St Thomas' News

10 December 2020

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 create opportunities for our children to become loving individuals with the skills to willingly contribute to make the world a better place.

Advent

The Advent Wreath

THE SECOND CANDLE – THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE

On the second Sunday in Advent two purple candles are lit.
The light burns brighter as Christmas is getting nearer!
The second candle reminds us of the time when Jesus came among us as a baby
and was born in the small town of Bethlehem.

By the light of this wreath, we wait in patience for Jesus the Christ,
who comforts our fears and brings hope to the world.

Come Lord Jesus.

Father, help us to prepare the way for Jesus, Light of the World.

Important Dates

2020 TERM FOUR

Friday 11 December: End of school year for students


2021 TERM ONE


Monday 1 February: Students (PP-6) commence

Monday 1 February: Pre-Kindy students commence

Monday 1 February: Welcome Morning Tea for all parents 8.30-9.30am

Tuesday 2 February: Kindergarten students commence

Friday 12 February: P & F Sundowner (Parents)

Friday 5 March: St Thomas' Swimming Carnival

Christmas Prayer

Loving God,

In this Christmas season

we thank you for the great joy you have sent us in the birth of Jesus.

Help us to be the voice and hands of the angel sharing Jesus

with one another this Christmas season.

In Your name, we pray, Amen.

Christmas Concert 2020

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Friends

Christmas Concert

What an amazing night! Our annual Christmas Concert showcased the amazing talents of our students on Tuesday evening. It was wonderful to see so many parents and families come together to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. The Lantern Giving Ceremony was a highlight providing a symbol to our Year 6 families of their connection to St Thomas’ and as a reminder of their child’s Presentation education. A big thank you to Mrs Cathy Cotton for her organisation of the event and for sharing her many gifts and talents with the children.


Year 6 Graduation

It was an honour and a privilege to celebrate the Year 6 Graduation on Wednesday. Commencing with a liturgy in the Church followed by a Graduation Dinner in the evening, this was a true celebration of student life at St Thomas’.

Congratulations to Ruby Bogoias and Grace Di Latte for receiving the Lantern Award for upholding the school values throughout the year. This award was generously donated by Father Wayne who obtained the awards from the Vatican in Rome.


A big thank you to Mrs Gibbs for preparing these events and to our Year 6 parents for their support in organising the dinner. To Mrs Sarah Chatfield, thank you for teaching the Year 6 students three amazing songs to celebrate the occasion.


End of Year Fun Day

Today the Year 6 students headed to Adventure World for their end of year excursion. Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 participated in a Fun Day of activities. A big thank you to Mrs Nicky Sullivan for co-ordinating this event.


Thank you and best wishes

As the end of the school year approaches, I would like to thank everyone for their presence and contribution to our school life this year. It is through the efforts of so many that we achieve so much. It has been a challenging year, but together we supported our students so they could continue to learn.


To our Year 6 students – congratulations on completing your first eight years of schooling. Enjoy your secondary schooling knowing you have been well prepared. You are all ready for this next exciting chapter in your lives.


To our staff and families leaving at the end of this year – thank you for the support you have shown the school during your time at St Thomas’. Best wishes for all your future endeavours.


On behalf of the staff of St Thomas’, I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a safe and restful break. We look forward to seeing you all on the first day of school 2021, Monday 1 February.


God bless

Natalia Thomson

Principal

Graduation: "Class of 2020"

Congratulations to our Year 6 students who celebrated their Graduation on Wednesday.

Reports

The Semester Two Report has been made available as a PDF document for parents/guardians to view and download on SEQTA Engage. Families with multiple children at the school will be able to view their children’s information from the one SEQTA Engage account. Only parents/guardians can only view students reports relating to their own child/children.


Families can access SEQTA Engage in two ways:

1. Through the URL on a computer https://stthomas.coneqt-p.cathednet.wa.edu.au/


2. Through the App on a phone


Please ensure you have downloaded, saved and printed your child’s report. This is very important, particularly for our Year 6 families and any family who is not returning to St Thomas’ in 2021 as your SEQTA account will be revoked at the end of the year.


Mrs Lisa Meyers

Assistant Principal

End of Year Fun Day

Today to celebrate the end of the year the Kindy - Year 5 students will be having a Fun Day with their Buddies. The year 6 students will be at Adventure World so the Year 2 students will be preparing for next year when they are ‘Big Buddies” with the Kindy class of 2021.


The activities the children will be doing are: Bouncy Castle, Christmas Craft, Dancing, STEM- building Christmas Trees and fun games. The children will also receive an Icy Pole after lunch. What a fantastic way to end the year!


Mrs Nicky Sullivan

Assistant Principal

2021 Term Dates for Students

Term 1

Monday 1 February to Thursday 1 April


Term 2

Tuesday 20 April to Friday 2 July


Term 3

Tuesday 20 July to Thursday 23 September


Term 4

Tuesday 12 October to Friday 10 December


Pupil Free Days

Monday 19 April

Friday 4 June

Monday 19 July

Friday 24 September

Monday 11 October

Year 5 Market Day

Last Thursday the Year 5 class held their market day. There were six groups that all started with $20 and had an aim of making a profit. They sold a range of items including baked goods, healthy jelly cups, home-made drinks, Christmas decorations, Pearler beads and sweet treats. Amazingly the Year 5 class were able to turn six lots of $20 into an accumulative $631.65!!! The class decided the money would be donated to Catholic Mission. Catholic Mission ensures that children from disadvantaged backgrounds can continue their education and create brighter futures for themselves and their families. The Year 5 class would like to thank everyone that brought money in and supported the Market day.


Mr Godsall

Year 5 Teacher

Nature Play Fun

Christmas Fundraising

A big thank you to our community for your generous donations to the St Thomas' Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal and Romily House.


John Loney from Vincent De Paul attended our Monday Gathering and was astounded at the amount we had collected.We filled a whole back of the truck!! He commented on the lovely, thoughtful Christmas food that these people receiving wouldn't be able to afford. Thank you for making a difference to the lives of those less fortunate.


The Mini Vinnies have worked very hard this year in their fundraising and were rewarded with a pizza lunch and fun games. Wishing you a blessed Christmas.


Mrs Sullivan

Lemonade for Charity!

It is so lovely to hear the wonderful stories about our students helping others. Hamish in Year 3, wanted to run a lemonade stall to raise money for a charity.
Using lemons from home, his dads and mums help, and recruiting his friends Tom and Charlie, they set up a stall outside Onslow Road Pharmacy in Shenton park. Over only a few hours they raised $65 for homeless health care. They learnt about public relations, advertising, product ingredients, and most of all had fun.
Here they are on the weekend presenting the money to Nat Bogoias from HHC.
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Parking Reminders

A friendly reminder to our parents and families to consider where they park when visiting the Church and our school. Unfortunately there have been a number of parking incidents over the last week that have upset our neighbours. Please keep clear of driveways and avoid parking on verges. Thank you for your support with this.
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JUDO

UWA Judo are offering a Thursday afternoon session here at St Thomas Primary school starting next week. To register your child please see the attached flyer for all of the information.

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Keyed Up Music Lessons

Keyed Up Music will be teaching keyboard and drum lessons next year during school. Lessons start from $23.65 for a shared lesson. If you are interested in your child learning an instrument, ring Therese on 1300 366 243 or enroll at www.keyedupmusic.com.au/enrolment-form

Extend Before and After School Care

Click here to take you to the site.