Dear Families,

It would be easy to focus on the challenges this term has presented as there have been many, but this term, we have also had much to celebrate. We have seen a return to sports carnivals and gala days; families have been able to attend liturgies and attend Sacraments without restrictions to numbers; parents are allowed into the school grounds; we celebrated a belated STA day; our oval has been re-turfed, irrigation installed and trees have been planted; our youngest students were able to move into our beautiful new ELC building; we were finally able to install the shade and rain cover at the pick-up and drop-off area; we have showcased the amazing teaching happening here at the school to two separate delegations of Catholic Education senior  staff members from the Archdiocese of Tasmania, including the Executive Director; a few good news stories about St Thomas Aquinas appeared in the Canberra Times; and students continued to learn. This could not have happened without the collaboration of everyone in our community. So, this is a big shout out to our dedicated staff, our amazing students and also a big thank you for your support throughout this term.

Yesterday we had our second visit from the Executive Director of Catholic Education Tasmania along with CE Tasmania’s Senior leadership team and a few principals from Catholic schools. They made a point of commenting on a few things. The first was how polite and welcoming our students were and the second was about how dedicated the teachers were and how well they knew the children in their class. It was wonderful to hear this acknowledged by visitors to our school and is a testament to the way everyone contributes to building this wonderful community. Apparently, we all need to keep a look out for the Canberra Times this weekend!

Our preschool families may already be aware that Mrs Maribel Cabezas will be taking extended leave next term until the end of the year. Mrs Carla Drayton was successful in applying for the Acting Directors position. I wish Maribel well for the next few terms and congratulate Carla on her appointment.

I wish you all a safe and restful break and look forward to seeing you again on Tuesday 19th July.

Take care and God bless

Yours in Faith

Leah Taylor
Principal

Please note the following days are Pupil free days:

• Thursday 30 June 2022 (Week 10) - Protected Industrial Action Day
• Friday 1 July 2022 (Week 10) - Staff Planning
• Monday 18th July 2022 (Week 1, Term 3) - Staff Training 

We look forward to welcoming students back, ready for Term 3  on Tuesday 19th July 2022. 

Congratulations to all our white token recipients. It is so wonderful to see so many students striving to achieve a white token and displaying kindness, gratitude, respect and responsibility.

The White Token lunch will be held on Monday 12th December 2022 at 11am. Please note that RSVP's are to be returned by Monday 5th December for catering purposes. 

If you have any concerns please do not heistate to contact the front office. 

Thank you. 

Important Update

With the ease of Covid restrictions, we are very excited to be welcoming families back into the school. As stated in last week's newsletter, parents will now be required to walk their student into the front office if arriving late and sign them in via the Compass Kiosk.

Please note that it is a legal requirement that if a student arrives at school after the starting time of 8:50am that they are signed in by their adult. In the event that a student is not accompanied to the front office we will be required to contact families and request you to attend the office to sign the student in before they can attend class.

We appreciate your efforts in supporting a smooth morning transition for all children.

Did you know that applying for a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) card is free when volunteering? All visitors volunteering within the school require a current WWVP card which must be recorded upon entry into the school.  

Now that we can open our doors and begin to welcome families back into the school, we encourage family involvement in your child’s education. This can be achieved in many ways such as class reading, attending excursions or sporting events, just to name a few. Please consider applying for your free WWVP card by visiting https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/s/article/working-with-vulnerable-people-wwvp-registration-tab-overview

June 2022

Millie A, Maeve J, Leilani MH, Lucinda B, Maddison J, Emily M, Blake S, Anna D, Zachary M, Ivy LH, Luke S, Liam M, Angok C, Mason S, Annabelle M, Tobenna M, Emma O, Alexander W, Aleisha MA, Leo W, Georgia R, Sam D, Nella W-S, Mackenzie C, Lachlan M, Lucas G, Xavier V, Chuol C

CANTEEN

The Canteen is open from Wednesdays to Fridays - for the first 10 minutes of each break.  We sell a limited selection of healthy canteen approved chips and ice blocks.

SUBWAY

Parents and staff are able to place Subway Orders Online.  Click on the link below to place an order and payment as well. 

Cut-off time is 9:15 AM for same day delivery.
Call on 02 6259 9101 to place your order after this time

Subway Lunch Orders can also be made, via Subway Envelope, at school.  Subway envelopes, including cash, need to be placed in the Lunch Order Subway box, located outside the Front Office,  by 9:30am on the day before the lunch is required.  For example, if you would like a lunch order on Wednesday, the lunch order needs to be manually submitted by Tuesday 9:30am.

Here is a sample of the Subway ordering envelope.  Envelopes are available from the Front Office or the classroom.