Important Dates
Thursday 06 April Term One Concludes
TERM TWO
Monday 24 April Pupil Free Day (Staff PD)
Tuesday 25 April ANZAC Day (school closed)
Wednesday 26 April Students First Day Term Two
Wednesday 26 April ANZAC Day Prayer Service at 11 am
Tuesday 02 May EduDance
Wednesday 03 May Parish Rosary 12 pm - Y6
Wednesday 03 May Parish Mass 12:30 pm - Yrs 3, K & 6
Wednesday 03 May P&F Meeting - 7pm - All welcome
Friday 05 May - Cross Country Carnival - Years 1-6
Thursday 11 May - Mothers Day Liturgy 9 am St Thomas' Apostle Church
Wednesday 24 May - Advisory Council Meeting 7pm
Tuesday 30 May - Parent Information Session: 7 - 8:30 pm 'Raising children in a digital age'
Please remember dates of events can be subject to change
(Full 2023 term dates at the end of this newsletter)
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Caregivers
What a wonderful term we have had! Lots of excitement, joy, and celebrations.
In our lead up to Easter, the most important event in the liturgical calendar, students have been celebrating Holy Week. During Holy week, we remember all that Jesus did for us.
Stations of the Cross
On Thursday morning at 9am in the school hall, the Year 6 students will lead us on a journey with Jesus through his Passion, by enacting the Stations of the Cross. We will pray together as a community and remember Jesus who gave his life for us.
Interschool Swimming
Congratulations to Mrs Seaman and our Interschool Swim Team, for their amazing results at the carnival last Friday. St Thomas' placed first with an outstanding effort from all students.
Long Service Leave
At the beginning of next term, I will be taking four weeks long service leave. During this time, I will be visiting Ireland and spending some time in the City of Cork and surrounds, visiting the birth place of Nano Nagle our foundress, and visiting Presentation Primary Schools. Mr Heath Nankivell will be Acting Principal until my return on Monday 22 May.
Slip Road – Kiss and Drop on College Road
As mentioned previously, a slip road or ‘kiss and drop’ will be installed on College Road near the basketball court during the school holidays. Please use this slip road to drop off and pick up your child. We ask that you do not leave your car as staff will bring your child to you.
Anzac Day Service
On Anzac Day, Mr Nankivell and our school leaders Emily and Hamish, will represent our school at the Town of Claremont Anzac Day Service. On Wednesday 26 April, we will have a school Anzac Day Service on the basketball courts commencing at 11am. You are most welcome to attend.
Happy Easter
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone – students, staff and parents for your continued support this term.
I wish you all a safe and holy Easter break and hope you have a wonderful, relaxing holiday with your family. I look forward to seeing you all when I return from leave on Monday 22 May.
Thank you and God bless.
Natalia Thomson
Principal
Do you have plans for Holy Week?
Last Sunday, we celebrated Palm Sunday, the final Sunday of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus’ triumphant arrival in Jerusalem days before he was crucified. As we traditionally do every year, Mass includes a procession into the church, the blessing of palm branches and the reading of the Passion.
On Thursday, Jesus celebrated the Passover feast with the disciples. We know this feast as the Last Supper. This is the night He was betrayed by Judas and arrested. The Last Supper is celebrated at every Mass, especially on Holy Thursday.
You are welcome to attend the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday at 7.00 pm, Stations of the Cross on Friday at 10.00 am., Passion of Christ on Friday at 3.00 pm., Easter Vigil on Saturday at 6pm.
All at our Claremont Parish Church.
Stations of the Cross
On Thursday, 6th April, the Year 6 students will lead us in a freeze-frame presentation of the Stations of the Cross. We will all gather in the hall at 9.00 am, and parents are welcome to join us.
It will be a solemn reminder of Our Lord’s Passion and an opportunity to pray with us.
Pope Francis provides eight reasons why we should pray the Stations of the Cross:
· They allow us to place our trust in Jesus
· They put us into the story – Jesus is looking at you now and is asking: Do you want to help me carry the Cross?
· They remind us that Jesus suffers with us
· They compel us to action – teaching us always to look upon others with mercy and tenderness, especially those who suffer
· They help us make a decision for or against Christ
· They reveal God’s response to evil in the world – through love, mercy, and forgiveness
· They give us the certainty of God’s love for us
· They guide us from the Cross to the resurrection
The activities in our classrooms for Lent and Holy Week have continued to give our students rich experiences for a time in our lives that are so important. Holy Week is the most sacred week in the liturgical year. Let’s have a peek!
PrePrimary - Godly Play nurturing the spirituality of our students.
Year One
Through learning about the importance of friendships and the season of Lent, students gain a deeper understanding of how their connections with others can contribute to their spiritual growth and overall quality of life.
Year Two
As we come to the end of Lent, the Year 2 students have been reflecting on their Lenten Promises.
“I helped pack away and wipe the table for dinner and breakfast. My Mum was happy.” - Sarah
“I tried really hard to be kind to everyone. I also helped clean up after my little sister.” - Maggie
“I have been making dinner. I have made some Italian food. I have also been helping Mum.” - Rocco
ANZAC Day Prayer Service at St Thomas’
On ANZAC Day, Mr Nankivell will attend the Claremont ceremony with Emily and Hamish, our Student Leaders. However, if you cannot participate in a community organised ceremony and wish to honour our brave service people, you are invited to our school ANZAC Prayer Service on Wednesday, 26 April, at 11.00 am.
We thank our Year Five students and Miss Mulholland for giving us this opportunity to commemorate the anniversary of the landing of Australian and Zealand troops at Gallipoli in 1915 and to also pay our respects to all the soldiers who have died in military operations. May we always remember them!
Enrolling now for Kindergarten 2024, 2025 & beyond
We are currently interviewing students for Kindergarten 2024 & 2025. There are limited vacancies. If you wish to enrol your child, please email Mrs Julie Wray our Administration and Enrolment Officer on admin@stthomas.wa.edu.au asap.
Change of Date: Pupil Free Day in Term 2
There has been a change in date for one of our pupil free days in Term 2. This day was originally scheduled for the Tuesday 6 June however, this Pupil Free Day has now moved to the week before, Friday 2 June. This change has been made to accommodate the EduDance program on Tuesdays.
What's been happening in Pre Primary
Over the past two weeks, our pre-primary class has had an incredible opportunity to witness new life in action. We have been watching baby chicks hatch right here in our classroom!
The excitement and wonder on the faces of our students have been truly amazing to see. From the moment we set up the incubator to the final hatching, our students have been fully engaged and involved in the entire process.
The timing of our chick-hatching project has been perfect, as it links in with our current inquiry project and the upcoming Easter celebrations. Our students have been exploring the concept of new life and the cycle of growth and development. Watching the baby chicks hatch has provided a tangible and unforgettable experience for them to connect with these concepts.
Not only have our students been learning about the life cycle of chickens, but they have also been developing their observation and communication skills and their sense of responsibility in caring for these tiny creatures.
I would like to thank all the parents and caregivers who have supported us throughout this project, by sharing in the excitement with your child.
We look forward to continuing to explore the wonders of new life with our students and wish everyone a happy and meaningful Easter holiday.
Warm regards
Miss Georgia Lee, Miss Jessica Berettieri and the Pre-Primary Class
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