Newsletter Week 5

So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun. – Ecclesiastes 8:15

Father, we thank you that you want us to enjoy times of fun and celebration. You are the creator of fun and you love to see your children enjoying the world and gifts you've given them. Help us not be afraid to have fun. Help us pursue fun in ways that honour and bring you joy. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

Book Week Celebration

It was today’s celebration that inspired the prayer above. What a fantastic opportunity for our school community to come together and celebrate the wonder and possibilities that books bring. Thank you to the staff members who formed a committee to prepare the celebration and for making the day another fun event to remember. It was also awesome to see so many parents / grandparents / others attending to enjoy the character parade.

Congratulations to our Teachers

All teachers are required to plan, maintain and implement a teaching program for each calendar year. This to ensure teachers are pre-planning, accessing the NSW Syllabus documents, assessing and differentiating for the students in their care. These teaching programs are regularly checked by members of the school leadership team along with a more formal process conducted by the Catholic Education Office (CEO). The CEO compliance check was completed last week with all teaching programs affirmed in what the teachers are teaching and the ease with which others could follow the program. As you can imagine, these teaching programs are significant documents encompassing 7 Key Learning Areas subdivided into the many units that are completed in each. Differentiation means that teachers don’t simply plan one sequence of learning activities, they are constantly branching out to extend certain students or to provide additional learning for those who need the extra support. Once again, I congratulate our teachers and thank them for all the time consuming effort they put into preparing activities every single week.

Raffle Tickets 

As has been mentioned previously, Jessica McL in Year 6B has been selected into two NSW State Teams in the sports of AFL and Netball. To achieve this, Jess progresses through Diocesan, Mackillop, PSSA to finally gain selection. Her AFL took the whole family to Geelong in Victoria for a week with another week in Melbourne coming up for the Netball. To assist with the significant costs, students are asked to sell a book of raffle tickets. For her AFL selection, Jess’ family bought all the tickets. This time however, they are looking to gather some support from the school community. Tickets are $5.00 each. Prizes are:

• 1st: An Apple iPad Pro
• 2nd: $500 Rebel Voucher
• 3rd: $250 Rebel Voucher
• 4th: JBL Flip Portable Bluetooth Speaker
• 5th: JBL Flip Portable Bluetooth Speaker

The raffle will be drawn on Monday, 6 January, 2025. If you are able to assist, please see Mary-Anne or Louise in the school office or send in the money in an envelope marked with your name and child’s class.

 

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
5	19/8/24	Year 5 and Kinder Teachers (1/2day)	Grade Collaboration
5	19/8/24, 22/8/24	All staff, Mrs Runko and Mrs Vezinias	Personalised Planning Meetings
5	19/8/24	Ms Pellizzari and Mrs Robillard	Year 1 SPOT
5	19/8/24	Ms Tirchett	CoGAT testing Year 2 & Year 4 Catch Up
5	20/8/24	Mrs South and Stage 2 teachers	K-6 Curriculum Planning Day
5	22/8/24	Year 1, Year 6 and Year 4 teachers, Mrs Runko	Case Collaboration Meetings (1hr)

St Therese Catholic School Core Values

Collaboration - Community - Excellence - Inclusion - Respect

Principal's Awards

Frances B - 2B

St Therese School Facebook Page

www.facebook.com/westwollongong.sttherese

RECONCILIATION

Next week on Tuesday 27th and Thursday 29th, the sacrament of Reconciliation will be taking place for our students preparing to make their Communion later in the year. We ask the school community to keep these students in their thoughts. 

MINI VINNIES

We thank our school community for your generous donations. We are asking for any final donations to be bought to school by Friday 23rd August. 

UPCOMING DATES

• Father’s Day Breakfast and Liturgy, Friday 30th August
• Grandparents and Special People Day, Thursday 5th September

P & F Meeting

This meeting will be held in the Parish Centre on Tuesday, 10 September at 7pm. All welcome.

Birthdays

21 August 2024 - 27 August 2024

IndieG - KB, Sophie B - 1G, Maia B - 3B, Archer N - 2B, William S - 2B, Jessica M - 6B, Odessa S - KG, Sophie K - 1B.

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

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

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

18 - 2.10pm 2 Gold Assembly in Hall

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