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Newsletter Week 4
The Jubilee Prayer
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen
In 2025, the Catholic Church celebrates the Jubilee Year of Hope — a rare and sacred tradition observed every 25 years. With the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” this Jubilee invites us to reflect on our journey of faith and embrace the hope that God offers to all.
School Vision Statement (Part 1)
“Immersed in faith, pursuing excellence in learning
and the positive wellbeing of all”
This statement has been sent home in various newsletters, is visible in the office foyer and referred to at various meetings with staff and parents. The three key words we take from this are: faith, learning and wellbeing. This year, we are continuing keep our Catholicity at the forefront of what we do. We are very fortunate to have Mrs Louise Sartor join our staff this year. Louise has a very strong faith background, has worked closely with Fr Duane in her role as REC at Unanderra and knows our school as a parent (with her daughter now in Year 8). Louise will build on the work done previously and brings new ideas and a fresh set of eyes to what we do here at St Therese.
Congratulations to our Year 6 Leaders
On Friday this week, all of our Year 6 cohort will be acknowledged as Student Leaders of St Therese. As a whole, we have an excellent group of students which always makes the process of choosing Student Council and House Captains a very difficult one. During the Mass, all students in Year 6 will receive their leadership badges and will be asked to commit to their role in front of the school community.
LEADERSHIP TEAM SUPPORT PERSON:
Assistant Principal: Mrs Dimitra Vezinias (Pastoral Care, Curriculum, Wellbeing, Diverse Learning, Behaviour)
Early Stage 1: Mrs Kristy South /Mrs Emma Thomas
Stage 1: Mrs Kristy South /Mrs Emma Thomas
Stage 2: Mrs Louise Sartor
Stage 3: Ms Bethany Tirchett
Sport: Miss Jazmin Tikkeros
Office: Mrs Louise Locke (- please direct all email / phone messages through the office as teachers do not check email or phone messages during learning time.)
Kinder Enrolments 2026
Throughout Term 1, we will be accepting Kindergarten enrolment applications for 2026. Application is made via the Enrol Now link on the school website. We will be conducting three Open Day sessions for parents to come along to view the school and to ask questions.
OPEN DAY Sessions:
- Thursday, 13 March 4pm to 5pm
- Friday, 14 March 9.30am to 10.30am
- Saturday, 15 March 9.30am to 10.30am
Church Car Park Update
Fr Duane has accepted a quote from Illawarra Line Marking to formalise parking in the church car park. At this stage, no date has been set for this work to be carried out but I will let parents know as soon as possible. Once marked out, there will be about 45 parking bays with a formalised route for driving around. This may create some confusion / changes early on but will prove far more effective in the long run.
Walking through the car park: Parents are reminded to have children walk beside them through the car park at all times. It cannot be used as a play / chasings area due to the volume of traffic and visibility issues.
Traffic Issues
Kiss & Drop Zones: There are two zones located before and after the supervised crossing on Powell St. Ideally, children should have their backpacks in the car with them so that they can exit the car on the footpath by themselves. For smaller children, parents are permitted to walk around to help children but this should also happen on the footpath side of the car. Drivers are not permitted to park the car in this zone to walk children into school.
Kiss & Collect: Teachers are available to assist children into cars but do not help with seatbelts. To keep traffic moving, parents are asked to drive up & puu ll over at the presbytery car park if they need to assist children with seatbelts.
P & F AGM
Last night, the AGM was held in the Primary building. As usual at this meeting, all executive positions are thrown open and elections held for the 2025 executive. We had 10 attendees with two apologies. The results of the voting are as follows:
President Mrs Michelle Ristov (6G, 5G)
Vice President Mrs Rachael Dimitrievski (5B)
Treasurer (TBC) Mrs Christina Anastasiadis (6G, 5B)
Secretary Mrs Kayla Engel (KB)
Thank you from West Wollongong St Vincent de Paul
The following letter was received from Louise Pinson, President of the West Wollongong SVDP Chapter, acknowledging the great support they receive from the school community every Christmas.
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.
NAPLAN 2025 Information
Students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 will sit NAPLAN between 12 and 24 March 2025. NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning at school. It is not a test that requires preparation, and students are not expected to study for it.NAPLAN forms part of a school’s assessment and reporting process but does not replace ongoing teacher assessments of student performance. Individual results can be a helpful resource for students and parents to discuss progress with teachers.For more information, visit the Parents and Carers page on the NAP website. Why NAPLAN is now held in MarchThis is the third year NAPLAN will be conducted in March, having previously taken place in May. The change was introduced to provide schools with results earlier in the year, helping inform teaching and learning plans for the remainder of the school year. Why NAPLAN is conducted onlineSince transitioning from paper-based to online assessment between 2018 and 2022, NAPLAN has offered:
- More precise results through tailored (adaptive) testing, where questions match students' abilities, allowing them to better demonstrate their skills.
- Enhanced accessibility options, enabling students with disability to participate.
- A more engaging experience for students, based on their feedback.
Dimitra Vezinias
Assistant Principal
2025 Annual Improvement Plan (AIP)
Each year every primary school in the Diocese of Wollongong sets an Annual Improvement Plan (AIP) goal. The following provides details about our AIP goal for 2025.
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 |
10.2.25 |
Years 1, 4, 6 teachers and Mrs South (2hrs sessions) |
Grade Collaboration |
|
3 |
12.2.25 |
Years 5,3,2 teachers and Mrs South (2hrs sessions) |
Grade Collaboration |
|
3 |
14.2.25 |
Mrs Vezinias, Mrs Crofts, Mrs Thomas, Miss Muir |
Heggerty's Phonemic Awareness PD- (12.20pm -5pm afternoon session) |
|
4 |
17.2.25 |
Mrs Vezinias, Mrs Runko, Mrs Cameron, Mrs Frew, Mrs Hogarth, Mrs Sartor |
Diabetes Level 3 Training |
|
4 |
18.2.25 |
Mrs Sartor |
PDHPEWorking Party |
|
4 |
18.2.25 |
1B & 1G teachers (1/2day each) |
Personalised Meetings |
|
4 |
18.2.25 |
Miss Turvey, Mr Wells, Mrs Di Pietro & Miss Muir |
Early Career Mentoring Induction |
|
4 |
21.2.25 |
Miss Tikkeros |
MacKillop Basketball Trials |
St Therese Catholic School Core Values
Collaboration - Community - Excellence - Inclusion - Respect
Principal's Awards
Sophie B - 2G
Aurelia C - 4G
Laija C - 2G
Rose C - 3B
Toby G - 3G
Alessia J - 2G
Finn M - 2G
Francine T - 3G
Charlotte W - 4G
Blake W - 2G
Silver Medallion
Annabelle C - 5G
Jessica J - 5G
Allira K - 6B
HARMONY DAY
Free Online Respect Workshop for Parents and Carers
Do you know what’s influencing your kids? With young people spending so much time online, what they see and do can impact their behaviours and beliefs. Online disrespect is one of the ways violence-supportive attitudes can start to develop.
Stop it at the Start has partnered with Tomorrow Man and Tomorrow Woman to help parents, carers, and other significant adults of young people aged 10-17 understand how the online world influences views on respect and gender. The workshop also shares practical ways to build relationships and start important conversations.
Join facilitators Ryder Jack and Kasey Miles for a free, interactive, evidence-based 90-minute session focused on connecting with young people, fostering healthier masculinity, and providing families with practical tools for everyday use.
Join the Respect Starts Now workshop to gain tools, spark real change, and build deeper connections.
Respect Starts Now Workshop
Reserve a seat on Thursday 27 February 2025, 7:00 – 8:30 pm (AEDT) below.
Click here to register.
Free SchoolSpeak 101 Webinar: Learning the Lingo of School
Do you ever wonder what some of the words teachers use mean? Things like syllabus, curriculum, KLA, summative assessment?
Let Catholic Schools NSW, in conjunction with The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT, give you a quick ‘lesson’ in ‘schoolspeak’! Learning the ‘lingo’ of school will help you talk to your child and teachers so you can best support your child’s learning.
Presented by Mary Ryan, Head of Professional Learning at Catholic Schools NSW, find out about scope and sequence, how curriculum develops, what NESA does, NAPLAN, what’s different about the new K–12 curriculum and how you can work with the school to improve your child’s achievements and wellbeing.
Register now for a day or evening session:
● Tuesday 25 February 2025, 12.30 pm – 1 pm
● Wednesday 26 February 2025, 7.30 pm – 8 pm
Click here to register.
Free Dream Big Webinar
The Council of Catholic School Parents are delighted to invite all parents and carers to the first in a series of free online webinars on helping children find their passions, pathways and careers. This is in collaboration with BEYOND, who offer a free, highly personalised careers that helps students discover their interests and pathway.
The first session will kick off with DREAM BIG, a webinar for primary school parents and carers that will help you nurture your child's interests and imagination.
Don't miss this chance to empower your child's future! Grab a sandwich and a cup of tea and sit down to listen and get some great tips at this lunchtime session:
● Wednesday 5 March 2025 | 12.30 pm - 1 pm
Click here to register.
Enrolments Open for CatholicCare’s Parenting Courses
CatholicCare Wollongong offers parenting courses on topics such as:
- Understanding and supporting your child's needs by building a secure attachment
- Childhood brain development and understanding how to meet your child’s growing needs
- Childhood anxiety and stress and how you can support them
If you would like to learn more about our courses visit our website or call 4254 9395.
St Therese School Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/westwollongong.sttherese
STUDENT BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays
19 February 2025 - 4 March 2025
Grace G - KB, Sunnie J - KG, Gweneth F - 1G, Andre T - 3B, Levi T - 4B, Lincoln 1B, Lana K - 5G, Dante C - 1B, Patrick O - 4G, Aria S - 4B.
PARISH INFORMATION
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
CANTEEN MENU 2025
ST THERESE CANTEEN
WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS ONLY
Welcome to 2025
- In your Flexischools app, click 'Profile'.
- Select the student.
- Click the student's year level and class and update their details.
- Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click 'Save'.
Calendar Dates 2025
**These dates are acurate at the time of publishing but are subject to change**
2025
February 2025
21 - 12.00pm Whole School Mass & Acknowledgement of Year 6 Leaders
12.50pm Afternoon Tea for Parents in Parish Centre
25 - 6pm Diocesan Education Mass
26 - Stage 1 Art Enrichment Program
28 - 9.30am Year 4 attending Parish Mass - All are welcome
Clean Up Australia Day
March 2025
4 - Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Tuesday
9.30am Caritas Project Compassion Launch
1.30pm Burning of the Palms - Parents welcome
South Coast Swimming Carnival
5 - 12.00pm Ash Wednesday in Church
7 - 9.30am Year 4 attending Parish Mass - All are welcome
10 - 24 - NAPLAN
11 - 7pm Confirmation Registration
13 - 9.30am St Therese Kinder 2026 Open Day
7pm Confirmation Registration
14 - 9.30am Year 5 attending Parish Mass - All are welcome
9.30am St Therese Kinder 2026 Open Day
15 - 9.30am St Therese Kinder 2026 Open Day
17 - St Patrick's Day - Food Stall & Fundraiser
19 - Harmony Day
20 - St Joseph's Feast Day
21 - Year 3 Excursion to Stanwell Park Reserve
25 - 8.40am Morning Prayer Annunciation of the Lord
26 - Cross Country
28 - 9.30am Year 5 attending Parish Mass - All are welcome
31 - School Photos - SUMMER uniform
April 2025
3 - Paul Kelly Cup
6 - Daylight Savings Time
8 - Easter Hat Parade
10 - Last Day Term 1 2025
9.30am Holy Week Liturgy in Church - whole school
10.50am Morning Tea in Hall
11.20am End of Term 1 Assesmbly
11 - Staff Development Day
14 - Holy Week
18 - Good Friday
19 - Holy Saturday
20 - Easter Sunday
21 - Easter Monday
25 - Anzac Day
28 - Term 2 commences
29 - 5 May - Life Education Van
May 2025
9 - Year 4 Excursion to The Rocks
12 -13 - NRMA Science & Road Saftey Incursion
14 - 16 Year 6 Camp
16 - Walk Safely To School Day
19 - Athletics Carnival - Beaton Park
26 - National Sorry Day
27 - 3 June - Reconcilation Week
June 2025
3 - Mabo Day
Year 6 - Confirmation
5 - World Environment Day
9 - King's Birthday - Public Holiday
17 - Registration Night for 2025 Reconcilation and First Hoily Communion - Year 3
19 - Registration Night for 2025 Reconcilation and First Hoily Communion - Year 3
July 2025
3 - 10 - NAIDOC WEEK
4 - Last Day of Term 2
10.50am Morning Tea in Hall
11.20am End of Term 2 Assesmbly