Filter Content
Newsletter Week 4
PRAYER -
ASH WEDNESDAY
The Purpose of Ashes
“Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19.
The line from Genesis reminds us our lives on this earth won’t last forever. We are a finite people who hold hope in something infinite and beyond ourselves. Bearing a mark throughout the day that is visible to others puts an explanation point on the Genesis passage. We become walking witnesses of that place of truth.
Heaping ashes upon the head, rending the garment, and donning sackcloth were all outward signs of penitence in biblical times. Such a display was one of abject humility and repentance.
The ashes used on Ash Wednesday are obtained from the burning of the palms of a previous Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday marks Jesus' return to Jerusalem, when people waved palm branches to celebrate his arrival. The ashes are blessed by the priest on Ash Wednesday. Then the ashes are applied to each person's forehead in the shape of a cross. This year however, due to Covid, the ashes will be sprinkled over each person’s head.
Ash Wednesday Prayer
Gracious God, today begins a period of inner reflection and examination. The days stretch before me and invite me inward to that silent, holy space that holds your Spirit. This special time beckons me to see my life through Christ's eyes and the truth and reality of your love incarnate. Give me the grace to enter the space of these days with anticipation of our meeting. And, when I open my soul to your presence, let your loving kindness flow over me and seep into the pockets of my heart. I ask this for the sake of your love.
Congratulations P & F Executive 2021
Last night we had the biggest turnout at a P & F meeting for a long time. It was great to see some new faces who are keen to be involved. As this was the AGM, all executive positions were thrown open and nominations sought. I’m pleased to announce that all executive members from last year were re-elected unopposed. For new families, the P & F executive consists of:
President: Michelle Ristov
Vice President: Rachael Dimitrievski
Treasurer: Matt Kari
Secretary: Stephanie O’Dwyer
Volunteer(s) Required
Each year, for many years, we have been able to offer the students a Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day Stall where students have been able to buy gifts. This is often the first time that children have been in a position to make a choice themselves with a parent / carer present to ‘guide’ them. There is tremendous benefit in this. This year we have two parents who have already commenced preparations for the Mothers’ Day Stall in May. We require a parent or small group of parents, who would like to take on the organisation of the Fathers’ Day Stall in September. The volunteers will be provided with a handover so that they can see how the stall has operated in the past. If interested, please contact Louise or Mary-Anne in the office.
Covid-19
For all information and updates from the diocese, please go to: www.dow.catholic.edu.au/covid19
Keep the date - Wednesday 24 March 2021 - SUMMER UNIFORM
School Birthdays
17 February 2021 - 23 February 2021
Happy Birthday:
Charlotte Gorgievski, Kate Gorgievski, Liam Benedetti, Abrielle Cardamone, Christopher Dias, Vila Schwenke, Natalia Carvana, Noah Ristov, Texas Pike & Levi Talevski.
Jordan Anastasiadis - 2B
Llynx Spain - 2B
Christina Dellis - 3B
Julius Binoy - 6B
Silver Medallion
Adriana Coratella - 4G
Jonathan Bendeich - 6B
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
The saying goes ‘many hands make light work’ and that is truly the case here at St Therese school community!
This past week, many people have helped to provide our students with opportunities to experience ‘Faith in Action’.
- Last week’s Welcome and Commissioning Liturgy - Thank you to our Yr Six Students who were very reverent and respectful during our Liturgy, our parents who were able to be there and Mrs Divine and Mr Timpano who assisted with preparing the students. Thank you also to Fr Duane for presiding over the Liturgy and blessing our students and their badges for the year ahead.
- National Apology Day - Thank you to Mrs Pellazzari for preparing our Prayer service and to the students who delivered it on Monday for the Anniversary of National Apology Day. This is an important day to remember such a significant event in Australia’s history of Reconciliation.
- Burning the Palms - Thank you to Mr Timpano for organising and burning our palm leaves for Ash Wednesday. Unfortunately it was wet weather both at recess and lunchtime so we were unable to burn the palms for the children to witness and say a special prayer, but Mr Timpano managed to find a clear 20 mins after school when there was a break in the rain.
- Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) - Thank you to Michelle Ristov, Justine Thonpson, Christine Byron and the band of many merry helpers for organising, preparing and delivering a huge quantity of pancakes to our students for Shrove Tuesday. They are definitely a well oiled machine - having served all students by recess time. Thank you to the students and their parents for their generous donations, helping to raise an amazing $553.83 to start our CARITAS collection for 2021 Project Compassion.
- Again Year 6 and their teachers for leading the Ash Wed Liturgy in the Hall today with Fr Duane. Our School Council and our K - 3 teachers, who have led class liturgies within their rooms, so that all our younger students could also receive the Ashes today.
- Finally to Mrs Locke and Mrs Townsend, who have assisted with all the behind the scenes work, with important information, procedures, know-how and guidance. I am eternally grateful.
All these people have made these events happen and run smoothly. Thanks TEAM- you are amazing!!!!
In his message for Lent 2021, Pope Francis calls on the faithful to “renew our faith, draw from the living waters of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God.”
As we prepare for Easter, we speak about using lent as a time to focus on ‘the other’. Through our Prayers, Fasting and Giving we help or feel empathy for others in our world.
This year we will continue to assist CARITAS in raising money for people in countries like Bangladesh, Solomon Islands and Tanzania.
Project Compassion Boxes will be placed in class prayer spaces for students to place small donations into. Thank you for encouraging your child/ren to think of others over the next 40 days of LENT and give something to the less fortunate in our world.
CANTEEN MENU 2021
Community Notice
The Holy Spirit College Open Day and Evening will take place on Thursday February 25 2021. There are two sessions scheduled for the day.
The morning session begins with an information session in the Casey Ryder Centre at 8.45am - 9.45am followed by a tour of the College from 9.45am - 11am.
The evening session will begin with a tour of the College from 5.30pm - 6.45pm followed by the information session in the Casey Ryder Center at 7pm.
Applications opened for Year 7 2023 on February 1 2021, and will close on Thursday April 1 2021. Please contact the College for an enrolment package.
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.
Calendar Dates 2021
19 - CENSUS DAY
24 - 9.00am Brass Band Visit
28 - Catholic Schools Week commences
March 2021
1 - Meet and Greet meetings for Kinder commence
2 - South Coast Diocesan Swimming Carnival 2021
9 - 7.00pm Sacramental Information Night
11 - 7.00pm Sacramental Information Night (repeat session)
18 - Cross Country
21 - Harmony Day
24 - School Photos 2021 - SUMMER UNIFORM
29 - Da Vinci Competition
Holy Week commences
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
9 - Confirmation
10 - Confirmation
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