Dear Families,

This week we begin to farewell our Year 6 students. On Friday, Year 6 students and their families will attend their Graduation and Mass followed by the Year 6 Graduation Disco. This rite of passage for students is an important one, as they move from the relatively small confines of primary school to the often much larger high schools. This can be both an exciting and daunting time for students as they begin to have greater choice over their learning pathways and greater freedom at home. I know the teachers and students have been busily preparing for this day, preparing yearbook pages, writing speeches, practising walking into the church and having last photos taken with friends. I wish all of our Year 6 students the very best as they leave here and begin the next chapter of their school life. I also congratulate Year 6 on their final assembly.

Our preparation for the coming of Christ continues with our Advent prayer celebrations. Thank you to Kinder Blue for leading the school in lighting the second candle of Advent for Peace. With the coming of Jesus, came the promise of Peace on Earth. 5 Blue will lead the prayer celebration for week 3 of Advent, where we will light the candle for Joy. This candle is the rose or pink candle. This marks the middle of Advent and also a time when we look at both the darkness and light that we anticipate as well as the sadness and the joy that life can bring. It is at this time that we begin to think about the fact that God will join us as fully human in the form of Jesus Christ, in all of our suffering as well as all of our joy. We remember this week how he walked among us, as one of us.

This week, many of you will meet with your child’s teacher/s to talk about their progress this year. I has been a joy to see how many children are flourishing this year and to see their learning really take off. Occasionally, we see some students who, for a variety of reasons, have not progressed as we would expect. Remember that learning is not linear and that some students can gain a little less than expected learning one year, may have well over a year’s growth the next. If you feel that your child has not experienced the expected level of academic growth, please use this time to have a conversation with your child’s teacher to discuss possible reasons why this may have happened and how we can help to support them next year.  

Reports will be available on Friday afternoon from 4pm. These reports are written for parents and it is important to consider carefully how you share this information with your child. As you read these reports, remember that a C-grade means that your child is performing as expected for their age and year level. Below is an outline of grades to support you in understanding your child’s report.

Year 1- Year 6 Achievement Scale 

A - Outstanding        
The student has extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations. 

B - High         
The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills in most situations.

C - At Standard        
The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills.

D - Partial      
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills.

E - Limited    
The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills.

When a student receives a ‘C’ grade it means they have demonstrated the quality of learning described in the Achievement Standard, based on the content studied in the reporting period. If a student receives a ‘C’ in both semester 1 and 2 reports it indicates that the student has made progress, and learned new knowledge and skills based on the new and more challenging material studied.

Take care and God bless

December Birthdays

Zayne K, Layla A, Piper N, Raydon A, Flynn O, Nathaniel E, Rhythm G, Annalise M, Harper C, Emilie T, Flynn S, Georgia W, Jade J, Alena G, Allan-Jame H, Madeleine S-P, Aurelius F, Samuel B, Naomi LH, Heidi S, Alexander D, Anthony S, Gemma M, Bonnie P, Heath M, Gabriel F, Jonathan E, Adrian S, Isabelle G

January Birthdays

Athena V, Ronith T, Rohi B, Delilah W, Markus R-A, Lucas A, Lachlan P, Willow L, Fay D, Elizabeth K, Summer H, Sofia H, Blake M, Ethan M, Phillipa H, Heath W, Micheal J, Sienna A, Hannah E, Isabelle M, Amelia H, Kai U, Imogen T, Miller R, Kendall T, Amelia W, Melody N, Tahlaya B, Lazarus F, Casey M, Zander R, Mia P, Freya P, Zoe C, Charlotte M, Maci M, Kai M, Alice S, Beau R,

Students are introduced to new Ngunnawal vocabulary weekly. Special thanks to Miss Evans for continuing our learning of our Ngunnawal Country.

If your child/ren is leaving St Thomas Aquinas at the end of 2023 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 8 December 2023.

Thank you

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.

Every 3 years, Government, Catholic and Independent schools participate in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). The AEDC is an Australian Government initiative managed by the Department of Education and delivered in partnership with state and territory governments. It is a nationwide census undertaken to understand early childhood development, providing evidence to support policy and planning for children.

The next AEDC data collection will take place between 1 May 2024 and 5 July 2024.

AEDC data collected by schools, including smaller schools, schools catering for children with special needs and schools for First Nations children, helps build a picture of child development and the diverse developmental strengths and challenges children may have across all school settings. The AEDC data is included in school and community profiles, state and national reports. You can learn more about the AEDC at aedc.gov.au.

Thank you for your support of the AEDC. Our participation provides vital information to help make a difference in the lives of children, families and communities, and the nation as a whole.

More information will be provided in Term 1, 2024. 

The Hawker Men’s Shed Inc. (HMS) was established in October 2019 situated within the grounds of Softball ACT.

HMS’s marquee community project is hosting the quarterly Hawker Community Repair Café and Market; our next

Repair Café and Market will be held:

Sunday:               10^th December 2023

Time:                   10.00am to 1.00pm

At:                       Hawker International Softball Centre

                           45 Walhallow Street, HAWKER. ACT 2614

Entry fee:            Gold Coin Donation – (Eftpos available) to Hawker Men’s Shed Inc.

Canteen:             Coffee/ hot/cold drinks and cakes/slices plus hot food including sausage sizzle

                          Hand massages available while you wait.

                          Live Music for your entertainment while you are browsing the market stalls and watch our local weaver turn lost socks into fabulous rugs.

Our success rate of repairs to date is 89% for 500 items saved from going to land fill.

Repairs and advice on fixing the following items and more: Apple devices, fabric / woollen clothes, furnishings and toys, jewellery, leather goods, electrical household appliances and shed tools, garden equipment, mowers, small motors, bicycles together with tool and knife sharpening.

Electrical Tag and Testing will be available for $5.00 per item presented.

A Justice of the Peace will also be in attendance for the witnessing of documents.

Refuse stations also on site for recycling plastic / metal lids / pill poppers / socks and old shoes.

Our “Local Made” market stalls have expanded to include Bric-a-Brac; artworks; books; soft @ wooden toys; material items; jewellery; garden ornaments; flowers; plants; soaps; chess boards; produce (jams, honeys); quality pre loved tools; plants items from recycled materials including – festive decorations, plant labels, childrens small world play accessories and baby wipes.

 A variety of Bird boxes (Wildlife standard or back yard flights of fancy) + Possum boxes will be for sale or order.

We look forward to your support for our next Hawker Community Repair Café and “Made Local” Markets. A community event providing environmentally sustainable products.          

Jon Wells - 0408 844 875                                                                                       Jill Whittaker - 0409 444 939

President – Hawker Men’s Shed Inc                                                                         Co-Ordinator - Hawker Community Repair Café

Email: hawkermensshed@gmail.com

C/- ACT Softball Centre, 45 Walhallow Street, Hawker.  ACT.  2614.

Web:             www.hawkermensshed.com.au                                   

Facebook:   @hawkermensshed       and      @hawkercommunityrepaircafe