2024 Term 4, Week 8 Newsletter

Principals Report - Mrs Janine Butlin

Principal’s message

Dear Parents, Students and Staff,

As we approach the end of another remarkable year, I want to stop and take a moment to express my gratitude to each and every one of you.

To our amazing students: You are the heart of our school. Your enthusiasm, creativity, and determination have been truly inspiring. Watching you grow and achieve your goals has been a privilege. This year has been filled with memorable events that have enriched our school community. From sports days to drama festivals, school camps and excursions, Mother’s Day Breakfasts, and the Father’s Day BBQ, (who can forget the huge tug-a-war), these moments have created lasting memories. In a few weeks, our year 6 students will be moving on to Secondary school, I’m incredibly proud of you. Your journey here has been filled with achievements and growth, and we know you will continue to shine in your new schools.

To our supportive parents: Your involvement and encouragement have been invaluable. Whether through volunteering, attending school events, or supporting your children at home, your partnership has made a significant difference. Thank you for being an integral part of our school community.

To our dedicated staff: Your unwavering commitment and passion for education have been the cornerstone of our success. Your hard work and resilience, especially during challenging times, have not gone unnoticed. Thank you for inspiring our students and fostering a nurturing learning environment. This year we farewell Anna Vaessen. Anna has worked at our school for 18 years. We thank you for your contribution to our school and wish you all the best as you continue your teaching career at Holy Name in Toowoomba. We also farewell and thank Rachael Keeley who has kept the Tuckshop working smoothly throughout the school year. We wish you all the best in your new business.

As we look forward to the new year, I am filled with optimism and excitement for what lies ahead. Together, we will continue to strive for excellence and create a positive and enriching environment for all.

Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and a happy, healthy new year.

Warm regards,

Janine

God Bless

Janine

APMI Report - Mrs Fiona Drew

It is hard to believe we are close to the end of the year! What a whirlwind! Thank you to all students, families and staff for their exceptional efforts over the year. It has been wonderful working with you all and we thank you for your support.

We wish our Year 6 students every success in their high school journey, and we thank them for being such exceptional leaders this year. Their theme for the year was ‘Rise Up’ and they have certainly lived this message out as leaders this year! We look forward to celebrating with the students at their Graduation Mass, Graduation Dinner and End of Year awards.

Christmas Carols & St Vincent de Paul Appeal

Our Christmas Concert will be held on Monday 25^th November at 6:00pm. Families are asked to arrive by 5.45pm and enter via the Weale Street or Murray Street gates, to the grassed area outside the Year 1 classroom. Families are encouraged to bring chairs/picnic blankets and nibblies for the evening. Students will sit with their families for the evening and be called up for their performance throughout the night. Students are encouraged to wear appropriate Christmas clothes/colours and footwear for the evening. Year 4 students have a character costume for their performance, and they are aware of their requirements.

Battery-operated candles will be on sale for $3 on the evening and all families are asked to bring in an item of non-perishable food as a donation towards the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal.

Year 6 Reminders

The school community will join together for the Year Six Graduation Mass on Thursday 5^th December, 10am at St Stephen’s Church. Year 1 – Year 6 students must wear their formal uniform on Thursday 5th. Family members are invited to attend the mass.

The Graduation Dinner will be held at 6pm on Thursday 5^th December at Rusty’s Bar & Grill, Pittsworth. Families are welcome to arrive from 4.30pm if they would like any family photos taken. Many thanks to Katie Hegarty for generously offering to take photos throughout the evening. USBs must be brought into school before 3^rd December, clearly named.

Thanks, must also go to those Year 5 parents who have been a part of the graduation committee – Megan Neylon, Jackie Bligh, Shelley Ford, Telia Simpson, Tracey Matchett, Amanda Burchmann & Katrina Vagg.  Your time, talents, generosity, and energy is greatly appreciated!

End of Year Awards – Friday 6^th  December

The End of Year Awards will be held in MacKillop Hall this year on Friday 6^th December at 10am. Year 6 students and their parents and siblings, invited guests, special award winners and their parents and siblings will be invited to attend the ceremony. Parents of students who will be receiving a special award will be notified in Week 9. 

All Year 1 – Year 6 students are to wear their formal uniform on Friday.

Year 5 parents will be providing morning tea for the guests at the completion of the assembly, and we are thankful for their contribution to the day. Morning tea can be taken to Mackillop Hall from 8.30am.

Wishing all our families a very happy, safe and blessed Christmas. We hope these holidays give families a chance to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

God bless,

Fiona Drew

Middle Leader Report - Mrs Rachel Harlen

A-E Definitions:

My goodness, where has the year gone? Semester Two Report Cards will be sent home in the final week of this term.  When you receive your child's report card you will notice that while we are still using ‘overall’ A-E grades for each area of learning as in Semester One, there has been a change to the way that teachers are commenting on your child’s results in both English and Mathematics.  The ‘overall’ A to E definitions have not changed and are explained on the first page of our report cards:

Comments for English and Mathematics for Semester Two have been aligned to these A to E definitions and also directly to the Australian Curriculum.  This change in comments has also allowed for greater consistency and transparency across the school from Year 1 to Year 6.  Prep comments have slightly different wording, however, they will maintain consistency with the ‘dot point’ format and the direct links to the Australian Curriculum. 

The format for the revised English and Mathematics comments allows clarity for Parents, Students, and Teachers with dot points clearly defining which areas of the curriculum your child has achieved successfully, or even excelled in, and areas that they are still progressing in. 

An example of a 'C' comment for a student in Year 6 in Mathematics is as below:

In her learning, Estelle has typically demonstrated the expected conceptual understanding and application of skills in Mathematics.

Estelle has had success in her learning by demonstrating that she:

• Can identify and describe factors and multiples of whole numbers and use them to solve problems.
• Uses estimation and rounding to check the reasonableness of answers to calculations.
• Uses efficient mental and written strategies and applies appropriate digital technologies to solve problems.

Estelle will progress in her learning when she:

• Compares and orders common unit fractions and locate and represent them on a number line.
• Can investigate strategies to solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with the same denominator.
• Recognises that the place value system can be extended beyond hundredths.

A and B comments will often have fewer dot points under the second ‘progress’ section or may not have any at all indicating that your child is working above or well above the expected conceptual understanding.  For students receiving an overall mark of a D, it is important that this indicates that they are still developing the expected conceptual understandings and may achieve these later in their education. 

A 'C' result in any learning area (Mathematics, English, Science, etc) is the expected result and is where your child “should be,” demonstrating that they have achieved the expected outcome. As always, the effort results that your child receives are also an important indication of their dedication and determination towards their learning.   

General Comments:

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible dedication, time, consideration, and effort our teachers have put into writing the general comments for each student. These comments are not just a summary of academic performance but a reflection of the deep understanding our teachers have of your children, who they are as individuals, and the contributions each child makes to our wider school community. Each comment is carefully crafted, taking into account the unique strengths, challenges, and progress of every student. This process involves thoughtful consideration and a genuine commitment to supporting each child's individual educational and personal journey. It was a pleasure reading the General Comments written by our staff and I hope you find these insights reflective and valuable. 

Composite Classes at St Stephen’s Primary

Why Do We Have Composite Classes?

Composite classes, which combine students from different year levels into one classroom, are a common feature in many rural primary schools in Australia. These classes are often necessary due to several factors:

• Uneven Enrolment Numbers: In rural areas, the number of students enrolling in each grade can vary significantly. Composite classes help balance class sizes, ensuring that each class has an optimal number of students.
• Teacher-Student and Support Officer Ratios: To maintain effective teacher-student and support officer-student ratios, schools may combine grades. This ensures that each student receives adequate attention and support from their teacher and school officer.
• A typical “class” in the first year of formal schooling can be made up of children starting school at four, five, and six. This means there can be an 18-month age range, and a multi-age class forms naturally.

Benefits for Students in Composite Classes

Composite classes offer several advantages for students, both academically and socially:

• Enhanced Learning Opportunities: Students in composite classes benefit from a broader range of learning experiences. Older students often take on mentoring roles, helping younger peers, which reinforces their own understanding and skills.
• Individualised Learning: Teachers in composite classes are skilled at differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of their students. This approach allows students to learn at their own pace and ensures that each child's learning needs are addressed.
• Social Development: Composite classes foster a sense of community and cooperation among students of different ages. Younger students look up to older peers as role models, while older students develop leadership skills and empathy.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: The mixed-age setting encourages students to be more adaptable and flexible in their learning. They learn to work with a variety of peers, which can enhance their social skills and resilience.

Composite classes at St Stephen's

• Students in composite classes will still have opportunities to learn and play with peers in other classes. For example: all Year 2 students will be participating in our UFLi (Phonics Program) together at the same time.   
• There will be opportunities for Year levels to combine at different times throughout the year.
• Our Multi-Tiered System of Support approach will ensure that personalised, differentiated instruction will be a focus for all St Stephen’s students.

While the idea of composite classes may initially cause concern for some parents, research, and experience show that these classes provide a rich and supportive learning environment. By understanding the reasons behind composite classes and recognising their benefits, we hope parents can feel more confident about their child's education in a composite class setting.

Learning Support News - Mrs Kristy Cameron

Summer Slide

Summer holidays are just around the corner, so it means we need to be aware of the potential Summer Slide. Children have worked so hard over the year and parents have supported their child's learning by being engaged with their children during home reading through the books/readers that have been sent home from school. Unfortunately, next week these books need to be returned to our school library for stocktake. 

Our summer break is roughly 7 weeks and while it is important for relaxation, fun and play time, it is equally important that students maintain a level of skills and knowledge of the reading process during this time. There’s the potential for a child’s reading ability to go backwards over the summer break if not engaged in opportunities to read and be read to – for enjoyment. This has been dubbed as the 'Summer Slide'.

It is important that parents see learning as a joint responsibility, and just 10 minutes of daily reading can potentially avoid the ‘Summer Slide.’ Please take time to read books from home or visit the town library for some great reading material over the upcoming break. 

Happy holidays to everyone!!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Kristy Cameron

Sport News - Mrs Jodie Ferguson

 Student Sporting Achievements 

Darling Downs Aquathlon Team – Harper Kellock 

Congratulations to Harper who has gained selection into the Darling Downs Aquathlon Team. Harper will compete at State Champs early next year in Hervey Bay. It is such an honour to make your first Darling Downs team. We at St. Stephen's are very proud of you. 

St. Stephen’s Swimming Carnival – Thursday 28th November 

Our annual swimming carnival will be held on Thursday the 28th  of November at the Pittsworth Swimming Pool. All St Stephen’s students will be swimming in the carnival. Most of the Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students will compete in novelty races in the afternoon. They will walk to the pool with their classroom teachers. We are unable to give a specific time that these races will begin, however, we will endeavour to notify parents on the day of what time we expect the novelty events to begin via the parent portal. 

The Prep-Year 2 students who are swimming in 25m or 50m races, ( these students will have already been notified who they are) and Year 3-6 students are to be dropped to the pool at the start of the carnival from 8:30am. 

 Students are not to be dropped to the pool earlier than 8:30am. Please check in with MRS FORD. Bus students will meet at school (near the eating tables) and walk to the pool with MRS MCGLASHAN . 

The swimming carnival will commence at approximately 9 am with the 100m Medley race.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS 

⁜  Remain in your house groups seated in the grandstand for the day. Parents are to be seated on the western side of the pool. We will provide some shade shelters. 

⁜  No children or younger siblings are to be in the kid’s pool. No exceptions.  

⁜  All students swimming in the carnival 25m, 50m, and 100m events are to come dressed to the pool in their swimmers underneath their school sports uniform, closed-in shoes, hat, and sunscreen.  

⁜  Order of events; 100m Medley events, Year 3-6 Novelty freestyle assisted race, 25m Freestyle events, 50m Freestyle events, Year 3-6 Novelty backstroke assisted race, 25m Backstroke events, 50m Backstroke events, 25m Breaststroke events, 50m Breaststroke events, 25m Butterfly events, 50m Butterfly events, Prep-Year 2 Novelty races, all age house relay and Teacher – Year 6 relay to finish the day off (if time permits). 

⁜  All heats will be timed. NO FINALS. 

⁜  Places will be awarded by the Chief Judge. (MRS FERGUSON). Competitive races (25m and 50m) must be swum correctly and continually without stopping at all times. 

⁜  Race and Check Starter (MRS VAESSEN) will go over the starting procedure. At the end of the race, you must wait in your lanes for MRS FERGUSON to blow a whistle to signify all swimmers have finished. All swimmers exit on the same side via lane 1.  

⁜  The only students eligible to swim the 100m Medley are students who can swim all 4 strokes correctly for a distance of 50m. Only the 100m Medley and the 50m events will be timed and those results will go towards deciding AGE CHAMPIONS which will be announced at the end of the carnival along with the WINNING HOUSE. 

⁜  MRS MCGLASHON / MR MINNINKIN  will call names for all races. They will send swimmers to MRS DREW (Race Marshall). All teachers to assist MRS SHELTON, MRS ROBINSON and MRS CHAPPELL with the Prep – Year 2 Novelty races. 

⁜  Prep – Year 2 students who are not competing in the 25m or 50m races will remain at school with MRS ROBINSON, MISS SHELTON and MRS CHAPPELL. At approximately 12:30 pm, Prep-Year 2 students will walk to the pool for the novelty races.  Students will receive a Participation Certificate the following day.  

⁜  Students must be wearing a school shirt and hat when not competing. 

⁜  A canteen will be operating throughout the day.  No food is to be purchased before morning tea time. It is advised that all students also pack healthy snacks. 

⁜  MRS ANTONIO will distribute any necessary medication throughout the day 

⁜  Students are encouraged to drink plenty of water, eat enough good healthy snacks, stay in the shade, and apply sunscreen throughout the day. 

⁜  If your child is absent on the day, please call the school mobile: 0492 993 964 

Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to some warm weather and fantastic swimming! 

Please feel free to send through any photos of students and their sporting achievements if you wish for them to be included in the school newsletter, attention to Mrs Ferguson. jodie.ferguson@twb.catholic.edu.au 

Year 1 News - Miss Sophie Shelton

Hello from Year 1!

We are nearing the end of a very busy term! We have had lots of fun in Term 4, and are definitely beginning to get into the Christmas Spirit.

Below is a snapshot of what we have been up to:

In English we have been focusing on the structure of a narrative. We created our very own Mr Men or Little Miss character and wrote an amazing story about them! We have done so well and were able to do this mostly on our own. In maths we have been learning how to add small sums of Australian money, tell the time to half past using analogue and digital clocks, as well as collect and record data.

In Religion we have been investigating how we remember stories of Mary in the Bible. We have been able to recognise some ways in which believers past and present honour Mary, Mother of Jesus, including praying the Hail Mary, as well as participated with respect in a variety of personal and communal prayer experiences, including meditative prayer, Grace and the Hail Mary.

We have also had a blast at swimming lessons and have learnt lots of new skills.

It has been such an amazing year in Year 1, and we definitely have learnt so much!

Thank you for your continued support throughout the year, I wish everyone all the best in Year 2!

Sophie Shelton

Year 1 Fun !

Year 2 News - Mrs Jacqueline McGlashan

Year 2 News  

It surely has been a very busy term 4! Year 2 have been working on re-building classroom routines, learning about having a growth mindset and the importance of positive self talk.  

In English, students have written a persuasive text about the best pet to keep if they lived in a caravan. There were some very creative responses including lizards, parrots and ants!  

In Maths, we have been reviewing learnt concepts including number patterns, addition and subtraction with regrouping, time and money. Next up we will be looking at solving worded problems and division. 

In Science, students have been learning about how materials can be changed. Last week we conducted an experiment where students had to design and create a device to ensure that 2 squares of chocolate would melt. They all had their thinking caps on because everyone was successful!  

In HASS, students had to create a cruise that would stop at a port at each of the 7 continents. The cruise also had to travel in one direction and was not allowed to back track. Students really enjoyed learning about the different countries in each continent and also had to design a poster to advertise their cruise. Some were very affordable starting at $12.00 and then went upwards to $1000,000!  

In Health, we have been discussing what our bodies need to be healthy and the different nutrients in food. Students picked a nutrient to discuss and created a song/rap to explain the benefit of the nutrient and give examples. Needless to say, this was a lot of fun and we all had a good giggle.  

As we wrap up the year, I would like to thank you for your ongoing support. Your children have been a joy to teach and I will certainly cherish the final couple of weeks we have together!  

Year 2 Learning

Year 3 News - Mrs Anna Vaessen

We have finally reached the end of the year, and it seems to have gone by very quickly. This term we have been very busy with swimming and finishing off assessment for our reports. I have seen so much growth in all areas of our class throughout the year. We started the year taking nearly 30 minutes to log onto a computer. Throughout the last 11 months we have learned so many new skills with technology. Now, students can log into Microsoft Teams and upload assignments, create Power Point slides and troubleshoot problems on Apps.  

I am so proud to see how far each of the students have progressed and especially in their Mathematics and having a growth mindset. We are not scared of big numbers!!! 

We have had great fun learning science through different experiments. In the photos attached, the students made Ooblek to find out the different properties of liquids and solids. We discovered that Ooblek is actually a Non-Newtonian Fluid (both a solid and a liquid). 

Lastly, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank parents, students and staff for their well wishes upon leaving St. Stephen’s school after 18 years. It has been a privilege to teach in such a great school and get to know families over the years. 

Year 3 Science Fun !

Year 5 News - Mr Benjamin Minnikin

This term has been an exciting and enriching journey for our Year 5 students! One of the standout experiences was the school camp at Tallebudgerra, where students had a fantastic time engaging in various outdoor activities, building teamwork skills, and creating lasting memories.

In the classroom, Year 5 students have delved into a diverse range of subjects. They particularly enjoyed exploring Indigenous art, which allowed them to express their creativity while learning about the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous Australians. Through literature and music, students have made meaningful connections to Indigenous Australian history, deepening their understanding and appreciation of this important aspect of our nation's past.

Additionally, students have been connecting their HASS learning to real-life situations, gaining valuable insights into how resources are distributed within communities. In Religion, they have been learning about the significance of Mary as the mother of the church, enriching their spiritual knowledge. In maths, students have worked on data representations and explored the connections between percentages, fractions, and decimals, enhancing their numerical skills.

As the term draws to a close, our Year 5 students are eagerly preparing to step into their new roles as the leaders of the school next year in Year 6. It has been fantastic to watch their achievements this year and I look forward to seeing them continue to grow and thrive.

Year 6 News - Mrs Rachel Harlen

It has been an absolute privilege teaching the spectacular St Stephen’s students of the graduating class of 2024!

With less than 15 days of Primary Schooling left, we are all very excited, and possibly a bit anxious, about the next steps in our educational journeys. 

The final few weeks of our year will be spent preparing for High School and practicing for our Year 6 Graduation traditions and ceremonies.  With many students attending High School transition days, a reminder to parents to please notify the office of absentees for these days via the Sentral Parent Portal app or by contacting the office. 

Some other important reminders are:

• Final numbers for our Year 6 Graduation dinner were due last week, please contact the office if you have not yet RSVP’d for this event.
• A reminder for students to bring in a USB stick so that their Graduation photos can be saved onto them. (As well as a copy of a surprise video from Ms Harlen) Please ensure that these USB’s are new and are at least 8g or more.
• Students will need to find their Leadership Badges and have a formal uniform that is neat and presentable for their Graduation. Please ensure that all buttons are intact and that correct socks etc are worn. 

Early this term we completed our Year 6 Camp at the Gold Coast Recreation Camp located at beautiful Tallebudgera Beach.  The students were praised for their mateship, determination and the way they worked as a cohesive team, constantly looking out for each other when facing challenges.

As mentioned above, it has been a joy and a privilege teaching the Year 6 students for their final terms of Primary School – I wish them every success for 2025 and beyond! I look forward to celebrating with you all at our Graduation Dinner in Week 10.   

We welcome Miss Tanya Hearne

Hello, St Stephens community! My name is Tanya Hearne,  I am beyond thrilled to be joining St Stephens School to teach Year 4 in 2025. I am a local to the Darling Downs area having grown up in Millmerran and now residing in Pittsworth for the past few years. Since completing my studies, I have been relief teaching across the Darling Downs as well as enjoying some international travel. I look forward to collaborating with both students and families as we explore new ideas and grow together.

Music & Indonesian News - Mrs Suellen Dennis

Indonesian 

It has been pleasing to see all children’s progress during Indonesian lessons, growing their learning and understanding of the Indonesian language.  

Recently, the Year 6 children completed their ‘cerita’ (stories) and eagerly read them to the Prep classes. The Year 6 children read their stories in Indonesian and then translated them. Preps enjoyed listening to the stories and many were able to figure out what was happening in the stories.  

Year 5 students practiced their language skills after they dressed up in some Indonesian clothing. Most children were able to use two different sentence structures to describe their friend’s ‘pakaian’ (clothing).  

All classes had fun playing some Indonesian games which gave them the opportunity to practice counting in Indonesian.  

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Prep 2025 Transition Day

2025 News

School Starts !

School Dental Van

Piano Lessons with Mrs Ruth Shepherd

If you are interested in your child learning piano from a fully qualified teacher with 30 years of experience, contact Mrs Ruth Shepherd on 0427 910 303 for more information. 

It is essential that students have a piano/keyboard at home on which to do their practice.  Music is fun!

PEN (Parent Engagement Network) News

CHRISTMAS HAMPER RAFFLE TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW !!

Raffle tickets are available either online on the Flexischools App or from the front office. Tickets are $5 each.  Please make sure all money sent to the school office is labeled.  Tickets will also be available on the night.

Outside Hours School Care News

Sentral Parent Portal

Reminder to all parents to access the Parent Portal.

The Parent Portal is used for absentees, newsletters, parent teacher interview bookings, report cards, NAPLAN results, calendar of events, notices and letters to parents.

If you are having difficulty with the Parent Portal please contact the School Office for assistance. The Parent Portal is the communication method used for the day to day running of the school.

Flexischools - Online Ordering System

Flexischools is an online ordering system that the school uses for the ordering of Tuckshop, Event Catering and Special  Fundraising Food Days.

Tuckshop is open one day a week. Special Canteen days are also held sometimes throughtout the year. This is makes it easier for families and school staff.

Community News