Filter Content
Dear Families,
It has been a fresh start to Week 8 this week and as we continue to move through these colder months, I remind you that it is imperative that all jumpers are clearly labelled. Our lost property box is overflowing with jumpers, jackets, and beanies. If you are missing an item, please encourage your children to check the lost property box. Items left in lost property will also be put out at the front office in week 10 for parents to check. Information on this will be provided in due course.
I would like to express our gratitude to the SCC for their generous contribution towards the gross motor equipment. This support has had a significant impact on the physical development opportunities available to our students. The equipment has been well-received by both students and staff, and it has enhanced their overall experience at our school. A special thanks to the SCC Secretary, Katie Walsh-Smith for her continued support in initiating the Working Groups which will cover the Uniform Shop, Community Wellbeing, Fete, Infrastructure and Environment, Fundraising and Community Events.
Our official enrolment period has now closed, and we are pleased to be in a position to continue to offer 2 classes per year group in 2025. Our current enrolment numbers are quite healthy and we are continuing to accept enrolments across all year levels.
This week we recognise Refugee Week. This year’s theme is Finding Freedom with a focus on recognising, celebrating and finding ways to support the unique path for each newcomer. At St Thomas Aquinas we support all walks of life in finding their own freedoms to shape a positive path within our community.
Next week we will be welcoming families into the school for the purpose of 3 Way conferences. I encourage families to visit the Compass Parent Portal to book a time on either Tuesday 25th June or Wednesday 26th June to meet with classroom teachers. The booking system will close this Friday at 3pm. Those families in 3 Blue will have the opportunity to meet with Mrs Kaden this week. These Conferences give families the opportunity to revisit the goals which were set at the beginning of the Semester.
You will notice in the Parish News further in this newsletter that the Parish, together with Marymead & Catholic Care are proposing use of the land at the back of the church to install tiny homes for young people at risk. We encourage families to attend the upcoming gathering on 30 June 2024 to seek information regarding this proposal and the effects it may have on the school.
Yours in Faith,
Tim Cleary
| WEEK | DATE | EVENT |
| 8 | Tues 18/06 | 3 Blue - 3 Way Conferences |
| 8 | Tues 18/06 | SCC Meeting at 6pm in the Library |
| 8 | Wed 19/06 | 3 Blue - 3 Way Conferences |
| 8 | Wed 19/06 | ACT Touch Football Gala Day - Years 5 & 6 |
| 8 | Thurs 20/06 | Netball Gala Day - Years 5 & 6 |
| 8 | Fri 21/06 | Assembly hosted by Kindergarten |
| 9 | Mon 24/06 | Rostrum Quarter Finals at 6pm in the Library |
| 9 | Tues 25/06 | 3 Way Conferences |
| 9 | Wed 26/06 | 3 Way Conferences |
| 9-10 | 26/06 - 04/07 | Lamont Book Fair |
| 9 | Thurs 27/06 | Netball Gala Day - Years 3 & 4 |
| 9 | Fri 28/06 | Kindergarten excursion - Canberra Theatre |
| 9 | Sun 30/06 |
Parish Gathering - after 9am Mass |
| 10 | Fri 05/07 | Principal Awards Assembly & White token celebration |
| 10 | Fri 05/07 | St Thomas Aquinas Feast Mass & Celebrations |
| 10 | Fri 05/07 | Last day of Term 2 |
| Term 3 | Mon 22/07 | Pupil Free Day - Staff Professional Development Training |
| 1 | Tues 23/07 | Term 3 commences for all students |
RE Curriculum at St Thomas Aquinas
At a system-wide level, Catholic Education is investing in redeveloping exciting and engaging units of work in Religious Education. We continue to use the Brisbane Archdiocese Curriculum as the basis for our teaching and learning in RE but are committed to ensuring delivery of this curriculum is with an intentional explicit, direct instruction approach that aligns with all of our other teaching and learning. As such teachers across our school have been involved in a special program, Communities of Collaboration, working with staff at the same grade levels across our archdiocese. In recent weeks teachers in Kindergarten, Year 4, 5 and 6, along with Ms Younger as the REC, joined online meetings to develop units of work for the beginning of next term. Communities of Collaboration is an ongoing commitment of two years curriculum development from our staff and I thank them for their dedication to excellence in teaching and learning.
Religious Life of St Thomas Aquinas
St Thomas Aquinas’ Feast Day is January 28th. As this falls before we return to school each year we celebrate his Feast on the last day of Term 2. This year this will be Friday 5th July. We will begin with Mass with the parish at 9:30am where all families and friends are warmly invited to celebrate with us. Students will be engaged in special activities after Mass, exploring their knowledge of St Thomas Aquinas and joining in some fun games. The day will conclude with our usual Week 10 Assembly in the Hall.
Parish Life - Sacramental Programs
Confirmation
What a beautiful evening it was last Thursday for Confirmation. Father Richard Thompson led a prayerful and yet entertaining Mass that engaged all participants. We thank him and Father Gerard for their time and support of our young people. Special congratulations to our Confirmation candidates who were confident in all their responses, demonstrating a mature understanding of this special sacrament. We celebrate with:
| Lachlan B | Alana B | Jaana C |
| Lily G | Aseem H | Sarah H |
| Elizabeth H | Maeve J | Elizabeth K |
| Mason M | Annabelle M | Amelia M |
| Tobenna M | Frederick N | Natalia O |
| Louise Q | Grace S | Flynn S |
| Lu'isa T | Amelia W | Estelle W |
| Parish Priest | Father Gerard McCormick |
| Parish Secretary | Sharon Greaves |
| Telephone | 02 6258 1563 |
| charnwood@cg.org.au | |
| Address | 23 Lhotsky Street CHARNWOOD ACT 2615 |
| MASS | TIMES |
| Monday to Friday | 9:30am |
| Thursday - School Mass | 9:30am - one grade each week |
| Public Holidays | 9:30am |
| Saturday Vigil | 6:00pm |
| Sunday | 9:00am Children's liturgy is held during the school term. All families are welcome to attend. |
Parish Gathering - proposal for land use
Please join us to hear directly from Marymead/CatholicCare about their proposal to lease some of our land at the back of the church and install tiny homes for young people at risk. No decision has been made - Fr Gerard and the Parish Pastoral Council are keen to hear parishioner and school views before progressing the idea any further. The session will include more information from MaryMead and then focus on the main issues of concern. We ask that you come to the session with an open mind and heart. Morning tea will be provided. Sunday 30 June directly after 9am mass at the school hall - all welcome.
SACRAMENTAL DATES
Sacrament of Confirmation Mass Thursday 13 June 2024 —6:00pm
If you have a child eligible to receive the Sacraments, please contact the parish office for further information: charnwood@cg.org.au
Scholastic Book Club
Scholastic Book Club orders are due by COB 20/6/2024. Orders can only be made on the LOOP app.
Ordering from Book Club supports our school library. Many thanks!
Overdues
We still have around 350 books overdue at the moment. Please make an effort to return your library books so others can borrow them. Students are able to renew their books if they want to keep them for longer than two weeks.
Lamont Book Fair:
We have a Lamont Book Fair coming up. The dates will be from 28th June to 3rd July. Please check the flyer for more detailed information.
Happy reading,
Mrs Hind
At St Thomas Aquinas we are continually teaching our students about digital and online safety to help them become knowledgeable digital citizens. Each week we will be posting online safety tips to help parents and families build your knowledge and open discussion with your children at home. 
Over the following weeks we will be sharing an Anxiety series from the ACT Government Department of Education for supporting an anxious child for families. We hope you find this series helpful.
Students are introduced to new Ngunnawal vocabulary weekly. Special thanks to Miss Evans for continuing our learning of our Ngunnawal Country.
Please join us at our assembly on Friday at 2pm to celebrate our Class Award & White token recipients
| CLASS | STUDENT | CLASS | STUDENT |
| ELC Acacias | Riley P Grace T |
ELC Coolabahs | Louise F Charles S |
| ELC Waratahs | Bronte M Oliver B |
||
| KB | Isabelle N Emilia S |
KG | Layla S Reyansh K |
| 1B | Casey M Harper C |
1G | Ninganarr F Hudson T |
| 2B | Zander R Isla M |
2G | Declan R Imogen T |
| 3B |
Matilda H Leo R |
3G | Faith M Mason N |
| 4B | Evelyn G Marko CC |
4G | August S Eleanor S |
| 5B | Ava G Andrew M |
5G | John B Andrew M |
| 6B | Estelle W Maeve J |
6G | Aseem H Gabriel T |
| Johnathan H | Leo R | Jack P | Charli C |
| Ellie H | Yuvraj A | Emilia S | Lexi K |
June Birthdays
Millie A, Maeve J, Leilani MH, Emilia S, Maddison J, Samin MT, Emily M, Samuel B, Alyssa L, Phoebe S, Anna D, Om B, Zachary M, Ivy LH, Luke S, Angok C, Annabelle M, Voilet W, Tobenna M, Emma O, Isabelle N, Nash H, Aleisha MA, Leo W, Tori D, Georgia R, Layla S, Jordan C, Lexi K, George B-C, Anabel E, Nella W-S, Mackenzie C,
Reyansh K, Annabella L, Xavier O, Lucas G, Chuol C
