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- Principal's Message
- RE Week 8 - Our Common Home - Connecting with ourselves
- Birthdays this week
- Awards Term 4 Week 8 2022
- Upcoming Events
- Colour Run Reminder - Monday 5 December
- Christmas Carols & BBQ
- Tommy's Tales
- Year 1 - BFG
- Mary MacKillop College - Music Academy
- TeamKids Summer Flyer
- TeamKids Big School Ready
Dear Parents and Carers,
With only two weeks to go, we are in for a busy and fun time over the coming 9 days left of the school year.
Congratulations to our School Leaders for 2023
Last week we had the pleasure of listening to 23 Year 5 students give speeches to the school community, stating why they would be an excellent choice for the School Representative Council. I was impressed with the depth of understanding they showed for the role and their individual pledges to do the best they can for the school and the students, should they be successful. Each and every one was a worthy candidate. After careful consideration by the students and staff, the votes were cast and counted. I am pleased to announce our Student Representative Council members (SRC) for 2023 are:
Daniel Glynn, Verity Bryce, Jared Earl, Sophie Patron, Noah Tapp and Holly Smith.
Following the election of the School Captains, Thursday saw the speeches by the candidates for Sports House Captains take place. Again, the calibre of candidates was high. I am pleased to announce our House Captains for 2023 are:
Erindale: Alexa Keough and Penny Warren
Riverview: Olivia Marcelja and Aislinn O’Dwyer
Lanyon: Maddie Lowes and Leo Blair
Cooleman: Anabella Diamond and Rory Bayer
I look forward to working with these school leaders in 2023. These students will be presented with their badges at the Opening of the School Year Mass at 9:30m, Friday 10 February.
Parent Teacher Interviews
These will take place next week. Please follow the link to book a time. Make sure you select your child's teacher in the drop down menu.
All interviews will be face-to-face unless otherwise requested, by emailing your child's teacher.
Christmas Movie for school
On Wednesday next week, we will be having a whole school Christmas Movie afternoon. We have chosen the movie ELF. This is a well know family favourite that we can all enjoy. It is has a PG rating. This is due to a mild swear word being spoken, so if you would prefer that you child doesn’t watch the movie, please email your child’s teacher directly and we will make other arrangements for them. Years 3 to 6 student will also be using this as a ‘viewing’ assessment with a comprehension and recall activity been given to them on Thursday. We never miss a learning opportunity. The leadership team will be supervising the students for the movie so that the classroom teachers can have the whole afternoon and evening for Parent Teacher Interviews. Children are welcome to bring a cushion or pillow to sit on if they wish.
Kindergarten Orientation
The Orientation Morning for students coming to Kindergarten in 2023 took place last Thursday and again today. The pre-schoolers spent time in the classrooms and were introduced to the environment and some routines of ‘big school’. They were welcomed by the Kindergarten teachers for 2023, Ms Lauren Jameson and Ms Amy Gallagher. Their parents then met in the hall with the leadership team for an information session. Starting primary school is a significant event in the lives of children and their parents. We are looking forward to making all families (new and old) feel very welcome at St Thomas the Apostle School.
Carols Night
The SCC will be hosting our annual end of year Carols Night. This will be on Thursday 8 December (Week 9) starting at 6pm and will include a School Picnic and Sausage Sizzle. This will be a wonderful occasion to celebrate together, the end of a great year at St Thomas’. A note has gone home on Compass with all the details. Families are welcome to bring a picnic blanket and enjoy the festive atmosphere. (This also means a night off in the kitchen, so will be welcomed by the cooks in the family!). To make sure we cater appropriately, please let us know how many sausage sandwiches your family will need. You can let us know by filling in the electronic form by clicking this link.
Soft drinks and water will also be on sale for $1 per can/bottle. During the course of the evening, each year level will sing two carols and the choir will perform and lead us in the singing of some of the traditional Christmas Carols. The evening will wrap up at about 8pm, so all our beautiful students can be tucked up in bed by 8:30pm!
School Fees
A reminder that school fees are now overdue. For those who are not on a regular direct debit with us I ask that you settle your account with us as soon as possible so that we are able to meet our budgetary commitments at this time of year. Payment of these fees can be made by cash, credit card, EFTPOS, BPay or Direct Debit.
May you find joy and peace in this season of Advent
Ursula Jamieson
Principal
RE Week 8 - Our Common Home - Connecting with ourselves
We approach the second week of advent this weekend and light the candle that represents peace. The next few weeks are some of the busiest of the year. We are busily setting up Christmas decorations and organising social events including the family gathering on Christmas Day. Advent is a time of preparation and spiritual cleaning. Take time this week to slow down amongst the business and experience peace with God. A few moments of stillness and silence can bring to mind what is really important and allow us to focus on God and others. This is what happened on Christmas Day when Jesus was born. It was a beautiful moment of peace amongst everything else that was going on at the time.
We invite you to engage with the following activity this advent. The resource can be used individually or in a group to reflect on advent and how can prepare to encounter Christ at Christmas.
Carols at 10am Mass on Sunday 4 December
All St Thomas students are welcome to sing with the school choir at mass this Sunday at 10am. We will be singing Away in a manger and Silent night after communion. We will sit on the right-hand side of the Church and students will come to the choir area after communion to sing their carols.
Vinnies Christmas Appeal
The Christmas season is near, and it is a joyful time for many. Yet as we know, it can be a challenging time for less fortunate people. We are putting together hampers of goodies for families in need this Christmas. Your child will nominate to bring an item in to contribute to their classes hamper by Monday 12 December, Week 10.
If you would like to donate further, there will be a giving tree in the front office. You can donate gifts of a toy or activity for a child of any age by leaving them under the tree.
Our Mini Vinnies team has been working hard this year to make life easier for those in need. We thank the students for their efforts and example of helping others this year.
Parish Carols Night
The parish are holding a carols night and BBQ on Saturday 10th December after 6pm mass. It will be held in the school hall and will include carols and dancing! Everyone is welcome to attend.
Geoff Ryan
REC
The Awards were presented to the students at morning assembly on
Date |
Event |
Sunday 4 December |
Christmas Carols Mass 10am |
Monday 5 December |
Colour Run |
Wednesday 7 December |
Year 6 students Mary MacKillop College Orientation Day |
Thursday 8 December |
Carols & BBQ 6pm |
Friday 9 December |
Kindergarten Nativity 2pm |
Monday 12 December |
Year 6 Graduation Mass 9:30am Year 6 Graduation Celebration 6:30pm |
Tuesday 13 December |
Big Splash for Year 6 |
Thursday 15 December |
Last day of Term 4 for all students |
Hi,
On Monday I lost my very first puppy tooth! I had a visit from the tooth fairy who left me a delicious puppy treat. Yummmm!
I have been super busy visiting lots of classrooms and joining in with lots of fun activities around my school!
I especially loved joining all my school mates out on the oval for the Active Australia sport program which is run by the Year 5/6 students. So much fun!
Today I met lots of excited children that will be starting kindergarten next year! They looked like they were having lots of fun!
Love Tommy