Dear St. Thomas' Community,

110th Anniversary: The 110th Anniversary of St. Thomas’ will be celebrated on Friday 5 July. This day also happens to be the day we celebrate St. Thomas’ Feast Day, so the celebration will of paramount significance. The day will start off with a liturgy, followed by morning tea, tours of the school, performances by the children and the grand unveiling of some commemorative artwork. Could I extend an invitation to all past pupils, families and staff? Please pass on any details as they come available. We are also looking for any old memorabilia, uniforms or photos for displays on the day. We have many enjoyable activities planned for the children following morning tea. More details will follow but please priorities this date in your calendar.

Claire Orange Workshop: Thank you to those parents and staff that attended last nights presentation by Claire Orange entitled 'World of Girls'. Thanks also to the P&F for covering the cost of this event. It was a fantastic presentation! Claire's message is delivered with great humour and knowledge.

Some of the things that resonated with me were:

Listen actively,

Acknowledge the emotion,

Stop mood loops (break the cycle of negativity),

Encourage your daughter to find a solution (their own solution)

and Ask what she wants - an ear or a solution.

Claire's website is located at https://bestprograms4kids.com/about/claire-orange/ and I would encourage parents to visit this site and look at the many free resources on offer.

Claire will be presenting a second talk at St. Thomas' in Term Two entitled the 'World of Boys' - Wednesday 12th June @6:30pm

Parent/Teacher Interviews: Parent/Teacher interviews will take place on Wednesday 10 April (Kindy, Year 3, 4 & 5) and Thursday 11 April (Pre-Primary, Year 1, 2 & 6). All interviews will take place in the Library/Makerspace.

Interschool Swimming Carnival: We wish the very best of luck to our Interschool Swimming Team who will be competing next Monday 8 April. The team have been training diligently two mornings a week before school. Thank you to Mrs. Seaman and those teachers that have given their time so generously assisting with training sessions. I know that all St. Thomas’ participants will represent the school proudly with their best efforts.

Night on the Green: A huge thanks to John Prichard and his team of helpers for their organisation and coordination of the ‘Dads’ and ' Kids’ Camp Out’. The evening/night was a tremendous success. The campers enjoyed the traditional sausage sizzle, ice cream, an outdoor movie and camping out in tents on the school oval. The coffee van was certainly well received by the Dads bright and early on Sunday morning! The School Camp Out is part of a series of events for the school community which intends to create for St Thomas’ Dads to become ‘Great Dads’.

Project Compassion donations will need to be returned to school by Monday 8 April. These donations will then be presented to the Parish Community at the Stations of the Cross Service on Tuesday 9 April. The Year Six class and Mrs. Gibbs will be leading this service preparing us in readiness for Easter. Stations of the Cross will this year take place in the School Hall starting at 9.00am. All parents and community members are encouraged to attend.

A Very Big “Thank you” to those families who have paid their fees. A gentle ‘reminder’ for those yet to pay, that an instalment is due before the end of Term 1. Please see our Secretary Julie Wray or our Bursar Leanne Hancock in the Front Office for any further queries.

Term One concludes for students on Thursday 11 April. The staff will be undertaking First Aid (Provide an Emergency First Aid Response in an Education and Care Setting) Professional Learning on Friday 12 April. Term Two commences for staff and children on Monday 29 April.

Guess the Easter Eggs in a Jar and Easter Raffle run by Mini Vinnies. All proceeds go to Project Compassion. Tickets are 50c each or 3 for a $1.

The raffle will be drawn next Thursday after Lunch. Good luck!

TECH TIPS

TIP 4: Be Interested

Ask your child what he/she is doing and what programs they are using. Ask your child to show you how the technology toys work and what they do with them.

Lisa Meyers

Assistant Principal

Thank you. Ron Wray

RECYCLE RIGHT: Only the following items should be placed into the yellow-top recycling bin. All items should be clean, dry and empty with lids removed:

Aluminium cans (clean & empty)

Steel cans (clean & empty)

Cardboard (flattened)

Paper (not shredded)

Plastic containers and bottles (clean & empty)

Glass (clean & empty)

Do not place the following items into your recycling bin:

• Plastic bags

• Plastic film
• Nappies

• Clothes and textiles
• Garden and food waste
• Gas bottles

• Aerosol cans
• Electronic waste

• Batteries
• Ropes, cables and hose
• Materials in bags

• Meat trays

For more information refer to the Recycle Right Website:

https://recycleright.wa.gov.au Helping you Recycle Right & live more sustainably in WA.

Recycle Right is a campaign in WA which encourages and assists residents and businesses to recycle, reduce their rubbish and buy more recycled products.

Excellent ideas for the holidays-

Introducing Sustainability to Children….Ideas and Inspiration! - The Empowered Educator

www.theempowerededucatoronline.com

Paper was very rarely brought as we recycled newspapers, butcher’s paper, brown paper bags from the shops, used wrapping paper and cards, and that wonderful computer printer paper with the holes down each side that you could just tear to the length you wanted.

Interschool Swimming Carnival – Monday 8th April

Next Monday, selected students in Years 3-6 will be representing the school at the Catholic Primary School Interschool Swimming Carnival. This will be held at HBF stadium from 9.30am – 2.30pm. Students will need to wear St Thomas school bathers and the school will provide the swimming caps and an Interschool Singlet to wear on the day. Good luck to everyone involved.

Tennis and Cricket Carnival

On Wednesday 27 March students in Years 5 and 6 participated in the Tennis and Cricket Carnival at Abbett Park against the following schools: OLGC, St Dominic’s, St Johns, St Paul’s and Sacred Heart.

Congratulations to our Year 6 Boys Cricket Team as they were the overall winners for their division. This is the third year in a row that we have won this carnival.

Well done to all of the Year 5 and 6 students, you did our school proud.

What’s on Next week?

Monday- Talent Show/ Create and Invent- Easter theme

Tuesday- Mermaid Dust and Easter Egg Hunt

Wednesday- Easter Colouring in and Tissue Paper Scrunch Egg

Thursday- Charades- Easter theme and Easter Egg Muffins cooking

The Extend Superstars are…

Caitlin and William Maguire for sharing their brilliant activity ideas in Extend program and for having enthusiasm to be the leaders of the activity

Amelie Goodall for being kind, gentle and helpful to her friends specially when doing arts and crafts.

What’s Been Happening?

Extend holiday program is now open for bookings! Enrol and book now: extend.com.au

Please visit: https://extend.com.au/parents/find-holiday-program/

Have a wonderful Easter!