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Dear Parents
As a Catholic learning community,
all at Mother Teresa School are called
to care, to dream, to innovate, to inspire!
Welcome Back!
Congratulations to our Awesome Foursome!
Congratulations to our four wonderful early career teachers who officially graduated during the holidays. Carly Salmon, Sophia Caputo, Annabel McInnes, and Erin O'Leary. Yesterday they attended a celebration for all new teachers commencing their teaching career with Catholic Education. MTS is very fortunate to have four young enthusiastic young teachers working in our community.
Staffing News
Following much deliberation our wonderful Sue McCluskey is leaving Mother Teresa School to take up a position at Defence. Sue has been at MTS for the past nine years and I know will be missed by all, especially me. Sue's last day will be Friday 12 May. Arrangements are currently being put in place to cover the many roles Sue fills within our community.
ANZAC Day Ceremony
Today our school community gathered to commemorate ANZAC Day in our school hall.
This solemn occasion was an opportunity to reflect on the life and service of many Australian Service men and women – who have served and fought to protect our Freedom.
Many have paid the ultimate sacrifice – and like Jesus, have not been forgotten and remain with us each day.
As we listened to the acknowledgement of Country, to prayers, poems and the Ode- as well as the Australian National Anthem, we were reminded of how lucky we are to live in this beautiful place - Australia.
This freedom has come at a cost – Lest We Forget.
Thank you to parents and service personnel who attended this day and then joined us for refreshments. Also a big thank you to Carly Flemington for organising a fantastic ceremony.
Urgent - Community Council - Position Vacant Treasurer - We are still looking!
The Mother Teresa School Community Council is urgently looking for a parent volunteer to manage the day to day financial activities of the Community Council accounts. This includes receipting money from fundraising activities including the uniform shop, parent community events and then arranging payments as required. A monthly Income and Expenditure report must be prepared for Council meetings and end of year documentation prepared for Catholic Education in December.
Book keeping or accounting skills are required. A detailed handover will be arranged as our current Treasurer no longer has a child in the school.
If interested or for more information please email carmel.maguire@cg.catholic.edu.au as soon as possible.
Principal
WHOLE SCHOOL FOCUS
The Whole school focus theme for this year is ‘Walking Together’.
‘The Mother Teresa School Way’:
Year A | Sunday 30th April | white
"I am the gate of the sheepfold."
The Story
In the time of Jesus, shepherds led a very difficult life, being constantly on duty. The sheep needed to be watched at all times and protected against danger and wild animals. The shepherd knew his sheep - often calling them by name. The shepherd led the way and the sheep followed wherever he went. The sheep knew the voice of the shepherd and would not answer to the voice of a stranger. Each of us, called by name, is known to Jesus who is like a shepherd to us all.
Video https://youtu.be/oemNkZo750o
Confirmation 2023
Please pray for our Year 6 Confirmation Candidates, their teachers, and families as they prepare this important sacrament.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
Confirmation Prayer Night – Tuesday 2nd May at 6.00pm
We invite all our Confirmation candidates to attend this evening as part of the final preparations for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Spirit Day - Friday 5th May at Holy Spirit Church
(Those students not participating in the day will remain at school and have suitable activities to complement the day)
Sacrament of Confirmation – Thursday 11th May at 6.00pm
This will be a celebration of the Rite of Confirmation (not a full mass)
All our Confirmation candidates are truly embracing their ministries and getting involved in the Parish Masses. Well done! Don’t forget to bring your item of food for the ‘Food Pantry’.
SEASONS FOR GROWTH
Dear Parents and Carers,
Loss and grief are issues which affect all of us at some stage in our lives. Learning to deal effectively with these issues is central to personal wellbeing and happiness. Unresolved grief can also affect a student’s learning. ‘Seasons for Growth’ is an Australian education program which supports participants who have experienced change in their family because of a death, separation or divorce. This program explores issues such as change, loss, managing feelings, coping strategies and support networks. ‘Seasons’ is an eight-session program which concludes with an additional celebration session. The program is available to students in years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6. Please contact anne.leet@cg.catholic.edu.au if your child has not enrolled and you still wish them to participate in the program ‘Seasons’ will commence in Term Two. Please ensure all permission notes are returned.
Peace and Best Wishes.
Anne Leet
Religious Education Co-Ordinator
Apply now for the Future of Education Equity Fund 2023.
Apply now for the Future of Education Equity Fund for the 2023 school year.
Eligible low-income ACT families can receive one-off payments for financial assistance to help cover the costs of their children’s educational expenses such as sport equipment and activities, music lessons, school uniforms and excursions.
The Fund is open to eligible students enrolled in preschools (attached to a school)
through to Year 12 in the ACT.
Further information and the online application form is available here.
Congratulations to the students who competed at the North/Gungahlin Swimming Championships in Week 10 last term. Our swimmers did the school proud both in and out of the water. Mother Teresa School was named the champion school from the carnival.
A further congratulations to these swimmers who have qualified for the ACT Championships
- Eva B
- Eli C
- Ruby M
- Jasmine R
- Raeland L
- Paige G
- Piyushi B
Congratulations to Thomas M, William P, Jack L and Brody P who have been selected in the Under 12's ACT Brumbies representative teams. This is a fantastic achievement and a wonderful experience for the boys.
Good luck to the following students who have registered to try out for the ACT Hockey teams.
Lorelle R - Under 12 Girls Hockey
Cooper E - Under 12 Boys Hockey
Getting started with social media: TikTok, YouTube, Instagram
This 30-minute webinar is designed for parents and carers of young people in primary and secondary school. It includes practical tech tips, conversation starters and digital parenting advice.
It will cover:
- creating a positive digital identity
- privacy and sharing online
- managing what you see online
- good practices in group chats
- help-seeking.
Term 2 dates (Australian Eastern Standard Time)
3 May 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm
22 May 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm
8 June 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm
Online relationships and consent: sending nudes and sexting
This 30-minute webinar is designed for parents and carers of young people in secondary school.
It will cover:
- the impact of sharing nude images without consent
- practical suggestions for starting the chat about respectful relationships, consent and pressure to send nudes
- where to get support for a young person who has experienced abuse.
Term 2 dates (Australian Eastern Standard Time)
25 May 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm
14 June 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm
eSafety 101: how eSafety can help you
This 30-minute webinar is designed for parents and carers of young people in primary and secondary school.
It will cover:
- who we are
- what you can report to eSafety
- helpful advice and resources for parents and carers.
Term 2 dates (Australian Eastern Standard Time)
24 May 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Setting your child up for success online
This 30-minute webinar is designed for parents and carers of young people in primary school.
It will cover:
- age-appropriate expectations and boundaries
- online risks and strategies to keep your children safe
- where to find support for you and your child when things go wrong.
Term 2 dates (Australian Eastern Standard Time)
31 May 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm
For more information or to register click here.
Supporting Children with Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is the fear of being separated from a parent or carer, and is sometimes accompanied by stranger anxiety, or wariness and distress around unfamiliar people. These anxieties are a normal part of your child’s early development.
By the time children reach preschool and school age, they will generally be comfortable leaving their parent or carer, particularly in situations with familiar environments and people, although new situations may still cause some initial anxiety.
If your child is still experiencing regular and significant anxiety upon separating from you, they may need some extra support.
Below are some helpful ideas to support your child to cope with separation anxiety:
- Ask yourself if you are anxious about leaving your child. Children are very quick to pick up on anxiety from caregivers, and your anxiety may be sending a message to your child that it is not safe if you leave them.
- Teach yourself and your child some breathing exercises to help you relax.
- Practice saying goodbye – eg. Have your child stay with your partner or a friend for 5 minutes at a time while you go outside to hang out washing, put out the bins etc. Say goodbye to your child each time, and don’t allow your child’s distress to delay your leaving. Let them know that they are safe, and that you will be back.
- Introduce your child to new environments and people in advance whenever possible.
- Always say goodbye – tempting as it is to sneak out when your child is occupied, this could result in an increase in your child’s anxiety.
- Keep goodbyes brief - it could be helpful to talk to your child’s teacher and have a plan in place to distract your child with a fun or comforting activity while they settle after you have left.
- Consider using the ‘stepladder approach’ to managing anxiety (see “Raising Children Network” in the online resources list below)
- If the anxiety is causing regular distress, or interfering with daily life, it may require some specialist support. Consider visiting your GP to discuss your concerns or contact your School Counsellors, Bron and Ryoko.
Helpful online resources for separation anxiety:
http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/anxiety_stepladder_approach.html
http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/separation_anxiety.html/context/734
http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/worrying.html
Scholastic Book Club
The Issue 3 catalogue is now available. The cut-off date for orders is on Saturday 6th May.
Parents can order online via the LOOP parent portal on the Scholastic website, no orders or cash will be accepted by the school. Late orders are charged a flat rate for home postage.
Books will be delivered to children in their classroom once they arrive at the school. A reminder that missing or damaged orders can be reported to Scholastic using their online contact information, and that out of stock items already paid for are usually credited to the LOOP account. Parents concerned about missing, misplaced or damaged orders are advised to wait until the catalogue is closed and use the home postage option. MTS Community Council parent volunteers will be running the Book Club, so please ensure any inquiries are directed to them via the office email.
