St Thomas' 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.

A friendly reminder that Friday 23 September is a Pupil Free Day.

Thursday 08 September - Athletics Carnival PP - Y6

Wednesday 14 September - Yrs 4 & 6 Debate Night 5:30 pm

Friday 16 September - Open Morning 9 am - Prospective Parents

Friday 16 September - Parents & Families - Arts Show Afternoon 1:30 -4pm

Friday 16 September - Arts Show Exhibition - Wine & Cheese Night (Parents only) 7pm

Tuesday 20 September - Interschool Athletics Carnival

Wednesday 21 September - Parent Teacher Interviews (K, Yrs 1, 5 & 6)

Thursday 22 September - Parent Teacher Interviews (PP, Yrs 2, 3, &4)

Thursday 22 September - Market Day Stalls - led by Year 5 & 6 students

Thursday 22 September - Last day of school for students

Friday 23 September - Pupil Free Day

(Full 2022 term dates at the end of this newsletter)

Loving God, we thank you for the care and affection of Jesus, who placed children in the very centre of his community.

We pray for children, created in your own image and likeness, dwelling places of your Spirit, each one called to experience the freedom of your daughters and sons.

We pray for all children – those in our family homes, those in our community of faith, those in the wider community, those in our global village, those with plenty and those who struggle to survive.

God of all goodness, we hope in you. Inspire us to surround others with gentleness and love and empower us to build a world that no longer knows abuse and violence. Grant us courage to speak out and act when children need protection, care and shelter.

We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Dear Parents and Caregivers

What a beautiful day we were blessed with yesterday for the St Thomas’ Primary Sports Day, held at the McGillivray Oval. Students prepared well in Term 3 to be able to compete in Jumps and Throws, Team Games, Sprints and Relays. A big thank you to Mrs Seaman for organising the carnival, and to staff and parents for their assistance on the day. Thank you also to Sarah Chatfield, one of our parents, who has entertained us in the role of announcer at many of our carnivals over the last fourteen years.

Welcome

A warm welcome to Costa and Ric Koutakis and their children Nicholas and Vasili. Nicholas has joined us in Year 3 and Vasili in Pre-primary. We are excited to welcome you into our school community.

ARTs Show

Students are looking forward to celebrating their art, music and performance next Friday 16 September at the St Thomas’ Bi-annual ARTs Show. Please join us for afternoon tea at 1.30pm followed by the official opening at 2pm by Kate Chaney MP, the Member for Curtin. There will be opportunities to view your child’s art and classrooms, along with performances by the Choir, instrumentalists and drama students.

ARTs Show ‘Chin Chin’

As a follow on from the day’s events, parents, caregivers and friends, are invited to join us for St Thomas’ ‘Chin Chin,’ at 7pm in the school Library, an opportunity for all to come together as a school community. At this event, there will be a live auction of the class art pieces. Please find below the Trybooking link to purchase tickets to attend this event:

https://www.trybooking.com/CCCZI

Tournament of the Minds

Congratulations to the students in years 5 & 6 that participated in the recent Tournament of the Minds (TOMS) competition at Edith Cowan University. TOMS is a program for all primary students providing the opportunity to solve authentic, open-ended challenges that foster creative, divergent thinking whilst developing collaborative enterprise, excellence and teamwork.

Challenges are set in disciplines. Three teams represented St Thomas’ in the disciplines of The Arts, Language Literature, and STEM. A special thank you to Mrs Lila Gibbs, Mr Heath Nankivell and Miss Lauren Corless for facilitating these teams and to the wonderful parents of our TOMs participants who ensured that their child was present for the before school and weekend preparation.

Open Morning for Prospective Students

Next Friday morning 16 September, St Thomas' will host an Open Morning for prospective students and their families between 9am and 10.30am. Please spread the word about our wonderful school and let them know that even though we are a small school, we have big opportunities.

Have a wonderful week.

Natalia Thomson

Principal

PHOTOS

School photos are being finalised at the moment. When the photo packages arrive, they will be distributed to children to take home.

PARENT TEACHER MEETINGS

Please refer to the email sent earlier this week, and the information sheet located in the School Newsletter section of the website. Bookings are now open – if you need assistance, please email myself for help. Thank you to those parents who have already booked a time slot. Dates for these online meetings are:

Wednesday 21/09 – K, 1, 5, 6

Thursday 22/09 – PP, 2, 3, 4

VALUES

Our values of Inclusivity and Excellence have been a school-wide focus over the past two weeks. Inclusivity is quite a complex value for children to understand fully, however, there are many times during a school day when primary school-aged students can check in with peers so they feel included. Excellence was particularly on show yesterday at our Athletics Carnival. ‘Doing your best’ and an understanding that ‘Excellence looks different for each person’ were discussion points raised at last Monday’s gathering. I encourage you to discuss with your child/ren how they have been inclusive and displayed excellence over the past fortnight.

SCIENCE INCURSION

We were very lucky to have two scientists from the CSIRO visit the Year 3-6 classes earlier this week. Jo Meyers visited Year Three and Year Four to talk of Marine Debris and Abundance & Diversity in the natural world. Students used a microscope to see coral, participated in a fish count and looked at the impact of rubbish on marine life. The hands on activities proved very engaging. Alec Thomson, an Astronomer from the CSIRO in Perth, talked of black holes, galaxies, radiowaves, nebulas and how scientists are using arrays of telescopes across Australia as well as collaborating with their NASA and South African colleagues, to research space, and feed our curiosity of space's unknowns. There were some fascinating facts and information presented, and images that would not normally be available for students to view and discuss during these sessions. The questions asked by students were both thoughtful and considered. Thank you to Jo and Alex for this brilliant opportunity for our students.

Heath Nankivell

Assistant Principal

Dear Parent’s and Caregivers

I am pleased to announce that CEWA has renewed Natalia’s contract with the school for another 5 years. This is excellent news for Natalia and our school. We are so very fortunate to have someone of Natalia’s calibre leading our school and guiding the development of our children in their primary education.

In the recent school review process and follow up report, St Thomas’ Primary School was identified as “an excellent school that provides quality in teaching and learning across all the Pillars of Quality Catholic Education”. Natalia has been instrumental in shaping and driving a number of the school’s strategic objectives under the vision for Quality Catholic Education and where it is today.

On behalf of the Advisory Council and the community, I would like to thank Natalia for her incredible dedication, hard work and commitment to the school and the children over the past three years. The school has benefited tremendously and positively in so many ways under Natalia’s leadership.

We look forward to the next phase of development and all that is in store for our children and the St Thomas’ community.

Susan Swift ( Advisory Council Chair)

Mini Vinnies is raising money for Sister Joan's Milk Run in Thailand. Presentation Sister Joan started the Milk Run back in 1992 and the program has been running ever since. The initiative delivers milk formula to new mums and their newborns so they can be fed. Mini Vinnies' wants to raise money for this wonderful mission, so we ask that you 'dress in your favourite sporting colours' on Wednesday 21st September Week 10, and bring in a gold coin donation! Thank you for your support.

Friday 16 September

Theme: ‘Colours of our Southern Land.’

A celebration of children’s art, music, and performance.

1.30-2pm

Afternoon Tea

Viewing of Art

Student performances

2pm Official opening - Kate Chaney MP, Member for Curtin

2.30-3pm

Viewing of Art

Student performances

Mini Vinnies Stall in Library

Open classrooms

3-4pm.

Viewing of Art

Mini Vinnies Stall in Library

Open classrooms

Student performances include vocal, instrumental and drama monologues.

Classrooms will be open, and parents are encouraged to visit classrooms with their child/children.

Afternoon tea will be available between 1.30 and 2pm, generously provided by the P & F.

Entry to the ARTs Show will be by donation and entry will be via the pedestrian gate on College Road.

All families and community members are welcome.

Art Show Chin Chin

We are looking forward to next week’s Arts Show - a celebration of all our St Thomas children’s art and creativity. The evening of the Arts Show provides a wonderful opportunity for all parents to get together, to catch up with old and new friends.

As we couldn't have our Sundowner this year due to Covid, the P&F is going all out for the Art Show Chin Chin!

Tickets are $30 per head and include substantial canapés (professionally catered) and drinks, and all class collaborative art pieces will be auctioned live by a professional auctioneer with all proceeds going to purchase black out performing arts curtains for our School Hall to be used for performing arts events, assemblies and functions such as our School disco.

It will be great fun so grab your tickets now. As this event is professionally catered, please purchase your tickets by Tuesday, 13 September.

https://www.trybooking.com/CCCZI

Arts Show Set Up Volunteers

Thank you to those parents who volunteered to help set up the Arts Show via your Class Reps. Your Class Reps have been provided information regarding set up which you should receive shortly.

In any event, set up of the Arts Show will take place from 9am on Thursday, 15 September. If you are able to arrive at 9am please meet in the Undercroft area where tasks will be allocated. If you will be arriving later, please come to the Undercroft or School Hall and look for Mrs Kate Byrne, a staff member or me for assistance. We hope with many hands the Show will be set up by early to mid afternoon, but you are of course welcome to arrive and leave when suits you. Thank you in advance for your assistance.”

Father’s Day Festivities

What a wonderful week celebrating our St Thomas Dads and Father Figures. Our Fathers Day Stall was a great success! Thank you to all those children who came along to buy something for the special father figures in your life. And it was a delight to see so many Dads and father figures join our Coffee and Croissants morning! Coffee was flowing courtesy of the great team at Black Bean Coffee Bar and there was lots of smiles and laughs all round all week.

A very big and heartfelt thank you to Mel Di Latte, Carin Penberthy and Sarah Van Bockxmeer for your incredible efforts, energy and hard work organising and running these events. You have all been incredible, and we simply could not have done it with you.

A very big thank you also to all those mums (and children!) who volunteered their time at the Stall and Croissant stand - we are so grateful for your help and wonderful assistance! Thank you!

Meeting

Due to the busyness of the Art Show, our next meeting will be in Term 4.

Warm wishes

Bianca Della Vedova

On Monday, Dave from #returnitwa spoke to students at morning gathering about the importance of recycling. He brought a special bin for students to use and explained the correct way to recycle. At St Thomas' we are collecting 'Containers for Change' so we can buy more sports equipment.

This term in Economics and Business the Year 5 and 6 classes have been busy creating their own business with an aim to make and sell a product in order to generate revenue. On Thursday the 22nd of September the Year 5 and 6 students will be holding their Market Day from 12:00pm-1:20pm. Items for sale include baked goods, healthy jelly cups, jewellery, and sweet treats. Please allow your children to bring in a couple of gold coins for the market day and to support our Business'. All profits will be donated to charity. Parents of the Year 5 and 6 classes are invited to attend. We hope to see you there!

Running Club

Thank you to the staff and parents who have assisted during our Running Club Mornings in Terms 2 and 3. We had several students running on those mornings which was fantastic to start the day with a run.

Please note: There will be no more Running club sessions for the remainder of Term due to training for the Interschool Athletics Team.

Interschool Athletics

Those students in years 3-6 who will be selected for the Interschool Athletics carnival will be notified after the St Thomas Athletics Carnival.

Interschool Athletics Training Schedule:

Date Time Venue Event Athletes required

Wednesday

14th Sept 8am – 8.20am Rowe Park 4 x 100m relay All relay runners

Wednesday

14th Sept 3.00 – 3.45pm School Oval Throws All throwers

Thursday 15th

Sept 8am – 8.20am Rowe Park 4 x 100m relay All relay runners

Thursday 15th

Sept 3.00 – 3.45pm School Oval Jumps All long jumpers

If parents are able to assist in this mornings with walking students back to school, please email me

Sharon.seaman@cewa.edu.au

Upcoming events:

Interschool Athletics Carnival - Tuesday 20th September

WA State Athletics Stadium Mt Claremont

Sharon Seaman

Physical Education Specialist Teacher

The St Thomas Dad's Camp Out is back!

All St Thomas dads and father figures are warmly invited to this year's Camp Out. An overnight adventure full of fun, mateship and trying new things with your kids in the great outdoors!

When: Saturday 29 October - Sunday 30 October 2022

Where: The Jarrahfall Bush Camp & Dare Adventures Team, Dwellingup

Please secure your tickets via https://www.trybooking.com/BYDSF

The celebration of Social Justice Sunday is a long tradition in the Catholic Church in Australia. For almost every year since 1940, our bishops have joined together to issue a major social justice statement at this time.

This year’s statement is titled Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse.

The document draws on family and domestic violence data and gathers the insights of people, especially women, on that data. It also reflects on the words and example of Jesus. The statement, citing the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, explains that family and domestic violence “affects people of all ages and from all backgrounds”.

The statement says, “The respect due to each member of a family, household or community should reflect the respect and care shown for others by Christ.” It ends with the following statement: “We can take greater care in the language that we use. We can speak more clearly about the sinfulness of domestic violence. We can debunk the misuse of faith sources to justify violent or abusive behaviour or to coerce women in marriages marked by these behaviours to stay in unsafe situations. We can ensure that our responses are evidence-based and trauma-informed.”

To read the whole statement, go to:

www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au

Enrolments are now being taken for siblings and new students wishing to commence Kindergarten at St Thomas’ Primary School in 2023. Families with children eligible for Pre-kindergarten in 2023 are required to complete a Pre-kindergarten enrolment application form.

Attendance: Children may attend Pre-kindergarten as soon as they turn three years of age.

Program: Friday. Children who are 3 years of age may also attend our combined three and four year old program on Thursdays.

For further information, please contact Julie Wray at the school office on 92869500.

This week is National Child Protection Week.

The safety and health of our children is obviously of paramount importance to all of us. As parents, we look to protecting our children by establishing boundaries, providing healthy food, watching their online behaviour and keeping them out of harm’s way; however, sometimes it is the simple things that are the most important.

The importance of listening to our children is imperative. The National Association for Prevention of Child abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) explains in their brochure “Listening to Children”:

Making a point of listening to every child you know is one of the most important things you can do. It shows children you really care and respect that they are worth listening to. This helps them feel they are special and respected. Being listened to also helps children to practice putting ideas into words, explore their feelings, and develop self-confidence. When you listen to your child, you benefit by learning more about how your child thinks and feels, and what they need.

In order to listen to our kids, we need to be able to encourage them to talk. Many parents mention to me that they don’t know what their child does at school because when they ask them, they only get one word answers, such as “nothing” or “stuff”.

Raising children.net.au explores this very topic in their article “Talking About School”:

Talking with your child about the school day shows you’re interested in what’s going on in their life. This interest boosts your child’s mental health, happiness and wellbeing. It can also have a very positive effect on your child’s behaviour and achievement. It shows your child that you value school and education, which encourages them to value it too.
When you’re in touch with your child’s feelings about school, you’re more likely to see problems before they get too big. This way you can work on overcoming challenges together.

Finally, maybe these tips will help:

· Ask about the best thing that happened in your child’s day. Remember what has

been going on for your child so you can ask the best questions.

· Ask about their friends.

· Ask their opinions about things.

· Ask how they would solve problems. But respect their answers!

· If you are reading a book with your children, discuss it with them. Pause at the end of each page for them to comment.

· If your child doesn’t respond to a question, don’t push. Change the topic.

Remember that children live much more in the minute than adults. If they don’t want to talk about what happened at school, it’s probably because it’s not important anymore!

A friendly reminder that if your child is not returning to St Thomas' Primary School for the 2023 school year, then a Student Departure Form must be completed giving one full terms notice (not applicable to Y6). This means we need to receive this form by the end of this current term (Friday 23 September). This will allow for planning in staffing and also in accepting new students who have applied and are currently on waitlist.

Should notice be received after this date a full terms tuition fee penalty will apply.

The form is available from the front office or by emailing Julie: admin@stthomas.wa.edu.au.

Thank you.

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

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.

• TERM 1
• Monday 31 January - Friday 8 April
• TERM 2
• Tuesday 26 April – Friday 1 July
• TERM 3
• Tuesday 19 July – Thursday 22 September
• TERM 4
• Tuesday 11 October – Friday 9 December

Pupil free days:

Friday 3 June

Monday 18 July

Monday 22 August

Friday 23 September

Monday 10 October

Public Holidays

Monday 7 March (Labor Day)

Monday 25 April (ANZAC Day)

Monday 6 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