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.

TERM THREE

26 July - Performing Arts Piano Solos this week

26 July - Advisory Council 7 pm

03 August - Year 5 & 6 Parent Workshop - Digii Social 6pm

03 August - P & F Meeting 7pm

04 August - Parish Mass Y4

06 August - Prayer Service Mary Mackillop 9 am

07 August - Feast of Mary Mackillop

10 August - ICAS Digital Technologies

11 August - Parish Mass Y3

11 August - Highway Heroes Parent Information Session (Years K-6) 6.30pm

(Babysitting available)

11 August - Confirmation Retreat Y6

12 August - Robogals - Yrs 4 - 6 girls

13 August - Feast of the Assumption Prayer Service 9 am

14 August - Feast of the Assumption

16 August - Science Week

17 August - ICAS English

18 August - Parish Mass Y2

18 August - ICAS English

20 August - Assembly Y4

20 August - Jumps & Throws Yrs 1 & 2

20 August - Y6 Confirmation 5:30 pm

23 August - Start of Book Week

23 August - MS Readathon

23 August - Choral Singing CPAF

24 August - ICAS Science

24 August - Advisory Council 7 pm

25 August - Jumps & Throws Yrs 3 - 6

25 August - ICAS Science Y2

26 August - Jumps & Throws Yrs 5 & 6

27 August - Jumps & Throws Yrs 1 - 4

30 August - Drama Club Assembly & Drama Club Showcase Evening

31 August - Fathers Day Liturgy

31 August - CPAF - Speech & Drama Duologue Yrs 5&6 Drama

01 September - Parish Mass Y1

01 September - CPAF Drama Plays Yrs 5 & 6

01 September - ICAS Mathematics Yrs 2 - 4

02 September - ICAS Mathematics Yrs 5 & 6

03 September - St Thomas' Athletics Carnival

07 September - P & F Meeting 7pm

08 September - Parish Mass Y6

12 September - Busy Bee

14 September - Open Morning - Prospective families

14 September - Parent/Student Workshop Maths/STEM in Action 2pm

15 September - Oracy Y3

15 September - Parish Mass Y5

16 September - School Waste Education Day

17 September - Assembly Y3

21 September - Interschool Athletics Carnival Yrs 3 - 6

21 September - Advisory Council 7 pm

22 September - Parish Mass Y4

23 September - Last Day of Term Three for all students

24 September - PUPIL FREE DAY

(Please note dates & events are subject to change)

A warm welcome back to all. I hope you and your children had a lovely holiday break. It has been an absolute pleasure to see so many happy and excited faces each day.

New Students & Staff

We are pleased to welcome Sophie (Year 6), Lux (Year 5), John (Year 3), Varren (Year 3), Elizabeth (Year 1) and their families to St Thomas' this week.

Staffing

We welcome Mrs Nicola Hurst as our Health Specialist with Mrs Corinna Herbert increasing her role this term to include Literacy & Numeracy Support whilst Mrs Barry is on leave. Mrs Herbert will still continue in her role in Music and Performing Arts. Miss Hannah Antulov will also join our St Thomas' team as an Education Assistant in Kindergarten and Upper Primary.

Winter Weather

During the holiday break, several of our classrooms sustained water damage. Whilst it has caused the relocation of some working spaces this week, we have been fortunate to have all rooms functional, except for the school hall, as we wait for carpet stock to arrive from the Eastern States. A big thank you to Saheed and Karen Hiedari for their handyman services and to so many of our parents who offered their generous support to ensure that our classrooms were open on day one.

NAIDOC Celebrations

On Wednesday, all students at St Thomas,’ participated in NAIDOC celebrations organised by Mr Godsall (Year 5) and Miss Lee (Pre-primary). Commencing with a prayer liturgy in the Library, followed by activities with their buddies, students were immersed in several cultural experiences throughout the day. In their classes, students explored the Noongar language and provided some creative ideas for naming our new Nature Play area on the school oval.

P&F All Out '80s Quiz Night: And the Grand Total is ...

We will be rounding up our donation, so the St Thomas P&F will be donating an amazing $17,000 towards our School Robotics Program!

This will see more robots in every classroom and more robotics learning opportunities for every child from Pre-Primary to Year 6!

Our deepest thanks again to my fellow P&F Executive - Mel Trend, Mel Di Latte and Tom Curnow - for your outstanding efforts with this year's Quiz Night and all our St Thomas families who donated, attended and/or organised a prize or auction item for the Quiz Night, as well as those businesses within our extended St Thomas community that donated a prize or auction item. Without you, this simply would not have been possible!

We can't wait to see all our children reap the rewards and greatly benefit from this huge boost to our School Robotics Program.

Busy Bee

We're excited to roll up our sleeves and get some jobs done at this year's Family Busy Bee to be held on Sunday, 12 September in advance of the St Thomas Open Day. A fun few hours for the whole family. Put the date in your diary and stay tuned for more details.

P&F Meetings

This Term the P&F will meet at 7pm in the Library on Tuesday, 3 August and Tuesday, 7 September. We hope to see you there.

Best wishes

Bianca Della Vedova

President

BISHOPS’ RELIGIOUS LITERACY ASSESSMENT

On Monday 26 July, all Year Three and Year Five students will take part in a practice and familiarisation session with the Bishops’ Religious Literacy Assessment (BRLA). As with NAPLAN, it is important that students are familiar with logging on to the BRLA website, as well as how the online assessment will present questions to them. The assessment will take place on Thursday 5 August (Week Three of this term). It is important that students have fully charged iPads for the practice test and the actual test, headphones and keyboards if they are comfortable using these devices. I ask parents to ensure students arrive at school on time so they can participate in these important assessments. If you have any queries or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email at heath.nankivell@cewa.edu.au.

CODING CLUB

An exciting addition to St Thomas’ Primary School’s co-curricular offerings is the introducing of Coding Club for all students in Years One to Year Six. The program will be available during lunchtime for Years One to Three students, and as an after school option on Thursdays (3pm-4pm) for students in Years Four to Six. I understand Thursday after school conflicts with several sport training and other commitments students may have, and we can look at modifying times later in the year. A note for parents of interested students will be going home soon, and provides parents with information about the program, as well as organisational elements including pick up and drop-off. I look forward to sharing the activities of the Coding Club through future newsletters.

YEAR THREE iPADS

Thank you to all parents who attended the Year Three iPad parent meeting on Wednesday 21 July. The meeting was designed to raise awareness of the many ways parents can use to assist their children to use the iPad appropriately and for its primary purpose as a learning device. The PowerPoint used, including screenshots and links, has been sent to all Year Three parents for your reference as needed. If you would like any assistance in modifying settings, such as screen limits and guided access within apps, please contact myself or Mrs Lila Gibbs and we can arrange a time to meet/call to ensure you are comfortable with how your child is using the iPad at home. I encourage your feedback on the meeting as well as feedback regarding the 1:1 iPad program we have here at St Thomas’ Primary School. Creating aware and respectful digital citizens is an important part of our learning program, and the vision we have for all students here at St Thomas’, and we thank you for your support of the important skills we are all teaching students at home and at school.

Heath Nankivell

Assistant Principal

Name: Steeve Lee

Position: Finance

Interests: AFL, Horses and a good movie

Football Team: Used to be Carlton

Favourite Food: Fish and chips

Currently Reading: A book called Homo Deus

Favourite Holiday Destination: Norway

3 people you’d invite to dinner: My wife and my two boys

What would you do with your last $50? Give it to someone who needs it more

Favourite Movie: Any Marvel one

Favourite Quote: Success is an awful teacher. It tempts smart people into thinking they can't lose.

Keyed Up Music will be teaching drums and keyboard lessons this term during school. Lessons start at $18.65 for groups of four per lesson. If you are interested in your son/daughter learning an instrument, ring Savanna on 6107 8841 or 0479 171 424 or enrol at www.keyedupmusic.com.au/enrolment-form