Dear Families,

Wow, what an amazing fete! It was so wonderful to see so many people from not just our own school community, but from the broader local community too. Many experienced hands said it was one of the busiest fetes they had seen for a long time, despite the rain. Our final tally is still being finalised and initial figures look promising. A big thank you must go to the fete committee, School Community Council, helpers and volunteers and to the St Thomas Aquinas staff who gave all their time to support this community event. 

Today, I am writing this Principal’s Message from St Mary’s War Memorial School in West Wyalong. Mrs Angela McDonald and I are here to support St Mary’s with their implementation of Initalit. Many of you may know that Mrs McDonald is known as a bit of an expert in Initalit and has supported many teachers implementing this program across the Archdiocese. Teachers usually come to see her at school, but today she has generously come to West Wyalong so all of the infant teachers and the school’s leadership team can watch her in action. 

I would like to wish the students attending the Regional swimming carnival today well and thank Mrs Megan Thomas and Mrs Katrina McIntosh for attending with them.

Take care and God bless

Yours in Faith

All borrowed items including marquees, tents and eskys

can be collected via the front office.

Thank you for your generosity in lending these items. 

Kindergarten Blue & Green will be celebrating 50 Black Tokens with a Class Party on Thursday 6th April 2023. Students are welcome to come in sun smart free dress and will enjoy ice creams during the class party.

5 Green will be having a class party on Tuesday 4th April 2023. Students are welcome to wear sun smart free dress and bring along a snack to share. Please no nuts or Kiwi. 

March Birthdays

Zeke F, Molly W-S, Saul G, Triumph O, Levi W, Sofia A, Isaac R, Aseem H, Jayson T, Aarav S, Aryan S, Krystof M, Samuel A, Ellie H, Layne M, Cameron C, Amboz B, Zara B, Chelsea R, Ashlyn T, Kupakwashe M, Sofia A, Archie W, Maxie M

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 invites were sent home last week. Lunch will be held on Friday 12th April 2024. Please note that RSVP's MUST be returned by Monday 8th April 2024 for catering purposes. 

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

Thank you. 

ICAS will return to STA this year. We encourage you to consider entering your child in ICAS. This fantastic assessment program allows students to challenge themselves and be recognised for their academic efforts. The assessment is now fully online and sitting dates will commence in Term 3. Learn more by visiting icasassessments.com.

View the 2023 ICAS dates and prices here

Parent ordering closes on 31 July 2023

What is ICAS?  

ICAS is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee and Digital Technologies.  

Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals.  

We encourage you to consider entering your child into ICAS this year.   

Learn more about ICAS here. 

How to participate in ICAS  

If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:  

1. read about ICAS subjects and prices here 
2. read the terms and conditions here:
3. go to Parent Portal to purchase tests here:
4. enter our school’s access code – EWU442
5. enter your child’s details, select the tests you would like to purchase, then proceed to payment. 

Please note that the ICAS tests shown for selection are at the school’s discretion.   

After payment is made via the Parent Payment System, you will receive an order confirmation email, please keep this for your records.  

ICAS Results and Certificates 

We will notify you of the date(s) that we run ICAS at the school and when your child’s ICAS results are ready. Once we have received your child’s ICAS certificate, we will send it home with your child. The back of the certificate shows ICAS results and the login details, “TAP ID and Pin”, that you and your child need to enter the Results Portal

Privacy Collection Statement  

The following information is a privacy notification about how your child’s data is kept private and secure.  

Janison is aware of our responsibility to protect the identity of, and all information relating to, children, and students in general, from disclosure and consequently Janison does not:  

• collect any personal information or data of children other than as required for the purposes of completion of the assessment, test or exam; 
• transfer any personal information or data obtained during the delivery of assessments, tests or exams conducted in Australia to any jurisdiction outside of Australia other than with the specific consent of the person, or his or her parent or guardian; 
• transfer any personal information or data obtained during the delivery of assessments, tests or exams conducted in other international regions out of the child’s jurisdiction other than with the specific consent of the person, or his or her parent or guardian; 
• share any personal information or data relating to children or students with any third parties (other than a third party whose services are necessary for servicing our products, g. print/distribution companies, medal engraving, etc.) except with the specific consent of the person, or his or her parent or guardian; 
• use any personal information or data relating to children or students for marketing purposes. 

Janison may retain personal information and data relevant to a child for their future purposes or for research purposes by Janison for the duration of the school life cycle of the child. However, if you or your child at any time wish to have their personal information or data removed from our systems, they or you may opt out by simply contacting our Privacy Officer at privacy@janison.com.  

We are proud to offer ICAS and look forward to some fantastic results later in the year. 

Please do not hesitate to contact your Classroom Teacher if you have any questions.  

The ACT Government’s Future of Education Equity Fund for the 2023 school year is now open.

The Future of Education Equity Fund provides a one-off, annual payment to low-income families living in the ACT to help cover the costs of education expenses such as school uniforms, school excursions, sport equipment and activities and music lessons.

The following payments are available to those who meet the eligibility criteria:

• $750 high school and year 11 and 12 students
• $450 primary school students
• $400 preschool students attending a preschool attached to an ACT public school.

Applications can be made online and close 3 November 2023.

Information about the Equity Fund is available, and a link to the application form is available on the Education Directorate Website at: https://www.education.act.gov.au/support-for-our-students/financial-and-resource-assistance-for-families

We ask that you share this information with your school communities. The following text and graphic will help you do this.

Apply now for the Future of Education Equity Fund 2023

Apply now for the Future of Education Equity Fund for the 2023 school year. Eligible low-income ACT families can receive one-off payments for financial assistance to help cover the costs of their children’s educational expenses such as sport equipment and activities, music lessons, school uniforms and excursions.

The Fund is open to eligible students enrolled in preschools (attached to a school) through to Year 12 in the ACT. Further information and the online application form is available here.

Remember the 2023 registration forms for Sacramental Candidates in Year 4 and Year 6 are due back by the 24^th March. Notes can be returned to the school or presbytery along with the $50 cash registration fee per family.  If you have any question, you can contact Mrs Skye McPadden (skye.mcpadden@cg.catholic.edu.au), Miss Ella Barry (ella.barry@cg.catholic.edu.au) or Fr Gerard McCormack directly through the parish email charnwood@cg.org.au or by phone (02) 6258 1563.