Filter Content
Newsletter Week 4
St Therese Catholic School Core Values
Inclusion Excellence Respect
Collaboration Community
St Mary’s 150th Anniversary
As a school community, we congratulate St Mary’s on their 150 years of Catholic Education in Wollongong. St Therese has a strong connection with St Mary’s in that we were both started and staffed by the Good Samaritan Sisters. For the first 20 years of our school, the Sisters lived at the St Mary’s Convent and travelled to and from the school with volunteer drivers. Mt Mary’s celebrate this milestone tonight with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Brian at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre.
Swimming Carnival
Thank you for the positive comments and emails regarding washed out swimming carnival - it certainly will be a day to remember. Parents are reminded that if any children are still expressing concern, our school counsellor is available to talk through the incident. I have 2 towels, two sets of goggles, a pair of white socks and a purple drink bottle that were left behind.
NAPLAN - Yrs 3 & 5
NAPLAN this year is much earlier than previously held. Dates are as follows
- Writing - Wednesday, 15 March
- Reading - Thursday, 16 March
- Conventions of Language - Monday, 20 March
- Numeracy - Tuesday, 21 March
Year 3 will complete the assessments during the morning session (9 - 11am) while Year 5 will utilise the middle session (11.30am - 1pm). Please see attached flyer with more information.
Blessing of Backpacks / Staff and Catechists Commissioning
- 10am Mass on Sunday, 19 February
Fr Duane commenced this practice as a way of wishing our children well for the year ahead and asking God’s blessing to keep them safe throughout 2023. Students are encouraged to bring along their backpack and place it on the altar at the front of the church. During the Mass, Fr Duane will acknowledge the students and do the blessing.
In collaboration with the eSafety Commissioner, the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT is offering a webinar on the topic of ‘Navigating Online Friendships’.
This 30 minute webinar will cover:
- how to support young people to have safe and respectful online relationships
- what to do when something happens at school and ends up on social media or private messaging apps
- how to report to social media platforms and eSafety.
The webinar will run at 7:30 pm on Thursday 23 February and you can register here.
ESafety advice for parents - ThinkUKnow program
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) are urging families to be proactive this school year and update the privacy settings on children’s devices to help prevent predators from contacting them online.
The AFP-led ThinkUKnow program – Australia’s first and only nationally delivered, law enforcement-led online safety program – has produced guides for parents and carers.
For more information, visit this website.
WONDER RECYCLING REWARDS
The Zones of Regulation
Principal's Awards
Silver Medallion
Olivia G - 4G
Mikayla S - 6B
Liana V - 6B
St Therese School Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/westwollongong.sttherese
School Vision Statement
“Immersed in faith, pursuing excellence in learning
and positive wellbeing of all”
SEL
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
Burning of the Ashes Liturgy / Shrove Tuesday - 21 February
We will once again have a burning of the palms liturgy to prepare the ash to be used on Ash Wednesday. This is a ceremony that we have engaged in for many year whereby Mr Timpano uses a metal drum to burn leftover palm branches from last year. This liturgy is held in the back playground with Fr Duane attending if available. No students are involved in the burning aspect.. Students with asthma, or those who express concern, will be able to observe the liturgy from the Kindergarten classrooms.
Pancakes will be available during the morning for a gold coin donation. Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to do the cooking and serving.
SACRAMENTAL NEWS 2023
- Confirmation - Tuesday 7th March and 9th March at 7-8pm in the Parish Centre.
- Reconciliation and First Holy Communion - Tuesday 14th March and 16th March at 7- 8pm in the Parish Centre.
- Tuesday 6th June at 5pm and 7pm at St Therese Church West Wollongong
- Tuesday 22nd August - 5pm til 7:30pm at St Therese
- Thursday 24th August - 5pm til 7:30pm at St Therese
- Saturday 4th Nov - 11am and 2pm at St Therese
VISUAL ARTS
This week Year 3 expressed their feelings using different lines.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Extended Leave (10 days or more)
For extended leave for holidays, parents are asked to complete an ‘Application for Exemption from Attendance at School’ form. This is available from the office.
HOW TO LODGE AN ABSENCE USING THE COMPASS APP
WHO DO WE CONTACT?
To assist with the leading of initiatives and the general running of school activities each stage is allocated a leader. For 2023 the following staff have been allocated to the four stages:
Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten) Mrs Trish Staff
Stage 1 (Year 1 and Year 2) Mrs Trish Staff
Stage 2 (Year 3 and Year 4) Mrs Anne-Marie Gilmore
Stage 3 (Year 5 and Year 6) Mrs Dimitra Vezinias
Should you have any questions or concerns, your first port of call should always be your child's teacher. Should you require further clarification you can make contact with the Stage Leader.
MathsOnline
BOOK CLUB
Due Friday 17th February 2023
Personalised Planning Meeting Term 1 2023
Personalised Planning Meetings are being scheduled for Term 1 (beginning 20th February) to discuss your child's individual Personalised Plan. This plan is aimed at supporting your child’s specific needs. Meetings are scheduled for 30 minutes. To facilitate these meetings the interviews will be held via ZOOM or Face to Face. Students can attend the meeting if suitable. An Invitation only Letter and link will be sent to those parents who have a PP Meeting.
Medical Personalised Plans need to be updated by sending the latest action plans and medication to the office.
Please be aware that you do NOT need to book a Meet and Greet meeting with your class teacher.
Looking forward to our meetings.
Free webinar: Navigating Online Friendships - Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT and eSafety Commissioner
In partnership with the eSafety Commissioner, the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT will run the free webinar for parents and carers of students in secondary school.
Date: Thursday, 23 February 2023 at 7:30 pm
The webinar will focus on:
- how to support young people to have safe and respectful online relationships
- what to do when something happens at school and ends up on social media or private messaging apps
- how to report to social media platforms and eSafety
Register at: https://attendee.
Please promote this webinar within your community. Files to assist with promoting the webinar are available here.
P & F AGM - Tuesday, 21 February @ 7pm
All parents are invited to attend the first P & F Meeting for the year. This is an opportunity to meet other parents, learn a bit more about what is happening at school and possibly support some of the P & F initiatives that occur throughout the year.
UPCOMING IMPORTANT EVENTS
Personalised Planning Meetings
- Commence 20 February
Meet & Greet Interviews - Kinder
- 20 February
Pancake/Shrove Tuesday
1.30pm Burning of the Palms Prayer Service - Parents Welcome
- 21 February
12.00pm Ash Wednesday Liturgy - Parents Welcome
- 22 February
2023 Confirmation - Parent Information and Registration Night in Parish Centre
- 7pm 7 March OR
- 7pm 9 March
STUDENT BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays
15 February 2023 - 21 February 2023
Poppie C - KG, Chrlotte G - 2B, Kate G - 2B, Christopher D - 5B, Vila S - 5B.
PARISH INFORMATION
TEENAGE YOUTH GROUP, 13 – 17 YEARS
LIVE LOCAL Catholic Youth Ministry Wollongong (CYMW) has arrived in the Illawarra! LIVE Local is a Regional Youth Group run by the CYMW and NET Team, who are excellent at engaging with youth at whatever stage of faith. Come along for snacks, games, formation, prayer and music. Every Friday night in the school term from 7 - 9pm, at St Therese West Wollongong school hall. For more information, please contact our Deanery Youth Group
Coordinator, Luke Vail at luke.vail@dow.org.au
BAPTISMS
For any new requests please contact Kathy at the Parish Office (email: westwollongong@dow.org.au any time or call 4229 1074 on Tuesdays 9am-3pm).
God bless you all,
Fr Duane
CANTEEN MENU 2023
WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS ONLY
Calendar Dates 2023
2023
February 2023
16 - Wollongong Brass Band Visit
9.30am Holy Spirit Visit Year 5
17 - 9.30am Year 5 Mass attending Parish Mass
Meet & Greet Interviews conclude
20 - Personalised Planning Meetings commence
Kinder Interviews
21 - Pancake/Shrove Tuesday
Cartitas Project Compassion Launch
1.30pm Burning of the Palms Prayer Service
22 - 12.00pm Ash Wednesday Liturgy
24 - 9.30am Year 4 Mass attending Parish Mass
March 2023
3 - 9.30am Year 3 Mass attending Parish Mass
7 - 7pm 2023 Confirmation - Parent Information and Registration Night
8 - International Women's Day
9 - 7pm 2023 Confirmation - Parent Information and Registration Night
Peace Run (Sri Chinmoy Oneness)
10 - 9.30am Year 2 Mass attending Parish Mass
12 - Opening & Blessing of the Parish Centre
14 - 7pm 2023 Reconciliation and First Holy Communion - Parent Information and registration night
15 - 27 - NAPLAN PERIOD
16 - 7pm 2023 Reconciliation and First Holy Communion - Parent Information and registration night
National close The Gap Day
17 - St Patrick's Day - Faith In Action - Green Mufti Day
19 - 10.00am Sunday Mass of Many Cultures
21 - Harmony Day
11.20am Year 1 Liturgy - St Joseph
23 - 2023 Cross Country Carnival - Kembla Grange
24 - 9.30am Parish Mass Year 6 attending
11.20am Prayer Annunciation of the Lord (Year 2)
April 2023
2 - 8 - Holy Week
2 - Palm Sunday
6 - 11.20am Holy Week Liturgy in the Church
Last Day of Term 1 2023
7 - Good Friday
8 - Easter Saturday
9 - Easter Sunday
10 - Easter Monday
24 - Term 2 Commences - Staff Development Day - Pupil Free Day
25 - ANZAC DAY - Public Holiday
26 - Students Return
27 - School Photos - SUMMER UNIFORM TO BE WORN
May 2023
3 - 5 - Year 6 Camp - Fitzroy Falls