Important Dates
2023
Term One
Tuesday 08 - Friday 10 February Year 6 Camp
Wednesday 15 February - Parish Mass 12:30 pm, all welcome
Tuesday 21 February - Shrove Tuesday (pancakes)
Tuesday 21 February - Project Compassion Launch
Wednesday 22 February - Ash Wednesday (Liturgy in church) parents welcome
Friday 24 February - Swimming Trials
Saturday 25 February - Parish Mass lead by Y6 @ 5:30 pm - all welcome followed by sausage sizzle
Tuesday 28 February - Advisory Council Meeting 7 pm
Wednesday 01 March - Parish Mass 12:30 pm, parents welcome
Friday 03 March - Pre Primary Speech Screening commences
Monday 06 March - Labour Day Holiday
Wednesday 08 March - Pre Primary Speech Screening continues
Wednesday 08 March - Parish Mass 12:30 pm, parents welcome
Friday 10 March - Swimming Carnival (Yrs 3 - 6)
Friday 10 March - P&F Sundowner (adults only event) Please book child minding early!
Wednesday 15 March - P&F Meeting 7 pm (School Library)
Please remember dates of events can be subject to change
(Full 2023 term dates at the end of this newsletter)
Prayer
God of wisdom and might
We praise you for the wonder of our being,
for mind, body, and spirit
Be with our children as they begin a new school year.
Bless them and their teachers and staff
Give them strength and grace as their bodies grow.
Wisdom and knowledge to their minds as they search for understanding, peace, and zeal to their hearts.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen.
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Welcome to the start of the 2023 school year. I hope you had an enjoyable holiday break with your family and friends.
To all our new families, welcome. We know you will be very happy as we work together to create a positive and dynamic learning environment for your child/children.
First Week of School
It was so lovely to greet the children as they arrived at school last week. There were lots of smiles, laughter, and a few nerves for those starting for the first time. Thank you for assisting your child/children to have a smooth transition into the school year. Our ‘Welcome Cuppa’ on the first day provided the opportunity to meet new parents and catch up after the holiday break. The whole school Mass last Friday, was a perfect way to celebrate the beginning of the school year. Thank you to the Year 6 students for leading us in prayer.
Year of Excellence
This year at St Thomas’ there will be a particular focus on ‘EXCELLENCE.’ There is, and will continue to be, an expectation that students will always do their best. We acknowledge that what excellence looks like, will be different for each child. Excellence is one of our school values and is an important focus in our school improvement and strategic plans.
Year 6 Camp
On Tuesday morning, students from Year 6, travelled to Jarrahfall Bush Camp in Dwellingup to commence a four-day Leadership Camp. Mrs Gibbs, Mr Godsall, and I, travelled with the students. We look forward to sharing their adventures when they return.
P & F Sundowner
Our P & F Sundowner has been scheduled for the evening of Friday 10 March. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new parents and catch up with friends. Please save the date in your diary.
Uniforms
It is important as a school that we set standards for our students; how they look and feel about themselves is important and wearing our uniform correctly and with pride is essential for their development. We are aware that there are some delays in uniform orders. We hope that all orders will arrive within the next few weeks. Thank you for your support in upholding the school uniform code. It really does make for a smooth start to the school year.
Parent Involvement
At St Thomas’, we believe it is essential for parents/carers to be involved in their child's/children's educational journey, so please, be on the lookout for opportunities to take an active role in the education of your child.
Thank you and God bless
Natalia Thomson
Principal
From the Assistant Principal
DROP OFF / PICK-UP
Thank you for adhering to our school drop-off and pick-up times. These times vary between Early Years classes and Upper Primary classes.
Pre-K/Kindy - 8:45am classroom opens, 2:45pm pick-up (must have a parent/caregiver pick-up, not an older sibling)
Pre-primary - 8:25am classroom opens, 3:00pm pick-up (must have a parent/caregiver pick-up, not an older sibling)
Years 1-6 - 8:15am gates open for drop-off, 8:25am classroom opens; 3:00pm pick-up from undercover area or drive-through on basketball court (please use College Road via Warden Street to enter drive-through, and the pedestrian gate if not using the drive-through).
Please note that the playgrounds in Early Years and Upper Primary areas are closed before and after school as there is no staff supervision. Dogs are not permitted inside the school gates. Years 1-6 students must be picked up from the undercover area, and should not be instructed to meet parents in the Early Years area. Our priority is to keep all students safe during this busy time, and we very much appreciate your support with this.
HIGHWAY HEREOS
Our school Social-Emotional Learning (S.E.L.) program is Highway Heroes. This program uses the extensive international research from the international peak authority on SEL, C.A.S.E.L. (the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning). In Term One, all classes will be teaching students Module 1 – 'Sticking Up 4 Me'; 'Beating Bullying & Taming Teasing'.
For more information, parent info sheets and posters used at St Thomas', please visit: https://bestprograms4kids.com/downloads/
KEEPING SAFE: CHILD PROTECTION CURRICULUM
The KS:CPC is predicated on two main themes which are presented through age and developmentally appropriate activities: 'We all have the right to be safe', and 'We can help ourselves to be safe by talking to people we trust'. During Term 1, all classes will work through Focus Area 1: The Right To Be Safe. Concepts covered across the year levels vary depending on developmental level, and include: Feelings; Being safe; Warning signs; Risk-taking and emergencies; and Psychological pressure and manipulation.
For more information, please visit this website, and scroll down to 'Concept Summaries' and 'Fact Sheets', or speak with your child's teacher, or myself.
NAPLAN
In weeks 7 and 8 of this term, all students in Years 3 and 5 will take part in NAPLAN (National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy). An information sheet has been sent home to students in these classes. We ask parents not to not put undue pressure on students for these tests, and if you have any questions with these tests, the timing of the tests or preparation, please contact myself or your child's teacher. For more information on NAPLAN, please visit: https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan
CHINESE - YEARS 3-6
Students in Years 3-6 will study Chinese language and culture once per week.
For more information about this program, please visit: LINK
Uniform Reminders
Please consider these requirements when purchasing new shoes and in preparing for the commencement of the 2023 school year.
School Shoes Formal Uniform Black lace up leather school shoes for both boys and girls are to be worn with formal uniform. Black jogger shoes are not suitable for the formal uniform. Girls may wear black Mary Jane school shoes. Boys wear grey socks, available from the Uniform Shop and girls wear white ankle socks or navy tights available from retail outlets. Navy sandals may be worn in summer. White ankle school sport socks with sport shoes are to be worn with sports uniform.
Sport Shoes Students can wear the following colours for sports shoes:
➢ Black
➢ Blue
➢ White
or ➢ Combination of blue & white or black & white
Hair
Hair should be neat, tidy, clean, and brushed. It must be an even cut (blended and not two lengths). Hair should not be tucked behind the ears, fall over the collar, eyes, or ears. If hair is falling across face or anywhere else, it will require cutting or tying back. Shoulder length hair must be tied up.
Small ribbon (no wider than 22mm) or scrunchie in the school colours – white, maroon, or navy blue - may be worn in long hair. Radical or extreme hairstyles are not acceptable.
Watches/Jewellery
Watches with brown or black bands. No Apple Watches or watches with internet access to be worn at school. No jewellery is allowed except for sleepers or studs in both ears or a simple fine metallic neck chain with a Christian symbol.
Thank you for adhering to our dress code.
Sports News
Years 3-6 Swimming Trials – Friday 24th February 2023
This year we are having swimming trials on Friday 24th February from 12 noon until 3pm. Below are the following times for each year level:
Years 4 and 5 – 12 noon until 1.30pm
Years 3 and 6 – 1.30pm – 3pm
Please ensure students have appropriate swimming gear, a towel, goggles and appropriate footwear to wear to and from the pools. Faction swimming caps will be provided on the day. No thongs to be worn to school.
To be selected for the Championship points for the St Thomas Carnival and Interschool Swimming team, students must swim in 50m events.
All permission forms are due this Friday 10th February.
Please see the link below to fill in the form: https://forms.office.com/r/WQP95CPh94
https://forms.office.com/r/WQP95CPh94
UPCOMING SPORTING EVENTS
St Thomas’ Swimming Carnival Years 3-6 – Friday 10th March
Interschool Swimming Carnival – Friday 31st March
TBC - Year 5 & 6 Tennis and Cricket Carnival
SPORTING COMMUNITIES
AFL Football – If you would like to child to participate in AFL football for Claremont Junior Football Club registrations are open and you may also contact www.claremontjuniorfc.com.au
Return it WA - Containers for Change
Thank you to all the children and families who are supporting this incentive of how we recycle and make our world more sustainable. Last year we raised over $100 which I have placed the money towards new sporting equipment for the classrooms
Just a reminder:
· Only empty drink containers are to go into the purple bin, not food. All lids and straws must be removed (these can go into your recycling bin).
· If you are dropping off large amounts of empty bottles to the school, can these be placed in bags out of the bins, so the bins don’t fill up with the large water bottles.
As I am having to go down to the containers for change on a weekly to fortnightly basis, I am seeking any parental assistance who may be able to take them down to Shenton recycle it, count them and return the money back to school on our behalf?
If you can assist at any time throughout the year, please contact Sharon Seaman Sharon.seaman@cewa.edu.au
Sharon Seaman
Physical Education Specialist Teacher
Meet our staff
Name: Renee Miller
Position: Performing Arts Teacher
Interests: Musical Theatre, running, hanging out with my family
Football Team: Eagles
Favourite Food: Dumplings, chocolate almonds and chips (hot or crisp)
Currently Reading: When the Day Comes (Timeless Series) – Gabrielle Meyer
Favourite Holiday Destination: New York or Italy – I cannot decide!
3 people you’d invite to dinner: Jimmy Fallon, James Corden and Hugh Jackman
What would you do with your last $50? Go for Dim Sum
Favourite Movie: Gone with the Wind
Favourite Quote: Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming – Dory Finding Nemo
Someone you admire: Jewel
Tennis lessons
Welcome back to a new school year!
FREE Wilson Tennis junior racquet (valued at $40)* with every new Hot Shots tennis enrolment for Term 1 at Onslow Park Tennis Club, Shenton Park 🎾
Hurry and book now into our award-winning tennis program (2022 Tennis West best club coaching program in WA).
To enrol email admin@tennisfactory.com.au or call 6365 2909.
*This offer is only for new customers to Tennis Factory and is only available for lessons at Onslow Park TC in Term 1 2023. Not valid for any other TF venues (schools or other clubs). Onslow Park TC is located at 85 Onslow Road, Shenton Park.
St Thomas' Primary School
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