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.

Bearers of Christ’s Love

As mentioned last week, the key aspects of the Bishop Brian’s Charter will be included in the newsletter. Today we start with the first 3 points relating to Catholic schools in the Diocese of Wollongong:

1. Play a significant role in the saving and evangelising mission of the Church through their witness to a distinctive educational, spiritual, moral and socially engaged foundation, based on faith in Jesus Christ and the Great Commission - “Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations, baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19-20)
2. Are places of prayer, where the Word of God is proclaimed, the Eucharist is celebrated, and the rich devotional life of the Church forms part of the fabric of the school environment. It is in this context that a young person’s faith will be enhanced. They are places where actions of outreach and service, informed by Catholic Social Teaching, formpart of a holistic educational vision and practice.
3. Are places of educational excellence, where students’ love of learning is grounded in a Catholic learning process that engages students across curriculum areas on diverse topics in light of our Catholic faith. They assist students to know, celebrate and act upon their Catholic faith through a professional and specialised implementation of the Religious Education curriculum of the Diocese of Wollongong.

Traffic at Drop Off & Pick Up

On Friday, I spoke with the relevant person at TIGS about the disregard many of their parents have for the Give Way at the top of their driveway in Powell St. This is an issue that TIGS are aware of and they are currently in the process of adding new signage, markings and addressing the issue through their newsletter. From experience, I know it is a difficult process to change driver behaviour so while I welcome the measures TIGS are taking, I still urge our parents to be vigilant and take care any time on the roads.

Mobile Phones / Smart Watches

Reminder that any students who brings a mobile phone or smartwatch to school needs to leave it in the office when they arrive on site and then collect it from the office at 2.45pm.

Dropping in ‘Forgotten’ Things

We have a lot of parents dropping off various ‘things’ that children are forgetting. Please consider this becoming a learning curve for your children. Leaving hats, iPads, pencil cases, library books, news item, etc at home is not the end of the world and children are more likely to remember the next time. This happens to all of us at times and we learn to deal with the consequences. Lunch boxes are a little different as children need their food. Our aim is to develop independent learners where children can take responsibility for themselves. There will be one-off situations and extenuating circumstances at times but I write this for parents to consider. Please be assured that there will be no judgement if you do drop something off in the office.

Harmony Day

We will celebrate Harmony Day tomorrow with a whole school assembly in the hall. During this time, many students will have the opportunity to share and celebrate their cultural backgrounds. Students are encouraged to wear cultural dress if they it or alternatively, wear orange which is the recognised colour for harmony. As a very multicultural school, this is a big event at St Therese and one that we are very proud of. Parents are very welcome to join us (in national costume, if you wish) at the assembly starting at 9am.

School Cross Country - Wednesday, 27 March

This annual event is being held next Wednesday with buses taking students to & from the venue at West Dapto. Students have been engaging in running activities as part of PE & Sport in preparation. I am also aware of a number of children doing their own training outside of school. This carnival is one of only two whole school sporting events (the other being Athletics). It is expected that all students participate at their level - this may be walking, running or a combination of both. The carnival will finish around 12 - 12.30pm with students expected to return to school for the remainder of the day.

Update:2024 Student Semester Reports

The 2024 student semester reports have been updated to reflect the outcomes of the new K-10 English and Mathematics Syllabuses.

All Kindergarten students will receive a written report twice a year, in Semester 1 and Semester 2, with a three-point grade scale to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:

• Thorough

• Sound 

• Basic

Students in Year 1 - Year 6 will continue to receive semester reports, twice a year, using  the five-point grade scale to report student achievement with the following performance descriptors: 

• Extensive

• Thorough

• Sound

• Basic

• Elementary 

K-6 Semester 1 reports will not contain a general comment.

Reports will be available to schools via Compass towards the end of Term 1.

3 - 6 English and Mathematics Reformed Syllabus

Teacher Professional Learning

In 2018, the NSW Government announced a comprehensive review of the NSW school curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 12 to ensure that the NSW Education system is properly preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

The goal of the curriculum is to support students to:

• Build strong foundations in every stage of schooling

• Learn with understanding

• Develop skills in applying knowledge

• Make excellent ongoing progress

The 2024 school year is a year of implementation and learning for the 3-6 English and Mathematics Syllabus'. Teachers will engage in professional learning throughout the year to continue to build their professional knowledge around the Reformed English and Mathematics Syllabus. They will engage in collaborative learning tasks and reflect on new and current practices to develop relevant and engaging learning experiences for all students. 

Dimitra Vezinias

Assistant Principal

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).

NCCD_Fact_sheet_for_parents_guardians_and_carers.pdf

NCCD_Fact_sheet_for_parents_guardians_and_carers _pdf 428.63 KB

THANKYOU

Thank you to our amazing ambassadors of our school who volunteered during our Open Days. 

If you’re interested in a tour please contact the school office. 

Supporting Diverse Learning in Catholic Schools 2nd Edition: A Guide by Parents for Parents

The Council of Catholic School Parents (CCSP) recognises that families of children with differing abilities require targeted advocacy and support.

The CCSP Diverse Learning Working Party has developed a valuable resource to assist parents of children with diverse learning needs. This second edition includes updates and advice following a period of consultation and gathering of feedback from parents and schools. It also provides additional information for parents of secondary students, government support and post-school success.

A copy of the guide can be downloaded here.

Dimitra Vezinias

Assistant Principal

ZONES OF REGULATION