E-News
29 July 2022
In this Issue:
Message from the Principal
Important Notices
Events
Languages News
Library News
The Arts News
Sports News
Sustainability News
Junior School Extension Program
Community News
Message from the Principal
Welcome to the start of an exciting new term at Mother Teresa Catholic College. I hope that you enjoyed spending quality time together with family and friends over the school holiday break. This term, we have 16 new students in Junior School and 20 new students in the secondary years joining us, as well as a number of new staff members.
I would like to take this opportunity to warmly welcome all our new families to Mother Teresa Catholic College. I encourage our new students to seek out areas of interest to support their growth and fully immerse themselves in College life.
With the inspiration of Mother Teresa’s example of outreach and love for all human beings, we strive each day to grow, in the words of our motto, “Strong in Faith and Love.”
Yours Sincerely
Geri O’Keefe
College Principal
Important Notices
Cross-sectoral letter to parents and caregivers
Please find the cross-sectoral letter below which includes current COVID-19 related information. Students and staff are encouraged to wear masks at school. To further support face-to-face learning and minimise disruption to students’ schooling, the WA Government will again be providing 20 free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) for each student. We will provide further information in the coming weeks on how you can collect these.
Notice of P&F Funds being transferred to Friends of Mother Teresa
The College Friends of Mother Teresa committee was formed in January 2022, taking over from the Parents & Friends committee, which ceased operating in December 2021. The P&F was very active at the College over a number of years and made significant contributions, with many of our talented and supportive parents contributing endless hours of work to build our school community and raise funds for school resources. This included running social and information events, undertaking fund-raising activities, and providing practical support at the school. The great work by the Community Fair sub-committee resulted in a wonderful night in 2019, enjoyed by many at the school and the wider Baldivis Community.
To enable the school to use the funds for which they were raised under the P&F Constitution, and under the authority of the Principal, the funds held in the P&F bank account will be transferred in full to the FOMT bank account. The funds being transferred will be audited by the College auditors, Deloitte, during the annual financial audit. All funds will be used for the purpose for which they were raised, being for the benefit of students and promotion of catholic education through the provision of resources.
We again thank the P&F for all of their hard work, and look forward to working with the FOMT as they continue the good work at the College.
Michelle Reed
Business Manager
New Friends of Mother Teresa Email Address
fomt@motherteresa.wa.edu.au
Junior School Swimming Lessons
A reminder to our College community that as per the College calendar, students from Years 1, 2 & 5 will participate in swimming lessons in Week 3 & 4 this term.
Pupil Free Day - Friday 12 August 2022
A reminder to our College community that Friday 12 August 2022 is a pupil free day.
Year 7 2024 Enrolments
We are currently accepting applications for places in Year 7 for 2024.
Interviews will commence in Term 3 2022.
For more information and to apply, please visit:
www.motherteresa.wa.edu.au/enrolments
Kindy 2024 Enrolments
We are currently accepting applications for places in Kindy for 2024.
Interviews for our current Catholic families with siblings will commence in Term 4, 2022.
If you have not yet submitted an application, visit our website for application details:
www.motherteresa.wa.edu.au/enrolments
Events
Staying Safe Online with Paul Litherland
Parents and friends of the Mother Teresa Catholic College community are invited to attend Paul’s upcoming talk where he will explore the following topics:
Digital citizenship – where our kids are going online, the apps they are using and the information they are sharing
Online footprint – how easy it is to find kids online and what parents can do to minimise the risk
Social networking and networking in general – how the systems work and how to overcome their reach
Online gaming and website use – the risks and uses
Tips and tricks – how to keep an eye on your kids through software and hardware. Easy instructions on what we can do to keep them safe online
Tuesday 30 August 2022 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Occupied Stairs
Defence Club Breakfast
Our Defence School Mentor, Mrs Emily Henderson, provides assistance to Defence students and their families and raises awareness of the unique needs of these families due to the military lifestyle within the school community. Mrs Henderson would like to extend an invitation to our Defence students and families to join us for breakfast at 8am on Wednesday 10 August 2022 (Week 4) in the Learning Hub.
Please RSVP to emily.henderson@cewa.edu.au by Monday 8 August and include any dietary requirements for catering.
Languages News
During Term 2, our Year 7 and Year 8 students created picture stories in Indonesian. They use the correct vocabulary and grammar which they had learned in classes and use Indonesian native animals as their characters. Year 7 students focus on describing self and friends in their stories. Year 8 students focus on describing their daily life, including their activities, what time they do their activities and where the activities are done.
There are so many fantastic stories!
View them here: www.motherteresa.wa.edu.au/indonesian
Selamat membaca! – Happy reading!
Library News
image source: www.cbca.org.au/cbca-book-week
CBCA Book Week 2022 | August 20-26
Each year since 1945 the CBCA has brought children and books together across Australia through CBCA Book Week. During this time, schools and public libraries spend one glorious week celebrating books and Australian children’s authors and illustrators. Classroom teachers, teacher librarians and public librarians create colourful displays, develop activities, run competitions and tell stories relating to a theme to highlight the importance of reading.
The theme for this year is ‘Dreaming with Eyes Open…”
Dreaming with Eyes Open is about stepping into your own story. It invokes thoughts of ancient times, and of listening to Country as the first storyteller. You can, of course, adapt it to your own dreams and future ambitions.
Book Week Parade | Wednesday 24 August 2022 (Week 6)
This year, our Book Week Parade will be held on Wednesday 24 August. We encourage all students and staff to dress up as their favourite book character or theme and join the parade!
Book Club
Book Club issues 5 is out now!
Order online: www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP
Orders close Friday 5 August 2022
The Arts News
Shaun Tan Awards Night
Year 5 student Grace Brooks and Year 6 student Alex Cross were previously announced as finalists of the twentieth annual Shaun Tan Award for Young Artists. From over 1600 submissions across WA, the judges narrowed it down to 50 exhibited artists.
On Tuesday they attended the awards night, accompanied by their families and visual arts teacher Mrs Cipriano. All finalist artwork was individually critiqued by Shaun Tan himself via an online video stream from Melbourne.
We are very pleased to share that Grace Brooks’ piece titled ‘Colour Chick’ was awarded 2nd place in the Upper Primary category. She also received the Subi Kids Crew Award. Alex Cross’ piece titled ‘Sardine Soulmates’ was awarded 3rd place in the Upper Primary category.
Here’s what Shaun Tan had to say about our student’s amazing artwork:
Colour Chick is “Full of warmth and life… The background dissolves the boundary between the character and the world in avian warmth.”
Sardine Soulmates is a “Technically accomplished work in a tricky medium… Simple, strong and unexpectedly poetic.”
Congratulations Grace and Alex - What a fantastic achievement!
Year 10/11 Art Immersion Tour
On Friday 22 July, Year 10 and 11 Visual Arts students immersed themselves in Australian artwork at The Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA). They spent two hours exploring the gallery and discussing how art impacts our society.
They continued the gallery with a self-guided walking tour of the street art in Perth City. They were particularly engaged in the artwork along Wolf Lane. A very insightful and inspirational day had by all!
The Wizard of Oz - College Production
The countdown is on to the most anticipated event of the year!
We have less than 3 weeks to go until the show begins so book your tickets now to avoid disappointment:
www.manpac.com.au/events/the-wizard-of-oz
DATES AND TIMES
Thursday 18 August 2022 7:00 pm
Friday 19 August 2022 11:00 am SOLD OUT (waitlist available)
Friday 19 August 2022 7:00 pm
Saturday 20 August 2022 11:00 am
Saturday 20 August 2022 5:00 pm
Sports News
Junior School Athletics Carnival
Due to the inclement weather forecast last week we made the decision to postpone both of our Junior School athletic carnivals and have rescheduled them to the following days:
Pre-Primary - Year 2 Carnival
Thursday 25 August 2022
Year 3 - Year 6 Carnival
Friday 26 August 2022
Thank you for your continued support.
Inter-House Athletics Carnival | Thursday 11 August 2022
A reminder to our College community that the Senior School Inter-House Athletics Carnival will take place on Thursday 11 August 2022 (Week 4). An events schedule will be distributed in due course.
PSSA Cross Country
35 of our Junior School students participated in the PSSA Cross Country carnival today. Our students represented the College with pride and ran with determination and courage. We placed 6th overall with our Year 4 Boys taking out top place for their age group.
Well done to Lachlan Skates (Year 4) and Jordan Manfield (Year 5) who both placed 2nd in their races.
Well done team!
Basketball Summer 22/23 Season - Expressions of Interest
If your child is interested in playing basketball for the Summer 22/23 season (Term 4, 2022 and Term 1, 2023) please complete the online form below to express your interest. This includes players who are currently playing for a College team in the Winter season.
Please note that these games are played out of school hours on the following afternoons/evenings:
Monday U10
Tuesday U18
Thursday U12 boys, U16
Friday U8, U14, U12 girls
Please ensure that if signing up, you are able to attend on the set days. Games will be held at Mike Barnett Stadium in Rockingham. Training days will vary depending on the coach and availability of facilities.
There is a team registration fee ($260), Rockingham Flames registration fee ($50), insurance ($37) and you will be required to purchase a uniform from the Uniform Shop.
Please click on the link below to complete the form and we will be in touch shortly. The link will close on Friday 5th August.
Sustainability News
Thank you so much to our families for supporting the ‘Wonder Recycling Rewards Program.’ By collecting soft bread bags of any brand, we can earn reward points to redeem on sports equipment. Please collect your emptied bread bags and place them in the pink boxes at the entrance of the Junior School, Kindy or front office in the Senior School. Let’s all start collecting; reducing our waste going to landfill and making a difference to our world.
This term the students have been participating in “Plastic Free July’. We read, ‘Louie and Snippy Save the Sea’, by Collette Dinnigan and discussed many fantastic ways to reduce the use of single use plastics. The students suggested swapping cling wrap for containers, bees wax lunch wraps or brown paper.
The rain has been great for the vegetables growing. The pre-primary students planted baby cauliflower seedlings and picked out the weeds for the chickens. The Kindy students had fun planting potatoes, spinach and broccoli in their garden beds this week. The Year One students have been learning about the importance of bush tucker plants and what they can be used for.
Sunday is National Tree Day and you can get involved as a family by planting a tree, starting a vegetable garden, compost bin or worm farm. Let’s all celebrate the importance of trees and connect with nature. We will be planting trees, shrubs and bush tucker plants next week.
Junior School Extension Program
Year 5 Extension Project
During Semester 1, the Year 5 extension students participated in designing and modelling an eco-geodesic dome that would survive in multiple climates and withstand a range of natural disasters.
Students applied their research knowledge of natural disasters, mathematical knowledge of geometry and angles to engineer the prototype dome. Utilising the 21st century fluencies of collaboration and solution, students created a dome after reflected research of natural disasters, extreme weather, sustainable building materials and sustainable technologies.
The dome is constructed from polycarbonate plastic with solar panels and a vortex wind turbine to generate power. The dome shape allows snowfall and precipitation to easily slide off and the pneumatic lifts elevate the structure in times of landslides, floods and lava flow. The interior of the dome is eco-friendly and fully sustainable to life with all natural materials and no chemicals applied to construction.
The team discussed and negotiated additions to the dome. They conducted water resistance tests, pneumatic lift tests and earthquake resilience tests. The technologies and prototype were completed with the aim of being replicated in real life for displaced populations affected by disasters of the future.
The group has done an exemplary job of working as a team and producing a futuristic housing option for future generations. Great job!
Community News
Baldivis Road Closures
Road Closure Baldivis Road between Sixty Eight Road to Solis Boulevard, and Sixty Eight Road between Baldivis Road and Viva Boulevard will be closed for approximately 3 months due to roadworks.
The private developer is upgrading Baldivis Road between Sixty Eight Road to Solis Boulevard to a boulevard style road similar to the rest of Baldivis Road further north. This is going to involve some extensive work in the area and as a result this section of Baldivis Road will need to be closed for approximately 3 months subject to weather conditions.
AFS Global STEM Innovators | 1 September - 16 October 2022
Are you a young innovator, interested in STEM, sustainability?
Are you curious about the world and keen to make local impact?
Join a 5-week, virtual exchange program culminating in a 2-day in-person sustainability workshop.
The online program and workshop will focus on STEM, global competence, and sustainability, with an emphasis on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Learn More: https://www.valuelearning.com.au/afs-global-stem-innovators
image source: www.valuelearning.com.au/afs-global-stem-innovators
Baldivis Youth Photography Competition
Have an eye for a good shot? Enter your photo for the chance to WIN a Stockland Baldivis gift card, plus have your photo on show!
Categories:
Years 3 to 6: Native Flora, Native Fauna & The Ocean
Years 7 to 10: Weather, Natural Features & The Ocean
Entries are open on Saturday, 2nd July and close on Saturday, 13 August 2022.
For full details visit:
Mass Times:
Masses
Saturday vigil : 6 pm
Sunday morning : 9:30 am (with Children's liturgy)
Sunday evening : 5 pm
Tuesday to Friday (except first Friday): 9 am
First Friday of every month: 6 pm
First Saturday of each month: 9.00 am
Reconciliation
Saturday: 5:30 pm (before Mass)
Sunday: 4:30 pm (before Mass)
Tuesday to Friday: Before Mass or during Holy Hour
Holy Hour
Tuesday : 6 pm
Wednesday : 8 am
First Friday of every Month: 5 pm
Rosary
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (except 1st Friday of the month) : after 9am Mass
Sunday : 8.30am
Online Community
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