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- Principal's Report
- SCC Carols Night
- RE Week 8 - Energised Through the Soul
- Upcoming Events
- Awards Week 8
- Wellbeing Wall
- Canteen News
- Christmas Hampers
- Library News
- Kinder Excursion - National Zoo and Aquarium Photos
- Will Lipscombe Art Award Photos
- Inclusion Day Photos
- Student Achievement
- Active Travel
Dear Parents and Carers,
At this time of the year there is always a lot of change, with students graduating primary school and families moving away from Canberra. It’s hard to say goodbye to the friends we have made and the people we have grown to love. One of those very special people in our community, is Veronica Harris. We have been ever so blessed to have Veronica as our Wellbeing Counsellor for the past two years. Student, family and staff wellbeing are something that she has nurtured in abundance over this time. Veronica and her husband Bede will be moving to Albury before the end of the year, where Bede will continue his work with Charles Sturt University. On behalf of the St Thomas the Apostle Community I sincerely want to thank Veronica for the love, care, compassion and concern she has shown to us. People like Veronica are a blessing and we are going to miss her terribly. We wish her all the very best for the future and we know that she will stay in touch. Veronica’s last day with us is next Tuesday, December 10th. We will be farewelling Veronica at the morning assembly.
Cultural Champion Award
This year at St Thomas the Apostle, we have introduced a Cultural Inclusion Award. Throughout the second semester, a number of children and Year groups have been identified as taking a proactive approach to embracing and celebrating Australia’s Cultural diversity, but more importantly our rich traditional Australian history. This has been through story-telling, art, games and research. Australia is the home of the oldest living culture and it is important that at schools we provide the opportunity for all Australian children to truthfully learn about the richness of the traditions and history of this culture, to understand the culture and keep it alive for future generations. It is also vital to break down barriers that exist because of a lack of truth, respect and understanding.
Tomorrow, at our last assembly, we will be announcing the overall winner for the year and they will be presented with the “St Thomas the Apostle 2019, Cultural Champion Trophy”. This is named after and will be presented by one of our parents, Mr Dion Devow, who was the 2018 ACT Australian of the Year. The recipient of this award has been identified as demonstrating integrity and respect for cultural differences and inclusion.
Thanksgiving Liturgy
This is on next Monday 9th December in the hall at 9.00am. You are all most welcome to join us for this special liturgy.
Thank You Morning Tea
This is for anyone who has helped out at the school in any way at all throughout 2019. The morning tea will follow on the Thanksgiving Liturgy next Monday 9th December at about 9:45am and will be held in the library. I hope that all of our helpers are able to make this morning tea as it is our simple way of saying “thank you” for your assistance and support of the school over this past year.
Carols Night
The SCC will be hosting our annual end of year Carols Night. This will be on Thursday Night Week 9 – December 12h starting at 6pm and will include a School Picnic and Sausage Sizzle. This will be a fitting occasion to celebrate together, the end of a great year at St Thomas’. A note has gone home with all the details (see below). Families are welcome to bring a picnic dinner, however, a sausage sizzle will be available for a gold coin donation (per family). This 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
Please note: if you have an android phone you will need to copy the link into your browser.
Soft drinks and water will also be on sale for $1 per can. 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!
May you find joy and peace in this season of Advent,
Ursula Jamieson
Principal
RE Week 8 - Energised Through the Soul
Confirmation
As we enter this season of Advent, we ask God to still our hearts, to calm our minds, and to focus our attention on all we have to be grateful for.
Our focus for this year, Energised to Evangelise, has reminded us of our mission to proclaim the Good News through word and action. The most authentic way we can do this is through our interactions.
We take time now to reflect on our capacity to be energised through the heart, through creation, through our soul and through each other. We think about how we can share these gifts with others.
The blessings of peace,
The beauty of hope,
The spirit of love,
The comfort of faith,
May these be your gifts this Christmas season.
Amen
Thanksgiving Liturgy
Next, Monday 9th December, we will celebrate our thanksgiving liturgy. Families are very welcome to join us in the hall for this special occasion. Following the liturgy will be our annual Thank you Morning Tea. We are always grateful for the generous way members of our community offer their time and energy to benefit our students.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
It is wonderful to witness your generosity in the form of our overflowing hampers. Families wishing to donate presents to the Giving Tree are very welcome to leave donations at the front office. Donations of gifts for any age and gender are welcomed.
Global School Partners
If you are looking for some heartfelt gifts for family members, the organisation with whom we have partnered offer many ways that you can donate directly to our partner school, to communities or to any of the many projects that have through the following link
Date |
Event |
Friday 6 December |
Assembly (Yr 1) 2.30pm |
Monday 9 December |
Prayer (Mini Vinnies) 9am Thank you Morning Tea 9.45am SCC Meeting & Dinner 6pm |
Thursday 13 December |
Year 5/6 Fun Day Class Mass (KR 3/4LE) 9.30am Reconciliation (3/4LO) 11.40am SCC Carols Night 6-8pm |
Friday 6 December at 2.30pm
Kinder | Georgina George, Delilah Costanzo James McGoldrick, Harry Cameron |
Year 1 |
Kiaan Kapoor, Sofia Pearman, |
Year 2 |
Griffin Moule, Patrick Bartlett, |
Year 3/4 |
Josh Burt, Abrylle McInerney, Jade Tesolin, |
Year 5/6 |
Rachel Niven, Olivia Grellman, |
Cultural Award |
To be announced at Assembly |
Congratulations to the following students
who will receive awards at this week's Assembly
Blue Mates Band Awards
Lucy O'Brien
Rodrigo Win
Harlen Greene
Emma O'Loughlin
Congratulations to the following students
who will receive awards at this week's Assembly
Colleen Mulheren Bookworm Award
Vincent McInerney
Alyssa Keeffe
Rodrigo Win
Mila Sommariva
Leo Blair
Hyacinth Connolly
Gregory McGoldrick
Graydon Read
Ielyn Shaji
Matilda Keefe
Deema Ablahd
Will Lipscombe Memorial Art Awards
Congratulations to everyone who made a Christmas card for this competition. There were so many good drawings that it made choosing the winners very difficult! The winners are:
Overall Winner |
Georgina Jenkins 5/6G |
Kinder - Year 2 |
Winning entry - Sarah Bryan 1B Highly commended - Raffaele Giacomin 2V |
Year 3/4 |
Winning entry - Angela Strmota 3/4LO Highly commended - Elena Munoz 3/4LE |
Year 5/6 |
Joint Winning entries - Highly commended - Jack Miels-Barrett 5/6R |
Indonesian Awards from Mrs Clifford
Bonnie Bryce | Ava Harradine | Caitlyn Hackney-Britt |
Clyde Lipton | Lucy Cameron | Caitlin Barter |
James McGoldrick | Olivia Marcelja | Sienna Devow |
Zachary Clynch | Eloise Byfield | Delilah Ewings |
Daiva Alagappan | Dominique Busa | Matilda Hawke |
Verity Le | Elena Munoz | Jennifer Hoskinson |
Alyssia Iglesias | Claire van der Linden | Elise Warner |
Zoë Adcock | Darcie Jenkins | Adele Abbott |
Leo Blair | Abrylle McInerney | Bethany Smith |
Sophie Patron |
Dear Parents and Carers and Children
I have been very blessed to work at St Thomas the Apostle and would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you as I begin a new adventure with my husband as we move to Victoria in Week 9.
As I was saying to our wonderful teachers, it has been a joy and a privilege to work at St Thomas. Thank you for being so welcoming and for supporting me in my role.
I firmly believe children are in the best place to be ‘ready to learn’ and ‘ready to play’ when they have the headspace to do so, and this can only happen when wellbeing and mental health is everyone’s business as it is in our St Thomas the Apostle Community.
I hold another passionate belief which is linked to the evidence-based research of Mary Helen Immordina-Yang, who links education and neuroscience research to say ‘we feel and therefore we learn.’
I thank each of you and your beautiful children as we together pursue the common goal of learning with love.
In Gratitude, and as is said in South Africa, Hamba Kahle, Sala Kahle, Go well and Stay well.
Veronica Harris
Wellbeing Officer
A reminder that week 9 is the last week to place recess and lunch orders of hot food.
During week 10, counter sales of drinks, ice blocks and snacks will be available.
These may include some red food items ie chips, lollies and treats, that the canteen usually would not sell.
Please note: NO HOT FOODS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. If your child attempts to place a lunch order during week 10, an emergency sandwich will be made by staff for them.
Week 9 Uniform shop opening hours:
Wednesday 2:30 - 3:30
Thursday 8:20 - 9:30
Week 10 Uniform shop opening hours:
Wednesday 2:30 - 3:30
Thursday 8:20 - 9:30
Friday 9:30 - 3:30
Our new school shirts, which are replacing the plain blue polo, are on sale for $19. There is a two year change over period for Yrs 1-6.
Paula Papandrea
Canteen Manager