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Guest Report Term 1 Week 5 - From our head of Diverse Learning Mrs Garrity
Dear Parents,
At Mother Teresa School we are committed to celebrating and supporting a diverse and inclusive school community where everyone belongs. We strive to ensure every student has the opportunity to learn to the best of their ability, to be treated fairly and respectfully. In embracing the individual differences and circumstances of our students, we acknowledge the complex needs and challenges some of our students may be facing from time to time.
It is important to remember that behaviour is communication. For many children it can be difficult to express their needs and wants appropriately, especially in busy environments such as the playground. By recognising that our children may have worries, fears or sensory needs which may not be obvious at the surface level, we can collaboratively support our children with proactive strategies to ensure their dignity and wellbeing.
In our endeavours to find increasing ways of supporting our students at Mother Teresa, we are excited to announce a pilot program with the University of Canberra. This year we will be working in partnership with the Occupational Therapy students and their Clinical Educators from the University of Canberra Faculty of Health Clinics, to provide occupational therapy supports to the children, parents and teachers in our school community. This is the first time such a program has been undertaken in the ACT. The program will support the needs of our students across a variety of areas including fine motor supports, inattention issues, self-regulation and social skills.
Initially the program will commence with Kindergarten and Year 1, before hopefully expanding into the upper grades. Additionally, there will also be teacher and parent workshops offered throughout the year. Further information can be found in the flyer attached.
Parent information letter for Mother Teresa OT program
Wishing you all a safe and happy long weekend!
Karen Garrity
Diverse Learning Team
Religious Education Term 1 Week 5 - 2021
WHOLE SCHOOL FOCUS
The Whole school focus theme for this year is:
‘We Are Bee-Attitude Keepers”
At Mother Teresa we are going to be courageous towards those we meet in our class and on the
playground by:
- Showing confidence
- Thinking creatively
- Being a positive risk taker
- Having a healthy self-esteem
- Standing up for what’s right
- Having a sense of achievement
- Thinking and acting independently
- Getting involved in service initiatives
Confirmation 2021
Please pray for our Year 6 Confirmation Candidates, their teachers and families as they embark on this important time in their faith journey.
YEAR 1 GRADE MASS
Year 1 celebrated their first Grade Mass for the year in the Hall. Thank you to those parents who came along to support the students and teachers. it was a beautiful mass and the students participated reverently and sang with great enthusiasm.
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. Please encourage your child/ren to bring in their Project Compassion envelops and donations this week. Each class has a Project Compassion box available for the children’s donations. So far we have raised $1059.00 Amazing effort everyone!
The students have been looking at the case studies of where there money is going this week it is going to Olivia in Tanzania.
OLIVA FROM TANZANIA
Twenty-two-year-old Oliva lives in Tanzania with her farmer husband, two young sons and an adopted niece and nephew.
She didn’t have the opportunity to go to school growing up - and was embarrassed that she couldn’t read, write or count. Around 25 percent of Tanzanian girls and women over 15 years cannot read or write, with many families unable to afford school fees or uniforms.
Now, as an adult, Oliva runs a kiosk and works as a farm labourer - but her business was losing money because she couldn’t add up.
Then Oliva enrolled in Caritas Australia-supported literacy and numeracy classes. She also set up a classroom at home to teach her neighbours, for free, because they were too shy to attend larger classes.
Oliva has now graduated, as have some of her students. Attendance at her classes is growing, her kiosk is thriving and she can help her children with their homework. She aims to become a pastor and run for leadership in the next local election.
Oliva aspires to “Be More’ and wants to help her community to achieve its vision of a better life for all.
“I am proud to be a teacher who helps others to achieve their dream,” Oliva says.
Peace and best wishes
Anne Leet REC
Congratulations to Kennie Han who was the first name drawn out for our maths question last week. This weeks question is below:
Challenge: Write another equation using the stars and hearts for your family members to solve.
High School Open Day Information
JPC TRY HIGHSCHOOL DAY
Parents please use this booking link to confirm your child's attendance on Thursday 25 March. Bookings are essential.
https://www.jpc.act.edu.au/enrolments/open-day-2021/
Please note transport to and from JPC on this day must be arranged by parents.
MTS students will be going on 6 May. Notes will be sent home shortly.
Remember to STOP for our supervisor
A school crossing supervisor is supporting our school each morning and afternoon to increase safety for children. Please support this initiative by driving safely near the school and encouraging children to use the supervised crossing.
Our crossing supervisor is responsible for controlling a busy environment, which includes managing the flow of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists during peak times. It is important for motorists to drive at a speed which allows them to safely stop when the supervisor enters the road. Please be patient and allow the crossing supervisor and other pedestrians to safely clear the road prior to proceeding.
The school community is encouraged to familiarise themselves with the basic crossing supervisor procedures:
- The supervisor will ask pedestrians to wait in a safe location by the side of the road
- When it is safe, the supervisor will stop traffic
- The supervisor will blow their whistle twice to indicate it is safe to cross.
The School Crossing Supervisor program is delivered by Transport Canberra and City Services’ School Safety Program. If you have any feedback about the program, please contact TCCS.
Please be patient, polite and respectful to our supervisor, they are committed to keeping our students safe.