Filter Content
Newsletter Week 2
A Prayer for Students for the New School Year
Lord Jesus,
We ask for Your help as our children begin this new school year.
Allow them to experience Your presence in the many blessings You put before us.
Open their eyes to the new challenges and exciting opportunities that this new school year brings.
Open their heart and mind to new friends and new teachers.
Give them a generous spirit to be enthusiastic with their studies
and courage to accept new opportunities.
Help them to be attentive to their teachers and let them experience Your presence in their new friends.
Jesus, inspire them to do their best this year!
Amen
Swimming Carnival
Information regarding the swimming carnival has been sent via Compass. Please nominate your child for their events by the end of this week so that we can plan the carnival and required staffing.
Hair Styles
Parents are asked to look at their child’s hair styles. Our policy talks of even cuts, above the collar and not in the child’s face. A regular comment by new parents is the neat and tidy appearance of our students.
Mobile Phones (and phone watches)
Some students, mainly Year 6, are bringing mobile phones to school. These are to be taken to the office upon arrival at school and can then be collected at 2.50pm. This is also the case for smartwatches. Watches that take photos or enable the playing of games are not permitted at school.
Student Council and House Captains
Congratulations to the following Year 6 students who have been elected to these roles of special responsibility. Along with these students, all Year 6 students will receive their Leadership Badges at our welcome liturgy this Friday starting at 12pm.
P & F AGM
This is scheduled for Tuesday, 20 February in the Parish Centre starting at 7pm. All are welcome to attend.
Enrolments for Kinder 2025 NOW OPEN
Today we welcomed Kinder 2024 and ironically open up enrolments for 2025! This year, applications are completely online and accessible from our school website. Two open day sessions are available for parents to come and tour the school:
- Thursday, 7 March between 3.45pm and 5.30pm
- Friday, 8 March between 11.30am and 1pm.
Tours can be arranged at other times by contacting the school office on 4229 1818.
NAPLAN - Years 3 & 5
Students in Years 3 & 5 will complete NAPLAN Assessments in the 4 domains of Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy during the testing window (13 - 25 March). An exact testing schedule will be sent to parents closer to this period.
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 2024 the following staff have been allocated to the four stages:
Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten) Mrs Kristy South & Mrs Vezinias
Stage 1 (Year 1 and Year 2) Mrs Kristy South & Mrs Vezinias
Stage 2 (Year 3 and Year 4) Mrs Kirra Calvert
Stage 3 (Year 5 and Year 6) Mrs Bethany Tirchett
SPORT- Mrs Dominique Hogarth
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.
Personalised Planning Meeting Term 1 2024
Personalised Planning Meetings are being scheduled for Term 1 (beginning 26th February) to discuss your child's individual Personalised Plan. This plan is aimed at supporting your child’s specific needs. Meetings are scheduled for 30 minutes. To facilitate these meetings the interviews will be held via ZOOM or Face to Face. Students can attend the meeting if suitable. An Invitation only Letter and link will be sent to those parents who have a PP Meeting.
Medical Personalised Plans need to be updated by sending the latest action plans and medication to the office.
Please be aware that you do NOT need to book a Meet and Greet meeting with your class teacher.
Looking forward to our meetings.
Kids love learning with Studyladder
Your child's class is now using Studyladder. This online educational program allows students to learn at their own pace at school and at home. Designed for students, teachers, and parents - Studyladder offers curriculum-aligned content in Mathematics, English and Science Literacy. The platform includes interactive lessons, videos, educational games, printables, and other engaging materials to make a student's learning experience more enjoyable.
Studyladder’s course materials are designed to give children the support they need to succeed. The interactive activities and reward programs are fun to use, providing instant feedback to keep children on track with their education.
This year every student has unlimited student access to Studyladder teacher set tasks at home!!
Your child has or will be receiving a username and password to access Studyladder. To log in, go to www.studyladder.com.au and enter these details.
Dimitra Vezinias
Safer Internet Day
This awareness day was yesterday. It has been held every year for many years with the purpose of raising awareness of the potential dangers that the internet poses especially to children. Some of the statistics are as follows:
By far, the majority of issues the school is called into stems from online chat, gaming and messaging. These issues generally occur at home but have the follow on effect in the school. All children are capable of saying or messaging hurtful things at times regardless of their intention.
When children start to talk, parents (probably without thinking) correct their child when they use inappropriate language or say things that may be socially inappropriate at the time. This oral language develops naturally from what children see and see around them. Children don’t always have this level of supervision or parental guidance when it comes to learning the appropriate way to communicate online.
The following link provides a wealth of information and tips for parents to help educate and protect their children:
https://www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom/whats-on/safer-internet-day
St Therese Catholic School Core Values
Collaboration - Community - Excellence - Inclusion - Respect
Principal's Awards
Leo O - 5B
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”
Welcome to our beautiful Catholic School of St Therese, here in West Wollongong. We are proud to place Christ at the centre of all we do here at our school.
We will again celebrate many special Liturgies and Prayer services throughout the year, which we warmly invite and encourage our parents and families to attend and be part of these wonderful celebrations. Many of these will be held in our Parish Church. Each class will prepare and lead one of these special services during the year. Please look on the parent google calendar for further information. Please be aware that if there are unforeseen circumstances and alterations have to be made, we will endeavour to notify parents as soon as possible.
Welcome Liturgy and Commissioning of our Year 6 Leaders
We begin our school year with our Welcome Liturgy and Commissioning of our Year 6 Leaders, this Friday (9 Feb) at 12 noon in the Church. Thank you to Mrs Hogan, both Year 6 Teachers and all Year 6 students for their assistance with planning and practising to make this Liturgy such a special occasion.
With Easter being early this year, we start our Season of Lent next Wednesday.
Shrove Tuesday
We will be celebrating our Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) next Tuesday. Thank you to the P and F for their willingness to cook many, many pancakes for our students to enjoy.
Burning of the Palms Prayer service
This will be followed by our Burning of the Palms Prayer service (Back Playground at 11:20am). During this service, we burn the blessed palms from last year’s Palm Sunday. These are then cooled and blessed during the service the next day and placed on our heads during the Ash Wednesday Liturgy.
Anniversary of the Apology to Australia’s Indigenous People
Morning Assembly - At 8:40am we will also remember the Anniversary of the Apology to Australia’s Indigenous People led by our Student Council and Ms Pellizzari.
Project Compassion Launch
Project Compassion Launch - Mrs Vezinias will accompany two Student Council representatives to John Therry Catholic High School, Rosemeadow for this special liturgy led by Bishop Brian.
Ash Wednesday Liturgy
On Wednesday, 4 Blue will lead our Ash Wednesday Liturgy in the Church at 11:20am.
Parents and families are welcome to join us for one or more of the above activities.
Sacraments 2024
In next week’s newsletter, I will be posting information and extending an invitation to students who are interested in completing their preparation for and receiving one of the Church’s Sacraments throughout the year. Dates are currently being finalised through consultation with Fr Duane.
WEN
GARDENING CLUB
Gardening Club is run every Thursday at lunchtine with Mrs McGoldrick - all are welcome - PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN GLOVES.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
INSIGHTS SURVEY: 2024 Consent for the use of student’s image and/or work & 2024 Acceptable Use Of Technology
Our 2024 Consent for the use of student’s image and/or work & 2024 Acceptable Use Of Technology have moved to an INSIGHT SURVEY, that every parent must respond to, to enable or not enable the school or CEO to take and use your child's photo or image and/or works for various platforms.
Additionally there is also the 2024 Acceptable Use Of Technology, that every parent again must respond and consent to, to enable your child to use the various technologies within a school. Please see atatched information letter and instructions how to complete your INSIGHTS survey's in COMPASS. PLease complete both surveys ASAP. If you need any assistance please contact the School Office on 42291818.
NEW ENROLMENT PROCESS
SCHOOL FEES
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.
UPCOMING IMPORTANT EVENTS
2024
9th February - 12.00pm Welcoming and Commissioning Mass - Year 6 Student Leaders badge ceremony
13th February - Pancake Tuesday and Burning of the Palms
14th February - 11.20 Ash Wednesday
19th February - Swimming Carnival Unanderra Pool
STUDENT BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays
7 February 2024 - 13 February 2024
Beau V - 1G, Oscar B - 5G, Ben K - 6G, Laija C - 1B, Ivy LP - 6G, Nathan B - 6G, Niara B - 6G, Aurora D - 5B, Mila G - 5B, Isabella B - 6G.
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 2024
2024
February 2024
9 - 12.00pm Welcoming and Commissioning Liturgy for Student Leaders in the Church
12 - Year 1 & Year 6 Meet & Greet Meetings commence
13 - Pancake Tuesday/Shrove Tuesday and Burning of the Palms
National Apology Anniversary
Caritas Project Compassion Launch
14 - 11.20am Ash Wednesday Liturgy
2.00pm Vist from Holy Spirit - Year 5 & Year 6
18 - 10.00am & 5.00pm Blessing of Backpacks - Church
19 - 8.50am Swimming Selection Trials Unanderra Pools
March 2024
7 - 3.45pm Open Day for Kinder 2025
8 - 11.30am Open Day for Kinder 2025
12 - 7.00pm Sacrament of Confirmation Parent Information Night Invitation Parish Centre
13 to 25 - Naplan
14 - 7.00pm Sacrament of Confirmation Parent Information Night Invitation Parish Centre
27 - Cross Country Kembla Joggers
28 - 9.30am Whole School Easter Liturgy in Chruch
29 - Good Friday
31 - Easter Sunday
April 2024
9 - Da Vinci Decathlon
12 - Last Day of Term 1
CANTEEN MENU 2024
ST THERESE CANTEEN
WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS ONLY
