sisters in the Cape and Islands who have been in lock down, whom we will welcome back in Term Three after their four months' stay at home. In this final newsletter item from Term Two, I would like to pay respect to those young women who have had to endure challenges and changes within our boarding environment, and the staff who have led them through this period. 

There have been some outstanding acts of love, kindness and maturity from our girls; along with the challenges we have had including, tantrums due to restrictions with leave and shopping. As John suggests, materialistic things are not the essence of love, rather let us love the Father who breathes life into our soul.

Below is just a snippet of the excellent demonstrations of love, from our young women to each other. Although there have been many acts of kindness, hospitality, and excellence, I’d personally like to acknowledge the growth and application to the following students whose personal journeys of growth and progression are admirable.

Emmie Creevey has selflessly given her time, a listening ear, a required hug, and presence to students when they have been homesick, fearful, and uncertain of change. Her maturity in comforting another and putting her challenges aside is inspiring and her way of serving Him in others.

Emily Murphy has spent much of the term working individually with remote learning and individualised learning when back at College. She has worked consistently, chipping away at specific subjects and applying effort for her own personal reflection. This has seen Emily achieve progression in many of her subjects, particularly Japanese where she has achieved a very high achievement.

Jurralliee Comollatti returned to the boarding house with very little of her belongings after spending remote learning away from her home environment. She has not complained or behaved inappropriately, just got on with her routines and responsibilities. When we finally realised, through communication with another student, that she had not even returned with a jumper or warm clothing, we were able to assist with gathering these belongings for her. The humble approach Jurralliee takes towards her everyday life is commendable.

After only spending four days within McAuley House in Term One, Talika Brady has settled into the routines and daily organisation of boarding extremely well. She has worked towards progressing through her homesickness, missing family, and building new relationships with the boarding and day school staff. Her whole persona, effort, and attitude are developing right before our eyes. The resilience and character strengths she has demonstrated make us proud.

WE NEED YOUR HELP- PLEASE

In Term Three, McAuley House will be engaging with a mission project to assist the less fortunate within our community. We are aiming to have a knitting afternoon activity each week. This will see our girls engage with staff and volunteers to knit a scarf each (or more) over the course of the term. These scarves will then be donated to two local community organisations that assist the homeless: Rosie’s and Tony’s Kitchen. We will be inviting day staff and students to join our ‘Knitting Circle’, and our goal is to knit 50 scarves.  If you can donate wool or knitting needles towards this cause, we would be very grateful. The recommended yarn for beginners is a mix of synthetic/wool, 8/12ply.  I am not familiar with the art in any form and thus will be learning alongside the girls.  If you can contribute, please drop these items into the College Office and they will be distributed to us at boarding. Thank you in advance.

Jesse Bolton
McAuley Boarding House Manager