Newsletter Week 4

The Assumption of Mary into Heaven

August 15 

The following is an extract from last Sunday’s Parish Bulletin regarding this special occasion. While we don’t have a school Mass planned (due to the unavailability of Fr Duane), we do have Year 2B leading the school in a special liturgy in honour of Our Lady, starting at 11.30am in the church.

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

(15th August) is a "Holy Day of Obligation" for Catholics. This means that, along with Christmas Day and the Sundays of the year, all Catholics are called to gather for Mass, if possible, to celebrate our heavenly mother, who was assumed body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life. For West Wollongong and Unanderra, there will be three opportunities to celebrate the Mass of the Assumption: on Wednesday 14th August the 5:30pm evening Mass at West Wollongong will be the Vigil Mass of the Assumption; Thursday 15th

August, 7:45am at West Wollongong; Thursday 5:30pm evening Mass at Unanderra (Fr Duane and Fr Jerzy)

Father in heaven,

all creation rightly gives you praise,

for all life and all holiness come from you.

In the plan of your wisdom

she who bore the Christ in her womb

was raised body and soul in glory to be with him in heaven.

May we follow her example in reflecting your holiness

and join in her hymn of endless love and praise.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

 

Welcome back Fr Duane

Fr Duane returned today after his annual leave. Fr Duane was able to spend a lot of time with family, especially catching up with his sister and her children who have been out here from Canada. While I haven’t caught up with Fr Duane as yet, I hope that he had a relaxing time away and has taken time to re-energise for what is a very demanding role that he plays across two parishes.

 

School Disco

Huge thank you to the P & F who organised the disco and to the volunteers who supervised. Without this support, the disco would not have happened. The attendance rate was certainly up at both sessions and the students had a great time. The shorter time frame also works extremely well as we have less children opting to sit out as they get tired or “wanting to go home”. This is the first disco where I have had about half a dozen students regularly checking in to know the score between Swans & Collingwood - love it!!

Book Week

Our Book Week celebration will be held next Wednesday, 21 August. All students are invited to dress as their favourite book character or intune with the theme of “Reading Is Magic”. Our character parade will commence at about 9.20am in our main assembly area (this will be moved to the hall if the weather is not favourable). Parents / grandparents are invited to attend the parade or the awards assembly at 1.30pm in the hall. Pre-schoolers are also welcome to dress up and join in the fun.

Bump It Up Walls

All classes from Kinder through to Year 6 have had a focus on Bump It Up Walls. These may be in the area of Maths, English or both. Students know that this wall becomes a resource where they can refer to instead of just asking the teacher for help. Today, I had the pleasure of visiting a number of classes where I randomly selected students to ask:

1. What are you learning?
2. How are you going?
3. How do you know?
4. How can you improve?
5. Where can you go for help?

Most students were able to talk about prompts / scaffolds, such as Bump It Up Walls, that are around the classroom. Asking a friend is another strategy as opposed to only asking the teacher. These strategies build resilience in that students can work things out for themselves or show improvement without having been ‘told’ what to do. 

I received a beautiful response from a Kinder student when I asked where do you go for help if you get stuck. I was told very confidently that you needed to go to the wall before seeing the teacher. Naturally, I asked what do you do when you go to the wall. To this I received a beautiful smile and a shrug of the shoulders.? All learning is a journey & we don’t all ‘get’ everything at the same time!

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
4	12/8/24	Mr Thorne, Mrs South & Mrs Runko	System-wide Strategic Professional Learning Day
4	13/8/24, 14/8/24,15/8/24	All staff	Personalised Planning Meetings
4	13/8/24	Ms Pellizzari, Mrs Robillard, Mrs Freeman & Mrs Gilmore	Grade Collaboration
4	14/8/24, 15/8/24,16/8/24	Mrs Devine	CoGAT testing Year 2 & Year 4
4	16/8/24	Ms Pellizzari	Year 1B Parent Interviews (office area)
4	16/8/24	Mrs South, Mrs Glasson, Mrs Freeman & Mrs Crane	K-6 Curriculum Planning Day

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

Mila G - 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’.

REMINDER

20th August 2024 - P & F Meeting 7.00pm in the Parish Centre 

Birthdays

15 August 2024 - 20 August 2024

Jasfateh S - 2B, Kristian G - 3B, Koa P - 5G, Leonardo D - 1G, Ellie W - 3G, Ilai O - KG, Lilly T - 3G.

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

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

2024

August 2024

15 - 11.20am Feast of the Assumption of Mary led by Year 2 Blue in the Church

16 - 2.10pm 6 Gold assesmbly in the Hall

19 - ICAS Science

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

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