Message from the 

Principal

Dear Families,

Welcome Back!

The beginning of a new school year is such an exciting time for students, parents, and staff.

We have been busy over the break ensuring the school is looking its very best to welcome you all back. Our Year 5 building now has new air conditioning and carpet, the Year 6 area has new carpet in the intervention spaces, and the entire school has been deep cleaned. The oval has been treated (fingers crossed for a lush lawn!), the school’s paintwork has been touched up, and there has been plenty of gardening completed across the grounds.

Our teachers have also spent considerable time preparing their classrooms, ensuring they are welcoming, comfortable, and ready for learning. We are well and truly ready to go!

We know families will have been preparing their children for the transition back to school, and this will look different for everyone. To help make the first morning run smoothly, we encourage you to have everything laid out and ready to go on Thursday evening, so that Friday morning can be calm and positive.

A reminder that school gates open at 8:30 am and classroom doors at 8:50 am. Your child’s teacher will be waiting to warmly welcome them; however, they may not have time for extended conversations with every parent. If there is any important information you would like to share to support a smooth transition, please email your child’s teacher.

Please know that I am always available if you have any concerns or worries.

Enjoy the start of the new school year. Remember that nerves are completely normal, and while change can be tricky at first, it does get easier with time.

Weather Warning

We are aware of the extreme heat forecast this week and the impact it can have on students’ sleep and energy levels. Please ensure your child brings a hat and a water bottle to school on Friday.

All classrooms are air-conditioned, and a decision regarding outdoor play at Breaks 1 and 2 will be made on the day, taking into account the temperature, wind conditions, and UV index.

Thank you for your support, and please take care.

Congratulations

• Congratulations to Molly (Lea) and Liam on their wedding during the holidays. Looking forward to seeing lots of photos — Mrs Holligan.
• Congratulations to Grace and Kane Goldsworthy on the safe arrival of baby Nora.

2026 Staff

We warmly welcome Brent Anstee to St Therese’s as our new Deputy Principal.

Brent brings several years of experience in this role from St Mary’s Echuca and has a strong passion and expertise in Pastoral Wellbeing. We look forward to working with Brent and ask our community to please join us in making Brent feel welcome.

We also welcome Ella Villani and Cobi Maxted to our teaching staff. We hope you love St T’s as much as we do!

Finally, we are delighted to welcome back Marcia Arnold and Meaghan Scott from maternity leave. It is wonderful to have you back, ladies!

2026 Important Dates

Students return to school

F–6 students return on Friday, 30th January at 8:50 am (full day).

Information Evening and Welcome BBQ

Tuesday, 3rd February | 5:30 pm

We invite you to join us for a relaxed and welcoming evening together as a school community. The evening will begin in the Church, then move to classrooms, and finish on the lawn with a BBQ.

We will gather in the Church for a short information session presented by Petra, Brent, Josh, and Gabby, sharing our school aspirations, structures, behavioural expectations, and curriculum. After this, you’ll have the opportunity to visit your child’s classroom and meet their teacher.

As the evening unfolds, the smell of the BBQ will guide you to the grassed area outside the “Rocketship” stairs, where we invite you to enjoy a picnic on the lawn. Please feel free to bring your own food; sausages in bread will be provided.

We really look forward to seeing you there and spending time together.

School Hours (Repeat)

Please note the schoolyard is unsupervised before 8:30 am. There are still many, many children on the grounds prior to this time.

For the safety of your children, I am asking that they are not dropped off at school before 8:30 am.