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Pentecost People
Come, Holy Spirit, and make us Pentecost people.
Let you wisdom and right judgement guide our decisions
and temper our impulses.
Let knowledge and understanding increase our capacity
for empathy and compassion.
Let reverence and awe fill us with gratitude and respect
for all of creation.
Give us the courage to witness boldly to our faith
in word and deed.
Through and with and in Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen
For all information and updates from the diocese, please go to: www.dow.catholic.edu.au/covid19
WELCOME BACK!!!
On Monday, I visited every class to welcome students back. It was great to see the happy smiling faces. The overwhelming majority of students were happy to be back and said that if they had a choice between attending school and remote learning, attending school would win hands down. With most senior classes, it was clear that if they were asked the same question 12 months ago, remote learning would have been much more popular. We could then talk about the old clichés of being careful what you wish for and the grass is always greener on the other hill!
I know the response from staff is definitely to have the students at school!
Kiss & Drop
Please use the zones on Powell St as opposed to dropping children in a car park – this is dangerous and no child should be walking through the car park without a parent / carer.
Pick Up
After having a late bus on Monday afternoon which caused considerable traffic issues, the drive through pick-up yesterday was much better and flowed smoothly.
The back playground pick-up also flowed very smoothly with parents moving in one direction around the hall. These afternoon procedures will continue.
School Uniform
As of next Monday, 1 June, students will be expected to wear their full Winter uniform. For boys, or girls wearing the slacks, this means the long sleeve shirt needs to be tucked in. On very cold days, an extra jacket or scarf (in school colours) are acceptable. Sports uniform days remain the same.
Staff Changes
Some staff are still not able to return to work due to their increased susceptibility to Covid-19.
- Mrs Patricia Staff will be replaced by Mr Nik Sajdovski for the next few weeks at this stage (this means that Nik will have 3 Blue 5 days per weeks during this time)
- Mrs Rita Crofts will not return for the remainder of this term. Mrs Ana Dequintal will continue teaching 2 Blue from Monday to Wednesday and Mr Maurice Bernardi will teach on Thursdays and Fridays.
- Mrs Kerrie Maidment will remain on leave at this stage. We are still in consultation with the Catholic Education Office as to how this position is filled. At this stage we are giving literacy support in Year 1 using Kerrie’s time as opposed to running Reading Recovery sessions.
Canteen
At this stage the canteen will be reopening in Week 7 (June 8). More details will be provided soon.
Daisy Maxted – 3G
Cyber Safety
Use technology tools to keep them safe
There are so many technological advances that can enhance the experience for your child online and help keep them safe, both within the site or app and for their devices.
Use parental controls and install filtering software to help block unwant- ed content and pop-ups and to restrict access to specific content and pages.
Help your child to set up the privacy settings on all sites and devices they use.
Locate the computer in an area of your home that can be supervised. Par- ents of older children may have an ‘open door’ policy when devices are used in bedrooms and to ensure that screens are facing outward. And make sure you check in regularly to see what they’re viewing.
Consider rules for internet-enabled handheld devices—where and when.
Install and update anti-virus and other e-security software to restrict un- authorised access to data on the home computer. Ensure all security features are turned on and set to automatic scan and regular updates to protect against the latest risks.
Activate safety features on web browsers to protect your devices and personal information.
Show your child how to block and report users or pages on the sites they use.
Birthdays
27 May to 2 June
Happy Birthday to:
Marli McNamara, Jaxon Talevski, Olivia Shields.
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
KEEPING THE LORD’S DAY HOLY
Join Fr Duane and Seminarian Sinh Le for Sunday Mass
live streamed 5pm EVERY SUNDAY from St Therese Church at the St Therese Facebook page at:
Those without Facebook can still view it through this link which will take you to the stream
To view through YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6HKCV4D_a1JMWx0gS7rTw
Important Feast Days
Sunday 24th May – The Ascension of the Lord, we remember the presence of the risen Christ who remains with us for all time.
Monday 25th May – Our Lady Help of Christians
Monday 1st June Mary - Mother of the Church
This week begins National Reconciliation Week 2020.
The theme this year is “In this together”National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
The dates for National Reconciliation Week remain the same each year; 27th May to 3rd June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. In 2020, the theme is “In This Together”.
2020 marks twenty years of Reconciliation Australia shaping Australia’s journey towards a more just, equitable and reconciled nation. Much has happened since the early days of the people’s movement for reconciliation, including greater acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights to land and sea; understanding of the impact of government policies and frontier conflicts; and an embracing of stories of Indigenous success and contribution.
As always, we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and Australians now benefit from the efforts and contributions of people committed to reconciliation in the past. Today we work together to further that national journey towards a fully reconciled country.
To acknowledge the significance of this event, we held a zoom prayer service within the school.
Resources available
At this challenging time, we still need to find moments to be present, to feel God’s presence and to pray. Although we can not do this in the formal way we usually would, as a school community or attending Mass. There are many great resources available that you can access.
Robyn Gallager from the CEO has produced a podcast called Ripples. The Ripples material could be used for personal/reflection.
The Episode for this week is entitled "Respond or React: Remaining Measured during Challenging Times". There is a Letting Go Meditation which features music composed by Tim Hart. There is a bonus episode this week and this is a more reflective piece created by one of her guests. It is entitled "Pause, Ponder and Pray."
Robyn's hope is that these elements provide support to your school community.
LINK TO PODBEAN: https://ripples.dow.catholic.edu.au
APPLE PODCAST LINK: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ripples/id1511337808 (These new Episodes can take a few hours before they appear online. They will be there by later today.)
In view of Covid-19 restrictions and CEO policy on same, as well as thorough discussion and planning with the Leadership at St Therese, a few decisions have been made regarding our ensembles.
CHOIR – Unfortunately, due to CEO policy, Choir will be on hold for the rest of Term 2. We will reassess for Term 3.
BAND – Band will recommence this Friday (Week 5, May 29th). Students who bring their own instruments to band can continue to do so (brass, strings and guitars). Those who use school instruments will be designated their own to use here at school, which is not to be shared. These will be stored separately as band use only. Music stands will be wiped down at the end of each Friday session.
CLASSROOM MUSIC - Music lessons in the Hall will continue.
It is great to be back!
Mrs Hogan
Calendar Dates 2020
May 2020
27 - Reconcilation Week
June 2020
8 - Queens' Birthday Public Holiday - NO SCHOOL
11 - Year 5 Camp Taronga Zoo - CANCELLED
23 - Athletics Carnival - TBA
July 2020
3 - Last Day of Term 2
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