St Saviour's College Newsletter 2024 - Term 4 Week 8

Principal

Celebrations and stargazing

On Thursday we welcomed 260 invited guests, parents and loved ones to our College to reflect on an exceptional 2024, and to celebrate the incredible gifts of our student body.

Students were recognised in the fields of service, leadership, sport, the arts and academia. It was wonderful to see so many students celebrated across our College.

In my speech, I reflected on the lights that guide us. As a College, it was clear on Thursday that our shared commitment to bringing to life the God-given gifts and talents of our students is the powerful force that propels us forward.

It may surprise anyone who doesn’t work in a school just how much shared effort and exertion a celebration, such as this, takes. From the reels, to the entertaining videos, to the printing of hundreds of certificates, and catering for 350 people, the undertaking is huge. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team of people who worked tirelessly to make the day such a wonderful celebration for our students.

This week we have welcomed 70 2025 Year 7 students to our College for Orientation Day. It was a joy and a delight to get to know the graduating Mercy Girls of 2030!

Our newest enrolments have come from feeder schools all over the Toowoomba region including many of our Catholic and state feeder schools.

This year we welcomed 17 little sisters of current students - one of the largest groups of younger siblings we have had.

It was a great day full of nerves and excitement as students from diverse backgrounds met and got to know the students they will journey through the next six years of school alongside.

We look forward to continuing to get to know our newest cohort when we welcome them officially in 2025.

Together as a staff on Monday we shared the following prayer for our newest students, and reading it back, it is a wonderful prayer for not just our newest Mercy Girls but for each member of our community.

Loving God,
As we gather today as a community of Mercy, we pray for our new Year 7 students.

May they feel the warmth of our hospitality,
A place where they are welcomed with open arms,
Where every name is known and every voice is valued,
And where they discover a home of kindness and belonging.

God of compassion,
Guide us to model your love in all we do.
May our actions and words nurture their growth,
Uplifting those who feel unsure or afraid,
And walking alongside them as they begin this new journey.

God of justice,
Inspire us to create a community,
Where dignity, fairness, and respect flourish.
May we teach by example the importance of inclusion,
Standing together to bring to life your Kingdom.

God of excellence,
Bless our efforts to guide these students toward their potential.
May we challenge them to dream boldly,
Support them when they stumble,
And celebrate the gifts you have uniquely placed in each of them.

Merciful and loving God,
Through the model of education provided to us by Catherine McAuley,
May we embrace this opportunity to sow seeds of compassion, justice, hospitality and excellence.

Amen.

Early entry and scholarship success

I would like to take this opportunity to share with you the wonderful news that our College Vice Captain, Maryam Abawi, has received the prestigious Go Beyond Scholarship from UniSQ and accepted an early offer into nursing at UniSQ. Maryam shared this wonderful news with us when she returned this week.

When I think about being sick and vulnerable in hospital, I do hope I am fortunate enough to be cared for by Maryam - a person whose warmth and kindness will ease even the toughest of days!

Congratulations Maryam, we are so proud of you.

Jessica Wade
Principal

Deputy Principal - Teaching and Learning

Year 7 to 9 report cards

Students in Year 7 to 9 will receive their Semester Two report card in Week 9. These report cards will provide information and feedback on their learning across this semester in their subjects. These reports also include a comment from your child’s home class teacher and an overview of what has been learned this semester.

Year 10 to 11 interim report cards

Year 10 to 11 interim report cards provide a short snapshot of student learning in Term 4. Given that students have only just begun their Unit 1 and Unit 3 learning, this feedback will just provide a guide to students and parents on student progress to date.

Some subjects have completed assessment this term and some have not. This completion of assessment depends on the senior syllabus requirement of that subject and how much content was required to be taught before students could begin the assessment task. Because of this variation, you will see that your daughter may have marks for some subjects and not for others. The senior science subjects have all completed their 10 per cent data tests, English and SOR have completed their first assessments. Where a subject has not completed assessment, a Not Yet Assessed grade will be shown on the report card.

UniSQ Headstart

It was a pleasure to present Year 11 student, Kalani McKay, with her UniSQ HeadStart certificate at assembly this week. In Trimester 2, Kalani studied NUR1102 - Literacies and Communication for Health Care, an introductory university course which forms part of the Bachelor of Nursing. She completed this course, achieving a distinction. She is now considering taking a second Headstart course in the new year.

Five reasons why you might study a UniSQ Headstart course?

1. You want to see what its like to study a university level subject
2. You want to learn more about a specific area of interest e.g. nursing, engineering, education or business
3. You want a pathway to university. Kalani has now secured a pathway to university and can use her completed Headstart course to apply for early entry to the UniSQ Bachelor of Nursing Program when she graduates high school
4. You get two QCE credits!
5. You get credit towards your future degree. Kalani has now completed this course and will not have to do it at uni again. It will mean a lighter load in her first year at uni
6. The first course is free! If Kalani chooses to enrol in the Bachelor of Nursing at UniSQ she has saved a significant amount of money as she doesn’t have to pay for this part of the program

If you are in Year 9, 10 or 11 and interested in finding out more, please visit Mrs Delahunty in the careers office.

Celebrating student achievement

Today, we honoured numerous students for their achievements in academics, sports, community involvement, the arts, and service. It was a fantastic celebration of our student body and the core values our College cherishes. Congratulations to all the award recipients, and a heartfelt thank you to all the families and guests who joined us.

Eleighta Hannam
Deputy Principal

Assistant Principal - Wellbeing and Engagement

This week we welcomed 70 new students to the College that will join our community in 2025. They were a pure joy to host, and we hope our orientation day left them feeling a little less anxious about their first day at St Saviour’s College and excited to be a part of wonderful mercy community. Our future Year 12’s spent half the day with our new mercy girls and were truly exceptional leaders. In our year level assembly last week, I challenged the Year 11’s with the task of creating the culture they want in our community. We looked at practical skills at how they can shut down gossiping and rumours within our younger grades and how they should promote women lifting other women up.  Tuesday was another way they continued to create the culture of our community by enthusiastically involving themselves in activities and making themselves vulnerable in front of the new students while encouraging and welcoming all who were here. It was a pure delight to see every one of our seniors stepping up and making a difference, a true reflection on their character and their years of being a valued member of our community.   

Our SRC have been busy this term with many events, one being our Running of the Inspirational Female. To support students through the recent hot weather and fundraise, they have been bringing the summer vibe to Dublin Place with Zooper Doopers for sale and with music playing throughout the breaks. We look forward to showing you all the photos from the Colour Run in our next newsletter. Thank you SRC for your commitment to your year levels and the student body throughout 2025.   

In our final newsletter we will also have photos of our final year Merit trip. I thank all students who have made any trip throughout the year. This means that they have continued throughout the term and year to do the little things consistently well. After our first year of merit trips, we have refined our criteria for 2025 and will publish this at the start of the new year as well in the student diary. We have enjoyed celebrating with these students and having the opportunity to spend the time with those to reflect on how they can set personal goals, throughout the year, to be good today, but better tomorrow.    

Megan Schulze
Assistant Principal - Wellbeing and Engagement

Assistant Principal - Mission and Identity

Rosies - final outreach for 2024

Last Tuesday, we held our final Rosies outreach for the year. Thank you to Mrs Kim Benvenuti, Mrs Louise Delahunty, and students Maleta, Kay, and Nellie for giving their time to serve others in our community.

As we reflect on the year, we acknowledge the ongoing efforts of students, staff, and families who have supported Rosies - Friends on the Street. Whether through volunteering or donating, your contributions have made a real difference to those experiencing homelessness or isolation.

Rosies reminds us of the importance of simple acts of kindness and the impact of being present for others, especially as we approach the festive season. We look forward to continuing this outreach in 2025 and maintaining the spirit of care and connection that Rosies fosters in our community.

Reflection on Prayer: Surrendering to God

The Year 7-11 Awards began with a heartfelt prayer centred on Surrendering to God. Inspired by Catherine McAuley’s words, we were invited to trust in God’s providence, release our burdens, and align our lives with His will. The lighting of candles symbolised this act of surrender, creating a sacred atmosphere filled with warmth and reflection.

The choir’s performance was a highlight, bringing beauty and reverence to the moment. Special thanks go to Mrs Jen Potter for organising the choir and to our talented singers: Dimercia Kalenga, Sophie Moore, Penny Sanders, Jen Potter, Chris Grierson, Cat Massa, Elize Tom, Dhriti Shah, Liz Besa, and Rianne Caggauauan. Their stunning harmonies uplifted the prayer, drawing us closer to God’s presence.

We also extend our gratitude to Bridget Staines and the 2025 student leaders for leading us through the prayer with such grace and reflection. Their leadership sets a tone of faith and reverence, enriching the spiritual depth of the occasion.

This reflective prayer was a reminder to pause, trust, and surrender to God, setting a tone of faith and gratitude for the celebrations that followed.

Vinnies Christmas Appeal: final call for donations

This holiday season, we invite you to join us in supporting those in need through the Vinnies Christmas Appeal. Your generous donations can bring joy, hope, and comfort to families who may be struggling during this time.

This is the final call to make a difference! Every contribution, no matter how small, helps to spread the spirit of giving. Please see the details in the poster below for how you can donate.

Let’s come together as a community to bring light and hope to others this Christmas.

A Tree of Unity: Christmas decorations and prayer

This Advent season, our home classes embraced the spirit of Christmas by participating in a friendly competition to design and create unique decorations for our school Christmas tree. The competition sparked creativity and joy as students worked together to craft ornaments that reflected the festive season and their collective spirit.

The beautifully crafted decorations were brought forward during a special prayer ceremony, held in M4. The ceremony began with a reflection on the origins of decorating Christmas trees, a tradition that dates back to 16th-century Germany. Early decorations, such as apples, berries, and candles, carried symbolic meanings of simplicity, light, and spirituality. Today, these same values continue to inspire our community.

The prayer service invited each house - Coolock, Goretti, McAuley, and Xavier - to place their decorations on the tree, symbolising our unity as a college community. Each placement was accompanied by a prayer:

• Coolock House offered prayers of gratitude for the blessings of the Advent and Christmas season
• Goretti House prayed for the well-being of family and friends, asking for unity and safety during this special time
• McAuley House shared prayers for peace and joy, reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas
• Xavier House concluded with a prayer for hope and light, calling on God to guide us and inspire us to share His love

The tree, adorned with these meaningful decorations, now stands as a beacon of joy, hope, and togetherness in our school. The light of its candles and the creativity of its ornaments remind us of the love and kindness we share as a community, especially during this holy season. Thank you to all students and staff who participated in this activity and helped make this moment special. May the spirit of Advent and Christmas continue to inspire and unite us all.

Leah Dempster
Assistant Principal - Mission and Identity

Sports news

Monday Futsal 

The Monday Futsal squad have been superb this term and what is pleasing most for the coaching staff, is seeing the hard work from training transfer to the games with some dominant displays. This year St Saviour's College also hosted Highlands Christian College in the futsal competition which was great for our girls not to have to travel to play for a change.  

Term 4 overall placings:  

Years 7&8: Second (Runners Up)  

Years 9&10: Mid Table  

Years 11&12: Fourth 

Rugby 7s  

Congratulations to the girls Under 15 Rugby 7s team. Due to time constraints and other sports, training for this competition was difficult, however this didn’t stop the team from having a successful run in the 2024 competition. Finishing fifth overall on the ladder and improving every game the students were led well by Daeja, Kiki, Joyce and Meg and they should be proud of their efforts both on and off the field. There are some photos included this week of the girl’s triumph over St Ursula’s at the Stadium last week. The players also had the opportunity to meet some of the Australian Women’s 7s squad. Special thanks must go to Sonja Pene, Hanisi and Bella who ran water and messages.  

Sport uniform returns  

With many of the sports for Term 4 wrapping up, it is vital that students return their borrowed items to the College. This would include all sports shorts and shirts used in various competitions. In 2024 we have had issues with students keeping items that do not belong to them, this robs other students of the right to participate in sports. Please talk with your students directly and check cupboards and laundry areas at home. Parents will be sent emails this week if your student has been involved in a Term 4 sport as a reminder. Thank you to those who have already returned these items.  

2025 sports calendar  

Included in this week’s newsletter is the 2025 DARLING DOWNS SCHOOL SPORT TRIALS AND QRSS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS CALENDAR. This Calendar will include dates and venues for Darling Downs and Queensland School Sport. Please understand that changes to this calendar happen weekly until the end of the year but it does give an idea of when and where state championships for various sports are held.  

Introducing 2025 Sports Captain, Liv Soeters  

Hi, my name is Liv Soeters, and I am Sports Captain for 2025. Since I became involved in playing, coaching and refereeing touch football, I’ve developed a love for sports and hope to instill this sentiment in all students. Next year, I am enthusiastic about continuing to grow school spirit around all sporting fields. I am open and happy to work with students wanting to develop involvement and skills by providing opportunities for students, such as assisting them with joining a school or club team and becoming a referee. Please feel free to see me or send me an email with any questions or ideas. 

Greg Leathart
Curriculum Leader Sport and HPE

Arts and Performance news

Saviour’s Sisters Performance Choir Shines at Grand Central CBD Tree Lighting Ceremony 

On Thursday, 14 November, the Saviour’s Sisters Performance Choir graced the Grand Central CBD Tree Lighting Ceremony with a stunning 30 minute performance of Christmas carols. Their harmonious voices filled the air, bringing festive cheer to all in attendance. The choir’s beautiful renditions of classic carols truly set the tone for the holiday season. 

But the festive spirit doesn’t end there! The Saviour’s Sisters Performance Choir will be spreading more holiday joy at our College Christmas Liturgy on Friday, 29 November. This event promises to be a heartwarming celebration, and the choir’s performance will undoubtedly be a highlight. 

Additionally, mark your calendars for Sunday, 8 December, when the choir will perform at the Christmas Wonderland Lights at the Queen’s Park Botanical Gardens. The performance is scheduled for 7.30pm, and it will be a magical evening under the stars. 

Be sure to come out and support the Saviour’s Sisters Performance Choir at these upcoming events. Their dedication and talent are sure to make each performance a memorable experience for all. Let’s celebrate the season together with the beautiful music of the Saviour’s Sisters! 

A stunning performance of the Suscipe at the Academic Awards Ceremony 

The recent Academic Awards ceremony was a morning to remember, not only for the recognition of academic achievements but also for the breathtaking performance of the Suscipe during the prayer portion of the event. This select group of choir members and staff delivered a rendition that left the audience in awe. 

The performance team, composed of talented students Dimercia Kalenga, Sophie Moore, Penny Sanders, Dhriti Shah, Elize Tom, Liz Besa, and Rianne Caggauauan, was joined by dedicated staff members Mr Chris Grierson, Ms Cat Massa, and Mrs Jenni Potter. Together, they created a harmonious blend of voices that resonated throughout the hall, adding a deeply spiritual and moving element to the ceremony. 

Their performance of the Suscipe was not only a testament to their vocal abilities but also to their commitment and hard work. The group’s unity and passion for music were evident, making this moment one of the highlights of the morning. The audience was visibly moved, with many expressing their admiration and appreciation for such a beautiful and heartfelt rendition. 

This performance showcased the incredible talent within our school community and highlighted the importance of music in bringing people together. We are grateful to the students and staff who contributed to this unforgettable moment and look forward to more inspiring performances in the future. 

Dance troupe dazzles at Academic Awards Ceremony 

Our school’s Academic Awards Ceremony was not only a celebration of academic excellence but also a showcase of incredible talent, thanks to a highly entertaining performance by our dance troupe. This dynamic group, currently composed of eight talented students from Years 9 to 11, captivated the audience with their energy, precision, and creativity. 

The troupe’s performance was a highlight of the morning, leaving everyone in awe of their dedication and hard work. Their routine, a blend of contemporary and traditional dance styles, was met with enthusiastic applause and cheers from the crowd. It was clear that countless hours of practice and a passion for dance went into creating such a memorable performance. 

As we look forward to the new year, the dance troupe is excited to expand and welcome new members. Students from all year levels who have a passion for dance and a desire to perform are encouraged to audition early in 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a supportive and creative community, develop new skills, and contribute to the vibrant culture of our college. 

Stay tuned for more details on audition dates and requirements. We can’t wait to see the new talent that will join our dance troupe and continue to bring joy and entertainment to our school events! 

Celebrating the achievements of our performing arts students in 2024 

2024 has been an exceptional year for the performing arts at St Saviour’s College. Our students have showcased their incredible talents across various platforms, from captivating dance performances and stunning choir renditions to impressive drama productions and musical showcases. Their dedication, creativity, and passion have truly shone through, making this year one of our most memorable yet. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the staff, students, and parents for their unwavering support and commitment. Your encouragement and involvement have been instrumental in our success, and we are deeply grateful for your contributions. 

Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited to announce several new initiatives and expansions within our performing arts program: 

• Addition of a drama club: We will be launching a drama club to provide students with more opportunities to explore their theatrical talents and participate in various productions 

• Expansion of the dance troupe: Our dance troupe will be expanding, welcoming new members and continuing to deliver outstanding performances 

• Formation of performance teams: We will be forming performance teams for students wishing to showcase their abilities in solo and small group vocal or instrumental work 

• Private tutoring: We will continue to seek private tutors for those wishing to learn new instruments or extend their musical prowess 

As we look forward to 2025, we are excited about the potential for even greater achievements. With continued support and enthusiasm, we are confident that our performing arts program will reach new heights, inspiring and entertaining our community. 

Here’s to another year of outstanding performances and artistic growth! 

Jennifer Potter
Program Leader Arts and Performance

Library News

All resources to be returned before the end of term 

Return to the library 

Books and tales, both old and new, 
Adventures waited just for you. 
But now it’s time to bring them back, 
To fill our shelves, to be part of the stack. 

From novels grand to textbooks wise, 
Return them all, it’s no surprise. 
Our library’s heart beats strong and true, 
With every book returned by you. 

So, gather up each borrowed friend, 
And to the library, let them wend. 
For every book has a place to be, 
Back on the shelf, for all to see. 

So, check at home and return all necessary resources, unreturned resources will have to be replaced and, as such, will be charged for reimbursement. 

Overdue and recall notices are being sent out and will continue through the remainder of the term to remind students to return all their resources.  

Students can access what they have out through our Library Web App – please encourage your child/ren to check what they have out that must be returned. Go to the link, and sign in using the Single Sign-on (SSO) blue button. 

Holiday reading

Check out our Christmas dashboard for some fun bits and pieces for Christmas, including some great eBooks and audiobooks to access over the holidays. 

Keep your reading up over the Christmas holidays. What can you do to help your child value reading? 

• Family reading time – create a time when the whole family is reading. Turn off the technology and enjoy the quiet time but together! 

• Book bag (sports bag would work) – fill a bag with books and magazines to take with you 

• Movies that come from books – read the book then watch the movie (with treats) 

• Ebooks and audio books – check out our library catalogue (see below) for ways to do this as this engages the technology component that some will like 

• Magazines – a great way to have something that is specific to their likes. Short and sweet snippets of information 

• Different Christmas books – get into the holiday spirit, grab some Christmas stories and enjoy this special time 

• Competitions – check out the local library (see next section) for what competitions they have over summer OR create your own and negotiate a prize for achieving a certain number…your own reading challenge! 

• Your [our] local library – check out what they have in the way of magazines, eBooks, audiobooks and, of course, our fiction and non-fiction choices https://www.tr.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/libraries  

Our Library catalogue: - https://au.accessit.online/STS03  

By doing a search you can filter by eBook, Audiobook or Wheelers (provides ebooks, etc). Or you can look for the little symbols for eBooks (a little e on a book image) or audio (a microphone). 

Other holiday prompts and ideas… 

State Library of Queensland – Families and children 

Queensland Museum – what’s on in all museums, including local ones 

Cobb and Co. Toowoomba 

Queensland Art Gallery 

Toowoomba Art Gallery 

Christmas in the library! 

Check out our Christmas-themed library!  

We have a variety of posters explaining and describing all the different aspects of Christmas – have a read and see if you knew why we have certain things at Christmas, like the Christmas colours! 

We also have signs of how to say Merry Christmas in various languages on the walls, which ones do you know or can say? 

And the rest of our library-themed room. 

New library mascots! 

We have recently ‘adopted’ two library mascots to join us in the library. 

Students have enjoyed the few days they have been with us. 

We are currently letting students vote for a slogan for our reading pups. They are placing their tally marks on the whiteboard for the slogan they like the most. 

“Dig into a book, wag your tail with joy.”  

OR 

“Paws for a book, stay for the adventure!” 

Stay safe and keep reading.

Andrea King
Teacher Librarian