Dear Families,

It was wonderful to see so many grandparents at the school once again for our Grandparents’ and Special Persons’ day. Our Year One students prepared a beautiful prayer celebration and once again the weather was perfect.

It is hard to believe we are already in August which means we return to wearing hats on the playground. If students do not have a hat, they will be asked to play in the shade. New hats can be purchased from the front office for $15.

Week 3 is already proving to be a busy week. We had our fourth of five visits from COGLearn’s Toni Hatten-Roberts for the year. Toni worked with teachers and the leadership team on Daily Review and Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI). Toni has been very pleased with the way teachers have quickly adopted these new teaching techniques and strategies.

Today we have had our third visit from Catholic Education Tasmania. This time a group of six principals as well as office staff came to look at our teaching and our programs. During the last two visits, these visitors were not only impressed with the teaching they saw, but the welcoming atmosphere created by our staff and students. Many of the visitors also commented on how calm the school environment was and on how focused students were towards their learning.

This Friday will be a pupil free day across all Catholic and Government schools in the ACT. Staff at St Thomas Aquinas will complete training by SoSafe, to support us working with children with a range of learning needs and keeping them safe. OSHClub have limited places available for care. If you do require this, please contact Caitlen as soon as possible so she can ensure she has sufficient staff available.

As you are aware, Karthika our counsellor left last term. Marymead have provided us with an interim counsellor, Prakash who will work with us for two days per week. Prakash has already started reading through the handover notes left by Karthika and has begun to reach out to families. Marymead will recruit a permanent counsellor over the coming months. But in the meantime, I am sure you will make Prakesh feel very welcome.

Take care and God bless

Yours in Faith

Leah Taylor
Principal

Note from Mr Ross Fox, Director CECG

Acknowledging the unprecedented situation we face, and following consultation, I have authorised two additional pupil free days in Term 3. The timing of these days for ACT schools will align with times set by the ACT Education Directorate – Friday in Week 3 and Friday in Week 8. NSW schools will set dates for these these pupil free days in consultation with nearby schools. I hope this additional time will assist teachers and staff in term 3.

In accordance with the abovementioned and in line wth all ACT Schools, we note that the two additional pupil free days for Term 3 are:

• Week 3, Friday 5th August 2022 
• Week 8, Friday 9th September 2022

We, again, thank our community for supporting and working with us to enable our school to hopefully remain appropriately staffed and open and our amazing learning to continue. 

The Beginning of August is Hats On For All of Us  
    
The beginning of August marks the start of the sun protection period for Canberra primary school settings, this is because we begin to witness daily UV levels climb to 3 and above every day, and whilst it may not be all day, it will be for part of the day in August ie lunchtime. ACT schools need to know what time to enforce sun protection each day and never rely on temperature to gauge sun protection times. 

Yes, August is still very cold in the nation's capital but it also signals Hats On Again for all Canberra primary schools and early childhood services.

STA hats are availble for purchase from the Front Office for $15 each.

We look forward to seeing some amazing work presented by Year 1 when they host the next assembly on Friday 12 August 2022. Sadly, we are unable to welcome families to the assembly, in accordance with the COVID Management Plan but we hope that families will have discussions surrounding their child’s involvement in their assemblies.

Coming up in week 6...........Year 4! 

Introducing Prakash K C

Prakash K C, from Marymead, is a qualified counsellor with Master of Psychotherapy and Counselling degree. Prakash specialises in providing trauma-informed, strength and relationship-based counselling service to young people struggling with interpersonal, Mental health and AOD issues, in collaboration with the parents. In last four years, Prakash K C has worked with many young people experiencing various issues such as anxiety, depression, loss and grief, drug and alcohol problems, trauma, interpersonal issues, etc. Prakash approach in counselling is Integrative in nature, but inclines more towards person-centred humanistic approach. Prakash believes that within every human there is an innate potential to grow, heal and realise one’s potentials and all they require is a safe and supportive environment to be able to do so. Prakash uses various counselling and psychotherapy theories and practices as per client’s capacity, needs and personality. For example, if the client is less or not verbal at all, Prakash would tend to use play therapy approach to support the young person express their experiences. Similarly, if the client has emotional personality, then Prakash’s practice would be more informed by approaches such as emotional focused therapy. Prakash encourages young person and parents to lead the session and dictate what is to be achieved in the sessions. Prakash loves playing sports (basketball, badminton), playing musical instruments, reading books, volunteering, hiking, and doing yoga and meditation.

All kids, parents and staff are encouraged to introduce themselves to Prakash. He is always available for a quick chat. You can also contact him via email (Prakash.KC@marymead.org.au). For referrals, parents or carers are encouraged to approach the front office for a referral form and hand over the completed form via email to Prakash or in person at the reception. Prakash is available at the school on Monday and Tuesdays from 9am to 5pm each week. 

St Thomas Aquinas congratulates Ethan from 6 Blue on his selection for the U12 ACT Schoolboys Rugby League Team to compete in the School Sport Australia Rugby League Championships in Wollongong. We wish Ethan all the best and look forward to hearing all about it! 

Online orders for Issue 5 due by 4 August 2022.

Scholastic Book Club Order Forms will be arriving home this week.

No cash orders will be accepted at the Front Office for Scholastic Book Club.

The school will still get credits and the books will still be delivered to school for us to distribute, unless parents have requested they be delivered to their home.

Please download the INLOOP App
on your device or order from the online website.

https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/Parent/Login.aspx

 Any questions please contact me via email ksligar@bigpond.net.au

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.  

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

Vinnies volunteers needed

Can you spare a few hours per month to help local people in need?

The STA St Vincent de Paul Conference is seeking new volunteers to help on weekday afternoons and after work. 

We respond to requests for assistance in several ways, such as having a friendly chat, providing vouchers for food and clothing, and providing advice and referrals.

We work in pairs and training is provided.

For more information on volunteering, please phone Bill on 0431 195 442. 

Anyone needing assistance from Vinnies should phone 02 6282 2722. 

August 2022

Samuel B, Mason M, Oscar C, Joshua L-B, Ari U, Frederick N, Matilda P, Blayde O,
Liam B, Sophia H, Zoey M, Eleni M, Tyler E, Lachlan B, Summer P, Michael P, Vrishab G, Ashea K, Erin H, Adeline B

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.