Newsletter Week 2

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Last week we celebrated the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Virgin Mary and grandparents to Jesus. As you get older, the thinking is that as your children grow into adults and commence their own independent lives, that your job is done. However, the reality is that you still ride the highs and lows from a distance. Sometimes your heart can be breaking knowing that there is little you can do but to be there for comfort and support.

Joachim and Anne are not mentioned in the Gospels and there is very little first hand knowledge of them. However, we do know from other accounts, that Joachim probably died shortly after Mary’s birth but Anne would have been present at least during Jesus’ childhood years.

Not all families experience the closeness of grandparents due to distance, family breakdown or death. My personal experience is that I never knew my grandparents as they all had died before I was born. On the other hand, I see the connections, influences and relationships that are present between most of our students and their grandparents. There is such a special bond of love that is so heartwarming to witness. Being in such a multicultural school, I am often asked to approve families travelling overseas to visit grandparents - these trips are so important and life-giving, both-ways.

We thank you for our grandparents who have played such an important role in our lives.
We remember with joy all of the time spent together doing simple things like fishing, doing a puzzle, baking cookies, taking a walk, reading a story and learning about the wonder of nature.

Thank you for the privilege of hearing their stories of life in another time and place that inspired us to work hard, be patient, courageously endure hard times and to dare to follow our dreams.

We are forever grateful for the wisdom and stability they provided when we felt our world was falling apart.

What a great gift to us that they loved us just because we were their grandchild.
Thank you that they counted it joy to spend time listening as we told them about the big and little things going on in our lives.

May we continuously feel their hugs and feel the warmth of their smiles so that we can better comprehend your constant and unchanging love for us.

We ask your kind forgiveness for the times we failed to appreciate our grandparents, for the times we were too wrapped up in ourselves and our own activities to spend more time with them.

And when our time comes to be grandparents ourselves, help us to follow in their loving footsteps. 

 

Class Assemblies

Class assemblies are an opportunity for students to showcase some of the great things that are happening in their classroom for their parents and the other classes across the school. Some grades have opted to work together and will therefore present 2 assemblies over the course of the year. In other cases, classes will present alone which will be one assembly each. Assemblies will be in the hall commencing at 2.10pm. Parents are welcome to attend any of these assemblies.

Term 3, class assemblies will be:

• Week 2 (Friday, 2 August) - Year 2 Blue
• Week 4 (Friday, 16 August) - Year 6 Gold
• Week 6 (Friday, 30 August) - Year 3 Blue
• Week 7 (Friday, 6 September) - Year 2 Gold
• Week 8 (Friday, 13 September) - Kindergarten

 

School Improvements

• During the last holidays, our new shade structure was installed on the Little Bank. This is a great addition to the playspace and one that is definitely needed for the warmer months. It is just coincidence that it came in Swans colours and has a small picture of a Rhino on it!! Thank you to the P & F for covering the cost of the structure.
• Stage 1 classrooms (Yrs 1 & 2) all received new carpet which was a very pleasant surprise for the students. Eliminating the lino wet area has made the rooms look so much bigger with a lot more useable space.
• Also during the holidays, the Stage 1 verandah was repainted with non-slip paint. We engaged a different company to last time with the promise that it will be far more long lasting. The poles were also painted to complete the job and make the area far more appealing.

Green & Gold Day

This Friday is our fun Green & Gold Day to raise awareness of the Olympics. This is not just about sport but also the inspiring stories of commitment, dedication and, sometimes, heartbreak and how the athletes deal with these things.

Parent and Carer Evening with Dr Justin Coulson at St John's Catholic Parish Primary School Dapto

The St John's Catholic Parish Primary School Dapto Parents and Friends Association are excited to announce they are hosting a parent and carer information session with Dr Justin Coulson on Wednesday, 28th August at 6:30pm.

Dr Justin Coulson is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel Nine’s “Parental Guidance” and the founder of happyfamilies.com.au and is considered one of Australia’s most trusted parenting experts.

The parent session will focus on the topic of Resilience, in this session, parents will learn the psychological secrets that build their child’s sense of identity, strengths, and growth mindset in order to perform better, be happier, and build resilience.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased using this link: https://events.humanitix.com/resilience-with-dr-justin-coulson-parental-guidance-workshop

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 Amy Runko

Stage 3 (Year 5 and Year 6) Ms Bethany Tirchett

SPORT- Miss Jazmin Tikkeros

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.

Upcoming Teacher Professional Learning Development 

Throughout the year teachers have access to a variety of quality professional development opportunities. Casual teachers are employed to cover classes with the teacher ensuring the teaching program and routines are followed.

Week	Date	Staff Member/s	Purpose
2	5/8/24	Ms Tirchett, Mrs Crane, Miss Turvey, Mrs Milner & Mrs South	CLIL Kinder & Yr6 (½ day)
2	6/8/24	Mrs South	Instructional Coach PD
2	6/8/24	Staff booked in	PP Meetings
2	7/8/24	Ms Pellizzari, Mrs Robilliard, Mrs Thomas, Mrs Timpano, Mrs Glasson & Mrs South	CLIL Yr 1 & Yr 2
2	8/8/24	Mrs Runko	Diverse Learning Professional Day
2	9/8/24	Staff booked in Mrs Crane, Mrs Freeman, Miss Turvey, Mrs Glasson & Mrs Treffone (CEDoW) Mr Thorne & Mrs Vezinias	PP Meetings Phonemic Awareness PD   Principal & AP Network Meeting (AM)

Personalised Planning Meeting Term 3 2024

Personalised Planning Meetings are being scheduled for Term 3 (beginning 6th August) to discuss your child's individual Personalised Plan. This plan is aimed at supporting your child’s specific needs whether they be medical, emotional, social or learning support. Meetings are scheduled for 30 minutes. To facilitate these meetings the interviews will be held face to face or phone conversation. An Invitation only Letter and link has been sent to those parents who have a PP Meeting.

Looking forward to our meeting.

Amy Runko  DLTS Teacher 

Mrs Dimitra Vezinias  Assistant Principal

SEL

HealthyHabitsPoster_1.pdf

HealthyHabitsPoster_1 _pdf 17.49 MB

St Therese Catholic School Core Values

Collaboration - Community - Excellence - Inclusion - Respect

Principal's Awards

Gold Medallion

Blake McL - 5G

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”

Book Week

This year, Book Week runs from 17 - 23 August. We are planning to have our celebration on Wednesday, 21 August. This year’s theme is ‘Reading Is Magic’.

Book Club

Issue 5  - please order via the LOOP. Orders are due back Friday 2nd August 2024.

BAPTISMS

 For any new requests please contact the Parish Office (email: westwollongong@dow.org.au any time or call 4243 9610 on Tuesdays 9am-3pm).

God bless you all,
Fr Duane

Birthdays

31 July 2024 - 6 August 2024

Ariana D -2B, Zoe Watts - 4G, Chloe M - 2G, Eva W - 6B, Maurice F - 4G, Russell N - 4G.

**These dates are acurate at the time of publishing but are subject to change**

2024

August 2024

1 - Year 4 Excursion to Komay Bay

2 - 2.10pm 2 Blue Assembly in the Hall

5 - Religious Literacy Assessment - Year 4

     ICAS Digital Technologies

6 -  ICAS Writing

7 - 10.30am Year 6 Mass with the Bishop

8 - 11.15am Liturgy of the Feast of Mary of the Cross MacKillop Year 3 Gold

9 - P & F Disco

12 - ICAS English 

13 - South Coast Athletics Carnival

15 - 11.15am Feast of the Assumption of Mary Year 2 Blue in the Church

16 - 2.10pm 6 Gold assesmbly in the Hall

20 - ICAS Spelling

21 - Book Week Parade

23 - Soccer Gala Day - Woonona & Unanderra

26 - ICAS Maths

28 - P & F Father's Day Stall 

30 - 7.30am Father's Day Breakfast

       Jersey Day

       2.10pm 3 Blue Assembly in the Hall

September 2024

5 - 9.15am Grandparents & Special Friends Liturgy

     10.00am Open Classrooms

     10.50am Grandparents & Special Friends Morninig Tea

6 - 2.10pm 2 Gold Assembly in Hall

12 - R U OK Day

       10.00am Catholic Mission Launch St Michael's School Thirroul

13 - 2.10pm Kinder Assembly in Hall

19 - Andrew Chinn Concert

       Basketball Gala Day - Junior Boys and Girls

20 - Year 1 Excursion to Stanwell Park 

       Basketball Gala Day - Senior Boys and Girls

23 - Kinder Excursion to Symbio Animal Park 

26 - 9.30am Mass in the Church celebrating the Feast of St Therese 

       Last Day of Term 3 for Students

27 - Staff Development Day - PUPIL FREE DAY

       Last Day of Term 3 for Staff

October 2024

1 - Feast of St Therese 

5 - World Teachers Day 

6 - Daylight Saving commences

14 - Staff Devlopment Day - PUPIL FREE DAY

       Term 4 Commences for Staff

16 - Term 4 Commences for Students

       Kinder 2025 Playgroup Session

       Cricket Gala Day 

17 - ERC Band visit

22 - P & F Meeting in Library

23 - Kinder 2025 Playgroup Session

25 - Public Speaking Competition - Parish Centre

       2.10pm 5 Blue Assembly - in Hall 

30 - Kinder 2025 Playgroup Session

November 2024

1 - All Saints Day 

     2.10pm 3 Gold Assembly in the Hall 

2 - All Souls Day 

6 - Kinder 2025 Playgroup Session

8 - 2.10pm 6 Blue Assembly in Hall

13 - Kinder 2025 Orientation Day  

15 - 2.10pm Kinder Assembly in Hall 

22 - 2.10pm Year 1 Assesmbly in Hall 

29 - P & F Colour Run

       2.10pm Year 4 Assembly in Hall 

December 2024

6 - Christmas Band Tour 

13 - 11.30am All school Christmas Liturgy in the Back Playground

17 - 6.00pm Year 6 Graduation in Church

18 - Last Day of Term 4 & 2024 for Students 

       10.50am End of Term 4 & 2024 Morning Tea in Hall 

        11.30am End of Term 4 & 2024 Assembly 

19 - Staff Development Day - PUPIL FREE DAY 

20 - Staff Development Day - PUPIL FREE DAY 

       Last Day of Term 

 ST THERESE CANTEEN 

WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS ONLY