Do all that you do with love ~

Dear Families,

As we reach the end of another school year, we pause to reflect on the journey we’ve all taken together. This year has been filled with learning, growth, and countless memorable moments that have shaped our students' lives.

Last week we farewelled our Grade 6 students. Many of them had joined us in Foundation and were overcome by a range of emotions on Friday when they realised that their primary school years were finally over. So many of the students had been communicating that they weren't feeling sad about leaving St Therese's yet this message certainly changed as the bell rang at the end of the day. Our Graduation Mass and Celebrations were beautiful, I thank all of the staff for the amount of work that went into preparing this event. I particularly wish to thank the Senior teaching team - Rosina Chandra, Sam Baillie and Caitlin Hall for the manner in which they had prepared the students. A special thank you also goes to Vanessa Cowan for her amazing decoration skills, the hub looked beautiful at lunch time and the hall was also wonderfully prepared for the Mass.

A huge congratulation to all of our Grade 6 students - we are so very proud of all they have achieved. However there are a couple of special mentions that need to be made.

Cassandra Fernando, MP Federal Member for Holt joined us for our celebrations and awarded two students with the Holt School Leadership Awards. These awards were presented to:

Mia for being a hardworking working student who always uses teacher feedback to improve her learning. She gets along with her teachers and peers. She was a member of the Environment team and a taiko drummer who spent her recess and lunch practising. She demonstrates our school wide behaviour expectations in every thing that she does.

Ann for being a hardworking student who is capable of working independently and in teams. She is an excellent role model for her peers. She is a meticulous worker and demonstrates our school wide behaviour expectations all the time.

Each year two students from St Therese's are nominated to receive a Tom and Betty Kelly Scholarship to support them as they begin their journey at secondary school. These scholarships are awarded to students meet the following criteria:

showing consistent leadership,
showing care for others,
giving their best,
been at St Therese's for the majority of their primary schooling,
showng an interest in children from other year levels,
respecting self, others and teachers,
personifying our Vision - being prayerful, accepting and loving.

The Tom and Betty Kelly Scholarships were awarded to Chieng and Isabella who truly personify all of the criteria listed.

Staffing reminder for 2025

Foundation - Mrs Maddie Hastings (FH) and Mrs Malini Tyne (FT)

Grade 1 - Ms Colleen Kathard (1K) and Mr Sam Sempio (1S)

Grade 2 - Mrs Rebecca Jeffery (2J) and Miss Ha Rin Yoo (2Y)

Middles - Mrs Meghan Brockman and Mr Carlos Sanchez (MSB), Mrs Rosina Chandra and Mrs Sharon Evans (MCE) and Mr Andrew Orchard (MO)

Seniors - Miss Samantha Baillie (SB), Mrs Denise Essa (SE) and Miss Danielle Phillips (SP)

Learning Adjustment Leader - Mrs Rosina Chandra

Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour Support - Miss Caitlin Hall

Mental Health Leader - Mrs Sharon Evans

Japanese - Mrs Angela Andrews

Physical Education - Carlos Sanchez

Visual and Media Arts - to be confirmed

Performing Arts - to be confirmed

We will be saying farewell for now to Mrs Catherine Hogan this week. Catherine will be taking leave for the duration of 2025. We all hope that she has a very restful year filled with all things that bring her joy.

At our final liturgy yesterday, we bid farewell from the students to Trish Lloyd and Rosie Osthmuller. Once again, I thank both of them for all of the love, care, support and time that they have given to the community of St Therese's. The roles of Learning Adjustment and Wellbeing leader are huge and don't just involve working with students. These roles also mean they are working with members of staff and spending a lot of time with parents. I know many of you have popped in to say farewell to Trish and Rosie and this has meant a lot to them too.

Farewell Trish and Rosie, we wish you every happiness and success in your new roles.

As we enter the summer break, I encourage our students to rest and recharge. I look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new school year.

I wish you all a merry Christmas and very happy new year.

Felicity Broughton

Dates for the Diary

Please keep these dates in mind

January 2025