Newsletter 30th April Term 2, Week 1
Principal's Message
Catholic Identity: In 2025, we will establish pedagogical practices that improve student religious literacy and provide opportunities for encounter with Christ.
Learning: In 2025 we will establish effective and consistent pedagogical practices for all students by all teachers.
Wellbeing: In 2025 we will establish a school-wide common language in Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L) incorporating our Mercy pillars.
Dear Parent/Carer
Welcome to Term 2! I hope you all had a relaxing holiday and enjoyed the glorious weather. The Easter Season is the pivotal time for our Catholic faith, where we see the love that God has for all of us, that was witnessed through His son Jesus. Easter asks us to stop to reflect and pray on the Easter messages of forgiveness, hope, love, and compassion.
As Catholic people we mourn the death of our leader Pope Francis who was called home on 21 April. In the many social media posts surrounding this in the past week, I think this quote sums up Francis’ papacy:
“A giant has fallen, not with noise, but with dignity. Pope Francis was more than a religious leader, he was a voice of mercy in a world growing cold, a bridge between faiths, and a shepherd to the forgotten. May his legacy of humility, justice, and compassion echo for generations.”
We now embrace a time of uncertainty for our Church as we anticipate the Conclave and election of a new Pope. In this jubilee year of hope Pope Francis’ words are particularly relevant: ‘HOPE encourages us to look outside ourselves, to embrace authentic beauty, change attitudes that exclude others, overcome life’s challenges with courage, and trust that joy and hope are still possible, even in challenging times’ (Pope Francis, A Gift of Hope).
The story of Easter is our story of hope. Time and again Jesus reminded his disciples that, ‘after three days I will rise again”. Easter Hope is this Risen Christ’s reminder to stay afloat amidst calamity, disappointment, betrayal and unknowns of what looms. Keep moving and trust Jesus to find you along the way; exactly as he did to the women who came to the tomb, to the disciples going to Emmaus, to Peter and his brothers fishing.
Thank you to the many families who attended our Lambton/New Lambton RSL ANZAC march last week.
The children should also be commended on the respectful and reverent way they interacted during our Holy Week liturgies last term and our school ANZAC liturgy yesterday.
Staffing
We welcome Mrs Siobhan Lavin to the role of Pastoral Care Worker (Tuesday and Wednesday).
Mr Dallas Brown will begin as Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander teacher (Monday-Thursday) starting 19 May. Daniel Woods remains in the position until this time.
Ms Melanie Faehndrich remains on sick leave and in her absence, Angela Schneider continues as Learning Support Co-Ordinator.
Catholic Schools Week
You are invited to join us on Tuesday 3 June when we celebrate Catholic Schools Week. We will start with a liturgy at 9:15, followed by open classrooms.
Our Term 2 FACE meeting, as previously communicated, is Tuesday 3 June at 8:30am before our Catholic Schools Week’s celebrations. Zoom will also be offered if you cannot meet in person.
Our term 3 meeting is Monday 18 August at 6pm. The topic is ‘The new NSW Syllabus (English and Maths 2024) - what my child learns in various stages of their learning’.
Parents are invited to our Term 3 FACE meeting on the above topic. Zoom will also be available, and children are welcome to attend.
Uniform Survey Results
Our recent parent survey results regarding the wearing of our uniform are as follows.
From term 2:
- 56% said ties for boys will REMAIN and must be worn at St Therese’s as part of the boys Winter uniform.
-Tuesday-Wednesday- Thursdays Sport uniform option: 57% of respondents said children should not be permitted to wear their sports uniform on these extra days as an option. The established practice of the uniform only being worn on sport day remains.
-Children are permitted to wear short sleeves, shorts and socks (not stockings) in Winter. 55% of respondents are in favour of this option in Winter.
Please be aware that the uniform must be worn correctly and, in its entirety.
NO branded socks, NO nail polish or make up. Sleeper or stud earrings only, one chain only, one ring only.
Winter uniform MUST be worn from Monday 2 June. Before that, children can wear the uniform dependent on the weather.
Legal References for Parents
The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has an absolute and abiding commitment to promote the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children. As a parent sending your child or children to a Diocesan school, you should be aware of your rights and obligations in protecting your child and all children in our schools.
The Children and Young Person’s (Care and Protection) Act 1998
In NSW we can report certain information to the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ). If we are concerned for one or more of the children in the school, we can discuss our concerns with a teacher, Assistant Principal or Principal. We can report our concerns to the Child Protection Helpline (Ph. 132 111, 24 hrs/7 days) if we have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child or young person is at risk of significant harm and our concerns are current. Risk of significant harm may occur from a single act or omission or to a series of acts or omissions.
It is better to be safe than sorry, so if uncertain, talk to a staff member at the school.
Part 4 of the Children’s Guardian Act 2019
This legislation defines Diocesan schools as a ‘schedule 1 entity’ and as such we must have systems for preventing, reporting (to the Children’s Guardian) and investigating reportable conduct.
All staff and volunteers that hold a working with children check in Diocesan schools fall within the scope of Part 4 and may be investigated for alleged ‘reportable conduct’ which includes sexual offenses, misconduct, assault, ill-treatment, neglect and behaviour that causes psychological harm to children.
The Office of Safeguarding is the Diocese’s specialist child protection service who works with the Children’s Guardian to ensure the Diocese meets its obligations under Part 4 of the Act. Information about the role and functions of the Office of Safeguarding can be found here: https://officeofsafeguarding.org.au/
The Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012
Under this legislation people who undertake a role in child-related work in a paid or volunteer capacity in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle are required by law to have a Working with Children Check Clearance. This ‘Clearance’ can be obtained from applying online at check@kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au.
As a parent, if we learn about a staff member or a volunteer working in the school without a Clearance, we should talk with the Principal or Assistant Principal as soon as possible. If we believe that nothing is being done about our concerns, we can contact the Office of Safeguarding directly (Ph. 4979 1390 Mon-Fri).
Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Reporting Policy
As a parent you can report any concerns we have for a student, or group of students, to our principal, assistant principal or directly to the Office of Safeguarding (Ph. 4979 1390 Mon-Fri). Information about reporting concerns for a child can be found on the Office of Safeguarding website: https://officeofsafeguarding.org.au/reporting-abuse/
As parents you are entitled to contact the Office of Safeguarding directly about any concerns you have about the safety, welfare or wellbeing of a child or if you are concerned that the school is not addressing allegations of reportable conduct or abuse. (Ph. 4979 1390 Mon-Fri).
Online Safety
No matter what their age, if your kids are online, now’s the time to talk about online safety especially in these times of home learning online. It can be hard to know how and when to talk to kids about staying safe online.
While they might know a fair bit about technology, they don’t always know as much as you do about life. To better understand the issues and start the conversation, you need to have the right tools, tips and advice. Through the eSafety website, you can learn how to talk to your kids about cyberbullying, online predators, and inappropriate content.
Talk to your kids before a stranger does. Visit eSafety.gov.au
Kindergarten 2026 Enrolments
Kindergarten enrolments are open. Please make family and neighbours aware of this. Enrolments are online and families are asked to make an appointment for an enrolment interview.
We will hold another tour of our school led by our year 6 children, for any interested families on 2 May at 9:30.
Enrolments for Kindergarten 2026 will CLOSE on Friday 23 May
Looking forward to a great term 2, working together!
Sallyanne Stanbridge
Principal
Assistant Principal's Message
Dear Parent/Carer,
Welcome back to Term 2, we hope you safe and Holy Easter Season and a restful holiday.
PB4L
We have had a change to our awards system, following a review of the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) over the past 18 months. Each Monday morning, our PB4L Team will introduce our focus values and expected behaviours each Monday morning, before children go to class. These will then become the focus for the next fortnight. Mini posters related to the fortnightly focus will be displayed in each class, as well as in the school Newsletter. Staff will use the language of PB4L throughout the school, and we encourage parents/carers to also use the language of PB4L at home.
PB4L Award System
We will have two award systems
1. Class-based Recognition
a. Each class will give out four awards per week in a grade assembly - THREE will be Merit Awards and ONE will be a Mercy Award for the focus PB4L value Merit Certificate will no longer be accumulated to lead to a Principal’s Award
b. Green Chronicles, that will be on a child’s Compass Profile, to inform parents/carers of other positive behaviours that occur “in the moment”
c. TRP Awards for students demonstrating Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness
2. Whole-School Recognition
a. Token System
i. Each teacher will have five white tokens, that can be given to any student on the playground, or at afternoon dismissal, as instant recognition of behaviour that exemplifies our Mercy values
ii. Children will put these tokens in the colour house collector that will be outside the Learning Centre
iii. Colour Houses will be given awards when they reach different levels. These rewards were selected by students
Principal’s Awards
Principal’s Awards will be given to students that demonstrate outstanding behaviours, that exemplify our Mercy values, either at school or for our Parish Community. Each grade, as well as the Learning Support Team and Specialist Teachers, will nominate one student to receive the Principal’s Award at the Assemblies in Weeks 2, 6 and 10 Assemblies. Not all children may receive a Principal’s Award each year, as they are to recognise remarkable behaviours, effort and/or improvement.
For Weeks 1 and 2, our focus will be on developing the Mercy value of respect by using manners.
Athletics Carnival Cake Stall
Year 6 will be hosting a Cake Stall at the school Athletics Carnival on Wednesday 7 May. The cost of cakes, biscuits etc., will be from 50c - $2, and we will be accepting cash only. Year 6 parents are asked to send in donations of cakes, biscuits etc. These can be brought to the Fearnley Dawes Track on the morning of the carnival, or sent to school on Tuesday 6 May, and they will be taken to the carnival. All money raised from the cake stall, will be put towards the Year 6 Yearbook and Graduation. I thank Year 6 families for the cake stall, I am sure the sweet treat will be greatly appreciated by everyone.
Mother’s Day Stall
Next Thursday 8 May, we will hold a Mother’s Day Stall at school. All students will visit the stall to pick a gift for their Mum, there is no cost for this, as the cost has been added to school fees. We thank the parents that have volunteered to assist with the stall, if anyone else is available to assist at the stall please email Mrs Maretich on kaylene.maretich@mn.catholic.edu.au.
ANZAC Day March and Service
Thank you to all the children and families that joined Ms Stanbridge, Mrs Maretich, Mrs Pyers, Mrs Wilson, Mrs Healey and Mrs Fenwick-Kaluski for the New Lambton/ Lambton Subbranch ANZAC March and Service last Friday. Our students represented our school with pride, as we remembered the service men and woman that fight to keep us safe. Thank you also to our school captains, Maeve and Tighe, for placing a wreath at the Service.
Kaylene Maretich
Assistant Principal
Catholic Identity & Curriculum
Faith Formation: As those of you who read this section of the Newsletter regularly will know, for the past couple of years now, I have used the heart-felt wisdom from our recently deceased leader, Pope Francis, as the guiding source for our own faith formation. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Pope Francis and all that he meant to so many people around the world. His was a life and leadership that will reverberate around the world for years to come! May this good and faithful servant of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, now rest in peace.
"Don't sit on your butt! Get up and keep moving...and always trust in the Lord!"
What simple, yet profound words and a call to put our own lives and faith into action. Words that I think our late Pope Francis would have endorsed wholeheartedly!
Religious Education
This week’s focus in RE is on Year 3:
In Stage 2 the overarching theme is "Sharing the Story'. In Year 3, the Module 2 theme is ‘Encountering the Word of God’ - In this module, students explore the notion of story: their own and other people’s, and the great Christian story that is the Bible. This module also develops the concept of the Bible as sacred, telling us about God and God’s relationship with people. There will be a particular focus on stories about God and his relationship with people in the Hebrew Scriptures. Students will also focus on the importance of praying with the Scriptures as a way of encountering God and building a relationship with Him. Specifically, students will be introduced to the experience of Lectio Divina as a way of reflecting on God’s Word.
Prayer, Celebration & Mission
Holy Week & Easter Liturgies – You would have seen several photos on our school Facebook page at the end of last term and on Monday from these recent liturgies. I would like to extend my gratitude to all of the Yr 6 teachers and students for the beautiful and Spirit-filled presentation of these liturgies for our community. It certainly brought the Easter story to life in a profoundly meaningful way for all who witnessed them.
Mission Day & Project Compassion – Gratitude also to all of you, our generous St Therese's school community. At the conclusion of last term, our students participated in The Big Water Walk as a part of our Project Compassion participation in a final act of solidarity with those less fortunate. As a community we raised a total of $ .... from this day and from all of the money in Project Compassion mission boxes.
ANZAC Liturgy – Thank you to the Yr 5 teachers and students who presented a solemn and respectful liturgy yesterday in honour of all those who have and still serve our country. Thanks also to Mr Ward and members of the school band (notably Jerome G. And Max C.) for their rendition of the national anthems and The Last Post.
Coming Events– The dates below indicate some of the Faith Life and Mission events coming up for Term 2:
- Wednesday 30th April - Confirmation Information Session & preparation begins (3:30pm in the Fr Walsh Hall).
- Sunday 25th May - Family/School parish Mass (9:15am)
- Week 5 - Reconciliation Week (27th May - 3rd June) - Liturgy date and time TBC
- Week 6 - Catholic Schools Week - Tuesday 3rd June at 9:30am - Liturgy followed by open-classrooms.
- Thursday 12th June - Sacrament of Confirmation (6pm)
- Friday 20th June - Infants Stage Mass (9:30am in the church)
- Sunday 22nd June - Family/School parish Mass (9:15am)
- Friday 27th June - Stage 2 Mass (9:30am in the church)
- Friday 4th July - Stage 3 Mass (9:30am in the church)
Luke Smith
Religious Education Coordinator
School Community News
Principal Awards
The following children will receive a Principal's award at next week's School Assembly, Monday 5/5. 2:30pm. Congratulations and thank you, children, for upholding the values and principles of St Therese’s. Please note that these children are unaware that they are receiving this award.
Isla A, Dominic B, Marli L, Logan O, Isabella F, Archie S, Maeve H, Grace O, Vincent M, Hannah M
Melissa Pyers
Primary Coordinator
Walk Safely to School Day – 16th May 2025
In celebration of National Road Safey Week, St Therese’s will be participating in the Walk Safely to School Day on Friday the 16th of May.
If your child wishes to attend, please meet Mr. Ireson and the other teachers and students at Adamstown Train Station at 8am. We will then all walk to school together. Parents and Carers are also welcome to come along to walk with their child/ren.
Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC) 2025
If your child is interested in completing the PRC this year, you can find all the information on our school website under ‘News and Events’ (Direct Link Premier's Reading Challenge 2025 - St Therese’s Primary School)
Drop into the Library to see our ‘PRC Super Stars’ wall.Congratulations to Violet W (Yr3) , Darcey P (Yr3), Emilia H (Yr3) and Penelope P (Yr3) on completing the challenge already and being added to the wall.
Lynette Barker
Teacher Librarian
Volunteering
Throughout the year, we welcome all parents/carers to volunteer at the school. To volunteer, you must complete the volunteer's induction. This process can take up to 6 weeks, so you are encouraged to complete this early.
Wellbeing
Sport
Sport Days
Term 2 sport days are:
- Kindergarten - Friday
- Year 1 - Tuesday
- Year 2 - Wednesday
- Year 3 - Tuesday (Weeks 1-4) & Wednesday (Week 5-10)
- Year 4 - Wednesday (Weeks 1-4) & Friday (Weeks 5-10)
- Year 5 - Friday (Weeks 1-4) & Tuesday (Weeks 5-10)
- 6N - Tuesday
- 6W - Wednesday
- 6L- Friday
Athletics Carnival
Reminder that our school Athletics Carnival will be held on Wednesday the 7th May. This is a whole school event. Students from Year 2 - Year 6 will compete in the events on the day. Students in Kindergarten and Year 1 will attend the day to participate in a variety of tabloid games. They will then return to school prior to the conclusion of the carnival. More information will be made available in the coming weeks.
If you would like to volunteer on the day and your have your clearance through the CSO, please email Mr. Ireson at liam.ireson@mn.catholic.edu.au
Liam Ireson
Infants Coordinator & Sports Coordinator
Football Gala Day
Some of our Stage 2 students participated in a football gala day on Thursday 3 April. We won 2 out of 3 games.
It was a fantastic day full of sportsmanship and teamwork. We are very proud of our Boys at St Therese's, playing well and playing fair.
Well done Stage 2 Football team.
Jye Bowen
Canteen
| Mon 5/5 | Tue 6/5 | Wed 7/5 | Thu 8/5 | Fri 9/5 |
Marrisa Harvey | Cath Oakley | Teigan Jobbin | Kristin Searle | |
| Mon 12/5 | Tue 13/5 | Wed 14/5 | Thu 15/5 | Fri 16/5 |
| Elesha Finlay | Lauren Ross | Holly Van Schak | Sue Goldman | Kareena Gupta |
Important Dates
07 May - WHOLE school Athletics Carnival, Fearnley Dawes Athletic Centre, Newcastle
09 May - Mothers Day Breakfast 7:30am to 9:00am
*Howard Ward is on leave Friday 9/5/25 (Week 2 Term 2) to Monday 2/6/25 (Week 6 Term 2). No Band.*
14 May - Dio Cross Country
22 May - Book Fair
26 May - Yr 6 Camp
27 May - Yr 6 Camp
28 May - Yr 6 Camp
02 Jun - Catholic Schools Week
03 Jun - FACE Meeting 8.30am
- Liturgy 9.15am followed by Open Classrooms
09 Jun - Public Holiday
16 Jun - Pupil Free Day