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Message - Religious Education Leader
Dear Families,
It may not feel like it right now, but the ‘hard yards’ we are putting in now, will eventually pay off. It’s one of the natural laws – the law of impermanence aka “nothing lasts forever”. Pretty soon, the vaccinated ratios will meet the targets and we’ll see a return to something resembling normal. Well done to all of our families for staying the course.
A very healthy perspective to take when you are feeling rotten about the lockdown, is to look up and help others. It helps to do this because we take the focus off our own problems and recognise that there are people out there that are not faring as well as ourselves. This is such great timing, because October happens to be Mission Month in the Catholic calendar!
Mission Month - Socktober
Last term, I spoke of the learning we are engaging in during October called ‘Socktober’. It’s an annual Catholic Mission initiative that works to support a community in need, somewhere around the world. This year, Socktober is supporting communities in Bangkok, Thailand.
All the students at St Thomas the Apostle are learning about Catholic Social Teaching during this time. It’s the ‘why’ behind Socktober. We will be diving deep into why we help others.
Let’s look at a couple of the principles of Catholic Social Teaching:
- The Dignity of the Human Person
- The Common Good
Christians believe that every person is made in the image and likeness of God and because of this, has an innate dignity. Catholic Social Teaching also points to what is known as the Common Good – common good is reached when we work together to improve the wellbeing of our ‘neighbours’. Jesus’ Good Samaritan story is a great one to remind us who our neighbour is.
St Thomas the Apostle’s Socktober Page
Head to https://www.socktober.org.au/fundraisers/stthomastheapostleps to see us reaching our goal (or hopefully smashing it) for the people of Bangkok in Thailand. On this website you’ll be able to find the YouTube video on how to make the ‘sock’ ball, which is the trademark of Socktober. This is one of the activities that we’ll be involved in later in the term, incorporating the world game of soccer. The Socktober Shootout will be the centrepiece event for all of our students.
I urge our families to get behind St Thomas the Apostle’s Socktober effort and pass the link on to your friends and family to help out. It will be a lot of fun with some great learning opportunities.
Andrew McDermott
Religious Education Leader
The new Church is underway!
We had large machinery on the St Thomas the Apostle site today, to begin earth works for the new St Thomas the Apostle Parish Church. This is extremely exciting and a sign of hope!
Andrew McDermott
Religious Education Leader
Weekly Parish Mass
Parish Mass can be viewed every Sunday via the following link.
Please click on the facebook link to stream mass
The demand for mental health services is becoming more prominent as we endure a pandemic, with many juggling both work and schooling from home, being isolated from loved ones, experiencing loss of employment, and struggling to afford food and rent.
In this ever-changing and challenging environment, it is important now more than ever for people to be able to access the mental health support they need, when they need it.
From March 2020 to April 2021 over 15 million mental health related services were provided nationally through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and more recently in Victoria, during the month of April 2021 over 300,000 MBS mental health related services were accessed, which was higher than anywhere else in Australia¹.
With the increased need for mental health services throughout COVID-19, waiting lists have lengthened and waiting times exacerbated.
As a response to this demand, CatholicCare Victoria has recently commenced a new state-wide mental health service with minimal wait times, called the Psychological Wellbeing Service.
Based in our Mildura office, the Psychological Wellbeing Service provides assistance and self-help resources for anyone experiencing mental health difficulties including anxiety, trauma and depression.
The service also supports parents with children and adolescents who are displaying disruptive, avoidant or withdrawn behaviour, and supports adults experiencing compulsive behaviours including moderate drug and alcohol problems.
Using evidence-based therapies, our Psychological Wellbeing Service clinicians provide mental health support focused on self-help skill learning to aid in recovery, such as problem-solving skills, progressive muscle relaxation, and cognitive behavioural therapy as a more intensive support.
The service is delivered in a safe and confidential environment by qualified clinicians, with the aim of providing support for recovery.
The service is accessible state-wide through telehealth options, as well as through face-to-face sessions from our Mildura office.
If you think the Psychological Wellbeing Service could assist you, your family or someone you know please call our Mildura office on (03) 5051 0000 or email enquiries@centacaremildura.org.au to make a booking.
To learn more, visit our webpage below.
School Fee Statements
Fee Statements for Term 4 have been emailed today and due date for balance of fees is 12th Nov. If you are experiencing difficulties please contact us regarding fee assistance.
Kind regards
Nicola Saunders
School Fee Concession
Dear Families
Many in our school community continue to face financial impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are committed to supporting families experiencing financial challenges through our School Fee Concession programs, and encourage any parent/carer/guardian experiencing difficulties to contact us regarding fee assistance.
Please contact Nicola Saunders on finance@cranbourneeast.catholic.edu.au to explore confidential financial support arrangements or to obtain further information.
Thank you
Nicola Saunders
Administration Officer
eSmart - Free Online Safety Webinars
St Thomas the Apostle is an accredited ‘eSmart’ school. This is a great thing for your children enrolled at our school, great for the teachers and also great for parents.
Being accredited, we have access to a wonderful set of quality resources. One of the benefits is the free webinars on offer for parents.
There are two webinars coming up in the not too distant future…
- Tuesday, 26th October
- Wednesday, 27th October
Simply click here to book yourself in!
Scholastic Book Club
Welcome to Term 4 and a special Home Edition of Book Club!
This special catalogue with 8 additional pages of fun Home Learning ideas and delivery available direct to the home! Perfect opporunity to stock up on some Christmas presents.
Term 4
October 2021 | |
Monday 25th - Friday 29th | Family Week |
November | |
Monday 1st | School Closure Day |
Tuesday 2nd | Melbourne Cup Holiday |
Friday 5th |
All students are expected to return to onsite learning Monday to Friday. |
December | |
Tuesday 14th | Last Day of School Term 2021 |
Wednesday 15th | School Closure Day |