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Newsletter Week 8
First Sunday of Advent
November 28, 2021
The readings for the 1st Sunday in Advent Year C warn us to get ready for the coming of our Lord, for change will come with him. In the first reading we hear that God will raise up “a just shoot” who will bring safety. In the second reading Paul encourages us to act with love and be ready for the coming of Jesus Christ. And in the gospel, Jesus warns his followers not to focus on our current lives but to be ready for our new lives.
Afternoon Pick Up
We have again had Council Rangers present during the afternoon pick-up period. I welcome this as it increases the safety of our students. Parents caught in a line of traffic is not the problem. The problem stems from impatient drivers who do the wrong thing by driving on the wrong side of the road, turning or parking illegally. Kiss & Collect does NOT start until 2.50pm. I again ask that parents / carers do not arrive prior to this time which causes the long bank up of traffic on Powell St. I also ask that drivers be considerate of local residents and leave space for them to exit their driveways.
Congratulations Zeke Thompson
We have acknowledged Zeke previously on his achievements in his chosen sport of Hockey. Last Friday night, the diocese held its annual CDF Sports Awards which had to be a virtual event. On this night, Zeke was again acknowledged and presented with the Diocesan Red Medallion, awarded to the very small number of students who achieve State Selection in one or more sports. Needless to say we are very proud of Zeke and wish him continued success in all his sporting endeavours.
Dewey Awards
The final awards were presented this morning recognising our very talented writers. The Silver Dewey (for students in Kinder to Year 3) went to Finn Kelly - Year 2, while the Gold Dewey (Yrs 3-6) Award went to Samantha Mercado - Year 5. I was amazed at the level of enthusiasm shown by all participants and look forward to reading their writing in the future.
St Vincent DePaul Christmas Hampers
St Vincent DePaul Chapter President for St Therese West Wollongong Louise Pilson, has passed on the committee’s huge “Thanks” for our wonderful response to our Winter Appeal (back in Term 2) as she was unable to officially come to the assembly at the end of Term 2. The food was gratefully accepted by the team.
This year we will be collecting items for Christmas Hampers to be donated to the St Vincent DePaul Society to give to the less fortunate in our community during this special holiday season.
Please see below some ideas for donations. Thank you for any and all donations that you make to our appeal especially during these difficult and uncertain times.
In gratitude,
Mrs Calvert
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KB & KG |
Tinned ham, breakfast cereals, dried pasta/rice & sauce jars |
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6G & 6B |
Christmas pudding or Christmas cake, long life custard |
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5B & 1B |
Pretzels, mixed nuts, chips and lollies |
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5G & 1G |
Biscuits (sweet/savoury), canned fruit, pancake shake |
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4B & 2B |
Tinned tuna, dried fruit, spreads – nutella, honey, jam etc. |
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4G & 2G |
Tinned salmon, long life juice/cordial |
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3B & 3G |
Tea, coffee, milo, sugar, bonbons etc, long life milk |
Learning Labs
The University of Wollongong invites our students to LITTLE and EARLY LEARNING LABS, an academic and creative arts enrichment holiday program. We are targeting students from Year 1 to 6 who are passionate, self-motivated and curious learners.
Dates: Little Learning Labs (Years 1 and 2): 10th – 12th January 2022
Early Learning Labs (Years 3 to 6): 17th – 21st January 2022
Venue: University of Wollongong (Wollongong campus only)
Applications close: Wednesday, 17th November 2021
School Birthdays
24 November 2021 - 30 November 2021
Happy Birthday:
Dion Tzolakidis, Merry Deih, Mani Kotagama, Elizabeth Elizabeth.
Happy Birthday
Principal's Awards
Habte Ali - 1B
Themi Anastasiadis - 1B
Lana Kocalevski - 1B
Indianna Bettiol - 5G
Daniel Medina - 5G
Silver Medallion
Madelina Belo - 4G
Amari Ferns - 4G
Kiana Smith - 4G
Alexander Mpimperias - 6B
Sophie O’Dwyer - 6G
Gold Medallion
Madeline Plunkett - 6G
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.”
COMMUNITY NOTICE
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.
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
Return from Remote Learning
We have now been back at school for four weeks, and it has been pleasing to see how well our students have settled back into school life. Re-establishing our normal routines and expectations has been crucial to achieving some normality after the events of the previous months. With both Christmas and the end of the school year fast approaching, it is important that these routines and expectations continue to be followed, and we will continue to encourage our students to exhibit those positive behaviours we expect at St Therese, always linked to our school rules: ‘Be Safe, Be Responsible and Be Respectful’.
Student PB4L team
The purpose of the PB4L Student Leader Team is to give students a voice at St Therese. We aim to create an inclusive learning community where everyone feels respected. We believe this is created when students participate in decision-making, and their ideas inform the day to day procedures they experience, to co-create empowering environments. An empowering environment is one where students have a voice, participate and have routine opportunities for leadership.
A word from our student PB4L representatives- Return To School
The return to school has come with many challenges but offers new experiences for all grades and classes. Online learning has affected everyone and not only those still at school but all people in our communities. Conquering our habits is the human way of learning and changing and that’s why it is essential to have skills and know how we all grow and change. Coming back to school is an opportunity for this sort of growth, and students should use this opportunity to get back into routine and remember the times before the pandemic and lockdown. Learning online and learning in a classroom is very different, and it’s really hard to get back to school and socialise after four months of being in your own bubble. Coming back isn’t a single experience but is something our whole school community has been through, so don't feel alone but know that others are with you.
Student PB4L Representatives
Anastasia Ezeanowai
Nicholas Rebikov-Vincent
Ms Panozzo and the PB4L team
P & F Meeting
Calendar Dates 2021
December 2021
3 - Whole School Mass - End of Year - TBC
8 - Reports released to Parents
9 - 6pm Year 6 Graduation
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