Dear Families,

Those of you who have driven past the school lately may have noticed that work on the PFAS remediation has begun. I have to say, I have never been so excited to watch dirt move and have spent a little time with the preschoolers watching the diggers at work.

We have been very lucky to have had a few sunny, windless days to be able to move the soil. I would like to reassure families that the excavators are taking all precautions to ensure that the dust does not blow onto children in the playground. If the wind ever does pick-up we will follow our procedures including wetting down the soil, taking the children indoors and ceasing digging if we are not able to prevent dust from impacting on the students.

Colour Run
It was wonderful to be able to hold our Colour Run on Friday. Students and staff had a wonderful time completing the obstacle course set up by BFirm and taking part in the various stations. The Colour Run was a little different again this year as we needed to keep cohorts separated. A huge thank you must go to Mrs Carmen Myles for organising the event in conjunction with the School Community Council. So far we have raised over $15 000 (gross) with some funds still to come in. The money will go towards purchasing new readers, iPads and interactive boards for classrooms. Thank you for supporting this event, your children will definitely benefit from these new resources.

Christmas Carols
We are still hopeful that the weather will be on our side and we will be able to hold the SCC Christmas Carols tomorrow evening. This will be a great opportunity for our community to get together one last time before the year ends. Families can start arriving at 5.30 with the event commencing at 6pm. I would like to thank the School Community Council for organising this event and the classroom teachers for practicing carols over the last few weeks.

Reports
A reminder that Semester 2 reports will be sent home via Compass this term. You will receive a notification that they are available for viewing via the Compass Parent Portal on Friday, 10th December at noon. Please ensure that you have access to Compass. If you experience any difficulties, don't hesitate to contact the office for assistance.

Take care and God Bless

 
Leah Taylor
Principal

We had a lovely day on Friday, 3 December 2021 for the Colour Run and our students had a lot of fun.

Prizes will be announced on Friday, 10 December 2021, so if you still have donated money at home, please return to the Front Office by Thursday, 7 December 2021.

A hugh thank you to all our families and supporters.

	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

Hello and welcome to term one of 2022 to those continuing as part of our community and those new to St Thomas Aquinas this year.

The School Community Council (SCC) would usually have the opportunity to host a “Welcome BQQ” this week, however whilst we are progressing towards returning to some sort of normal there is still a little way to go yet.

At the BBQ I have the pleasure of introducing myself and the SCC and whilst this year I am not able to do it in person I still wanted to take the opportunity to say a few words via the newsletter.

The SCC consists of a diverse mix of parents, carers, teachers and a Parish representative. We come together twice a term to support and challenge each other to ensure the best outcomes are delivered to STA. We strive for a united approach to continual school improvement in our school.

The SCC aims to bring together all members of the school community for mutual benefit, growth and support at STA through:

• Building relationships and making friendships
• Fostering our dedicated staff and their passion for education
• Providing a representative voice for parents and carers
• Organising and hosting key events
• Raising funds both by applying for relevant grants and backing the school fete
• Identifying, researching and supporting the implementation of student focussed projects, made possible by the funds raised.

Parents and carers are an extremely important part of children’s education and the school community as a whole.

The SCC want to promote meaningful participation by all members of our community at STA. Whilst I appreciate that the pandemic and relevant restrictions have limited the school events we have been able to have over the past couple of years, I strongly urge you to inject yourself in our wonderful community whenever the opportunity arises. Take the time to smile and say hello to the new members of our school community and foster the friendships you have made over the years.

Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving the community and world better than you found it. Nothing you ever do for your child will be wasted!

Please keep an eye out on the STA Facebook page over the coming weeks for an introduction to all of the members of the SCC members.

I am looking forward to a more involved, social and fun year and look forward to meeting as many of the new families as possible soon.

Kind Regards,

Loryn Reynolds

SCC Chair

Dear Parents and Carers

If your child/ren is leaving St Thomas Aquinas at the end of 2022 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 10 December 2022.

Thank you

Borrowing has concluded for this year, please have a look around at home and return any books that are outstanding.

Thanks for your help!

School Terms

Public Holidays

The STA Swimming Carnival, for students in Years 3 to 6, will be held on Friday, 25 February 2022. 

Notes will be sent home in Week 1 of 2022 and will need to be returned by Friday 11 February 2022 - Week 2 of 2022.  Please note that late notes cannot be accepted due to the tight timeframe.

The combined Year 5 and Year 6 Camp will be held from Monday, 21 March 2022 to Wednesday, 23 March 2022 at Fitzroy Falls Conference and Adventure Centre.  The approximate cost will be $450 per student.  Further details will be forthcoming.

Do not touch, pick or eat any wild mushrooms!  

Death Cap mushrooms are deadly. They grow in the Canberra region during autumn and at different times of the year. 

Please keep children and pets away from wild mushrooms. 

If you think you have eaten a Death Cap mushroom, go straight to a hospital emergency department, even if you do not feel unwell. 

More information on Death Cap mushrooms can be found at https://www.health.act.gov.au/about-our-health-system/population-health/fact-sheets

Community News is located on our website.

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

Grace G;  Nathaniel E;  Benjamin R;  Heath M;  Henry W;  Zayne K;  Layla A;  Bieber L; Makayla J;  Piper N;  Awuol A;  Alexis D;  Anneliese L;  Cooper M;  Flynn O'G;  Kasper S-B; Oscar D;  Flynn S;  Georgia W;  Jade J;  Alena G;  Tomislav M;  Madeleine S-P;  Aurelius F;  Jurell C;  Alexander D;  Anthony S;  Gemma Mc;  Ryan B;  Orry L;  Bonnie P;  Gabriel F;  Jonathan E;  Isabelle G;  Adrian S