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Newsletter Week 10
Fourth Sunday of Advent
The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming.” Advent in the 4th and 5th century was a time of preparation for the baptism of new Christians. Christians would spend 40 days in prayer and fasting to prepare for the celebration that accompanied the baptism of new believers.
The Advent season is an invitation for us all to choose to set aside the fear and uncertainty that has defined 2020. It’s a chance to be intentional about taking our focus off of the hustle of the Christmas season. We can also give to God the sadness that many may be feeling as many of us will need to observe the holiday season differently this year. This fourth Advent Sunday we are reminded that Jesus offers us peace in every season and nothing is impossible with him!
The fourth candle of Advent is called the “Angel Candle” and symbolizes peace. This name comes from the fact that the angels announced that Jesus came to bring peace (Luke 2:14). This week we are reminded that Jesus came to bring peace to our hearts and to our world!
Thank You
On a personal note, I would like to sincerely thank all the parents for your wonderful support for what we do here at St Therese. We have a great community spirit and while we may have some disagreements at times, issues can be put aside and we move on. The mother of a new student to St Therese recently said that her child is ‘the happiest they have ever been!’ This was an awesome comment to hear because these are the things that matter and learning will stem from this.
I wish everyone a happy, holy and safe Christmas season where time is spent relaxing with family and friends. As a staff, we all undoubtably need a well earned break but excited by what the new year will bring. Best wishes to all our wonderful families.
Mobile Phones
I have been notified a couple of times recently of St Therese parents driving out of school grounds on their mobile after picking up children. Besides being illegal and very unsafe in a school zone, it also sets a very dangerous precedent for your children – while they may not be driving yet, it’s not that far down the track.
P & F AGM
Save the date – Tuesday, 16 February, 2021
Last Day of School!!
After a year of disappointments and having to compromise, here we are on the last day of school and rain is forcing further changes to our plans. We will have a shortened assembly with end of term awards as well as the naming of the 2021 Student Council. Unfortunately no parents will be allowed to attend this assembly. Following this we will have a guard of honour (possibly in raincoats!) to farewell Year 6.
Please note: Year 6 parents only will be able to park and wait for their children on the front playground from 2pm if they wish. After the students come down, all cars need to have gone by 2.40pm to allow us to prepare for the usual Kiss & Collect. From 3pm, usual pick-up methods will occur.
Building Update
This significant renovation will commence during the holidays. When we return at the end of January:
- Morning routines for drop-off will remain the same
- There will be NO parking onsite in the afternoons
- Kiss & Collect will be from the Basketball Court
- All other ways students leave will remain the same
Sausage Sizzle Thank You
Covid-19
For all information and updates from the diocese, please go to: www.dow.catholic.edu.au/covid19
Karen Matoori – 1G
Mia Sotirovski – 4B
Silver Medallion
Oscar Krauss -
Gold Medallion
Archie OHara – 6B
School Birthdays
15 December to 31 January 2021
Happy Birthday to:
| Sarah | Moroney |
| Lilian | Cleary |
| Kiana | Smith |
| Gabriel | Arbelias |
| Harvey | Strother |
| Evie | Murray |
| Taneea | Katrivesis |
| Sophie | Dihm |
| Noah | McCarthy |
| Mia | Tupanceski |
| Phoebe | Pilon |
| Kunwarbir | Singh |
| Hunter | O'Brien |
| Olivia | Grech |
| Ivy | Pilon |
| Molly | Burrows |
| Zoe | Annese |
| Ace | Costello |
| Madelina | Belo |
| Nate | McClure |
| Annabelle | Sousou |
| Rhys | Barnes |
| Anastasia | Ezeanowai |
| Siamnd | Al Hasan |
| Tatiana | Moreton |
| Karen | Motoori |
| Ayden | Celebi |
| Harry | Sopher |
| Daisy | Maxted |
| Habte | Habte Ali |
| Ayman | Hikmat |
| Luca | Baxa |
| Isabella | McLuckie |
| Hunter | Calder |
| Julius | Binoy |
| Anthony | Semaan |
| Karam | Khrait |
| Christiano | Haddad |
| Amelia | Bellomo |
| Mia | Sotirovski |
| Violet | Lavulo |
| Ruby | Hogarth |
| Jonathan | Bendeich |
| Madeline | Plunkett |
| Ethan | Mulazimoski |
| Amari | Ferns |
| Alexander | Giacon |
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
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 - Last Day Term 3
October 2021
5 - Term 4 Commences
World Teachers Day
December 2021
15 - Last Day Term 4 Students
17 - Last day Term 4 Teachers and Staff
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.