Newsletter 3rd September Term 3, Week 7

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 Parents/Carers

National Child Protection Week: 7th-13th September 2025
National Child Protection Week invites all Australians to play their part to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
This year's theme, “Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation to Action,” is about taking the next step beyond dialogue—turning meaningful conversations into real change at individual, community, and national levels.
Throughout Child Protection Week, and at various times through the school year, we encourage students to learn about behaviours that will help to keep them safe. One important action that children can take is to speak to a trusted adult if they have any concerns. During child protection week, our Personal Development, Health & Physical Education (PDPHPE) will focus on protective behaviours to empower and educate our children on this very important topic.
It is important that we listen to, and value, what children have to say. Where possible, include their voices in decision making and be advocates for their best interest.
The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has an abiding commitment to promote the safety, welfare, and wellbeing of children. The Office of Safeguarding (OoSG) is the structural expression of the Diocese’s commitment to demonstrate the highest standards of recognising and upholding the dignity and rights of all children.
NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION WEEK: Find out about other activities & events at: www.napcan.org.au/get-involved-2025/

Perpetual Day of Remembrance
This day was promulgated as a ‘Perpetual Day of Remembrance’ in our diocese, to mark a day of solemn remembrance of the harm caused by a history of child sexual abuse and failure to protect children. It has two aspects: one focused on supporting survivors and the other on the prayer of the whole church. This year Perpetual Day of Remembrance Sunday falls on September 14.
As a people of faith, we can pray for a change of heart as the ground of hope for a safer future for all.

Diocesan Mass celebrating Diverse Learning
Today we are invited Bishop Michael Kennedy and the Federation of P&F Associations for the 26th Annual Mass Celebrating Diverse Learning. 
The Mass at 5pm today at Sacred Heart Cathedral will be a celebration of inclusion and diversity, where everyone’s unique, God-given gifts will be honoured. All members of our community are welcome to attend this very special annual mass.
The children and staff of St Therese’s will take special parts in today’s celebration, and I thank our parents and staff for supporting the children in preparing for this special event.  

Parent/Teacher Interviews
Thank you all for taking the time to attend the recent parent-teacher interviews. Your presence and engagement are deeply appreciated and play a vital role in supporting your child’s learning journey.
At St Therese’s we believe that strong partnerships between home and school are essential for achieving the best outcomes for our children. These interviews are a valuable opportunity to share insights, celebrate progress, and work collaboratively to support each child’s growth.
We are grateful for your ongoing support and commitment. Together, we can continue to create a nurturing and inspiring environment where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed.
Thank you to our teachers for their preparation and participation in these meetings, and all that they do to support our children daily.

School Attendance
Supporting positive school attendance is a shared responsibility - everyone has a role to play in promoting the regular attendance of students. All children should be at school on time each day and remain until the conclusion of lessons in the afternoon. This ensures a consistent routine for students which helps children feel secure, as well as allowing children to learn and grow. Days off school not only contribute to significant gaps and lost opportunities in learning, it is also hard for children to establish, develop and maintain social connections.
We ask that you try to limit appointments through the school day where possible. These appointments are important for your child to attend.
 Frequent lateness should also be avoided, as children need to get into a good routine each morning. If you are having difficulty getting your child to school on time, please talk to their class teacher.

Sporting events
In recent weeks we have had several sporting events that our children have participated in. Such events take a significant amount of teacher’s time to organise and co-ordinate. I want to thank our teachers for the time they willingly give to these events so that our children can enjoy these experiences.

Have a wonderful week

Sallyanne Stanbridge
Principal

Assistant Principal's Message

Happy Father’s Day to all our special dads, granddads and father figures.  I hope you have a wonderful day on Sunday, with your beautiful children and grandchildren.  Thank you to the volunteers who will be at the Father’s Stall on Thursday.  Children do not need to bring any money in for the stall, as the cost was added to school fees.  Each child will be able to select one gift from the stall.

SchoolTV
SchoolTV has created a special edition for Father’s Day.  Sunday will be an exciting day for children and their Fathers and father figures; however, it can also be difficult for families that may have had a change in family circumstance or who have a lost a dad/father figure.  The special edition can be found through the link https://newlambton.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/celebrating-fathers-day.

Faith Community Week
Thank you to our Year 6 Leadership Teams, who have organised wonderful activities for K-5 during lunch and recess each day.  I congratulate Year 6 on their leadership skills, organisation and engagement – we are proud of you Year 6! 

Year 5 Leadership
Year 5 students will begin their leadership process over the coming weeks; this continues into Term 4.  Information about the leadership process will be sent out to Year 5 parents, via Compass, by the end of this week.

Year 6 Sausage Sizzle
On the final day of term, Friday 26 September, our Year 6 parents/carers and children will be holding a Sausage Sizzle and Cake Stall, as a fundraiser for the end of year events.  A sausage on a bread roll is $4, and can be ordered through Flexischools, and there is an option to select a gluten free bread roll, for a slightly extra cost.  The canteen will be closed on this day.  Thank you in advance to Year 6 students and their families, for providing this opportunity to the school community.

Interrelate
We had 21 families that responded to the Interrelate Survey, sent out earlier in the term.  It was a close result between the face-to-face verses online presentation of Interrelate – 43% preferred online and 57% preferred face-to-face.  Therefore, in 2026, we will return to the face-to-face format, which usually occurs mid-Term 3

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:
Pope Leo encourages the Church’s bishops to live ‘a life of evangelical poverty’. As the pope explained in a jubilee meditation, each bishop should exhibit ‘a simple, sober and generous lifestyle, dignified and at the same time suited to the conditions of the majority of his people.’
‘The poor must find in him a father and a brother,’ the pope continued, ‘and never feel uncomfortable in meeting him or entering his home. In his personal life, he must be detached from the pursuit of wealth and from forms of favouritism based on money or power. The bishop must never forget that, like Jesus, he has been anointed with the Holy Spirit and sent to bring good news to the poor (cf. Lk 4:18).’ (Jubilee of Bishops, Meditation of Pope Leo XIV 25 June 2025)
As we reflect on this week’s Gospel we might ask ourselves how these words apply to each one of us too. Are we called to rise above others, or to stand with them? Are we bringers of hope in our own time and place?
And in a particular way we might also pray for our bishops, that they may be given the grace to heed the pope’s advice and follow Christ’s commission. May we also have the grace to support them in turn when they do.

Religious Education
This week’s focus in RE is on Year 2:
This module focuses on the Christian response to and sharing of God’s love through the ways we live in right relationship with God and other people. In this module, students examine ways to interact with others and how actions can reflect the love of God.
It explores what it means to be a part of a caring community. Students will learn about Jesus’ great commandment to love one another and ways of applying this commandment to their own lives. The module also looks at a Christian community as one where people care for one another, and especially for those who are poor and in need, and for God’s creation. Students will be introduced to what it means to live justly as part of a loving community. Students will also learn that caring for others and creation is an important part of belonging to a Catholic community.

Prayer, Celebration & Mission
First Holy Communion – Sunday was a beautiful conclusion to the Sacramental Program for many of our Year 4 students who completed their full initiation into the Catholic faith by receiving the Holy Eucharist for the first time. Thank you to all those who helped prepare the students throughout the program and to Fr Velerian for a beautiful Mass on Sunday.

Sacramental Program 2025 / 2026 – The new Sacramental Program will commence next term with an information and registration evening open to those parents with children in Year 3. This evening will occur in Week 1 of Term 4 - more information to come soon.

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

• Wednesday 3^rd September - Diocesan Diverse Learner's Mass (5pm - Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton)
• Friday 12^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

Book Week Highlight
Congratulations to Audrey L from 4N who contributed to a recipe book written by children with different disabilities and kindly donated a copy to our Library.  Thank you for this special gift.

St Therese’s Business Directory – Supporting Our School Community
St Therese’s is creating a business directory featuring families within our school community. This initiative aims to encourage support for local businesses owned or operated by our families.
The directory will be published on the school’s website and made available to our community.
If you would like your business to be included, please email admin@newlambton.catholic.edu.au with the following details:

• Business name
• Brief description of your services/products
• Contact details (phone, email, website or social media links)

We look forward to showcasing and supporting the wonderful businesses within our St Therese’s community!

News from The Performing Arts Room
Invitation for students to join the Centenary Choir: On Friday 31st October, our school will be celebrating the centenary of St. Therese's. A special day of activities is being planned to mark this incredible milestone, commencing with a whole school liturgy in the morning. We would like to invite students from Year 3 to 6 to be a part of a school choir that will perform at this special liturgy. Rehearsals will be held on Friday mornings before school in the Father Walsh Room and will start at 8.30am. Please see dates below. 
If your child would like to be a part of the school choir, could we please ask you to email Mrs Brymora at your earliest convenience  alina.brymora@mn.catholic.edu.au . We encourage you to start discussing this performance opportunity with your child. Rehearsals start in Week 8.

Save the Date - St Therese's Carols by Candlelight Concert: Our annual Carols by Candlelight Concert is returning. Please pop Wednesday 19^th November into your calendars. More information coming soon.

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.

Alina Brymora
Performing Arts Teacher

Grandparents Day
On Friday 24th October (Term 4 Week 2), we will hold our annual Grandparents Day Liturgy. Grandparents will be invited to attend the liturgy which will be attended by the Infants Grades only. Following the liturgy, a light morning tea will be provided for Grandparents that are attending while the students return to their class to have their fruit break. After the morning tea, all classes from Kindergarten to Year 6 will hold open classrooms, where Grandparents are invited to visit their grandchild’s classroom and see the work that they have been up to. PLEASE NOTE – this is a very special community event, and we love inviting Grandparents into our school, however, seating in the hall often goes very quickly. We do ask that only Grandparents attend the liturgy to ensure that everyone can have a place to sit.
We look forward to recognising and celebrating the important part that Grandparents play in the shaping of our students lives.

Liam Ireson
Primary Coordinator (K-2), Sports Coordinator & Year 1 Teacher

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

Last Tuesday, we held a special assembly to welcome Connor, our Resilience Project School Partnership Manager to our school to hand out some GEM awards and celebrate all the fantastic work we are doing with The Resilience Project at St Therese's. We also had a surprise special guest! Martin Heppel! Martin is the lead facilitator of the Resilience Project and is a familiar face to all our students as he features in many of the TRP lessons and videos the children enjoy each week. He is also featured in the GEM rap which we have been practicing. Check out the link below!

https://vimeo.com/840824836/7f037d8004?&login=true#_=_

Martin popped out as we were singing the rap, which was an exciting moment and BIG SURPRISE for our students. He handed out the GEM awards and congratulated us on the way we show gratitude, mindfulness and empathy towards others. We are truly blessed and grateful to have The Resilience Project at St Therese's. 

Checkout all the photos and videos on the St Therese’s Facebook Page!



Student Voice

The Resilience Project has taught me to be mindful. After a break, it helps to settle me down and calm my body. It has also helped me to put myself in other people’s shoes. When I’m playing on the playground, I take more notice of other kids and include them if they want to play. I am learning to show gratitude around my house by being thankful for the things that I have and helpful when my parents have a rough day. I see a positive impact in the way we interact with other people since we started the resilience project.

Levi- Year 5

Since we started our resilience project lessons, I have noticed that people have been showing more respect towards others. I have also noticed that I am more resilient than I was before and I feel calmer when things go wrong. I am learning to be grateful for the things that I’ve got instead of thinking of the things that I want. When I have done the wrong thing I take it on the chin and take my consequence without a fuss. I also try to show kindness and empathy towards others.

Max-Year 5

On behalf of St Therese’s, I would like to introduce Connor as our schools Resilience Project Representative. He is here today to help us celebrate everything amazing about The Resilience Project and hand out some special GEM awards. He would also like to hear us practice the GEM rap that we have been learning as a school.

Jerome-Year 6

Since The Resilience Project has been introduced to St Therese’s last year, I have noticed a big change in how students interact with each other and speak and play with each other on the playground. I think the Resilience Project is a really useful tool for the classroom especially using the journals to practice Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness and Emotional Literacy. My favourite part if the mindfulness colouring in because it helps us calm down after playing outside on the playground.

Sienna- Year 6

The Resilience Project has taught me how to show gratitude to my peers and teachers. I do this by focussing on what we do have and not what we don’t have. Empathy has taught me to understand how others are feeling if they are upset or having a difficult day. Mindfulness is a time to settle down and pay attention to what we can hear, say, smell, touch and see. As part of the Resilience Project lessons, I enjoy using the habit tracker at the beginning of my journal to track how I am feeling. Since the introduction of The Resilience Project, I have noticed that students take more responsibility for their actions, owning their mistakes and showing kindness on the playground and in the classroom.

Noah B- Year 6

Podcast- The Imperfects   

Dr Emily – We’re Longing for Belonging

Dr Emily

Do you ever wonder whether you belong?

According to Dr Emily Musgrove, our resident psychologist, belonging is an evolutionary need, literally built into our DNA. And in our current loneliness epidemic, the feeling of belonging uncertainty can impact our sense of safety, identity and even physical health.

This week, Dr Em goes into the intolerable state of uncertainty, and the self-fulfilling prophecy we may induce when trying to protect ourselves. Unfortunately, for all of us introverts, creating connection involves risk.

On the flip side, Dr Em explains the benefits to seeking perspective and crafting situations to help others feel like they belong.

AND with a guest star appearance from Producer Bridge, we unpack what it looks and feels like to get it wrong, and how you can work to get it right.

https://www.theimperfects.com.au/episode/longing-for-belonging-a-fundamental-human-need/

Classroom Spotlight-Year 6

This week we take a closer look at what Year 6 are learning about in their Resilience Project Lessons.

This week students reflected on character strengths observed within their group, identified their own character strengths and articulated them as positive self-talk statements.

We are learning to identify our own character strengths, as well as use these character strengths in positive self-talk as a positive coping strategy.

We reflected on the following questions in our discussions:

6W

Unexpected moments of Gratitude

Last week, as part of our lesson, we shared a time when an unexpected moment of gratitude lifted us back up after watching an inspire video featuring Martin!

We explored how to choose a gratitude mindset. We learnt that we can choose a gratitude mindset through saying ‘I get to…’ statements instead of ‘I have to…’ This reframes our thinking!

• I get to come to school and have teachers who teach me- Brianna
• I get to have breakfast, lunch and dinner each day with people I love- Sienna
• I get to go on breaks and have free time with an amazing teacher- Georgie
• I get to play footy on the weekend- Noah B
• I get to ride my bike- Chase

We responded to thoughts and questions posed when viewing photos of other schools around the world. 

• How did these images make you feel? Why? 
• How do you think the children from these schools would feel? 
• How does this make you feel about the things we have at our school? 
• How do you think we respond to the things we have sometimes? 
• Do you often think about other schools and what they have? Why or why not? 
• Do you often show gratitude for what we have at our school, or do you tend to wish we had more? How has that changed since doing this activity?

We discussed and expressed gratitude for different aspects of our lives.

I am grateful to have a family that loves me- Brianna

I am grateful for everyone around me and the amazing life I live- Sienna

I am grateful to have friends who care about me- Noah B

I am grateful for a wonderful family- Georgie

I am grateful to have a roof over my head- Chase

6N

In 6N, we incorporate our 'Dis' wall in not only TRP, but also in other learning areas. Our students have been exploring metaphors and proverbs in literacy, a popular one listed on the Dis wall was 'Blood is thicker than water'- relating to the importance of family. 

6L

As part of our gratitude lesson this week, we did a menti asking the students what they are most grateful for, and these were the most popular responses.

Melissa Pyers
Primary Coordinator

Sport

NSWPSSA Football

Congratulations to Chase P who recently attended the NSWPSSA Football Championships held in Ballina. Chase represented the Polding team with pride and the team ended up finishing 9^th overall, in a very competitive and high level competition. Well done on your fantastic effort, Chase! 

Congratulations to Bailey M (2L) for an outstanding performance in the 2025 National Federation Challenge in Canberra, winning first place for ice skating!

Sporting Schools Holiday Camp

Catholic Schools is offering its first ever sporting school holiday camp. It is a collaboration with Golf NSW and Catholic Schools Maitland Newcastle. The 2 day program targets 10-14 year olds. For any further information or questions, please contact Liam Ireson or Bernadette Duggan. 
Please click on the following flyers:

Liam Ireson
Primary Coordinator (K-2), Sports Coordinator & Year 1 Teacher

Canteen

Important Dates

05 Sep - Fathers Day Breakfast 7.30am
08 Sep - Kinder Excursion Oakvale Farm
10Sep - Yr 6 Sports Day at Trinity College
12 Sep - Yr 2 Tocal Excursion
12Sep - Polding Athletics
12 Sep - Wear White T-shirt for Child Protection Week
16, 17 & 18 Sept - LOTUS Fundraiser
22 Sep - Assembly 2.30pm
26 Sep - LAST DAY OF TERM 3
26 Sep - Year 3 Excursion Awabakal
26 Sep - Sausage Sizzle (Year 6 Fundraiser)
13 Oct - FIRST DAY OF TERM 4
27 Nov - Liturgy & Open Classrooms