Principal's Message Term 2 Week 1 - 2022
How perfect was the weather over the break! I hope everyone was able to catch up with family over the Easter holidays.
Additional Term 2 Pupil Free Days - Authorised by CE Director
Dear Parents and Carers
I have authorised two extra pupil free days in Term 2 for all schools in the Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn to support teachers who have been carrying extra teaching loads due to the COVID-related staff absences.
Like many other school systems, in Term 1 our schools had significant staff absences. Casual teachers were in short supply so teachers and principals covered classes of absent teachers. They went without their usual allocated release from day-to-day teaching and planning, professional learning and administration.
Despite these challenges, our staff sought to maintain the highest quality of teaching, learning and pastoral care of students.
I have asked each school to engage with their parent and carer communities to give you timely notice of these pupil free days.
Included in this letter are further details from your Principal.
Ross Fox
Director, Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn
Mother Teresa School Dates for Additional Pupil Free Days
Following consultation with the other Catholic Schools in the Gungahlin area we have nominated the following dates for our additional Pupil Free days.
- Tuesday 31 May
- Friday 24 June
During these days the teachers will be engaged in additional PL to support our Catalyst program and provide time for class preparation and student assessment. KidsBiz will be open on these days. KidsBiz will provide more information to us soon as possible.
Staff Professional Learning
On Tuesday 26 April, the Mother Teresa School staff were engaged in a valuable Catalyst day on High Impact Teaching strategies, with several other Catholic schools, conducted by Associate Professor Lorraine Hammond AM, PhD, CF from Edith Cowan University, WA. This was a wonderful opportunity for the staff to engage in high-quality professional learning to further develop the quality of learning offered to the students.
The following day, the Kinder to Year 2 teachers were provided the opportunity to observe Lorraine Hammond and discuss the strategy of daily review, a strategy that will become an important part of our daily routine to address reducing cognitive load and supporting the retention of knowledge.
ANZAC Day
Yesterday the school stopped to remember and celebrate the importance of ANZAC Day. ANZAC Day commemorates Australian and New Zealand casualties and veterans of conflicts and marks the anniversary of the landings in the Dardanelles on April 25, 1915 that would signal the start of the Gallipoli Campaign during the First World War. Our ceremony also provided the children with time to acknowledge our families who are members of the Defence forces.
Our school rolls are an official legal document and must accurately account for a child's attendance and the reason why a child is not at school. Today a letter has been sent home, via the children, indicating if you have not provided a reason for why your child was not at school. Please process the absences through your Compass Parent Portal so that it automatically links to the class roll. You can find the absentee note through the "Shortcuts" button located in the middle at the bottom of the home screen. If you are having trouble completing the online absence please contact the front office for assistance.
Students absent for 25 Days or More
Families electing to take holidays for more than 25 school days (consecutively) must complete an "Application for Exemption from Attendance or Enrolment" form, which is available from the office and seek formal permission from the Principal. This is a legal requirement as parents are required to carry the letter of authority when travelling.
Media Update
Yesterday Media Permission forms were sent home with each child. We are updating our medial permissions for use on social media. Please return the form to your child's teacher as soon as possible.
Safe driving in the school grounds and in school zones
As we return back to school this week, I would like to remind parents and carers of the importantance of carpark safety and speed. We have had a couple of reports from concerned parents about the speed of drivers around school grounds and in the carparks. I ask for your consideration of this very important issue when driving around the school areas.
Working With Vulnerable People Cards
A reminder that any visitor or volunteer (when we are able to have volunteers back on site) must carry a valid ACT Working With Vulnerable People Card. This is available from Access Canberra and is free for all volunteers. It is also a reminder for those who have a card to check the expiry date and action a renewal if needed. A copy of cards must be maintained at the front office. Both sides of the card must be provided.
Just a reminder students must wear full winter uniform from the start of Term 2. Our biggest uniform concerns in Term 2 are students not wearing correct tailored regulation navy school trousers and navy beanies. Traditional black shoes and predominantly white sneakers are required. Could you please make sure when purchasing uniforms, the correct items are purchased. During Term 2 I will be working with a group of parents to develop a very clear uniform code, to be presented to the Community Council for approval. This will avoid ongoing confusion that is occurring at our local uniform stores.
The canteen will only be open on Wednesday to Friday open for online lunch orders in Please note that students from Years 4 to 6 will collect their lunch orders at 10:20am, while Kindergarten to Year 3 will collect theirs from 11:00am.
God Bless
Carmel Maguire
