St Thomas' News

St Thomas’ Primary School is part of a faith community centred on the life of Jesus, as expressed in our Motto, ‘Together in Christ’

Our Vision is to 'Educate the Whole Child' and empower learners as global citizens, to be curious, collaborative, creative and critical thinkers, inspired by Christ.

A reminder that Friday 3 June is a Pupil Free Day and Monday 6 June is a Public Holiday.

TERM TWO 2022

Thursday 26 May - Homework Club - Yrs 3-6: 3.15 - 4.15pm

Thursday 26 May - Drama Club - 3:15 - 4.15 pm

Friday 27 May - Interschool Cross Country Training

Friday 27 May - Assembly Y5

Friday 27 May - Gymnastics Yrs PP - 2

Friday 27 May - First Communion (Y4) 6 pm

Monday 30 May - Interschool Cross Country (Yrs 3 - 6)

Wednesday 01 June - Edudance

Wednesday 01 June - P&F Meeting 7 pm

Thursday 2 June -Disco - Theme Space (PP - Y6)

Friday 3 June - Pupil Free Day - school closed

Monday 6 June - Public Holiday - school closed

Wednesday 8 June - Edudance

Wednesday 8 June - LifeLink Launch

Thursday 9 June - AFL Clinics Yrs 3 - 6

Thursday 9 June - Drama Club: 3.15 - 4.15 pm

Thursday 9 June - Homework Club: 3.15 - 4.15 pm

Friday 10 June - Running Club Yrs 1 - 6

Friday 10 June - Assembly Y4

Friday 10 June - AFL Clinics Yrs PP, 1 & 2

Tuesday 14 June - School Photos

Wednesday 15 June - Edudance

Thursday 16 June - Crazy Sock Day - gold coin donation

Thursday 16 June - AFL Clinics Yrs 3 - 6

Thursday 16 June - Drama Club: 3.15 - 4.15 pm

Thursday 16 June - Homework Club: 3.15 - 4.15 pm

Friday 17 June - Running Club Yrs 1 - 6

Friday 17 June - Assembly Y6

Friday 17 June - Around the World Day PP

Wednesday 22 June - Edudance

Wednesday 22 June - Edudance Concert 2:15 pm

Thursday 23 June - Winter Carnival Yrs 5 & 6

Thursday 23 June - Drama Club: 3.15 - 4.15 pm

Thursday 23 June - Homework Club: 3.15 - 4.15 pm

Friday 24 June - Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Friday 24 June - Running Club - Yrs 1 - 6

Friday 24 June - RoboGals (Y4 - 6 girls)

Monday 27 June - Semester 1 reports issued on SEQTA

Tuesday 28 June - Oracy Y4

Tuesday 28 June - Advisory Council Meeting Online 7pm

Wednesday 29 June - Academic All Stars

Thursday 30 June - AFL Clinics Yrs 3 - 6

Thursday 30 June - Drama Club: 3.15 - 4.15 pm

Thursday 30 June - Homework Club: 3.15 - 4.15 pm

Friday 01 July - St Thomas' Feast Day Mass 9 am

Friday 01 July - Talent Show (students only)

Friday 01 July - last day of Term 2

TERM THREE 2022

Monday 18 July - Pupil Free Day

Tuesday 19 July - All students commence K - 6 for Term 3

(Full 2022 term dates at the end of this newsletter)

Lord Jesus Christ

In the Sacrament of Eucharist, you left us the outstanding manifestation of your limitless love for us. Inspire me to carry to others Your message of love, care, and forgiveness.

Amen

First Holy Communion

This Friday evening, our Year Four children will receive the Sacrament of Eucharist (First Holy Communion) for the first time. When a young person receives First Holy Communion, they are joining the rest of the faith community at the table of God’s family. All students in Year 4 participated in a Eucharist Retreat on Wednesday facilitated by Sr Catherine Warner where they prepared for the Sacrament. A big thank you to Father Wayne, Sr. Catherine, and Miss Mulholland, for the great work they have done in partnership with the parents, to prepare the children for this special celebration.

QCSER Review

In June, St Thomas’ will participate in a Quality Catholic Education School Review (QCSER). This review provides an opportunity for a panel of educators, external to the school, to affirm, challenge and report on the improvement journey at the school and the principal’s leadership. This is a cyclical process which last took place three years ago in a 2019.

The QCESR Panel will be visiting our school on 7-9 June. As part of the process, the panel will be meeting with the Principal, Leadership Team, a selection of staff, a selection of students, Parish Priest and nominees from the Catholic School Advisory Council and P & F Group.

Please view a letter from Dr Debra Sayce, Executive Director, Catholic Education WA (CEWA) QCSER

Marketing

St Thomas' has a comprehensive marketing plan for the future, aimed at increasing enrolments. We aim to increase the schools digital footprint and ensure the value and benefits of our schools education, are fully recognised by the wider community.

We are seeking expressions of interest from 1-2 members of our school community who have marketing experience to volunteer on our school marketing team to assist with implementing the new plan. Please email Mrs Wray admin@stthomas.wa.edu.au to register your interest.

Smiling Minds Grant

Recently St Thomas' was successful in receiving a grant from Smiling Minds & Dulux paints, to create a dedicated mindfulness space in our school for our students. The area at the entrance to our school has been identified, and is beginning to take shape. With the assistance of Mrs Kate Byrnes and the Green Team, a selection of plants have already been purchased and planted to create a sensory garden. As the space develops, it will include artwork and a shade sail to enable students to use the space all year round.

P & F Meeting

We are excited to offer a dual platform for attendance at our P & F Meeting on Wednesday 1 June at 7pm. A virtual link to the meeting will be emailed prior to the day, or alternatively, you are welcome to join us face to face in the school Library.

Uniforms

It has been wonderful to see students wearing their school uniform with pride. A big thank you to you, our parents and caregivers, who ensure students are wearing the correct uniform each and every day. This is particularly important in the lead up to school photos on Tuesday 14 June. The cooler weather is a timely reminder that all students in Years 1-6 are required to have a maroon school jumper for their formal uniform. The rain jacket is not a substitute for this item. The uniform policy and requirements can be found on this LINK. Thank you for your continued support.

May God bless your week

Natalia Thomson

PRINCIPAL

Using our green thumbs preparing for our new Smiling Minds Garden in the front courtyard as you enter the school.

Cross Country

Well done to all our students who ran in last Friday’s Cross Country carnival at Rowe Park. The sportsmanship and effort of all runners was clear to see and made for a fantastic morning of competition. A big thank you to parents who acted as marshals on the course and assisted on the day, as well as those who came to support their children.

Thank you to Mrs Seaman for all her work in preparing, and then adjusting the carnival so that all Years One-Six students had the opportunity to race on the day. There was a significant amount of work by Mrs Seaman and Mrs Wray to ensure the carnival went ahead, and students were safe and where they should be, throughout the day. I understand that the messaging, and timing of messaging, we put out to parents may have resulted in home and work disruptions from the planned day, and trust you appreciate the conditions were unique and beyond our control. We apologise for an inconvenience the changes may have caused. We have appreciated the many positive pieces of feedback received from parents in what were difficult circumstances, and appreciate those who have respectfully provided some constructive feedback that we look to action, if similar situations present themselves in future.

NAPLAN

The Year Three and Five classes have worked their way through the four NAPLAN tests. Well done to all students. Results will be communicated to parents as soon as we receive them from the national testing body. Please note current Year Two and Year Four parents, NAPLAN tests are planned to occur earlier in the year, currently scheduled between 15-27 March 2023.

School Photos

Please note that school photos will take place on Tuesday 14 June. Students are required to have their maroon jumper at school for these photos, and exhibit a high level of personal grooming. I myself have already booked my hairdresser’s appointment (it shouldn’t take long…)! Please see the notes from the Photographers, in particular notes on family photos if you require these.

Weekly Values/Vision Focus

Each week we focus our attention as part of teaching and learning activities, on one element of our school vision, or one of our school values. So far this term we have looked at Respect, Collaboration, Curiosity, Critical Thinking, and this week we are focusing on Creativity. I very much enjoy celebrating a selection of our students who have displayed incorporating these focus points in their school day, with a Values Award at the Monday gathering. This week, we are looking to promote students’ curiosity by finding new ways to solve problems, building on existing ideas, and using our imagination to create and innovate through specific activities.

Mr Heath Nankivell

Assistant Principal

FEAST DAY: 24 MAY

The feast day of Mary Help of Christians, the Patroness of Australia, has been celebrated in Australia since 1844.

In the life of Jesus, and in the life of the Church, Mary has been a great help in many difficult situations.

In Australia, at the beginning of the European settlement, the first Irish Catholics prayed to Mary for help. And so too do we pray to Mary for her help in 2022, a year of such uncertainty during this global pandemic.

Mary was a woman of great faith, who trusted God and his promises.

Prayer

Mary, our Mother, You responded to the call of God with faith and courage.

Help us to express our faith with honesty

Help us to remain faithful in difficult times

Help us to discover meaning and purpose in the events of our lives

Help us to find healing in times of hurt

Help us to be gentle, reasonable and loving in all our relationships

Help us to be compassionate in the face of indifference

Help us to bring joy and hope into our lives and the lives of others

Help us to live lives of practical love.

Through her prayers and under her protection, may the light of Christ shine over our land.

May Australia be granted harmony, justice, and peace.

Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

On Tuesday 24th May, the Year 4 students participated in their Sacrament of Eucharist Retreat Day. Sister Catherine Warner PVBM, one of the Presentation Sisters, joined them for the day. What a fantastic day it was!

On Wednesday students celebrated National Simultaneous Storytime with their buddies. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by Australians is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, homes and children's facilities all over the world. Over 1 million children listened to 'Family Tree' at the exact time. This is a fun event that promotes the value of reading and literacy.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ... Blast off! We are looking forward to the upcoming Space Student Disco held in the School Hall next Thursday night! The P&F will provide a sausage sizzle (a hot dog and juice box per student) in between the two sessions so the PP - Yr 3 children can pick up a hot dog on their way out, and the Yr 4 - Yr 6 children may wish to come a little earlier to eat before their Disco starts.

Year 6 Parent Class Representatives have been working very hard to organise this year's Disco, and we would love some extra parent volunteers to help with setting up the decorations (and packing down), manning the door and entry/exit points, cooking and serving the sausage sizzle and assisting our teachers to supervise the Disco.

If you are able to help, please sign up here:

https://signup.com/go/BFhyJVd

Our next meeting will be held both online and face to face in the School Library next Wednesday night at 7pm. We hope to see you there.

Bianca Della Vedova

P&F President

CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL RESULTS 2022

The Cross Country event started with a lot of rain but thankfully the sun started to shine for the reminder of the day, and we were able to complete the carnival by postponing the start times. Well done to all the children who competed so well and with such great sportsmanship. It was pleasing the see so many smiles at the start as well and the finish line! To our Year 1 class competing for the first time – you did an amazing job!

Thank you to all the parents and family members who came along to cheer on the children. I know that the children loved seeing so many supporters as they crossed the finish line. Special thankyou to all the parent volunteers who assisted as a course marshal and those who stepped in at the last minute to fill positions.

Below are the Individual results on the day:

Year 1 Girls – 1st Maggie D, 2nd Maria K, 3rd Elisabeth C

Year 1 Boys – 1st Hudson W, 2nd Spero M, 3rd Elias H

Year 2 Girls – 1st Maddy G, 2nd Beatrice B, 3rd Elisabeth G

Year 2 Boys - 1st Thomas V, 2nd James H, 3rd Hudson T

Year 3 Girls – 1st Ewa K, 2nd Chilli O, 3rd Ruby R

Year 3 Boys - 1st Charlie J, 2nd Luke F, 3rd Bailey W

Year 4 Girls – 1st Maxine S, 2nd Annabelle H, 3rd Arielle P

Year 4 Boys – 1st Louis K, 2nd Harrison C, 3rd Inderpal S

Year 5 Girls – 1st Lily G, 2nd Amelie G, 3rd Caoimhe P

Year 5 Boys – 1st Charlie D, 2nd Hamish L, 3rd Tom B

Year 6 Girls – 1st Amelie T, 2nd Mila B, 3rd Chloe S

Year 6 Boys – 1st Jude K, 2nd Jack H, 3rd Lux E

Overall Champion Faction

1st Forrest 227 points

2nd Sheridan 210 points

3rd Gittens 185 points

Spirit award Gittens

Interschool Cross Country Training

Those children in years 3-6 who are in the Interschool Cross Country Team are invited to attend training at Rowe Park on Friday 27th May at 8am.

Interschool Cross Country Carnival

Monday 30th May at UWA Sports Park, McGillvary Rd

We are looking for parents to assist as a checkpoint marker on the day. If you are available, please indicate on the permission form. All forms are due Thursday 26th May

Running Club Years 1-6

We recommence on Friday 10th June 8am – 8.20am at Rowe Park.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Winter Lightning Carnival – Thursday 23rd June at Wembley sports park from 10am – 2pm

Netball – Matthews (State Netball Centre)

Soccer and AFL – Wembley Park/Pat Goodridge Oval

If there are any parents who can come along and coach/assist on the day can you email Sharon.seaman@cewa.edu.au

We need parents for the following teams:

1 x Netball

2 x Soccer

1 x AFL

Thank you

Sharon Seaman

PHYSICAL EDUCATION SPECIALIST

Name: MARY COURTNEY

Position: FINANCE OFFICER

Interests: READING, TRAVELLING, MY PETS

Football Team: GEELONG

Favourite Food: THAI FOOD

Currently Reading: WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING

Favourite Holiday Destination: JAPAN

What would you do with your last $50? BUY LOTS OF LOTTO TICKETS

Favourite Movie: TITANIC

Favourite Quote: THE ONLY IMPOSSIBLE JOURNEY IS THE ONE YOU NEVER BEGIN

The St Thomas Dad's Camp Out is back!

All St Thomas dads and father figures are warmly invited to this year's Camp Out. An overnight adventure full of fun, mateship and trying new things with your kids in the great outdoors!

When: Saturday 29 October - Sunday 30 October 2022

Where: The Jarrahfall Bush Camp & Dare Adventures Team, Dwellingup

Please secure your tickets via https://www.trybooking.com/BYDSF

We are delighted to inform you that St Thomas’ Primary School will be participating in the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) again this year.

ICAS Assessments are designed to recognise academic excellence. Students are assessed on their ability to apply classroom learning to new contexts, using higher order thinking and problem-solving skills.

Students from Years 2-6 are eligible to enter the ICAS Competition.

The assessments are suitable for students wishing to extend themselves academically and take up the personal challenge of competing in an international assessment. Your child will be presented with high-quality, expert-developed questions, allowing them to apply their learning without the need for prior study or revision.

2022 Participation

ICAS Assessments are online.

You are invited to choose all, or any of the assessments for your child to sit.

Payment for the online assessments will be done via the Parent Payment Portal.

Visit the online Parent Payment System to make a direct payment to UNSW Global and to nominate the assessments you would like your child to participate in. The Parent Payment System is a simple and secure online payment service specifically for parents to purchase ICAS Assessments.

ACCESS DETAILS FOR PARENTS

School access code is: QQK865

Your parent page link is:

https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps

Online payment closes Friday, 1 August 2022

IMPORTANT: Please enter your child’s name accurately into the system as it will appear on their ICAS certificate.

Sitting date – St Thomas’ School

Assessments will be administered at school.

• ICAS Science Years 2-6 (Online) 22 Aug -26 Aug
• ICAS Digital Technologies Years 3-6 (Online) 8 Aug – 12 Aug
• ICAS English Years 2-6 (Online) 15-19 Aug
• ICAS Mathematics Years 2-6 (Online) 29 Aug – 2 Sept

Cost per test: $19.25

Parents are also encouraged to visit the ICAS website unsw.global/ICAS to gather more background information on these competitions and to access practice items to help your child prepare for the competition.

Students are welcome to borrow past papers from the school to practice. These will be available to borrow from the Makerspace Room in the Library, from the beginning of Term 3.

The WA Government has provided a supply of Rapid Antigen Tests to be made available to you for use by your child if they become symptomatic or if they are close household contacts. WA Health has stated that primary age students must have the student allocation issued to parents/caregivers. These RAT Tests have now arrived at our school and will be issued to each family. We are expected to keep records of distribution.

Distribution

Now

· Pre-kindy, Kindergarten and Pre-primary parents may pick up one pack of RAT tests for each of your children from their classroom when picking or dropping off your child.

· Year 1-6 parents may pick up one pack of RAT tests for each of your children from the admin office between 8.30 - 9.30am or between 2.30 - 3.30pm.

Each family will also receive a box of children’s face masks generously donated by one of our St Thomas’ families. Please be mindful that while these RATs are safe for use by children, they should only be administered under the supervision of an appropriate adult. Any positive COVID-19 result should be reported on the school’s COVID-19 Self-Reporting Portal and positive COVID-19 RAT results must also be reported on the WA Health RAT Register as is required by the WA Government.

It is vitally important that parents and caregivers inform the school if your child tests positive for COVID-19. Parents and caregivers can inform the school of their child’s positive or negative COVID result via this LINK.

A friendly reminder to also register your positive RAT result to the WA Health RAT Register on this LINK

Thank you

Please contact the school office should your child wish to commence learning a musical instrument. Instruments currently offered include piano, drums, guitar, vocals, flute, clarinet and violin. Forms are available to collect or can be emailed.

• TERM 1
• Monday 31 January - Friday 8 April
• TERM 2
• Tuesday 26 April – Friday 1 July
• TERM 3
• Tuesday 19 July – Thursday 22 September
• TERM 4
• Tuesday 11 October – Friday 9 December

Pupil free days:

Friday 3 June

Monday 18 July

Monday 22 August

Friday 23 September

Monday 10 October

Public Holidays

Monday 7 March (Labor Day)

Monday 25 April (ANZAC Day)

Monday 6 June (WA Day)

Email: admin@stthomas.wa.edu.au
Website: stthomas.wa.edu.au
Location: 8 Warden Street Claremont WA 6010
Phone: (08 9286 9500
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stthomasprimaryschoolclaremont
Twitter: @StThomasCPS