St Thomas' Primary 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.

Loving Creator

We thank You for the boundless creativity You've placed in the hearts of children. Bless their hands as they create art and their voices as they make music. May their creativity flourish, expressing joy, wonder, and the beauty of the world around them. Guide them to explore their talents with courage, to learn with curiosity, and to share their gifts with others. Let their art and music reflect Your love and light in the world.

Amen.

TERM 3

Thursday 22 August - Throws (Yrs 3 - 6)

Friday 23 August - Catchup Jumps & Throws

Friday 23 August - Assembly Year 1

Tuesday 27 August - Father's Day Stall 8 - 8:30 am

Tuesday 27 August - Book Fair in the Library - 8-8.30am

Tuesday 27 August - Book Week Parade @ 8:45 am - Bring a gold coin

Uganda Foundation Fundraiser

Wednesday 28 August - Father's Day Stall 8 - 8:30 am

Wednesday 28 August - Book Fair in the Library - 8-8.30am

Wednesday 28 August - CPAF Drama 11:15 am - 12:30 pm

Wednesday 28 August - Parish Mass (Yrs 6 & 2) 12:30 pm

Thursday 29 August - Father's Day Breakfast & Liturgy @ 8:45 am

Thursday 29 August - Market Stalls Yrs 5 & 6

Friday 30 August - St Thomas' Athletics Carnival - 9 am - 2 pm

Friday 30 August - CPAF Dance Rehearsal 3:30 pm

Friday 30 August - CPAF Dance / Perth Convention Centre

Sunday 01 September - Father's Day

Monday 02 September - P&F Meeting 6:30 pm

Thursday 05 September - Interschool Athletics training

Friday 06 September - Assembly Y4 @ 9 am

Saturday 07 September - Dad's Campout

Tuesday 10 September - Parent/Student Penance Workshop 6 pm

Tuesday 10 September - Advisory Council Meeting 7 pm

Thursday 12 September - Open Morning 9 - 10:30 am

Thursday 12 September - Interschool Athletics Training

Thursday 12 September - ARTs Show 1pm- 4pm

Friday 13 September - ARTs Show Parent Night

Tuesday 17 September - Interschool Athletics (Yrs 3 - 6)

Thursday 19 September - Perth Glory Soccer Clinic (Y4)

Friday 20 September - Assembly PP @ 9 am

Friday 20 September - Term Three Concludes

Please remember dates of events can be subject to change

(Full 2024 term dates at the end of this newsletter)

On Wednesday morning, I had the pleasure of accompanying Mrs. Wills and the Choir to perform in the Primary Choral section of the Catholic Performing Arts Festival. It was a wonderful experience! Despite nearly a third of our students being absent due to illness, the Choir pressed on and made us proud. We eagerly look forward to supporting the Drama and Dance Club next week as they take the stage in their respective categories. Congratulations also to our students who have participated in the instrumental categories.

In two weeks, we will host our biannual ARTs Show—a special event where our talented students will showcase their exceptional work in visual arts and music. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the creativity and dedication of our students.

Learning visual arts and music is more than just enjoyable; it’s a crucial part of our students’ development. Through art, children learn to express themselves, think critically, and appreciate the world around them. Music enriches their cognitive abilities, fosters teamwork, and nurtures emotional growth. We can’t wait for you to witness the remarkable results of their efforts!

Please join us in supporting our St. Thomas’ Primary School artists and musicians at the ARTs Show on Thursday, 12 September, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. We will also have an evening function for parents and friends on Friday, 13 September. Any funds raised from these events will directly benefit your children.

Book Week Parade

Next Tuesday morning at 8:45 AM, we invite you to attend our Book Week Dress-Up Parade on the top oval. Students are asked to dress up and bring a gold coin donation to go towards supporting world literacy and helping students in Uganda. It would be lovely to see students bring along a copy of the book from which their character is inspired.

May God bless your week

Natalia Thomson

Principal

Students are invited to dress up for our Book Week Parade on Tuesday 27 August at 8.45am. Please send your child to school with the book that they have taken their character from and a gold coin to support world literacy in Uganda. Parents and friends are welcome to join us for this parade.

We are having a book fair next week this is an exciting way to celebrate reading and also to earn
valuable resources for The St Thomas’ School Library.

The book fair will be held in the Library on Tuesday 27 from 8am - 8.45 and 3.00 -3.30 and also Wednesday 28 from 8am - 8.45.

Children must come accompanied by an adult.

The children will have an opportunity to view the book fair the day before and will have access to fill in a Wish List.

The book fair will be cashless all payments must be made on the day by either credit or debit cards.

PHOTOS

MSP are the external company that we use for our school photos. Currently photos are being processed, and as soon as we have more information, or receive the photos, we will distribute them to children to take home.

WEEKLY FOCUS

We have finished focusing on our school values in the first half of this term, with last week's 'Truth' our weekly focus. Many students have been able to define truth in two ways - 'God's Truth - Lived out by Jesus' and 'Honesty - being truthful in our words and actions'. I encourage you to see how many of the school values your child/children can recall (Compassion, Excellence, Community, Inclusivity and Truth). We move to looking at elements of our School Vision Statement over the remainder of the term, with Curiosity our focus this week.

RECENT STAFF DISCUSSIONS

So far this term, staff have used professional learning time in our staff meetings to discuss: Student Learning Plans, Term Three Reporting, School well-being strategies, Reviewing individual and year level data. I commend the staff on working hard to find ways of improving student learning across a range of areas across the school.

Heath Nankivell

Assistant Principal

Join us for our biannual Arts Show, celebrating the incredible talents of our students from Pre-Kindergarten through to Year 6.

This year’s theme, "Around the World," highlights the rich tapestry of cultures represented within our school community.

The event will showcase a diverse range of visual arts and musical performances, including 2D and 3D artworks inspired by global continents and crafted with recycled and repurposed materials. From sewing and embroidery to sculpture and textiles, our students' creativity knows no bounds.

Aligned with our school values of inclusivity, excellence, truth, compassion, and community, the Arts Show is a wonderful opportunity for the whole school to come together. We are deeply grateful for the support of our parent community in preparing these remarkable displays of student’s artwork.

We warmly invite all parents, families, and community members to celebrate with us and experience the vibrant artistic expressions of our talented students.

Mrs Kate Byrne & Mrs Nicole Wills

Visual Arts Specialist / Music Specialist

ARTs SCHEDULE, THURSDAY 12 SEPTEMBER

1 - 1.20pm Official Opening

· Welcome | Prayer | Acknowledgement of Country

· Choir

· Guest Speaker – Emeritus Professor Dr. John Kinder

John Kinder is Emeritus Professor of Italian Studies. His PhD was a study of bilingual conversation among Italian migrants in New Zealand and his early research work focussed on recent Italian migration to Australia and New Zealand. He then published a grammar of the Italian language and a multimedia history of the Italian language. He is now studying the presence of Italian as a language of communication in Australia before the mass migration of the 1950’s.

He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, a Corresponding Fellow of the Accademia della Crusca, and a Grand Ufficiale of the Order of the Star of Italy.

1.20 - 4pm

· ARTs Show – visual arts display & instrumental student.

· Performances in hall, undercover and outdoor areas.

· GREEN Team stall in Library

· MINI VINNIES stall in Library

· Afternoon Tea in early years area

· Open classrooms

· Silent auction of artwork created by classes in the hall.

Next Tuesday we will celebrate the magic of books and reading by dressing up as a character from a much loved book we have read. It is indeed a timely reminder of the importance of reading in our ever changing world!

The Magic of Reading: Why It’s Important for Your Child

Reading is like opening a door to new worlds, exciting adventures, and endless possibilities. For our young learners, it’s more than just a school activity—it’s a vital life skill that shapes their future.

Why Reading Matters

Reading helps children develop critical thinking, expands their vocabulary, and improves their communication skills. When children read, they explore different perspectives and learn about cultures, histories, and ideas beyond their immediate environment. This helps them grow into empathetic and informed individuals.

Building Life Skills Through Reading

Books teach children valuable life skills. They learn to problem-solve as they follow a story’s plot, understand emotions by connecting with characters, and enhance their concentration by focusing on the text. These skills are essential, not just for academic success, but for everyday life.

The Role of Parents

As parents, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. By modeling good reading habits, you set a positive example. When your child sees you enjoying a book, reading the newspaper, or sharing a story, they understand that reading is both enjoyable and important.

Simple Ways to Encourage Reading at Home

• Create a Reading Routine: Set aside time each day for reading, whether it’s before bed or after dinner. Consistency helps build a habit.

• Visit the Library: Make library visits a regular family activity. Let your child pick out books that interest them.

• Read Together: Share stories with your child. This not only strengthens your bond but also boosts their love for reading.

• Discuss Books: Talk about the stories you read together. Ask questions and encourage your child to express their thoughts and opinions.

By fostering a love for reading at home, you’re helping your child develop skills that will last a lifetime. Together, let’s open the doors to a world of knowledge, creativity, and imagination for our children.

Happy Reading!

All Parents are invited to attend the Year 5 and 6 Market Stalls on August 29th. As part of the Year 5 and 6 HASS and Mathematics units this term, the Market Stalls will give our students hands-on learning experiences in economics, business, and financial planning. Students will also have the chance to buy items during lunchtime, so please bring some spare change to support the classes.

The Market Stalls will be open from 12:00 pm to 1:20 pm.

All proceeds will be donated to a charity chosen by the classes at a later date.

This term, our Pre-primary students have been diving deep into the wonders of the ocean as they explore their chosen "Under the Sea" creatures. Last term, a shared curiosity about the ocean's composition led us to read a fascinating non-fiction text about the chemical and physical properties of seawater. This sparked many "wonder questions" among the children, especially about the types of creatures that can thrive in such an environment.

Each student selected a sea creature to investigate and has been diligently working to answer their "wonder questions." They've also been practicing their public speaking and presentation skills, preparing to share their findings with their peers.

As a class, we decided to bring our discoveries to life by creating our very own AQWA (Aquarium of Western Australia). The children were involved in every step, from setting up a service desk and determining ticket prices to building a touch pool in our classroom. We even recreated the "midnight zone," where some of the ocean's most unusual creatures reside.

Throughout this journey, we've enjoyed hands-on learning, play-based activities, and inquiry-driven investigations. The enthusiasm and hard work from all the children have made this an unforgettable experience.

You are welcome to take a trip down to Pre-primary and view our wonderful inquiry wall.

We are looking forward to next Friday’s carnival to celebrate as a community. The children have been working towards their events, practicing in class and on a Friday afternoon and they are very excited. Thank you to those parents who are assisting with the logistics of the carnival as we appreciate your assistance in the running of our carnivals.

Transport
Students will need to be dropped off the UWA Sport Ground, between 8.30am – 8.45am to their classroom teacher and the carnival will finish at approximately 2.00pm. Students will need to be collected from 2.15pm from the classroom teacher.

Please note: Please do not drop students off prior to 8.30am as staff will be busy setting up the carnival and they will be unable to supervise your child until that time.

Students will need:
1. School Sport Uniform, faction top including school hat and sunscreen.
2. Warm/or weatherproof clothing in case of rain and a change of clothes.
3. Their own Recess, lunch, snacks with adequate water at least 2L or two drink bottles (no energy drinks or Powerade) – No Locavora orders to be ordered on this day.

General Information

All parents and spectators are required to sit in the designated areas behind the bunting area. Parents are not permitted to enter the faction bays, approach the finish line, or run on the track. Any parents who come into these areas will be asked to move and races will not commence until parents return to the designated area.

We encourage all spectators to please support all participants. The judge’s decision is final. There will be no discussion on final places as all finish line results will be recorded by the timing gates and chief judges.

Photos and Filming

Parents may take photos and film their own child. Please check all photos contain images of your child only prior to posting on social media.

Official Roles

Only parents who are in official roles, are permitted on the track or in the recording tent, when they are performing an official duty.

Lunch Break

During the lunch break, children may sit with their parents outside of the Faction Bays. Please be aware that if you remove your child from the Faction Bay you are responsible for them. Please inform the Faction Bay supervisors if you would like to take your own child from the bay to have lunch. An announcement will be made when children need to return to the Faction Bays for the Carnival to resume.

Coffee Van

At this stage I have been unsuccessful in securing a coffee van.

If anyone knows someone who holds City of Nedlands permits can they please get in touch with me.

Parking

Parking is available at HBF stadium and at the carpark south of the oval. Please observe any parking signs in the area.

Coloured Hair Spray and Zinc

Coloured hair spray and coloured zinc must be applied at home. Children are not permitted to bring these items to the carnival and for the use of any other children.

Streamers and Balloons

We have been informed that crepe paper streamers and balloons are not permitted. If children are bringing streamers, they must be made of ribbon or fabric.

Conclusion of the Carnival

All children will gather with their classroom teacher. Parents must see the class teacher and get their name ticked off the roll prior to departing the carnival.

All of this Information has been provided in the permission note sent out via email in early August.

Interschool Athletics Carnival – HBF Athletics Stadium - Tuesday 17 September

Selected years 3-6 students will be representing the school.

Interschool Selection for Years 3 – 6:

100m and 200m

First 5 places

400m

First 2 places, 3rd place is reserve TBC

Circular Relay 4 x 100m

First 4 places, 5th place is reserve TBC

Long Jump

First 2 places, 3rd place is reserve TBC

Teeball Throw / Turbo Javelin

First 2 places, 3rd place is reserve TBC

Training for these events will either take place before school at Rowe Park at 7.50am or Thursday afternoon, on the school oval.

While not compulsory, it would be wonderful if all children selected could attend the sessions for their event/s.

Training Schedule:

Thursday 5 & 12 September

7.50am Rowe Park – Relay runners

Thursday 5 & 12 September

After school until 4pm - Throws and Jumps TBC

RUNNING CLUB

Unfortunately I will be cancelling Thursday 22 and 29 August due to the business of the school calendar and staff being unwell.

Hats for Physical Education lessons/recess and lunch play.

Just a reminder, students are required to have a hat for their Physical Education lesson, recess and lunch play. There are several students who do not have one. Please ensure they have a hat and their name is clearly written on the hat in case they lose it, so we can return it to the owner.

Kind regards

Sharon Seaman

Physical Education Specialist Teacher

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 2024.

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 Dates for Students:

· TERM 1

Wednesday 31 Jan – Thursday 28 March

· TERM 2

Monday 15 April – Friday 28 June

· TERM 3

Tuesday 16 July – Friday 20 September

· TERM 4

Tuesday 8 October – Friday 6 December

Pupil free days:

Friday 26 April

Friday 31 May

Monday 15 July

Monday 19 August

Monday 7 October

Public Holidays

Monday 4 March (Labour Day)

Friday 29 March (Good Friday)

Thursday 25 April (ANZAC Day)

Monday 3 June (WA Day)

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