Dear Parents,

We have had a smooth start to the term with lots planned over the next few weeks. It has been lovely to reconnect with the children.

Staffing News

Today we farewell Tina Bruce who has been at Mother Teresa School for the last two and a half years. Tina is pursuing her career and studies in the area of inclusive education. We wish Tina all the best and thank her for her contribution to our community.

This term we welcome several new staff to the team. Please refer to the "Meet Our New Staff" section of the newsletter to find out who they are. 

With Carmel Maguire working part-time for the next 5 weeks, Craig Hart will be continuing in his role as Acting Principal during her absence. Carmel will be in from 11.30am unless required to attend a Principal's meeting. 

Miss Erin O'Leary has had to take leave from next Wednesday to the 13 September. We are working to cover her during this time. 

School Fees

Early next week we are expecting the school fee statement to be emailed by Catholic Education to parents. Please contact our office should there be any issues

Families Leaving 

We are receiving a number of enrolment requests for places at Mother Teresa School for 2025. If you are aware you are leaving can you please advise the office, as soon as possible. 

Athletic Carnival 

On Thursday 1 August, students from Year Two to Year Six will be participating in our third and final school carnival for the year, the Athletics Carnival will be held at the Australian Institute of Sport. The children will be involved in a variety of competitive and non-competitive events throughout the day, including running, novelty games and field events. There will be a strong emphasis placed on having fun, encouraging others, and participation. The cost of the Athletics Carnival and bus hire is covered by the school fees. Children are asked to wear their house colours and/or sports uniform. 

The day will run as follows:

The children will be travelling by bus to the AIS. The buses will leave school at 9:15am. 

The major event rotations will begin promptly at 10:00am and finish at 1:40pm.

The buses will pick up the students from 2:00pm to return to school. 

If you would like to take your child directly home from the carnival please do so after notifying your child’s teacher and the event coordinator who will record the time of departure.  

The students who have registered to run in the 800m are to be dropped off by private vehicle by 9am to run in those events prior to the remainder of the students arriving.

Please ensure that consent has been given for your child to attend as it not occurring at the school via the Events Notification in COMPASS, as children without consent will not be able to attend.

Kinder and Year 1 will engage in fun events at school during their Wednesday Sports sessions. 

Lunch Time Dance Club - Places still available 
With our hall refurbishment delayed until the end of Term 3, we will be offering our Wednesday Dance Club in Term 3. Cassie, our dance teacher, is happy to continue to offer her program. Enrolments will open soon so check her website: https://www.playagency.com.au/enrolment/

NAIDOC Week Mass
Today Friday 26 July, 14 of our students joined Mrs Slaven and Mr Hart in celebrating NAIDOC Mass at St Christoper's Cathedral, Manuka. The theme for this year was "Keep the Fire Burning". Archbishop Christopher Prowse spoke of the important role that education plays in reconciliation for future Australia. The students represented MTS with great reverence and distinction. Thanks to Mrs Slaven for coordinating this opportunity for our children.

God Bless,

Carmel Maguire & Craig Hart

Principal & Acting Principal

New Teaching Staff

To celebrate the Olympics, on Monday 29 July, Year 6 students and teachers will be running a mini Olympics Day for the school. Everyone will be involved in a variety of activities loosely based on real Olympic sports. Think relay races, rowing, synchronised swimming, archery, equestrian and more!

Each class has been allocated a country and we are asking that your child comes dressed in the national colours of their country, for example; ribbon, t-shirt, shorts, jumpers (if possible). If you are unable to do this, sports uniform is fine. Please find country allocations attached.

Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5 will be participating in the morning session and Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 will be participating in the middle session.

We look forward to a great day of competition and fun!

WHOLE SCHOOL FOCUS

The Whole school focus theme for this year is ‘COME HOLY SPIRIT’

This term at Mother Teresa School we will use the theme that:  We are called to Innovate.

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14

We will share our gifts and talents with each other throughout the year. The values we will be focusing on this term are Responsibility, Sustainability, Care/Kindness, Respect & Affirming

FIRST RECONCILIATION 2024
Parents and Caregivers of Yr 3 & Yr 4 Catholic Students

The First Reconciliation Parent Information sessions is next week as follows:

• Tuesday 30 July
• 1:00pm or 6:00pm
• Holy Spirit Church, Amaroo
• Parents/Care Givers (children not required)

This will be a very prayerful, reflective, and informative session at which your attendance is required as a part of the Sacrament preparation process.

You will be given a First Reconciliation pack containing all enrolment information and Sacrament resources.

Please contact anne.leet@cg.catholic.edu.au  or mel.unwin@cg.catholic.edu.au  if you have any questions.

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

28 July 2024 - Year B

“Jesus gave the people all the food they wanted.”

Something to Think About
Have you ever felt really hungry? Sometimes we forget how lucky we are to have food to eat every day. In many places around the world, there is not enough food to go around. The next time someone gives you some food to eat, remember to thank that person – and say thanks to God too!

The Story
The people travelled the countryside to see and hear Jesus. They were so eager to be near Jesus that they forgot to bring food. When they became hungry, Jesus turned 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish into enough food to feed thousands of people – and there were 12 baskets left over!

Video
Click to watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6rj9cAJrWE

Peace and Best Wishes,

Anne Leet
Religious Education Co-ordinator

In 2019 Catholic Education introduced the Child Safe Advocate role in all our schools. The role has been put in place to ensure the safety of all children in our schools is maintained and to support staff with the implementation of Protective Behaviour programs. Our Child Safety Advocate is Mr Craig Hart.

This term our school will be teaching Protective Behaviours to students using current resources from the Daniel Morcombe Curriculum and Education 2 Empower Publishing. We understand the content of Protective Behaviours can be confronting for some students and we are therefore keen to ensure there is an opportunity for families to engage with the contact before lessons are taught. To achieve this an overview of the program is attached and weekly updates will be provided.

Second Hand Uniform Shop
The Second Hand Uniform shop is run by the MTS Community Council in the school hall.

This term the shop will be operating Wednesday and Friday from 8:45am to 915am, with payment by CASH only.  Please ensure your car is off the basketball court by 8.50am as we must close and lock the gates for safety. 

Donations of uniforms that have no rips or stains and are freshly washed are always welcome to be dropped off at the front office.

Scholastic Book Club - Issue 5 
The Issue 5 catalogue for 2024 is now available. The cut-off date for orders is on Sunday 11^th August.

Special offer this catalogue: 3 free books when you spend $70, 2 free books when you spend $50, 1 free book when you spend $20

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 classrooms, once they arrive at the school. MTS Community Council parent volunteers are running the Book Club, please ensure inquiries are directed to them via the office email. Parents concerned about possible missing, misplaced or damaged orders are advised to wait until the catalogue is closed and use the home postage option.

MTS Community Council have organised a wonderful opportunity to get a brilliant family portrait for only $20. 

Thanks kindly to East Lakes Gungahlin for providing a warm room for the stunning photographs to be taken by Kieran from Lasso photography. He takes amazing family portraits, which is something that we look forward to every year.

Book now before places fill up

 https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1257661?