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Dear Parents, Carers and members of our St. Thomas the Apostle school community,
Welcome to Week 3 of Term 2.
In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to us aboutthe great mystery of God sharing his life withus: I am the vine, you are the branches (John 15:1-8).
The vine is a special tree, where the distinction between the trunk and the branches is more difficult to make out than in other trees: God shares his own life with us. We spend time in wonder and thanksgiving, asking to be worthy of such grace.
Fr Denis spoke at Mass on Wednesday with the Foundation community about how important it is for Jesus to have us as his branches to enact his love by the way we treat others. Jesus cannot carry out the work as the vine without us bearing the fruit and living the gospel message.
Last week we sent out a special edition newsletter launching our school wide expectations of SAFETY, RESPECT and LEARNING. These three key words, depicted as logos around the school, promote and instil for our students, staff, families and wider school community how we should treat others as Jesus did. These expectations are linked to a whole school approach to positive behaviour support.
Research demonstrates a well-established link between student engagement, behaviour and academic achievement (Angus et al., 2009; Hart, 2014; Hattie, 2012; Marzano & Marzano, 2003). The whole school approach to positive behaviour support focuses on continuing to build and develop a positive school climate, which has been found to be the most significant impact on student outcomes (Hart, 2014).
All members of the school community have a significant role to play in supporting a whole school approach to positive behaviour. Where all members work collaboratively, each child and young person has the opportunity to fully participate, engage in the process of schooling and become a successful learner.
Project Compassion - Caritas Update
Hold on to your seats…The final figure for the Lent fundraising project from St Thomas the Apostle is $4130.40 .
This is truly an amazing effort and testimony to the generous nature of this community. Jesus’ message was to reach out to the poor and to take action where the marginalised are concerned. Caritas, the Catholic charity organisation, does exactly this and the families of our school have responded to the call admirably.
First Communion
Further planning with the St Thomas the Apostle Parish has provided some dates for First Communion later this year. This is welcome news for many, especially for the families that missed out on First Communion last year, due to the restrictions at the time.
Here is a summary of the dates we have planned for First Communion. Please note that due to the uncertainty of restrictions at any given time, these dates could change. The message here is to be resilient. Let us pray that restrictions ease further, so we are able to manage numbers more easily later this year.
Catch up of First Communion (from 2020)
Saturday 11th September – 6:00pm
Sunday 12th September – 9:00am and 10:45am
Saturday 18th September – 6:00pm
Sunday 19th September – 9:00am and 10:45am
First Communion for 2021
Saturday 27th November – 6:00pm
Sunday 28th November – 9:00am and 10:45am
Saturday 4th December – 6:00pm
Sunday 5th December – 9:00am and 10:45am
Confirmation
It was lovely to see the parents who wish to enrol their children into the Confirmation program via the Information Nights over the last couple of weeks.
While these candidates will be undertaking special preparation for the sacrament, the rest of the students at St Thomas the Apostle will be learning about related themes of the Holy Spirit and the Pentecost event that set this sacrament in motion nearly two thousand years ago.
Parents should notify the school of any absence by 9.00am. This can be done via PAM or alternatively by contacting the school by phone.
Holidays
If families are wanting to take a holiday during term time a holiday request form must be completed and emailed to principal@cranbourneeast.catholic.edu.au. Forms are available online via PAM or on request can be emailed .
Uniform Reminders
Winter Uniform will be required to be worn from Term 2. Uniforms can be purchased from PSW located in Hampton Park.
Hats are compulsory until the beginning of May and then from the 1st of September. Please note that due to government health regulations the school cannot provide spare hats to the students.
NB: We have a number of unnamed items in lost property. Please clearly label your child's items of clothing so they can be returned to your child if handed to lost property.
Scholastic Book Club
Dont Forget your Book Club orders are due on the 10/05/21
or use the LOOP app.