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Newsletter Week 1
Easter / ANZAC Day
During the holidays, we remembered the most important time in the Church’s calendar, the death and resurrection of Jesus. This week we remember the brave men and women who have fought and died to bring peace to our world. The following is a reflection on these two events, focusing on their similarities and their differences:
The Christian celebration of Easter and the Australian commemoration of Anzac Day share several similar themes. These include a sense of identity, foundational principles, dying for others, new hope coming through death, being changed, and working for freedom. Yet there are important differences at a fundamental level.
The foundation for a Christian understanding of Easter is faith in Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is arguably the most spiritual day of the year for those having this faith.
In essence, this is the challenge and risk for Australian Christians. Whilst Easter and Anzac Day share similar themes, they have fundamentally different underlying spiritualties. One is Christian; the other is secular and nationalistic. It may be tempting to bring these two events together in a single celebration and commemoration. However, they do not belong together. They have different emphases and speak to different contexts.
As a Christian, I look forward to Easter – to sharing the despair, suffering and anguish of Good Friday; to living the celebration of the resurrection with others who share my faith.
As a chaplain in the Royal Australian Air Force, I look forward to Anzac Day – to remem- bering those who have gone before; to being with those who carry the Anzac heritage to- day; to providing words of comfort and hope, and a context to all that we do in the uniform we wear.
I am a Christian, an airman and an Australian. I am all of these things, all of the time. But they are not the same thing. Some events are more significant to one part than another, and they should never be confused. Easter is Easter. Anzac Day is Anzac Day. Let us commem- orate both as we see fit. But do not be confused about what we are doing or why.
Rev Alan Williams (aka Chaplain Alan Williams, aka Padre Alan Williams) is a minister of the Uniting Church in Australia serving full time as a chaplain in the Royal Australian Air Force.
P & F Bunnings BBQ
After a very long break, the P & F have been offered, and accepted Sunday, 15 May to run the Bunnings BBQ. This is a commitment from 8am to 4pm. Please mark this date on your calendar and early next term, we will be appealing for volunteers who could give an hour or two to support this fundraising event. All proceeds go back into improving the resources for your children at St Therese.
P & F Meeting
The postponed P & F meeting from last term will now be held next Tuesday, 3 May in the school hall, commencing at 7pm. All parents / carers are very welcome to attend.
Da Vinci Decathlon
Good luck to our team of 8 students: Genova D'Amico, Hunter Cruickshank, Abeba Bereket, Asher Flynn, Tobi Ogunniyi, Nathaniel Binoy, Emmett Plunkett, Adriana Coratella, Isaiah Barila, Jasper Leighton-Powderly, Seth Momirovski, Albury johnson, Annabelle Dellis, Nia Joseph, Madeleine Towers and Fabian Gaudiosi.
NAPLAN Reminder
Years 3 & 5 will participate in NAPLAN during Weeks 3 & 4 this term. Dates are as follows:
Writing Tues, 10 May
Reading Thurs, 12 May
Language Conventions Fri, 13 May
Numeracy Mon, 16 May
The catch-up date for students who are absent for any of the above dates will be Thurs, 19 May.
Building / Grounds Update
Progress on the Primary building is still on track, at this stage, for us to move in for the beginning of Term 3. It is unlikely that all the landscaping will be completed by this time, but entry and exit points will be clear. Student safety is paramount and any move into the building will not occur if safety is compromised in any way.
Big Bank grass - Despite a number of attempts, this has not been mowed now for many, many weeks. Both myself and parish representatives have been in regular contact with the contractor however the regular heavy rain is preventing the ground from drying out. This in turn makes the ride-on mower unusable. We will continue to work on getting this cleared as soon as possible.
Kindergarten 2023 Interviews
These interviews commenced today and will continue over the next 4 weeks. If you know of anyone thinking of enrolling at St Therese in 2023, it is important they get their application in as soon as possible to ensure they don’t miss out on first offers being made later this term.
School Uniform
We are currently in a transition phase from Summer to Winter uniform. During this time, either uniform can be worn, depending on the weather. Whichever unifrom is chosen, it should be the full uniform - NOT a mixture of both.
School Photos
School photos are scheduled for Wednesday 25th May 2022.
This year, all students are expexted to be in their FULL WINTER UNIFORM.
Religious Education
WONDER RECYCLING REWARDS
Once again this year we will be participating in the Wonder Recycling Rewards for Schools initiative.
The Wonder Recycling Rewards programme is a fun and easy program created to collect and recycle soft plastics and bread tags that might otherwise go to landfill, and earn rewards points to redeem on new sports equipment for our school.
Once collected they can be placed in the special collection box in the Library (Year 3 classrooms)
The campaign closes 9 September.
Thanking you in advance
Ms Elizabeth Pellizzari
School Birthdays
27 April 2022 - 3 May 2022
Happy Birthday
Alivia Voidanoski, Hudson Lazarovski, Matilda Burrows, Pippa Kiley, Makanaka Zengeya, Harrison Bettiol, Summer Colliss, Blake McLeod, Adam Bereket.
Happy Birthday
Principal's Awards
Halle Abela - 2B
Harry Sopher - 2B
Carissa Comino - 3G
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.”
TEENAGE YOUTH GROUP, 13 – 17 YEARS
LIVE LOCAL Catholic Youth Ministry Wollongong (CYMW) has arrived in the Illawarra! LIVE Local is a Regional Youth Group run by the CYMW and NET Team, who are excellent at engaging with youth at whatever stage of faith. Come along for snacks, games, formation, prayer and music. Every Friday night in the school term from 7 - 9pm, at St Therese West Wollongong school hall. For more information, please contact our Deanery Youth Group
Coordinator, Luke Vail at luke.vail@dow.org.au
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 2022
April 2022
28 - ANZAC Day Prayer service
29 - Mark Taylor Shield Cricket - Dalton Park - CANCELLED
May 2022
3 - Diocesan Cross Country - Nowra
4 - Da Vinci Decatholon - Year 5 & Year 6
Maths Olympiad/Maths Explorer Day Comp 2
5 - Mothers' Day Stall
6 - Paul Kelly Cup
10 to 20 - NAPLAN TESTING WINDOW
11 - 13 - Year 6 Camp
15 - Bunnings BBQ
17 - 7.00pm Confirmation Parent Night
24 - 5.30pm Sacrament of Reconciliation
25 - School Photos 2022 - FULL WINTER UNIFORM
26 - Sorry Day Prayer and Reflection - Year 3
27 - Mark Taylor Shield Cricket - TBA
TBA Our Lady Help of Christians Mass
30 - Athletics Carnival 2022 - Beaton Park
June 2022
2 -3 - Year 5 Excursion to Taronga Zoo
22 - Reports to Parents via COMPASS Parent Portal
24 - NRMA Road Safety incursion
27 - Parent Teacher Interviews
July 2022
1 - Last Day of Term 2
11.30am Awards Assembly
18 - Term 3 Commences - Students & Staff return
CANTEEN MENU 2022