Tēnā koutou katoa,
A warm welcome to St Theresa’s School, Invercargill which is an integrated Catholic Primary School catering for children from New Entrants to Year 6.
St Theresa’s is a place where children have positive learning experiences, a place where we can celebrate learning and success.
We have a curriculum that encourages innovation, and excellence through quality teaching and learning.
Our Catholic education encompasses the gospel values of Truth (Pono), Respect (Tapu), Perseverance (Hiringa), Courage (Maia) & Love (Aroha)
We foster the special character of our school through the charism of Saint Therese of Lisieux and our founders the Dominican order.
Our school culture encourages our children to develop and share their many gifts and talents.
We are fortunate to be supported by the St Theresa’s Parish Community as well as a very active Parent Group and Board of Trustees.
We look forward to you finding out more about what St Theresa’s can offer your whanau and together we can create the best possible learning environment for your children.
I know that by choosing this school, you are making a clear choice for what a Catholic education can do for your child now and in the future.
Our staff looks forward to welcoming your whanau to our community.
Julian Ineson
Principal
"Students have a strong sense of belonging and regularly contribute to school-wide decisions. Older students enjoy many opportunities to develop leadership skills and are willing to serve their school and community. Tuakana teina relationships are highly evident." (ERO 2019)
“The Gospel values, linked to the Dominican Charism, are the basis of who they are as a community. They are woven seamlessly in the day to day life at the school. Their mission statement, “Doing the Little Things Well”, linked to the life of St Therese of Lisieux, permeates across all that they do to try and make a difference in both their own lives and those of others.” (Special Character Review 2019)
“Creating a sense of whanau (belonging) has been a deliberate initiative to ensure that all children and whanau who come to this school feel welcome, included and cared for.” (Special Character Review 2019)
The Sacramental Programme is typically offered in Year 4, as the students reach an age where they are considered mature enough to complete the Sacraments of Initiation. The following sacramental programmes are completed throughout the year:
The Sacrament of Penance (or Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession) is for spiritual healing. Catholics believe Jesus left the Sacrament of Penance because only God’s grace can heal a wounded soul. After you confess your wrong-doings, the priest gives you a penance to perform. This may be doing something nice for others and/or a set of prayers, such as saying the Our Father or the Hail Mary, a certain number of times.
This sacrament is called Confirmation because the faith given in Baptism is now confirmed and made strong. Confirmation means accepting responsibility for your faith and destiny. The focus is on the Holy Spirit, who confirmed the apostles on Pentecost and gave them courage to practice their faith. Catholics believe that the same Holy Spirit confirms Catholics during the Sacrament of Confirmation and gives them the same gifts and fruits. The ceremony may take place at Mass and the Bishop wears red vestments to symbolize the red tongues of fire seen hovering over the heads of the apostles at Pentecost.
Of all seven sacraments the Holy Eucharist or Holy Communion is the most central and important to Catholicism. The Holy Eucharist is food for the soul, so it’s given and eaten during Holy Communion at the Mass. When you receive Holy Communion, you’re intimately united with Jesus Christ — he literally becomes part of you. Also, by taking Holy Communion, you express your union with all Catholics who believe the same doctrines, obey the same laws, and follow the same leaders. When boys and girls make their First Holy Communion, it’s a big occasion for Catholic families. Like their Baptism, the day of First Communion is one filled with family, friends, and feasting after the sacred event has taken place in church.