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Message -Deputy Principal (Teaching and Learning)
Dear Families,
The St Thomas the Apostle community continues to grow with new students and staff joining our vibrant, engaging and welcoming community. Over the last two weeks of school, each learning community has been working on developing a culture of learning with a key focus on building relationships and setting expectations about the way classes will learn together. This culture setting is vital because research tells us that students learn best when they feel safe, known and are engaged in their learning.
Term One Curriculum Focus
From Week 3, our students will be exploring the Humanities Curriculum and Geography as a core focus from Foundation – Year 6. This curriculum aims to develop a sense of wonder, curiosity and respect for places, people, cultures and environments throughout the world. Our students in F- 2 will be exploring geography from a personal and local perspective, whereas students in Years 3 – 6 will expand to national, world, regional and global scales. Our students in Year 5 and 6 will also be integrating this learning with key content from the Economics and Business strand of the curriculum. We encourage you to speak with your child/ren about what they are learning at school as a way of engaging with your child’s education, supporting their ongoing development.
Partnerships with Parents
Our aim is to build strong relationships between home and school so that all students continue to learn. If parents have concerns about their child’s learning or progress we ask that you contact your child’s teacher first. They are best placed to follow up with any concerns you may have. If needed, the classroom teacher will then follow up with their Community Learning Leader and any other appropriate members of staff.
In the coming weeks there will be an opportunity for all parents to meet with their child’s teacher to speak about how your child has settled into school routines and to ask any questions you may have. Please note the dates for the Parent/ Teacher sessions that are located in the calendar.
Drop off/ Pick up
The beginning and end of the school day are often busy with families moving between multiple schools to drop off and collect their children. It is important that everyone arrive and leave our school safely each day. Staff are in the carpark to assist you and to direct cars so that the process is smooth and safe for all. Please follow the directions you are given and keep your speed to a walking pace so that we can ensure a positive experience for all members of our school community.
We take this opportunity to thank all of the families who continue to complete their twice weekly RAT tests with students, mindful that we want to maintain the collective wellness of all in our community. Please note that if your child receives a negative RAT test but is still showing symptoms, we recommend that you follow up with a PCR test and keep your child at home until the symptoms have resolved. Please continue to contact the school if your child returns a positive test or if there is a need for them to isolate.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
Best wishes,
Peta Overbury
Deputy Principal – Teaching and Learning
How Sweet Is My Chocolate?
“Every person ought to have the awareness that purchasing is always a moral – and not simply an economic – act.” Pope Francis 2015
I’m getting in very early, but probably not early enough! As we know, shops start marketing chocolate for Easter extremely early. But is the chocolate you buy free from slavery?
It might be worth taking a moment to check packaging and labels to see if the chocolate you love is morally produced. The following website helps out with this dilemma…
Go to https://acrath.org.au/take-action/chocolate/ for some excellent research and knowledge.
First Reconciliation
The First Reconciliation program was kicked off on Tuesday night, with parents jumping online for the Information Night. Even though it was necessary to be on Google Meet, it was still a wonderful opportunity for adult formation. Next Tuesday night at 7pm (as advertised last week), we have the repeat session.
Andrew McDermott
Religious Education Leader
Shalom World
A free Internet based channel that offers Catholic faith-based movies, documentaries and series. Check it out for some very wholesome and inspiring material.
Rapid Anitgen Test - Instructions
Dear Families,
Rapid Antigen Tests for the next 2 weeks have been handed out to students today.
To help support your child we have included a handy visual schedule of some of the steps involved to help you and your family perform these tests.
You can view and download them below.
Our students have participated in an interactive session with expert, Marty McGauran, on the topic of being safe online. Ask your child about this Cybersafe session to see what they learned in the classroom. The learning is most likely embedded when a child is able to explain what they have learned to another person.
Also, on the topic of ‘Cybersafety’, the parent evening is coming up soon. We want as many parents as possible to come along to gain essential knowledge about keeping your child safe. Very few people are experts in this field, as the landscape is always changing, and to think that we’re already across it and we don’t need to come along, is quite misguided. This night is able to be run face-to-face, and for this reason alone, I’m looking forward to it!
Title: Raising Kids In a Digital World
When: 2nd March 6:30pm
Where: St Thomas the Apostle PS, Bethany Hall
Meet the Specialist Teachers
Physical Education
Hi my name is Anthony O’Rourke (Mr O) and I have been teaching Physical Education at St Thomas for the last 6 years. I love all things sport, especially following the mighty Tigers in the AFL and playing for my local football team. Other things I love to do are going snowboarding during winter, spending my days at the beach with my wife and little boy during the summer and of course taking my dog Archie for lots of walks! |
Visual Art I’m Helina Walker, and I teach Visual Arts. This is my 8th year at STAPS (I might have taught some of your older brothers/sisters). I am married and have 2 little dogs called Missy and Tilly. I enjoy cooking new recipes, painting, growing vegetables and roses in my garden, travelling to new places, going to the theatre and art galleries. |
Sustainability and Stewardship I’m Christian der Kinderen (Mr D) and I teach Sustainability and Stewardship. In this subject we will be learning about the many ways they can save our beautiful planet and how it is our Catholic duty to care for our shared home. I am married with a 2 year old son and have another baby due in May. I have a cat and will be soon welcoming some chickens. I am passionate about all things sustainability and have just completed my Permaculture design course. I enjoy growing my own fruits and vegetables and volunteer for the Gardens for Wildlife program in the Yarra Ranges. This is my first year at St Thomas Apostle and I am looking forward to teaching your children. |
Japanese Hi, I’m B Sensei (B is short for Barry) and I teach Japanese on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays. This is my sixth year teaching Japanese at STAPS. I lived in Japan for 10 years and enjoy sharing with students the fascinating culture of Japan. I have travelled widely & I like to combine this with my hobby which is hiking. I’m passionate about animal welfare & volunteer whenever I can. My “happy place” is the beach and you will find me there most evenings, walking my dog & watching another sunset. |
Japanese Hi. I’m Lois Booth. I teach Japanese on Thursdays and Fridays. I love the Japanese language and the culture. I live with my husband and little Eddie, a Jack Russell. My 3 children are grown up and live and work elsewhere. I have 2 young grand-daughters, Milla and Poppy. Milla is starting Foundation this year. I enjoy cooking, reading, knitting, tennis, gym and the beach. |
FOUNDATION 2022
Newsletter
Our newsletter 'The Spear' is published weeky on Thursday. It will contain useful information, communication and reminders. It also will showcase photos and events from the school. Important communication will still be sent to parents via email and PAM.
Parent Notified Absences
Parents should notify the school of any absence by 9.00am. This can be done via PAM or alternatively by contacting or emailing the school.
Uniform Reminders
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: Please clearly label your child's items of clothing so they can be returned to your child if handed to lost property.
Reminder - Medical details
Please update your child/rens medical details via the Parent Access Module(PAM).
This will enable the school to have to most current and relevant information related to your child/rens medical needs and requirements.
Fee Statements
Dear Parents
Fee Statements were emailed yesterday to the nominated Fee Payer as per the enrolment forms or as per paperwork submitted for changes. The Fee Statement will include all charges for the 2022 school year. A subsequent statement will be emailed out each term; the due dates for each term are:-
Term 1 11 March
Term 2 3 June
Term 3 19 Aug
Term 4 11 Nov
Full BPAY details will be located in the top right hand side of the Fee Statement. Fees due each term will be listed in a note on the bottom of the final page of the Fee Statement. Please note that families can schedule their own payments throughout the year via BPAY, for those families on Direct Debit, these schedules commence this week.
Should you have any difficulties with fees throughout the year, please do not hesitate to contact me. All conversations are treated with confidentiality and we are here to assist.
Kind Regards
Nicola Saunders
Administration Officer
Food allergies are severe and exposure in any form (skin contact or ingestion) to these substances could result in anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Whilst St Thomas does not ban certain foods, we ask that you respect the fact that some students and educators do have allergies to some food. Please avoid products with nuts wherever possible.
Further information will have been shared with your family if a member of your child's community has any specific allergy.
Thank you in advance for making our school community a safe and healthy place.
Parent Assistance Required- After School Pick-up