Newsletter 17th September Term 3, Week 9

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

Classes 2026
There will be twenty-one classes at St Therese’s in 2026. We will have three classes per grade for kindergarten to year 6.
In coming weeks, teachers will begin the process of considering children for their 2026 classes. This is a well thought out process based on academic, social, and emotional needs. Children are also given the opportunity to nominate friends for their class, and we ensure that at least one friend is with them in their 2026 class.
If you have a concern or request to make in relation to your child’s class placement for 2026 that is based on your child’s specific educational needs, please address this to me in writing (via email: admin@newlambton.catholic.edu.au) by COB Friday 17 October. Every consideration will be given to requests made that are based on student well-being.
Thank you in advance for trusting the staff to make careful, considered decisions and be guided by the expertise and advice of your child’s current teacher as to what is best in an educational context for your child. Your child’s class and teacher for 2026 will be sent home late in term 4 and these placements will be final.
At St Therese’s we will hold a Step-Up morning so that children spend some time meeting their new teacher and classmates for 2026. This includes new staff who are part of this meeting. Additional supports are also put in place for those children who may need it, so that the transition to their new class is as smooth as possible. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about this.
As we begin setting classes for 2026, if you are moving your child/ren to another school for 2026, please make us aware of this as soon as possible as we have enrolment inquiries from new families for 2026.

External Providers
We welcome opportunities for our children to explore and develop their talents with musical lessons during our school day (school band, guitar and piano). We ask our providers to rotate the lessons around so that our children do not consistently miss the same lesson each week, especially the vital early part of our day that encompasses English and Mathematics.
Even when this occurs, parents need to be aware that teachers cannot and do not make up for content missed by children in these lessons. This should be an important consideration for you when you are considering music lessons during a school day.

LOTUS
St Therese’s has a long-standing relationship with this charity assisting young girls in Laos who do not have access to education and basic amenities that we take for granted. Our biennial LOTUS exhibition is occurring this week, with artwork displayed by our year 5-6 children, reflecting their work in Geography and Religion in social justice and perspectives of other countries.
You are welcome to come along on Thursday 3:45-7pm to view these artworks and donate.
Thank you to Zoe Meere and Odette Tonkin who have assisted our children in planning and producing their work this term. Thank you also to the year 5-6 staff and other teachers who have contributed to making goods for sale for this important cause.
At the beginning of term 4 we will also view some biographical artwork of the current group of girls that we are supporting. This will give our children some insight into the struggles these young people face living in a third world country.  Please see some photos of the amazing artwork and gift items that have been created further on in the Newsletter.

Staffing
Following interviews held recently I am pleased to announce that Emily Dale has been appointed Primary Co-ordinator for 2026. Emily currently works at St Joseph’s Charlestown. She will join Melissa Pyers and Therese Jackman as primary co-ordinators in our leadership team.
Leanne Kepreotes will return from long service leave to teach 4L for term 4. We thank Elise Kellaway for her time working with 4L this term.
Donald Paton is on leave from Monday 22 September and will return 15 October. Mrs Naomi Venables and Mrs Melinda Stanley will teach 6N for this time.
Carly Mortimer will take leave for the first three weeks of term 4. Elise Kellaway will teach 6L.
Anthony will take leave for the first three weeks of term 4 and Daniel Wood will teach 5L.

We welcome Amy Karbowiak who is returning from Maternity leave in term 4. She will work in EALD. I thank Daniel Wood for his work in EALD for term 2-3.

School maintenance and upgrades
In the September holidays, we will undergo our annual carpet cleaning. In addition, the soft fall under the K-2 equipment will be replaced in a diocesan funded project. Our shade sails will be installed over both play equipment spaces in the next two weeks.
Last week our year 6 environmental team worked with Mr Rouse, Mrs Healey and Mrs Malyon to plant under our totem poles and at the entrance to our school as well as weed and renew our vegetables gardens near OOSH. Thank you for all your work, we look forward to seeing these continue to grow beautifully in this spring weather.

Parent Survey for 2026 planning
As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, each year our school identifies a list of priorities. These priorities are carefully considered to ensure we are using our resources wisely and to best support student learning, wellbeing and school operations.
Examples of school expenditure priority areas that have made a significant impact in our school community in recent years include the introduction of The Resilience Project to support student wellbeing.
As valued partners in our school community, I would like to invite you to complete a short survey, which will inform how our school will work towards its 2026 priorities.
The survey also provides an opportunity for you to have your say on aspects of our school you think should be prioritised to ensure it operates at a high standard now, and into the future.
I thank you in advance for completing this survey. Your feedback will provide valued insights into the wants and needs of our school community and strengthen decision-making. Survey closes Friday 26 September.

FACE meeting
Our Term 4 FACE meeting is scheduled for 6 pm via Zoom & in Catherine McAuley centre on Monday 10 November. The parent education topic covered will be strategies to support your child socially. Children are welcome.

Trivia Night
Please join us at our fundraising Trivia night on Friday 7 November. See details on Compass.

Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Reporting Policy
As a parent you can report any concerns you have for a student, or group of students, to our principal, assistant principal or directly to the Office of Safeguarding (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 regarding the safety, welfare or wellbeing of a child or if you are concerned that the school isn’t addressing allegations of reportable conduct or abuse.

Mercy Caring Group
Following in the footsteps of our Founders, the Sisters of Mercy, St Therese’s has a Mercy Caring group. This is a group of parents who may be called upon to give assistance or support to families in times of need. This may be meals, transport, or assistance with pick up/drop off of children. Thank you to the many families who are a part of this Mercy caring group.
If you would like to join the group, please email us at admin@newlambton.catholic.edu.au and your details will be given to Belinda Palmer who co-ordinates this group. If at any time you require assistance with meals etc please do not hesitate to contact me directly on sallyanne.stanbridge@mn.catholic.edu.au.

Wishing all of our families a restful Spring break. Thank you for your support of our school, and its initiatives as we work together for our children’s best outcomes.

I will be away on the diocesan pilgrimage to Greece, Turkey and Rome from Wednesday 24 September until Tuesday 14 October.

Kind regards

Sallyanne Stanbridge
Principal

Principal Awards

The following children will receive a Principal's award at next week's School Assembly, Week 10, Monday 22/9. 2:30pm. 
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.
Congratulations to Noa M, Eva M, Harrison P, Harry A, Mia S, Jake H, Baylen T, Charlie D, Parker L and Christian B.

Melissa Pyers
Primary Coordinator

Assistant Principal's Message

It has been lovely to see the warmer weather and sunshine this week.  As we approach the holidays, I’d like to thank our staff, students, and families for a wonderful Term 3.  I wish you all a wonderful holiday, to relax, rejuvenate and spend time with family and friends.

SchoolTV
SchholTV has released a special report on “Parenting Styles” https://newlambton.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-parenting-styles.  It is an interesting topic, as all families are unique, and all children are different.  SchoolTV has many wonderful resources for parents, if you would like to use SchoolTV at home, open the “STV Home” link on the top, left of the screen.

Year 6 Sausage Sizzle Fundraiser
Just a reminder that Year 6 are organising a Sausage Sizzle and cake stall on the final day of term, Friday 26 September.  Orders can be placed through Flexischools, with ordering closing on Monday 22 September.  The canteen will be closed on Friday 26 September.

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:
Such themes are strongly evident in Pope Leo’s comments on migrants and refugees. ‘In a world darkened by war and injustice,’ he says, ‘even when all seems lost, migrants and refugees stand as messengers of hope. Their courage and tenacity bear heroic testimony to a faith that sees beyond what our eyes can see and gives them the strength to defy death.’
Indeed, he suggests, they ‘remind the Church of her pilgrim dimension, perpetually journeying towards her final homeland.’
‘Their presence, then,’ the pope declares, ‘should be recognised and appreciated as a true divine blessing, an opportunity to open oneself to the grace of God, who gives new energy and hope to his Church.’
We too, in turn, have the opportunity to ‘be a living witness to hope, one that is understood as the promise of a present and a future where the dignity of all as children of God is recognised.’
We are called therefore to be people who welcome the stranger, manifesting the hope of the Cross where and when we can.

Religious Education
This week’s focus in RE is on Year 3:
In this module, students develop their understanding of the loving relationship God offers to people unconditionally; and their understanding of sin, as evident in the free choices that harm the individual and their loving relationships with God, with others and with all creation. They make connections between sin (missing the target) and the consequences of their choices. They investigate how the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) can help to build a world of love. They explore ways in which believers seek to heal these relationships through reconciliation. They investigate ways in which believers celebrate reconciliation with God and with others in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They further develop their understanding of prayer in the Christian tradition through an exploration of prayer for forgiveness (acts of contrition and Penitential Act). They demonstrate an understanding of how the celebrations of Anointing of the Sick and Reconciliation continue Jesus’ mission and ministry in the life of the community.

Prayer, Celebration & Mission
Mission Day – The last Friday of this term, Friday 26^th September, we will hold an out-of-uniform day with students asked to bring a gold coin donation - all money raised going to Catholic Mission's annual Socktober appeal. This year, Socktober funds will go to support those communities in need in the African country of Zambia. Children will engage in activities within their classrooms to bring greater awareness to the needs of people in Zambia and the work of Catholic Mission.

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 - Tuesday 14^th October at 6pm in the Father Walsh Hall. Please see the Compass notification that went out the other week with further details about the program.

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

• Wed/Thur 17 & 18^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)
• Friday 26^th September - Mission Day (Gold coin donation for out-of-uniform)

Luke Smith
Religious Education Coordinator

School Community News

Kinder Excursion to Oakvale Farm
Last week Kinder enjoyed a fun day of learning at Oakvale Farm .  A big thank you to our parent helpers who joined us on the day.

Public Speaking Competition
All students in our school had the opportunity this term to present a speech in front of their class - a very important skill to learn. From each stage, a student was selected to represent our school at the Regional Public Speaking Competition at St James, Kotara. 
Well done to Alice C, August M and Tighe C who gave excellent, engaging speeches at this competition. The feedback was that the standard was brilliant. A super congratulations to August M from Stage 2 who won and will now represent our school at the Diocesan Competition in Week 10. We wish August all the best and are very proud of him.

St Therese's Centenary Badges
School badges are available for purchase at the office for $5. Celebrate being at St Therese’s during our centenary year by buying one.

Environmental Team
Spring has sprung at St Therese's and our environmental team have been busy bees beautifying our grounds.  They have constructed a "Lizard Lounge" for our resident blue tongue lizard near the Admin building.  Mr Rouse has supervised the team planting our veggie patch & under planting the indigenous totems with Australian natives.  Our resident green thumb Christie Malyon has been busy weeding & pruning too and we thank her for her hard work and commitment.

Kristy Healy
Year 5 Teacher & Environmental Team

LOTUS 2025

Student BYOD Devices important message.
Student BYOD Devices important message: Windows 10 is reaching end of life
Action is required for students with BYOD Windows 10 devices as Windows 10 will soon no longer be supported by Microsoft.
To ensure your student device security you should upgrade to Windows 11 as soon as possible.
Microsoft has announced that support for Windows 10 will end on 14 October 2025, meaning it will no longer receive critical security updates.
To stay protected and ensure optimal performance, it is strongly recommended that all students with BYOD Windows 10 devices follow Microsoft’s instructions and upgrade to Windows 11 as soon as possible. There is no charge for this upgrade.

Why this matters:

• Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 10 from 15 October 2025.
• Upgrading to Windows 11 helps reduce security risks.
• Student Work Protection: Staying current helps safeguard assignments, projects, and personal data.

Ways to install Windows 11 - Microsoft Support

Upgrade to Windows 11: FAQ - Microsoft Support

Read our FAQs for more support:
How do I check what version of Windows am I running?
Select Start > Settings > System, then select About. You then see Edition, Version, and OS Build information.
We encourage all families with Student Windows 10 computers to begin the upgrade process now to avoid last-minute disruptions. If you need assistance or have questions about upgrading, please reach out to the IT support team in our school.

What if my device can’t upgrade?
If a Student’s BYOD laptop is running Windows 10 and can’t be upgraded to Windows 11 (usually due to older hardware), Microsoft is offering a free security update program to help keep the device safe for one more year.
The Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program is designed to keep your current Windows 10 PC protected after support ends, helping you stay secure during the transition.

How to Join Microsoft’s ESU Program
Microsoft has made it easy to enrol directly from the laptop:

• On eligible computers, a setup wizard will appear in Settings > Windows Update.
• There are three ways to enrol:

1. Free – Sync your settings to the cloud using Windows Backup. You must be logged in as administrator and with a Microsoft account.
2. Free – Use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
3. Paid – Buy a one-year license for $30 USD (families cover this cost).

Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 | Microsoft Learn

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!

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

eSafety
The eSafetyCommissioner has released information on how parents can support young people viewing distressing content online. Click on this link is you would like more information.

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

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

GEM BINGO
How is it September already? The first day of spring feels like the perfect time to reset and bring in fresh wellbeing habits.
Taking care of your wellbeing isn’t about doing it all- it’s about choosing to do the things that help you feel good (big or small).
Our GEM Bingo is here to make that fun this month. Save this post and see how many squares you can tick off in September – and remember, it only takes three in a row for BINGO!

Emotional Literacy

We love helping our community grow their emotional literacy, so they can understand and express how they feel in a healthy way. That’s why we’re highlighting a new word this month- “Chrysalism”- that feeling of being protected while the world outside feels chaotic.
See if you can use it in a conversation with your child/children or as part of a journal entry this fortnight.

• Classroom Spotlight-Kindergarten  

  This week we take a closer look at what Kindergarten is learning about in their Resilience Project Lessons.
  Kindergarten have been learning about different emotions and how we experience our emotions in different intensities. For example: If I can’t close my lunch box I might feel… frustrated. If it’s my birthday I might feel… excited. If I am running late for school I might feel… worried.

  How did these images make you feel? Why? 

When we feel these extreme emotions, we can take 5 deep breaths, cuddle a soft toy, distract our busy minds in the calm corner.

Melissa Pyers
Primary Coordinator

Sport

Todd Woodbridge Cup
A group of students from Year 4 recently participated in the Todd Woodbridge Tennis Gala Day. All skill levels were represented and the students had so much fun, learning and mastering their tennis skills. The sportsmanship and resilience showed by our children was outstanding. We had a team make it to the next level at Wyong last Monday and they too demonstrated excellent behaviour. A special mention to Xavier O and Henry W who received certificates for their sportsmanship and kindness to others.

Polding Athletics Carnival
On Friday 12^th  September, eight students from St Therese's attended the Polding Athletics Carnival at Glendale Sporting Complex. Each student competed with pride and determination across a variety of different events. Well done to all our Polding representatives, we are all so proud of your fantastic efforts! 

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

16, 17 & 18 Sept - LOTUS Fundraiser
22 Sep - Assembly 2.30pm
26 Sep - Year 3 Excursion Awabakal
26 Sep - Sausage Sizzle (Year 6 Fundraiser) 
26 Sept - Mission Day for Socktober - out of uniform - gold coin donation
26 Sept - LAST DAY OF TERM 3
13 Oct - FIRST DAY OF TERM 4
20 Oct - Assembly 2.30pm
20/21 Oct - Inquisitive Minds
23 Oct - Kinder Orientation
24 Oct - Grandparents Day Open Classrooms & Liturgy 9.30am
28 Oct - Kinder Transition 1st visit
29 Oct - Yrs 5 & 6 Touch Gala Day
31 Oct - Centenary Celebrations
6 Nov - Yr 5 Leadership Day
7 Nov - Trivia Night
19 Nov - Carols Concert
27 Nov - Open Classrooms & Liturgy 9.30am
1 Dec  -  PUPIL FREE DAY