Filter Content
Dear Parents and Carers,
2/2/22 did not pass without some fun for all the students and staff. With the theme of ‘2’ for the day, we were so impressed with the imagination and creativity that was on display with our pairs, twins and twos. There are photos later on in the newsletter. We had a raffle that was drawn at 2:22pm and 22 seconds with a prize for each class and a few extra across the school. It was a moment in history that we all enjoyed.
Smart Watches
It has come to our attention that students are wearing Smart Watches to school and using them to text parents and friends. Parents are reminded that smart watches are treated the same as phones or BYO iPads(Year 6) at school if used inappropriately. Smart watches, Fitbits and similar devices with cellular, photographic and film capabilities pose a risk to student wellbeing and safety. When these technologies are misused by students, they can be very disruptive to students’ welfare, socialisation and in some cases cause various levels of harm. If text messages are sent to smart watches, then children are required to leave their smart watch in their school bag. Any messages for students must be received via the Front Office. We want to ensure that students are not being distracted from their learning. As a school, we also want to be able to guide and support students in being able to solve problems with the support of peers and school staff whilst at school. I would ask that students don’t wear Smart Watches with to school the aforementioned capabilities. As with phones and BYO iPads, these devices will be confiscated and parents contacted if used inappropriately. Fitbits that monitor movement and steps can be used as they are promoting health and movement.
Community Council
Our first meeting for 2022 was held on Tuesday night. It’s the second year for this elected council. For your information the members and roles for the council are as follows: Chair - Carl Jenkins; Deputy Chair – TBC; Treasurer – Mike Giacomin, supported by Edwina Wundersitz; Secretary – Jacinta Bryce; Class Parent Contacts – Aleks Kalinowski and Edwina Wundersitz; General Council – Corinne Smith, Virginia Wilson and Angela Schacht and School Staff Representative – Angela Bartkowiak. Mike presented the budget for the year and that was accepted and passed at the meeting. Member of the council will be introducing themselves over the next few newsletters so you know who they are and how you can contact them. In Term 3, we will have an open meeting where all parents and carers are invited to come along to school and meet with the council members and discuss concerns and ideas. There will also be summary in the newsletter the week following the meetings (Weeks 4 and 9 of the term).
School Uniform
We are starting to see quite an array of different hats and jumpers being worn to school. The uniform policy for St Thomas’ has a specified hat and jumper. These are available to purchase at Lowes. New hats are available from the front office for $10 and the second-hand clothing pools has many good quality jumpers for sale for $5.
There are also many children coming to school with no hat at all. Wearing a hat is essential when outside for play and sport. We do have a few spare for those who forget to bring theirs but the number asking to borrow a hat lately far exceeds our supply.
RATs
As you would be aware, the provision of RATs for students (two per week) has been extended four more weeks. RATs for Weeks 5 and 6 will be sent home with children today.
Lent
Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. As we cannot gather as a community in the church, we will be having an outdoor mass for the students from Year 3-6 (weather permitting) and an age-appropriate liturgy in the classrooms of the Kinder to Year 2 students. Rather than a cross being made with ashes on the forehead, ashes will be sprinkled on children’s heads in accordance with current Diocesan guidelines. The ashes we use will be blessed by Fr Praveen at the mass.
I hope everyone enjoys the weekend as summer sadly draws to a close. It has been another unusual summer and the warm days we have had lately have been welcomed.
Yours in partnership,
Ursula Jamieson
Principal
Sacramental Enrolment
This year, the sacraments of Reconciliation (Year 3) and Eucharist (Year 4) will be offered at St Thomas the Apostle. The sacrament of Confirmation will be offered for students in 2023 (Year 5/6).
Students attending St Thomas the Apostle School will be given an enrolment form in the next week. Students from other schools may collect forms from the School Office and Church Foyer. Students will need to bring their enrolment form and payment to any Mass on the weekend of 19th and 20th March. Mass times are Saturday 6pm, Sunday 8:30am and 10am. Attendance at an enrolment Mass is a vital component of the Sacramental Program.
If you are unable to attend any of these dates or have any questions, please contact Geoffrey Ryan through the school office on 62314144 or via email on geoffrey.ryan@cg.catholic.edu.au.
We look forward to sharing this important journey with you.
What a fun week in the Library! Students in the younger years celebrated Twosday by discussing what books they would like to share and who they would share them with. Thank you again to those families bringing in their library bags and books to return on library days. If your child missed their library day they are able to place books into the returns box any day of the week.
Thank you to parents who have already volunteered to cover books. If you are interested in being added to the list of families who would like to help out, please send me an email at leah.bayin@cg.catholic.edu.au
Leah Godfrey
Teacher Librarian (Term 1)
Happy Birthday to the following students who will celebrate a birthday this week
Jacinta Bryce
Hi, I’m Jacinta Bryce and have two daughters at school – Verity in Year 5 and Bonnie in Year 3. I have been on the SCC since Verity was in Kinder and started as a general member focussing on the Class Parent network and resourcing school activities like the school disco. This will be my second year as secretary for the Committee.
I enjoy being able to hear more details about our school and be able to bring your comments and issues along to communicate (via agenda item ’Around the grounds feedback’). I live within walking distance to the school, enjoy our community and encourage you to email or chat to me soon when we’re back on campus.