Dear families,

A huge thanks to all who have made the transition back to school as seamless as possible, considering the modifications that have been made in the interest of keeping our Mother Teresa School community safe.

While procedures such as drop-offs, pick-ups and staggered break times have changed for the time being, what doesn’t change are the happy smiling faces as they enter our school each day.

This is only made possible through the efforts of parents, staff and students to adapt to these minor inconveniences in the spirit of returning to the type of teaching and learning that we know and love.

Next week as we welcome back a full complement of students, we will once again be faced with new logistical challenges, which I have no doubt will be faced with great positivity, calmness and perspective.

Compass Parent Portal

A reminder to families who haven’t already downloaded the Compass app to please do so over the weekend as from Monday 1 November Szapp will no longer be used for any school communication.  Reminder emails have again been sent today to any parent/s who has not yet logged in.  It is essential for at least one parent to have access to Compass so that they can access all correspondence including newsletters, updates,  absentees and, later in the term, the student reports.  Please note that unfortunately Compass does not allow us to schedule communications for after 5pm and you will receive messages throughout the normal school day.  More information is provided below on how to access the portal.

Canteen

The school canteen is open every day this term.  This means that we will no longer be offering Subway orders on a Thursday or Friday.  Parents will need to register an account via https://www.flexischools.com.au/ to be able to order from the online menu.  Lunch orders will NOT be taken at school. 

How to register and use Flexischools can be found via Help and Support | FAQs – Flexischools.

The cut-off time for online orders is 9.15AM on the day you are ordering for your child.  The menu and prices are on the Flexischools website.

Staffing News

It is with great pride and sadness that I announce that Mrs Anna Williams has accepted a permanent position as Assistant Principal at St Peter and Paul Garran, commencing next year.

Anna is a foundation member of Mother Teresa School, teaching multiple year levels as well as holding a position as curriculum coordinator for many of her years here.

Her leadership, expertise and dedication has been integral to the development of many students and the relationships formed with all members of our community will be greatly missed. We wish her all the best and know that wherever her career takes her she will remember her time at MTS fondly.

In other staffing news, again tinged with sadness, is the departure of Mr Matthew Smith.  Mr Smith has been with us for several years and has built great relationships with many students during his time.  His dedication in creating a vibrant, challenging and supportive learning environment has been a blessing for our school.

His work in preparing our students for Wakakirri will go down in Mother Teresa School folklore and whoever takes this role on will have very big shoes to fill!

We wish him all the best in his future endeavours and I know he will be greatly missed by many.

It is with great sadness that we also bid a fond farewell to Mrs Jacqui Ramesh. Mrs Ramesh has been our Indonesian teacher for the past few years and many students have benefitted from her expertise in teaching Indonesian.  We wish her all the best for the future.

Best wishes,

Craig Hart

WHOLE SCHOOL FOCUS The Whole school focus theme for this year is:

‘We Are Bee-Attitude Keepers”

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

31 October 2021 - Year B

“Love the Lord your God.

Love your neighbour.”

Something to Think About

How would you describe what a rule is? Why do we need rules? Can you name some rules in your family or school?

The Story

One of the important men in the community asked Jesus what the most important commandment is. Jesus tells the people, 'You must love your neighbour as yourself. However Jesus took the command a little further. In its original context, 'neighbour' meant only the Jewish people. However, Jesus' mission is to everyone. The command is to love all people, not just our own kind.

Reflecting on the Gospel

Jesus told the people: Love God and love people. These two commandments were not new. What was new and a challenge was that Jesus put these two commandments together and said that one depends on the other. Loving God means that we have to love people.

Group Activity

HEART SUNCATCHER

You will need: suncatcher template cut out for red cardstock for each child, clear contact, tissue paper of different colours, scissors, tape.

1. Cut out the bigger heart and then the smaller heart, so that you have a heart shaped frame.
2. Cut tissue paper into small squares.
3. Cut a piece of contact paper slightly bigger than the heart frame. Peel off the contact paper backing and lay the heart frame on top of the contact paper.
4. Stick the tissue paper pieces inside the heart frame on the contact paper.
5. When finished, cut another piece of contact paper larger than the heart, peel off the backing and stick it on top of the heart to seal in the tissue paper pieces.
6. Trim the excess contact paper around the heart.
7. Hang the heart suncatcher in a window with tape to remind you to love God and love other people!

Reconciliation & First Eucharist

Please pray for our Year 3 teachers and students who are currently preparing for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.

Dear First Eucharist Families,

We thank you for your patience and commitment during the past few months. We are delighted to be celebrating the Sacraments of First Eucharist and First Reconciliation with you next month.  Please find below a link to book your child's First Eucharist Liturgy. 

First Eucharist

Step 1: Select preferred ceremony.

Step 2: Choose number of guests (max 6 guests including child).

Step 3: When adding guests to the booking please put your child as the 1st guest on the list. 

Step 4: Booked by: Please put the name of the First Eucharist child in this space. 

Book at: https://www.trybooking.com/BVCKQ

Please select a ceremony allocated to your school to ensure your child will be celebrating with their peers.

These ceremonies will be limited to a maximum of 100 people (including the children), to adhere to government restrictions.

The 6pm Mass sessions are now full and you will have to book into the 7.15pm Mass sessions.

First Reconciliation

First Reconciliation will occur next week when the Y3 children return to school.

• Thursday 4 Nov – Mother Teresa School @ 9:30am No parents

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at the school.

Please note:

Babies are included in the head count.

Sunday best to be worn. You are not required to purchase a white dress as the children will be given a white stole to wear during the ceremony.

Changes to Mass, Liturgies and Parish Events

From 29 October 2021, churches are able to have one person per four square metres of usable space in each indoor and outdoor space (excluding staff) up to a maximum of 100 people, provided they are using the Check In CBR app.

Mass Times

• Saturday Vigil 5:00pm
• Sunday 8:00am
• Sunday 9:30am (via zoom) Click on this link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/824036573 or use meeting number 824 036 573 to join our Mass.

             
Peace and best wishes

Anne Leet

Religious Education co-ordinator