St Thomas' News

09 December 2021

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.

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Important Dates

TERM FOUR 2021

Friday 10 December - Students last day

TERM ONE 2022

Monday 31 January - First day Term One (Kindergarten - Year 6)

Monday 31 January - 'Welcome Cuppa' for all parents - straight after drop off

Thursday 3 February - Parent Information Evening K-6

Friday 4 February - Whole School Beginning of the Year Mass PP - 6 at 9am

Friday 4 February - Parent Representatives Meeting 10am

Tuesday 8 - Friday 11 February - Year 6 Camp

Friday 18 February - P & F Sundowner (please save the date)

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

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Dear Parents and Caregivers

Christmas Concert

It was wonderful to see so many parents and families come together to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas at our Christmas Concert on Tuesday evening. The Lantern Giving Ceremony was a highlight providing a symbol to our Year 6 families of their connection to St Thomas’ and as a reminder of their child’s Presentation education. A big thank you to Mrs Corinna Herbert for her organisation of the event and for sharing her many gifts and talents with the children. Thank you also to the staff and parent helpers who assisted with decorating and relocating the stage.

Year 6 Graduation

It was an honour and a privilege to celebrate the Year 6 Graduation this morning. Commencing with a liturgy in the Church concluding with the Graduation Dinner this evening, this is a true celebration of student life at St Thomas’. Congratulations to Lauren Shirley and Charlotte Foot for receiving the Lantern Award for upholding the school values throughout the year. This award was generously donated by Father Wayne who obtained the awards from the Vatican in Rome. A big thank you to Mrs Gibbs for preparing these events and to our Year 6 parents for their assistance and support.

Christmas Card Competition Winner

Congratulations to Ewa (Year 2) for her successful entry in the 2021 Curtin Christmas Card Competition. Ewa will have her drawing featured on one of the Curtin Christmas cards this year. Ewa drew a beautiful, brightly coloured picture of a traditional nativity scene.

‘Celebrating 200 Years’ Mural

Thanks to the amazing talents of our Artist in Residence Miss Linzi Carter and our Visual Arts Specialist Mrs Kate Byrne, this amazing mural is now complete. This artwork has brought colour and joy to the centre of our school and was commissioned with the assistance of funds from the P & F.

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Year 6 Leadership Positions

Year 6 leadership positions for 2022 were formally announced at the Thanksgiving/Graduation Liturgy this morning. These positions were selected by students and staff using a preferential voting system, as covered in the Humanities and Social Sciences curriculum program. Although not everyone received a position for next year, we acknowledge the amazing talents and contributions of all the current year 5 students as leaders in our school community. This will be acknowledged with a special blessing in week one 2022.

Thank you and best wishes

As the end of the school year approaches, I would like to thank everyone for their contribution to our school this year. It is through the efforts of so many, that we achieve so much.

To our Year 6 students, staff and families leaving at the end of this year – thank you for the support you have shown the school during your time at St Thomas’. Best wishes in all your future endeavours.

On behalf of the staff of St Thomas’, I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a safe, enjoyable holiday break. We look forward to seeing you all on the first day of school 2022, Monday 31 January.

God bless

Natalia Thomson

Principal

Congratulations to all our Award Winners

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Bastian won the 2021 Chess Champion award for the most amount of wins in the year.

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Y6 Graduation Dinner

Preparations for tonight's Y6 Graduation Dinner are underway. We look forward to sharing the evening with our Y6 students and families.

Thank you for all the parents who have set up the undercover area for tonight. Its looking fabulous.

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From the Assistant Principal

YEAR 3 2022 – IPADS

I encourage all current Year 2 parents to plan for the provision of an iPad for their child as part of the Year 3 2022 1:1 program. Already we have had iPads from some parents arrive at the school and have already been formatted with school management software in readiness for 2022. There are particularly long wait-times for iPad orders internationally given COVID restrictions, so I urge families to prioritise this so the iPad is ready for the start of the 2022 school year. If you require any assistance or have any questions, please contact me or view the information at: https://www.smore.com/n5gpj

CODING CLUB 2022

Thank you to the 34 Year 1-3 students and the 14 Year 4-6 students who attended Coding Club this semester. The new learnings these students have acquired and consolidated practice these students have experienced have helped develop their logical reasoning, critical and creative thinking as well as collaboration in the support or their peers. Thank you parents for your support of your child learning coding skills, as well as your support of the program. In planning for 2022, Coding Club for Years 4-6 will take place on a Monday afternoon, 3-4pm. Forms for interested students will be distributed early next year.

Heath Nankivell

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

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St Thomas’ Chess Club- Dedicated players competing every Thursday lunchtime

Scientist in Schools

Thank you to our Scientist in Schools, Jo Myers, for another two STEM immersions this term.

Year 6 analysed water and Year 5 explored the tracking of turtles in the Ningaloo region.

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Music Tuition in 2022

Applications are now open for the 2022 Instrumental Program. Along with piano, drums, guitar and vocals new for 2022 is flute, clarinet and violin.

Application forms are available from the front office or on our website: https://www.stthomas.wa.edu.au/music-tuition/

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Science in Year 1 – exploring light

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Lost property

We have a variety of lost property items from sparkly shoes to winter jackets! Please take a few minutes when you are dropping or collecting your child to take a look through. Clothing is in the green box just inside the door heading to the library. Jewellery items are kept at the front desk.

Anything not collected by the end of this year will be donated to St Vincent de Paul.