Newsletter 13th November 2024 - Term 4 Week 5

Principal's Message

Dear Parent/Carer,

As we get to the middle of Term 4, I can feel the excitement building for our children as to look towards end of year activities.  I always encourage the children to focus on the joy and experiences that we every day.

Stage 3 Refurbishment
Our Year 5 and 6 classrooms have had the carpet replaced this week.  Over the Christmas holidays, these classrooms will also have the pinboard on the walls replaced and will also be re-painted.

Imaginative Play Space
This Friday 15 November, the area between the Fr Walsh Hall and the Kindergarten veranda will be “under construction”.  Castle and Cubby will be installing Tee Pees, cubby houses, sorting tables and a mud kitchen.  I would like to thank the team of parents and staff that have been involved in this project from its start last year – especially, Mrs Pyers, Mrs Healey, Odette Tonkin, Ruby Checkley and Christie Malyon.  On Friday 29 November, we will hold a “Working Bee” to plant shrubs, trees and bush tucker plants in this area.  We will start at 2:30pm.  Please bring gardening gloves, and any small spades, etc.  Children of parents/carers attending the working bee are also welcome to do some planting.  More information will be sent in the coming weeks.

Period Positivity
Thank you to the parents/carers that last night.  From next week, the sanitary dispensers in the primary toilets will be stocked with sanitary products.  These are for emergency use and for those students that may not have access to their own sanitary products.  All classes will be taught about the dispensers and expected behaviours, such as accessing the products only when needed, disposing the products into the sanitary bins, and not intentionally misusing these products.  The dispensers will be only be stocked on a weekly basis.

Kaylene Maretich
Acting Principal

Assistant Principal's Message

Feedback on Homework at St Therese’s
We are in the process of reviewing our Homework Policy and Procedure documents and would value the feedback of our parent community. We will then reflect on the feedback and take these comments into account when amending the policy and procedure documents.
We currently have had responses from 30 families and would like as many families to add their thoughts as possible.  If you would like to offer feedback on our current homework practices, please click on here. The link will remain open until 5pm on Friday 15th of November.

Mark Konik
Acting Assistant Principal

Catholic Identity & Curriculum

Catholic Culture News
Francis' Focus – Who better to help guide us in the true depth and meaning of our Catholic faith than the charismatic and authentic leader of our Church, Pope Francis. Below, Pope Francis reflects upon Sunday’s Gospel and the need to remain humble servants as we strive for justice in this world:
After denouncing the flamboyant religiosity of the scribes, Jesus watched people putting money into the treasury. He saw rich people putting in ‘a great deal’, probably because such donations were clearly meant to be noticed.
But, as Jesus tells his disciples, a ‘poor widow’ gave more. As Pope Francis points out, ‘she does not pray to make herself seen, she does not show off her faith.’ Trusting God and acting humbly, Jesus notices her.
Yet there is another aspect to this incident, which plays out against Jesus’ description of ostentatious scribes as ‘men who swallow the property of widows.’ The contrast between pious scribes and the poor widow could not be greater.
Jesus is not only praising humility; he is reacting to injustice. As the Pope points out, Jesus ‘denounces the exploitation of this woman.’ After depositing those tiny coins, she ‘must return home without even the little she had to live on.’
The Pope challenges us to take this Gospel fully to heart. We are all called to be humble, but also to work for justice. ‘This is a warning for all time and for everyone, Church and society,’ he says. We must ‘never take advantage of one’s role to crush others, never make money off the backs of the weakest!’ God will remember every penny ever given, but also those unjustly taken.

Religious Education
Year 2 have been learning this term about what it means to be part of A Celebrating Community. This module explores the significance of communal prayer and worship for communities of believers. In this module students learn about ways of gathering together to celebrate as a Catholic community. They will develop an understanding of the Church as a community that gathers to worship and give thanks for the gift of God’s only begotten Son who is present in the Eucharist. As part of this module students will be invited to experience the rich tradition of Catholic communal prayer. They will also explore a variety of liturgical celebrations both in the Church and in the school community. Students will consider the Church as a community of believers called to celebrate Jesus and continue his work.
Below is a picture of the provocation wall in 2W, all about communal prayer:

Prayer, Celebration & Mission

Socktober Mission Day
Thank you all for your generous contributions to our recent Socktober appeal, where we raised over $500 as a community to help Catholic Mission in this important fundraiser. The students also had a rewarding day as they got to experience what it is like for those children in poverty who have to play with a hand-made sockball each and every day.

First Reconciliation
Please pray for the students in our community who will make their First Reconciliation this week on Wednesday and Thursday evenings in the church.

Catholic Community Week
On Monday 25^th November (Week 7), we will begin our Catholic Community Week with a prayer liturgy in the Main Hall at 9:30am, followed by open-classrooms. All are warmly invited to attend.

Advent
This year, the season of Advent begins on Sunday 1^st December.

Luke Smith
RE Coordinator

School Community News

Principal Awards
Congratulations and thank you, children, for upholding the values and principles of St Therese’s. The following students will receive a Principal’s Award at next week’s School Assembly, Monday 18Nov 2:30pm.
1N - Louis J, Taj H, Teddy H
1W - Alice C, Henry P, Jett M, Krista K
1L - Saul G
2N - Harry T, Laila N, Harry A
2W - Audrey G, Declan P, Vaylor V, Leo G, Amelia M, Penelope P, Hudson B, FinnM
2L - Annabelle W, Violet W, Frankie C
3N - Eamon K, Kai R, Alex M
3W - Madeleine H, Nate R
4N - Charlie F, Ava H, Mia H, Abbey L, Amelia G
4L - Patrick H, Mason O, Ben C
5N - Zachery W, Chase R, Baylen T, Marcus A, Brooklyn L, Annabella A
5W - Brianna H, Ajay C, Bellamy W, Marcus S, Ashton S, Jordan S, Max R, Andrea P
6W - Lachlan F, Darcy L, Miriam G, Esme H, Oliver K, Hamish M, Erin S

School Badges
School badges are available for sale at the office for $5. Limited stock.

Poetry Club - Term 4
We are looking forward to seeing everyone at Poetry Club in Term 4, every odd week Wednesday at 8am in the library.

Poetry Performance Nights
We are thrilled to be hosting the Poetry Club Performance night again this year at Newcastle Comedy Club. Please note due to 41 students participating in Poetry Club, we are having it over two nights.
Each student and their sibling are in a group (see flyer below)
Group 1 will perform on Sunday 1st December at 6:00-7:30 pm
Group 2 will perform on Monday 2nd December at 6:00-7:30 pm
There will be snacks provided and non- alcoholic drinks for sale at the bar. A gold coin donation on arrival would be greatly appreciated.
We have compiled a collection of the student’s poetry, and this will be on sale on the night for $5- cash only.
Please RSVP by 15th November.
We cannot wait to see our poet’s shine!
Any queries about this event, please contact Mrs McNeil at patricia.mcneil@mn.catholic.edu.au

End of Year Carols By Candlelight Concert 
Preparations are well and truly underway in the music classroom for our upcoming Carols by Candlelight Concert - Let's Dance Christmas. Remember to put the following details into your calendars:
When - Friday 22nd November (Week 6)
Time - 6pm
Where - St Therese's Primary School Grounds
Below are flyers with detailed information regarding this whole school event. In the document you will find links to songs your child's year group are preparing. There is a PowerPoint with links to the music and backing tracks. The WORD document can be printed if your child wants a paper copy of the lyrics. Could we please request that your child commits the lyrics of the songs to memory over the coming weeks.
Further information regarding the running times of the night will be communicated closer to the event. 
All students from Kinder to Year 6 are performing in the concert. Our four stage choirs are already sounding wonderful, so we are very much looking forward to sharing our music with you in Week 6. Please do not hesitate to contact me via email if you have any further questions. 

Alina Brymora
Performing Arts Teacher

Busking 4 Vinnies!
This term in week 9, Wednesday 11th December. Our school community will be holding a social justice fundraiser called 'Busking 4 Vinnies' during the lunchtime and recess breaks. All money raised will go to the St Vincent De Paul Society Christmas Appeal. All of our students (and staff) are invited to get involved. To sign up please see Miss Soo or Mr Smith to register your interest. Acts could include, but are not limited to, singing, dancing, magic tricks, card tricks, miming, and comedy acts. Just to name a few! 
So, get creative, let's come together and use our unique talents to help those who are struggling in our community! 

Johanna Soo 
School Youth Minister

Uniform Price Increases
Lowes have notified us of a price increase on school uniforms effective this term. The increase will be applied as an average 4.6% across all Schoolware garments. Lowes will continue to offer regular '20% off' sales throughout the year.

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.

School Fees
Fees should be finalised by the end of November, unless a payment plan has been negotiated with the school. Thank you to all those families who have already paid. If you require assistance or more information, please contact the office on 4957 4922 or admin@newlambton.catholic.edu.au

Wellbeing

Research and our own data tells us that when wellbeing is embedded as part of our school culture, there are incredible long term results. The Resilience Project continually see the biggest positive impact with our program when it becomes embedded. By this, they mean schools which cultivate a GEM culture beyond the lessons and embed it throughout the whole school community. 
Parents/carers play a crucial role in this for several reasons. Embedding TRP with you helps:
Improve family wellbeing: When families practice GEM and see its positive impact on their own lives, it enhances their buy-in and commitment to the program. 
Create consistent language: Hearing the same messages and language at home and at school helps students better understand and apply the information.
Foster positive school-home relationships: It reinforces the idea that we are working together as a team.
This fortnight at home, why not try some GEM Chats? Here are some for you to try!

Melissa Pyers
Primary Coordinator

Sport

Term 4 Sport Days

• KN - Wednesday
• KW - Thursday
• KL - Tuesday
• Year 1 - Tuesday
• Year 2 - Wednesday
• Year 3 - Thursday Weeks 1-6 then Tuesday Weeks 7-10
• Year 4 -  Tuesday Weeks 1-6 then Thursday Weeks 7-10
• Year 5 - Wednesday Weeks 1-6 then Thursday Weeks 7-10
• Year 6 - Thursday Weeks 1-6 then Wednesday Weeks 7-10

Canteen

Important Dates

15Nov - Kinder 2025 Transition
            - Tennis & Basketball Trials
18Nov - Whole School Assembly 2:30pm
22Nov -School Carol Night 6pm
25Nov - Open Classrooms 9:30am
01Dec - Poetry Performance Night 6:30pm
02Dec - Band Performance 10:30am
           - Poetry Performance Night 6:30pm
           - Vivace Band Performance
06Dec - Yr 6 Graduation Dinner 5:30pm - 8:30pm
09Dec - Swim Carnival
11Dec - Yr 6 Graduation Liturgy & Awards
            - Busking 4 Vinnies
12Dec - Yr 6 Motiv8 Sports Day
18Dec - Final Assembly 9:30am
            - Last Day School for Students