Dear Families,

This week we hold our Colour Run. Since 2020, this has become a regular fundraising event on the calendar. Aside from the fundraising element, this is also a great opportunity for students and staff to have a bit of fun towards the end of the year. A big thank you must go to Carmen Myles for organising this event and to the SCC for organising the sausage sizzle.

Last night, I had the great pleasure of attending the 23rd Annual Prime Minister’s Awards for Science. While the room was filled with some of the most amazing scientific minds in the country and there were a number of eminent scientists recognised, it was also an opportunity to recognise excellent examples of science teaching. The winner for the Primary division was a teacher by the name of Mr George Pantazis from Marble Bar Primary School in WA. In his acceptance speech, he acknowledged and recognised First Nation knowledge and the deep understanding he had been able to develop as a result of working with local elders, but also knowledge he had gained from his students. The passion George had for his work and his commitment to his students was clearly evident and profound, and by the end of his acceptance speech he had a fair portion of people in the room wiping away tears and everyone in the room standing. He was the only awardee to receive a standing ovation. I think this reception acknowledged his dedication, but also the esteem with which his profession was held in a room full of luminaries. Every scientist and science educator in the room recognised that his work as a primary school teacher is critical to our nations prosperity. Our primary teachers play a critical role in ensuring the next generation is well prepared to take on the challenges of tomorrow.

This Wednesday two representatives from Deloitte will visit our school to talk with teachers, look at data and observe lessons. St Thomas Aquinas is one of two schools in the Archdiocese to take part in a case study to assess the effectiveness of the teaching strategies implemented over the last two and a half years. As early adopters of these strategies, we have seen a positive impact on the learning of students across the school, but particularly from Kindergarten to Year 2. We are excited about sharing this learning with other schools in our system and across the nation, so that all children can benefit.

Take care and God bless

Yours in Faith

November 2022

Amber B, Andrew M, Farrah A, Annabelle C, Taigh R, Rebecca J, Jewel J, Jett B, Niklaus T, Kuzivakwashe M, Leaniva M H, Ava G, Jadyn W, Aiden M, Harpreet S, Benjamin S, Grace S, Carys S, Ella T, Mikayla M, Faith M, Isabel P, Darcy A, Dante C

Please see below for all Year 6 key events coming up.

Friday 2 December - Week 8 Assembly Year 6 hosting
Year 6 will be hosting the final assembly of the year at 2:00pm in the Hall.

Friday 9 December - Graduation Day Celebrations
Year 6 Mass and Awards Ceremony at 5pm at the Church with a student only disco to follow in the school hall immediately following Mass til 8:30pm. Students must be signed in and out at the hall doors.

Wednesday 14 December – Year 6 Big Day Out
Fun Day for all Year 6 students. Students will attend CISAC for the day. More details to follow.

Thursday 15 December – Leadership Handover
This assembly will be held at 9:30am and will welcome our incoming School Captains and School Elders. All year 5 families will be encouraged to attend.

In addition to the above we also have whole school events such as the Colour Run, Dance Extravaganza & Award celebrations. Please keep up to date by visiting our weekly newsletter.

Further information surrounding these events will be distributed within the coming days and weeks. We hope families and students enjoy celebrating and farewelling our wonderful Year 6 students & families.

Families may have recently received overdue notices. Please don’t panic! Send in the books that you can find and please let us know the books you can no longer locate.

Our last week for borrowing will be Week 8. From Week 9 we will be returning our books to the library for a stocktake.

Scholastic Book Club:
Book Club orders will close on Monday 28^th November.

Thank you for your support.

Mrs Hind and Mrs Nelson

Dear Parents and Carers

If your child/ren is leaving St Thomas Aquinas at the end of 2022 please advise the school in writing.  This does not apply to students in Year 6 this year.

Attached here is the Student Transfer Notification form which needs to be returned to the school by 10 December 2022.

Thank you

Charnwood Parish Secretary Part Time

People are invited to apply for the position Parish Secretary for St Thomas Aquinas Parish, Charnwood. This is a part-time permanent position of 12 hours per week (preferably Tues, Wed, Thurs 10am-2pm)

Essential Requirements: Experience with financial & database packages, Strong communication and liaison skills, Strong organisational skills, Ability to work on your own, and as part of a wider team and take direction, Understanding and respect for the Catholic Church and its teaching and Experience in an office environment.

Salary will be subject to equivalent Clerk Award Level 4/5 rates. 

Covering letter addressing the essential requirements and resume to be submitted by 30 November 2022.

Please phone Debbie Hofman 6258 1563 or email charnwood@cg.org.au for a copy of the Duty Statement. 

The team at AAS Cricket Coaching are excited to announce our upcoming ACT Summer Holiday Cricket Camps.

Catering to ages 6-16, our school holiday cricket programs include access to:

• A structured & enjoyable program delivered in a fun, team-based learning environment
• Coaching covering all aspects of the game including batting, fast & slow bowling, fielding, running between wickets and wicket-keeping
• Technical, tactical & game sense tuition
• Qualified & experienced coaches

Please note that clinic size is limited to ensure an appropriate player to coach ratio. Players will be grouped according to age and skill level.

Programs will be held at Reid Oval or Watson Oval from 9:00am to 3pm each day. After hours care may be available for an additional charge on request.

Register before November 30 to receive 10% off. Just use the code AASCSUMMER10 at the checkout! Book online today at https://linktr.ee/activeallsports

For any enquiries, please contact Holly Halford-Smith on 0400 125 342 or activeallsports@outlook.com

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.