IF I RAISED MY CHILD AGAIN.......
If I had my child to raise all over again,
I would finger paint more and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I’d take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.
I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I’d do more hugging and less tugging.
I’d build self esteem first, and the house later.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I’d teach less about the love of power, and more about the power of love.
(Source: Diane Loomans, Health Yourself, Sep 1997)
Saturday 23 February – School/Parish Mass & Sausage Sizzle – Year 6’s organising (5.30pm)
Tuesday 26 February – School Board Meeting (7.00pm)
Monday 4 March – Labour Day Public Holiday
Tuesday 5 March – Shrove Tuesday
Wednesday 6 March – Ash Wednesday Mass – Year 3 coordinating
(9.00am)
Friday 8 March – St. Thomas’ Swimming Carnival (Year 3 – 6) Claremont Pool
Monday 11 March – Staff Professional Learning Day (Aboriginal Education) – Pupil Free Day
Dear St. Thomas' Community,
Parish Children’s Masses: Our first Parish Children’s Mass of the year will be on Saturday 23 February, commencing at 5.30pm. The Year Six children and their families will oversee the preparing and cooking of the sausage sizzle and organising aspects of the Mass. Obviously all are most welcome!
School Psychologist: The visiting School Psychologist, Leigh Thomas, is available on the Wednesday 20 March, 9:45am-12pm, for short parent consultations. If you have a learning/behaviour/parenting issue with your child and would like a brief consultation to provide you with some information or direction please contact Julie to register. Consultations will be limited to 20 minutes only.
Year Six Camp: I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Gibbs for organising a sensational week long camp for our Year Six students. Thanks also to Mrs. Keatch for giving her time so readily for the students. I know they all had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, whilst participating enthusiastically and undertaking all the activities.
P&F Meeting: We had a very successful meeting on Monday and were able to outline our plans for this year. The following positions have been filled for 2019: President – Sarah Chatfield, Vice President – Mel Trend, Treasurer – Trish Coniglio, Secretary – Paul Leighton and P&F Reps Coordinators – Sharon Tee.
The next P&F event will be the Night on the Green on Saturday 23 March.
NAPLAN Online: The 2019 NAPLAN testing will run from 14 May through to 17 May. All students in Years 3 and 5 are required to undertake NAPLAN unless parents choose to withdraw their child. Parents wishing to withdraw their child must contact me to obtain a Withdrawal Form. The form must be submitted by Friday 12 April.
Congratulations: Mrs. Kate Byrne’s became a grandmother in the wee hours of Monday morning.The new addition to Byrne family is Lola Rose Byrne. Her parents, Tom and Mitzi are still coming to terms with being parents, while Kate is loving her new role as Granny.
Advanced Notice: Monday 11 March is a Pupil Free Day. The staff of St. Thomas’ will be undertaking Professional Learning (PL) regarding ‘Aboriginal Education’.
Save the Date: P&F’s Night on the Green: The traditional ‘Fathers’ Sleep Out’ will take place on Saturday 23 March (Week Seven Term One). Please place this date on your calendar, as it is an evening that Dads and children both look forward to.
Ash Wednesday Mass: Our second whole school Mass of the year will take place on Wednesday 6 March and will coincide with Ash Wednesday Mass. Father Wayne will be distributing ashes to everyone in attendance. The Lenten Season is a time of preparation and penance in the 40 days prior to Easter. The children during their religion lessons will not only discuss what Lent is about but will also look at ways they can be involved in the Lenten Season such as giving up something i.e. lollies, chocolate, etc. or giving something of themselves i.e. helping around the house or donating to Project Compassion. All parents are invited to attend this important Mass.
St. Thomas' Mass Times:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9.00am
Saturday 9.00am and 5:30pm
Sunday 7:30am, 9:30am and 6:30pm
2019 Student Residential Address Collection
In preparation for the 2019 Student Residential Address & Other Information Collection please ensure we have your most current residential address details. Further details regarding this collection can be found at: https://ssphelp.education.gov.au/sites/ssphelp/files/files/for_parents_-_2019_collection_notice.pdf
Digital Technology Guidelines for Parents
TIP: 1. Get In The Game!
Make an effort to understand the basics of the technology that your child are (or will be) using on a daily basis. Technology is such a big part of kids’ lives that no parent can afford to just step away from their responsibilities in this area.
You may be doing a fantastic parenting job in all other aspects of your children’s lives but without understanding at least the basics, you cannot be part of their ever-expanding digital world. It’s not difficult to grasp some fundamentals and get up-to-speed. Plus, it’s fun and educational – that’s why your kids love it so much!
Tech Tips continued next Newsletter
Lisa Meyers
Assistant Principal
Boomerang Recess and Lunch Rubbish - every day
Starting from Monday, 25 February, St Thomas’ is moving towards a Boomerang Recess and Lunch as a way to make a difference for our environment. We are not doing it to transfer trash disposal responsibilities from the school to home. Instead it is to encourage students to think about the way food is prepared and packaged.
Most recess and lunch trash come from disposable packaging or are wrapped in plastic. A Boomerang Recess and Lunch helps to reduce the amount of plastic wrapping that is thrown away. Instead of having a rubbish free lunch on Wednesdays, we encourage you to think about reducing the amount of plastic and paper that is needed to package your child’s recess and lunch. A Boomerang Recess and Lunch also provides parents with knowledge of the eating habits and preferences of their children.
All whole or part eaten leftovers are left in lunch containers so that parents can see what’s been eaten or not! Such food leftovers as cores and lunch order paper will be composted at school.
We know that this is asking families to re-think food preparations and student actions however, we can all set a positive example to our children and our community by supporting this school initiative. We are also hoping that this will become more of a habit to bring recess and lunches with less waste.
Our children thank you and the Earth thanks you!
Got any used stamps?
There is a simple way you can help Mary MacKillop Today by bringing your used stamps into the school office.
The stamps will be sent to Mary Mackillop Today in support of this vital work. Thank you.
Swimming Training 2019:
Swimming Training will commence Week 4, Thursday 28th February and thereafter each Thursday and Friday morning from 7.30 – 8.15am.
Parents please ensure students are picked up no later than 8.30am as staff have classes to teach!
Upcoming events:
St Thomas’ Swimming Carnival – Friday 8th March
We require a number of parent helpers on the day and at this stage we need a few more. If you are able to do a few hours could you let Sharon know please.
Interschool Swimming Carnival – Monday 8th April – If parents are able to assist with the running of this carnival please contact Sharon Seaman via email on Sharon.seaman@cewa.edu.au as we are the host school for 2019. I am looking for two parents who can collate the scores. It’s a simple job and you will be taught what is required.
Sporting Communities
AFL Football – If you would like to child to participate in AFL football for Claremont Junior Football Club contact www.claremontjuniorfc.com.au
Whats on next week?
Monday - BSC Rain Cloud in a Jar Science Experiment ASC - Charades
Tuesday - BSC Lava lamp Science Experiment ASC - Stress Ball Making
Wednesday - BSC Chocolate cupcake making ASC Hide & Seek
Thursday - BSC Marble Race Track ASC Paper Airplane Making
Friday - BSC Mask Making ASC Slime Making
The Extend Superstars are…
Erin… for demonstrating leadership skills and doing an amazing job in the kitchen during our baking activity.
Jett…. for showing initiative when helping others during our making cards activity and for displaying creativity when making cool inventions out of recycled materials.
What’s Been Happening?
This week, we have been exploring and completing Science Experiments such as Slime making, Lava Lamp, Cloud in a Jar and Squishy Stress ball making. We also participated in some games, paper folding activity and “Marble Race Track” made out of recycled materials. Baking a yummy chocolate cupcake with icing and sprinkles was our favourite activity of the week.
Extend holiday program is now open for bookings! Please visit : https://extend.com.au/parents/find-holiday-program/
Have a great weekend!
Liezel Menguito, Service Coordinator
Enrol and book now: extend.com.au
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