Newsletter 15th October Term 4, 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 Parents & Carers 

Welcome to term 4! I trust that you all enjoyed a restful Spring break, ready for what is always a busy term 4.
In the recent school holidays, I was privileged to share an incredible and formative journey through Greece, Turkey and Rome on a diocesan pilgrimage led by Bishop Michael. It was a truly grace-filled experience to walk the path of those in our early church especially St Paul, visiting places like Phillipi, Corinth, Thessaloniki and Ephesus that are the topics of our Bible stories.
In Rome our group passed through all four Holy Doors; symbols of grace and renewal during this jubilee year and were blessed to attend a general audience with Pope Leo. From the ancient ruins of Greece and Turkey to the majesty of St Peter’s Basilica, every step was a reminder of the enduring power of faith, the courage of the early church and the call to live out the Gospel with conviction and love.

Centenary Celebrations
On Friday 31 October St Thereses’ will celebrate 100 years! Our day of celebrations will be as follows -
9:45am: Liturgy in the hall presided by Bishop Michael Kennedy. We will be joined by parishioners, ex staff and many of our sisters of Mercy. Immediately following this, our guests are welcome to join us for a morning tea and cutting of the cake with Bishop Michael in our Fr Walsh room (the original site of our school).
From 12 midday- our children will participate in ‘old time’ games and activities in our playground. After this, we will enjoy a picnic in the school grounds, and families are invited to join their children for this. You are welcome to purchase the cakes and slices of our school fetes prepared by our Hospitality students from Trinity College (such as Honey joys, coconut ice etc).
Throughout the day our Catherine McAuley centre will be set up with photos and memories of our school. Visitors are welcome to take a walk- through throughout the day.
We welcome our families to join us for any or all the special day’s activities.

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.

Kindergarten Orientation 2026

Next Thursday 23^rd we begin the orientation for our new Kindergarten 2026 children with their first visit to St Therese’s.  It will be lovely to see them all again and their year 5 buddies will be so welcoming and caring to each of them and their families. On Tuesday 28th and Wednesday November 5^th, we will hold small group visits for the children to become more familiar with their teachers and our school.

Working Together at St Therese’s

St Therese’s is committed to providing a positive, safe environment for all staff and students. There are occasions, however, when members of our school and wider community are concerned about something happening at the school that may appear to be unsatisfactory or unreasonable.
In the first instance, please contact myself to discuss any types of grievance resolution as the first point of contact to help with these matters.
Additionally, the Catholic Schools Office has formal written protocols in place to address complaints and grievances. These protocols are in line with the Diocesan Complaints Resolution Policy, developed to provide a consistent approach for all diocesan schools. The complaints policy aims to address the concerns of parents and carers and the wider community. These concerns may include children’s learning, behaviour and welfare, school organisation and management, student health and safety issues.

To lodge a complaint with the Catholic Schools Office please click here.

You can access the Catholic Schools Office Complaints and Resolutions Policy and resources here.

These links and resources are also available on our website under the Parent Information/Complaints Resolution tab.
We ask that parents and carers follow these guidelines and take the appropriate steps in resolving any issues.  All members of the St Therese’s community are asked to remember that using other channels such as social media to voice complaints and grievances is not the appropriate method when issues arise.

National Children’s week: 18-26 October 2025

The National Children's Week 2025 theme is "Everyone should know about Children's Rights". This theme is based on Article 42 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which emphasizes the importance of widely informing both adults and children about children's rights. Saturday, October 18 to Sunday, October 26, 2025, serves as a national celebration to recognize the talents, achievements, and fundamental rights of children.     Happy Children’s Week!

Safe and Respectful Peer Relationships
The Kids Helpline website has a number of great resources that are child friendly to help support safe and respectful relationships.  Some topics include:

• Fights with friends
• Bullying is not ok
• Making friends
• Being ok with being different
• How to be happy being yourself
• My friends are fighting
• Wanting to fit in
• Treating others well

Please take some time to show your child the Kids Helpline website so they can learn to navigate through these resources should they ever want to know more information on some of these topics or others. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/kids/issues

Parent Survey
Thank you to those parents who took the time to complete our recent survey regarding school priorities for 2026. I will now be working with the relevant Diocesan partners to determine what can be achieved for the coming year. The outcome of these discussions will be communicated to families via our normal communication channels later in the term. 

Kind regards

Sallyanne Stanbridge
Principal

Principal Awards
The following children will receive a Principal's award at this week's School Assembly, Week 1, Thursday 16/10. 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 Olive P, Rose V, Frederick J, Hudson T, Wren D, Roman A, Chase M, Noah F, Rosemary L and Grace S.

Melissa Pyers
Primary Coordinator

Assistant Principal's Message

Welcome back to Term 4!  I hope you and your children had a wonderful holiday; we certainly had some great weather.  Term 4 is a busy term, so we encourage you to read the Newsletters and Compass updates throughout the term.

PB4L
Our PB4L focus for the next two weeks is demonstrating the value of Respect by playing fairly and safely.  We encourage all our students to play by the rules of the game, as well as sharing our play spaces, so everyone can enjoy their time at school.  Sometimes, children become so invested in a game, they begin to see casual playground games, as competitive sports, which can sometimes lead to conflict.  We encourage children to play for fun and enjoyment and to be inclusive of peers in their games.  By playing fairly and safely, all children will feel respected and safe at school.

SchoolTV
Friday 10 October marked World Mental Health Day, it is an important reminder that we need to all create compassionate and supportive communities, that encourage others to discuss their concerns.  SchoolTV has an excellent resource with information and links to useful ideas and strategies to support parents/carers on a range of topics including depression, mindfulness, anxiety and the state of Youth Mental Health.  You can find this information on the following link https://newlambton.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-world-mental-health-day-au.

Playground Update
Two new shade sails were installed towards the end of Term 3, with much of the funds for these, achieved through the Inaugural St Therese’s Ball, last year.  Thank you to the Ball Committee for all your time and commitment to organise such as wonderful event.  The children are enjoying the much-needed shade over the equipment.  Over the holidays, Softfall was installed under the Infants Play Equipment.  This will enhance the children’s experience while playing on and around the equipment, as well as addressing the issues we had after rainfall, when the woodchip that was previously in this area would be washed away.

Sport Days
A reminder of our sport days this term:

• Kindergarten: Friday (Weeks 1-6) then Tuesday (Weeks 7-10)
• Year 1: Tuesday (Weeks 1-6) then Friday (Weeks 7-10)
• Year 2: Wednesday
• Year 3: Tuesday (Weeks 1-4) then Wednesday (Weeks 5–10)
• Year 4: Wednesday (Weeks 1-4) then Friday (Weeks 5-10)
• Year 5: Friday (Weeks 1-4) then Thursday (Weeks 5-10)
• Year 6: Thursday (Weeks 1-4) then Tuesday (Weeks 5-10)

Orientation Day
Next Thursday, 23 October is Orientation Day.  We are looking forward to meeting all our Kindergarten 2026 students, and I know that Year 5 are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their buddies.  Our current Kindergarten children will spend the morning with their Year 6 buddies, engaging in some fun activities.  I thank all the staff involved in the organisation of Orientation Day.

Grandparent’s Day
A reminder, next Friday, 24 October, is Grandparent’s Day.  We are looking forward to our Grandparents and special elders visiting.  The morning will start with a liturgy in the hall, from 9:30am, and I thank our K-2 students and staff, as well as Mr Smith for preparing a beautiful liturgy.  After the liturgy, all grandparents are invited to a morning tea, that will be set up under the Coolock Courtyard.  After this, all classrooms K-6 are open for grandparents to visit, to see their grandchildren’s work.

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 cures ten lepers) and the universality of faith and gratitude:
Drawing attention to the faithful gratitude of the Samaritan, a ‘foreigner’, Jesus shows us that faith is not the preserve of any one culture. Similarly, Pope Leo encourages us to welcome those who turn back to Jesus in our own times and places.
Unfortunately, as the Pope points out, such seekers are not always met with ‘adequate language and forms in the usual pastoral offerings.’ Sometimes, our evangelising programs and attitudes are much better at putting off than attracting!
We know from experience, the Pope says, that ‘various people who seem to be distant from the faith often return to knock on the doors of the Church, or open themselves to a new search for spirituality.’ Such people should always find a welcoming spirit and openness to the stranger.
Authentic evangelisation always welcomes the seeker. As the Pope says, we are all called to become people ‘who know how to share the journey, the questions, the anxieties and the hopes’ of those around us. We should learn to walk with those who hope to walk with us.
After all, prejudice does not belong in the toolkit of Christianity.
Like the bishops to whom Pope Leo offered this advice, may we all have the grace ‘to walk in humility and prayer’ with our fellow companions on the way, whoever they may be, and wherever we may find them.

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

Prayer, Celebration & Mission

Coming Events – The dates below indicate some of the Faith Life and Mission events coming up for Term 4:

• Friday 24^thOctober - Grandparent's Liturgy (9:30am - Main Hall)
• Tuesday 28^th October - 2nd Parent preparation session - First Reconciliation (6pm in Fr Walsh Hall - Yr 3 parents)
• Friday 31^st October - 100Yr Anniversary Liturgy with Bishop Michael Kennedy (9:45am - Main Hall)
• Sunday 9^th November - Family/School Mass (9:15am - St Therese's Church)
• Wednesday 12^th November - First Reconciliation Liturgy - Group 1 (6pm - St Therese's Church)
• Thursday 13^th November - First Reconciliation Liturgy - Group 2 (6pm - St Therese's Church)
• Tuesday 2^nd December - Whole School End of Year Mass (9:30am - Main Hall)
• Wednesday 10^th December - Year 6 Graduation Mass (6pm - St Therese's Church)

Luke Smith
Religious Education Coordinator

School Community News

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.

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

Carols By Candlelight
Preparations have now begun on our end-of-year Carols by Candlelight concert. Please be sure to pop Wednesday 19th November into your calendars. Our theme this year is "Walk to Christmas" with music inspired by and making reference to the word "walk". 
Like in past years, you will shortly receive an email with song lyrics to assist your child with learning the songs. Could we ask you put the songs on during the coming weeks to help them with memorisation. Use the opportunity to have conversations with your children about music, the artists, your own tastes in music, and explore some of the genres your children are performing.

Centenary Choir: Just a reminder that we have three remaining choir rehearsals for the centenary celebrations. Please see dates and times below. Our students have been working hard on presenting some beautiful hymns at the liturgy. We are very much looking forward to utilising  the rehearsal time to assist with polishing them up for the special celebration liturgy. 
Rehearsal 1: Friday 17^th October @ 8.30am
Rehearsal 2: Friday 24^th October @ 8.30am
Rehearsal 3: Friday 31^st October @ 8.30am

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.

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!

Year 3 Excursion
On the last day of Term 3, Year 3 went on an excursion to the Awabakal Education Centre in Dudley. This excursion linked to our history unit on how our Indigenous peoples lived on the land prior to colonisation. We enjoyed a beautiful bush walk through the Awabakal Nature Reserve. During the walk we explored plants that the Aboriginal people used for food, hygiene and medical purposes. We made our own gunyahs out of sticks and paper bark. We also made coolamons to carry our treasures and rubbed sticks to create heat. It was an educational and fun filled day!

Wellbeing

Parent and Carer Hub

Check out our Resilience Project Parent and Carer Hub with content for Kids, Teens, Adults, Parents, A Wellbeing Hub and a home for The Imperfects Podcast.

https://theresilienceproject.com.au/at-home/parents-2023/

Imperfects Podcast

Handling reactions & big emotions with Lael Stone

Lael Stone, parenting expert, author and presenter, tells us we need to practise emotional literacy, and look at our reactions and big emotions with curiosity. Ask things like “why did I react like that?”, or, “why does that person annoy me so much?” Is it because we are not getting our own needs met at this time?

Lael explains that it is very hard to be a calm, connected individual when we are tired, stressed etc. We need to look after ourselves before we can look after others.

Try this …

• Looking back over the last month have you had a time where you had a big reaction to something?  What happened? What feelings did you have? What unmet needs can you identify that may have triggered that reaction? 
• Commit to doing something for yourself each week this month to make sure your own needs are being met

In the rest of this episode with Lael Stone, she explains that we all need to be heard and understood, no matter our age. The parenting expert goes into the importance of modelling empathy and compassion in those moments of kids having big emotions, to show them you’re there for them. To listen to more of this episode of the Imperfects, click on this link.

How can I bring TRP into my home?

Music, exercise and 

laughter are easy ways to help you feel happy. Give it a go!

In this month’s special video message from Martin, he talks about Empathy. (See Kids section of the Parent and Carer Hub)

Empathy is understanding and sharing the feelings of other people. 

What is something kind you have done for someone else who has been feeling sad?

Keep the happy feeling going and try one of our fun activities!

Classroom Spotlight - Year 1  

This week we take a closer look at what Year 1 is learning about in their Resilience Project Lessons.

1N
In Year 1, The Resilience Project guided us to explored that when emotions build up and overflow and the boat/body is sinking. It can be really tricky and messy. There are often too many things happening to try and reset, change or express the emotions. We learnt how important it is to notice our emotions and feel them in the moment. The metaphor used was often by the time our ‘boat’ is becoming out-of-balance, we need some help. 

There are people who can help you when you feel like you are sinking with lots of emotions. We read the book, 'Who sank the boat' and then made our own (foil) boats to deal with our emotions (blocks).

1W
In our Resilience Project lessons, we have been exploring different ways to calm our bodies and practise mindfulness. In a recent lesson, we learnt how origami can be a mindful activity. We loved this experience and would like to do more origami to help us feel calm and focused.
"Mindfulness makes me calm because I can let my body rest." – Aubrey
"I feel calm, like I'm relaxing on a beach during mindfulness." – Nicholas
"I like learning how to calm my body." – Ivie

1L

Melissa Pyers
Primary Coordinator

Sport

Sport Days

A reminder of our sport days this term:

• Kindergarten: Friday (Weeks 1-6) then Tuesday (Weeks 7-10)
• Year 1: Tuesday (Weeks 1-6) then Friday (Weeks 7-10)
• Year 2: Wednesday
• Year 3: Tuesday (Weeks 1-4) then Wednesday (Weeks 5–10)
• Year 4: Wednesday (Weeks 1-4) then Friday (Weeks 5-10)
• Year 5: Friday (Weeks 1-4) then Thursday (Weeks 5-10)
• Year 6: Thursday (Weeks 1-4) then Tuesday (Weeks 5-10)

Canteen

Important Dates

13 Oct - FIRST DAY OF TERM 4
16 Oct - Assembly 2.30pm  NOTE: THURSDAY
20/21 Oct - Inquisitive Minds
21 Oct - Yrs 3 & 4 Touch Gala Day
23 Oct - Kinder 2026 Orientation
24 Oct - Grandparents Day Open Classrooms & Liturgy 9.30am
28 Oct - Kinder 2026 Transition 1st visit
29 Oct - Yrs 5 & 6 Touch Gala Day
31 Oct - Centenary Celebrations
5  Nov - Kinder Transition 2nd Visit
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