Important Dates
TERM TWO
21 May - Assembly Y2
25 May - Our Lady Help of Christians Liturgy Y3
26 May - Whole School Photographs
31 May - Interschool Cross Country Carnival - selected Yrs 3 to 6
01 June - Advisory Council Meeting 7 pm
02 June - Lifelink Launch 2021 & School Mass Y2
04 June - Pupil Free Day
07 June - WA Day Public Holiday
08 June - P&F Meeting 7 pm
09 June - Interschool Chess
11 June - Assembly Y5
16 June - School Mass Y1
18 June - Winter Lightning Carnival Yrs 5 & 6
18 June - St Thomas' Quiz Night
23 June - Academic Allstars Y5
25 June - Sacrament of Eucharist Y4 @ 5:30 pm
29 June - Advisory Council Meeting 7 pm
01 July - St Thomas' Feast Day
02 July - Final day of Term Two
03 - 18 July - School Holidays
TERM THREE
19 July - Staff PD - Pupil Free Day
20 July - Students Commence Term Three
Prayer for Reconciliation
and this world in which we live.
We give you thanks for the beauty of your continuing creation.
Help us gracious God to be good stewards of your great gift.
Help us to learn from the old ones how to live on and in the lands and seas of this earth and continue to grow in sustainability and share its abundance for the good of all.
Help all of those affected by rising seas and changing weather.
Help all those who are forced from their homes because of these things
to be able to find somewhere to live.
Help us all to be mindful that we are all created equal in your sight.
God of dreaming, hear our prayer.
Amen
Dear Parents and Friends
It was lovely to see parents and grandparents join us for the Year 2 Assembly this morning. Students in this class showcased cities and landmarks in every Australian state based on the story book 'Are we there yet?' by Alison Lester. After singing a class song, the Year 2 students performed an instrumental version of 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' on the xylophones. A big thank you to Mrs Valentine, Mrs Migliore and Mrs Herbert for preparation with the students.
National Reconciliation Week 2021 - ‘More than a word. Reconciliation takes action.’
Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.
2021 marks twenty years of Reconciliation Australia and almost three decades of Australia’s formal reconciliation process. Classes will be completing activities next week. Keep an eye out for photos on social media.
Mother’s Day Liturgy and Devonshire Tea
A prayerful liturgy led by the Year One students was a wonderful way to start our mother’s day celebrations this year. The children read beautifully and were accompanied by the school choir throughout the liturgy. This liturgy was followed by a delicious Devonshire morning tea organised by our wonderful P & F. A huge thank you to Bianca della Vedova and Celeste Hartfield for their organisation, our wonderful dads for serving morning tea, our parent helpers and our sponsors.
Strategic Plan Workshop
At the strategic planning workshop on Tuesday evening, parents were invited to have their say in the future direction of our school. It was pleasing to see the representation of families at this meeting. Our facilitator Mrs Carlyn Dyer, an independent Education Consultant, led the process ensuring many rich discussions throughout the evening. Mrs Dyer will be collating all the information which will be discussed by a working party prior to writing the draft plan. Staff and students participated in workshops earlier in the day.
Parent/Caregiver Survey
A big thank you to the families who have completed our parent/caregiver survey online. The purpose of this survey is to find out about the climate at THIS school. It is your opportunity to tell the school staff how things are going for you and your children. We value your feedback and all responses are confidential.
You can choose to complete this survey online or by completing the hard copy. If you have not yet completed the survey, please consider providing your feedback to help us make this school even better. The survey closes on the 28 May.
Flu/Sickness
If students are unwell, please keep them at home. Not only are students miserable at school when they are sick, they take longer to recover when they are unwell at school, and they spread their sickness to other students. It is also difficult for students to learn when they are at school when sick. Thank you in advance for your support in ensuring that students are recovered and well before returning to school.
School Photos
A reminder that school photos are scheduled for next Wednesday 26 May and all students are required to wear their winter uniform.
Have a lovely week.
May God bless you and your family.
Natalia Thomson
Principal.
Value of the week - Truth
Every week at Monday morning gathering, students are reminded of our school values and how we can make them visible throughout the school and in our daily lives. This week, students are being rewarded for being truthful. Last week the focus was excellence and previous to that, inclusivity. Congratulations to all our students who continuously live out our school values:
EXCELLENCE
INCLUSIVITY
TRUTH
COMPASSION
COMMUNITY
Reporting changes for 2021 end of semester reports
As previously communicated, the St Thomas’ Primary School ‘End of Semester’ reports have been modified. Descriptors will not be assessed in the Year One-Six reports, instead student achievement will be communicated under the strands of each learning area. These strands are detailed in the West Australian Curriculum, set out by the Schools Curriculum and Standards Authority. In addition, teachers will make more detailed comments regarding each student’s performance in terms of classroom learning over the year, in Religious Education, English, and Mathematics, as well as a General comment.
Pre-primary reports will continue to use refined descriptors (sourced from the West Australian Curriculum) and an alternate scale than the A-E scale used in the Year One-Six reports to communicate achievement. Comments will be given to maintain consistency with the Years One-Six reports.
Students in Kindergarten will receive a paper report that details individual student progress linked to the Early Years Learning Framework, as well as a general comment regarding the student’s achievement.
If you wish to discuss these changes in further detail, I welcome your thoughts via email, phone or in person.
Thank you for your support.
Mr Heath Nankivell
Assistant Principal
Help Develop the STEM Stars of the Future
This Tuesday at 9am please join us in the Church to celebrate the Mass of the Solemnity of Our Lady Help of Christians [Patroness of Australia] 25 May 2021. This day is usually celebrated on the the 24th of May, but Mrs Thomson, Mrs Sullivan and Mr Nankivell will be at St Mary’s Cathedral celebrating 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia on the 24th May. National Masses will be held around the country to mark this significant achievement.
The first Catholic school in Australia was founded in October 1820 by Irish Catholic priest Fr John Therry The school in Parramatta, Sydney taught 31 students. By 1833, there were 10 Catholic schools in the colony.
Over 200 years, Catholic schools have grown to become the largest provider of schooling in Australia with one in five school age students attending a Catholic school. Nearly 40 per cent of Catholic schools are located outside of metropolitan cities in regional, rural and remote communities.
St Thomas’ Day and celebrations
We are busy planning for a fun day on Thursday 1st July to celebrate this important occasion. The day will start with a Mass in the church attended by the Presentation Sisters and then the children will do rotation activities with their buddies (including a bouncy castle!). A big thank you to the P & F who will provide a sausage sizzle and juice box lunch.
A share of $25,000 to be won!
St Thomas’ wants a share of $25,000 to boost our school’s STEM budget and create new opportunities for STEM education, with thanks to The West Australian and RTS2021.
The funds could be used for classroom or whole-school resources, STEM clubs, incursions, excursions, teacher development or whatever your school needs to take your students’ STEM learning to the next level.
Collect entry coupons from Saturday’s edition of The West Australian on May 29, June 5, 12 & 19 – be sure to get your students, their families and the local community involved to gather as many coupons as you can. Please place the coupons in the box outside the Library.
Wishing you a blessed week!
Mrs Nicky Sullivan
Assistant Principal
School Advisory Council
We conducted the School Strategic Planning meeting on Tuesday at 7pm in the school hall. We had an excellent turnout from parents and caregivers. A variety of people attended who had different backgrounds and work history. There was also great diversity within the group combined with parents who had children at the school for a number of years and some who had only arrived at the school this year.
The evening was facilitated by an external consultant, Mrs Carlyn Dyer, who has extensive experience with Strategic Planning within Catholic Education. There had already been planning sessions in the day run by Carlyn, with students and staff, so she was familiar with many aspects of our school. However, as we are currently undertaking a new 5-year strategic plan for the school, Carlyn commenced the evening by talking about how the strategic plans fits with other plans within the Catholic Education Framework and how important it is to ensure we think big picture in our planning process.
So, with that in mind we commenced the evening with participants discussing and documenting what an Ideal Graduate from St Thomas’ would be like. Under key headings, we placed our comments up for everyone to see. The second part of the evening was dedicated to group work, where parents collaborated together to discuss each elements of a SWOT analysis; Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Each group rotated around the room, so by the end of the evening there were extensive notes under each of the key SWOT elements.
We could have kept on going much longer but managed to conclude the event by 9:00pm. A huge thank you to all the parents who were able to attend the planning evening.
Curriculum Corner
St Thomas’ recognises student wellbeing is critical for students to perform at their best. Having and sharing a positive mindset allows for positive relationships, positive emotions, positive health, positive engagement, positive accomplishment, and positive purpose, which are integral to student’s wellbeing and their ability to flourish.
In the classroom, teachers use many strategies to help improve student wellbeing. Some of these strategies can be used at home and are integral to teach students so they can use them in high school and in their adult life. Some of these strategies include:
- Spending time in prayer
- Taking time to complete 10 minutes of exercise
- Free drawing
- Christian meditation and breathing exercises
- Going outside for 10 minutes
- Exploring Nature
- Taking time to check in with a friend
- Do something you' good at
- Eat and Sleep well
Lets meet the staff at St Thomas'!
Name: Georgia Lee
Role at St Thomas': Pre-Primary Teacher
Where have you worked before: I am a new graduate teacher, however, I previously worked as an educational assistant at Holy Rosary Primary School and Cottesloe Early Learning Centre.
Family: I was lucky enough to be raised in a large Italian family, it was here that I first discovered my passion for working with children. Watching my mother in her career as an Educational Assistant, I have learnt many skills and adapted many strategies to cater to student's holistic needs and unique learning styles.
Born in: Subiaco, Western Australia
Hobbies/Interests: When I am not teaching, I enjoy playing sports, seeing my family and friends.
Favourite Food: My Nonna’s homemade olives or pizza.
Favourite Music: Ed Sheeran, Amy Shark and Alt-J.
Football Team: Fremantle Dockers
Currently Reading: The Guest List, by Lucy Foley
What I like about St Thomas': Its unique relationship with other members of the St Thomas’ community. St Thomas’ has a special atmosphere and warm spirit, which makes all members feel valued and supported, thus, enabling its members to flourish. It’s beautiful to see students, parents and educators work together as one at St Thomas’.
Student Leaders Conference
Kindergarten 2022
Enrolments for Kindergarten 2022 are now open.
Children born between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2018 are eligible for enrolment. Enrolment packages are available from the front office or by email: admin@stthomas.wa.edu.au.
P&F News
Celebrating the Women of St Thomas
It was wonderful to celebrate our very special St Thomas mothers, grandmothers and mother figures at our P&F Mother's Day Devonshire Tea. What a beautiful morning as women across generations gathered, old friends caught up and new connections were made. Thank you to everyone who came along.
A big thank you to:
- Lunchbox, our School Canteen provider, who very generously donated all the delicious scones, sandwiches and pastries which we enjoyed throughout the morning; and
- Chris Adams and his team at The Good Grocer, for generously donating all the grocery items for the morning.
We are extremely grateful for your generosity and support.
Many thanks also to those who assisted on or in the lead up to the morning, especially:
- Celeste Hartfield, for your amazing assistance from start to finish, as well as lending us so many of your heirloom treasures;
- Paul Sutherland, Oscar Dominguez, Tom Curnow and Daniel Della Vedova for serving and assisting throughout the morning; and
- Rebecca Hartley, Sonia Sutherland, Racquell Farrell and Jacqui Scolyer for your wonderful help cleaning up.
P&F '80s Quiz Night - Let’s raise the roof on our Robotics Program!
The P&F All Out '80s Quiz Night is here so jump on board for a fun night of trivia, games, laughs and good times all for our St Thomas kids!
All proceeds from the Quiz Night will go towards enhancing and expanding the St Thomas' Robotics Program for all students from the Early Years to Year 6. This is very exciting and the more money we raise, the more we can help boost the robotics and STEM opportunities available to all our children.
Tickets on sale next week. Parents are welcome to invite friends outside of school and please note, this is an adults only event.
If any families or businesses within our School Community would like to donate some prizes for the Quiz Night or items for the Silent Auction, we would LOVE to hear from you. Please send us an email at stthomas.rsvp2021@gmail.com.
Lunch Orders - new cut off time
The cut off time for Lunchbox lunch orders is now 8.30am. Please ensure orders are placed before this time for same day delivery.
Next Meeting
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 8 June. We hope to see you there.
Warm regards
Bianca Della Vedova
CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL RESULTS 2021
Started with a chilly start but the weather held out for our carnival on Friday 14th May. Well done to all of 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 of the parents and family members who came to cheer on the children. I know that the children loved seeing so many supporters as they crossed the finish line. Special thanks to all of the parent volunteers who assisted as a course marshal and assisted with setting and packing away.
Below are the Individual results on the day:
Year 1 Girls – 1st Maddy G, 2nd Javiera D-R, 3rd Sophie R
Year 1 Boys - 1st James H, 2nd Cruz L, 3rd Arthur V
Year 2 Girls – 1st Ewa K, 2nd Ruby R, 3rd Lucy K
Year 2 Boys - 1st Luke F, 2nd Charlie J, 3rd Giacomo F
Year 3 Girls – 1st Mimi G, 2nd Juliet D, 3rd Stella B
Year 3 Boys - 1st Mattia F, 2nd Will D, 3rd Alfie S
Year 4 Girls – 1st Lily G, 2nd Amelie G, 3rd Caoimhe P
Year 4 Boys – Charlie D, 2nd Hamish L, 3rd Tom B
Year 5 Girls – 1st Mila B, 2nd Amelie T, 3rd Alice R
Year 5 Boys – Jack H, 2nd Jude K, 3rd Guy S
Year 6 Girls – 1st Jewel G, 2nd Madison Z, 3rd Charli L
Year 6 Boys – Bastian D, 2nd Rhys H, 3rd Cardy D
Overall Champion Faction
1st Forrest 2 18 points
2nd Sheridan 209 points
3rd Gittens 187 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 21st and 28th may at 8am.
Running Club Years 1-6
We recommence in Term 3.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Winter Lightning Carnival – Friday 18th 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 are able to come along and coach/assist on the day can you email Sharon.seaman@cewa.edu.au
Thanks
Mrs Sharon Seaman
Physical Education 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