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- Principal's Message
- RE Term 2 - "Year of the Holy Spirit"
- Upcoming Events
- Awards Term 2 Week 10 2024
- The Resilience Project
- Birthdays
- Bookclub July
- Fete News
- TeamKids Newsletter
- TeamKids Winter Holiday Program
- Canberra Gang Show
- GKR Karate
- Holiday Happenings
- St Thomas the Apostle Church Feast Day - Mini Fair
- Fete: Craft Group
- Beading Workshop for Students - Friday 26 July
- Meraki Community Projects - Family Information Session - Kindness Circles
- Meraki Community Projects - Holiday Crafted Tales
- Mura Lanyon Community Services Flyer
- Photos - Year 5/6 Space Dioramas
- Photos - Winter Solstice
- Photos - Disney Dress Up Day
- Photos - ACT Junior Chess League
- Photos - St Thomas the Apostle Day
- Photos - GWS Giants Women's AFL Team Visit
Dear Parents and Carers,
Today being the last day of Term 2, marks us halfway through the school year. It’s been a productive term with engaging teaching and learning in our classrooms resulting in positive academic growth for our students. We also have had many community events taking place, that have given opportunities for our families to come together.
St Thomas the Apostle Feast Day and Winter Woolies
On Wednesday this week we had a wonderful day, celebrating the feast of St Thomas the Apostle. In the morning, we gathered for Mass in the church, and it was heartwarming to see so many parents and parishioners join us. After that, we gathered in the sunshine and shared a picnic morning tea. During the middle session, the students were organised into groups with children from Kinder to Year 6. They participated in various activities centered around St Thomas the Apostle, who he was, what he did and what he means to us.
It was also the annual Vinnies Winter Woolies Day. In the afternoon, the team from Vinnies received a huge collection of supplies, which will be distributed to the homeless in Canberra. Our generous families donated a huge number of beanies, scarves, blankets and gloves that were loaded into the Night Patrol Van. The SVDP crew was deeply grateful for the generosity of the St. Thomas the Apostle families.
A big thank you to Geoff Ryan, our REC, for organising such an inspiring day and to Angela Bartkowiak for coordinating the Winter Woolies Appeal.
Safe on Socials
Thank you to the parents who were able to attend the ‘Safe on Socials’ webinar that was presented by Kirra Pendergast. I asked for feedback from those who attended as an incentive to the parents and carers who weren’t able to join on the live webinar. Here is what they had to say…
“Kirra is a world leading expert in online/cyber safety, her real life examples were thought provoking and an eye opener for today’s parents. It’s a credit to the school that we can attract such a world leading expert to present to us.”
As a mother of two teenage children, technology surrounds their world. They have grown up with it, use it daily, interact with it, are very skilled with it and as a parent I am forever making sure that they are safe on a variety of different platforms. Last week while listening to Kirra Pendergast I was continually thinking I wonder if my children are doing this in their bedrooms? Could someone get access to information about them because they have posted a photo with their dogs? Who is watching, interacting with them on games that they are playing? Do I talk enough to them about being safe online?
If you missed this webinar I would highly recommend you listen to it. Some valuable information for us as parents in the world we are living in now.
It was an eyeopener, I know the kids are well advanced in IT far more than I am. I thought I had kept up as best I can, but I am sadly mistaken. Games I thought they were playing, aren’t games they are Worlds and Worlds can be scary places. It has given me the confidence to talk to my children about Cyber Safety and feel like I know what I am talking about rather than them teaching me.
"Safe on Social" webinar last week was very informative and useful. Kirra put the balance of risk and benefit of online and social media. She is very realistic, rather than banning the kids on social media, she gave strategies like down/limit time, parental control, etc
Thank you to Luke Mooney for organising this significant event for our parents and carers.
As this was a closed webinar, the link is only available to our school community. Therefore, the link will be sent to our families via Compass.
School Community Council (SCC)
The SCC met last week for our regular Week 9 meeting. There was much discussion and even excitement about the possibilities the new model of the SCC brings, mainly the opportunities for more parents and carers to be involved in different aspects of school life.
You will hear more next term about the progress of the Parent Engagement Grant and the installation of our Ninja Playground. As always, we are always looking for parents and carers to become involved in our many school activities. Please see the flyer below to see how you can be part of something that is happening here at St Thomas the Apostle School.
Outside Toilet Block Refurb
After a few hiccups in approvals, the refurbishment of the outside toilet block will begin in the holidays. It will take the best part of Term 3 to complete. While this is happening, the students will use the lower primary toilets at recess and lunch.
School Resumes for Term Three on Tuesday 23 July
TEAMKIDS are taking bookings for their holiday program and also for care, if required on Monday 22 July.
Have a restful mid-winter break. I hope you all get to have some sleep ins and pyjama days.
Yours in partnership,
RE Term 2 - "Year of the Holy Spirit"
St Thomas the Apostle Feast Day
We celebrated our St Thomas the Apostle Feast Day on Wednesday this week. The day included Mass with our community, a shared recess with families, activities focussed on St Thomas and a visit from the Vinnies Night Patrol Van. It was a special day for our community that was full of joy, peace and generosity.
St Vincent de Paul
Thank you for all the generous donations for the Vinnies Winter Appeal. We were able to give the Night Patrol Van many beanies, socks and other warm clothing items. It was beneficial for our students to see the generosity of our community and how the donations can support people in need.
St Thomas the Apostle Feast Day
This weekend we have presentation Masses for the sacrament of First Eucharist. You are invited to come to one of the Masses to support these students on their faith journey. Mass times are Saturday 6pm, Sunday 8:30am and Sunday 10am. The Winter Fair will also be on after the Sunday Masses this weekend.
Geoff Ryan
REC
Date |
Event |
Friday 5 July |
Term 2 ends - school holidays start |
Saturday 6 July |
Presentation Mass (Eucharist) 6pm |
Sunday 7 July |
Presentation Mass (Eucharist) 8:30am or 10am |
Monday 22 July |
Pupil Free Day |
Tuesday 23 July |
Term 3 starts for students |
Friday 26 July |
NAIDOC Mass |
Monday 29 July |
Questacon Science Circus |
Thursday 1 August |
First Nations Art & Weaving Workshops |
Friday 2 August |
Olympics Day |
Calendar
To view the Parent and Carers calendar please follow the link below to our school website. This calendar is very user friendly and clear to view on mobile phones.
The Awards were presented to the students at morning assembly on
their blue band.
Celsey Finnigan
Did you know …
We spend 49% of our waking hours thinking about something other than what we’re doing!
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our:
- Immune system
- Energy levels
- Sleep quality
- Awareness
- Memory
- Productivity
Why don’t you give it a go? Find a mindfulness activity that suits you and that you enjoy, everyone is different. Below are some suggestions:
- Listening to music
- Exercise (eg: walking)
- Colouring
- Puzzles
- Meditation
- Yoga
Happy Birthday
to the following students and staff
who are celebrating a birthday this week
and in the holidays
Mason B
Charlie K
Elle S
Grace M
Sophie D
Mia N
Emily D
Charlotte N
Harry C
Robert D
Liesl V
Fletcher K
Arlo D
Ella B
Harrison S
Xavier M
William G
Michael H
Oscar L
Jessica O
Alyssa K
Vincent S
Max P
Emily O
Mrs Trussler
Our Fete Committee is already in full swing working hard to organise this years Fete.
Sponsors!
Do you or someone you know own a Business? We are actively seeking sponsors for this year's event! Sponsorship is a fantastic opportunity to support our community while promoting your business to a wide audience. We have various levels of Sponsorship on offer to suit business needs.
Volunteers
We are also seeking Volunteers for our big day! Stall holders, general volunteers and setup /pack up are some of the roles we are looking to fill.
Please share this with your networks and join us in making this year's fete unforgettable. Your support is vital in bringing our community together and to make our Fete a continued success.
Contact the Fete Committee by Email to get involved sttapskambahfete@gmail.com
Other ways you can help is to like and share our Fete Facebook Page to get the word out.
In the first week of the school holidays, over 100 Scouts and Guides from the ACT will come together to present the annual variety show, Canberra Gang Show. We would love it if you would be able to help us promote the show by including this poster in your newsletter between now and the holidays.
![Craft_fete_image.jpg](https://prod005-au.sz-cdn.net/sttapkambah/media/15513/240621042057902/200x123/craft_fete_image.jpg)
Our first session will be on Tuesday 23 July at 9:30am in the Parish Meeting room.
No experience is needed – just join us in having fun and enjoying a cuppa and cake.
Contact: Trudie 0419 293 190
Beading Workshop for Students - Friday 26 July
Trudy from the St Thomas the Apostle parish will be running a beading workshop at lunch time on Friday 26 July for all students.
It will be held in the Library and the craft items will be supplied by Trudy.
Meraki Community Projects - Family Information Session - Kindness Circles
Meraki Community Projects - Holiday Crafted Tales
INVITE A FRIEND OR RELATIVE TO REGISTER AND BOTH CHILDREN RECEIVE 15% OFF. THAT'S $8.50 FOR 90 MINS OF FUN!