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Newsletter Week 3
Staff Spirituality Day
Yesterday, the school staff were engaged in our annual spirituality day which centred around the theme of Gratitude. This continued the reflection that was commenced last December. During this time of covid restrictions resulting in the feeling of isolation from family and friends, being able to maintain a sense of perspective is best achieved through the gratitude for what we have as opposed to focusing on what we are missing. There are many inspiring stories of individuals and families finding new and creative ways to connect with each other and with their own interests. I can’t help thinking how blessed we are for the region we have been forced to lockdown in. Our beaches, coastal walks, mountain walks, bike tracks, etc - we have much to be grateful for!
First Day Back for Year 2 - 6
Next Monday, Year 2 through to Year 6 all return. A letter will be sent to these families outlining a few fun things we have planned. Kinder and Year 1 should be in their normal school uniform.
Drop Off from next week
Parents will be able to use Kiss & Drop in the usual places on Powell St as well as near the hall gates on the basketball court. This will mean that there will be NO PARKING on the basketball court in the morning. This is in keeping with guidelines to separate students as much as possible and not to have parents congregating around school entrances.
Kiss & Collect from Basketball Court
This commences at 2.50pm. All students should be collected no later than 3.20pm - after this time, any students still here will be taken back to the office.
Student Pick-Up by 3.30pm
All students should have been collected by 3.30pm unless parents have notified the school office. Delays, unfortunately, do impact staff who are involved in meetings and personal commitments.
OOSH 6.30am - 6.30pm
Catholiccare OOSH services operate out of the school hall during the above times. Please make contact with Catholiccare (see Louise in the office for details) if you would like details / costs for this service. No children should be at school before 8.15am as they are unsupervised. OOSH provides a fun, safe environment where children get breakfast or afternoon tea.
Classes 2022
As usual at this time of the year, parents are invited to communicate with me if they have any concerns regarding their child’s learning in 2022. This is not an opportunity to pick and choose your child’s teacher but a time where you can let me know about your child’s learning style, friendship issues, etc. Ultimately we can only split students into one of two classes. While I will take onboard parental concerns, I cannot guarantee all requests will be met. Communication from parents must be received by Friday, 29 October.
Uniform / Hair Styles
As part of the transition back to normal routines, I ask parents to be aware of the uniform requirements and school guidelines around hair styles. In saying that, I am aware that there is a 3 month backlog of barber/hairdresser appointments so I am not expecting things to happen overnight.
Attendance from Monday, 25 October
Attached to this newsletter is the latest update regarding school attendance. While I can understand some concerns and trepidation on behalf of parents, I can assure you that all Covid Safe guidelines are being implemented and we will continue to monitor and communicate any changes. Students who have a doctor’s certificate will receive the same support as usual in terms of long term illness. For other cases, short term support will be available in terms of an overview of work being covered and possible printed resources or links. Teachers will not be engaging in remote learning to the extent they have been over the past 3 months.
Wellbeing Wednesday - Week 2, 3 and 4
School Birthdays
20 October 2021 - 26 October 2021
Happy Birthday:
Iylah Klocovski, Oscar Krauss
Happy Birthday
NO AWARDS THIS WEEK
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
Dear Parishioners,
As mentioned in my communication on Sunday, we begin public Masses this weekend, 23-24 October, with 6pm Saturday Vigil and 8am Sunday Mass at Unanderra, and 10am and 5pm Sunday Masses at West Wollongong, followed by usual weekday and weekend Mass timetable.
Having met with Immaculate Conception and St Therese (ICAST) PPCs last night, we have decided upon the following:
PUBLIC HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
As per the Diocesan Directives (attached):
- Vaccination is encouraged but not mandatory
- Masks must be worn inside the church
- 4 square metre rule applies at this time
- No congregational singing at this time
- Strong hygiene practices will be maintained
- QR Registration
REGISTRATION PROCESS
There will be no pre-registration for Masses. That process was demanding in terms of admin hours, and we will need to ensure ready availability of digitized records at short notice to the government in case of a Covid case. All attending Mass will be asked to use the Service NSW QR Code at first, and if unable to do so, the monitors will sign you in using a parish QR code.
4 SQUARE METRE CAPACITY LIMIT
Given that there will be no pre-registration, and the 4 square metre capacity, there is a chance that we will reach capacity at Sunday Masses. Based on average Mass counts this will be most likely at the Sunday Morning Masses. We ask your understanding if this occurs as monitors are legally bound to maintain 4 square metre rule (86 at WW, 96 at Unanderra)
7PM SUNDAY MASS DURING OCTOBER-NOVEMBER (STAGE 2)
During stage 2 only, starting this weekend, I will celebrate an additional 7pm Mass at St Therese on Sundays. Many are unable to attend such a late Sunday Mass. If you yourself are able to attend, please consider doing so to free up spaces at the 4 standard Sunday Masses. Only if attending this Mass please email Melissa at unanderra@dow.org.au
IF YOU ARE RELUCTANT TO ATTEND PUBLIC MASSES AT THIS TIME
We understand that some are concerned about attending public Mass during stage 2 as churches are among the only venues allowing "mixing" of vaccinated and unvaccinated. If you are concerned for this reason, please do not hesitate to contact us, and we will do our best to organize Communion to be brought to you at home. (All ministers attending your home will be double vaccinated.)
RECONCILIATION
Normal times for Reconciliation to resume from 5pm Saturday 23rd October, please refer to the weekly bulletin this Friday for the details. In addition, Fr Jerzy will be offering Reconciliation from Monday 25th October until Saturday 30th October after Mass as needed.
BAPTISMS
We are in the process of rescheduling baptisms that were postponed during lockdown. For any new requests please contact Kathy at the Parish Office (email: westwollongong@dow.org.au any time or call 4229 1074 on Tuesdays 9am-3pm).
God bless you all,
Fr Duane
Calendar Dates 2021
October 2021
25 - Year 2 to Year 6 Return
29 - World Teachers Day
November 2021
5 - Year 6 Excursion to Canberra - CANCELLED
11 - Remembrance Day
December 2021
3 - Whole School Mass - End of Year Thanksgiving - TBC
13 - 7pm Confirmation Ceremony - Immaculate Conception, Unanderra
14 - 7pm Confirmation Ceremony - St Therese, West Wollongong
15 - Last Day Term 4 Students
17 - Last day Term 4 Teachers and Staff
January 2022
26 - Australia Day
27 - Student Vacation (Pupil Free Day)
28 - Term 1 Begins - Student Vacation (Pupil Free Day) - Staff Return
31 - Student Vacation (Pupil Free Day)
February 2022
1 - Students Return
Best Start Assessments commence
7 - Best Start Asessments conclude
8 - Kindergarten 2022 commences