Newsletter Term 4 Week 4 2025

Principal's Message

It’s hard to believe we’re already approaching the midpoint of Term 4!

The next six weeks promise to be action-packed, filled with the excitement of end-of-year celebrations and activities. And what better way to kick things off than with our much-loved fete this weekend!

St Thomas the Apostle Community Fete – Only One Sleep to Go!

The wait is almost over! Tomorrow is our long-awaited St Thomas the Apostle Community Fete, and excitement is building. Join us from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a wonderful day of fun, food, and festivities. There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy!

There’ll be a fantastic range of stalls to explore, including our crowd favourites - Treasure Trove, Arts and Crafts, Cakes and Sweets, a great Plant Stall, Show Bags, Side Show Alley, and of course, gelato and slushies to keep you cool!

Make sure you don’t miss the silent auction, pick-a-prize raffle, pony rides, and our adorable petting zoo. The excitement continues with live auctions just after midday. There are plenty of on-stage performances, including our school choir, taekwondo demonstrations, and dance school showcases.

If you’re able to lend a hand, even for an hour, your help would be greatly appreciated - many hands make light work and add to the community spirit.

Bonus Fun! Every student who comes to the fete will automatically go into the draw to win a big-screen TV! The lucky winner will be announced towards the end of the day, and students must be present to claim their prize.

Funds raised from the fete will be shared equally between our school and parish, helping to support initiatives that benefit both communities. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the dedicated volunteers from the school and parish who have worked tirelessly to bring this special event to life.

Just a friendly reminder to keep an eye on where you park — a few people have been fined in past years for parking on the footpaths, and we’d hate for that to happen again! A great option is to park on Chirnside Circuit near the Buffalo sheds, and enjoy a short walk across the oval to the fete.

It’s shaping up to be an unforgettable day so come along, join the fun, and be part of the St Thomas spirit!

Class Allocations for 2026

As we move through Term 4, planning for the 2026 school year is well underway. This includes finalising staffing arrangements and forming class groupings. At St Thomas the Apostle, our Class Allocation Policy ensures that the process is fair, transparent, and centred on the needs of all students.

Our teachers know their students deeply, their learning styles, friendships, strengths, and challenges. Because of this, they are best placed to make informed decisions about class placements. However, we also value the insights of parents and carers, particularly where information may assist in supporting your child’s well-being or learning. If you have specific concerns that you believe should be considered, please contact me directly to discuss them.

In year levels where multiple class groups are formed, we aim to create balanced and positive learning environments. When developing class lists, we take into account a range of factors, such as:

• Gender balance
• Diverse learning needs
• Work habits
• Cognitive ability
• Behavioural and social dynamics
• Health considerations
• Religious background (especially in Sacramental years)

Our goal is to ensure each class has a balanced mix of students and a supportive learning atmosphere. While we do our best to consider all educational concerns raised by families, it is not always possible to accommodate every request.

To help guide this process, the following principles apply:

• Every effort will be made to place each child in a setting that nurtures both their academic and social growth.
• Parents and Carers are welcome to share information about their child’s learning needs or any other considerations by making an appointment with me or sending an email - ursula.jamieson@cg.catholic.edu.au by Friday, Week 5 (14 November).  While all input is appreciated, requests for particular teachers cannot be accommodated, as placements are made with the best interests of all students in mind. Class placements are determined after consultation with teachers, the Classroom Support Teacher, School Counsellor, and School Wellbeing Officer to ensure a well-rounded perspective for each student.

On Thursday 18 December, students will have the opportunity to meet their 2026 class teacher and classmates. They will take part in an activity and enjoy lunch together. We also look forward to welcoming the new students who will be joining our school next year.

Please note that, after careful consideration and consultation, I will make the final professional decisions regarding class placements to ensure the best outcomes for all students.

Thank you for your continued understanding and support in helping us make this process as smooth and thoughtful as possible for every child.

Bike and Swimming Programs

Our Bike Riding Program for Years 3-6 has come to an end, and it’s been amazing to see students zoom around with confidence, sharpen their riding skills, and put our bike racks to good use. Well done to all our riders!

Next week, it’s time to splash into swimming lessons for Kinder to Year 4! Make sure your child brings swimmers, a towel, goggles, and a water bottle each day. With warmer weather ahead, it’s the perfect chance to have fun in the water while learning essential swimming and water safety skills. The students are set for a fortnight of fun, and confidence building in the pool!

Staffing Updates

As we continue through the term, we have a few updates about our staff. Bianca Breen is currently on maternity leave, and we are all excitedly awaiting news of the arrival of her little one. In her absence, Issy Doszpot will be stepping in to take Bianca’s place for the remainder of the term. Issy, who has been a Classroom Support Assistant with us this year, has recently received her teaching permit. She brings not only her teaching qualifications but also a degree in graphic design, making her a perfect fit for The Arts release role.

I am sad to say that Jasmine Fisk has decided to make the move to Melbourne and pursue teaching opportunities down there. Jasmine has been a fantastic teacher over the past two years, and we thank her for her energy, dedication, and the positive impact she has had on our students and school community.

Looking ahead to next year, Lucy Gildea, one of our talented CSAs, will be joining us in a part-time teaching role. Teacher placements for 2025 are still being finalised and will be announced at the end of Week 8.

That’s all for now. I can’t wait to see everyone enjoying the fete tomorrow!

Yours in partnership,

RE "Jubilee Year - Pilgrim of Hope"

Jubilee Year of Hope

Last weekend we celebrated the end of the Jubilee Year of Hope. It was wonderful to see families join us for mass and the multicultural night run by the parish. We were visited by the Archbishop and Fr Praveen’s bishop from India. The festivities were a great way to celebrate the year of hope and connection of the parish and school community.

St Vincent de Paul

Christmas is fast approaching, the weather is warming up, and the holidays are getting closer. Excitement is in the air! While many of us are beginning to organise presents, special meals and a warm home, some families in out community are doing it tough.

There are many ways that you can help others over Christmas. We will be supporting the St Vincent de Paul community as a Catholic organisation that supports families in our local community.

For the next few weeks, we are asking for donations of long-life food items to be added to the local pantry. Please add an extra box of cereal, rice, pasta, tea bags, coffee or tinned foods to your shopping if you are able. Every item donated will go to a family who needs it.

Geoff Ryan
REC

Upcoming Events

Swimming Lessons Kinder - Year 4

Swimming lessons for students in Kindergarten to Year 4 will commence on Monday, 10 November 2025, at Stromlo Leisure Centre. Lessons will run each day for two weeks. 

To help mornings run smoothly, all participating children should wear their swimmers under their usual school uniform before coming to school. Thongs or sandals may be worn to and from the pool only, but not to school. 

Please ensure your child brings a separate swimming bag with all items clearly labelled: 

• Spare underwear 
• Spare T-shirt (to wear to and from the pool) 
• Thongs or sandals (for travel to and from the pool) 
• A towel 
• Goggles (if required) 
• Swimming cap (if required) 

After each lesson, children will dry off with their towel, put on their dry T-shirt, wrap themselves in their towel, and return to school by bus. Once back at school, they will change into their school uniform. 

Children are often quite hungry after swimming, so you may wish to pack some extra food or snacks for the week. 

Note: Please ensure your child arrives at school on time. All buses will need to leave at their allocated time. 
If your child has an appointment or arrives late to school after their bus has departed, they will need to be driven to the pool or remain at school in another classroom. 

Spectator Guidelines 

If you wish to watch your child during their swimming lesson, you are very welcome. However, we ask that you please follow these guidelines: 

• View lessons only from the designated spectator area. 
• Do not interrupt or intervene in lessons. 
• Avoid interacting with your child during the lesson. 
• No photos or videos are to be taken under any circumstances (for privacy reasons). 
• Allow the instructors to manage students during lesson time. 
• Do not call out or gesture to your child during lessons. 
• Follow any directions from staff at the pool. 

Swimming Levels 

Swimming levels will be determined by Stromlo Leisure Centre staff based on the information provided on permission forms and observations during the first session. Groups may be adjusted throughout the week to ensure each child is placed at the most suitable level. 

• Jellyfish: Beginners; building water confidence, body position, kicking, and basic arm action 
• Platypus: Balance, rotation, freestyle, and backstroke techniques 
• Seal: Introduction to breaststroke kick and side breathing for freestyle 
• Marlin: Full breaststroke and endurance with multiple 25m swims 
• Shark: Butterfly introduction, stroke refinement, and endurance with multiple 50m swims 
• Orca: Mastery of all strokes, refining technique, and multiple 100m swims 
• Squad: Advanced level; confident in all strokes and experienced in squad training 

We are looking forward to an exciting and enjoyable fortnight of swimming for all students! 

Kind regards, 
Laura Vandenbroucke 

Awards Term 4 Week 4 2025

Congratulations to the following students received an award this week. The awards will be presented to the students at morning assembly on Friday 7 November by Mrs Jamieson.

Lucas B
Vincent S

Safety Beach Schools

Library News

Birthdays

Happy Birthday
to the following students and staff
who are celebrating a birthday

Harry M (Yr 6)
Dilshan  S
Millie McI
Harry M (Yr 5)
Ada M
Clarion C
Hamish O'B
Odette C
Alex L
Hugo W
Miss Tankey

Lunchtime Clubs

Book Club

Thankyou from TeamKids

The Changing Face of Cyberbullying

Photos - Sacrament of Confirmation

Photos - Fete Mufti - Red Day - Ride/Walk Day

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Book about History of St Thomas Apostle Parish

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Salvation Army Christmas Appeal

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