Welcome to the 2025 school year!

It has been wonderful to see how well the children have settled into the new school year. We have received many compliments from both new and returning families about how smoothly the start of the year has been. I especially thank the students for their understanding, patience, and flexibility regarding the eight-day delay to the opening of the sport court. Despite this, the children and staff have adapted wonderfully and enjoyed playing and learning in alternative spaces. The contractors apologise for any inconvenience caused to the children, staff, and families.

As we journey through 2025, let us remember that this year marks our school’s centenary. We have a variety of activities and events planned for throughout the year to celebrate this significant milestone. Keep an eye on SZapp and the school calendar for announcements about opportunities to participate in the centenary celebrations.

With the hot weather continuing, please remember to stay cool and hydrated. We look set to enjoy some more temperate weather in the coming days and the forecast looks great for our first Parent Engagement Group (PEG) event on Saturday - our Community BBQ and Spit roast evening at Mortlock Oval. Bookings are still open on Qkr! until Thursday. Thank you to the team of parent volunteers and Carol Jarell for their outstanding planning and organisational skills in bringing this event together. It is shaping up to be a fun-filled family afternoon.

Go well,
Dee-anne Peters
Principal

Jubilee Year – Pilgrims of Hope

2025 is a Jubilee Year for the Catholic Church. Since 1300 AD, the Catholic Church has celebrated the Jubilee Year every 25 years. The theme for the 2025 Jubilee Year is ‘We are Pilgrims of Hope’. Pope Francis invites us all to celebrate and participate in the Jubilee Year as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.

Forgiveness and renewal remain key themes of a Jubilee year. It is a year of prayer and pilgrimage during which we are called to seek forgiveness and strengthen our relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. The Jubilee Year mascot is an animated figure depicting a pilgrim called Luce which means light in Italian.

Psalm 43 ‘Lord, send me your light, show me the way to your house’ - reminds us that God is always our light. Jesus shows us the way to the Father’s house. Walking in the light of Christ leads us to serve and show others the face of God.

Centenary Year

This is going to be a very special year for our school community as we celebrate our school becoming 100 years old in August. Our Centenary Planning Committee has begun work together and would like help from our community in building up our archives for an historical display later in the year. Here are a couple of photos our committee has discovered so far. Let us know if you recognise any of the faces in our Circa 1970 Athletics Team or have any memories you would like to share with us about this group and the shield they are holding so proudly. The Kindergarten and First Grade Photo is Circa 1950.

If you or anyone in your family has any interesting memorabilia, photos, old school uniforms or historical materials, please forward a photo or scan of your items to info@sts.catholic.edu.au 

PEG – Community BBQ and Spit Roast

We are very excited for our upcoming Community BBQ and Spit Roast on Saturday 15 February from 4 – 7 pm. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to assist us or has kindly donated items for us to use. Thank you to our Planning Committee, which has been meeting and working on this since Term 3, 2024 - we your dedication to making this event happen for our community. We need fresh lemons and homemade chutneys and are seeking donations from any of our families who have a surplus of these items and would like to donate them before 3.30pm, Friday 14 February, to the school office.

Parent Class Representatives

We invite our parents to consider becoming a Parent Class Representative for your child’s class this year. Your time and commitment to this role would be greatly appreciated. Parent Class Representatives (Class Reps) are part of a school wide network to promote a strong school community and parent engagement. Class Reps are expected to liaise and support the classroom teacher, parents and students in your child’s class by welcoming all parents and encouraging them to be involved in the St Therese School community.

If you are interested in becoming a Parent Class Representative, please forward your expression of interest to info@sts.catholic.edu.au by 6 March.

Carol Jarell
APRIM and Wellbeing Coordinator

Absent students - Parents/Guardians are required to notify the school of absent students via our SZapp (refer to the ‘Absentee Notification’ tile on the home screen) prior to 9.10am on the day of absence. Please be aware that an email to a teacher or member of staff does not replace the requirement to submit a SZapp absentee notification.

Late arrival - If for any reason a student has arrived to the school after the 8.50am morning bell, a parent/guardian is required to accompany the student to the school office to sign in their child/children.

Early departures - All students that are leaving school prior to 3.10pm must be signed out in the school office by a parent/guardian.

For student safety all visitors, including parents/carers, that are on site during the hours of 9am-3pm must attend the school office to sign-in and obtain a visitors badge.