THURSDAY 23 JULY until THURSDAY 17 SEPTEMBER - EDUDANCE

MONDAY 24 AUGUST - Pupil Free Day

FRIDAY 28 AUGUST - First Holy Communion 5.30pm

FRIDAY 11 SEPTEMBER - The Arts Show & Open Day for Prospective Students

TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER - School Photo Day

2020 PUPIL FREE DAYS

Monday 24 August

Friday 25 September

Monday 12 October

This means we need to be notified by the last day of this term (Term Three) 25 SEPTEMBER 2020. This does not apply to current Year Six students.

Please ensure you give the required notification to avoid the terms penalty fee.

Thank you

Administration

Lord Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of the Eucharist

You left us the outstanding manifestation of your limitless love for us.

Thank You for giving our children the opportunity to experience this love

in receiving the Sacrament for the first time.

May your Eucharist presence keep him/her ever free from sin,

fortified in faith, pervaded by love for God and neighbour, and fruitful in virtue,

that he/she may continue to receive You throughout life

and attain final union with You at death.

Amen.

On Wednesday, our Year 4 students participated in a Sacramental Retreat for First Holy Communion led by Sr Catherine Warner, one of our Presentation Sisters. The students will receive the Sacrament for the first time next Friday evening. I ask you to join me in praying for all the Year 4 students who are about to receive the Eucharist. May they know Christ’s love and joy everyday of their lives and may the light of Christ always shine upon them and their families. Many thanks to Mrs Meyers and Father Wayne for preparing the students throughout the term.

Art Show/Open Day

There is a lot of excitement in Art and Music at the moment amidst preparations for the Arts Show on Friday September 11. A big thank you to parents who are assisting and organising classroom art pieces; a truly collaborative showcase of student talents.

Science Extravaganza

Students celebrated National Science Week with a Science Extravaganza in the hall on Wednesday afternoon. There were potions, lava, experiments and so much more. A big thank you to Mrs Keatch and students from Years 4-6 who researched and shared their science experiences.

Enrolments for Pre Kindergarten for 2021

If you have a child who is turning 3 between now and the end of the year, or before the 30 June next year, they are eligible to attend Pre-Kindergarten class in 2021. Please contact the office for an enrolment form or spread the word to family and friends. Please note that enrolment in our three year old program is independent of our regular Kindergarten program and is available two days per week, Monday and Friday.

School Board Meeting

The School Board will be meeting next Tuesday 25 August in the school library at 7pm.

Pupil Free Day

Please note this Monday 24 August is a Pupil Free Day.

God bless

Natalia Thomson

Principal

Mrs Thomson advised us that Phase 4 COVID restrictions are currently in place which means we still are not able to have parents support with in-class activities or involvement with whole of school events. However, the school has been able to safely hold activities such as St Thomas’ Feast Day where the students were thrilled to have the Presentation Sisters attend.

Enrolment news is positive with Pre-Kindy numbers on both days (Monday and Friday) increasing indicating strong attendance for the Kindy class in 2021.

Marketing continues to be a focus with Mrs Myers providing an update and analysis on our social media activities which is showing a positive uptick across all platforms. The School’s Open Day, on the 11th September, is shaping up to be a major promotional event. The Board was advised of the proposed structure for the day and the many activities and performances on display by the students. Please be sure to encourage your friends and family to attend.

The Building and Maintenance Subcommittee continue to work diligently, providing Mrs Thomson with quotes and advice. The school has recently completed a range of maintenance works including the refurbishment of the Year 4 ceiling, upgrading the school’s electrical board and fixing gutters around the school. Other works being planned include a new perimeter fence inclusive of gates for the pick-up and drop-off area; resurfacing of the basketball court and new bike racks.

We now have a new long-jump pit and contractors will soon be commencing construction of the new nature play area. The Board is pleased and honoured to represent the school community and we look forward to working with you, Mrs Thomson and staff in creating a positive, safe and stimulating environment for our children at St Thomas'.

Save the Date!

Term 4

Wednesday 21 October.

Discussions and planning was done for our up and coming ART SHOW and open day.
A BUSY BEE is on the agenda to spruce up our gardens. A very big thank you for the tireless efforts of Bianca Della Vedova, who has secured a small grant from Bunnings to go towards new equipment and plants for our VEGETABLE PATCH.

The CANTEEN provider was up for review as well and a survey will be out soon from Damira Relota, our canteen coordinator, to ask about your needs as a family at St Thomas' Primary School.

Finally, a big thank you to the very enthusiastic and talented bunch of parents who have put up their hand to assist in any way they can, with all these projects. Many hands make light work.

Stay tuned for some great results.
Sarah Chatfield

P&F President

Debating at St Thomas’ – An important skill in real life!

Ever wondered how lawyers construct winning closing arguments? How politicians go about convincing the public that their policies are good for the country? How salespeople induce a fervent desire for the latest product?

The techniques of persuasive speaking are in use all around us. Giving students the opportunity at St Thomas’ Primary to take part in a Debating program is an exciting way to demystify the art to persuasion.

Debating is also a team sport played with words. Each team tries to score goals (points) by making arguments. They also try to defend against the other team’s points by giving reasons (rebuttals) why they are wrong. There is also an adjudicator, who is like a referee, who decides whether a point was scored or not.

These exciting 8 week workshops that Years 5 and 6 participate in term 3, demystify the art of persuasion and put these tools directly in their hands.

​

• how to keep your message simple and memorable
• to use surprise to get your audience thinking
• using facts and figures to convince your audience
• trading on credibility - your own and other people's
• emotional connection - the power of pathos
• using powerful stories to connect with your audience

Thank you

Term 3 – Athletics Carnival

Friday 4th September - St Thomas' Athletics Carnival

Thank you to those parents who have volunteered to assist on the day and I will be in touch.

Jumps and Throws for Years 1-6

Wednesday 26th August – Years 3-6 Jumps and/or throws depending on weather

Thursday 27th August – Years 5-6 Jumps and/or throws depending on weather, during class time

Friday 28th August - Years 3-4 Jumps and/or throws depending on weather, during class time

Friday 21st and 28th August - Years 1 and 2 Jumps and/or throws depending on weather, during class time.

The student points will count towards champion points and calculated together at the St Thomas Athletics carnival.

Thursday 24th September – Interschool Athletics Carnival

Term 4 – Cross Country – Save the date

Friday 16th October - St Thomas Cross Country Carnival

Monday 26th October - Interschool Cross Country Carnival (new date)

Athletics Coaching afterschool update

Unfortunately, the above will not occur this year due to lack of coaches through Sporting Schools Australia. There will be training for the interschool team (Years 3 - 6) after our Athletics Carnival in September.

Sporting Communities

Soccer 5 week program - Starting Wednesday 26th August 3.15 – 4pm

Dean Evans, the Co-Owner of The Football Centre, a one of a kind indoor training, development and tournament facility based in Osborne Park is running a 5 week soccer program soccer from Wednesday 26th August.

To book for the 5 week program please use the link below and scroll down to St Thomas Primary school.

https://footballcentre.com.au/school-sessions/

All TFC coaches have their First Aid and current Working with Children Checks. To find out more about our coaches please click here

Sharon Seaman

Physical Education Teacher