E-News
Welcome to This Week's College E-Newsletter!
As we near the end of a busy and vibrant Term 2, this edition of our College e-newsletter is a wonderful showcase of the spirit, talent, and dedication that defines our community. From student achievements in sport and the arts to enriching learning experiences and community engagement, it is inspiring to see our students thriving across all areas of College life.
This week’s highlights include cross-campus events, updates from our wellbeing and pastoral care teams, and a spotlight on the amazing work of the Friends of Mother Teresa, whose contributions continue to enhance our sense of community.
We invite you to read on and celebrate the many ways our staff, students, and families are living out our College values each day.
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents and Caregivers.
As we head toward the end of the term, it's a great time to acknowledge just how hard our students have been working this semester. Whether it's in the classroom, on the sports field, through creative arts, or in service to others, there’s been a strong sense of purpose and effort right across the College.
Our staff have continued to support and challenge students in their learning, encouraging them to set goals, reflect on their progress, and strive to be their best. It’s been encouraging to see so many students taking ownership of their learning and showing growth.
With reports being finalised and due to be released at the end of the term, families will soon have the opportunity to see how their child is progressing. These reports are more than just a snapshot of grades. They reflect the learning journey each student is on, the challenges faced, and the progress made.
We encourage parents and carers to sit down with their child and read through the report together. Take the time to talk about the areas where they have grown, celebrate the effort that’s gone in, and look ahead to what they want to focus on next. These conversations support learning and show your children that what they do every day matters.
Thank you for continuing to partner with us in supporting the learning and wellbeing of every student here at Mother Teresa Catholic College.
Mr. Jay Sutton
College Principal
2025 Events Calendar
![Swimming lessons [PP to Year 1]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ed7226e6cd7d9667d41555e/1736059652683-6E28629FHJPXWL6KRHPX/Swim+Icon.jpg)
Important Notices
Supporting Student Wellbeing During the Winter Months
As the winter season sets in, it’s not uncommon for students to feel a dip in energy, motivation, or overall mood. Shorter days, colder weather, and the pressures of the school year can sometimes lead to increased stress or feelings of low mood. At Mother Teresa Catholic College, we recognise the importance of prioritising mental health and wellbeing—particularly during this time of year.
Our provisional psychologist has compiled a helpful list of wellbeing apps that may assist students who are feeling overwhelmed or distressed. These tools are designed to support mental health through mindfulness, stress management, sleep improvement, and emotional regulation. A few recommended apps include:
Smiling Mind – Guided mindfulness and meditation programs tailored for young people.
Headspace – A user-friendly app offering relaxation, sleep, and focus exercises.
MoodMission – Provides evidence-based strategies to help manage low moods and anxiety.
ReachOut WorryTime – Helps students manage anxious thoughts by setting aside time to address them.
Calm – Focused on relaxation, meditation, and sleep support.
We encourage students and families to explore these resources together and find strategies that work for their individual needs.
Remember, you’re never alone. If you’re finding things a bit tough, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Mr Hiscott, your Head of Year, or your local GP are always here to support you.
Together, we can help ensure every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive—no matter the season.
Health Advice from the College Nurse
Our College Nurse, Mel, would like to share some important health advice about conjunctivitis, a common condition that may affect students, particularly during the colder months when colds and other viruses are more prevalent.
Conjunctivitis—sometimes called pink eye or sticky eye—occurs when the white part of the eye becomes pink or red. One or both eyes may be watery, itchy, or sore, and there may be a sticky white or yellow discharge. It can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, allergies, or irritants such as dust or chemicals.
Is it contagious?
Yes! Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are highly contagious. To help prevent the spread:
Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing
Wash your hands thoroughly after coughing or sneezing
Avoid touching your face and eyes
Do not share towels, face washers, eye drops or makeup
Wash towels, face washers, and bed linen regularly and dry them in sunlight where possible
Should my child stay home?
Yes – if your child has conjunctivitis, they should stay home until the discharge (pus) has stopped. Most cases clear up within 2–5 days, but keeping them home helps protect other students and staff.
How is conjunctivitis treated?
Conjunctivitis often clears up on its own. However, treatment depends on the cause:
Visit your local chemist for advice and treatment options
If symptoms persist or worsen, make an appointment to see your GP or optometrist for a proper diagnosis and care
For more detailed information, visit:
👉 healthdirect.gov.au/conjunctivitis
Looking after our eyes helps keep our whole community healthy. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and supportive environment for all.
Junior School Notices
Steps in Our Students' Sacramental Journey
This weekend marks a significant and sacred milestone in the lives of many of our young students as they receive their First Holy Communion at the College parish church. This is a deeply meaningful occasion in their faith journey, as they receive the Eucharist for the first time—nourishing their relationship with Jesus and affirming their place in the wider Catholic community. We keep these students and their families in our prayers and celebrate this joyful step in their ongoing spiritual formation.
Looking ahead, our Year 6 students are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation later this year. Confirmation is the final sacrament of initiation in the Catholic Church, sealing the gifts of the Holy Spirit and strengthening each child in their faith. To support this important moment, we invite all families with a Year 6 student participating in Confirmation to attend the Parent Information Night on Wednesday 23 July at 5.30pm in the Church.
This session will help parents understand the meaning and preparation for Confirmation and outline how they can actively support their child through this journey. Please confirm your attendance by completing the form linked below:
🔗 Parent Information Night RSVP
We thank our parish and community for walking alongside our students in faith, prayer, and support.
Junior School Cross Country: Honouring Courage and Fortitude
For the annual Junior School Cross Country, our junior school students, ranging from Pre-Primary to Year 6, put on their running shoes and headed to the track last week. Encouraged by their classmates, teachers, and families, students showed amazing tenacity, resolve, and house pride as they overcame the challenge, setting laps around the College grounds.
Even though the weather brought all four seasons in one day—rain one minute, sunshine the next—our students' zeal and excitement remained unfazed. Regardless of the weather, their fortitude and upbeat convictions were evident.
More than just a race, competitions like the Junior School Cross Country are an important aspect of students' growth. They foster the development of physical endurance, self-assurance, cooperation, and a feeling of belonging. Students learn the value of goal-setting, conquering challenges, and applauding teamwork from these experiences.
Boodjar won the Spirit Shield with 24 points, just ahead of Kep with 21, Kaal with 19, and Maar with 14. Boodjar led with 409 faction points, followed by Kep with 367, Maar with 256, and Kaal with 200.
We must say thank you to the staff and volunteers who helped make the event possible and congratulations to all of our students for their amazing efforts. What a wonderful demonstration of sportsmanship and house spirit!
Secondary School Notices
Surf Online Safe: Community Presentation with Paul Litherland
We are pleased to invite our College community to an important wellbeing-focused event—Surf Online Safe, presented by renowned online safety advocate Paul Litherland.
A former WA Police Officer with over 20 years of service, including five years in the internationally recognised Technology Crime Investigation Unit, Paul brings a wealth of experience and firsthand insight into the challenges of the digital world. Having seen the real impact of cyberbullying, online grooming, and digital fraud, Paul is now dedicated to empowering families with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the online world safely.
Since founding Surf Online Safe, Paul has presented at more than 850 schools across Australia, engaging with over 350,000 students. His presentations are both informative and practical—designed to resonate with students, parents, and educators alike. He equips young people with strategies to stay safe online, while also supporting parents in guiding their children through the digital space.
"Together, we can empower our children to recognise risks and make informed choices, creating a safer digital environment for everyone. Join me in this mission—let’s make the internet safer for our kids!" – Paul Litherland
This is a wellbeing-focused community event aimed at raising awareness, promoting critical thinking, and building digital resilience.
🗓 Date & Time: Wednesday, 30 June 2025
📍 Venue: Senior School, Occupied Stairs
To secure your spot, please check your email for the Consent2Go invitation and RSVP if you wish to attend. We encourage all families to take part in this important opportunity to support our students’ digital wellbeing.
Presentations and Careers Expo
On Monday 16 June the College hosted a Mini Career Expo after school, where our Year 9-12 students had the opportunity to explore various courses and gain valuable insights into their future careers. Representatives from South Metropolitan TAFE and four leading universities in our region (Curtin, ECU, Murdoch and Notre Dame) attended to share their expertise and knowledge.
Year 10 and Year 12 students also listened to presentations earlier in the day, on various pathways and opportunities on offer, learnt about VET programs available, apprenticeship pathways and the various university courses on offer. Our students listened respectfully and engaged in meaningful one-on-one conversations at the end of the presentations and during the expo, and it was great to see some parents and caregivers attending after school too. We hope the Mini Career Expo was a valuable experience for our students to assist them in discovering a multitude of exciting career options across a wide range of fields, and we look forward to them all following their passion and working in their desired vocation in the future.
A big thank you also to presenters from TISC (Tertiary Institutions Service Centre) who guided Year 12s through the application process to university on Monday and WorkSafe SmartMove who informed, prepared and empowered Year 10s to enable them to work safely in the workplace on Wednesday of this week.
Library News
High School Reading Competition
We are thrilled to announce the first High School Reading Competition which will run throughout the whole of Term 3.
Students will have a chance to earn House Points, with one House claiming the title of Reading Champions at the end of the term.
More details to come!
Looking After Books
With the weather getting wetter, please keep an eye on library books. We have had lots of books returned recently that are still wet, which can cause mould and damage to our other books.
If you notice your child has a wet bag, we encourage you to check their library book too and if it is wet, try to dry it out as best as possible. Some good care instructions can be found here: Caring for Wet Books
Family Reading Celebrations
Since the last newsletter, we finished up our Family Reading Month celebrations with the Pre-Primary and year 2 families.
A big thank you to all who came along—it was a joy to see you reading together!
Student & Staff Achievement
Honouring Excellence in Art!
We are pleased to announce that Padan, a Year 11 ATAR Visual Arts student, has been shortlisted for the 2025 Shaun Tan Award for Young Artists with her lino print piece "A Journey Through The Dark Woods."
A noteworthy accomplishment, Padan's placement in the top 20–25 entries in her category demonstrates her inventiveness, technical proficiency, and commitment to her artistic practice. Being shortlisted is a great honour because the Shaun Tan Award is a prestigious recognition of young visual artists throughout Western Australia.
Padan's continued artistic journey is greatly encouraged by this recognition of her talent. We hope to see her work included as a finalist in the next exhibition and wish her luck as she pursues the award. Excellent work, Padan!
Teeing Off with Talent: Fantastic Job, Parker!
Parker, a Year 2 student, competed in the modified division for Years 2 and 3 combined on Monday, representing his club with pride.
Competing against students from schools throughout Perth, Parker, the tournament's youngest player, showed exceptional skill and poise as he finished an amazing 9 holes at Lakelands Country Club.
Throughout the day, Parker's professionalism and upbeat demeanour were observed, and he received praise for his work on and off the course. Parker, what a wonderful accomplishment! Congratulations on your excellent performance, and we are all proud of you!
Community News
Join the Mother Teresa Catholic College Netball Club!
The Mother Teresa Catholic College Netball Club is more than just a sports team—it’s a vibrant, inclusive community where students can develop their skills, build friendships, and stay active. Netball is a fantastic way to boost fitness, enhance coordination, and develop teamwork, all while having fun.
Beyond the physical benefits, our club fosters confidence, social skills, and a strong sense of belonging. Players not only grow on the court but also in their personal development, making lifelong memories along the way.
Run by dedicated volunteers, we rely on the support of our College community. Whether you're interested in coaching, managing, or lending a hand at events, there’s always a place for you!
Come join us and be part of something special. Let’s play, grow, and succeed—together!
Friends of Mother Teresa
Firstly, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for your ongoing support of Friends of Mother Teresa. As we approach the end of Term 2, we reflect on what has been a fantastic term, made possible by our wonderful school community.
A special thank you to everyone who completed our recent survey. We received 130 responses and over 30 fantastic event suggestions — your input is greatly appreciated.
We are also excited to announce that the Mother’s Day and Father’s Day stalls will return in 2026, bigger and better than ever!
This week, we held a FOMT Committee Meeting on Monday 16th June to discuss fundraising items and future planning for 2026.
On Wednesday 18th June FOMT core members had a productive planning session with Business Manager Louis De Oliveria, Principal Jay Sutton, and Community Relations Coordinator Sandra Loveridge. We’re grateful for the school’s continued partnership as we begin preparations for next year’s events and fundraising initiatives.
And finally, some more great news — we now have both senior and junior school car park bays available to raffle off. Keep an eye on our social media channels, as ticket sales for Term 3 car park bays will be going live soon!
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
Dominique Brown
President of FOMT
Parish News
MASS TIMES
MONDAY: NO SERVICE
TUESDAY: 9:00AM
WEDNESDAY: 9:00AM
THURSDAY: 8:00AM
FRIDAY: 9:00AM
SATURDAY: 6:00PM
SUNDAY: 9:30AM & 5:00PM
RECONCILIATION
SATURDAY: 5:30PM TO 5:50PM
