Many will remember, as I do, hearing this phrase from childhood - attending Mass or a liturgy with the Priest speaking these words as ashes are smeared across your forehead. As a child, to me the whole ritual seemed a bit strange and the words a bit macabre. But now, as an adult, I find the words quite humbling. We place so much pride, importance or status on what we have or have achieved, however we all end up the same way regardless of what we have. What is of far greater importance, is how we treat others. As we begin this season of Lent, it is worth taking stock of where we are spirituality. Have we got our priorities right for becoming the type of person we would like others to see?

Bus Safety Week – 19 to 25 February

Key messages for families –

• Families have an important part to play in keeping children safe around roads.
• Never drop off or meet your child on the opposite side of the road to the bus stop or call them across the road.
• Always drop them off or meet them on the same side of the road as the bus stop.
• Remind your children to always wait until the bus has gone before choosing a safe place to cross the road
• Talk to your children about Stop! Look! Listen! Think! every time they cross the road:
  • Stop one step back from the kerb – Look continuously both ways
  • Listen for the sounds of approaching traffic
  • Think whether it is safe to cross and keep checking until safely across.

For more information visit: Transport NSW Be Bus Aware.

Year 3 ACER General Ability Test

Year 3 has had a busy start to the year with the administration of the AGAT assessment (ACER General Ability Test). This is an assessment of general reasoning ability in the skill areas of Verbal, Numerical, and Abstract (Visual).  Verbal reasoning skills concern the discriminating and accurate use of words and the ability to reason with words. Numerical reasoning skills concern the discriminating and accurate application of mathematical processes to solve problems. Abstract or visual reasoning skills concern the identification of patterns and rules in collections of geometric images and shapes.

Teachers will use these results to supplement their programming.

FUNNEL - Our New Online Platform

Starting from the beginning of Term 1 2024, our school will be transitioning to a new online enrolment platform called Funnel.

This will remove the use of all paper forms.

Please take note of this particularly for sibling applications.

This new program will be effective for both parties to communicate effectively throughout the enrolment process.

The online application form will be accessible from the home page of our school website

Kindergarten 2024

Welcome Kindergarten

It has been a pleasure to welcome our Kindergarten students to St Therese. The kindergarten students bring such joy to the school community with their wonder and awe and inquisitive minds. A warm welcome to our new kindergarten parents and carers. It was wonderful to see both familiar faces and new faces today as you supported the transition processes we have in place for our kindergarten students. It is great to welcome you to our school community.

Phones / Smart Watches

Students who bring phones to school are required to hand them in at the office on arrival and can then pick them up at the end of the day. Smart Watches (or games watches) should not be brought to school as they become a distraction, are quite ‘chunky’ when students are running around and can be easily damaged. If necessary, these can also be handed in at the office for safe keeping.

Diocesan Touch Trials

Congratulations to Jessica McL (6B) and Llynx S (5B) who attended the Diocesan Touch Trials on Tuesday 13th February 2024 at Thomas Dalton Park.

Jessica and Llynx were both successfully selected in the Primary Touch Diocesan team. Jessica and Llynx are commended on their exemplary behaviour, sportsmanship and talent demonstrated on the day.

The St Therese community congratulates our St Therese Stage 3 Girls on their outstanding effort and achievement!

BRASS BAND WORKSHOPS

Wollongong City Brass Band volunteer tutors will be giving of their time and talent again when they visit our school on Wednesday 21st Feb holding workshops for our students in Years 4, 5 and 6. We are very grateful to Des Cannings and his crew for choosing our school. 

Many students over the years have taken up the opportunity to join the junior band program with Wollongong City Brass Band and have never looked back! If you happen to be nearby next Wednesday and hear some "interesting" sounds exploding from our hall - don't be alarmed. It's not elephants - it's us!  The workshops provide the students with an opportunity to try the instruments for themselves (with hygienic practices in place). It is so much fun and an experience that very few schools in our local area get to have.

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 has been 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.

Mrs Dimitra Vezinias.        Mrs Amy Runko

Assistant Principal.           Diverse Learning Teacher

ZONES OF REGULATION