Mary Help of Christians Prayer
Mary, Help of Christians, watch over us with love.
Intercede for us with your Son to bless Australia,
so that we can be people of peace –
people who love and respect each other,
and people who love and respect our land, Australia.
We make this prayer through Jesus, your Son.
Amen.
.
Mary Help of Christians
This Friday, we celebrate the Feast of Mary Help of Christians. Mary, Help of Christians is a Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The establishment of this feast has an interesting history and holds a unique place in the Catholic history of Australia. Mary, Help of Christians is also the Patroness of Australia. Join us in honouring her significance and the deep roots of this celebration at Mass this Friday 24 May at 9am in the Church, led by our Year 4 students.
Mother’s Day Morning Tea
It was wonderful to see so many parents at the Mother's Day Morning Tea on Friday, 10 May, following our Mother's Day Mass. A big thank you to our P&F for organizing an amazing event and preparing delicious homemade treats. We also appreciate the Men of St Thomas (MOST) for their assistance in serving the morning tea. It was truly special to see everyone come together to celebrate the mother figures within our community.
Interschool Cross Country
Congratulations to our Interschool Cross Country team, which competed on Monday against other Catholic schools in the region. A big thank you to Mrs. Seaman for preparing the students and organizing the event. The results were incredibly close, and our talented students demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship and support for one another. Well done, team!
National Reconciliation Week – May 27 – June 3
Next week is National Reconciliation Week (NRW). It is a time dedicated to building positive, respectful relationships between Australians and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' culture. Throughout the week, we learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. This years’ theme ‘Now more than ever, the work continues,’ reminds us of the importance of connection and respect for all.
Founders Day Celebrations: Wednesday 26 June
This year, we commemorate 116 years since St. Thomas’ Primary School was founded in 1908. Please join us for Mass at 9 am on Wednesday June 26, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Claremont, as we celebrate St. Thomas’ Feast Day and honour the founders of our school, the Presentation Sisters. The enduring commitment of the Presentation Sisters to our school's values of simplicity, hospitality, compassion, and justice is a cherished legacy. The Mass will be led by our Year 6 students. After Mass, students will participate in a day of celebration with their buddies.
LifeLink 2024
This year marks the 25th anniversary of LifeLink, a Catholic schools' educational and fundraising initiative aimed at raising awareness about the real 'need' in our community. Students are encouraged to show support and compassion for those in need. To celebrate, we will be hosting 'Crazy Sock Day' on Thursday 6 June. Students are invited to wear crazy socks with their uniforms and bring a gold coin to donate to LifeLink. Let's come together to make a difference!
May God bless your week
Natalia Thomson
Principal
Pre Kindy & Kindy 2025/2026
We are currently interviewing and offering places in both Pre Kindy and Kindergarten for 2025 and 2026. If you have a younger sibling who you would like to enrol please complete an application form. Forms are available on our website: ENROLMENT FORM or call into the office.
Any queries please contact Julie on 9286 9600 or email julie.wray@cewa.edu.au
Important Dates
TERM 2
Friday 24 May - Mass - Mary Help of Christians 9am
Monday 27 May - Y6 Confirmation Retreat
Monday 27 May - P&F Meeting 6:30 pm
Tuesday 28 May - Edu-Dance
Wednesday 29 May - Yrs 4 & PP Parish Mass 12:30 pm
Wednesday 29 May - Parish Rosary 12 pm
Friday 31 May - Pupil Free Day
Monday 03 June - WA DAY - Public Holiday
Tuesday 04 June - Edu-Dance
Tuesday 04 June - Y4 Eucharist Retreat
Wednesday 05 June - Lifelink Launch Y6 Leaders
Thursday 06 June - Crazy Sock Day + gold coin
Friday 07 June - Y2 Assembly 8:45am
Friday 07 June - Sacrament of Eucharist Mass 6 pm
Saturday 08 June - Y5 Parish Mass 5:30 pm
Tuesday 11 June - Edu-Dance
Tuesday 11 June - Edu-Dance Concert 5:30 pm
Thursday 13 June - Winter Carnival Yrs 5 & 6 @ Wembley Oval, Henderson Park
Friday 14 June - Y3 Assembly 8:45am
Tuesday 18 June - MJR Incursion K-Y6
Tuesday 18 June - Advisory Council 7 pm
Friday 21 June - STPS Disco - PP to Y3 @ 4:30 - 5:45pm - Y4 to 6 @ 6 - 7:45pm
Saturday 22 June - Dads & kids WAFL Event
Tuesday 25 June - Drama Production Matinee
Tuesday 25 June - Drama Production 6:30 pm
Wednesday 26 June - Founders Day Mass 9 am
Wednesday 26 June - St Thomas' Feast Day & Founders Day Mass 9am
Wednesday 26 June - Drama Production 6:30pm
Friday 28 June - Term 2 concludes
Please remember dates of events can be subject to change
(Full 2024 term dates at the end of this newsletter)
From the Assistant Principal
EDUDANCE CONCERT
Please be advised details for the EduDance concert:
Venue: STPS Undercover area
Time: 5:00pm students arrive for rehearsal/set-up
5:30pm concert start
Costume: classes have been informed of their costume, students should attend in their costume at 5pm.
Arrangement: parents will be seated in the undercover area, with standing area behind. Students will wait in the hall, and come to the undercover area when their class performs.
Order: The order will be released soon, however there will be an intermission, with Year Sixes performing just before intermission and again at the end of the concert.
We look forward to welcoming you to the culmination of this program. More information will be emailed to parents prior to the concert.
REPORTING
A reminder that 'mid-year' reports will be shared through Seqta for all Kindergarten to Year Six students on Monday afternoon 24/6. If you require Seqta access, please contact: heath.nankivell@cewa.edu.au
ABSENTEE
Please communicate when your child is absent from school as soon as possible, by emailing admin@stthomas.wa.edu.au and your child's teacher. While a phone call is good to advise us, we require advice in writing for our records. Thank you.
Heath Nankivell
Assistant Principal
Reading underpins everything we do!
Please see below for a reminder of how to register:
We are very excited to be a part of The Premier's Reading Challenge for 2024. The challenge is open to all students from K-Year 6.
All you need to do to be in the running for weekly prizes is to register at
premiersreadingchallenge.wa.edu.au or simply click on the QR code in the image here or on the special bookmark each child has received from their class teacher and get reading! Once you read something make sure you log the book, magazine, graphic novel etc in your account and you're in the draw! The Challenge goes for 18 weeks until 6 September.
Any queries please contact Mrs Sam Valentine sam.valentine@cewa.edu.au.
Loose Parts Play
We are extremely excited to announce that we developing loose parts play at St Thomas' Primary School.
Loose parts play involves using a wide selection of everyday objects and materials to create, build, invent, experiment and play with. Research has found that this style of open-ended play has a significant number of benefits for our children including; developing their imagination, creativity, physical health, fine and gross motor skills, behaviour, cooperation, communication, teamwork and concentration in class, to name only a few.
Although at times our playground will look like a building site or salvage yard rest assured that there will be a tremendous amount of learning involved, not to mention fun!
For this exciting venture we need your help. We would be extremely grateful if you have any of the following objects or materials, please donate them to Kindy or Pre-primary:
saucepans
small frying pans
sieves
colanders
metal or plastic bowls
mixing spoons
cake tins
funnels
plastic pipes (no longer than 1.5m and no rough edges).
Advisory Council Meeting 3, 7 May 2024 Report
The Advisory Council met for the third time this year on 7 May. We were fortunate to be joined by Sister Catherine Warner, who led us in a session on faith formation with a focus on compassion, as one of the school’s core values and the focus value for this year. Sister Catherine drew some thoughtful and inspiring connections between the teachings of Nano Nagle, the history of St Thomas’, and the way this carries into the school’s present-day values and teaching principles.
Malini de Silva presented the P&F report outlining the wonderful activity of the P&F team. including its collaboration with the Men of St Thomas group in running a very successful Golf Event and Mothers’ Day morning tea and gift stalls. We also heard about the P&F’s exciting work on upcoming events, including plans for the Arts Show.
Marketing, raising the visibility of the school and exciting updates in train for the school website were early on the agenda. Members were invited to provide feedback for the CEWA Advisory Councils Terms of Reference review which is currently taking place. We also had an update on repair of the verge and potholes on Melville St.
The Principals’ Report gave insight into the many wonderful events and activities at the School. We welcomed Natalia back from her participation in the CEWA Principals’ Renewal Course, and thanked Heath for his superb leadership as Acting Principal while Natalia was away. It was wonderful to hear about Natalia’s journey on the Camino, and the parallels with life’s journey and the school focus on compassion.
We received Finance and Grounds & Maintenance updates, with opportunity for questions and discussion. The Risk & Audit Report shows expenditure and revenue tracking well against budget. Grounds & Maintenance has been progressing an updated design proposal for the early years playground, in consultation with early years teaching staff. We also discussed possibilities for regular grounds work around the school.
We are looking forward to a busy and engaging few months ahead.
Rebecca Faugno
Advisory Council member
Sport News
ST THOMAS’ CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL RESULTS 2024
What a perfect day we had for our Cross Country carnival on Friday 3 May. Well done to all the children who competed so well, with such great sportsmanship and some very close finishes. It was pleasing the see so many smiles at the start as well at 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.
Below are the Individual results on the day:
Year 1 Girls – 1st Laura H, 2nd Mary S, 3rd Poet O
Year 1 Boys – 1st Charlie A, 2nd William B, 3rd Callum M
Year 2 Girls – 1st Ruby G, 2nd Sophia M, 3rd Anastasia R
Year 2 Boys - 1st Rowan P, 2nd Thomas W 3rd Luca D
Year 3 Girls – 1st Chloe M, 2nd Elizabeth C, 3rd Susana Q
Year 3 Boys - 1st Hudson W, 2nd Sam J, 3rd Sam W
Year 4 Girls – 1st Maddy G, 2nd Beatrice B, 3rd Javiera D
Year 4 Boys – 1st Thomas V, 2nd James H, 3rd Hudson T
Year 5 Girls – 1st Alice F, 2nd Ruby R, 3rd Anabella V
Year 5 Boys – 1st Charlie J, 2nd Benjamin F, 3rd Zakhar M
Year 6 Girls – 1st Annabelle H, 2nd Gabriella R, 3rd Ivy O
Year 6 Boys – 1st James T, 2nd Mattia F, 3rd Patrick M
Overall Champion Faction
1st Forrest 257 points
2nd Gittens 213 points
3rd Sheridan 187 points
Spirit award Gittens
Interschool Cross Country Carnival Monday 20 May RESULTS
On Monday 20 May, 36 students represented the school in the Interschool Cross Country Carnival at Lake Gwelup Reserve, Karrinyup. Students ran as a team in their respective year group and competed against seven other Catholic primary schools.
The students tackled the course with great enthusiasm giving everything they had. This year St Thomas’ came 2nd overall and 3rd most improved school in 2024 based on our results from the previous year, where we narrowly closed the gap between Holy spirit by only 20 points difference. I congratulate them not only on their results but also on the student’s fantastic behaviour and sportsmanship they displayed on the day.
Thank you to the following parent volunteers: Susan S, Angela J, Angelika C, Carin P and Liz D for your assistance as a course marshal on the day. Also to Mr Nankerviell and Miss Antulov for supervising the team and supporting them while running the course.
Congratulations to these students who were placed in the top four in their respective year group:
Year 3 – Hudson W - 1st , Sam J - 3rd , Susana Q Y – 3rd, Sam W – 4th
Year 4 - Maddy G – 1st
Year 4 - Charlie J – 1st, Luke F – 2nd
Year 5 - Charlie J – 1st, Ben F – 2nd
Year 6 – James T – 4th
Congratulations to our Year 3 and Year 5 Boys winning overall in their year group and to the Boys placing first overall.
Congratulations to all the runners as these results reflect an awesome team effort which occurs at training and on the day. I am super proud of you all 🥹
Running Club Years 1-6
Starts on Thursday 23 May 12 at Rowe Park at 8am – 8.15am, all years 1-6 are invited, however it is not compulsory. Parents are required to attend if their children are in Years 1 and 2. We also require parents on the course to supervise the children and assist with walking children back to school for running club to continue.
If the weather is poor, I will send an email out either the night before or first thing in the morning.
There will be no running club on Thursday 13 June due to the Winter Carnival.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Winter Lightning Carnival – Thursday 13 June at Wembley sports park from 10am – 2pm
Netball – Gold Netball Centre (State Netball Centre)
Soccer – Henderson Park
AFL – Pat Goodridge Oval
We need one parent to assist with each team on the day. If you are able to come along and assist, please email Sharon.seaman@cewa.edu.au
We need one parent for the following teams: 1 x Netball, 2 x Soccer, 2 x AFL
School Sport WA – State School boys Cross Country Carnival
On Thursday 16 May Charlie J (Year 5) competed in the State Schoolboys Cross Country event where is trialling to make the State team. We wish Charlie all the best where he will complete in another event in June.
Sharon Seaman
Physical Education Specialist Teacher
Last week, our Year 1 students were bustling with excitement as they geared up for Mother's Day celebrations. In their classrooms, the air was filled with the hum of creativity and the joy of preparation.
With eager hands and imaginative minds, the Year 1's were hard at work crafting gifts, cards, and posters for their mothers. Through this hands-on experience, they've not only unleashed their artistic talents but also honed their fine motor skills and practiced the structure of letter writing and vocabulary, laying the foundation for their future academic endeavours.
But the festivities don't end with art projects. Our Year 1s had also been diligently rehearsing for the Mother's Day Mass, a special occasion dedicated to honouring the maternal figures in their lives. During this time, they've delved into discussions about the importance of mothers, reflecting on the love and support they provide each day.
As they prepared for this meaningful event, our young students have been pondering what makes their mothers so special and what they appreciate most about them. From tender moments shared together to the unwavering support received, each child has been discovering the depth of their bond with their mothers.
During all the preparations, the Year 1s have embraced the spirit of gratitude and love that defines Mother's Day. Through their creative endeavours and heartfelt reflections, they're not only celebrating the women who nurture and guide them but also learning important lessons about empathy, appreciation, and the power of love.
Grace Briffa
Year 1 Teacher
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