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Dear Parents and Friends
Today we celebrated with Bishop Greg and Ms Kirkwood (Director of Catholic Education) a blessing and recognition of the final building stages of the school. The event had to be very small due to the covid restrictions and physical limitations of space. We shared the space with the Jerusalem learning community (3 year 1/2 classes) who were so respectful and so attentive that they gained special notice and recognition from Bishop Greg and Maria Kirkwood. They are a credit to you, your families and the teachers here.
As we wait in uncertainty about what will come in the next few days can I please wish you well and hope you keep safe. Please keep an eye out for emails which will tell us what happens next as the current covid risk rises. We will work together to do the right thing, to limit our risks and to support each other.
Kind regards,
Kate
Blessing and Recognition Ceremony
On behalf of St Thomas the Apostle school community I wish to thank our distinguished guests attending today to help make this a special event. Bishop Greg, Maria Kirkwood, Greg Strickland from Brand Architects and Mark from United Commercial Projects, Principals from nearby schools and members of our Parish and School Advisory Committee.
I would like to acknowledge the vision and passion of Fr Denis O’Bryan who is valiantly building a vibrant community in a new suburb. Fr Denis is taking the threads from many places, cultures and people and weaving it into a special community. In partnership with St Peter’s Cranbourne East the parish has built a Secondary School campus, the first of its primary campuses and is about to begin the physical building of the Church on this site.
Fr Denis and Mr Brendan Marrinon worked together to create a vision of a school that would meet the needs of the students today and into the future. This is the last two sections of the capital projects that complete the school enabling a population of 700 students and 65 staff.
I would like to thank Brendan and all the staff who have worked with him on the Building team to bring his vision to life.
Our thanks to Greg and his team at Brand Architects for taking that vision and creating buildings that house and support this plan for learning and teaching.
Thank you to Mark and the team at United Commercial for the work in bringing the drawings to life with steel, concrete and talent.
A very special thank you to the teams from Diocese of Sale Catholic Education who work alongside schools through the building processes.
The Building Infrastructure team and our Regional Facilities officer Alistair Fixter who diligently help educators navigate the unfamiliar territory of building projects and processes.
The IT team who have worked to ensure that connectivity is futureproofed.
The school finance team who ensure our budgets allow us to build, maintain and in future renovate to keep our learning spaces contemporary and fit for purpose.
Thankyou Ms Kirkwood for the work your teams do in ensuring schools are operating to their best in order to focus on our wonderful children and giving them spaces that allow them to grow, learn, explore and achieve.
Our school’s name recalls that St Thomas was one of Jesus’ chosen apostles. He journeyed alongside Jesus, learning from his teaching and being challenged by his message. In John’s Gospel we meet Thomas as Doubting Thomas; feeling left out having not seen the risen Christ who demands proof.
Thomas then rose to the challenge of spreading the Good News of salvation and lived his remaining life building Christian community.
We here at St Thomas The Apostle PS continue this mission using the four central pillars of prayer, service, thanksgiving and reconciliation to build a firm foundation for living and sharing the Christian story in word and action. While these pillars frame our doing it is the message of love central in the mission of Jesus that animate the life and work at our school today and into the future.
Kind regards
Mrs Kate Dourley
Principal
First Communion
Year 5 (Catch Up) – Program offered in Term 3
This term, the Year 5’s will be offered the chance to celebrate First Communion to catch up on last year’s program. The Information Night is on 21st July 7pm via Google Meet for those wishing to catch up. An email with all the necessary details was sent out to all parents of Year 5.
Year 4 – Program offered in Term 4
For our Year 4s, First Communion dates are scheduled for Term 4. Please be on the lookout for these details closer to this time.
Blessing & Opening of Stage 4
Bishop Greg, Bishop of Sale and Director of Catholic Education, Ms Maria Kirkwood as well as some other distinguished guests came to St Thomas the Apostle to officially bless and open the stage 4 portion of the master plan of our school.
Ceremonies such as this are important markers of growth in Catholic schools, recognising the essential role of Catholic Education in our communities and the facilities that support this. The students in the Jerusalem Community were the lucky ones to participate in the Blessing and Opening and proudly sang our school song, ‘Sing Out St Thomas!’ and the Australian National Anthem.
Parent Notified Absences (PAM)
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.
Health Care Cards
If you have recently become eligible for a Health Care Card, please contact the school for a Camps, Sports, Excursion Funding (CSEF) application form. The Government provides funding for families with an eligible HCC which also entitles eligible holders to a fee concession. If this applies to you please ensure that all paperwork is submitted by the 1st August.
Fee Statement
Dear Parents.
Fee Statements for Term 3 have been emailed home today . We do request that if possible you settle the Term 3 Family Fee and any outsanding levies by 20th August 2021.
Please note however that any family who faces difficulty with fees can approach us to discuss in complete confidentiality, we are flexible and always happy to chat and come to an arrangement.
Once again, any questions please do not hesitate to contact myself.
Kind Regards
Nicola Saunders
Administration Officer
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.
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.
Illness
Dear Parents
If your child is unwell, has a fever or has been vomiting or have had gastroenteritis, they must stay at home until they are symptom free for 24 hours. If they are not completely symptom free eg: runny nose, cough they will need a medical certificate to confirm they have recovered and are not contagious in order to attend school.
Change of Clothing (Foundation – Junior students)
Accidents happen, from muddy puddles to tummy troubles; there may come a time when your child needs a change of clothes. Please ensure your child has a spare set of clothing in
their bags at all times in the event they are needed.
Scholastic Book Club
Please note that although the current catalogue has the wrong year printed rest assured that it is the latest Book Club catalogue.
July | |
Thursday July 15 | Blessing & Opening of Stage 4 of buildings at STTAPS |
Tuesday July 20 | Parent Teacher Interviews |
Wednesday July 21 |
Parent Teacher Interviews First Holy Communion Google Meet Information Night - Gr 5 students (7:00pm) |
Friday July 23 | Interschool Winter Sports - Gr6 |
Wednesday July 28 | Bethlehem Community Mass 9:15am |
Friday July 30 | Prep 100 Day Celebration |
August | |
Friday Aug 5 | Interschool Winter Sports - Gr6 |
Thursday Aug 26 | Seniors attending St Peter's Musical Production |
Friday Aug 27 | Book Week Whole School Dress Up Day |
September | |
Friday Sept 3 | Father's Day Breakfast |
Thursday Sept 16 |
Footy Sports Team day Last Day of Term 3 |
August
Bread Bag and Tag Recycling Program
Our school is participating in a bread bag and tag recycling program. Every bread bag and tag that is collected and brought into the office by tomorrow July 16th will be used to purchase new sporting equipment for our school. The bread bags and tags can be any brand and can be dropped off in the boxes located in the office.