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This week I have been attending the Annual Principals' Leadership Day and Retreat in Bowral. The Leadership Day provided Principals with the opportunity to reflect on the current educational direction promoted across our Archdiocese. The two day Retreat, led by Archbishop Christopher, focused on exploring the meaning of Mercy as expressed through scripture and in our daily life.
With COVID restrictions slowly lifting in the ACT we are beginning to see more positive cases in the community. Across the school, we are experiencing an increase in the number of absentees as family members are required to quarantine for 7 days due to being considered close contacts. We are also experiencing an increase in teachers required to take leave due to illness, caring for their own children, or attending pre-arranged professional learning. Please be assured every effort is being made to employ relief teachers, however, as you will be aware we are experiencing a serious teacher shortage in Canberra and across Australia. When we are unable to employ a relief teacher the class is split across their grade level cohort.
Next week has been nominated as SABBATH Week. This is a week when the teachers are encouraged to limit meetings and families are encouraged to focus on extra family fun activities including an afternoon walk, a visit to the park, time to play a board game etc. Enjoy the week!
COVID Reminders
All families should
- Continue to monitor for symptoms. Get a COVID-19 test if you or your child develop any symptoms and isolate until you or your child receive a negative result. You can check the symptoms of COVID-19 here.
- If you or your child has symptoms and tests negative on a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), please take a PCR test. If the PCR test is positive, you should follow the guidance for people with COVID-19. Please also remember to report any positive test to the MTS covid email covid.motherteresa@cg.catholic.edu.au. If the PCR test is negative, then students can return to school when well.
- A child can continue to attend school if they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms. We remind families that anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 must not attend school.
Parent Interviews - Conferences
A big thank you to everyone who took up the opportunity to speak with their child's teacher during the week. The teachers valued the opportunity to meet parents and have a general conversation about how the children have settled into school. Thank you to the teachers for their preparation and time.
Current Uniform Code for MTS as published in our enrolment pack
Following discussion at our recent Community Council meeting, I thought it would be helpful to remind families of our current school uniform.
MTS Secondhand Clothing Shop
Thank you to everyone who donates uniform items back to the school to sell in our secondhand uniform shop, it is greatly appreciated and helps many families.
A reminder that we cannot accept socks, stockings or shoes (unless brand new) and please check any items before donation for rips or tears, broken zippers and large stains as these items are generally not able to be sold.
Canteen News
The canteen will be open for online lunch orders in Week 7. 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.
There will be no over-the-counter sales at this stage.
School Photos
School photos are on Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Students please wear your full summer uniform.
Unfortunately class photos cannot be rescheduled on the alternate day, however individual photos can be taken on the Wednesday if children are absent on the Tuesday. Please inform your classroom teacher in advance if this is the case.
Sibling photos will be taken outside the hall on Tuesday morning from 7:45am. There is no form required for this.
The Class photo schedule can be found here.
Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable long weekend and we look forward to welcoming everyone on their return to school on Tuesday.
God Bless
Carmel Maguire
WHOLE SCHOOL FOCUS
The Whole school focus theme for this year is ‘Do small Things with Great Love’ and the Bible reference that supports our theme is Ephesians 2:1, in which St Paul says:
“We are God’s work of art,
Created in Christ Jesus to live the good life
As from the beginning he had meant us to live it.”
Focus Assembly
Our value for this week is: Calm
At Mother Teresa we are going to be calm towards those we meet in our class and on the playground by:
- Using ‘I’ statements
- Managing conflict
- Stilling yourself
- Giving positive responses to negative situations
- Critically reflecting on behaviour
- Considering consequences
Thank you Mrs Brown and Mrs Maher, along with 2 Jade for presenting a beautiful Focus Assembly on being Calm. It was great the way they incorporated how we can be clam peacemakers. The account of Jesus calming the storm provides a starting place for many people who need assurance of God’s control over forces that seem out of their own control. The disciples in the sinking boat faced overwhelming fears. But when Jesus so quickly calmed the storm, their fears were quickly replaced with awe and worship.
Many of us carry the burden of fear, perhaps not realizing that we can run to Jesus for safety. We can be assured of the comfort that comes from trusting the one who loves us and who has the power to protect us in all circumstances. Let us thank and praise Jesus, who has the power to calm our fears!
LENT & PROJECT COMPASSION
At Mother Teresa School, we are trying to reach out to others and bring hope to those who are less fortunate than ourselves during this time of Lent by raising money for Project Compassion. We encourage you to talk to your child about the importance of giving to those in need and to give generously. Each class has a Project Compassion box available for the children’s donations.
We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. We have now raised $804.30 a fabulous effort from everyone.
The students have been looking at the case studies of where their money is going this week it is going to Biru from India.
Biru's story - India
As a person with a disability living in remote India, Biru faced the prospect of a life of poverty and discrimination. With your support, he participated in entrepreneurship training and gained the skills to become financially independent.
Confirmation 2022
Please pray for our Year 6 Confirmation Candidates, their teachers, and families as they embark on this important time in their faith journey. Thank you to all our Year 6 students who are showing their commitment towards their Ministry Masses. Don’t forget to bring your item of food for the ‘Food Pantry’.
Year C | Sunday 13th March | purple
"As Jesus prayed, the aspect of his face was changed, and his clothing became brilliant as lightning."
The Story
Lent is all about listening to Jesus.
Do you have a favourite quiet place where you can sit and listen to Jesus speaking in your heart?
Jesus took three of his disciples up on a mountain to pray. While Jesus was praying, his face changed, and his clothes became shining white. Moses and Elijah, two prophets who had lived hundreds of years ago, appeared in heavenly glory with Jesus. A shadow from a cloud passed over them and God’s voice spoke, telling the disciples: “This is my chosen Son. Listen to what he says.”
The Scriptures
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 9:28-36
As Jesus prayed, the aspect of his face was changed, and his clothing became brilliant as lightning.
Jesus took Peter, John, and James with him and went up on a mountain to pray.
While he was praying, his face changed, and his clothes became shining white.
Suddenly Moses and Elijah were there speaking with him. They appeared in heavenly glory and talked about all that Jesus' death in Jerusalem would mean.
Peter and the other two disciples had been sound asleep. All at once they woke up and saw how glorious Jesus was. They also saw the two men who were with him. Moses and Elijah were about to leave, when Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here! Let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." But Peter did not know what he was talking about.
While Peter was still speaking, a shadow from a cloud passed over them, and they were frightened as the cloud covered them. From the cloud a voice spoke,
"This is my chosen Son. Listen to what he says!"
After the voice had spoken, Peter, John, and James saw only Jesus. For some time they kept quiet and did not say anything about what they had seen.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Watch the video and sing along together:
Something to Think About
The biggest part of the test Jesus faced was how to use ‘power’.
Jesus did not use his power to benefit himself but rather to please God.
We all have power of some kind.
What sort of power do you have to do good things in the world?
Peace and Best Wishes.
Anne Leet (Religious Education Co-Ordinator)
Learning to live with change and loss
Change and loss are issues that affect all of us at some stage in our lives. At Mother Teresa School we recognise that when changes occur in families through death, separation, divorce and related circumstances, young people may benefit from learning how to manage these changes effectively. We are therefore offering a very successful education program called Seasons for Growth which will commence in Term 2. This program is facilitated in small groups and is based on research which highlights the importance of social support and the need the practise new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The program focuses on issues such as self-esteem, managing feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication and support networks.
Mother Teresa School is pleased to be able to offer this important program and we are confident that it will be a valuable learning experience for those who request to be involved.
If you think your child would benefit from Seasons for Growth we would encourage you to talk to them about participating in the program. Every family who registers their interest with our Student Wellbeing Officer, by emailing christina.page@cg.catholic.edu.au will receive an information pack with more details about the Seasons for Growth program and an invitation for their child to attend.
Need more information? Please contact Christina.
After three long years in the making, School Sport ACT is very pleased to announce the launch of the SSACT Scholarship Fund.
The attached document contains the Application Form and information, including;
- The School Sport ACT Scholarship Fund aims to provide assistance to families that may choose not to have their child trial for selection or accept the selection of their child to an ACT representative team, as they are unable to meet the financial requirements of competing.
- The Scholarship Fund is open to applications from students travelling interstate to attend a School Sport Australia Championship. Students attending an ACT hosted Championship are not eligible.
- To be considered, each application must be endorsed and signed by the student’s Principal. This will include a confirmation of enrolment status, attendance and endorsement for each applicant.
- To be eligible to apply, the applicant must be able to demonstrate financial need by providing evidence, of a minimum of ONE, of the listed items.
- In its inaugural year, the fund will support 25 Scholarships of $500 each.
- Assessment of applications and the allocation of funds are to be spread across the year so students from all 17 sports have fair access to assistance.
