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Newsletter Week 9
Harmony Week
20 - 26 March
Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds.
It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it; you shall love your neighbour as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two great commandments.” (Matthew 22: 37-40)
Good and gracious God,
who loves and delights in all people,
we stand in awe before you,
knowing that the spark of life within each person
is the spark of your divine life.
Differences among cultures and races are
multicoloured manifestations of your light.
May our hearts and minds be open to celebrate
similarities and differences among our sisters and brothers.
Please send your healing and reconciling Spirit in order to bind
the wounds created by racism and racial hatred,
and to promote understanding, justice, and love.
We place our hopes for racial harmony in our committed action
and in your living presence in our neighbour.
May all peoples live in peace!
Amen.
- adapted from the Sisters of Mercy
St Therese Catholic School Core Values
Inclusion Excellence Respect Collaboration Community
Parent-School Partnership
Active Engagement
Parents and school commit to supporting engagement in learning and wellbeing - We live this in our community by:
- Participating in initiatives which share information between school and home to complement learning across both settings.
- Communicating openly via formal and informal opportunities to share all relevant information about each child’s learning and wellbeing.
- Modelling a positive attitude to learning, education, school and co-curricular activities.
- Actively supporting consistent student attendance at school.
- Facilitating a positive learning environment at school and at home.
Staffing Changes
After advertising and conducting interviews recently, the successful applicant for the permanent Middle Leader 2 position is Mrs Bethany Tirchett. Bethany is currently teaching at St Columbkille’s, Corrimal and will join our school community next term. Bethany will teach Year 3 Gold for Term 2 while Mrs Timpano is on Long Service Leave (LSL).
Mr Frank Timpano will also be taking Term 2 as LSL and we are currently seeking applications for this position on 6 Gold.
Miss Jazmin Tikkeros who was employed originally for Term 1 only, will now remain on Year 4 Blue through to the end of Term 2.
Staff Professional Development / Sick Leave
This term has seen a lot of Professional Development (PD) particularly for K-2 teachers. Courses/Modules such as the Introduction of the K-2 English & Maths Documents, Phonemic Awareness, Blended Online Courses in ADHD and Autism as well as Spirituality courses have all been scheduled this term. Teachers attending these courses do prepare a day plan so that there is a continuity of learning for their classes.
I hear from time to time of parent concern when class teachers are away. Decisions around PD are not taken lightly and some is mandatory. The aim is to constantly be looking to improve on current practices and implement new research. Sick Leave on the other hand is the right of all staff and the message is clear that staff should remain home if unwell. As always, I am happy to discuss this with parents at any time.
The Zones Of Regulation
SEL
Principal's Awards
NO AWARDS THIS WEEK
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”
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
URGENT
Cross Country - 23 March - POSTPONED
As per the Compass alert sent earlier today, the Cross Country has been postponed due to the predicted wet weather for tomorrow. A new date is yet to be set.
Harmony Week Celebration
As a school community, we will come together next Wednesday to celebrate our many cultures. St Therese Catholic School is one of the most culturally diverse schools in the Wollongong Diocese - this would have been unthinkable 10 years ago. Parents are invited to join with us from 9am for a special assembly hopefully in the back playground.
Harmony Day Video
"Absolutely Everybody" by Vanessa Amorosi was the obvious pick for our Harmony Day video this year. The difference this year was that our choir sang the song as the backing track for the school video, so you might be able to recognise a voice or two! Every grade in the school has contributed to make this video and share the message of Harmony Day - "Everyone Belongs". Our school motto of 'Love Can Do All Things" reinforces this message. Please enjoy!
Thank you to Mrs Cameron for editing the video and to all of the children for doing their bit.
Mrs Hogan
P & F Meeting
The next P & F Meeting will be on Tuesday, 28 March at 7pm. The venue will be in the Primary building - please park in the church carpark and enter through the main school building doors.
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.
eSAFETY
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
2023 Harmony Day Celebration - Orange Mufti Day
- 29 March
Holy Week Liturgy in the Church
- 9.30am 6 April
End of Term Morning Tea in the Hall
- 10.50am 6 April
End of Term Assesmbly & Awards
- 11.30am 6 April
Term 2 Commences - Staff Development Day - Pupil Free Day
- 24 April
Students Return
- 26 April
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
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
22 March 2023 - 28 March 2023
Xavier M - 6B, Evelyn P - 1B, Ruby M - 4B, Flynn D - 3G
Calendar Dates 2023
2023
March 2023
23 - 2023 Cross Country Carnival - POSTPONED
24 - 9.30am Parish Mass Year 6 attending
11.20am Prayer Annunciation of the Lord (Year 2)
27 - Vegie Week
28 - 7.00pm P & F Meeting in Library
29 - Harmony Day Celebration - Orange Mufti Day
April 2023
2 - 8 - Holy Week
2 - Palm Sunday
6 - 9.30am Holy Week Liturgy in the Church
10.50am End of Term Morning Tea in the Hall
11.30am End of Term Assesmbly & Awards
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
10 - Da Vinci Decathlon
Mothers' Day Stall - in Hall
12 - 11.30am Edmund Rice College Band
16 - 7.00pm P & F Meeting in Library
19 - National Walk Safely To School Day
22 - Athletics Carnival Beaton Park
26 - National Sorry Day
29 - Reconcilation Week
June 2023
5 - World Environment Day
6 - 5.00pm Confirmation
7.00pm Comfirmation
12 - Public Holiday - King's Birthday
20 - 7.00pm P & F Meeting in Library
21 - 22 - Year 5 Excursion to Taronga Zoo
30- Last Day of Term 2
July 2023
17 - Term 3 Commences - Students Returns