Programs

We have ...

Energy Breakthrough

The RACV Energy Breakthrough is an exciting program designed to provide opportunities for students, teachers, parents and local industry to work together to design and construct a vehicle, a machine or innovation in technology that will represent an 'energy breakthrough'.

The program encourages participants to examine and use the latest technology while considering its impact on the environment and the way people live locally and globally.

The Patch

A way of extending our children's involvement with the environment is through the creation and caring of our extensive vegetable garden named "The Patch". Vegetables are grown, chickens lay eggs and our students incorporate food technology as part of their education.

The Patch is an alternative learning environment that is used to combine real life, practical experiences with learning outcomes.

Students investigate the science behind growing nutritious food locally and learn about the amazing processes that makes a garden ecosystem function. This area also addresses a number of curriculum areas in a fun and engaging learning space.

Alternative Lunch Programs

St Therese's community reaches out to all those who need support in many different ways. At lunchtimes, there are alternative activities offered to the students between 2.00 - 2.30pm including activities such as games club, drawing club, reading club, dancing, circus and other activities.

Sacramental Program

The Sacramental Program is parish based with the school strongly supporting the program by having all students undertaking parallel units of study at the school level.

A child who has been baptised in the Catholic Church would normally commence preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist in Year 3. This is up to the parent's discretion and parents would need to indicate their child's readiness to the Parish Sacramental Co-ordinator.

For a child who has been Baptised in another faith denomination such as Uniting, Anglican etc., it is encouraged that the child continue to receive their Sacraments in their chosen faith.

Enquiries can be directed to the Parish Office on 5443 3052.

Book Week

Each year, schools and libraries all over Australia spend a fabulous week celebrating Australian books, authors and illustrators and here at St Therese's, we're no different! Every year, in preparation for our own Book Week celebration, we explore the wonderful books short listed by the Children's Council of Australia and enjoy songs and activities to gain a greater appreciation of these stories!

Why not pop in yourself and browse through the books Laura has on display in the library. The theme is different every year and our school community holds a dress up day and has a parade to help the Book Week celebrations.  It is enjoyed by students, staff and parents.

Terry Jarvis - Artist in Residence!

During recent years, we have been lucky to have Terry Jarvis, a renowned artist well known for his amazing watercolour artworks, visit our school and work with a group of our children! We are very excited to welcome Terry back each year and offer the same opportunity to a group of Senior students who will share in Terry's amazing talent and knowledge of watercolours.

Indonesian Cultural Day

During this fabulous Cultural Day celebration, Ibu Etty and her two friends, Pak Aaron and Ibu Nita, will give children a peek into the wonderful world of Indonesian music and dance by providing musical instruments to play and colourful costumes to dress up in while performing cultural dances taught by Nita.

Etty will also provide Indonesian games to play and becaks to ride with the whole day finishing in a wonderful concert given by the older students for the younger ones! Everyone is most welcome to come along and join us for this amazing celebration of Culture...don't forget the camera!!

Community of Readers

Teachers engage students in valuable and purposeful reading activities during community of readers time.  Therefore, each day from 8:45am – 9:00am teachers, parents and students are invited to be in their classrooms to participate in our ‘Community of Readers’ program.

This provides an opportunity for teachers to hear individual children read in order to monitor their progress, through the use of running records or providing feedback to students. This reading time provides an extra 50 hours of valuable reading practise per year.

Please ensure that your child makes the most of this opportunity by arriving at school before 8:45am. The teachers will all have their classrooms opened at 8:30am to allow the children to be organised and settled for a prompt start.

Please encourage your child to come straight to the classroom on arrival at school. Parents are welcome to accompany their children into the classroom and stay with them to read.

In-Service Program for Staff

Total Staff:

During the course of the year, the school is allowed to close for five days so the staff can devote this time to planning or attending In-service programs. Parents will be notified well in advance of these days.

Individual Staff:

During the year individual staff will attend various in-service programs to update strategies and teaching ideas.

Physical Education & Support

Lessons are taken by class teachers and by visiting specialists. The emphasis is always on maximum participation. Unless medically unfit, it is expected that all children take part. If children cannot participate an explanatory note must be sent.

The Bluearth program is used as a basis for sport lessons.

The P.E. Program consists of Gymnastics (Jets Gym), Dance, Minor Games, Major Games, Athletics, Swimming (Paul Sadler Swimland) and Outdoor

Music Program

The school provides the children with music lessons as part of the Expressive Arts Program.

The Music Program is enhanced through the involvement of instrumental music teachers who offer individual lessons. These are held during lunch time or at another suitable time which can be negotiated between teacher and parent in the best interests of the individual child.

Buddies

Each Foundation (Prep) child is allocated a “buddy” from the Grade 5 Senior Unit, whose role it is to familiarize and support their younger friend in the playground. The buddies come together on a regular basis.  The following year when the Foundation (Prep) child moves into Grade 1, they keep their same buddy, who moves into Grade 6.  This buddy structure over 2 years allows the students to develop a deeper and more enduring relationship.

NSCSWP Worker

NSCSWP - National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare

The Student & Family Welfare Worker has three main roles:

A Pastoral Role

The S&FW Worker:

  • participates in a wide range of school community activities, and supports staff, to contribute to creating a caring and inclusive learning environment within the school.
  • with written, informed parental consent provides ongoing personal assistance with individual students, subject to duty of care, consent, confidentiality and disclosure requirements and the code of conduct.
  • is available to provide ongoing support to individuals and/or families.
  • provides additional opportunities for families to feel supported.
  • provides factual and impartial information about, network with, and be a link to, the support and services provided through community groups, local council and government agencies.
  • consults and liaises with student counsellors and other staff about student safety, wellbeing or learning while maintaining appropriate confidentiality, and referring students to other staff as required.
  • is a mandated notifier, and thus is required to report any suspected abuse or neglect as required by state legislation.
  • provides a reference point for addressing social issues
  • provides access to resources from the broader community which are relevant to school programs.
  • is available to give input into health and social education courses (e.g. in the areas of grief, self-esteem, values or relationships).
  • is available to give assistance with camps and excursions, and, where appropriate, initiate activities such as voluntary clubs or groups in the school.
  • supports groups such as the Student Representative Council and the Peer Support Program

A Referral Role

The S&FW Worker:

  • provides factual and impartial information about, network with, and be a link to, the support and services provided through community groups, local council and government agencies.
  • consults and liaises with student counsellors and other staff about student safety, wellbeing or learning while maintaining appropriate confidentiality, and referring students to other staff as required.
  • is a mandated notifier, and thus is required to report any suspected abuse or neglect as required by state legislation.

A Resource Role

The S&FW Worker:

  • provides a reference point for addressing social issues
  • provides access to resources from the broader community which are relevant to school programs.
  • is available to give input into health and social education courses (e.g. in the areas of grief, self-esteem, values or relationships).
  • is available to give assistance with camps and excursions, and, where appropriate, initiate activities such as voluntary clubs or groups in the school.
  • supports groups such as the Student Representative Council and the Peer Support Program
  1. 2. This service offered by the S&FW Worker is accessed by school community members on a voluntary basis.
  2. 3. The S&FW Worker is managed by the principal and complements, enhances and collaborates with the school’s Pastoral Wellbeing Team, School Counsellor, and other school support staff, etc.
  3. 4. Students are able to access the S&FW worker through the Pastoral Wellbeing Team.
  4. 5. A Grievance Procedure for any formal complaint is available from the School Principal.

Outreach

St Therese's community reaches out to all those who need support in many different ways.

Reaching Out In Service To The Wider Community

St Therese's School community is committed to being of active service to all who are in need of support and comfort.

The following structures are in place to provide an outreach service:

  • Casserole Bank
  • Class Reps
  • P & F Reps
  • Pastoral Wellbeing Team - (see "Team" section of "Wellbeing")
  • Links to Centacare and other agencies
  • Home visitation and phone calls
  • St Vincent de Paul (Giving Mass, Christmas Hampers)
  • CARITAS
  • Anointing Mass, lunch service and entertainment for older parishioners
  • Choir performances in the wider community
  • Visits to Strath Haven and Bignold Park
  • "Open Door" policy
  • Portsea Lord Mayor's Camp
  • Seasons for Growth program
  • Memorial Garden
  • Children with special needs camp at Harrietville
  • Children’s counsellor