Mother Teresa School Harrison
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40 Wimmera St
Harrison ACT 2914
Subscribe: https://motherteresa.act.edu.au/subscribe

Email: office.motherteresa@cg.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 02 6241 5604

Principal's Message Term 2 Week 5 - 2022

Dear Parents
It is hard to believe we are mid-way through the term. We have once again experienced an increase in the number of staff away this week due to illness. We have a wonderful team of teachers and support staff who have continued to ensure grade programs continue by taking on extra responsibilities so that the children can be at school.
Next week we will introduce our new timetable with the school taking the lunch and afternoon break at the same time.
First eating break will be from 11.00am - 11.40am (Lunch)
Second eating break will be 1.40pm - 2.00pm (Afternoon tea)
Pupil Free Days

Following consultation with the other Catholic Primary Schools in the Gungahlin area, we have nominated the following dates for our additional Pupil Free days granted to schools by the CE Director.

  • Tuesday 31 May & Friday 24 June

During these days the teachers will be engaged in additional PL to support our Catalyst program and provide time for class preparation and student assessment.  KidsBiz will be open on these days.  

Staff Farewell

Next Tuesday 31 May will be Claire Dekuyer's last day. We look forward to the arrival of Baby Dekuyer in the coming weeks. I would like to thank Claire for her professionalism and commitment since she arrived this year.  I had hoped to be able to advise families of a replacement for Claire, but unfortunately, with the critical teacher shortage we are experiencing across Canberra, we have not yet filled the position.  We have continued to advertise for a suitable replacement and have interim plans in place for the next few weeks.  We will advise everyone as soon as we are able to.

Athletics Carnival Day - Changed to Thursday 2 June.

As advised last week we have rescheduled the Athletic carnival to Thursday 2 June. The original permission note you returned will remain valid to cover this new date. Any parent volunteer who is now not able to assist on Thursday should email justine.henshaw@cg.catholic.edu.au and advise that you need to withdraw your offer to assist.  All volunteers must hold a current WWVP card and provide the school with a copy of the card. 

Kinder and Year 1 will have games at school 

Years 2 - 6 will be transported to Amaroo Oval, as per the original permission note. The children will leave school at 9.15am and will return by 2.30pm.

All children are to wear their SPORT uniform.
ALL children to bring a packed lunch, afternoon tea and a supply of water.
There are no canteen facilities at school or at the oval.

Working With Vulnerable People Cards

A reminder that any visitor or volunteer must carry a valid ACT Working With Vulnerable People Card to assist around the school.  This is available from Access Canberra and is free for all volunteers.  It is also a reminder for those who have a card to check the expiry date and action a renewal if needed. A copy of the card must be maintained at the front office. Both sides of the card must be provided. 

Annual Improvement Plan

Each year schools prepare an Annual Improvement Plan to direct their focus to improving various aspects of the school including students learning and growth. This year Mother Teresa School has three key goals 

  • High Impact Teaching Practice is visible in every classroom
    • Daily Review in Literacy and Numeracy developed by a Catalyst coach employed by CE 
  • Achieve growth in all aspects of Learning
    • Development of Professional Learning Team Action plans with a focus on English, Maths, Religious Education and General Capabilities
  • Equitable outcomes for all students
    • Critical and Creative thinking
    • Effective feedback to improve learning

Refer to the attached document for specific details on how the goals will be actioned throughout the year. 

Considering Enrolment for 2023

A reminder that our official enrolment closes today, Friday 27 May. Please let families and friends know that they need to submit an enrolment online if considering Mother Teresa ELC or School for their child/ren in 2023.  School tours, led by the year 6 students are available by appointment.
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COVID Reminders 

Families still need to advise the school should a child be at home with COVID via our specific email address, covid.motherteresa@cg.catholic.edu.au then followed up with a Compass absentee notification through the Compass Parent Portal.

RAT kits are still available from the office should you require kits for regular testing, particularly if your child is a close contact. 

We are considering a return to the original morning tea and lunch timetable from Week 6 with some level of cohorting to restrict the transmission of infections. This change will depend on the number of cases reported across the school in the next few weeks. For our new families, I will communicate what the "old normal" will look like when we are ready to change over. Like you, I am still to find out. 

Canteen News Week 6
Open Wednesday and Friday
(Closed Thursday)

As advised, our canteen provider will only be open on Wednesday to Friday for online lunch orders.  All lunches will now be ready for collection at 11am.

God Bless

Carmel Maguire

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