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Newsletter Week 9
St Thomas More
Feast Day
22 June
Feastday: June 22
Patron: of adopted children, lawyers, civil servants, politicians and difficult marriages
Birth: 1478 Death: 1535
Canonized: May 19th, 1935 by Pope Pius XI
St Thomas More was a man well ahead of his time. Undoubtedly, a great scholar and a man who stood by his values and convictions. This unfortunately led to his early death at the hands of a jealous King (who was once his closest ally). One of St Thomas More’s strong beliefs was that of an equal education for girls and boys.
Prayer for Good Humour
by St. Thomas More
Grant me, O Lord, good digestion, and also something to digest.
Grant me a healthy body, and the necessary good humor to maintain it.
Grant me a simple soul that knows to treasure all that is good
and that doesn’t frighten easily at the sight of evil,
but rather finds the means to put things back in their place.
Give me a soul that knows not boredom, grumblings, sighs and laments,
nor excess of stress, because of that obstructing thing called “I.”
Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humor.
Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke to discover in life a bit of joy,
and to be able to share it with others.
End of Term Morning Tea / Awards
Parents are invited to join us for our awards assembly on the last day of term. This will commence at 11.30am in the hall with morning tea from 11am.
Happy Families Article
I came across this short article and thought it worth sharing.
OOSH Before School Care
Towards the end of last year, I sent out a survey to gather interest in reinstating a Before School Care Service. The results showed that there was enough interest to warrant further discussion. This has been ongoing and we are now at the stage of Catholic Care conducting their own survey during Term 3 with a view to implementing any changes in 2024. The purpose of this message is to draw your attention to the fact that something is happening in this area and to encourage parents to respond when the survey is launched to ensure we get the numbers required to proceed.
Netball Gala Day
Yesterday, about 60 students from Years 4 & 6 represented St Therese at the Coastal Region Netball Gala Day. This is a social day where students learn / practise some skills but no scores are kept and there is no progression to further carnivals. From all reports, we can be very proud of the way our students engaged throughout the day all the while having lots of fun. Thank you to Miss Tikkeros and Mrs Miller for organising the grades and to the other staff who attended. Thanks also to the parents who volunteered to be team managers or umpires which all made the day run smoothly.
St Therese Catholic
School Core Values
Inclusion Excellence Respect
Collaboration Community
The Zones Of Regulation
SEL
Healthy Lifesyle Unit
Principal's Awards
Chloe M - 1G
Joseph B - 2B
Toby X - 3B
Silver Medallion
Carissa C - 4B
Finn K - 4B
Saxon D - 5B
Gold Medallion
Lewis McL - 6B
St Therese School Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/westwollongong.sttherese
School Vision Statement
“Immersed in faith, pursuing excellence in learning
and the positive wellbeing of all”
WEN
GARDENING CLUB
Gardening Club is run every Tuesday at lunchtine with Mrs McGoldrick - all are welcome - PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN GLOVES.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Bunnings BBQ - Saturday, 22 July (VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED)
After the closing of the Wollongong store, the P & F have been successful in gaining a date for the Kembla Grange store. The potential at this venue is to raise twice as much money for the school. It is also under cover! We do require volunteers to give us an hour or two between 8am and 4pm. All the organisation and ordering is being taken care of so we just need some cooks and servers. As stated before, this is a great way to meet new parents and to support a good cause … your child’s educational experience!
Catholic Bishops’ Statement on the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament
Attached is a letter issued by the Australian Catholic Bishops regarding the Voice to Parliament. They urge everyone to gain an understanding of this significant change so that they can make an informed decision when the time comes later this year.
NAPLAN 2023 Update
School-level results available late Term 2
Teachers will get access to school-level results towards the end of Term 2 in the school and student summary report (SSSR) and a new proficiency standards report.
Further information about how to access and interpret the reports and support materials for communicating the proficiency standards to parents and carers will be emailed to principals and NAPLAN coordinators throughout Term 2.
Parent reports available early Term 3
Print copies of individual student reports (ISR) and additional student reports (ASR) are expected to be sent to schools for distribution to parents and carers early in Term 3.
News on the Digital Curriculum
NESA has developed ‘Supporting your Child: Parent and carer guides’ in English and Mathematics for Early Stage 1 - Stage 3. These guides are now available on the Digital curriculum website and accessible through the Teaching resources tab.
The NSW Government student learning library
The NSW Student learning library is a suite of learning resources which are accessible for teachers, parents and carers, and students to be used in class or at home.
The resources are aligned with new syllabuses and have been quality assured by educational professionals within the department. The new resources will supplement and complement other resources being provided by the department, including units developed by department curriculum experts to support the roll-out of new syllabuses.
The library currently contains K-2 English and Mathematics learning resources. The remaining K-10 learning resources are to be released over the next 3-5 years aligned to the new NSW syllabus rollout.
https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/initiatives/nsw-student-learning-library#/
Changes to English and Mathematics K-2 Curriculum
Curriculum is at the core of quality teaching and learning. It is important to communicate with parents, carers and the community about the teaching and learning that is happening in your school. This engagement will assist schools in identifying strategic directions, decide on improvement measures and assess their progress which can lead to improved learning outcomes for students.
What is curriculum?
The curriculum is a plan for learning based on mandated and approved syllabus documents and current departmental policies and procedures.
The NSW curriculum refers to the suite of resources that are the syllabuses and the support resources to support teachers to implement the syllabuses. This includes, but is not limited to, resources including teaching and learning advice, assessment resources, and syllabus-specific materials including scope and sequences, units of work, standards materials and work samples.
What is curriculum reform?
The NSW Curriculum Reform aims to strengthen and streamline what is taught in schools. The curriculum reform is an opportunity to engage and re energise what we teach and how we teach it. It focuses on making clear what is essential in the curriculum to give more time for deep learning, establish stronger foundations in English and mathematics, and provide stronger links between HSC subjects and career pathways.
English and Mathematics
In 2023 new Syllabus documents in English and Mathematics are being implemented in schools in Kindergarten through to Year 2.
The new syllabuses emphasise key concepts, identify essential knowledge and skills, and include new outcomes to clearly show what is essential. They remove ambiguity for all users. Clear and concise language in the outcomes and content help you to understand the learning expectations for building foundational skills in English and Mathematics. The new Digital Curriculum means the syllabuses will be easier to access and navigate, so users can find information more efficiently. Access content points are provided to indicate content that students with significant intellectual disability may access. Teaching samples and examples are easy to find and use. Teaching advice is a supporting guide that was refined through engagement and consultation activities with teachers.
Mrs Dimitra Vezinias
Assistant Principal
CURRICULUM REFORM NEWS - PRIMARY
NESA 3-6 English and Mathematics Online Courses
NESA has released 3-6 English and Mathematics professional learning courses which provide teachers with an understanding of the syllabuses. Each of these self-paced courses is NESA Accredited 2.5 hours of professional development (PD).
It is recommended that all leaders and teachers engage in this professional learning during the Familiarisation Phase of implementation.
These syllabuses will be taught in all schools in 2024.
New English 3-6 and Mathematics 3-6 Professional learning courses are now available on the NESA learning hub.
This link is also available on the K-6 Curriculum Support site.
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 Bethany Tirchett
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
Year 4 Excursion
- 22 June
Kindergartern Excursion - Symbio Zoo
- 23 June
Year 2 Excursion
- 27 June
Year 4 Excursion
- 29 June
Last Day of Term 2
- 30 June
PARISH INFORMATION
BAPTISMS
For any new requests please contact Kathy at the Parish Office (email: westwollongong@dow.org.au any time or call 4243 9610 on Tuesdays 9am-3pm).
God bless you all,
Fr Duane
Calendar Dates 2023
2023
June 2023
22 - Year 4 Excursion to Holy Spirit - Peter Pan Production
23 - Kindergartern Excursion to Symbio Zoo
27 - Year 2 Excursion to Stanwell Park Reserve
29 - Year 4 Excursion to The Rocks Sydney
30 - 10.50am End of Term 2 Morning Tea
11.20am End of Term 2 Awards Assembly
Last Day of Term 2
July 2023
17 - Term 3 Commences - Students Returns
19 - Year 6 Mass with the Bishop in the Church
25 - 10.00am - 10.45am Surf Sense Education - Year 2, Year 4 and Year 6 attending
28 - World Youth Day (week)
August 2023
1 - Year 1 Excursion - Stanwell Park Beach
2 - Year 5 Excursion to Taronga Zoo (Overnight)
4 - Census Day
Year 3 Excurion - Science Centre
8 - Feast Of Mary of The Cross Mackillop
South Coast Athletics Carnival
7pm P & F Meeting in Primary Building
15 - Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
21 - Book Week - Read, Grow, Inspire
22 - 5pm First Reconcilation in the Church
24 - 5pm First Reconcilation in the Church
September 2023
1 - World Day of Prayer for Creation
12 - 7pm P & F Meeting in Primary Building
22 - Last Day of Term 3
October 2023
9 - Term 4 Commences - Students Returns
15 - School Fete
25 - 9.15am - 10.45am 2024 Kinder Playgroup
12.00pm - 1.30pm 2024 Kinder Playgroup
31 - 7pm P & F Meeting in Primary Building
November 2023
1 - 9.15am - 10.45am 2024 Kinder Playgroup
12.00pm - 1.30pm 2024 Kinder Playgroup
All Saints Day
2 - All Souls Day
4 - 11.30am First Holy Communion - St Therese Church
2.00pm First Holy Communion - St Therese Church
8 - 9.15am - 10.45am 2024 Kinder Playgroup
12.00pm - 1.30pm 2024 Kinder Playgroup
15 - 9.15am - 10.45am 2024 Kinder Playgroup
12.00pm - 1.30pm 2024 Kinder Playgroup
22 - 9.30am 2024 Kindergarten Orientation Day
December 2023
15 - Students Last Day of School 2023
11.30am End of Year Assembly
18 - Staff Development day
19 - Staff Development day
End of Term 4 2023