Filter Content
Newsletter Week 3
All Souls’ Day
On Nov. 2, as a church, we observe All Souls’ Day, a day of prayer and remembrance for the souls of those who have died. The day concludes the season of what was once called Allhallowtide, which includes All Saints’ and its eve, Halloween.
On Nov. 1, All Saints’ Day, we remember those who have died “in God’s grace and friendship and are perfectly purified” and have attained heaven (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1023). On All Souls’, we pray for those whose venial sin has caught them in purgatory.
The pandemic has put many traditions on hold this year but cannot put a hold on our prayers. During a time when death has moved to the forethoughts of our mind, praying tenderly for those we have lost this year and in years past brings us closer to our Lord.
I cannot allow All Souls’ Day to pass without contemplating my own death. This is an ancient Christian tradition called “memento mori,” translated as remember you will die.
This is not a morbid or melancholy reflection but a call to live well. We do not know how many days we are given. We are called to live each day as one who loves our Lord and is loved by him.
Our merciful Father,
We are connected to each other in your wonderous cloud of witnesses. We have seen glimmers of your glory and know that you love us and desire for us to be united with you. We pray for the loved ones who have died. May their penitence be short, that they may come into the fullness of your grace. Let your light shine upon them. May you grant them eternal rest. Amen.
World Teachers’ Day – Friday, 30 October
This Friday marks World Teachers’ Day in Australia. This is a special day where we can acknowledge the great work all of our staff here at St Therese do for the benefit of the children in our care. This year, more than ever, staff in our schools have learnt new skills and adapted to changing circumstances at a rapid rate. Personally, I thank our staff for their commitment and dedication that they show every single day. I invite parents and/or students to write a simple note to their teacher on Friday to acknowledge this special day.
Stranger Danger
Today, we received a phone call from West Wollongong Public School to say that a student from their school was approached by a stranger on their way to school this morning. They have referred this to the police. This is a timely reminder for parents to have a conversation with their children especially if they are walking to and from school or to a friend’s house. I asked teachers have a general chat with their classes today about safety and stranger danger – not to inform them of the reported incident but as a general reminder which we do from time-to-time anyway.
Covid-19
For all information and updates from the diocese, please go to: www.dow.catholic.edu.au/covid19
Confirmation
Next Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, many of our Year 6 students, along with other children from within our parish, will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. While this will look different to previous years due to Covid restrictions, the significance of the occasion is not diminished. We thank Fr Duane for his flexibility and we will keep him in our prayers as he commits himself to 8 sessions of Confirmation over 4 days next week (along with his usual workload between our parish and that of Unanderra!)
Classes for 2021
It is at this time when we start looking at organising classes for 2021. Due to Covid restriction, I will not be meeting with parents as usual but if you feel there are specific circumstances that need to be considered for your child, please send an email marked attention to me. This is not an exercise in trying to choose a teacher for your child as there are many factors that go into creating classes such as friendships, personalities, academic ability, additional support. Students will be notified of their 2021 class on the last Monday of term. If you wish to have some input, please email by the end of this week.
Principal Appraisal
Thank you to everyone who contributed to my Appraisal last Wednesday, whether it was through the survey last term or via the interview last week. The brief feedback I received that afternoon was mostly positive with some suggestions for things to work on. A full report is currently being prepared which will then be discussed with, and signed off by, Mr Peter Hill, Director of Schools.
Bunnings BBQ – Saturday, 7 November
We are still looking for some additional volunteers to assist with the bbq. No experience or special skills needed – just an hour or two of your time. Everything is organised and ready to go. Please call Louise or Mary-Anne if you can help us out.
Year 6 Camp
Year 6 came back on Friday tired but very excited about the 3 days they had at Fitzroy Falls. A little bit of rain didn’t dampen their spirits and I’m sure they will now have some stories and memories that will last for many, many years. I one again sincerely thank Michelle Devine, Mary-Anne Townsend, Frank Timpano and Maurice Bernardi for giving up their own time to allow this camp to take place – we are very lucky to have such committed staff!
Adele Barila – 1B
Isla Psarris – 1B
Shaun Robin – 1B
Vivien Rowles – 1G
Harvey Strother – 1B
Jessica McLeod – 2G
Maddison Newell-Glaser – 4G
Silver Medallion
Myah Lazarovski – 6B
Gold Medallion
Ava Zaffonato – 5B
School Birthdays
28 October to 3 November 2020
Happy Birthday to:
Christopher Wojewodka, Boston Zeidler, Blair Murphy.
St Therese School Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/westwollongong.sttherese
School Vision Statement
“St Therese Primary School – a dynamic, Catholic community
educating and empowering learners for life’s journey.”
PARISH
Registrations are ESSENTIAL for ALL Masses at both West Wollongong and Unanderra — ALL registrations must be via the Unanderra Parish Office: unanderra@dow.org.au or 4271 1068
Please include the name of all family members who will be attending Mass(es), contact phone number, email address and the day/time/church of your preferred Mass(es), both weekday
and weekend.
You will be ensured of a place at weekday Masses (including Saturday morning), however for the 4 weekend Masses at both churches, you will have to wait to receive a confirmation
email from Fr Duane before attending.
KEEPING THE LORD’S DAY HOLY
Join Fr Duane for Sunday Mass live streamed 5pm EVERY SUNDAY from St Therese Church at the St Therese Facebook page at:
Those without Facebook can still view it through this link which will take you to the stream
To view through YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6HKCV4D_a1JMWx0gS7rTw
Calendar Dates 2020
November 2020
6 - 9.30am Year 6 Gold attending Mass
11 - 10.45am Rememberance Day
13 - 9.30am Year 5 Blue attending Mass
18 - 9.30am Kinder 2021 Orientation day
20 - 9.30am Year 4 Gold attending Mass
24 - 7.00pm P & F Meeting in Library
27 - 9.30am Year 3 Gold attending Mass
December 2020
4 - 9.30am Year 3 Blue attending Mass
10 - 5.30pm Year 6 Graduation Mass/Dinner - TBC
- 9.30am 5 Gold attending Mass
11 - 9.30am Christmas Celebration - Whole School - TBC
16 - 11.30am End of Term 4 and School 2020 Assembly - TBC
End of Term 4 - Students Last Day of School 2020
18 - Teachers Last Day of Term 4 and School 2020
24 - Christmas Eve
25 - Christmas Day
26 - Boxing Day
31 - New Year's Eve
January 2021
1 - New Year's Day 2021
26 - Australia Day
27 - Term 1 2021 Commences - Staff Returns
Staff Development Day/Pupil Free Day
28 - Students Year 1 to Year 6 Return
Best Start Assessments Commence Kinder 2021
February 2021
4 - Best Start Assessments Conclude Kinder 2021
5 - Kinder 2021 commence
Feast Days
Community Notice
The University of Wollongong would like to invite our students to LITTLE and EARLY LEARNING LABS, an academic enrichment holiday program. We are targeting students from Year 1 to 6 during 2020, who are passionate, self-motivated and curious learners.
Dates: Little Learning Labs (Years 1 and 2): 13th-15th January 2021
Early Learning Labs (Years 3 to 6): 19th-21st January 2021
Venue: University of Wollongong (Wollongong campus only)
Applications close: 9th November 2020
Parents/Guardians visit the website and read the full list of workshops available by scrolling to the “January workshops overview” section and fill out the online application form.
This is an academic enrichment program designed for students who are motivated and passionate learners and performing excellently in their area of interest. First-time applicants are required to demonstrate their suitability for the program. One piece of supporting documentation is required (see 'Supporting Documentation' section on website).
Learning Labs is registered as COVID-Safe and follows the guidelines set out by the NSW Government here.
Please know that workshops fill very quickly.
From January onwards, there will be a number of School Opal cards expiring, as the physical card has reached its lifespan.
These are cards for students who will be in years 8 to 12 in 2021, and only those Opal cards which haven’t been replaced in the last five years.
Impacted students and/or their parent/guardian will be contacted directly by Transport for NSW via email or post. They will be asked to confirm their details online in order for a new School Opal card to be sent to the correct postal address in time for the new school year.
If contacted by Transport for NSW, details should be submitted online by December 1, 2020 at the latest. Affected students who do not confirm their details in time will have a new School Opal card posted to the address we currently have on file.