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Newsletter Week 8
Second Sunday of Advent
Today is the second week of four weeks which make up the season of Advent. Advent comes from the Latin word “adventus” meaning coming and this time is about both the coming of Christ at Christmas as in his historical birthday and the Second Coming to bring justice and harmony to the world. In this season of Advent before Christmas, we look forward to Christ’s coming. Themes throughout Advent include hope, peace, joy and love.
The readings for the second week of Advent deal with peace. In the first reading, we learn about a time of peace and safety: “Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid…..” (Isaiah 11: 6) In the second reading, we see further a discussion of hope – telling us not to give up hope but to wait in harmony with one another: “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus…” (Rom 15:5) The gospel continues this theme of waiting and hoping and, in addition, we see a theme of repentance in which the faithful will prepare themselves for Christ’s coming: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Mt 3: 2). The Gospel refers to John the Baptist as an example of how we might anticipate Christ’s coming.
As we all know, colour plays a significant role in the church as it takes us through the liturgical year. For the season of Advent, purple in the vestments, candles, hangings etc. has a meaning of sovereignty, i.e. Christ is King. During this time as well, the Advent wreath is traditionally lit. The wreath itself is a symbol of eternity and unending love.
There are four candles. The second candle, which is purple, is the Bethlehem candle which represents the birthplace of Christ (the first coming) and the hope of Christ coming again to the world.
2021 Swimming Carnival
All students who can swim one lap of the pool, in any stroke, should attend this event. We put this note out early to remind parents that it does come up very early in the year and it gives time for students to practise over Summer, and maybe set a target during swimming lessons.
P & F AGM
Save the date – Tuesday, 16 February, 2021
Christmas Card Project
A separate letter was sent on Monday detailing this Catholic Outreach project. All children are asked to bring in one standard sized Christmas card, an envelope and a stamp. Children will be completing this activity next Monday as that is the day all cards will be sent.
Christmas Mufti Day – Wednesday, 9 December
Students are invited to wear their favourite Christmas gear to school on this day. After recess, the school will celebrate the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus. Unfortunately, parents are not able to attend.
Last Day of School – Wednesday, 16 December
This is a normal school day. We have planned our end of year assembly to be held outside and the handover to the new Student Council for 2021. Unfortunately, once again, parents are not allowed onsite for this. At the end of the assembly, students from Kinder to Year 5 will form a guard of honour (socially distanced) to form a path down to the church where Year 6 will can be picked up from 2.30pm via Kiss & Collect. All other children will go back to their classes before normal dismissal at 3pm.
For all information and updates from the diocese, please go to: www.dow.catholic.edu.au/covid19
Blair Murphy – 1B
Ruby Murray – 1G
Anthony Semaan – 1B
Owen Sheahan – 1B
Emma Kelso – 2G
Josias Laurent – 2B
Elizabeth Elizabeth – 3B
Gabrielle Ezeanowai – 3G
Taneea Katrivesis – 3B
Silver Medallion
Cale Parr – 5B
Connie Wardle – 5B
How to build digital intelligence
Promote respectful communication
- Encourage your child to use the same positive manners and behaviour they would use offline, understanding that others may have different cultures, backgrounds or points of view. If it is not OK to say or do something face to face, it is not OK online.
Encourage empathy
- Help your child to imagine being in someone else’s shoes, so they can relate to diverse opinions and understand what might make people behave in different ways.
Teach them to question
- Encourage your child to think critically about what they see online. Teach them to ask questions so they can identify content or messages that may be misleading or exploitative.
- Talk to them about ‘fake news’, or false information that is designed to look like a trustworthy news report, and how quickly it can spread on social media.
- Remind them to be careful when making new friends online as people may not be who they say they are. We are increasingly seeing ‘Finstas’ (fake Instagram accounts) and other impersonation accounts.
- Alert your child to the dangers of meeting someone in person that they have been talking to online. Advise them to never arrange to meet an online friend unless a trusted adult is with them
- Encourage safe and responsible behaviour
- Work on achieving a healthy balance in your child’s online and offline activities and set boundaries for digital device use in your home. Find out how in time online.
Help them build resilience
- Keep your cool if your child experiences a negative experience online. Remember, the choices they make as they navigate difficult situations can help them learn..
- Remind your child that they can screen who they accept as online ‘friends’.
- Build your child’s confidence and encourage positive ways of thinking — looking on the bright side, thinking rationally, understanding that difficult times are a part of life but there is help and support available.
- Ensure your child uses strong passwords on devices and accounts
School Birthdays
2 December to 8 December 2020
Happy Birthday to:
Lilian Cleary, Kiana Smith, Gabriel Arbelias.
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
December 2020
4 - Staff Development Day/Pupil Free Day
9 - 11.30am Christmas Celebration - Whole School
10 - 6.000pm Year 6 Graduation Mass/Dinner
11 - 9.30am 5 Gold attending Mass
16 - 1.30pm End of Term 4 and School 2020 Assembly
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
1 - iPad Boot camp Year 5
4 - Best Start Assessments Conclude Kinder 2021
5 - Kinder 2021 commence
9 - Safer Internet Day
13 - National Apology Day - Stolen Generations
16 - Caritas Launch 2021
7.00pm P & F AGM 2021
17 - Ash Wednesday
28 - Catholic Schools Week
March 2021
4 - Diocesan Education Mass
18 - Cross Country
21 - Harmony Day
24 - School Photos 2021 - SUMMER UNIFORM
April 2021
1 - Last Day of Term 1
2 - Good Friday
4 - Easter Saturday/ Daylight Savings Ends
5 - Easter Sunday
19 - Term 2 Commences
25 - Anzac Day - NO PUBLIC HOLIDAY
May 2021
11 - NAPLAN
26 - National Sorry Day
27 - Reconcilation Week
June 2021
3 - Mabo Day
14 - Queens Birthday/ Public Holiday
25 - Last Day of Term 2
July 2021
4 - NAIDOC Week
12 - Term 3 Commences
August 2021
5 - Year 6 Mass with the Bishop
6 - CENSUS day
15 - Feast of the Assumption
September 2021
7 - Catholic Mission Launch
10 - Christmas Art Entries Due
17 -
Community Notice
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.