Message from the
Principal
Dear Families,
Welcome back to Term 2. This term, as with every term, is a busy one. Our enrolments for 2027 Foundation are now open, and we have our Athletics Carnival, School Photos, and, of course, end-of-semester reports coming up. Please keep a close eye on the newsletter for important dates and upcoming events.
Over the holidays, I read The Digital Delusion by Jared Cooney Horvath and found myself quietly reassured about many of the changes we have implemented over the past few years at St Therese's. However, I was also left feeling concerned about the pressure on young families to be brave and limit (or, even better, eliminate) digital devices from their children’s lives.
If you have any doubt about the impact that passive screen time and social media are having on young brains, I strongly encourage you to read this book. It is truly shocking, but as an educator who has been in the profession for over 35 years, I am not surprised.
The most powerful moments for me while reading, however, were captured in the following quotes:
“A positive student–teacher relationship is one of the most consistent predictors of learning. The power of strong relationships in the classroom is two-fold.
First, they support understanding. When we care about someone, it becomes measurably easier to comprehend their thoughts, intentions, and explanations. In other words, it becomes easier to learn from them.
Second, they fuel motivation. Learning is hard, and when frustration sets in, it’s often the relationship (rather than the pedagogy) that keeps us going. We push through challenges because we trust the person guiding us. (Horvath, p. 53)
“That’s why teachers still matter—not just for what they know, but for who they are. Because in the end, learning isn’t just cognitive; it’s deeply human.” (Horvath, p. 58)
I am incredibly proud of the St Therese's staff and the depth to which they know your children—how they learn best, their level of resilience when faced with new challenges, and when they can be encouraged to push just a little further.
I am also incredibly proud of our students. They work hard, challenge themselves and continue to smile and be best they can be. I've had several people in the past few days share how happy our kids look when they walk through the gates in the morning - You can't ask for more than that!
Easter Raffle
Thank you to everyone for making this year's raffle such a huge success.
Our Community Collective will meet on Monday 27th April 5:30pm in the staff room. Everyone is welcome!
Our next event will be our Mothers Day Stall on Friday 8th May. Thank you to our Community Collective members who are working hard on making this a very special shopping event for our children.
Principals Award
People of Peace
Our Award winner from last term was:
Eleanor Pool
Eleanor has been kind and courteous to staff and other students. She has been generous with her time, even drawing thoughtful pictures to share with others. Eleanor always carries a smile and is joyful in the class and on the yard.
2027 Foundation Enrolment
2027 Enrolments are now open! If you know of anyone considering our school for their child please share this information.
School Hours
Please note that the schoolyard is unsupervised before 8:30 am. There are still many children on the grounds prior to this time and there is no teacher on duty.
For the safety of your children, I ask that they are not dropped off at school before 8:30am.
Mobile Phone and Smartwatch Reminder
A reminder to families that all ‘smart’ devices, including mobile phones and smartwatches, must be handed to teachers first thing in the morning when students arrive at school. These devices are then securely stored for the duration of the school day and returned to students at dismissal time.
This practice supports a focused learning environment and aligns with our school and diocesan policies. We appreciate your ongoing support in reinforcing this expectation with your children.