Important Dates
2022
Term Four
Monday 5 December - Transition/Orientation Morning
Tuesday 6 December - Christmas Concert
Thursday 8 December - Thanksgiving & Graduation Liturgy 9am
Friday 9 December - Year 6 Excursion
Friday 9 December - Last day of the school term for students
2023
Term One
Wednesday 1 February - First day for students
Wednesday 1 February - Welcome back cuppa for parents 8.45am
(Full 2023 term dates at the end of this newsletter)
Advent Prayer
God of light and hope look upon us in love
And fill us with the Spirit of Jesus.
That we may love you and serve you in your kingdom
Protect us during this week and keep us watchful in prayer
As we await the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ,
Who is light of the world
And who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
One God, for ever and ever.
Amen
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Caregivers
As we near the end of the school year, we celebrate the Church season of Advent. In Advent we are reminded of the sacred meaning of Christmas where we remember, and prepare for the birth of Jesus.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Last Tuesday evening, I had the privilege of reporting on school activities for the year at our Annual General Meeting. I also had the opportunity to thank the many people who contribute their time and talents to assist in the education of our students. Reports from the Advisory Council Chair Mrs Susan Swift, P & F President Mrs Bianca Della Vedova and the Principal, provided a snapshot of the amazing achievements of our students, staff and community throughout the 2022 school year. Reports from the AGM will be uploaded to our website soon.
Advisory Council
A big thank to the dedicated members of our Advisory Council who have given generously of their expertise and time. A special thank you to our Chair Mrs Susan Swift, for her leadership and contribution to the Council. We also thank our three retiring members Liz Dawson, Brian Douglas and Chris Adams for the support throughout the time on the Advisory Council.
P & F
A big thank you to our wonderful, hardworking P&F Executive and members. Your support is truly appreciated and a vital part of building a fantastic school community. A special thank you to our President Mrs Bianca Della Vedova, for her enthusiasm and energy throughout her two year term as P & F President. Special thanks also to our Secretary Mrs Mel Di Latte will be retiring from her role, our Vice President Carin Penberthy, Treasurer Sarah Van Bochxmeer, for the amazing contributions to their roles.
Staffing 2023
We farewell and thank Mrs Corinna Herbert and Mrs Sonia Caelli and thank them for the wonderful contribution to our school.
We welcome back to St Thomas’ Mrs Sullivan and Mrs Keatch.
Principal: Mrs Natalia Thomson
Assistant Principal: Mr Heath Nankivell
Administration: Mrs Julie Wray, Mrs Marta Gumina
Finance: Mrs Mary Courtney
Pre-Kindy: Mrs Kate Byrne
Kindergarten: Mrs Brianna Kirkbride
Pre-primary: Miss Georgia Lee
Year 1: Miss Grace Briffa
Year 2: Mrs Nicola McDonald
Year 3: Mrs Nicola Hurst & Mrs Lisa Keatch
Year 4: Mr Liam Godsall
Year 5: Miss Penny Mulholland
Year 6: Mrs Lila Gibbs
Science: Mrs Lisa Keatch
Visual Arts: Mrs Kate Byrne
Physical Education: Mrs Sharon Seaman
Performing Arts (Drama): Mrs Renee Miller
Music: Miss Natalie Mandry
Support: Mrs Sam Valentine
e-Challenge: Mrs Lisa Keatch
Teacher Librarian: Mrs Nicky Sullivan
Education Assistants:
Pre-Kindy: Mrs Nicole Nolan
Kindergarten: Mrs Jeanette Koong, Ms Rebecca McCarthy
Pre-Primary: Miss Jessica Berreteri
Years 1-6: Mrs Sue Vincent, Mrs Virginia Gamble
I am confident that the teacher your child is placed with in 2023, is dedicated to providing an environment in which your child will thrive.
Year Five Leadership Speeches
Congratulations to all the Year Five students who did a truly amazing job of presenting their leadership speeches. Their speeches were delivered with poise and showed a mature level of confidence and pride in the school. Leaders for 2023 will be announced at the end of year Thanksgiving/Graduation Liturgy on Thursday 8 December.
Christmas Concert -Tuesday 6 December
Students are busy rehearsing their songs for our annual Christmas Concert on Tuesday 7 December. Family and friends are welcome to attend. Students will need to be at school by 5.45pm for a 6pm start.
St Vincent’s Christmas Appeal Christmas Donations
Thank you to the families who have sent in a variety of food items or vouchers in support of this appeals. Each classroom teacher has a basket in which to collect these items. Next Monday, a representative from St Vincent de Paul will be collecting the donations to distribute to those in need.
Student Transition to 2023
At St Thomas’ we have a thorough handover procedure between the staff for the end of the year and also a transition programme for all classes. This transition will take place on Monday 5 December. Children from Kindy onwards, will move up a year level between 9am - 11am and students will have the opportunity to spend some time with their 2023 class teacher. New students to the school have been invited to attend.
End of Year Thanksgiving Liturgy – Thursday 8 December
Please join us for our end of year thanksgiving and Graduation Liturgy in the Church at St Thomas’ on Thursday 8 December at 9am. The Liturgy will be followed by our end of year presentations and the announcement of the Year 6 Leaders for 2023. Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 will attend. Parents and friends are welcome.
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 2023, Wednesday 1 February.
God bless
Natalia Thomson
Principal
From the Assistant Principal
AGM
The ‘Newsletters’ section of the St Thomas’ Primary School Website contains the PowerPoint & recording of the recent Annual General Community Meeting, for parents to view. We welcome your feedback from the event by completing the six question feedback form located here. Thank you so much to those parents who have provided feedback on recent events – we plan to continue seeking community feedback regarding events into 2023.
ICT AND SCREEN TIME
With holidays approaching, Year Three to Year Six students’ iPads may perhaps be used less for educational purposes and more as a form of recreation. I encourage parents to make clear boundaries for iPad use at home, and keep the devices out of student’s bedrooms, remaining in public places. The amount of recreational screen time is a consideration for parents. Current recommendations from healthywa.gov.au and the ‘Physical activity and exercise guidelines for all Australians” state that for recreational screen time:
- 0-2 year olds should have no screen time
- 2-5 year olds should have no more than 1hr per day
- 5-12 year olds should have no more than 2hr per day
Read more about physical activity, strength, sedentary time and sleep by clicking here. Another excellent website concerning eSafety is from the Federal Government's eSafety Commissioner, available at: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents?.
HIGHWAY HEROES
As Highway Heroes draws to a close, I refer all parents to the Highway Heroes website at: https://bestprograms4kids.com/highway-heroes/ which contains overviews of modules. The ‘News’ > ‘BEST Blog’ contains information for parents on a variety of topics, as well as the opportunity to sign up for emails. In 2023 the four Highway Heroes modules will align with the terms (e.g. Term 1 = Module 1 etc.).
Call for Nominations: P & F 2023
The P&F is seeking nominations for the Executive roles of President and Secretary for 2023. All St Thomas parents, both mothers, fathers and guardians from any year group, are eligible to nominate for these roles. Each role is for a two year term and no prior experience is required.
President
The President of the P&F is primarily responsible for planning and managing the affairs of the P&F and the P&F Executive. The role of President includes the following:
- Chairing P&F meetings (currently, there are two meetings per term);
- Liaising with the Principal, Advisory Council and School leadership team regarding P&F initiatives and investments;
- Overseeing the organisation of P&F events; and
- Working with the P&F Treasurer to budget the P&F’s finances.
Secretary
The Secretary of the P&F is primarily responsible for the administrative aspects of the P&F. The role of Secretary includes the following:
- Recording minutes at each P&F meeting;
- Preparing the agenda for each P&F meeting; and
- Assisting with the oversight and organization of P&F events.
If you would like to nominate for either role, please do so in writing by emailing Mrs Julie Wray.
Should you have any questions regarding these positions, what each role involves or the nomination/election process, please contact the School or our President Bianca Della Vedova directly on 0408 944 665.
2023 School Fees
Self-Reporting Portal for COVID-19
It is vitally important that parents and caregivers inform the school if your child tests positive for COVID-19. Parents and caregivers can inform the school of their child’s positive or negative COVID result via this LINK.
A friendly reminder to also register your positive RAT result to the WA Health RAT Register on this LINK
Thank you
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