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Newsletter Week 5 & 6
Lenten Prayer
Throughout Lent, I am going to repeat this same prayer each week. This is not to save me time in looking for new prayers but I encourage you to take some time to pray this prayer each week of Lent either on your own or as a family. Use it as a way to recommit to having your best Lent ever through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving
Heavenly Father,As I enter another week of my Lenten journey, guide me to the path that leads to you. Fill my heart with gratitude, patience, strength, and peace as I strive to become the-best-version-of-myself, honestly admitting my shortcomings and sins. As I renew my resolve each day to become a better person, let me hear your voice in the deepest reaches of my heart. Give me rest in you.Help me to accept others, showing them your great love instead of casting judgment. Stay with me through the busy days this week and remind me that when I need comfort, solitude, wisdom, or guidance, I can always turn to you. Help me develop discipline and generosity through fasting and almsgiving, and come closer to you through prayer this Lent. In your name I pray,Amen.
Staff Development Day
As notified earlier this week, all staff at St Therese will be embarking on a 4-day professional learning course titled the ‘Berry Street Education Model’. This course will be run over a two year period. The first Pupil Free Day will be Tuesday, 2 April (this day will extend the Easter break for families to 5 days which will be nice for those heading away). St Therese staff will join with the staff from St John’s, Dapto for this course.
Kinders 2025
Just 5½ weeks into the year and we are already in full swing into preparing to enrol a new cohort of Kinders. As you may have heard on i98, we are having two Open Day sessions for parents to come and experience our school. A huge thank you to our very talented Maia C (6G) who did the voice over for the radio ad. We have a greater level of interest in Kinder enrolments than at this time over the last couple of years. If you have a child starting Kinder in 2025, or know of a family in this situation, please complete the online enrolment before the end of Term to ensure the chance of a first round offer of placement.
Kindergarten Enrolment Applications 2025
Enrolment Applications are currently being accepted for Kinder 2025. This year, all applications must be completed online via the link on our webpage or using the QR code that is available at the office or on posters around the school.
OPEN DAYS: Two sessions have been planned which parents are asked to register for.
- Thursday, 7 March at 3.45pm
- Friday, 8 March at 11.30am
These open days will have a new format where the children are issued with a student passport where they have to collect stickers as they visit various parts of the school. This is a fun way to introduce new families (or old) to our wonderful facilities.
NCCD – 2024 Parent Information
Each year at the commencement of the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data for students with disability, schools are required to notify parents.
Information Sheet for Parents and Carers in Catholic Schools, has been prepared by Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW).
NAPLAN this year is much earlier than previously held. Dates are as follows
- Writing - Wednesday, 13 March
- Reading - Thursday, 14 March
- Conventions of Language - Monday, 18 March
- Numeracy Yr5 - Tuesday, 19 March
- Numeracy Yr3 - Wednesday, 20 March
- NAPLAN catch up days- 21st and 22nd March
Year 3 will complete the assessments during the morning session (9 - 11am) while Year 5 will utilise the middle session (11.30am - 1pm). Please see attached flyer with more information.
ZONES OF REGULATION
St Therese Catholic School Core Values
Collaboration - Community - Excellence - Inclusion - Respect
Principal's Awards
Florence S - 2B
Jasfateh S - 2B
Rocco C - 3G
Ava G - 4B
Xavier I - 4B
Russell N - 4G
Silver Medallion
Ruby H - 4B
Samuel G - 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”
The Parish of St Therese West Wollongong and Immaculate Conception Unanderra wish to invite students to receive their Sacraments of Confirmation, Reconciliation and/or First Holy Communion throughout this year. Please see the below flyer for eligibility and registration / information sessions.
For further information or questions (in the first instance) please contact Melissa on 02 4271 1068 (Mon, Wed, or Fri) or email unanderra@dow.org.au - Fr Duane’s Sacramental secretary.
Grade Masses
Parents/Carers are warmly invited to attend our Grade Masses on a Friday morning with Fr.Duane beginning at 9:30am in our Church.
8th March 2024 - Year 6
22nd March 2024 - Year 3
Upcoming Religious Events
Please refer to the Parent Calendar for upcoming RE dates, venue and times of events. If there are changes due to unforeseen circumstances they will be altered on the parent calendar as soon as possible.
AFL SuperKick
Yesterday, nearly 50 students from Stage 2 participated in an AFL skills and modified game day. The day was run by AFL development officers at Dalton Park. It was a very warm day but the students had a lot of fun. If any students, from any grade, are interested in playing in the local AFL competition, Figtree Kangaroos are always excited to get new players signing up. Competitions are available for boys and girls from 4 years up.
Coastal Swimming
Congratulations to our entire squad of 25 students who represented St Therese at the Coastal Swimming yesterday. As usual, this was a great day of competition and fun. Special mention goes to:
- Jordan McL (2B) who will go on to compete in the 8yrs 50m freestyle
- Marli McN (4B) who will compete in the Junior Butterfly and Junior 200m Medley.
This next carnival will be held at Corrimal Pool next Monday. Good luck Jordan & Marli!
Congratulations Jessica McL (6B)
On Monday, Jess travelled to Sydney to compete for a position in Girls AFL. The state was divided to 6 regions with each region organising a team to play later this year. Jess was a standout at the trial and was quickly identified as making the team. This is a big week for Jess having AFL on Monday, Swimming on Tuesday and Diocesan Netball trials on Thursday. Jess has already made the Diocesan Touch team and will trial for the Girls Rugby League. Needless to say, Jess is a very talented athlete.
Diocesan Cricket Trials
Congratulations to James C (6G), Finn K (5B) and Brock S (5B) who were selected to attend the Diocesan Cricket Trials on Thursday 22nd February 2024.
Although James, Finn and Brock were not selected in the Primary Boys Wollongong Diocesan Cricket Team, they are commended on their attitude, application and skill-set demonstrated on the day.
WEN
GARDENING CLUB
Gardening Club is run every WEDNESDAY 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.
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
NSW Government Student Learning Library
The NSW Government has created a valuable resource to support learning at home in English and Mathematics for Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students. Parents and carers are able to access the NSW Government student learning library at the following link:
https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/initiatives/nsw-student-learning-library#/
Additionally a video has been created to explain how to access and navigate this resource:
Catholic Schools Guide – Treasure Hunt Competition
Families have done it tough over the past couple of years. That’s why we are keen to share with you that one lucky family will win $2,000 worth of school fees! Runner-up prizes also include Roblox Robux vouchers.
Every student attending a Catholic school in Australia is invited to enter this competition to win. Happy Treasure Hunting!
To enter, visit catholicschoolsguide.com.au/competition.
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.
The Cool Kids Program
FSA Health & Wellbeing are currently accepting expressions of interest for the Cool Kids Anxiety Program. The program will be facilitated by Kalynda Powell who is accredited by Macquarie University’s Centre for Emotional Health to use the Cool Kids Anxiety Program.
The Cool Kids Anxiety Program was developed by Macquarie University and is a structured 10 session program ran over 10 weeks that teaches children (age 7-12) and their parents how to better manage a child’s anxiety.
The Cool Kids Program is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), an evidence-based therapeutic framework. The program focuses on teaching practical skills and involves the participation of both parents and the child.
Topics covered within the Cool Kids Anxiety Program include:
- Learning about feelings and anxiety
- Learning to think more realistically
- Parenting an anxious child
- Fighting fear by facing fear (stepladders)
- Learning other coping skills such as building social confidence or learning to solve problems
To register your interest please contact FSA Health & Wellbeing either via email at triage@familyservices.org.au or phone: 1800 372 000.
UPCOMING IMPORTANT EVENTS
2024
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
STUDENT BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays
27 February 2024 - 5 March 2024
Dante C - KB, Yool-Hee K - 6B,
Patrick O - 3B, Aria S - 3B.
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
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
2 - Staff Development Day (Pupil Free Day)
12 - Last Day of Term 1
CANTEEN MENU 2024
ST THERESE CANTEEN
WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS ONLY
