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Message - Deputy Principal: Inclusive Education
Dear Families and Friends,
It is an absolute pleasure to welcome everyone back to school for an engaging and exciting Term 3.
There have been many happy students and families walking through the gates this week and while the weather has been chilly, there has definitely been warmth in the faces of those we’ve greeted.
We look forward to meeting with our families next week at our Parent/Teacher/Student interviews to discuss the learning and achievements of the first semester of 2022 as indicated in the Semester One reports that went home at the end of last term.
There are two platforms that we are using to engage with our families with the interviews: in person next Tuesday night and online next Wednesday night.
As per Kate’s email earlier this week, the below information will support you with the process of booking your time.
These meetings will be 10 minutes long for each student. If your child had a PSG in the last weeks of Term 2 then they will not have a Parent/Teacher interview.
We are offering two different days and two different ways to meet.
Tuesday - Onsite at school (in person) - in your child's community 3.40- 6pm
Wednesday - Virtual (using Google Meet) - a link will be supplied - 4pm - 7pm
You pick one of those days (not both).
The interviews are open for booking on PAM.
To book
1) log in to PAM
2) click on Parent Teacher Interview button on top right
3) select the day
4) select a time that suits you
If you choose the Wednesday Video conference an email will be sent to you the day before the interviews with information on how to join the meeting.
Have a fabulous week everyone and stay safe and warm during these cooler months.
Kindest regards,
Jen Gulavin
Deputy Principal: Inclusive Education
St Thomas, a Model of Faith?
St Thomas’ feast day was on the 3rd July, during the school holidays. We are acknowledging and celebrating this special person this week.
When we look at what the New Testament says about Thomas, we inevitably arrive at the popular story of Thomas the ‘doubter’. The tag ‘Doubting Thomas’ is a bit narrow, and to be fair, there is more to this person than just being doubtful. The fact that Thomas comes up a few times in the bible, tells us that he had something to offer. After all, some of the apostles were hardly mentioned at all, so for someone to be mentioned a few times… is a big deal.
In John’s gospel a friend of Jesus, Lazarus, dies. In this story, Jesus raises his friend from the dead but did you know that Thomas is part of this story too? As the scripture goes, Thomas is said to have courageously attempted to rally his fellow apostles to take part in Jesus’ work and says, “Let us also go so that we may die with him”. In retrospect, we can see that his attempt is misguided. But, he was willing to give it a go. Thomas did not have two thousand years of hindsight to understand that his attempt was not in line with what Jesus was trying to teach. All of Jesus’ followers at the time, were muddling their way through his teachings and his parables. They didn’t get it, time and time again. The point is that Thomas was there, and he was willing to have a crack. He had the courage to try to understand.
Later in John’s gospel we come to the famous story where he states, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” Two thousand years later, we have the audacity to call Thomas out as being shaky. But if we actually try to imagine ourselves being there, we would see that he didn’t have the privilege of meeting up with Jesus the first time after he had been crucified. He was left out of that event for whatever reason. Thomas, quite reasonably, wanted some proof before making a huge leap in understanding. History has not shown that he was cut this slack. Let’s remember that it is human to ask questions. It is human to want to know more before believing in something that appears to be impossible.
Thomas was actually the first follower to commit to an understanding that Jesus is ‘Lord and God’. This is also a big deal and really sends home the message that faith is about curiosity, exploration and wanting to know more. Faith for human beings takes many years of exploration and we never truly get it during our lifetime.
Our students are exploring this thinking about Thomas. He was courageous and inquisitive and these are excellent attributes of a faith finder! Students are making posters that capture this thinking and we hope to showcase to families very soon. Stay tuned!
You may have seen the wonderful new signage around the front of our school. This is intended to make it easier for our families and visitors to navigate, as well as making it more prominent that we are indeed St Thomas the Apostle Primary School!
First Communion Program 2022
The First Communion Program kicks off with a Parent Information Night. Two offerings are coming up over the next two Tuesdays (19th & 26th July). Families have been allocated one of these sessions, not both. The Parent Information Night is NOT for children to attend.
The parish has emailed an invitation all known families who are interested in the First Communion program. However, if you have not received any emails regarding these Tuesdays nights (and have checked spam folders) please get in touch with the parish to let them know of your intention. Phone 5998 0947 (Tuesday to Friday 9am to 3pm).
Confirmation
Date |
Event |
Time |
16 August |
Retreat Day |
|
10 & 17 August 13 August (catechism group) |
Reconciliation |
|
20 August |
Confirmation Masses |
11am 2pm |
First Holy Communion
Date |
Event |
|
19 July |
Parent Information Night 1 |
|
23/24 July |
Enrolment Masses |
|
26 July |
Parent Information Night 2 |
|
30/31 July |
Enrolment Masses |
|
9 August |
Parent/Child Workshop 1 |
|
10 August |
Parent/Child Workshop 2 |
|
7 September 3 September (catechism group) |
Reconciliation |
|
10 & 11 September |
First Holy Communion Masses |
6pm 9am 10:45am |
17 & 18 September |
First Holy Communion Masses |
6pm 9am 10:45am |
Foundation - Parent Reading Information Sessions
This morning in Foundation we had a home reading information session. It was a wonderful time with many parents attending.
We worked with letter cards and decodable books, building words and reading together.
Reading at home assists with reinforcing what is taught at school. Students practise sounding words all the way through, pointing to the words, blending words together and being Decoding Dragons!
We will have more home reading information sessions on Thursday mornings in the coming week.
Dear Families,
The Art room is still looking for some assistance with art supplies.
Dear Families,
Semper Dental will be onsite commencing Wednesday August 17 offering dental checkups . The dental program is available to all students in accordance with the Australian Dental Association
Information and forms regarding the dental program will be sent home with students tomorrow. Please refer to the forms for further information.
Childcare is about to become more
affordable for families
To show what we mean, here is a breakdown!
New CCS family income thresholds | Subsidy % |
Up to $72,466 | 85% |
More than $72,466 to below $177,466 | Decreasing to 50% |
$177,466 to below $256,756 | 50% |
$256,756 to below $346,756 | Decreasing to 20% |
$346,756 to below $356,756 | 20% |
$356,756 or more | 0% |
Young Archie Competition
Bunjil Place
Applications NOW OPEN , Entry due date has been extended
Entries due by Sunday 24th July, 2022.
WHAT IS IT?
The annual Archibald Prize is eagerly anticipated by artists and audiences alike. The Archibald Prize represents Australia’s oldest and most prestigious art award and will be shown exclusively in Victoria at Bunjil Place. Exhibited alongside the Archibald Prize at Bunjil Place in September – October 2022, Young Archie is a portrait competition for young people aged 5 – 18 years. The competition will be judged by a panel, and finalists will have their artwork exhibited at Bunjil Place during the Archibald Prize. There are some great prizes available for competition winners, including cash prizes and art packs.
WHO CAN ENTER?
You can enter if you are between the ages of 5-18 and live in Victoria.
WHAT DO I DO?
- Draw/Paint a portrait of someone who is important to you, that you know, a real person. You could ask this person to sit for you whilst you paint, or use a photo or memory for your inspiration.
- Artwork must be on good paper between A4 or A3 size, no thicker than 1cm and flat.
- On the back of your work write your name, age, address and phone number.
- Write a paragraph (100 words or less) stating who you have chosen to draw/paint and why.
- Take a high quality photo of your artwork.
- Fill out the online entry form here. A parent/guardian will need to help you sign up and accept the terms and conditions
- Entries due online by Sunday 17th July, 2022
- More information can be found: https://www.bunjilplace.com.au/news/young-archie-competition-applications
If you have questions or queries about Young Archie at Bunjil Place, please contact us at youngarchie@casey.vic.gov.au or call 9709 9700.
SCHOOL CARPARK
To ensure that all students arrive and leave school safely each day, all parents/ guardians using the school carpark are asked to use one of the options below at drop off and pick up each day:
- DROP OFF/ PICK UP - All families wanting to drop off/ pick up their children without leaving their vehicle MUST use the car line. There are no other places on school grounds where it is safe for students to be dropped off/ picked up in this way.
- PARENT PARKING – Parents/ guardians wanting to leave their vehicle to drop off/ collect their children MUST park their vehicle in the allocated parent parking spaces. They can then escort their children to the nearest crossing so that students can safely enter the school grounds.
- CROSSINGS – Please ensure you are using the painted crossings with children to teach and reinforce safe road use habits. Staff will direct all members of the community when it is safe to cross.
Our staff work very hard each day to ensure the safety of all members of our community, particularly our children. If you are asked to move your vehicle or are redirected to follow one of the above processes, please respond kindly to these instructions. The safety of all students is always our first priority.
School Photos - Late Orders
Dear Families,
Advanced Life Photography have advised that late orders are still being processed and yet to be delivered. If you would like to follow up on your oustanding order please contact Advanced Life Photography on 9852 1133 or via their website www.advancedlife.com.au.