Newsletter Week 3

Saint Mary Mackillop Feast Day

8 August

This week, we remember and celebrate Australia’s first Saint, Mary MacKillop.   We all need heroes and heroines to give us HOPE, to CHALLENGE us, and to show us the way to LIVE the Christian life.  Mary is a Saint for our times.  Let me introduce her to you: 

Mary was born in Melbourne in 1842.  She died in Sydney on the 8th August in 1909.  Mary took the religious name, Mary of the Cross.  Responding to the isolation of colonial families, she pioneered a new form of religious life to provide education for their children.  She and her Sisters shared the life of the poor and the itinerant, offering special care to destitute women and children.  She is remembered for her eagerness to discover God's will in all things, for her charity in the face of calumny, (often at the hands of Church authorities) and for her abiding trust in God's Providence. 

God, through the intercession of Mary MacKillop, we pray that the fire of your compassion will ignite many hearts. 

May Mary’s attentiveness to your dream inspire us. 

May her energy to overcome injustice empower us. 

May we, like her, make manifest your Presence in our troubled world. 

We pray that the beacon of her holiness, shine as a blessing for the universal Church and our world. 

We make this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

 

Year 6 Mass with Bishop Brian

Today, Year 6 travelled to Immaculate Conception Church, Unanderra for the annual ‘Mass with the Bishop’. This was even more special this year as Bishop Brian was unavailable for the Sacrament of Confirmation back in June. Our students joined with Year 6 students from 7 other Catholic Schools to celebrate their final year of primary school and it provided a chance to hear, and learn from, Bishop Brian. Personally I find these opportunities uplifting as the Bishop draws on his training as a primary school teacher to engage the students. Our Year 6 are to be commended on their behaviour and participation throughout the Mass.

School Disco

Thank you to the P & F for organising this event. Thank you also to the parents who have volunteered to supervise at one or both sessions. Volunteers will be issued with a high-vis vest so they are easily identifiable in the hall. Some staff members will also be present to supervise. No other parents will be permitted to wait in the hall - this is to protect children and parents based on Child Protection Guidelines.

School Uniform

Please ensure children are wearing their proper Winter uniform to school at all times. We are starting to get a range of students arriving without hats, ties and/or school shoes. We are always trying to instil in students a sense of pride in their school and presenting i222n the proper uniform is an obvious starting point. I understand there are exceptional circumstances from time to time - when this occurs, please let your child’s teacher know via an email, note or phone call.

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
3	6/8/24	Staff booked in	PP Meetings
3	7/8/24	Mrs South	CLIL Yr 2 & Yr 3
3	8/8/24	Mrs Runko	Diverse Learning Professional Day
3	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

Mason K - 2G

Gwen K - 2G

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’.

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

7 August 2024 - 13 August 2024

Teddy M - 1G, Patrick R - 3G, Elijah S - 3B, Rocco C - 3G, Lian M - 1B, Alexander T - 6B.

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

2024

August 2024

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

9 - P & F Disco

12 - ICAS English 

13 - South Coast Athletics Carnival

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

16 - 2.10pm 6 Gold assesmbly in the Hall

20 - ICAS Spelling

       7.00pm P & F Meeting in Parish Centre

21 - Book Week Parade

23 - Soccer Gala Day - Thomas Dalton Park 

26 - ICAS Maths

28 - P & F Fathers' Day Stall 

30 - 7.30am Fathers' 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 

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 the Hall 

30 - Kinder 2025 Playgroup Session

31 - World Teachers Day 

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