From the Principal

~Do all that you do with love~

Dear Families,

St Therese's Annual Improvement Plan Update

In the last newsletter, I shared information with you regarding the work teachers have been undertaking in relation to our whole-school approach to Inquiry in Religious Education. I hope you were able to take some time to share the scripture from the Religious Education page, Jesus calls the First Disciples, as a family. This is a story that the children will become very familiar with over the term and we hope they will begin to make connections with this and their own faith journey.

As well as our student free days for professional learning, our teachers come together each Tuesday and Wednesday after school for Professional Learning Community meetings. All of our meeting time is purposeful, and where possible, focuses on expert teacher practice rather than administration.

Other key focus areas for school improvement at St Therese's for 2026 are:

• using student data to improve learning opportunities
• strengthening literacy and numeracy teaching

Teachers have been strengthening their skills in analysing and using student learning data. This will help them identify individual learning needs, track progress more effectively and provide targeted support and extension opportunities for students.

We are working towards a more consistent approach to teaching English and Mathematics and a shared structure for learning and teaching in these subjects will be implemented across the school. Teachers will use evidence-based teaching practices to ensure students experience high-quality learning and clear learning pathways from Foundation to Year 6.

Child Safety - Student Toilets

Due to child safety and safeguarding regulations, we kindly ask that parents and carers do not use the children's toilets. If you need to use toilet facilities while on site, please come through to the office where our adult toilets are available for your use. Thank you for your understanding and support in helping us maintain a safe environment for all children.

Keeping Our Students Safe - Road Safety Reminder for Families

A number of years ago, the local council withdrew funding for the supervised crossing that was previously in place. This caused concern within the community but it was deemed that not enough families used the crossing to warrant a crossing supervisor being employed.

Whilst I cannot formally direct families as to where they should cross on public roads, I would like to highlight that there is clear signage in the area indicating a recommended crossing location for pedestrians.

The safety of our students remains a shared responsibility, and I encourage all families to ensure there is ongoing conversation around safe road practices. Some important reminders include:

• Children under the age of 10 should hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road.
• Cross only when it is safe to do so and remain alert to traffic at all times.
• Never cross between parked or stopped vehicles, this can make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians.
• Stop, look, listen and think before crossing any road.
• Use designated or recommended crossing points whenever possible.

I also ask all drivers to support the safety of our school community by remaining vigilant during drop-off and pick-up times. Please remember that the school zone speed limit is 40km/h. Slowing down and being mindful of children and families moving around the area can make a significant difference in preventing accidents.

By working together and reinforcing safe behaviours, we can help ensure that all children travel to and from school as safely as possible.

Social Media and Artificial Intelligence

As many families will be aware, the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the digital world at an extraordinary pace. Just when we feel we have a good understanding of one aspect of technology, new tools and platforms emerge. In recent weeks, AI and its connection to social media have received significant media attention, prompting important conversations about online safety, privacy and the wellbeing of young people. As parents and educators, it can sometimes feel challenging to keep up with these developments.

At St Therese's, we use Facebook and Instagram to share highlights and news from around the school. These platforms allow us to celebrate student learning and achievements, keep families informed about upcoming events, and showcase our wonderful school community. We also know that many prospective families look at our social media pages when learning more about St Therese's.

A few years ago, we introduced a detailed permissions form that allows families to choose how photographs and recordings of their children may be used. This replaced the previous blanket permission process and gives parents and carers greater control over what they consent to. This approach aligns with advice provided by the eSafety Commissioner.

Our Facebook and Instagram accounts are managed and monitored by the school leadership team. We carefully check that any photos or content shared comply with the permissions provided by families and that all available privacy settings are in place. When Meta introduced new Artificial Intelligence (AI) features, these were disabled on both of the school's social media accounts.

We understand that families' views about social media and online privacy can change over time. We will be reviewing our permissions form and, if necessary, will provide an updated version for families to complete.

In the meantime, if you would like to withdraw permission for the school to share photos of your child/children on social media, please contact me via email at principal@sttcbourne.catholic.edu.au, and we will update our records accordingly.

August Census

Each year, schools across Australia take part in the August Census, an important data collection process that provides a snapshot of student enrolments and attendance on a specified date. The information collected helps education authorities determine government funding, plan services and resources, and ensure schools can continue to meet the needs of their students. Please refer to the Census Privacy Collection Notice below for further information.

Enrolments 2027 - Limited spaces available

If you have already attended an enrolment interview but have not yet returned your enrolment agreement, please send it back at your earliest convenience to secure your child's place.

If you have any questions about the enrolment process, please don't hesitate to contact the school office.

Kind Regards,

Felicity Broughton

principal@sttcbourne.catholic.edu.au