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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
As we return to school for Term 2, ACT Health COVID-19 guidelines have changed for schools. Mother Teresa's priority will be to deliver on-campus learning with COVID smart measures in place to minimise transmission of COVID-19 onsite. Mother Teresa will regularly review, and update where required, our approach to managing COVID-19 as appropriate. Our approach is informed by the National Framework for Managing COVID-19 in Schools and Early Childhood Education and Care Settings, and the latest advice on winter season preparedness from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.
The following is a brief outline of changes for Term 2 2022.
Check in requirements
Digital check in with the Check In CBR app is no longer required for staff and students. However, QR codes will continue to be available for voluntary use, including for community hirers holding events on school sites.
Masks
The use of face masks has been eased from Term 2. Staff, students and visitors are not required to wear masks on school or ELC sites. (Masks will need to be worn if a person is a close household contact of a positive COVID case – see below.)
Cohorting
Cohorting will no longer be required. However, schools are advised to where possible minimise the length of time or number of students involved in organised activities that bring mixed groups together.
Physical distancing
Physical distancing should be maintained on school sites where possible. Density quotients no longer apply.
Parents and carers on school sites
- Parents and carers can attend outdoor areas of the school/ELC site for drop off and pick up, or when attending a permitted activity to be advised by the school.
- Parents and carers can enter school/ELC classrooms or indoor settings with an appointment, including to access enrolment support, or when attending a permitted activity. Parents and carers can book an appointment with their school/ELC.
- Parents and carers must follow COVID smart measures (physical distancing, hygiene practices, staying away if unwell).
Staying home when sick and hygiene requirements - Staff, students and visitors must not attend school or ELC sites if they are unwell and will be sent home if they any have symptoms of COVID-19. All staff, visitors and students should, at all times, maintain appropriate hand and respiratory hygiene.
Close Household Contacts
Household contacts will not have to quarantine if they have no COVID-19 symptoms but will need to comply with the following requirements for seven days from the time the first person in their household tests positive for COVID‑19:
- Advise ACT Health that they are a household contact by completing a COVID-19 online declaration form.
- Wear a face mask in all indoor spaces when outside of the home, if aged 12 years and over.
- Students study from home, where it is practical to do so.
- Parents/Carers notify the school of their child being a household contact via the school COVID email - covid.motherteresa@cg.catholic.edu.au. Don't forget to submit an absentee note via COMPASS.
- If it is not practical to study from home, students must undertake COVID-19 testing and return a negative result in the 24 hours prior to returning to school and then every 48 hours if ongoing attendance is required.
Daily Reporting of COVID Cases
Schools will notify parents only if there are a significant number of cases within the community and/or a cohort.
The health and safety of students and staff remains as always our priority. If there are high numbers of COVID-19 exposures at our school, consideration will be given to whether additional COVID-19 Safety Measures should be reintroduced, with authorisation by Catholic Education Office. These measures aim to limit the potential for further transmission and will generally be limited to a short period of time (e.g. 1 to 2 weeks).
- Additional testing recommendations such as to test before returning to school/ELC and again in 48 hours.
- Masks Staff, students in Years 7-12, and visitors may be asked to wear a mask when indoors and when physical distancing of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained.
- Limiting parents and carers on site Parents and carers may be asked not to attend a school/ELC site without an appointment.
- Cancelling permitted activities Any of the planned permitted activities may be cancelled or rescheduled to another date.
- Strict Cohorting It may be necessary to cohort a particular class or year level so that they don’t mix with other students or staff across the school.
- Remote learning Some or all students may need to return to remote learning. This measure will be limited as much as possible, however may also be enacted in response to workforce shortages arising from COVID-19.
Rapid Antigen Tests
Our school/ELC will have access to Rapid Antigen Tests for distribution as needed and requested by parents. Parents or students who are symptomatic should not attend the school/ELC to collect a Rapid Antigen Test. Those families are encouraged to access testing through an ACT Health testing facility.
I look forward to working with you as we continue to manage COVID-19 and acknowledge that educating your children is as always our priority.
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 for Term 2 is Ephesians 5:8, in which St Paul says:
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light,
For the effects pf light are seen in complete goodness
and right living and truth.”
EASTER SEASON
Easter is not just one day. It is a whole season of 50 days which will last until Pentecost. We take even longer to celebrate Easter than we took during Lent to prepare for it. Eastertime is about new life. We rejoice in the new life of Jesus. We rejoice that member of our parish were baptised and confirmed at the Easter Vigil. We rejoice that all of us are nourished by the life of God whenever we share in the Easter Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Easter time is also about light overcoming darkness. At the Easter Vigil, the paschal candle was lit from the Easter fire and carried into the darkened church. The congregation sang 'The light of Christ' and responded, 'Thanks be to God.' This new paschal light will burn brightly for the 50 days of Easter. It is a symbol of the risen Jesus, the ‘Light of the world' whose light was not put out with death but shines now for all believers to see.
The sun rises each morning, bright and strong, and is a constant reminder of the resurrection of Jesus. The sun has always been recognised as a sign of God's warmth, love and life-giving power. Even in these days of autumn as our days are getting shorter, we can still appreciate the warmth of the sun. Often during autumn, we enjoy what we call an 'Indian Summer' with sunny days, clear blue skies and the crisp brightness of the stars at night.
The daily readings during Eastertime are filled with good news. They tell of excited disciples running to tell one another of the risen Jesus, of Jesus travelling along the road to the town of Emmaus and meeting up with two disheartened followers. At first when Jesus joins them, they do not recognise him. But then Jesus opens up the words of the Scriptures to help them understand. Jesus blesses and breaks bread, and he gives it to his disciples to eat. It is only then that they recognise him - they know him because of these familiar actions.
Please keep our Year 6 students at Mother Teresa School and the Parish, as well as their teachers in your prayers as they prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation on Thursday 5th & Friday 6th May at 6:00pm. Fr Mark & Fr Thonn will confirm our Year 6 Confirmation Candidates who have been preparing for this important event over the past 10 weeks.
Year C | Sunday 1st May | white
The Story
The disciples were great fishermen, but in this story they go fishing all night and catch nothing. Then a stranger appears on the shore. It’s Jesus but they don’t know it yet. He asks them to let their nets down again. They catch so many fish that they can hardly fit them in the boat. The disciples are so surprised! Then they realise that the man is Jesus and they come ashore to sit around a warm fire and eat bread and fish.
The Scriptures
A reading from the holy gospel according to John 21:1-14
Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish.
Jesus later appeared to his disciples along the shore of Lake Tiberias. Simon Peter, Thomas the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, and the two sons of Zebedee, were there, together with two other disciples. Simon Peter said, "I'm going fishing!" The others said, "We'll go with you." They went out in their boat. But they didn't catch a thing that night.
Early the next morning Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise who he was. Jesus shouted, "Friends, have you caught anything?" "No!" they answered.
So he told them, "Let your net down on the right side of your boat, and you will catch some fish."
They did, and the net was so full of fish that they could not drag it up into the boat.
Jesus' favourite disciple told Peter, "It's the Lord!" When Simon heard that it was the Lord, he put on the clothes that he had taken off while he was working. Then he jumped into the water. The boat was only about a hundred yards from shore. So the other disciples stayed in the boat and dragged in the net full of fish.
When the disciples got out of the boat, they saw some bread and a charcoal fire with fish on it. Jesus told his disciples, "Bring some of the fish you just caught." Simon Peter got back into the boat and dragged the net to shore. In it were one hundred fifty-three large fish, but still the net did not rip.
Jesus said, "Come and eat!" But none of the disciples dared ask who he was. They knew he was the Lord. Jesus took the bread in his hands and gave some of it to his disciples. He did the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from death.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Something to Think About
Jesus saw his friends having trouble catching fish. They were trying so hard but not succeeding.
Jesus saw a problem and stepped in to help his friends!
How did Jesus help his friends? How can you help your friends? Share about a time you were a good helper.
Peace and Best Wishes
Anne Leet (Religious Education Co-ordinator)
The Mother Teresa school counsellors are offering an online information session to provide parents with the opportunity to reflect on the importance of parent/carer-child relationship and get to know school counsellors and support programs available for families.
The session will introduce parents to evidence-based, attachment-based, emotion coaching parenting programs to promote children’s emotional intelligence.
- Session 1: May 5, Thursday 4 – 5:30 pm
- Session 2: May 6, Friday 9:30 – 11 am
Please send Ryoko an email (ryoko.koyasu@catholiccare.cg.org.au) by Tuesday 3 May 2022, including the information below if you would like to attend the online session.
- Parent/Carer’s name
- Parent/Carer’s email address
- Child/ren’s year level
- Session 1 or 2
If you would like to discuss the program further please contact Ryoko at ryoko.koyasu@catholiccare.cg.org.au
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.
Obviously everybody was very busy enjoying themselves over the holidays and had little spare time to take photos of the maths they saw around them! Thank you so much to William in 3 Cobalt and Emma in 2 Emerald for the fantastic photos they shared with me. A prize is headed William’s way!
The challenge for this week is for the Year 5 and 6 students.
A game of darts:
This problem comes from: The Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing at The University of Waterloo.
Send your entries via email to Mrs Blackwell catherine.blackwell@cg.catholic.edu.au or complete them on paper and put it in your notebag to send to the office by Friday morning of Week 2. The winner will be drawn at the end of our Friday Assembly.
