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Newsletter Week 5
Feast of the Assumption
August 15
On 1 November 1950, Pope Pius XII declared that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” (Pope Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus. # 44)
On 15 August, we celebrate the assumption of Mary. The day marks our belief that when Mary died both her body and soul were taken to Heaven; suggested as reward for her sin free life but scripture does not actually give an account of Mary’s assumption into Heaven. So what is this holy day about?
We believe that God became flesh to show us the way to live life to the fullest, to show us that there is such divinity in being human that God chose it and as humans we can make choices that show love to others and contribute to the flourishing of the world we have been gifted with. It could be asserted that Jesus’ ascension is another reminder of the goodness of our human form - Jesus didn’t need to change form to take his place alongside our Trinitarian God because, as Genesis tells us, being human is very good.
The assumption of Mary could be seen in the same way. As a young woman, Mary made decisions to honour God by participating with God and doing her part in demonstrating love, the goodness of humanity and the importance humanity plays in God’s mission. Mary was assumed to her rightful place with God as body and soul and we are again reminded that being human is very good and dignified. In her humanity, Mary led others to recognise God’s holiness and she shows us that our humanity is sacramental. In the words of Fr Michael Himes, in reverencing humanity we cherish what unites us with God. ‘Whatever makes us more richly human makes us more like God.”
Assistant Principal Appraisal
Thank you to all those who responded to the online survey which closed last week. The actual appraisal will be conducted next Tuesday where the collated survey results will be discussed with the review panel. A group of about 10 - 12 students will be randomly selected from across all grades. These students will be interviewed together with the panel. If you don’t want your child selected for this, please let Louise know.
Good luck Marissa!
Marissa Mangos (SSO) has been studying for her Masters in Education degree and is now up to the stage of completing her final Practise Teaching block which will be at St Columbkille’s, Corrimal starting on Monday. We wish Marissa all the best for this experience and look forward to having her back at St Therese in Term 4.
Kiss & Drop
Reminder for parents to refer to the Compass Alert sent last week. General guidelines:
- Move as far forward as possible with the Kiss & Drop Zone
- Ideally, children have their bag with them in the car
- Parents remain in the car or within 3m of the car
Before School Care (OOSH) Survey
Towards the end of last year, there was a significant amount of interest in re-establishing the Before School OOSH at St Therese. Since that time, I have been negotiating with Catholicare to see how this could be progressed. On Monday, a letter was sent to parents via Compass which contained a link to a Before School Care survey. This survey is open until Sunday, 20 August. If you feel that you would use this service on a regular basis or as a casual need, it is important that we hear from as many parents as possible.
To provide your responses, please follow this survey link: https://forms.office.com/r/Lu0WEeAJBA
Athletics Time Trials
Congratulations to Asher, Jessica and Hunter on making it through to the Diocesan Finals yesterday. All three performed very well and were a credit to our school. Hunter finished second in the 12 years Shot Put qualifying him for the Diocesan team - awesome achievement Hunter!
GREEN & GOLD DAY - GO MATILDAS
St Therese Catholic
School Core Values
Inclusion Excellence Respect
Collaboration Community
The Zones Of Regulation
SEL
Our focus on Social and Emotional learning this term has been awareness of other people's feelings.
Kindness and Empathy activities and discussion on how acts of Kindness create a ripple effect.
Please encourage the children to share their acts of kindness.
Principal's Awards
Aya A - 2G
Htayreh K - 2B
Lara P - 2G
Lachlan S - 2G
Jackson S - 2G
Harvey S - 2G
Margaret S - 2G
Themi A - 3G
Noah McC - 4B
Samrawit H - 6G
Silver Medallion
Savannah N - 4B
Christopher D - 5B
Domenic S - 5G
Gold Medallion
Tobi O - 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 Wednesday at lunchtine with Mrs McGoldrick - all are welcome - PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN GLOVES.
ART
Year 2 has been creating Wassily Kandinsky's famous artwork - 'Circles'.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
PRC 2023
ESafety Resources
https://www.esafety.gov.au/educators/classroom-resources/mighty-heroes/mighty-heroes-student-page
"Take It Down" Platform - Preventing the Unwanted Spread of Intimate Child Images Online.
A powerful new tool has emerged to safeguard the online privacy of young people who have unwillingly or unknowingly shared intimate images or videos of themselves with malicious recipients.
The Take It Down platform empowers individuals under the age of 18, regardless of their location, to remove or prevent the online sharing of nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit images or videos taken of them.
This service is provided anonymously and does not require the uploading of any images or videos to the platform's system.
Take It Down sends a unique fingerprint of the intimate content to their participating social media/content distribution platforms who use the fingerprint to block the content.
The participating platforms include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pornhub, OnlyFans, Clips4Sale and Yubo.
Instances of image-based abuse can also be reported to eSafety or the police.
Please feel free to share this information with your school community and through your newsletter.
The eSafety Commission website has resources to help parents and carers be positive role models and online safety advocates.
For online safety information for parents and carers, visit eSafety.gov.au/parents.
For advice on how to set parental controls across home Wi-Fi, devices, software, and more, visit: eSafety.gov.au/parental-controls.
For online safety webinars for parents and carers, visit eSafety.gov.au/parents/webinars.
For advice on the latest games, apps and social media, visit eSafety.gov.au/esafety-guide.
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.
EDMUND RICE GALA NIGHT
UPCOMING IMPORTANT EVENTS
First Reconcilation in the Church
- 5.00pm 22 & 24 August
Book Week Parade
- 9.00am 25 August
Fathers's Day Breakfast
- 7.30am 31 August
Father's Day Prayer
- 8.40am 31 August
Father's Day Stall
- 31 August
STUDENT BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays
16 August 2023 - 22 August 2023
Leonardo D - KB, Ellie W - 2B , Lilly T - 2G, Jamie O - 6B, Sophie B - KB, Maia B - 2B.
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
August 2023
21 - Book Week - Read, Grow, Inspire
22- 5pm First Reconcilation in the Church
24 - 5pm First Reconcilation in the Church
25 - 9.00am Book Week parade CHANGE OF DATE
31 -7.30am Fathers Day Breakfast
8.40am Father's Day Prayer - Year 6
Fathers' Day Stall
September 2023
1 - World Day of Prayer for Creation
12 - 7pm P & F Meeting in Primary Building
21 - 9.30am Grandparents Liturgy
10.30am Open Classrooms
11.15am Morning Tea
12.00pm End of Term 3 Awards Assembly
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