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- RE Week 9 - Energised Through the Soul
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- Fete News
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- Arawang Summer Netball Competition
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Dear Parents/Carers,
Confirmation Ceremonies
This Saturday Night September 21 at 6pm, we will celebrate the first of our Confirmation Masses for 2019. The next Mass will be Saturday September 28, also at 6pm. I know you will join me in thanking everyone involved in the preparation of the children for this most important time in their lives. Many thanks to Penny Vanzwol, Trudie Riley, the Year 5/6 Team and to all the parents who attended or ran family nights and supported their children through the preparation phase. We are very blessed that Father Peter will be performing the ceremonies as he has a very special relationship with the children.
Cultural Awareness Day
The children were exposed to a variety of entertaining and exciting experiences as part of our Cultural Awareness day on Tuesday, photos and information are included. Thanks to Dion Devow for organising the events for us.
Sharing Our Work Afternoon (Sh.O.W)
The children and teachers are excited to be welcoming parents/carers next Tuesday 24 September 3.15pm-6pm to share some of the great learning that has been happening at St Thomas the Apostle. Please feel free to come into the school when you are collecting your children, you might like to use the strategy of 2 stars and a wish that I spoke of in last week’s newsletter. This is a relaxed and informal opportunity to say hello and celebrate everything wonderful about your child and our great school.
National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)
Tomorrow the children in Year 3 and Year 5 will bring home a report on the 2019 assessment held in May. The letter accompanying the report explains that the information is a snap shot of their progression in literacy and numeracy. Further information about the tests is available at www.nap.edu.au. If you have any questions regarding your child’s NAPLAN results, please feel free to make an appointment to discuss these with your child’s classroom teacher.
Fete News
We are gearing up for a fantastic fete on Saturday November 9, the Fete Committee has been working hard to set things in place for another bumper day! This is our main fundraiser at St Thomas’ School and Parish so we really rely on everyone to contribute, whether it be in time, dollars or goods, everything helps. Here’s one idea, are you having a spring clean over the holidays? Why not donate any kids toys, household items (non-electrical), second hand clothing etc. to our fete drop offs. Dates for these are on our Fete page (see https://www.sttap.act.edu.au/fete). Later in the newsletter is a Fete update with the top 5 things to do to help.
Thank you to everyone in our wonderful community for your continued support
Many Blessings
Judy Egan
Acting Principal
RE Week 9 - Energised Through the Soul
Confirmation
This weekend we will celebrate the first of two Masses in which students will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. The children and their families have prepared well for this very special occasion. Confirmation seals the gift of the Holy Spirit given at Baptism. It reminds the candidates that they belong to the family of God. Confirmation marks the candidates with an indelible character. This means they will be changed for life. They are drawn into a deeper understanding of their mission as Christians. We continue to pray for these children and their families.
Date |
Event |
Friday 20 September |
Confirmation Retreat Day |
Saturday 21 September |
Confirmation Sacramental Mass 6 - 7pm |
Monday 23 September |
Monday Prayer (2PT) |
Tuesday 24 September |
ShOW Day 3.15 -6pm |
Thursday 26 September |
Kinder Health Screen 9am - 1pm |
Enjoying healthy relationships has a tremendous impact on your child’s wellbeing and their overall success at school. Many children who experience behavioural problems at school have difficulty interacting with their peers.
In this article, Michael Grose outlines some strategies that parents can use to support their child to develop positive social skills.
This week the Seasons for Growth program reaches completion, as the children and invited guest look forward to a Prayer Celebration and fun on the last Tuesday of term. Invitations have been sent to a special guest.
I would like to thank each of the children have participated.
We are celebrating our time together and bringing to a close the experience of being with our different groups.
It is a time of sharing and of joy.
Veronica Harris
Wellbeing Officer
On Wednesday afternoon we were immersed in Aboriginal Cultural activities. Following a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, children from K, 1 and 2 had great fun learning some of the traditional outdoor games that were played many years ago, learning that many of our modern sports are based on principles and skills required for survival, and that children and adults have been developing these skills and games for thousands of years. We were lucky that the rain held off.
The afternoon session was for students from Years 3/4 and 5/6. Our guest presenter, Ronni, and her son Coan, shared some of their story growing up in remote Queensland and then Sydney, before they moved to Braidwood. They shared some stories and history of Traditional Culture, then demonstrated some traditional sculpture and weaving, using hay and wool. All the children were then able to have a go at sculpting their own native animal.
It was an engaging, interesting and fun afternoon for all, and we thank our presenters BillyT, Ronni and Coan.
Uniform
As we near the end of Term 3, it is a timely reminder that Term 4 will see the children back in their Summer uniforms.
The uniform shop has many good quality, second hand uniforms items, including boys Navy shorts, Polos and Girls Summer dresses priced at $5 each. Get in early to avoid disappointment.
The uniform shop is open from 8:30-3:00 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Canteen menu
The canteen menu for Term 4 is still under review and will be released in Week 10's newsletter.
Paula Papandrea
Canteen Manager
This week at Playgroup we will be making craft and doing activites based on the Spring theme.
The St Thomas the Apostle Playgroup is held every Friday between 9:15am and 11am. Parents and Carers with children from 0-4 are welcome to come along.
Parents and Carers are required to sign in at the Front Office before Playgroup.
For more information, please contact Nicole Joyce, our playgroup convenor, or the Front Office on 62314144 or by email office.sttapkambah@cg.catholic.edu.au
These are the top 5 things for this week:
1. Fete Sponsors
Please support our Fete sponsors
see https://www.sttap.act.edu.au/sponsors
2. Share Sponsorship Proposal
There are spaces available in the Gold, Silver and Bronze categories. If you are interested in being a sponsor, please see contact details on the flyer.
3. Scratchie Tree
Donations for the Scratchie tree and gift vouchers are welcome
(please send to front office)
4. Pot Up Seedlings
Please pot seedlings and grow them at home. Woolworths have an offer of free seedlings with groceries so these could also be used. Bring them to school closer
to Fete day.
5. Trash'n Treasure
Donations of used clothing, toys, books & CDs (no electrical) are welcome. Drop off days: Saturdays 19/10, 26/10, 2/11
Congratulations to Alana Horsfall (5/6KE) who has been selected in the ACT-Southern Districts NSW Academy Cricket team. She will play in the NSW Country Champs in Raymond Terrace in the school holidays.
Congratulations also to Alana Fraser, Adele Abbott, and Lucy Tokley (5/6KE) who were the ALF Grand final winners in the U12 competition.