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Newsletter Week 5
Thank you Mothers’ Day Stall
Missed from last week’s newsletter was a huge thank you to Antoinette Semaan and Dominique Plunkett for all their efforts in organising the Mothers’ Day stall again this year. Antoinette and Dom spend many, many hours / days sourcing gifts and presenting them in a way that they would be happy to receive. Thanks also to the helpers that came along on the day to ensure the stall ran smoothly. I hope all the mums who received gifts were equally impressed by the gift as well as the thought and intention behind your child’s choice.
Thank you Anastiadis Family
Also a big thank you to the Anastiadis family for the generous donation in replacing the large double glass door fridge as well as donating a freezer in the hall. Both of these have been in need of service or replacement for some time. I would like to acknowledge this generous support from Themis Refrigeration.
Covid-19
For all information and updates from the diocese, please go to: www.dow.catholic.edu.au/covid19
DRESS LIKE A FARMER DAY - Thursday 27th May 2021
Lismore Flood Appeal 2021
It is who we are, it is what we do.” – Bishop Brian Mascord
The Australian community has always lived with the constant threat of fire, floods, drought, and cyclones. COVID-19 loomed large at the beginning of last year during the catastrophic fires that affected much of eastern Australia, in particular, the Shoalhaven area of our Diocese.
The response from the broader Australian community was immediate and significant. Despite COVID-19 understandably absorbing much of our attention, the Good Samaritan-type response from all around Australia was inspirational.
The March 2021 floods in the southern part of the Diocese of Lismore have had a devastating impact on residents and farmers.
Accordingly, the Diocese of Wollongong is supporting a Flood Appeal launched by the Bishop of Lismore, the Most Rev Gregory Homeming, to provide financial and practical support to the Lismore community.
Bishop Brian Mascord and our Director of Schools, Peter Hill, urge our parish, school, and office communities to throw their support behind this important cause.
St Therese will be holding a fundraiser "Dress like a Farmer Day" on Thursday 27 May 2021. Children can come to school dressed like a farmer and bring a gold coin donation to go towards the Lismore Flood appeal.
Bishop Brian has echoed the call from the Bishop of Lismore for us all to reach out to support the farmers who were so badly affected by the recent flooding in the Lismore Diocese. As a school, we have decided to hold a Dress Like A Farmer Day for a Gold Coin donation. While we have a bit of fun, the money we raise is combined with other donations from right around the country which will then be up to the Bishop to ensure it gets to the farmers hardest hit.
To celebrate National Families Week CatholicCare is running a five-part webinar series to celebrate family and make the most out of family life. Each webinar will have a different focus.
Family Resilience
Understand what a resilient person and family looks like, and how you can build resilience within yourself and your family.
Family Values
Understand what values are and why they are important. By identifying our family values we can better understand and connect.
Family Connection
With our lives so busy we can struggle to keep connections within our family, learn why connection is important and how to sustain or build family connections
Family Self-Care
Learn why self-care is so important and how looking after ourselves, has a flow-on effect on the whole family.
Family Mindfulness
Learn what mindfulness is and the benefits it provides, not just for ourselves, but also the benefit it has on our family.
For more information and to register visit: https://www.catholiccare.dow.org.au/services-and-programs/family/family-care/courses/national-families-week-webinar-series/
Callum Kerrigan KG - Ride for Rotary
Callum will be cycling in the Ride for Rotary at the Unanderra Velodrome this Sunday, 23 May, to help raise funds for Southern Youth and Family Services.
Southern Youth and Family Services support young people and families who are homeless in the local area.
We are very proud of his enthusiasm in giving back to the community and assisting those who are less fortunate.
Callum has already raised an incredible amount of just over $700 with a further 5 days to go!
Please see below the link where donations can be made to support Callum.
https://charity.syfs.org.au/fundraisers/callumkerrigan/ride4rotary-illawarra
The photos show the top of the main stairwell in the primary building. This area will become a light, airy, open area that is welcoming and inviting to student learning. The second picture is a look from near the old convent roundabout. The missing wall from the old Year 6 rooms shows where the first extension will go and the second extension will pop out where the yellow walls can be seen.
New scaffolding on the Powell St end will allow for all windows to be removed as well as new guttering and eaves.
This week many students in our School and Parish celebrated their Sacrament of Penance (First Reconciliation) with Fr. Duane in our Church. This a one of the healing Sacrament in our Church.
"Mercy will always be greater than any sin, and no one can place limits on the love of God who is ever ready to forgive". (Pope Francis)
Reconciliation (officially called the Sacrament of Penance, and also known as Confession) is a Sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ in his love and mercy to offer us forgiveness for the times we have sinned and turned away from God. At the same time, we are reconciled with the Church because it is also wounded by our sins.
Rejoice! You have received the forgiveness of Christ!
Our Lady Help of Christians Feast Day and 200 Years of Catholic Education Mass
Next Monday 24th May at 10 am, Fr. Duane will be celebrating an outdoor Mass with our whole school community in the back playground. Parents and Careers are warmly invited to join our celebration. A National Mass will be celebrated across all states, territories and dioceses on the Solemnity of Our Lady Help of Christians - Patroness of Australia to commemorate 200 years of Catholic education in Australia.
We pause, at this time, to reflect on the precious gift of Catholic education, we remember the intergenerational contributions that preceded us and that we continue to build upon. Since the very first Catholic school was established, countless children and young people have benefitted from the dedication and commitment of parents and staff in our Catholic schools.
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
19 May 2021 - 25 May 2021
Happy Birthday:
Jessica Jia, Jaxon Towers, Isadora Psarris.
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
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.
Visual Arts Enrichment Group 2021
It is wonderful to see the artist talent we have here at St Therese. Thank you to the many students who produced an artwork and shared it with us.
After careful consideration by the members of the Visual Art Committee, the following students have been selected for the lunchtime art classes for 2021.
Congratulations to: Spencer Strothers (Yr 6), Madeline Plunkett (Yr 6), Sophie O’Dwyer (Yr 6), Nicholas Rebikov-Vincent (Yr 6), Anastasia Ezeanowai (Yr 6), Gavin Kumar (Yr 5), Sophia Lee (Yr 5), Nardeen Khlqa (Yr 4), Linnie Tran (Yr 4) and Adriana Coratella (Yr 4).
We look forward to seeing the imaginative and creative artworks you produce throughout the year.
We were amazed at the quality and range of work produced. Special mention to the following students who also submitted an entry: Indiana Bettiol (Yr 5), Georgia Cummins (Yr 5), Lyla Pilon (Yr 5), Lilian Cleary (Yr 5), Christopher Wojewodka (Yr 5), Madeline Towers (Yr 5), Elizabeth Elizabeth (Yr 4), Daira Kerrigan (Yr 4), Isadora Psarris (Yr 4). Well done and we hope you continue your happy art making :)
The Visual Arts Committee
Calendar Dates 2021
May 2021
11 to 21 - NAPLAN Assessment Period
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 - Dress Like a Farmer Day - Gold Coin Donation - Mufti Day
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