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Why is May Mary’s Month?
For centuries, the Catholic Church has set aside the entire month of Mary to honour Mary, Mother of God. Not just a day in May, mind you, but the entire month.
The custom spans both centuries and cultures, with roots going back as far as the Ancient Greeks. In early Greece, May was dedicated to Artemis, the goddess of fecundity. In Ancient Rome, May was dedicated to Flora, the goddess of blooms, or blossoms. They celebrated ludi florals, or floral games, at the end of April and asked the intercession of Flora for all that blooms. In medieval times, similar customs abounded, all centring around the practice of expelling winter, as May 1 was considered the start of new growth.
During this period, the tradition of Tricesimum, or “Thirty-Day Devotion to Mary,” came into being. Also called, “Lady Month,” the event was held from August 15-September 14 and is still observed in some areas. The idea of a month dedicated specifically to Mary can be traced back to baroque times. Although it wasn’t always held during May, Mary Month included thirty daily spiritual exercises honouring Mary.
It was in this era that Mary’s Month and May were combined, making May the Month of Mary with special devotions organized on each day throughout the month. This custom became especially widespread during the nineteenth century and remains in practice until today.
For all information and updates from the diocese, please go to: www.dow.catholic.edu.au/covid19
P & F Executive
Recently we have completed the voting for all P & F Executive positions. As stated previously, while anyone could nominate, only those who were present at the P & F AGM were eligible to vote. Therefore, the executive is:
President Michelle Ristov (Noah 4B, Ayla 1B, Luca KB)
Vice President Rachael Dimitrievski (Aidan 2B, Spencer KG)
Treasurer Matt Kari (Breanna 6G, Ben 2G)
Secretary Stephanie O’Dwyer (Sophie 5G, Ben 2B)
Congratulations to all those listed above and thank you for accepting the positions. As you can see, collectively they are a good representational group across the entire school. At this stage, we are unable to hold P & F meetings but I will keep everyone informed of any relevant updates.
Staff Changes
On Friday, 22 May, Mrs Stephanie Milner will commence Maternity Leave. I know the students and parents from 4 Gold will miss her immensely but at the same time, wishing her all the very best for the birth of her first child.
- Steph’s leave and subsequent advertising and interviews, have resulted in Mr Mark Bunder moving to take on 4 Gold on a full-time basis for the rest of the year.
- Mrs Patricia Staff will continue to teach 3 Blue Wed – Fri each week. She will also take full responsibility as the Religious Education Co-ordinator with her release day being Tuesdays.
- We are currently in the process of appointing a teacher for Mondays and Tuesdays for the rest of the year on 3 Blue. More details will be sent directly to 3 Blue parents when finalised.
I thank Mark and Trish for taking on these roles which I think will be positive for the students and for the school.
Canteen
Yesterday I met with Fresh Start who are keen to take over the running of our canteen. Their operation is very similar to that of Made Fresh so I look forward to finalising details with them. An official start date will not be known until after we have all students returning full-time.
Kinder 2021 Enrolments
We are currently accepting enrolments for Kindergarten 2021. Interviews will be scheduled over the next few weeks.
Attendance Week 4
At this stage there will be no change next week to the partial attendance plan that is currently in place. We have an update with the Director of Schools on Friday afternoon which may shed more light on our transition to having students back more often. Therefore for Week 4 we continue with:
- Monday Lisieux (Red House)
- Tuesday Benedict (Yellow House)
- Wednesday Keira (Green House)
- Thursday Samaritan (Blue House)
- Friday - Planning day for teachers.
Drop Off
Thank you to all of our parents for making the change to using the Kiss & Drop Zone or just walking children to the gate and then leaving. As mentioned previously as per government and CEO guidelines, we are trying to avoid gatherings of parents in the school grounds. Options are:
- using the Kiss and Drop Zone in the mornings and not physically come on site
- considering students catching the bus to school
- using the CatholicCare OOSH service that is available from 6.30am.
Kiss & Collect
Over the past week we have had a steady increase in the number of parents using the Kiss & Collect near the church. While acknowledging that we have reduced numbers of students at the moment, the early signs are that this should be a very smooth operation. Some guideline to remember:
- Gates will not be opened until about 3.10pm. We need time to get all students to the church and settled so that once cars start coming through, everyone is ready.
- Teachers on duty will open the car door for the children to jump in
- Parents remain in the car
- If children require assistance with their seatbelt, parents are asked to move further into the playground space before stopping to assist. This way, other cars can continue around.
- Bags should go in the back seat rather than having to open the boot
- Ensure your child(ren) know that they are being pick-up from the church.
- Please do NOT use or park in the office carpark to drop off or pick up students in the morning or afternoon.
Other Pick-Up Options
- All entrance gates will remain locked until the music starts at about 2.58pm
- Parents are asked not to gather at the gate but to wait in their cars until gates open
- considering students catching the bus in the afternoon to once again, reduce numbers of parents onsite
- using the CatholicCare OOSH service that is available from 3pm to 6.30pm.
Cyber Safety
Mobile Phones
No student should have a mobile phone at school. If parents feel there is a valid reason for students to have a mobile phone, please contact Mr Thorne so that we are aware of it. The phone should then be handed in to the office each morning and then collected at 3pm.
An exception to this is that we currently have one student who has permission to carry a mobile at all times due to medical reasons
Birthdays
13 May to 19 May
Happy Birthday to:
Archie Kerr, Sara Henriques-Thakur, Halle Abela, Gus Konneh, Sophia Lee, Sophia Tiberio, Jessica Jia.
St Therese School Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/westwollongong.sttherese
School Vision Statement
“St Therese Primary School – a dynamic, Catholic community
educating and empowering learners for life’s journey.”
PARISH
No Parish Masses until further notice
St Therese Parish Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/st-therese-west-wollongong-parish
Book Club
Just a reminder Book Club is due by 14th May 2020 - please see below information for the changes for Book Club.
All scheduled P & F Meetings have been cancelled until further notice.
Please see Principal's message for updates to the committee.
Calendar Dates 2020
May 2020
21 - School Photos - POSTPONED
26 - National Sorry Day
27 - Reconcilation Week
28 - 2.30pm 2 Gold Assembly - TBA
June 2020
4 - 2.30pm 1 Gold Assembly - TBA
5 - 9.30am K Blue Mass - TBA
8 - Queens' Birthday Public Holiday - NO SCHOOL
11 - Year 5 Camp Taronga Zoo - CANCELLED
18 - 2.30pm 4 Blue Assembly - TBA
19 - 9.30am 6 Gold attending Mass - TBA
23 - Athletics Carnival TBA
25 - 12.00pm Edmund Rice Band Performance - TBA
2.30pm 3 Gold Assembly - TBA
July 2020
3 - Last Day of Term 2
10.15am 2 Blue NAIDOC Week Liturgy - TBA
11.30am End of Term Assembly - TBA
20 - Term 3 Commences
All Students Return
24 - 9.30am Kinder Gold attending Mass - TBA
August 2020
6 - Year 6 Mass with the Bishop - TBA
7 - 9.30am Year 5 Blue attending Mass - TBA
13 - Year 6 Confirmation - TBA
14 - Year 6 Confirmation - TBA
17 - Year 4 Religious Literacy Assessment
18 - Year 4 Religious Literacy Assessment
21 - 9.30am Year 6 Blue attending Mass - TBA
28 - 9.30am Year 3 Blue attending Mass - TBA
September 2020
1 - Year 6 Activate Fire Day at Godd Samaritan School - TBA
4 - 8.50am Fathers' Day Prayer
9.30am Year 4 Blue attending Mass
6 - Fathers' Day
11 - 9.30am Year 6 Gold attending Mass - TBA
16 - Diocesan Launch Liturgy for Mission Month - TBA
18 - Christmas Art 2020 due
9.30am Year 5 Gold attending Mass
24 - School Photos - WINTER UNIFORM - TBA
25 - Feast Day for St Therese Mass - Time to be confirmed
11.30am End of Term 3 Assesmbly
Last Day of Term 3
October 2020
12 - Term 4 Commences - Students return
19 - Book Week 2020 commences
1.30pm Kinder 2021 Playgroup - Transition to School
20 - 9.00am Kinder 2021 Playgroup - Transition to School
21 - Book Week Celebration Day 2020
22 - Year 3 Excursion to Minnamurra Rainforest - TBA
23 - Year 6 Excursion to Canberra - TBA
26 - 1.30pm Kinder 2021 Playgroup - Transition to School
27 - 9.00am Kinder 2021 Playgroup - Transition to School
30 - 9.30am Year 3 Gold attending Mass
November 2020
2 - 1.30pm Kinder 2021 Playgroup - Transition to School
3 - 9.00am Kinder 2021 Playgroup - Transition to School
9 - 1.30pm Kinder 2021 Playgroup - Transition to School
10 - 9.00am Kinder 2021 Playgroup - Transition to School
11 - 10.45sm Rememberance Day
13 - 9.30am Year 6 Blue attending Mass
18 - 9.30am Kinder 2021 Orientation day
27 - 9.30am Year 1 Gold attending Mass
December 2020
10 - 5.30pm Year 6 Graduation Mass/Dinner
11 - 9.30am Christmas Celebration - Whole School
16 - 11.30am End of Term 4 and School 2020 Assembly
End of Term 4 - Students Last Day of School 2020
18 - Teachers Last Day of Term 4 and School 2020
24 - Christmas Eve
25 - Christmas Day
26 - Boxing Day
31 - New Year's Eve
January 2021
1 - New Year's Day 2021
26 - Australia Day
27 - Term 1 2021 Commences - Staff Returns
Staff Development Day/Pupil Free Day
28 - Students Year 1 to Year 6 Return
Best Start Assessments Commence Kinder 2021
February 2021
3 - Best Start Assessments Conclude Kinder 2021
4 - Kinder 2021 commence