Staffing Changes

• After advertising and interviewing, we can now announce that Mrs Kristy South has been appointed to the permanent leadership role of Middle Leader 2. Kristy previously held this position at Nazareth Catholic School, Shellharbour and has been in the Acting role this year. Kristy will continue working three days per week predominantly in her role as Instructional Coach.
• With Andrew Edwards not returning, this left open a permanent teaching position as well as the leadership position. I can now also announce that we have been able to keep Mrs Emma Thomas in a permanent capacity. Emma had accepted a permanent position at St Peter & Paul’s, Kiama however was very excited to have the opportunity to stay at St Therese. As Kristy South will only be working 3 days per week, Emma will now share her leadership role on a 12 month temporary contract.

Classes for 2025

Next Monday, students will have the opportunity to meet with their class and teacher for 2025. This will follow our usual process where students will spend 40-45mins with their new class after the lunch break. All students will will be given a note to take home with their class and teacher written on it.

Christmas Liturgy (9.15am, Friday 13 Dec)

The Christmas liturgy will start as close to 9.15am as possible on the back playground. Parents, grandparents, etc are invited to join us for this special occasion.

Kinder - Sport uniform with Christmas Top and antlers

Year 1B - White t-shirt  and tinsel (in hair or around waist and wrists - Angels) 

Year 1G - Christmas t-shirt and tinsel (Green, red, white or christmas t-shirt)

Year 2 - Shepherds and Angels

Year 3 - Wise Men/Women or  Shepherds or Angels

Year 4 - Christmas Clothes (Green, red, white or christmas t-shirt)

Year 5 - Christmas Clothes (Green, red, white or christmas t-shirt)

Year 6 - Christmas Clothes (Green, red, white or christmas t-shirt)

Colour Run (1pm, Friday 13 Dec)

After the Christmas liturgy on Friday, students will have the opportunity to change into their white t-shirt, sports shorts and joggers for the Colour Run. Currently there is just a very slight chance of a shower but it will be very warm. Students travelling home by bus, will need another t-shirt to change into after the run.

End of Term Awards, Assembly  & Year 6 Farewell (11.30am, Wednesday 18 Dec)

Weather permitting, we hope to hold this assembly on the back playground under the shade cloth. There are many components to this assembly including:

• End of Term Class Awards
• Special Awards from Members of Parliament
• Acknowledgement of staff & students leaving
• Acknowledgement of Gail Crane’s retirement
• Students Council for 2025 announced
• Year 6 / Kinder buddies item
• Year 6 Guard of Honour

It is likely that this assembly will go through to about 1.15pm. Students going home early will be able to be collected from their classrooms after this time.

Extended Absence

A new Attendance Policy has been released by the Catholic Education Office in keeping with updated School Attendance Legislation. Extended Leave is now referred to as Extended Absence and is for periods of leave longer than 5 days. This leave is no longer “Approved” by the Principal however the reasoning for the absence is either Accepted or Not Accepted. If the absence is not accepted and the absence still takes place, it will be recorded as an Unjustified Absence.

Minor Head Injuries

Further updates in Compass now allow for minor injuries to the head of a student be relayed to parents via SMS. These injuries are assessed as usual in the office and if deemed ‘minor’, an SMS will be sent. As usual, if deemed more significant, a parent will be contacted via a phone call. This process will free up a lot of time for office staff having to look up phone numbers and individually call parents. By minor injuries, we are looking at a soft ball bouncing on their head or lightly bumping a head on another child’s shoulder. If there is a significant bump on concrete or other hard surface, or head clash with another student, parents will always be contacted via phone.

Swimming Carnival @ University of Wollongong (UOW) Pool - 11 February, 2025

Next year we have booked the pool at Wollongong University for our school swimming selection trials. The change of venue was brought about by the limited availability at Unanderra with school teams required by February 17. This selection trial is open to all children turning 8yrs to 12yrs in 2025. As the pool is quite different at the university, I would strongly suggest that parents take children to the uni pool over the Christmas holidays to familiarise them with the pool and to check that they are competent in swimming at least 50 metres. Freestyle events start at 8yrs while all off strokes (backstroke, breaststroke & butterfly) start at Juniors (all children 10yrs and younger).

St Therese Chritmas Masses

Tuesday, 24 December - 6pm @ Edmund Rice College Hall

Tuesday, 24 December - 9pm in the church

Wednesday, 25 December - 10am in the church

GATHER 2024 - AN INVITATION TO CHRISTMAS CAROLS

5pm, Monday 16 December @ Edmund Rice College

All welcome to attend a free family-friendly community Christmas Carol evening. BYO picnic from 5pm, entry via Mt Keira Rd, followed by carol singing from 7pm. All welcome. For more information please contact Fiona 0413 121383.

 

CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH

We have begun planning for our Christmas Day Lunch, for anyone who might need food or company on Christmas Day. This is a joint initiative of Unanderra and West Wollongong parishes. The first of these events was filled with blessings for volunteers and guests alike last Christmas. If you would

like to volunteer your services in any way, you can register your details and how you would like to contribute through the QR code or this link https://tinyurl.com/christmasdaylunch2024

 

Congratulations Alice T (5G), Nia B (6G), Summer & Abi (both now Yr 7 @ St Mary’s)

Over the weekend the girls, with the team name of Dobby Sock, competed in the National Robotics Competition in Sydney. This event drew 48 teams from around Australia. There were two sections:

1. A robot challenge - the girls unfortunately had a motor burn-out leading into the final stages which dropped them down the rankings. They still managed a very creditable 21st position.
2. The Innovation Project - the girls needed to identify a real world problem and then present possible solutions in front of a panel of judges. The identified problem was the effect of sunscreen on coral and marine life. The solutions presented saw the team awarded First Prize out of the 48 entries!

 

Congratulations Annabelle C (4B)

Annabelle has competed in a number of national dance and physie competitions this term. She has had many successes but her three main ones are:

1. In September, Annabelle competed at the Get the Beat National Dance Finals in Caloundra Qld. She was awarded 5^th place for her Traditional Contemporary solo dance and her troupe was awarded overall 10 yrs & under National Champions, all dance genres combined.
2. In October, Annabelle competed in Adrenaline Dance Finals - The Ultimate Dancer in Sydney. She performed 2 solo dances, as well as participating in a Masterclass with a choreographer. Annabelle was selected in the Top 5 in all genres combined and invited to perform at finals night, gaining 4^th place in the 9-10 yrs age group.
3. In November, Annabelle competed at the BJP Junior Nationals and progressed all the way through to the grand final.

This has been a huge term for Annabelle with so many things to celebrate. Well done!

 

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.