Dear St Thomas Aquinas community,

Thank you everyone involved in our big week last week! Thank you to all who helped with the 50th Anniversary and the Donuts for Dad celebrations. Thank you all who came to participate and spend the time with family and friends, making them special times.

Thank you to the Year 1 Blue students who also led us through a beautiful Father's Day liturgy as well. Their beautiful prayers, singing and photos helped us all be very grateful for the father's we have (had) in our lives.

School Community Council News

This week our SCC meets. We meet every Week 3 and 8. I would like to thank Liz O'Grady (mum of Ainsley, Kinder Blue) for volunteering to be the SCC Treasurer, taking over from Stephen Kiley.

Stephen and Lian have been very active members of the SCC and in the community for many, many years. Thank you Stephen for your work as Treasurer and supporting the work of the school and community.

Naming of the combined parish

The voting process was completed last weekend for the name of the combined parishes of St Thomas Aquinas and St John the Apostle. There were over 400 votes received and this included a great representation from both mass centres. We had over 40 votes from our school community.

The following three names form the short list that has been provided to the Archbishop:

• Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish
• St Mary of the Cross Catholic Parish
• Christ the Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish

The Archbishop meets with the Council of Priest for our Archdiocese on September 11 and we will hear the Archbishop's decision following this. We will continue to remain St Thomas Aquinas Primary School and be attached to the St Thomas Aquinas Mass Centre.

School Uniform

Over the course of this year I have had the opportunity to learn a great deal about our school and community. The school uniform is visual representation of our school culture and identity. How we wear our uniform is often a reflection of the value we place on school.

Why do we have a school uniform? In short it is about equity, identity, safety, and focus. A school uniform:

1. Promotes Equality

• Reduces peer pressure related to clothing choices.
• Helps minimise visible differences among students.
• Encourages inclusion.

2. Fosters School Identity and Pride

• Uniforms can contribute to a sense of belonging and community.
• They help reinforce the school’s values and culture with our logo 'to care' very evident.

Wearing a uniform can promote pride in the school and its achievements.

3. Improves Safety and Security

• Makes it easier to identify students on excursions or in public spaces.
• Helps staff quickly spot individuals who don’t belong on school grounds.
• Reduces distractions caused by inappropriate (e.g. wording) or unsafe clothing.

4. Supports Focus and Discipline

• Simplifies morning routines for families and students.
• Encourages a mindset geared toward learning and school readiness.
• Reduces distractions in the classroom related to fashion or trends.

5. Cost-Effective for Families

• Uniforms can be more affordable over the long term.
• They reduce pressure on parents to buy multiple outfits for school.

6. Encourages Responsibility

• Students learn to take care of their uniform and present themselves neatly.
• Reinforces routines and expectations around dress and behaviour.

From next term we will have very clear expectations around students wearing the correct summer uniform to school, with no alternatives accepted unless directly discussed with the Principal.

Matthew Garton

Principal