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Dear St. Thomas Aquinas Community,
As we enter Week 5 of Term 4, it is important to remember that this is a 9-week term, filled with opportunities for reflection and preparation for the year ahead. Our focus remains on ensuring a smooth transition into 2025, and preparations are well underway.
I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the solemn remembrance we held on November 11 at 11 am led by Mr Jeremy Finlayson and the 4 Blue students. This meaningful ceremony provided us with the opportunity to reflect on the bravery and sacrifices of all who have served our country in various wars. The children’s heartfelt prayers and poems were beautifully delivered at the flagpoles, creating a poignant atmosphere of respect and gratitude.
Today, we also celebrated our Orientation Days for Kindergarten and the Early Learning Centre. It was wonderful to see so many new faces, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to all the staff and students who warmly welcomed our new students into our community. Your kindness and support truly make a difference.
A special guest at our Orientation for the children was Matthew Garton, your new school principal for 2025. Mr Garton’s joy and anticipation for his new role is clearly evident and brings us all a deal of solace that he will join this magnificent community in the new year.
On a personal note, I will be attending my final Siloam retreat at Galong with my fellow Principal colleagues this Thursday afternoon and Friday. This retreat will be a special occasion for me to reflect on my time at St Thomas Aquinas Primary School and to express my gratitude for the wonderful experiences I have had here. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers during this time.
Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to our school community.
God bless,
Tim Cleary
| WEEK | DATE | EVENT |
| 5 | Tues 12/11 | Years 5 & 6 Netball Gala Day |
| 5 | Tues 12/11 | ELC 2025 Orientation Session |
| 5 | Tues 12/11 | Kindergarten 2025 Orientation Session |
| 5 | Tues 12/11 | Kindergarten 2025 Information Evening |
| 5 | Wed 13/11 | Fete Meeting at 6pm |
| 5 | Thur 14/11 | ELC 2025 Orientation Session 9:30am - 10:30am |
| 5 | Thur 14/11 | ELC 2025 Information Session 6:00pm - 7:00pm |
| 5 | Fri 15/11 | Class Party - 4 Green |
| 6 | Tues 19/11 | Years 3 & 4 Netball Gala Day |
| 6 | Thur 21/11 | Choir Christmas Carols at Parliament House |
| 6 | Fri 22/11 | Assembly 2pm in the Hall presented by Kinder |
| 7 | Tues 26/11 | Fete Meeting at 6pm |
| 7 | Thur 28/11 | 2025 Captain Speeches - more info to come |
| 7 | Fri 29/11 | Fete 2025 - Happy Hairy Hamper Day |
| 8 | Mon 02/12 | SVdP Christmas Appeal |
| 8 | Tues 03/12 | SCC Meeting at 6pm |
| 8 | Wed 04/12 | Year 6 SFX Oreintation Morning |
| 8 | Wed 04/12 | Optional 3 Way Conferences |
| 8 | Fri 06/12 | Year 6 Daramalan Orientation Day |
| 8 | Fri 06/12 | Reports live on Compass |
| 8 | Fri 06/12 | Assembly 2pm in the Hall presented by Year 6 |
| 8 | Fri 06/12 | Year 6 Graduation Mass & Disco |
| 9 | Mon 09/12 | Principal Awards Assembly |
| 9 | Mon 09/12 | White Token Celebration Lunch |
| 9 | Mon 09/12 | Kingsford Smith Orientation for 2025 - Year 6 |
| 9 | Tues 10/12 | Meet the Teacher Day |
| 9 | Wed 11/12 | Year 6 Big Day Out |
| 9 | Fri 13/12 | Farewell Assembly |
| 10 | Mon 16/12 | Last Day for students |
| 10 | Tues 17/12 | Pupil Free Day |
Religious Curriculum at St Thomas Aquinas
This term in Year Two students have been learning about positive role models and how we have many people of faith doing great work in our school and parish to support us to better know Jesus. They have connected their learning with the 50th celebrations in our parish. It has provided us as adults with some great questions to ponder. Who is a positive role model for you? How do they show you Jesus? How do you model Jesus’ teachings in your actions?
Religious Life of St Thomas Aquinas
Remembrance Day
Thank you to 4Blue and Mr Finlayson for the moving prayer service to commemorate Remembrance Day. We continue to pray for world peace and remember those who have sacrificed their lives and health for this cause.
Christmas Appeal
This year we are hoping to contribute much needed food items to support those in our community who may find the financial aspect of Christmas challenging. We are working with St Vincent de Paul to collect items for Christmas Hampers. Below you will see a list of suggested items to be brought in with different grade levels being responsible for different items. All donations will be presented to St Vincent de Paul at our final whole school Mass on Thursday 5th December. Please send these non-perishable food/drinks into your child’s class where they will be kept until this Mass. Thank you in advance for the generosity this school community is known for.
|
Grade |
Food items |
Grade |
Food Items |
|
ELC |
Christmas cake/puddings |
Kindergarten |
Chips, corn chips, |
|
Year 1 |
Chocolates/lollies |
Year 2 |
Biscuits – sweet and savoury |
|
Year 3 |
Pantry items – sauces, salsa, mustards, spreads, pickles etc |
Year 4 |
Pantry items – cereal, rice, noodles, pasta |
|
Year 5 |
Drinks – soft drink, juice, cordial, iced tea |
Year 6 |
Christmas serviettes, bon-bons, paper plates |
Advent Prayer Celebrations
As school finishes before Advent will, we have decided to hold our prayer celebrations a little earlier. The whole school will come together to reflect on the weekly Advent messages and all families are invited to join us in the church at 2:00pm each of the Thursday afternoons in Weeks 6, 7, 8 & 9 for these celebrations.
|
|
Date |
Class Leading |
|
Advent 1 |
21/11 |
6 Blue |
|
Advent 2 |
28/11 |
K Blue |
|
Advent 3 |
5/12 |
K Green |
|
Advent 4 |
12/12 |
5 Blue |
Dignity Hamper
As part of our ongoing support of St Vincent de Paul and those in need in our own community we have established a new dignity hamper. Families are invited to donate to the hampers items to assist the homeless and those in need with hygiene items such as shampoo and conditioner, body wash or soap, deodorant, tampons and pads, incontinence aids and moisturizer. All donations can be place in the new cubes outside the Coordinators’ Office. These will be passed on to St Vincent de Paul as the cubes become full. Thank you in anticipation of your generous donations.
Parish Life
Huge celebrations on the weekend to mark the jubilee year for the parish! Thank you to our wonderful staff who assisted with the BBQ, set-up and clean-up and providing artworks. It was a beautiful Mass celebrated by our Archbishop and a wonderful day celebrating 50 fabulous years of this amazing faith community.
| 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. |
Students are introduced to new Ngunnawal vocabulary weekly. To match our Ngunnawal word, Mrs Wang is also introducing the matching Chinese word to increase our culture learning. Special thanks to Miss Evans & Mrs Wang.
November Birthdays
Andrew M, Regan L, Elizabeth P, Taigh R, Zoe P, Jett B, Niklaus T, Geoffrey F, Cody H, Kuzi M, Piper R, Ava G, Aiden M, Hudson T, Harpreet S, Emily S, Benjamin S, Ella T, Grace S, Mikayla M, Faith M, Isabel P, Darcy A, Daniel K, Georgia B
Our Year 5 & 6 having a ball and smiling their way through the day at the Netball Gala Day!
Bring a picnic and your family and friends to The Canberra Times Carols by Candlelight.
Stage 88, Commonwealth Park, December 7, from 6.30pm.
Entry is free.
This year marks the 80th Carols by Candlelight, so we would particularly welcome those with a long-standing interest in the event to join us.
The Carols are brought to you by The Canberra Times, Woden Valley Youth Choir, 2CA/2CC, National Capital Authority, Canberra Southern Cross Club, Eclipse Sound and Lighting, ECG Electrical, Canberra City Band and charity partner Lifeline.