Newsletter 23rd July Term 3, 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.

Almighty God
We give you, our school.
We give you all the teachers and staff who work here,
We give you all the children who learn here.
We pray our school will continue to be a place of great discovery, adventure and creativity.
May it be a place where we love to learn and where we learn to love,
A place where everyone is respected and all are deeply valued.
We ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dear Parents/Carers

Welcome back to Term 3. I hope all families had a restful, relaxing holiday. We were certainly treated to lovely weather of cold mornings but some beautiful, sunny winter days.

School Disco
Our 2025 school disco will be held next week on Thursday 31 July in our school hall.
K-2 5:30pm- 6:30pm
Year 3-6 6:45pm-8:00pm

As St Therese’s executive team members will be in attendance, parents do not need to have completed a volunteer check to assist us on the night. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Please contact Kimberly Campbell or Ashley Nash if you can assist on the night.  kimberlysmall1@hotmail.com          ashleygracenash@gmail.com

Staffing
Congratulations to Liam Ireson and his wife Maddy on the birth of Audrey Rose, their first child last week. Liam is enjoying time with his family and will return to school in week 3.
Jye Bowen is on leave week 1-2 of this term. Britt French is taking 4W in his absence.
Leanne Kepreotes is on leave week 2-10 this term. Elise Kellaway will teach 4L for this time.
Following interviews held last term Mackenzie Gageler has been appointed as the Religious Education Co-Ordinator at St Therese’s commencing in 2026. Luke Smith is departing St Therese’s at the end of 2025, to move to Brazil with his wife.

Year 6 Camp 2026
After discussion with staff and investigation of various options, St Therese’s year 6 children will attend the Great Aussie Bush Camp (GABC) at Kincumber from 2026. This camp offers very similar activities to the previous camp venue that St Therese’s attended at Collaroy however it is felt that the GABC will also give our children a greater variety of age-appropriate camp activities.
Year 6 camp will be Wednesday 29th- Friday 31st July 2026.

Centenary Celebrations
On Friday 31 October you are invited to join us at St Therese’s for the celebration of 100 years of our school. We will start with a liturgy in our hall at 9:45am, followed by a games’ afternoon and picnic lunch. Families are most welcome to join us.

Parent/Teacher interviews
As is our practice at St Therese’s, we will again hold parent/teacher interviews on the evenings of Tuesday 26 August and Thursday 28 August. This is an opportunity for parents to discuss their children’s progress and learning goals for semester 2.

FACE meeting Term 3
Family engagement in our school community plays a vital role in ensuring all St Therese’s students reach their full potential.
Our Term 3 FACE meeting is 6pm on Monday 18 August in our Catherine McAuley Centre. The educative component will be the new syllabi for English and Maths and ways that you can support your children with their learning in this Key Learning Areas. Children are welcome.

Contacting Teachers
The best outcomes occur for our children when school and home work together. We look forward to continuing to build the strong links between families and school. Your child’s teacher is obviously an integral part of this and there may be times during the year, aside from our scheduled parent interviews in terms 1 and 3, that you need to contact your child’s teacher. If so, contact can be made via the school’s administration email: admin@newlambton.catholic.edu.au . These emails will be forwarded to the relevant teacher by the administration team. Teachers will respond to your email within 2 business days and during the hours of 8am and 5pm.
You can also contact your child’s teacher through our office, by leaving a message for them. They will return your call as soon as possible. As you can appreciate, teachers are very busy during the school day so any ‘urgent’ messages for your child regarding travel arrangements, medications, lunches etc. should be made by calling the office.

School Attendance
If students miss as little as eight days in a school term, by the end of primary school they will have missed a year of education.
Education in NSW is compulsory. Principals are legally responsible for keeping accurate records of student attendance. The principal has the right to question parents or carers’ requests for their child to be absent from school. Principals are also responsible for deciding if the reason for absence is justified. 
Parents and carers are asked not to withdraw their children from school for family holidays. If your family holiday is in school time, inform the principal in advance and request leave and/or exemption from school. Any absence from school for 10 school days or more requires an application for exemption. Forms are available from the office. These exemptions cannot be issued retrospectively.
It is required under the Education and Public Instruction Act 1987 that a written note explaining a child’s absence from school be supplied by parents or carers. Parents may also communicate absence via the Compass App, by phone call or email to the school. If advice of absence is not forthcoming within seven days, then the child is marked ‘Absent without Leave.’ All absences must be recorded and kept by the school for 7 years.
Principals may request a doctor’s certificate if leave is for several days OR there are patterns of absence.
If a child arrives at school after the morning bell, please accompany them to the front office and sign them in at the Compass kiosk. If you are collecting your child before 3.15pm, please come to the front office and sign them out via the Compass kiosk and your child will be called from class to meet you there. 

Online Games
A reminder to parents to monitor closely your child’s online interactions. Devices should always be used by children in a public place in the home, not in bedrooms. That way, adults can monitor children’s online interactions. Also, please remember that most social media and games like Fortnite have a minimum age of 12, which means most of our children in primary school should not be playing these. For further information, visit: https://www.esafety.gov.au/kids

Wishing you a great week as we work together for the benefit of our children.
Take care

Sallyanne Stanbridge
Principal

Principal Awards
The following children will receive a Principal's award at next week's School Assembly, Week 2, Monday 28/7. 9.15am. 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.

Ezra B, Eloise McG, Florence F, Maeve C, Audrey L, Abbey L, Tighe C, Charlie D, Max C and Elsie R.

Melissa Pyers
Primary Coordinator

St Therese’s Primary School New Lambton Centenary
We are thrilled to announce a special celebration to honour a century of formation, learning, growth, and community at St Therese’s Primary School, New Lambton. As we prepare for this milestone, we invite our beloved alumni to enrich the festivities with their cherished memories and experiences. Do you have something to share?
  * Copies of photos taken at the school
  * School uniform items
  * School books or reports
  * Newspaper clippings

Email: admin@newlambton.catholic.edu.au with the subject heading ‘100 year celebration’ or Phone:  (02) 4957 4922 if you are able to join us for this special occasion at St Therese’s.
If you have a historic item or story to share, please get in touch by Monday 18 August.
When you reach out, please let us know if you have an item you would like to share and/or, if you would be interested to take part in an interview (via email, phone or face to face). We will then work with you, to make sure your story forms part our celebrations.

Assistant Principal's Message

I hope you and your children had a wonderful break, it was so lovely to return to school on Monday to see the beautiful smiles of our students and hear all about their holiday adventures.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)
This term we are focusing primarily on our Mercy value of inclusivity.  Towards end of Term 2, there was an increase in friendship concerns, where some students were being excluded by peers.  For the next two weeks, we are focussing on students being more aware of peers and inviting others to join in games and activities.  This term, we continue our token system, where students may receive tokens for displaying positive behaviours in the playground and at afternoon dismissal.

Personalised Planning Meetings and Parent Teacher Meetings
This term we have both Personalised Planning (PP) Meetings and Parent Teacher (PT) Meetings.  PP Meetings are for students who receive funding for their diverse learning needs – these meetings will be held throughout Weeks 3 and 4, and the bookings for these were opened during the holidays.  PT Meetings are for all other students and will be held in Week 6 for most classes, these will take place in the Hall.  We look forward to meeting with you to discuss your child’s progress and set goals for them for the remainder of the school year.

Flexible Groups in Kindergarten
This term, Kindergarten students will participate in flexible learning groups in Mathematics each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  Kindergarten teachers, learning support teachers and the school Leadership Team will use data gained from assessments and observations to place students in groups that run across the three Kindergarten classes.  The groupings ensure teaching is targeted to the needs of the students, to provide support and extension opportunities for students who require it.  We continue to monitor student progress, and changes to groups are made, as necessary.

School Uniform
As we begin a new school term, we ask parents to ensure their child is wearing the correct school uniform each day.  The following uniform requirements are also required:

• Single earrings – studs or small sleepers only
• Minimal jewellery – a single bangle or bracelet or necklace with a cross
• Makeup is NOT permitted at school, or for any school event e.g. excursions, sporting events etc.
• Students are not permitted to wear nail polish or have fake nails or nail extensions
• This can be a danger to the students as well as their peers
• Students with hair that is longer than shoulder length are expected to tie their hair back while at school – this is for both male and female students
• Students are not permitted to dye their hair or to have inappropriate hairstyles

We understand that during holidays, or for important family events, some students dye their hair, have nail extensions etc.  We ask that you ensure your child/ren adhere to the school uniform requirements as soon as possible after holidays and special events.

Kaylene Maretich
Assistant Principal

Catholic Identity & Curriculum

Faith Formation - 'Leo's Lens': The excerpt below, written by Nick Brodie, is a summary of Pope Leo XIV's reflection on Sunday's Gospel message (Jesus eating at the home of Martha & Mary) and what is implied about authentic wisdom and true service. This reflection takes a particularly interesting look at these values through our use of current digital technology:

Pope Leo wants us to keep in mind that ‘authentic wisdom has more to do with recognising the true meaning of life, than with the availability of data.’ Reflecting on rapid advances presently being made in Artificial Intelligence, the pope encourages everyone to engage in ‘serious reflection… on the inherently ethical dimension of AI.’

While acknowledging that AI has ‘extraordinary potential to benefit the human family’, he notes that it ‘also raises deeper questions concerning the proper use of such technology in generating a more authentically just and human global society.’

Generative AI particularly ‘raises troubling questions on its possible repercussions on humanity’s openness to truth and beauty,’ he says. It risks affecting ‘our distinctive ability to grasp and process reality.’

While we need not turn our backs on technological progress, we should regularly pause and reflect on what real progress means. Whatever use we make of AI, if it takes us away from being attentive to truth and justice then something is awry.

As the pope reminds us, ‘tools … draw much of their ethical force from the intentions of the individuals that wield them.’ Each of us, therefore, should reflect on when and how and why we use AI. Does it help us attend to Christ, or subtly guide us away?

Religious Education

This term, the image below shows, at a glance, what all grades will be learning about in RE:

Stage 3 Religious Literacy Test - On Monday 1^st September, our Year 6 students will undertake the Diocesan Religious Literacy Test which assesses their religious literacy knowledge from across many of the units taught in both Yr 5 & Yr 6. The test is divided into 3 sections: Section 1 - Multiple Choice (covering content taught in the Yr 5 units), and Section 2 & 3 - Short and Longer Answer responses (with a deeper focus on 2 specific units cover so far in Yr 6). We wish these students well as they prepare for and undertake this test later in the term.

Prayer, Celebration & Mission

Social Justice: Vinnies Winter Appeal & the Bishop's Manning Flood Appeal – Another huge thank you for your overwhelming support of our Term 2 fundraising efforts. Through food items sent in for the Winter Appeal hampers, and your contributions to the Hot Milo Days and Pyjama Day gold coin donation, we were able to supply a large amount of food items to Vinnies and almost $2000 in money which was divided between Vinnies and the Manning Flood Appeal. Thank you, St Therese's community, for your generous spirit of giving to those in need!

Coming Events– The dates below indicate some of the Faith Life and Mission events coming up for Term 3:

• Wednesday 23rd July - Parent Information session - First Holy Communion (3:30pm in Fr Walsh Hall - Yr 4 parents)
• Monday 28^th July - NAIDOC Week Liturgy (immediately after 9:15am Assembly - Main Hall)
• Friday 15^th August - Staff Spirituality Day (pupil-free day)
• Sunday 17^th August - Family/School Mass (9:15am - St Therese's Church)
• Sunday 31st August - First Holy Communion Mass (11am - St Therese's Church)
• Wednesday 3^rd September - Catholic Community Week Liturgy & Open Classrooms (9:30am - Main Hall)
• Wednesday 3^rd September - Diocesan Diverse Learner's Mass (5pm - Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton)
• Thursday 11^th September - Stage 2 Mass (9:30am - St Therese's Church)
• Thur/Fri 18 & 19^th September - LOTUS Education Foundation fundraiser
• Friday 19^th September - Infants Mass (9:30am - St Therese's Church)
• Friday 26^th September - Stage 3 Mass (9:30am - St Therese's Church)

Luke Smith

Religious Education Coordinator

School Community News

ICAS Assessments
It is the final week to register for ICAS Assessments should you wish your child to participate in them. Registrations finish on Monday  28^th July.
Assessment Schedule:
Date of each ICAS Assessment in Term 3:
Term 3 Week 3
Tuesday 5^th August 2025 Digital Technology Assessment.
Wednesday 6^th August 2025 English Writing Assessment.
Term 3 Week 4
Wednesday 13^th August 2025 English
Term 3 Week 5
Tuesday 19^th August 2025 Science
Wednesday 20^th August 2025 Spelling
Term 3 Week 6
Wednesday 27^th August 2025 Mathematics
Remember: These Assessments are totally optional.
The cost of each Assessment is $20.95. The English Writing Assessment costs $24.95 
Please find below the parent code or the parent page Link for all subjects Years 3-6:
Parent Code: CEE874
Parent Page Link: https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/parent-payment/CEE874

Therese Jackman
Primary Coordinator

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.

ASPIRE

This year, Aspire presents "THE RISE OF BOZZ". - Please click the link to purchase tickets for this production.

If your child is interested in the performing arts, this production is a fantastic opportunity for them to experience the full scope of what Aspire offers to students involved in its programs.  Below is a link to the Aspire website where you can find detailed information about the  full range of programs available to students in the diocese. Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information if required.

Wellbeing

GEM Chats for Home- Mindfulness

Parent Hub- Mindfulness  
Head over to our Parent Hub to find out more how to embed Mindfulness at home with Martin from The Resilience Project, using the following link (scroll down to the bottom of the home page and click ‘Mindfulness’ for the video):

https://theresilienceproject.com.au/2025-parent-carer-hub-inspire-3/

When sharing a meal together, ask everyone to take one mouthful of food more mindfully than the rest and think about the flavours they can taste and how it makes them feel. (They can also thank the chef!).
Family Activity-Delve Deeper
Working on mindfulness gives us opportunities to develop our ability to pay attention to the present moment and our thoughts.
Practising mindfulness daily can help us stay focused on set tasks and reduce stress and anxiety.

Classroom Spotlight-Year 3
3N
As part of our Resilience Project learning, 3N explored the topic “My Amazing Body.” We discussed the many incredible things our bodies allow us to do such as move, learn, express emotions, and connect with others. Together, we deepened our understanding of the positive experiences our bodies make possible and practised showing gratitude for our bodies and the gift of being alive.
Students reflected on what makes their own bodies special and learned practical strategies to care for and appreciate themselves. It was truly inspiring to hear them share what they’re proud of and how their bodies help them live, grow, and feel strong

3L
To me, a mind full of thoughts is stress. If I have more than four things swirling around in my head at once, I become stressed. Being mindful changes what is happening in my mind because I am calm, focused, confident, and happy. That’s why I found this lesson quite interesting.        Maddi
"Mind full" means your mind is filled with thoughts and feelings that swirl around in your brain, preventing you from being present in the moment and ready for work. "Mindful" means you are prepared to focus on your work. To switch from "mind full" to "mindful," you can practice some meditation techniques.                    Tom
It was a challenge to do this lesson, but I kept working and practiced mindfulness techniques such as "smell the flowers" and "blow out the candles."              Josh
Mindfulness helps me stay focused on what’s happening around me. If I use the strategy of "smell the flowers and blow out the candles," my mind can be brought back to the present, and I can feel relaxed and calm.     Scout

3W
In Year 3 we have learnt that 'Gratitude' is one of the key factors in building our resilience. We remember the story, from Hugh's volunteering experience in India, about the most grateful person he's ever met - a boy named Stunzin. Every time Stunzin finds himself in a moment he's grateful for, no matter where he is or what he is doing, he stops. He points to it. He just says DIS. We try and practice this everyday. Our 'Dis' poster is a reminder of all the wonderful things we are thankful for.

Melissa Pyers
Primary Coordinator

2026 ASPIRE Auditions
Registrations for ASPIRE 2026 auditions are now OPEN for current students from Year 4 to Year 11.
The auditions will be held at the Newcastle Convention and Exhibition Centre NEX, King Street, Newcastle (West City).
To register, please follow the link or scan the QR code:  http://mn.shor.tn/ASPIREAuditions and complete the online registration form.
Applications to Audition close on Friday 26 September 2025. 
Further details regarding the audition process for each ensemble are attached.
If you require further information, please contact Anne Atkins on 4979-1331 or email:  anne.atkins@mn.catholic.edu.au

Sport

Canteen

Important Dates

28 Jul  -  Yr 2 Assembly  9.15am
                NAIDOC WEEK celebration
31 Jul  -  Aspire Year 5 & 6
01 Aug - Water Safety Talk
04 Aug - Netball Gala Day
05 Aug - 100 Days of Kinder Celebration
15 Aug - PUPIL FREE DAY - Staff professional development
20 Aug - Book Week Dress Up Parade
21 Aug - Year 4 Tennis
25 Aug - Year 1 Assembly 2.30pm
03 Sept - Open Classrooms - Liturgy 9.15am
05 Sept - Fathers Day Breakfast