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- Principal's Report
- RE Week 9 - Be still and know that I am God
- Working Bee
- Library News
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- September Birthdays
- Congratulations
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- Photos - Award Recipients Week 6
- Photos - Award Recipients Week 8
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- Photos - Eucharist Retreat Day
- Floriade Reimagined
- Year 1 Artwork - Red Monster
- Rosary Garden
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Dear Parents/Carers,
Congratulations to all our 12 students who received the Eucharist for the first time last night and to the 14 who will receive it tonight. Whilst we have always had a Sunday Mass surrounded by the parish community to celebrate this sacrament, COVID 19 restrictions have meant that we needed to have a more intimate celebration with only 87 allowed in the church. I am so pleased to say that this adjustment did not diminish the experience in any way. Each child had their family with them and almost every teacher was able to be part of one of the two masses. A small number of parishioners were allowed to form a (angelic!) choir and I thank them for their part in making this a very special event for our children. It has been uplifting to observe the children over the term as they have developed their understanding of this significant sacrament. To see the children complete their journey with the prayerfulness and grace with which they did, as part of the parish and school of St Thomas the Apostle, was simply beautiful.
A sincere thank you goes to the parents of our Year 4 students along with their teachers Tarthra Kennelly, Lauren Jameson, Rachel Kennedy and Judy Egan, for their role in preparing the children through the home and classroom program. Thank you to Trudie Reilly from the parish and to Penny Vanzwol our creative and inspiring REC for the coordination of the Eucharist program and the Mass itself. Also to Father Peter for being the supportive and faith filled parish priest that he is. The Eucharistic journey of our children has been another wonderful expression of community and it is an occasion for which the school and parish community can be justly proud.
Working Bee
It’s not too late to say you can help. Please email or phone the office if you can come on Sunday anytime between 8am and 12pm. As we are not able, due to restrictions, to make this the normal family gathering event, we are going to make the most of only adults coming and will be using power tools to get some ‘big’ work done. Lunch will be provided at 12 noon.
Floriade Reimagined
School Fees
A reminder that outstanding school fees are overdue. Payment of these fees can be made by cash, cheque, credit card, EFTPOS, Qkr, BPay or Direct Debit (Naomi can set that up). A reminder also that if at any time you experience difficulty in meeting your commitment in relation to fees please do not hesitate to come and speak with me at school.
May God bless you and your families,
Ursula Jamieson
Ursula Jamieson
Principal
RE Week 9 - Be still and know that I am God
Last night 12 Year 4 students received the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time. They approached the celebration with reverence and excitement and it was very clear that they had prepared their hearts and minds authentically. It was a beautiful evening well supported by their families and by the parish. As I said to the children, it was so special to have a group of parishioners provide the music for the evening. Yet another demonstration of the incredible community we have.
Tonight another 17 students will receive the Sacrament and we keep them in our prayers.
First Reconciliation Change of Date
Unfortunately we have had to change the date for First Reconciliation. This is due to a change of date for the Year 5/6 musical which will be held at St Mary McKillop College. The College Theatre is now required for the Secondary Board of Studies Assessment. This has had a flow on implication for Reconciliation. The change was unavoidable and we appreciate your understanding. The sacrament will now be held on WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER AT 6pm.
Community Prayer
Today we are going to think about the many times we say AMEN
Do we really know what it means when we say it?
Do we ever think about how we say it or why we say it?
AMEN is the most important word we say. It means I truly believe.
The word amen is used in all major faith traditions.
A more unusual translation of amen is said to be found in the story of the Israelites who wandered in the desert for 40 years on their way to the Promised Land. Desert conditions made travel tricky and unreliable. Travelers were vulnerable to heat, cold and violent wind storms. Because they were on the move, they lived in tents and had to find solid ground in which to drive their tent pegs. When they found that solid place in which to anchor their tent, they could be assured of shelter and protection from the elements. For the Israelites, where they placed their tent pegs was a matter of life and death. The word amen came to mean, “Now that I can drive my tent peg into.” In other words, “That is the place where I can anchor my life,” or, “I believe it to be so.”
We say the word amen many times at Mass, usually at the end of a greeting or a prayer. But there is one amen that stands above the rest. After the priest says or sings the doxology, “Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever,” the people respond with what is supposed to be a clear AMEN. It means we truly believe that something very special is happening. We truly believe that the bread and wine becomes the body and blood of Christ.
Penny Vanzwol
REC
Reminder Working Bee
Sunday 20 September
8am - 12pm
The children have engaged whole-heartedly in library lessons this term, working hard to produce a movie relating to their Inquiry Unit. They have demonstrated significant development in skills and understanding and are appropriately proud of their efforts.
Curious Creatures…. Sea otters hold hands while they're sleeping so they don't drift apart.
Trained pigeons can tell the difference between the paintings of Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet.
Teacher Librarian
Canteen Fun Food Day
On Thursday of Week 10 the Canteen will be selling some extra treats along side the usual counter sales.
Sales will be cash only. Please note, pre-ordering will not be available for these items.
There will be a variety of chocolates, chips, lollies ice blocks etc available until sold out, with prices ranging from 50c -$2
Lunch orders will remain as usual.
Uniform shop
As we start to head towards warmer weather, it is a timely reminder that students will be wearing thier summer uniform in Term 4.
Second hand uniform $5 per item.
New school bucket hats are available at $10 each.
Our new school crested polo shirts are also available to purchase at $19 each.
Uniform requirements can be emailed directly to myself or the school office. You will be notified when your order is ready to be paid for and collected via email. Payments can then be received via QKR, or eftpos and cash at the front office.
Paula Papandrea
paula.papandrea@cg.catholic.edu.au
6231 4144
or Naomi Trussler
office.sttapkambah@cg.catholic.edu.au
6231 4144
Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who are celebrating a birthday this week
We now have 3 lovely chickens in our school garden. They are very productive and are already laying eggs.
The students have "affectionately" named them Pancake, Snickers and Caramel.