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On the third Wednesday of each term all teachers and the leadership team participate in CCC which stands for Collaborative Catholic Communities. CCC involves teachers and leaders sharing and finding out what is working well within other Catholic schools in the area. This is part of the continuous cycle of learning and improving here at SSP whereby we are all learners and aim to share what we do well and learn from other teachers and leaders in the system.
This term the CCC’s foci covered topics such as inclusivity, rich maths tasks, problem solving apps, integrating digital technology, upper school student leadership and end of year initiatives. Wellbeing seems to be the topic of choice for many groups for Term 4.
On the tech front, our staff have been learning how to do new and exciting things with their devices this term! SSP hosted an Early Childhood, STEM Apple PD in Week 3. This involved staff from 10 different schools discovering new ways to integrate STEM into our curriculum using our class iPads. We have also started our Tech on the Deck training sessions again this term, with staff learning how else the Keynote app (Apple’s version of PowerPoint) can be used to drive learning, as well as a presentation tool.
On Friday 9 August, as part of our Chemical Science & Physical Science unit, the Year 3’s went to Scitech by bus.
All the children and teachers agree that this was a fun, stimulating, hands-on and extremely rewarding way of reinforcing concepts we are learning in class. From explosive fire-balls to surprising chemical reactions, through to the wonders of UV and laser light. The ‘Things That Glow Show’ in the Chevron Science Theatre, was one of the highlights of our trip! We then explored, experimented, tested and hypothesized as we enjoyed some free time in the General Exhibit Area. We finished our excursion off with a second show called ‘Burning, Melting, Saving’ which illustrated how scientific understanding is continually evolving.
In the context of sustainability, we were challenged to consider solutions to some of the most pressing problems faced by society, such as how to reduce our waste and how to conserve our precious resources. We really loved going on our excursion, being out of the classroom and being exposed to new and exciting learning experiences.
Student Voice and Choice at SSP
The idea was that having the children trial the three options would make the decision easier for families. A big thank you to our student Digital Technology leaders who assisted in the afternoon!
The annual CEWA Breakfast was held at the Crown Casino on Thursday 8 August 2019, where two of our SSP staff members were recognised for their 30 years of service and dedication to Catholic Education here in WA.
Congratulations to Lee Thompson and Mary Thomas on receiving this award.
Read LessSchool Board's Strategic Plan Parent Survey
As previously advised, we are reviewing our school’s Strategic Plan (2016-2019) this year, with a view to writing a new one to cover the next two years of the School’s operation (2020-2021).
We are looking for your feedback to help us with this task. Staff, parents, students and parish community are involved in the feedback process. The Strategic Planning Team, chaired by our Board Chairperson, have been working on this task over the past three months and will be launching our new Strategic Plan (2020-2021) at this year’s Annual Community Meeting in November.
All parents (no names are asked for in this survey) are invited to complete the survey (3-5 minute task) by no later than 3.00pm on Friday 23 August 2019. Please click on the link below to access the survey:
Thank you for your support.
Kind regards
Tony Nunn (Board Chair)
On behalf of the St Simon Peter School Board
Parent TV - Alternatives to Punishments and Rewards
"Alternatives to punishments and rewards" by Teacher Tom, Preschool Teacher, Author and Speaker.
Teacher Tom explores how punishments and rewards work in a child’s mind and the concept of ‘natural consequences’.
We hope this video offers you some helpful advice. Please click on the link below to view the video:
Read LessSSP Fun Run with Colour - 6 September 2019
Please see attached information in relation to the SSP Fun Run with Colour which is being held on Friday 6 September 2019:
Read LessTerima kasih (thank you) to the whole school community for getting behind and supporting Hari Kemerdekaan Indonesia (Indonesian Day). There were plenty of activities happening throughout the day including Traditional Dancing, Indonesian Cooking, Angklung music, Traditional games, Batik, Wayang puppets, Volcanic eruptions, and lots more.
I was particularly proud of the students that presented and spoke at the whole school Assembly with special mentions and thanks to Javier Campbell, Saoirse McDonnell, Matilda Schidmt, Alex Foley and Fraser Cairnduff.
Thank you to the amazing staff at SSP who really supported me with this day. We are hoping to make it an enjoyable day on the school calendar every year.
Salam hangat Pak Lamont
Catholic Performing Arts Festival Awards
The Catholic Performing Arts Festival Committee wish to extend their congratulations to the recipients listed below on achieving the following Awards:
Inscribed Awards will be forwarded to schools on conclusion of the Festival.
CONTEMPORARY BAND (PRIMARY & SECONDARY) - EXCELLENCE to St Simon Peter School Rock Band
K6 - YEAR 6 VOCAL SOLO - MERIT to Emma Loveland
INSTRUMENTAL WOODWIND (PRIMARY SOLO) - OUTSTANDING to Matthew Bloomer and Rose McIntosh
INSTRUMENTAL WOODWIND (PRIMARY SOLO) - EXCELLENCE to Heidi Potter and Anouska Stuart
INSTRUMENTAL BRASS (PRIMARY SOLO) - EXCELLENCE to Alice Bollen
Well done to our very talented students who should be extremely proud of their achievements.
Outstanding Award recipients who have been recommended by the Adjudicator to be considered for possible inclusion at the Final Concert, along with Shield Recipients, will be discussed at the Concert Selection Meeting on conclusion of the Festival. Further details regarding the Final Concert and our school's possible involvement will be advised in due course.
Read LessGreat Sporting Achievements of our SSP Students
Year 3 student, Sienna Prosser, is off to Gold Coast to fight for the Australian National Taekwondo Title on 6 September. Sienna’s selection for the WA team to fight at the Nationals comes off the back of 3 gold and 1 silver medal at the State competitions this year, Sienna is training five times per week to hopefully achieve her goal and bring home a medal.
Please wish her the best and hopefully, SSP can have our very own Australian Taekwondo Champion here at School.
Aoife Malone - State Cross Country Team
Special congratulations to Aoife Malone, in Year 5B, who has been selected to represent the state in the Western Australian School Sports Cross Country Team.
Aoife gained selection by achieving second place in the School Sports WA Cross Country Selection Trials for 10 year old girls last month. Well done Aoife and good luck for the upcoming interstate carnival.
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For some time now we have been running an optional lunchtime Mindfulness session, which students can access on a Wednesday or Thursday. Mindfulness is simply noticing what is happening right now. Mindfulness is taking notice of how your body feels and what you see, smell and taste. Mindfulness is noticing what your mind is doing. As we notice more, we focus more and this can have tremendous benefits for children both socially and academically.
Below are a few slides that our school's Social Worker, Laura Pope, used at a parent workshop some time ago, that will help you understand what Mindfulness is and why we support it here at SSP.
I have included a short Youtube video by Prof Craig Hassed, explaining the science to support Mindfulness and the benefits we can all achieve by introducing Mindful practice into our lives:
Take a look and if you like what you read, encourage your child to give it a go!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitatet to contact Laura Pope via email: Laura.pope@cewa.edu.au.
Read LessFriends of SSP: upcoming HOPE Events
Next Meeting - Executive Team Meeting on Wednesday 28 August 2019 at 2.00pm in the Staffroom.
Our HOPE Coordinators have been busy again this term organising events for our school community to participate in. Hopefully many of you will be able to enjoy getting together for a lovely evening out.
Please click on the links below to access the relevant information:
Dinner for Year 4 and 5 Parents - 12 September 2019:
Decadance Function for Year 3 Students - 19 September 2019:
Read LessClass Lists for 2020 – Parent Requests
This year we will be returning to the old process we had in place at SSP for years, with regards class list requests from parents/carers.
Requests will relate to your own children and any issues relevant to the class list for 2020. Past requests are not kept (different variables and context every year) and any requests relating to teachers and not your child's needs will not be registered.
Parents will have Term 3 - Week 7, to place requests, starting 8.00am on Monday 2 September 2019 through to 3.00pm on Friday 6 September 2019.
Please note - No late requests will be accepted. Please email any requests you may have to admin@ssp.wa.edu.au
Read LessPlease be reminded that School hours are from 8.45am to 2.55pm. Children are supervised from 8.30am to 3.15pm each day. If they arrive or are picked up outside these hours, supervision cannot be guaranteed. Children who arrive at school before or after these hours sit in the designated quadrangle areas, which are passive spaces with no playing or running.
Whilst the school does have a duty of care, we would like to remind you about the safety of unsupervised children and that if your child is being dropped off at school before 8.30am, there are no teachers on duty and students are required to sit or stand quietly in the quadrangle or the classroom area (no games, balls, running etc are permitted) until a teacher arrives on duty at 8.30am and when the classroom doors open.
Most parents access childcare before school if this is a problem for them, but we do have a few students waiting with an older sibling who arrive very early (before 7.45am).
In these cases, the families have received letters alerting parents that the risk falls back on the parent, because they have chosen to go against the school’s recommendations. Some staff do allow students in the Winter months to enter the room earlier if they are in attendance, which is the kind thing to do.
For safety reasons, there is no playing of games before or after school. We appreciate your co-operation in this regard.
Read LessWe have been part of a CEWA promotional campaign in recent times, with the filming occurring late last year, and today we provide you with the link so that you can take a look at some of our students and staff that made “the cut” in the promotional video.
Here is the link:
Great work everyone!
Read LessLast Thursday, 15 August, was the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
We celebrated this important occasion with a Mass at 9.00am which was a wonderful celebration of our Catholic community. This was a holy day of obligation and is a celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as we remember when Mary was taken into heaven, body and soul, after she died.
Father's Day Mass and Breakfast
Next week, on Thursday 29 August 2019, we have our annual Father’s Day Mass at 7.15am in the Church, followed by breakfast in the Hall. If you are attending and would like you child to participate in the Mass please email clodagh.manifold@cewa.edu.au
We hope lots of dads, or significant males, can join us for these celebrations.
To assist with catering, those wishing to attend the breakfast need to let us know how many people will be attending from their family. Please RSVP to admin@ssp.wa.edu.au
We look forward to seeing you there.
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