Dear St Thomas Aquinas community,

I hope you enjoyed the long weekend and had the opportunity to spend a little more time relaxing.

Today we welcome back two staff members who have been away since last year. Welcome back to Mr Peter Collins (Coordinator), who is our biggest advocate and support for high quality teaching & learning in every classroom. Welcome back to Ms Marianne Nelson (Classroom Support Assistant) who is one of our most experienced in supporting the learning of students with complex needs. They have been welcomed back with open arms from both staff and students.

Reconciliation

Let's keep the children preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in our prayers. It can be a challenge to find the words on how to explain various sacraments to children. We don't talk about them often in the home environment.

Talking to your child about the Sacrament of Reconciliation can be an opportunity to teach about forgiveness, healing, and God’s love. Start by explaining that Reconciliation is a way to ask God for forgiveness when we make mistakes. Help your child understand that everyone makes errors, but through this sacrament, we can feel peace and grow closer to God. Encourage them to reflect on their actions and express genuine remorse and a hope-filled willingness to make things right, where possible. Explain the process simply—telling our sins (hurtful actions) to the priest, receiving absolution, and being forgiven. Reinforce that Reconciliation is a fresh start, a way to grow in faith and love.

Building positive friendships

Positive, healthy friendships at school are vital to a child’s development, contributing to their emotional well-being, social skills, and overall happiness. We work hard to support students in forming strong, supportive friendships. Your role at home is just as crucial. Here are three things you can do to encourage healthy relationships among their children:

1. Model Positive Social Skills: Children often learn by observing adults. Show them how to engage in friendly, respectful interactions, whether it’s through listening, showing empathy or resolving disagreements calmly. As a parent myself I understand very well how adult behaviour sets the standard for how children treat others.

2. Encourage Inclusivity: Encourage your child to be inclusive and kind to all, especially those who may be shy or different. Teach them to build understanding, invite classmates to join activities and to recognise the value in every friendship, even if it doesn’t always look the same.

3. Foster Open Communication: Create a space where your child feels comfortable talking about their friendships. Listen actively and offer guidance on how to handle conflicts, jealousy, or feelings of exclusion. Open communication strengthens trust and helps children navigate the ups and downs of relationships.

Over the coming weeks I will write a little more about specific strategies that support positive friendships among children. If you have any interesting articles or successes to share I'd be very open to hearing these.

Matthew Garton

Principal