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Newsletter Week 2
A Prayer for Our Children
Most loving Father, the example of parenthood,
teach us what to give and what to withhold.
Show us when to reprove and when to praise.
Make us gentle and considerate yet firm and watchful.
Keep us from weak indulgence, or from great severity.
Give us the courage to be disliked sometimes by our children,
when we must do necessary things which are displeasing to their eyes.
Give us the imagination to enter into their world
in order to understand and guide them.
Give us all the virtues we need to lead them by word and example
in the path of righteousness.
Amen.
Principal Absence
I will be attending the Diocesan Principals’ Retreat next Monday and Tuesday. During this time, Dimitra Vezinias will be available if there are any concerns.
Mothers’ Day Stall
The Mothers’ Day stall will happen next Thursday, 6 May. For new families this is where students can chose a present for their mum from a range of gifts organised by some of our mums. All gifts are $8.00. Money can be sent in on the day but it is preferred that payment is made through Try Booking. Details are in this newsletter but if you have difficulty, please contact Louise in the office.
Congratulations Cross Country Team
Our Cross Country Team competed in Nowra yesterday over what is always a very challenging 2kms. With a very short preparation time, our squad performed very well and were a credit to their families and our school. A huge thank you to Mrs Maidment for attending and to the parents who volunteered to assist on the day.
Building Update
Works are progressing well with permanent and temporary steel now in place. External demolition of two walls will commence shortly to allow for the extensions on the church end of the building. The lift shaft is now visible as it ‘rises’ from the ground.
Playground Update
The village green is now in place and really brightens up what was a very messy, drab area. The railing is also in place for the accessibility ramp.
Staff Professional Development
During this term, teachers will be released from class as they participate in professional development. The first area will be EAL/D Phasing which is plotting students from a non-English speaking background on a continuum so that their needs are identified and targeted within the classroom setting and with specialist support if necessary.
The second area is the continuation of our work with Patricia Rose, Instructional Coach, on the Writing process. This involved analysing writing samples from every student from Year 1 to Year 6 last term. This term their focus will be on using this data to again specifically target the identified needs and offer additional support where necessary.
NAPLAN 2021
Year 3 and 5 students will complete these assessments between May 11 and 21.
Sacramental Programs
Reminder:
Sacrament of Reconciliation Parent Information Night - 7pm Thursday 6th May in the Church. A parent representative must be in attendance for your child to receive the Sacrament in week 5 - 18 or 20 May.
Classrooms Mission Boxes (Lenten Offerings)
Thank you students for your contributions to the class Mission boxes. A fabulous effort from Staff and Students in raising so much money for the less fortunate in our world.
Well done St Therese.
Australian Early Development Census (AEDC)
This is conducted every 3 years and involves Kindergarten teachers completing a survey on each child in their class. This is done from their knowledge of the child meaning that the child is not involved at all. No student is specifically identified and the data is used to identify trends in early development. The Kinder teachers will be released from class in the week starting May 10 to complete this census. Each teacher will be off class for 2 days. Further information will be sent to Kinder parents / carers next week.
Students with Disabilities Camp
Some parents may be interested in this opportunity during the July school holidays. This privately run camp is for 3 days on the Central Coast. If interested please contact myself or Louise and we can send further details.
Learning Lab Applications for June/July - Now Open!
The University of Wollongong is inviting our students to LITTLE and EARLY LEARNING LABS, an academic and creative arts enrichment holiday program. They are targeting students from Year 1 to 6 who are passionate, self-motivated and curious learners.
Dates: Little Learning Labs (Years 1 and 2): 28th – 30th June 2021
Early Learning Labs (Years 3 to 6): 6th - 8th July 2021
Venue: University of Wollongong (Wollongong campus only)
Applications close: Wednesday, 26th May 2021
LITTLE AND EARLY LEARNING LABS program brochure
For further information about workshops and the application process please visit the website, or contact the Learning Labs team via email at learning-labs@uow.edu.au or phone on (02) 4221 5557.
School Birthdays
28 April 2021 - 4 May 2021
Happy Birthday:
Ashleigh Ryan, Matilda Burrows, Pippa Kiley, Makanaka Zengeya, Lucas Suesse, Harriaon Bettiol, Summer Colliss, Adam Bereket, Blake McLeod, Alyssa Semaan and Indee Van Elsland.
Principal’s Awards
Christopher Dias - 3G
Phoebe Pilon - 3G
Gold Medallion
Olive Krauss - 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
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
Issue 2 Book Club is due Wednesday 5th May. Please use the following link www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP.
WRITEON COMPETITION
WriteOn is an annual writing competition open to all NSW primary students in Years 1 to 6. WriteOn provides students with the opportunity to become published authors. Students compose an imaginative text of up to 500 words using an image as the stimulus. Entries close on the last day of Term 2, 2021 – Friday 25 June. Go to: https://
Competition guidelines
- WriteOn is open to all students in Years 1 to 6 who are accessing NSW syllabuses.
- Entries must only be submitted by schools so please give any entries to Ms Rose for submission.
- All entries must be students’ own work and verified on submission.
- Schools should only submit their best entry from each participating Stage (maximum 3).
- Imaginative pieces may include:
- letters
- poems
- scripts for radio, screen and stage
- interviews
- journal entries
- narratives.
Judging
A panel comprised of experienced NSW primary teachers from NESA and each educational sector judges the entries. The decision of the judging panel is final.
Assessment criteria
When assessing entries, judges use the following assessment criteria:
- making connections to the stimulus image
- engaging the audience in imaginative, interpretive, emotive and/or creative ways
- maintaining a consistent structure appropriate for the type of text selected
- using a range of stylistic devices for the intended audience
- using a variety of language forms and features, vocabulary and punctuation forms throughout the piece
- considering the purpose, audience and context.
Outstanding entries from the 2020 competition have been published in The Best of WriteOn 2020 anthology.
Expressions of Interest - Visual Arts Classes
Do you love Visual Arts?
The St Therese Visual Arts Committee will be starting a lunchtime art group for interested students. The group will consist of 10 students from across grades 4 to 6 with a focus on skills development (making) and analysis of artworks (appreciation). Classes will run each Wednesday lunchtime from 1.00 - 1:40pm.
We are asking those students who are interested in participating to provide an artwork/sample of work to the Visual Arts Committee along with a short piece of writing outlining their current Visual Arts experience and why they would like to participate. From these applications, the 10 participants will be selected from the applicants. As it is expected some students will miss out on this opportunity in 2021, the selected students are expected to make a commitment for the year.
Applications will be open until Friday of Week 1 Term 2.
Happy Artmaking!
Calendar Dates 2021
May 2021
6 - 7pm Sacrament of Reconcilation Information Meeting
Da Vinci State Final - Zoom
7 - Paul Kelly Cup 2021
11 to 21 - NAPLAN Assessment Period
12 to 14 - Year 6 Camp
19 - Atheltics Carnival - SCHOOL CANTEEN WILL BE CLOSED
20 - 5.30pm Sacrament of Reconcilation
24 - Celebrating 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia
25- Year 6 Activate Fire at Good Samaritan School Fairy Meadow
26 - National Sorry Day
27 - Reconcilation Week
June 2021
3 - Mabo Day
3 to 4 Year 5 Camp to Taronga Zoo
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
10 - 7pm Confirmation Ceremony
11 - 7pm Confirmation Ceremony
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
29 - World Teachers Day
NOVEMBER 2021
5 - Year 6 Excursion to Canberra
11 - Remembrance Day
December 2021
3 - Whole School Mass - End of Year Thanksgiving
15 - Last Day Term 4 Students
17 - Last day Term 4 Teachers and Staff