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Message - Deputy Principal - Teaching and Learning
Dear Families,
LANGUAGE CHOICE AND CODE OF CONDUCT
The theme for yesterday’s International Women’s Day was ‘Embrace Equity’. This message is fundamental to our work as educators and is pertinent in light of our diverse community. We aim to build a learning environment where all students feel safe, included and that they belong. When people communicate with one another in ways which do not meet these expectations then we have a responsibility to support that person to find a better way. Please read Kate’s communication to all families regarding the ways we follow up with students if they choose to use inappropriate language at school. Parents should also ensure they have read and understand the Code of Conduct which was sent out recently which provides a set of expectations regarding the conduct of adults at school.
NAPLAN
Next week our students in Years 3 and 5 will engage in NAPLAN assessments beginning on Wednesday 15th March. Whilst this national assessment program is important in understanding how our children are progressing in their learning over time, we do not overemphasise this experience to our students. No two people feel the same way about engaging in assessments and we understand that some children may enjoy this experience whilst others may be very nervous about it. The key message we would like all of our students to receive is simply to do their best each day. Our teachers gather evidence of student learning on a daily basis to inform their teaching so that each student is taught at their point of need. NAPLAN assessments will add to the picture of our students as learners and this is done most effectively when triangulated with other evidence.
CAR LINE PICK UP - New Process effective Tuesday 14th March
You may have noticed that we now have a new pedestrian gate installed between the Administration building and the Foundation classrooms. This gate is where students will exit who are going home via carline. Parents who use car line are asked to follow the green arrows to enter the school and to park in the bays numbered 1-8 which are also marked in green. The bays marked in yellow are for families who may need to park briefly throughout the school day and need to remain available unless a staff member directs you to park there.
While waiting, students will be asked to sit with their family members or those they are going home with and wait for their name to be called. Students will not be allowed to play any ball games or to use the playground while they are waiting.
The gate nearest to the Administration building will not be opened in the afternoons beginning next week on Tuesday.
Staff will be supervising students until 3:30pm. After this time, students who have not been collected will be taken to the office area. We ask all families to be on time to collect their child/ren.
Staff have been communicating with students to prepare them for this change to end of day pick up. We ask that parents also discuss this change with their child/ren prior to next week.
Wishing you all a wonderful long weekend,
Peta Overbury
Deputy Principal – Teaching and Learning
Dear Families,
Casual Clothes Day for Project Compassion - A Reflection
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out,
a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:33
The Casual Clothes Day was very successful, owing to the initiative of our students who organised this to happen. The Project Compassion relief effort is clearly in the minds and hearts of our students who wanted this to be successful. It raised awareness across the school community and raised some much-needed funds toward this great cause.
It doesn’t put a full stop to Project Compassion. As we continue into the season of Lent, we will still keep our prayers and our efforts focused on this throughout the rest of the term. Just a reminder, that we will need to return all of the Project Compassion boxes to school in the last week of this term. You still have plenty of time to add coins or even jump online to the Caritas website to contribute to Project Compassion.
Reconciliation Update
On Tuesday and Wednesday next week (14th & 15th March), we have our Parent/Child Workshops at 6:45pm. Remember to only attend one and importantly for numbers, please only have one adult attend with your child. We do not have enough room for two adults to attend with your candidate, as it is being held in the school. The Church building has not been completed yet, so the venue is still the school. Check the parish email for details, especially which session to attend, so that we can have even numbers turn up each night.
Parent Child Workshop – Tue 14th March 6:45pm at St Thomas the Apostle PS
Parent Child Workshop – Wed 15th March 6:45pm at St Thomas the Apostle PS
St Thomas the Apostle Parish Sacraments 2023
Reconciliation
08 February- Reconciliation - Parent Formation Night 6.45pm
15 February- Reconciliation - Parent Formation Night 6.45pm
14 March- Reconciliation - Parent/Child Workshop 6.45pm
15 March- Reconciliation - Parent/Child Workshop 6.45pm
02 May - Reconciliation - Celebration of Reconciliation 5pm & 7pm
03 May - Reconciliation - Celebration of Reconciliation 5pm & 7pm
Confirmation
09 May - Confirmation - Parent Formation Night 6.45pm
16 May - Confirmation - Parent Formation Night 6.45pm
30 May - Confirmation - Parent/Child Workshop 6.45pm
31 May - Confirmation - Parent/Child Workshop 6.45pm
14 July - Confirmation - Retreat 11am - 3.15pm
19 July - Confirmation - Reconciliation (for STAPS) After Mass
Communion
19 July First Communion - Parent Formation Night 6.45pm
26 July First Communion - Parent Formation Night 6.45pm
26 July Confirmation – Reconciliation (for STAPS After Mass)
29 July Confirmation – Confirmation Ceremony 11am & 2pm
08 August First Communion - Parent/Child Workshop 6.45pm
09 August First Communion - Parent/Child Workshop 6.45pm
06 September First Communion – Reconciliation (for STAPS) After Weekday Mass
07 September First Communion - Retreat 11am-3.15pm (all candidates)
09 September First Communion - Mass
10 September First Communion - Mass
16 September First Communion - Mass
17 September First Communion - Mass
Parish News
The Parish Bulletin can be accessed weekly on a Friday after 5pm via the following link
https://stthomasap.
St Thomas the Apostle Church Dedication Mass will be on Sunday 23 April 2023. All are invited.
More details coming soon.
Respect - use of language
This language includes targeted swearing (swearing at another person), explicit sexual language and racial slurs.
All members of our school community deserve respect and to have an environment which is free of language which demeans and offends.
Kate
Introducing Mrs Carol Rodrigues - 5C
My name is Carol Rodrigues. I teach 5C in the Bethany community. I feel blessed to be a part of St Thomas The Apostle PS and I am looking forward to getting to know you.
I have extensive experience in teaching at various faith based schools in Muscat and Australia in different roles as a teacher, coordinator and as a curriculum specialist.
Over the years teaching has always been my passion which has led me to St Thomas The Apostle PS, where I am thrilled to align my passion and faith to contribute to this special community.
I am looking forward to working together in partnership with you to make this a successful and enjoyable school year.
REMINDER
School Photo Day is tomorrow – Friday 24th March
- Students are to wear their full summer uniform. If your child/ren have sports they are not to wear their sport uniform.
- Please do not send sick students to school just for their photo as we must continue to follow procedures around illnesses and COVID -19.
- There will be a running order for the day commencing with the Foundation students and ending with the Gr 6 students, followed by sibling photos. The order will not be changed so please ensure that you do not schedule any appointments for the day. We cannot give out specific times as to when students will be photographed as this can change on the day depending on cooperation with the photographers, weather etc.
- Please note that only LEGAL NAMES as per your child's birth certificate will be printed on the photos and all printed products and cannot be altered.
Please carefully read below regarding ordering of your child’s individual, class and sibling photos:-
- All orders must be placed online at Advanced life www.advancedlife.com.au
- The school office will not take orders or payment
- The school code is T92RYHLDC.
- All students will be photographed individually as well as in their class group whether an order has been placed or not by photo day.
- Sibling photos will only be taken for those students that have ordered.
- For individual and class photo orders, these can be ordered up to 7 working days afterwards with no late fees. After that time , late orders will incur a $15 late fee per package.
Butterfly Foundation - Body Confident Children and Teens Webinar
It can be hard for children and teens to be accepting of and confident in their bodies. It can also be hard for parents/carers to know what to say or how best to support them. Hear from the experts at Butterfly on how to help your child towards a positive body image.
For: Parents/carers of primary and secondary age children
Covers: Body image influences | Importance of positive body image| Positive role modelling | Reducing toxic body talk| Responding to appearance bullying | What to do if concerned | Resources and supports
Date: Tuesday, 21st March 2023
Time: 7pm - 8.15pm (AEDT)
Format: Live, via Zoom (time limited recording available)
Cost: $15
Scholcastic Book Club