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Dear Parents
We are experiencing beautiful winter days this week. It is wonderful to watch the joy the children expressed in exploring the frosty grass and the excitement of finding ice sheets in the drinking troughs. Children explore their world and learn through experience and wondering. We continue to work to encourage questions as a key part of our work in education. Asking big questions which do not have short or simple answers allows children, teachers and families to explore the complexities of the world. Discovering differing points of view, seeing things from different people's perspective and wondering how an idea might be understood or experienced by others helps to keep curiosity alive.
I have been working this week with the Year 6 Marketing and Promotions team. The executive of this group met with me to explore the events they have planned and proposed for Science Week and Book Week (both coming up in August). Their passion and excitement for working towards interesting learning opportunities and celebrations for the school group was inspiring. Discussing ideas and practicalities, balancing the context, the constraints and thinking about implementation lead to some great conversations.
Let us all learn from our children and stay curious about the world. We can build on two of the wonderful gifts of the Holy Spirit - Wonder and Awe. When the sunshine brings a smile to our faces and the song of birds surviving cold winds and thinking about building nests we think of the gift our world is to us. Take a moment today to look at the world through a child's eyes, find something that makes you wonder or brings you awe and talk about it with your child.
My blessing and prayers to you all
Kate
First Holy Communion What is First Communion (Eucharist)?
Parents of children who are doing their First Communion came to our first Parent Formation Night (session1) on Tuesday night. It was impressive to see how active the parents were in group discussion! The point of the Parent Formation Night is to build our understanding of the sacrament, as adults, so that we can provide the best guidance for our children. The Parish still has one more session to host, on Tuesday 26th July at 7pm.
This leads to the Commitment Masses which take place during the usual Parish Masses. We have this coming weekend (23rd/24th July) and the following weekend (30th/31st July) as our Commitment Mass times. There will be a blessing and ‘commitment’ to beginning the First Communion preparation program at each of these Masses.
Reminder about Mass location and times…
Venue: St Peter’s Secondary College (until the new church building is completed!)
Times: Saturday 6pm, Sunday 9am and Sunday 10:45am
Socktober 2022!
Mission Month is a while away but here’s some lead up information. October is recognised in the Catholic calendar as the month where we focus on Mission. A way we can do this at school is to look to some organisations that provide some real engagement and have an authentic focus on Catholic Social Teachings. Socktober is one such organisation.
We registered with Socktober last year and managed to score some real goals for a community in Thailand. This year the focus is on Ethiopia.
Watch this short video (2:48) to see more detail about Socktober:
Our Social Justice student leadership team (a group of eight students from year 6) are taking this on as their social justice project this year. They have earmarked the success of this project being that awareness is raised about the social justice issues and that we are able to support the charity by raising funds for Socktober to send to Ethiopia. They are starting their project now, so that by the end of October happens, we can measure some true success. Help them be successful!
St Thomas Feast Day Posters
Last week I promised that we would do a bit of an exposé of the posters that captured our thinking around the person, Thomas. There are a few posts on our Facebook page that show off the artistic talent of some of our students but more importantly the model of faith that Thomas teaches us.
Introducing Felicity Farrell our newest staff member of the STAPS community.
I live in the Dandenong Ranges with my husband, our two beautiful boys and our crazy husky. For fun and relaxation I enjoy bushwalking, spending time at the beach, playing card and board games, and going camping with family and friends.
I appreciate the warm welcome extended to me by staff and Damascus students and I’m very much looking forward to getting to know the students and the wider school community of St Thomas the Apostle.
Dear Parents
Cars must not do a U turn in Fiorelli Blvd. We have recently had two minor accidents and the council and police will be monitoring traffic. This could lead to a fine.
Thank you for helping us to keep our children safe and to keep traffic moving.
Kate
Lost Property Box
The lost property box is overflowing with items. Please remind your child/ren to check the box if they are missing an item of clothing, lunchbox, water bottle, toy etc.
Please ensure all items of uniform (hats/jackets/jumpers) are named so that they can be returned if found.
Fee Statements
Term 3 fee statements were issued and emailed earlier this week to the nominated fee recipient.
If you have not received your statement, please check your SPAM folder.
If you are experiencing any financial difficulties, please do not heasitate to contact me.
Kind regards
Nicola Saunders
Casey Winter Magic Festival
Casey Winter Magic Festival is bringing something special to Clydesdale Square in Cranbourne on Sunday 31 July 2022 from 11.00am to 4.00pm. With loads of free fun activities for the whole family to enjoy, you’ll be whisked away to a magic winter wonderland. Find out more here > www.goalloutincasey.com.au/
Melbourne Youth Chorale (MYC)