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.

Dear God,

We give you our school St Thomas’.

We give you all the teachers and staff who work here.

We give you all the children who learn here.

We pray our school would be place of great discovery, adventure, and creativity.

May it be a place where we love to learn and where we learn to love.

A place where everyone is respected,

where love and compassion flow through every person

and each person in our community is deeply valued.

We ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

• TERM THREE

Friday 28 July - Running Club

Friday 28 July - Year 6 Assembly 9am

Saturday 29 July - Hollywood Glam Musical Bingo - P & F Fundraiser 6.30pm

Monday 31 July - Gathering 8:40 am

Monday 31 July - Early Years celebration of 100 days of school

Tuesday 1 August - Drama Production 6:30 pm

Wednesday 2 August - Y5 RE Assessment 9 am and Y3 11 am

Wednesday 2 August - Parish Buddy Mass Y4 & PP

Wednesday 2 August - Drama Production 6:30 pm

Friday 4 August - Sporting Hero dress-up day

Friday 4 August - Running Club

Monday 7 August - Angelico Exhibition Commences

Monday 7 August - Gathering 8:40 am

Tuesday 8 August - Interschool Chess Tournament @ St Paul's

Tuesday 8 August - ICAS Digital Tech (yrs 3-6)

Tuesday 8 August - Mary MacKillop Feast Day - Y2

Wednesday 9 August - ICAS Digital Tech (yrs 3-6)

Wednesday 9 August - P&F Meeting 7 pm

Thursday 10 August - Choir 8:25 am

Thursday 10 August - ICAS Digital Tech (yrs 3-6)

Friday 11 August - Y5 Assembly

Friday 11 August - Running Club

Friday 11 August - Y4 Excursion to Parliament House

Saturday 12 August - Parish Mass Y2

Monday 14 August - First Aid Awareness Training (Y3-6)

Monday 14 August - Gathering 8:40 am

Monday 14 August - ICAS English (Y2-6)

Tuesday 15 August - First Aid Awareness Training (PP-Y2)

Tuesday 15 August - Speak Up Awards 9:30 am

Tuesday 15 August - ICAS English (Y2-6)

Tuesday 15 August - Feast of the Assumption Y3

Wednesday 16 August - CPAF Choir Sacred 10 am

Wednesday 16 August - ICAS English (Y2-6)

Thursday 17 August - Athletics Throw Day

Thursday 17 August - Choir 8:25 am

Thursday 17 August - CPAF Drums

Thursday 17 August - ICAS English (Y2-6)

Friday 18 August - Pupil Free Day

Monday 21 August - Gathering 8:40 am

Monday 21 August - Parent/Student Confirmation Workshop 6 pm

Monday 21 August - ICAS Science (Y2-6)

Tuesday 22 August - Confirmation Retreat Y6

Tuesday 22 August - Athletics Jumps Day (Y3-5)

Tuesday 22 August - ICAS Science (Y2-6)

Wednesday 23 August - Book Week Celebrations - 8.45am Parade

Wednesday 23 August - Y6 Talk Money Incursion

Wednesday 23 August - CPAF Dance

Wednesday 23 August - ICAS Science (Y2-6)

Thursday 24 August - CPAF Choir - Vasto Club

Thursday 24 August - Jumps & Throws Catch Up

Thursday 24 August - ICAS Science (Y2-6)

Friday 25 August - Running Club

Friday 25 August - Y6 Jumps

Friday 25 August - Angelico Exhibition concludes

Friday 25 August - Y6 Confirmation Liturgy 6 pm

Monday 28 August - Gathering 8:40 am

Monday 28 August - Athletics - jumps & throws (back up date)

Monday 28 August - ICAS Maths (Y2-6)

Tuesday 29 August - Father's Day Stalls

Tuesday 29 August - Athletics - jumps & throws (back up date)

Tuesday 29 August - ICAS Maths (Y2-6)

Wednesday 30 August - Fathers Day Stalls

Wednesday 30 August - Performing Arts Festival - Drama

Wednesday 30 August - Parish Buddy Mass Y6 & Y2

Wednesday 30 August - ICAS Maths (Y2-6)

Thursday 31 August - Fathers Day Liturgy PP

Thursday 31 August - ICAS Maths (Y2-6)

Friday 1 September - St Thomas' Athletics Carnival

Friday 1 September - CPAF Concludes

Sunday 3 September - Fathers Day

Monday 4 September - Gathering 8:40 am

Tuesday 5 September - Advisory Council 7 pm

Wednesday 6 September - Open Morning 9 - 10:30 am

Wednesday 6 September - Parish Buddy Mass - Y3 & Kindy

Thursday 7 September - STPS Athletics Carnival (back up date)

Friday 8 September - Athletics Training - Relays @ 7:55 am Rowe Park

Saturday 9/Sunday 10 September - Dad's Campout Weekend

Monday 11 September - Performing Arts Concert

Monday 11 September - Gathering 8:40 am

Wednesday 13 September - Y3 Oracy

Wednesday 13 September - P&F Meeting 7 pm

Friday 15 September - Y4 Assembly

Friday 15 September - Athletics Training - Relays @7:55 am Rowe Park

Saturday 16 September - Parish Mass Y1

Monday 18 September - Gathering 8:40 am

Tuesday 19 September - Interschool Athletics Carnival (selected Y3-6)

Wednesday 20 September - Parent Meetings TBC

Wednesday 20 September - Y5&6 Talk Money Incursion

Thursday 21 September - last day for students Term 3

Please remember dates of events can be subject to change

(Full 2023 term dates at the end of this newsletter)

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Welcome to Term 3! It has been wonderful to see the smiles of our students as they gathered with their friends and welcomed our new students on the first day back.

On Tuesday, our students looked magnificent in their uniforms for our school photos. Unfortunately, due to the wet weather, we were unable to take a whole school photo. This will be rescheduled for later in the term.

Uniform Update – Option only

With the colder weather we have been experiencing, and with feedback from students, St Thomas’ uniform, now provides the option for girls and boys, to wear navy trousers in winter (Terms 2 & 3). Unisex Shorts are also now available. Please note, that these are options only. The tartan skirt is still the compulsory item of the girls’ uniform. The skirt must be worn for all formal occasions, or when representing the school. Navy tights may be worn with the skirt. Sample sizes will be arriving at the school shortly and items are available online. Uniform Shop Online

NAIDOC Week

Students participated in a number of creative and exciting activities for our NAIDOC celebrations last week. The theme ‘For the Elders’ was incorporated into the classroom curriculum culminating in a prayer service on Friday led by Mr Godsall and the Year 4 students.

Book Week Dress Up Parade

Children are invited to dress as their favourite book character on Wednesday 23 August to celebrate Book Week. The theme this year, is “Read, Grow, Inspire‘’. Children are asked to bring along the book or a printout of the cover page to share with their peers. Parents are most welcome to join us for our parade at 8:45 am.

Catholic Performing Arts Festival

Students are busy preparing for school performances in Drama, Dance & Sacred Choir and Choir, for the Catholic Performing Arts Festival. With events spread throughout the term students are also performing in the instrumental sections of the festival. Last Friday, three of our students: William and Annabelle in Year 5 and Elizabeth in Year 3, represented St Thomas’ in the Bible Reading competition with reverence and confidence.

Drama Club Production

The St Thomas' Drama Club is proud to present "The Mystery of the Missing Medallion". In this comedic play, a princess in hiding hires a bumbling inspector to find a stolen medallion that proves she is the heir to the throne. The production will be taking place in Week 3 - Tuesday 1st of August and Wednesday the 2nd of August at 6:30pm and will run for approximately 45 minutes. All students will have the opportunity to view the production during the day at a matinee performance. Evening tickets may be purchased online through try booking via this LINK.

Hollywood Glam Musical Bingo - Saturday 29 July.

Tickets are selling fast for the St Thomas’ P & F fundraiser this Saturday 29 July at the Nedlands Yacht Club.

Doors open 6:30pm for a 7.00pm Bingo start, till 10.30pm

Please gather your friends for a fun and exciting night out. Tables of ten or individual tickets available. Please click on this LINK to book tickets or email Patrycjaspears@yahoo.com.au with your group of 10 to secure your table.

From my readings:

How the Performing Arts Benefit Kids by Julia Savacool.

It’s no big secret that involving children in the performing arts can have major payoffs in school. Research shows that children who sing/dance/act/play their little hearts out are four times more likely to be recognised for academic achievement compared with their non-performing friends — and they tend to have enhanced cognitive, motor, and social development. But the benefits don’t end there. Getting up on stage can enrich your child’s life in all sorts of surprising ways. Read the full article HERE

Principals Conference

Next week, I will be in Hobart attending the Australian Primary Principals Conference. Whilst there, I will also attend the Presentation Schools Conference which provides a forum for all Principals in Presentation Schools, to share and discuss their charism and inspiring events and stories in their schools. Mr Heath Nankivell will be Acting Principal in my absence.

Natalia Thomson

Principal

Friendly reminder that children are not supervised until 8:15 am. Administration have no responsibility for children who are dropped off prior to this time and we encourage parents to please book children into before school care.

Thank you for your cooperation.

SCHOOL PHOTOS

Thank you to all parents for your efforts in having students attend school on Tuesday in the correct uniform. We understand it can be challenging! Unfortunately due to the persistent rain throughout the day, but not from lack of trying, we were unable to complete the whole school photograph. The photographers were most generous in offering alternate dates to take this photo, and once confirmed we will communicate to parents the rescheduled date.

SLIP LANE

A reminder the speed limit between 7:30am-9:00am and 2:30pm-4pm is 40km/h. Even if you are late - please adhere to the speed limit. WA Police will be revisiting the school with unmarked cars/vans, and will issue fines for speeding. Thank you to all parents for keeping our students and community members safe.

CO-CURRICULAR CLUBS

I commend staff on this extra work they put in to St Thomas’ students’ holistic education. Staff willingly plan and deliver outstanding opportunities for your children to engage in areas of student interest, and this adds to the first-class educational opportunities your child has at St Thomas Primary School. Please see Term Three’s offerings for students at: https://www.stthomas.wa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-T3-ClubsPoster.pdf.

CLIMATE SURVEY

As of next week, all community members will be asked to complete a ’School Climate Survey’. The topic of this survey is about the school’s culture and ‘climate’ (it is not about global warming!). Parents will receive a hard copy early next week, and we ask that this survey be returned to the school as soon as possible. The results will give us another data source to identify positives and areas we can look at to improve our school in the future.

PARISH WEBSITE - NEW

Please be aware of the new St Thomas the Apostle Parish website: www.claremontparish.com

TIMETABLE CHANGE

As of Term Three, a slight change has been made to the academic timetable. There is no change for Pre-Kindy and Kindy who rely on children’s needs, the type of activities and the learning program to dictate break times through the day. For Pre-primary to Year Six students, the times below apply. This change was made to allow greater teaching and learning opportunities earlier in the day when students appear fresher and more receptive to learning activities, particularly in English and Maths. Research suggests it is important to consider this, but it is one of a number of factors impacting student learning and achievement. Thank you to parents for providing a crunch and sip snack (of fruit and/or vegetables) to have during learning breaks.

8:25 - School commences

10:40-11am - recess (alternating eating times for Y4-Y6 and PP-Y3)

12:30-1:10pm - PP-Y3 lunch

1:00-1:40pm - Y4-Y6 lunch

3pm - School concludes

NAPLAN

Student reports will be distributed on Friday 28 July. The sealed envelope contains an information sheet for parents, as well as the information report showing student performance in one of four bands: Exceeding, Strong, Developing or Needs Additional Support. These envelopes will be distributed to students at the end of the day to give to their parents or carers. Please remember each domain represents achievement on one test on one day, and should be placed into a broader conversation of student achievement against WA Curriculum objectives, as well as an individual student’s holistic development and their social emotional progress. Please contact the school if you have any questions.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Staff have been involved in opportunities to analyse data more closer during the recent Professional Learning day, Cluster Meetings, and Professional Learning Community meetings after school. Staff are currently working through a researched data story-telling process created by Dr Selina Fisk, to assist them in 'digging deeper' into student achievement and plan future directions in teaching and learning across the school, at a class level and for individual students.

Heath Nankivell

Assistant Principal

Tickets are already selling fast and only limited to 180, so to ensure you don't miss out, please BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY supporting St Thomas' and your children at this Hollywood themed fundraiser.

NAIDOC LITURGY – THANK YOU YEAR FOUR!

Last Friday, we celebrated the last day of NAIDOC Week with a liturgy in the hall. Thank you to the Year Four class for providing this special time to pray and acknowledge the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This year’s theme was For Our Elders.

A HUGE thank you to the parents and grandparents who attended; it is always a pleasure to have you join us for our liturgies.

SACRAMENTS

Sacraments are important events that bring the community together and remind us of the role that community plays in our faith life. For parents, involvement in sacramental preparation is crucial in shaping a child's values and attitudes. While knowledge is important, faith and the willingness to spend time sharing with their child truly matter. The family is where a child's true education in faith occurs, and what happens within the family shapes their appreciation of God, the Church, and their encounter with God through the Sacraments.

As part of the Sacramental Program, teachers prepare students for the seven holy Sacraments, three of which are celebrated during a child's primary school years. Sacraments are special signs of God's presence. Through these Sacraments, we become fully-fledged members of God's family.

At St Thomas’ Primary School, the Sacramental Program includes First Reconciliation in Year Three (Term 4), First Eucharist in Year Four (Term 2), and Confirmation in Year 6 (Term 3). While preparation for these Sacraments is school-based, it's a partnership between the school, parish and the family. Parents are expected to play an active part in this preparation by attending the sacramental information nights.

We invite the community to pray for our Year Six students who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Friday, 25 August, at 6.00 pm. Having already completed the RE Confirmation unit last term, they are looking forward to the ‘parent and student’ workshop on Monday, 21 August, at 6 pm and the student retreat on Tuesday, 22 August.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT OCCASION IS COMING UP!

We have a very special whole school Mass prepared by the Year Two class on Tuesday, the 8th of August, celebrating the Feast of St. Mary MacKillop of the Cross, Australia’s first Saint. I invite all parents, grandparents and friends of St Thomas’ Primary School to join us and Fr Wayne Davis in the St Thomas the Apostle Church at 9.00 am.

Lila Gibbs

Religious Education (RE) Co-ordinator

Visual art practice holds immense value for children, providing them with a creative outlet that nurtures their imagination, self-expression, and cognitive development. Through engaging in visual art activities, children explore various materials, colours, shapes, and textures, which enhances their sensory perception and fine motor skills. They learn to observe and represent the world around them, fostering their visual literacy and ability to communicate their thoughts and emotions visually. Visual art practice also encourages critical thinking and problem-solving as children make decisions about composition, colour choices, and the overall presentation of their artwork. Furthermore, it promotes cultural awareness and appreciation as children explore diverse artistic styles and traditions.

In line with the Outcomes of the Early Years framework, visual art practice supports children's personal, social, and emotional development by providing a platform for self-reflection, creativity, and building positive relationships. It also contributes to their physical development through the manipulation of art materials and tools. Overall, engaging in visual art practice empowers children to express themselves, explore their world, and develop a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Kate Byrne

Visual Arts Specialists

The Advisory Council’s third meeting for 2023 in Term 3.

A new style of meeting was implemented, where all reports were submitted for the Advisory Council to review before meeting, allowing more opportunity to ask questions and engage on the important strategic items on the agenda.

Firstly, there was an opportunity to discuss the P&F report and the P&F President, Clare McIlree detailed the exciting items on their agenda. We are looking forward to the Hollywood Themed Fundraiser event coming up this weekend.

There was an opportunity for discussion around the Marketing Report, led by Heath Nankivell. This included planning for the creation of a new website for the school.

Following up from the previous AC meeting, The Capital Development Plan was discussed further. After consultation with staff, potential refurbishment options were presented to the AC to guide the Capital Development Plan proposal for future generations of St Thomas’.

Natalia presented the Principal’s report and there was opportunity for discussion on this. There was also discussion on Finance and Grounds and Maintenance items.

Paul Indaimo (the secretary of the Advisory Council) provided feedback on the Advisory Council conference held by CEWA, every two years, that he attended in June. It was interesting to hear of the challenges around cyber security. Paul also fed back on the priority of wellbeing for parents and educators.

Trish Coniglio

Chair of Grounds and Maintenance Sub- Committee

Advisory Council Member

We have a lot of lost property which we are unable to give back to children as they are unnamed. Please ensure you write your child's name clearly on all items of clothing, lunch boxes, water bottles etc so nothing will be lost for long!

Be a Sporting Hero Free Dress Day and Sports Equipment Collection in support of

FAIR GAME

Students are invited to come to school dressed as their favourite Sporting Hero on FRIDAY 4th August in return for a gold coin donation to support Fair Game, a WA charity that recycles sports equipment and distributes it to children in remote, regional and underserviced communities across the State.

- Come dressed as your favourite sporting hero or in your team colours.

- Bring any unwanted or outgrown sports equipment to donate – most needed items are runners, footy boots, footballs, soccer balls and basketballs. Please make sure donations are clean and in good useable condition with plenty of life left in them.

- We are not able to take helmets or clothing.

- Your gold coin donation and pre-loved equipment makes you a sporting hero as it enables another child to enjoy the benefits of playing sport too.

Last year was the first year we supported Fair Game and we raised $236. Money from the containers for change from last term and this term will also go towards our collection on Friday 4th August.

School Sport WA Champion Schools Primary Cross Country Championships:

Congratulations to these students who will be representing the school on Thursday 3rd August at the WA State Schools Primary Cross Country Championships:

Yr 6 – Lily G and Caoimhe P

Yr 5 – Mattia F

Yr 4 – Charlie J and Luke F

Yr 3 – Maddy G, Bella B and James H

We wish them all the very best.

Upcoming events - Pop these dates in your diaries:

Throws Day – Years 3-6 Thursday 17 August – during PE class time

Jumps Day – Years 3-5 Tuesday 22 August

Catch up – Jumps and Throws - Thursday 24 August during PE class time

Jumps Day – Year 6 Friday 25 August during Friday Afternoon Sport

Back up Throws and Jumps Days – Monday 28 and 29 August

St Thomas Athletics Carnival – Friday 1st September

Interschool Athletics Carnival – Tuesday 19th September

Kind regards

Sharon Seaman

Physical Education Specialist Teacher

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

What is ICAS? ICAS Assessments are designed to recognise academic excellence. It is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, and Digital Technologies.

Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals.

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.

2023 Participation

ICAS Assessments are online. They will be administered at school.

These assessments are not compulsory.

If you do wish your child to participate in any of these assessments, please visit the online Parent Payment System (details below) to make a direct payment 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

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

Online payment closes Friday 28 July.

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

• ICAS Digital Technologies

• ICAS English

• ICAS Mathematics

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.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Kind regards

Natalia Thomson

If you have a child who wishes to join St Thomas' Primary in 2025 and you haven't already submitted your application please do so as soon as possible. All applications are currently being processed and places are being offered. Waitlists already exist in some year groups.

Instrumental music lessons are available at St Thomas' Primary. Children can learn voice, keyboard, piano, violin, drums, guitar and flute. Please contact the school office for a music form if your child is interested in commencing music lessons in 2023.

At St Thomas', we are keen to start a school community directory to support the family and friends of our school. If you have a small business that you would like to share, promote and support, please complete the form on this LINK

• TERM 1
• Wednesday 1 February - Thursday 6 April
• TERM 2
• Wednesday 26 April – Friday 30 June
• TERM 3
• Tuesday 18 July – Thursday 21 September
• TERM 4
• Monday 09 October – Friday 9 December

Pupil free days:

Monday 24 April

Friday 2 June

Monday 17 July

Friday 18 August

Friday 22 September

Public Holidays

Monday 6 March (Labour Day)

Friday 7 April (Good Friday)

Tuesday 25 April (ANZAC Day)

Monday 5 June (WA Day)

Monday 25 September (Kings birthday)

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