Dear Families,

This week marks Catholic Education Week. Held annually, Catholic Education Week is a time for us to reflect upon and celebrate the strength of our Catholic identity, and the pivotal role St Therese's Primary School plays within our local community. This year, Catholic Education Week 2025 focuses on the theme "Pilgrims of Hope". This theme is part of the broader Jubilee Year initiative proclaimed by Pope Francis, which emphasises hope, renewal, and unity. The Jubilee Year, a significant event in the Catholic Church occurring every 25 years, invites the faithful to embark on a spiritual journey of reflection and growth. During Catholic Education Week, St Therese's students will be participating in their own pilgrimage, identifying significant Catholic Identity Markers throughout the school and giving thanks for their own Catholic education. Thank you to our Catholic Identity Leader, Marcia Arnold, for organising the St Therese's Pilgrimage.

2026 Foundation Enrolments - Now Open

Catholic Education Week also sees the first of our 2026 Foundation Enrolment School Tours. We welcome all families, new and existing, to participate in our School Tours and Information Evening. Families wanting to enrol their child to St Therese's for Foundation 2026 are encouraged to complete an online Enrolment Application via our school website.

Important Notice for Existing Families: Please ensure you complete an online enrolment. Applications must be submitted by 23 May to guarantee your place.

APPLY NOW: Enrolment Information - St Therese's Primary School Bendigo

Enrolments Close, Friday 23 May 2025

Unfortunately, if we do not receive your enrolment by this date,

we cannot guarantee a place in Foundation 2026.

Catholic Education Matters

Catholic Education Sandhurst has recently launched a podcast, Catholic Education Matters. With two episodes already released, families are encouraged to tune in to the podcast via their preferred streaming service.

Education isn’t just about what happens in the classroom, it’s about the people, the heart, and the purpose behind it all.

That’s why this podcast explores the big ideas and every day moments that shape learning in our schools, from the latest research and innovative teaching practices to the real stories of educators, students and parents.

With insights from respected leaders, expert guests and voices from our 56 schools and kindergartens across regional Victoria, we’ll keep asking the question: What matters in education? ~ Catholic Education Matters Podcast

Classroom Mastery

Australia has some of the most disruptive classrooms in the world. Safe, ordered, and positive learning environments are a foundation for learning (PISA, 2019).

Teachers must plan how their classroom will run and teach this explicitly to their students. Learning is as successful as the culture, expectations, routines, and rules taught and reinforced with students. Last week, we began the implementation of our Classroom Mastery routines and Behaviour Curriculum.

I recently asked a few students what they thought about our new school-wide routines:

I like it, It's sometimes really fun and really easy - George (Grade 1)

I think it's good. It makes things a lot more organised and it's quicker to get things done - Ruby (Grade 5)

I like when the teacher counts and everyone looks up and I like it when she does it and other teachers do it too because it's fun - Eleanor (Grade 2)

It's better because the teachers don't need to repeat themselves and we get more learning done - Paddy (Grade 5)

Senior Toilet Refurbishment

Works are well underway for our senior toilet refurbishment. Plumbing has been roughed in and framing completed. We're excited to see the continued progress with this project. Whilst the project is being completed, Grades 3-6 students are using the toilets in the Alison Arts Centre.

Principal Lighthouse Awards

This week's recipient is: Patrick

Patrick is a person of Respect and Integrity. He willingly supports others and is always welcoming with a friendly smile and a warm greeting.

School Photos - Next Tuesday 13 May

Mother's Day

On Friday, our Foundation and Junior units will gather to celebrate the special people in their lives at our annual Mother's and Special Persons Mass. I hope all of our St Therese's Mums and significant people are pampered on Sunday. Thank you to our wonderful P&F for organising our Mother's Day Stall for Friday. Happy Mother's Day!

Supervision 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.

School Crossing (Repeat)

Please note that we will have a Council School Crossing Supervisor until Friday, 16th May. After this time, our crossing will be unattended. We are currently working with CESL regarding this situation and will share information as it becomes available. We ask that parents please observe parking signage when picking up and dropping off your children.

We look forward to welcoming Mrs Tegg back to school next week.

Kim Carter

Acting Principal

Parish News