Dear Parents

As a Catholic learning community,

all at Mother Teresa School are called

to care, to dream, to innovate, to inspire!

Our Year 6 children had a wonderful time at camp last week. They experienced perfect weather and so many exciting activities and challenges. Thank you to the staff for making this opportunity available to the children.

Netball News

Well done to the students who participated in the Years 5 & 6 Netball Gala Day earlier this week. A great day was had by all involved including the secondary students who also provided support on the day.  Next week we have several Year 3 & 4 teams entered in the competition. Thank you to Mr Keiran Russell for his organisation across the two days of competition.

Cross Country Carnival

Our annual Cross Carnival carnival is being held next Friday 10 March between 9am - 11.00am around the school grounds and local ovals. More information and a program will be sent home next week. Please refer to the maps attached in the newsletter should the children wish to train over the weekend.

MTS School Photoshoot - Monday 6th

On Monday we will have some photographers visiting us to take photos which may be used to promote our wonderful school.  If all children could take the time to look extra smart in their uniforms please.  We will not be taking photos of any children who do not have permission to be photographed.

Principal Leadership Day and Retreat

Next week I will be attending the annual Principals' Retreat to be held in Bowral from Wednesday to Friday. Please direct any issues or concerns to Mr Craig Hart in my absence.

School Clubs/Activities - Reminder 

The following timetable indicated the day and time your child will be sitting the 2023 NAPLAN Assessment. Please avoid appointments during the following times and ensure your child is on time for school.

Note: Students must complete the NAPLAN tests in the following order:

1. Writing
2. Reading
3. Conventions of Language
4. Numeracy

Catholic Education Canberra-Goulburn (CECG) has communicated to schools regarding reporting to parents/guardians. CE has advised schools that general comments will not be required on Semester 1, 2023 reports, but to prioritise Parent/Teacher Conferences for every family. These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, their strengths, challenges and future areas of focus. A Semester Report will still be sent home as in previous Semesters providing A-E grading and attendance information.

CE has advised schools that Semester 2, 2023 reports will require a general comment for all children. This general comment will provide a summative comment for the year, areas of achievement and areas to focus on for the following year. A-E grading and attendance information will remain as normal.

I encourage all parents to engage regularly with their child/ren’s learning by connecting with their class teacher/s regularly to discuss learning progress.

WHOLE SCHOOL FOCUS

The Whole school focus theme for this year is ‘Walking Together’ Every family will receive a beautiful prayer card today supporting the theme. Please place it in a prominent place so it can be share with those in your family.

‘The Mother Teresa School Way’:

We will show the value of Unity towards those we meet in our class and on the playground by:

• having harmony in the group
• doing something together at the same time
• working together with a shared goal
• respecting everyone
• making big tasks seem easy.
• creating a sense of belonging and increasing well-being for all.
• having fun and makes us feel like a family.

PRAYER FOCUS & YEAR 6 LEADERSHIP ASSEMBLY

Thank you to our Year 6 teachers and students who presented a fabulous Leadership and focus assembly on unity. The students did an amazing job at presenting what unity looks like at MTS and how they are going to lead the school by living our motto ‘Do Small things With Great Love’.

Fr Eden had a very busy week at MTS this week. On Tuesday he was captivated by some interesting questions the Year 3 students presented him with as well as blessing the Labyrinth and Prayer Clothes.

On Friday when he visited Year 6 he was challenged by Michael with a game of ‘Noughts and Crosses’ whereby he had to lose the game. Finally, he gave the Year 6 Leadership badges a blessing to ensure our students know that God is always by there side to assist them on their journey this year.

Confirmation 2023

We had a great start to our Ministry Masses last weekend and don’t forget to bring your item of food for the ‘Food Pantry’. The online registration has closed please ensure you have made your payment to the Parish. Please pray for our Year 6 Confirmation Candidates, their teachers, and families as they embark on this important time in their faith journey.

Year A | Sunday 5th March | purple

"Jesus' face shone like the sun."

The Story

Jesus took his friends up to a high mountain to pray. While Jesus was praying, his clothes became shining white. Moses and Elijah, two prophets who had lived hundreds of years ago, talked to Jesus. The disciples were frightened when they heard the voice of God speaking from a cloud. God said: “This is my own dear Son. Listen to what he says.” Jesus knew that his disciples were frightened and confused, but he calmly told them, "Do not be afraid." 

https://youtu.be/dC081rBhFsE

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 invite all families to contribute by sending in the envelops each week.  Please talk to your child/ren about this important project and aspect of Lent. Let us remember though that it is not how much we give, but the compassion that accompanies our giving.   This week we raised $606:55 a total of $732:45. Thank you for your generosity!

Tereesa's story Australia

Tereesa is a Gamilaroi woman from Western Sydney who struggled with homelessness while raising her four children. Seeking a better future for her children, Tereesa joined Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation’s Young Mums and Bubs Group, supported by Caritas Australia. Baabayn helped Tereesa access housing for her family and psychological support.

Already an aspiring artist, Tereesa was able to flourish at Baabayn as she learnt Indigenous artwork and symbols. With the support of Baabayn, Tereesa’s art was displayed and sold at local markets and she is now working to start her own art business. Tereesa’s artwork was recognised at the 2022 Vivid Festival in Sydney.

Peace and Best Wishes.

Anne Leet (Religious Education Co-ordinator)

• Under 8's (1km)
  • Halfway up the lane to the concrete near Harrison School around the cone and back in the bottom gate of the oval to the finish line.

• Under 9's (1.5km)
• Up the lane all the way and back in the bottom gate of the oval to the finish line.

• Under 10's (2km)
• Up the lane to the top oval, around the top oval and out the top side, up the end of the lane, around the cone and back down the lane to the bottom gate of the oval in to the finish line.

• Under 11's and 12's (3km)
• Up the lane, around local oval, back onto the lane to the end, around the other Harrison ovals, back onto the lane and back to school.

Under 8's are students who are born in 2015, under 9's are born in 2014, under 10's are born in 2013, under 11's are born in 2012 and under 12's are born in 2011.

Let’s try to get as many students as possible to ride to school on National Ride 2 School Day on Friday March 24. Riding to school is great for our bodies, our minds and the environment and it will also be a great way to earn extra points for your house! Every child that rides to ride to school on National Ride 2 School will receive a token for their house. The house with the most bike riders on this day will receive bonus house points! So why not get on your bikes or scooters, prepare your bodies and brains for a great day of learning, look after the environment and earn some points for your house on Friday March 24.  

School Student Support Referrals and Counselling

To direct our families to access the best support available through Mother Teresa School, we are setting up the following process to assist with referrals and the most appropriate use of our resources.

1. Enquiry (teacher or parent) – Request a referral form from the office
2. The principal will talk with you and guide you to the appropriate support

Support types:

• • • • Diverse Learning Teacher and team,
      • Student welfare officer (individual or small group guidance and/or mentoring support),
      • Defence School Mentor,
      • School counselling (individual or small group)
      • External agencies

If school counselling is recommended the School Counsellor will contact the parents and go through the online CatholicCare referral process if school counselling is suitable. Once the online referral has been submitted and consent is signed, the School Counsellor can begin working with the student.

To make it easier for payments to be made at Mother Teresa School, we have introduced the use of Qkr! by Mastercard, a secure and easy way to order and pay for school items from your phone at a time and place that suits you.

Please refer to the attached document for instructions on how to download the app to your phone. I have also included several screenshots from my phone so you will know what it looks like once registered.

This will become our preferred option for many school payments in the future. Additional payment options will be added as required eg, sporting events.