Dear Families,

SCHOOL VISITS
Lately we have had a number of schools visiting to look at a number of initiatives we have in place, including Initialit. A large number of Catholic schools in Canberra and NSW are either at the beginning of implementing this program or are looking at introducing it to their schools next year. It is a testament to our wonderful teaching staff that so many schools want to take a look at their practice and speak with them about how best to implement this program. Today the Leadership Team from one of our largest Catholic primary schools in the ACT, Good Shepherd, came to see Initialit in action. They were very impressed with the way our teachers delivered this program and grateful for their tips and advice. We are blessed to have such a wonderful group of dedicated teachers who are willing to share their knowledge.

SURVEY
On Thursday you will receive a link for our school survey via sZapp. This survey will help us to identify what is working well and areas for improvement. I encourage all of you to participate in this survey so we have a good representation of our whole community. Students in the upper grades will also complete their own survey in class. We will use this information, along with other data to identify focus areas for our Three Year Strategic Plan, and 2022 Annual Plan. If you do not receive this link and would like to complete the survey, please contact the front office.

ENROLMENTS
This is the final week for 2022 enrolments. If you have a child who will commence Preschool or Kindergarten in 2022, you will need to complete an online enrolment form, even if they are currently enrolled in our ELC.

Preschool enrolment: https://staquinas.act.edu.au/elc-enrolment

Kindergarten enrolment: https://enrolments.staquinas.act.edu.au/act-primary-enrol

If you know of families who are considering enrolling their child at St Thomas Aquinas next year and would like a tour of our beautiful school, please let them know they can contact the front office to book a tour.

God Bless

 
Leah Taylor
Principal

• COMPASS Kiosk has Arrived!!!

Please note that our Compass Kiosk has been installed.  This requires all parents/carers to sign their child/ren IN/OUT/LATE.

Please note that all students are required to be at school by 9am each day.  If you drop your child/ren off after 9am, please enter the Front Office to sign your child/ren in.  

Parents who have dropped their children off after 9am, and not signed their child/ren in late, will be asked to return to school to sign-in their child/ren via the Compass Kiosk at the Front Office.  This is a CE compliance requirement.

• Absentee Notifications

Whilst we await the introduction of the Compass Parent Portal, it is preferable that Absentee Notifications be advised electronically as they are now required to be attached electronically.  Notifications can be sent via:

• • SZapp portal - Choose Absentee - see menu below.  Instructions on how to install SZapp can be found here.
  • Email the teacher
  • Email the office via office.staquinas@cg.catholic.edu.au

Thank you for your co-operation.

• Enter the School via the Front Office Only
  
  For the safety of students and staff, all parents/carers/visitors must enter the school via the Front Office only.  Please do not enter the school via any other door, even if it is for a short period of time to talk to a teacher, check lost property etc.  Our COVID requirements also require all visitors to the school to register with the Front Office.
  
  
  
• Arranging Meetings with Teachers
  Just a reminder that if you wish to speak/meet with your child's teacher, please pre-arrange a time with the teacher via email as teachers often have meetings and professional development before/after school.

Online orders for Issue 4 due by 9 June 2021

Scholastic Book Club Order Forms have been sent home today.

No cash orders will be accepted at the Front Office for Scholastic Book Club.

The school will still get credits and the books will still be delivered to school for us to distribute, unless parents have requested they be delivered to their home.

Please download the INLOOP App
on your device or order from the online website.

https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/Parent/Login.aspx

 Any questions please contact me via email ksligar@bigpond.net.au

The attached here from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment provides details of information that is collected from our school.

Please view the letter here.

Please ensure your address and contact details are up to date if you have moved since February 2021.  You do not need to do anything else.

Thank you for your assistance.

Community News is located on our website.

MAY 2021
Congratulations to the following students who will be celebrating their birthday this month:

Jackson L;  Aubree C;  Oliver H;  Emily L-B;  Toby B;  Jess R;  Cooper K;  Rohan T;  Lorelei M;  Anderson M;  Clarence G;  Kohen H;  Alice T;  Jared C;  Kaitlyn H;  Dominic G;  Nikola G;  William S;  Amelia M;  Lewis T;  Hunter B;  Brooklyn S;  Ashan H;  Hayley G;  Jacie L;  Scarlett F;  Achiek A;  Shaela S;  Patrick S-P;  Lachlan R;  Mitchell R;  Nuer D;  Emily R