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Newsletter Week 6
Wednesday of the
First Week of Lent
As we begin our Lenten journey, let us ask the Lord to turn our whole lives toward him that we may receive the fullness of his mercy.
Have mercy on me God, in your kindness. In your compassion, blot out my offence. O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin.A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, nor deprive me from your Holy Spirit. Amen
St Therese Catholic School Core Values
Inclusion Excellence Respect Collaboration Community
Staffing
Ms Patricia Rose has this week tendered her resignation from St Therese. Pat has worked in many, many roles with her most recent being the Instructional Coach for the past 3 years. In this role Pat worked with staff to improve their pedagogy which would then flow into better learning outcomes for students. We will arrange a time to farewell Pat with the students before she finishes up. Pat has accepted a new role and challenge within the Department of Education. This role will be within a small team focusing on analysing research that will then influence future syllabus direction. While Pat’s absence will be a big blow to St Therese, we wish her all the very best for the challenge ahead that she is excited to be undertaking.
Parent-School Partnership - Respectful Relationships
Parents and school commit to building positive relationships of respect, trust and resilience - We live this in our community by:
- Treating every person with courtesy, respect and positive regard.
- Respecting parents as the first and primary educators of their child who bring a specific knowledge and perspective to the partnership.
- Respecting school leaders, teachers and school staff for their knowledge, professional skills and expertise in education.
- Assuming each member of the partnership is committed to the learning and wellbeing of each student.
- Supporting relationships with regular and meaningful communication.
- Adopting a positive and hope filled attitude and seeking to proactively resolve any issues.
- Approaching any disagreement with an openness to respect the opinion of others and a willingness to address concerns in an appropriate manner.
- Accepting that not all responses to concerns can be resolved with mutual agreement.
Staff Professional Development
With the mandatory implementation of the new K- 2 Maths and English Syllabus documents this year, Kinder to Year 2 teachers are involved in considerable professional development. This PD has involved, and continues to involve, completing online modules and well as face-to-face network meetings. Today has seen all teachers in K-2 released to plan units of work. While this causes some level of disruption, the time is necessary to fulfil Government expectations. Class teachers in these circumstances still prepare the day’s activities that the casual teacher implements.
Thank you
Last week we put a call out for some concrete cleaning behind the hall. A huge thank you to Mick (MacBain Concreting - Isla Yr 6) for his generous offer with the job done last Friday with a much better than expected result!
The Zones Of Regulation
Principal's Awards
Tobi A - 3B
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
Season of Lent
Thank you to students and families who are generously donating to our Project Compassion Boxes. It is heart warming to hear student stories about doing extra jobs or going without treats to enable them to give the money instead to a great cause. Each class room has a project commission box on their prayer space to accept these donations.
SACRAMENTAL NEWS 2023
- Compulsory information meeting for parent/ caregiver. (Students do not attend)
- 1 hr duration ( 2 seperate opportunities)
- Payment option either cash or tap device.
- Held in the new Parish Centre
- Bring a copy of Baptisimal certificate
- Confirmation registration next week 7pm either (next week) - Tues 7/3 or Thurs 9/3
- Reconciliation and / or First Holy Communion registration (week after) at 7pm either - Tues 14/3 or Thurs 16/3
- Please see attached note or hard copy note from your child.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Cross Country - 23 March
Students have commenced running activities as part of their PE / Sport lessons in preparation for this carnival. Any additional support from parents during the week or on weekends would really help the children. From the school carnival, we will be choosing the top three runners in 9, 10, 11 & 12 year boys and girls divisions to represent St Therese at the next carnival. This event needs to be consented via COMPASS. If you are having trouble doing this please contact Louise in the School Office on 4229 1818.
Church Car Park
If you are using this area of an afternoon, please ensure your children walk with you. I have been told of incidents where children are running around which creates a very dangerous situation. Please also be considerate - many of our families are in a hurry in the afternoon but our rules / road rules are there for everyone’s safety.
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY FOR SCHOOLS
This Friday, 3rd March, all K– 6 children will actively participate in the “Clean Up Australia Day” by cleaning up the perimeter of the school. We are encouraging that all children bring in a pair of gloves to assist in the clean-up. Thank you
School photos will be on in Week 1, TERM 2, Thursday, 27 April 2023.
All children are to come to school in correct FULL SUMMER uniform. Hair decorations are not permitted and ribbons/scrunchies are to be in toning with the uniform i.e. browns and yellows.
‘The School Photographer’ will be the photographer again this year. This year, we have gone to a total DIGITAL ORDERING SYSTEM.
ALL photos will still be sent to the school as per previous years. This is replacing the envelope system.
All photo orders are to be paid and ordered via the attached QR code using CODE:
- clicking onto “I’m a Parent” “Order 2023 Photos”.
- You will then be directed to the secure online ordering portal entering the code noted above.
When you log onto the website using the QR code or address, it will advise how to order the Sibling photo as well and any other merchandise available if you choose.
If you have any questions please contact the School Office ASAP on 42291818.
Online Safety
A few days ago I sent an alert to Year 6 parents regarding some inappropriate material that was circulated by some students. Individual parents were contacted but it was a timely reminder for all parents to be aware of what children are up to when online, whether on social media or gaming. Over the next few weeks I will include some posters that may be of benefit in supporting families.
The first of these is SnapChat. While this has an age restriction of 13+, I am aware that many of our students are accessing it on mobile phones and/or home iPads. This is also the App that was used recently to share inappropriate material.
eSafety Commission Parent and Carer Webinars
The eSafety Commission has newly launched Parent and Carer webinars for Term 1 2023. These could be worth sharing with your school communities.
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eSafety 101: how eSafety can help you (30min) |
Setting your child up for success online (30min) |
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This 30-minute webinar is designed for parents and carers of young people in primary and secondary school.
It will cover:
Term 1 dates (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) 21 March 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm
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This 30-minute webinar is designed for parents and carers of children in primary school.
It will cover:
Term 1 dates (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) 28 February 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm 14 March 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm |
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Getting the most out of gaming (45min) |
Navigating online friendships (30min) |
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This 45-minute webinar provides families with strategies for supporting children and young people to have safe, positive experiences when playing games online. It is designed for parents and carers of children aged 7 to 14.
It will cover:
Term 1 dates (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) 14 March 7:30 pm to 8:15 pm
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This 30-minute webinar is designed for parents and carers of young people in secondary school.
It will cover:
Term 1 dates (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) 29 March 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm
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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.
UPCOMING IMPORTANT EVENTS
Clean Up Australia Day
- 3 March
Year 3 Mass attending Parish Mass
- 9.30am 3 March
2023 Confirmation - Parent Information and Registration Night in Parish Centre
- 7pm 7 March OR
- 7pm 9 March
Opening & Blessing of the Parish Centre
- 12 March
2023 Reconciliation and First Holy Communion - Parent Information and registration night
- 7pm 14 March OR
- 7pm 16 March
2023 NAPLAN
- 15 -27 March
St Patrick's Day - Faith In Action - Green Mufti Day
- 17 March
Multicutural Mass
- 10.00am 19 March
PARISH INFORMATION
LENT
Note also, "fasting" does not mean avoiding all food for the whole day. Rather, "in current Catholic practice, fasting means having only one full meal on a day. Smaller quantities of food may be eaten at two other meals but no food should be consumed at any other time during the day."
STATIONS OF THE CROSS TIMES
Fridays of Lent:
5pm West Wollongong
7pm Unanderra
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
STUDENT BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays
1 March 2023 - 7 March 2023
Patrick O - 1B, Aria S - 2B, Alice B - 1G, Frances B - 1G.
Calendar Dates 2023
2023
March 2023
3 - Clean Up Australia Day
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