Dear Families,

Term 2 has seen a return to many of the usual school activities including a return to parent volunteers, and community and extra curricular activities at St Thomas Aquinas. I have loved seeing parents back in classrooms helping out with reading groups and providing some one-to-one attention for children as well as coming along to excursions and helping out at school events like our Book Fair. This is such a special community and it is wonderful to begin to see a return of parents in our school. I have particularly enjoyed seeing a return to our wonderful community events, including the Mother’s Day Breakfast and school carnivals.

Students have, once again, been able to take part in representative sport, including the Cross-Country Carnival and gala days.  We look forward to many more of these events throughout the year and to once again seeing you, our wonderful parents and carers at these events. I would like to thank each and every one of you for your efforts and support for our school.

St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleepout
Firstly, I want to thank everyone for your support for the CEO Sleepout. Your fundraising efforts were amazing and we were able to make a great contribution to the work of St Vincent de Paul. At last count, the 162 CEOs who participated in the Canberra event raised a combined total of $1,013,784, with the 8 participants from Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn raising $46,376.

It was quite an experience sleeping outside with just a few pieces of cardboard and a sleeping bag to protect me from the elements. I, like so many, am lucky to have a comfortable bed to go home to each night, but so many in our community do not have that luxury. On Thursday night, we heard from the General Manager of All Bids, Benjamin Hastings. When Ben was a teeager, he found himself without a home and had to rely on friends and acquaintances to let him sleep on their couches. He was lucky enough to have been taken in by a family who helped him to get back on his feet and find a job which he loved. Ben used the CEO Sleepout as a way of raising awareness and giving back.

Survey
The 'Tell Them From Me' survey is now closed. Thank you to all that participated in this. We will use this feedback to help inform the rewriting of our Vision and Mission Statement and writing our Strategic Plan. We will provide additional opportunities for families to contribute to these later in the year.

Term 3 Dates
A reminder the first day of Term 3 is Tuesday 13th July. 

Monday, 12th July, is a pupil free day to support staff with professional learning on our Catholic Education Catalyst journey. Please ensure you have made arrangements for your child/ren as there will be no supervision of students at school on this day. OSHClub will be open and will be taking bookings.

I wish all of you a restful break. If you are travelling, be safe and we look forward to seeing you back in Term 3.

God Bless

 
Leah Taylor
Principal

	Chair: Vice Chair: Treasurer: Secretary: Fete Committee: Parent Representative: Parent Representative: Teacher Representative: Teacher Representative:	Loryn Reynolds Amelia Swinbourn Kirsten Clark-Drance Natasha Williamson Stacey Campbell Max Urack Aurora Lukass Kayla Larkins Michael Prosper
Please contact the SCC via email:  sta.school.community.council@gmail.com

Our SCC is comprised of members in our school community.  We meet twice each term to make decisions and have input on a wide range of topics with the aim to improve STA.

The SCC met on 23 November 2021 and discussed a range of topics including:

• New ELC building status
• PFAS remediation
• Christmas Carols community event
• IT equipment
• Mission & Vision
• SCC Colour Run
• Secondhand Uniform Shop
• Replacement Basketball/Netball Rings

Christmas Carols Community Event 

We are excited to be holding our first (hopefully annual!) STA Christmas Carols event this year. 

When:    6pm, 8 December 2021

Where:   STA oval

What:      Picnic - bring a blanket/chairs and dinner

Food:       Batty for Coffee will be selling coffee, Donut Factory will be selling donuts
                 and Tropical Sno will be selling snow cones on the night.  Yum!

Classes have been working on learning Christmas carols so join us for this much-anticipated end of year celebration!

All SCC members are available to bring suggestions, questions and issues to our meetings so if you have something to raise, please approach one of our friendly representatives.  If you don’t know anyone on the SCC or aren’t comfortable approaching an SCC member directly, we encourage you to email the SCC inbox:  sta.school.community.council@gmail.com

As we approach the end of term, please have a look around at home for outstanding library books.

Returning these books will allow others to enjoy the books, and your child will be able to borrow a selection of new books to enjoy over the break.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Please note that Term 3 begins on Tuesday, 13 July 2021. 
Monday, 12 July 2021 is a pupil free day due to staff training.

Notes will be going home this week for students who have been nominated to participate in the Seasons for Growth Program. The program works with students who are dealing with some aspect of change, separation, anxiety, loss or grief. If you would like your child to participate please contact Mrs Skye McPadden. skye.mcpadden@cg.catholic.edu.au. 

• School Fees for Term 2 are now overdue.
  Please note that school fees must be paid by the end of term. We currently have a significant amount outstanding.

• Single-use plastics banned in the ACT
  Changes to single-use plastics in the ACT are officially on the way. From 1 July 2021, the ACT will become the second Australian jurisdiction to commence a ban on the sale and supply of selected single-use plastic items including: 

  • Single-use plastic cutlery 
  • Single-use plastic drink stirrers 
  • Expanded polystyrene takeaway food and beverage containers.

  Please ensure your child/ren have drink bottles and utensils for eating yoghurt, soups etc.

• 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.

Community News is located on our website.

The attached advice 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.

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

Amelia S;  Isla McG;  Abel W;  Sophie C;  Ruhaab J;  Leo W;  Milenna P;  Grace C;  Marlenna K;  Alexis J;  Oliver F;  Abigail S;  Marko CC;  Lukas M;  Natalia O;  Daniel A;  Athena Wh;  Romeo CC;  Hannah M;  Ruby T;  Ajah A;  Aiden C;  Levi T;  Addyson W;  Chloe B;  Mila M;  Sebastian M;  Tazmyn L;  Samuel S;  Thomas B;  Stefford R;  Layla L;  Eathan C