Dear Families,

This week is Sabbath week. Traditionally, it is a time where we rest and take a little time out to be with our families. It is also a time where we encourage staff to leave work a little earlier and try not to hold meetings. It is important for everyone to stop in all of the busyness (particularly during this time) and try to refocus a little on our wellbeing. You may have noticed that classes continue to have ‘guest’ teachers in their classrooms. We are trying our very best during this time to make things as normal as possible and not split classes, however there may be times when this is unavoidable. Like many workplaces we are continuing to see a larger number of staff absences than we usually would at this time of year and we are not always able to source relief staff. This means teachers are often taking double classes and additional duties, and members of the leadership team are spending most of their day teaching a class. I thank you for your understanding, particularly around response times from the leadership team and teachers. The staff would also like to pass on their thanks to the SCC for organising a coffee van to help perk them up with a coffee or a hot chocolate.

Last week I had the privilege of attending the Catholic Leaders Day and Principal Retreat. The Catholic Leaders day was a great opportunity for schools to share their successes, but also to discuss some of the challenges in implementing a new pedagogy and programs. Schools were very interested in what we are doing here at St Thomas Aquinas, many principals having seen some of our teachers in various training videos. It was a good opportunity to showcase some of the wonderful work happening in our classrooms.

The two day retreat, led by Archbishop Christopher Prowse, focused on Mercy. We explored the idea that Justice and Mercy go hand in hand. The Archbishop challenged us to consider that there must be an equal balance between Mercy and Justice, that they should always be two equal sides of the one coin. The Archbishop left us with a poignant quote by Jamie Cardinal Sin, the 30th Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila and the third Cardinal from the Philippines. He was instrumental in the historic and peaceful 1986 People Power Revolution, which toppled the dictatorship and ended martial law under Ferdinand Marcos and installed Corazon Aquino as his successor in the Fifth Republic of the Philippines. It reads:

Justice without mercy is tyranny,
Mercy without justice is weakness,
Mercy without love is baloney.

Take care and God bless

Yours in Faith

Leah Taylor
Principal

Harmony Day celebrates Australia’s Cultural Diversity. It is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. This Friday, 18th March 2022 we encourage all students to dress in their cultural attire or the colour orange. Remember to be sun smart with no singlet tops and enclosed foot wear must be worn. 

Let's come together with our wider community to celebrate our diversity. 

Sacramental Program
Thank you to those families who have registered for the Sacramental Program this year. If your child is in Year 4 or Year 6 and you would like them to participate in the Sacramental Program this year you can still collect a registration form from the Church at Mass on Saturday evening at 6pm or Sunday morning at 9am over the next two weekends. Registration closes Monday 28^th March. If you have any questions you can contact Mrs Skye McPadden (skye.mcpadden@cg.catholic.edu.au).

Project Compassion
To raise money for Project Compassion the Year 6 Faith Leadership team are seeking donations of Easter Eggs and baskets for an Easter raffle. Please send any donations in to the school office before Monday of Week 10. Tickets will be sent home to families at the end of the week, tickets will also be available for student purchase on Thursdays and Fridays from Week 8 next to the canteen. Help us make a difference for others around the world!   

Community News is located on our website.

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

Just a reminder that we have a preloved clothing pool which is run by a school volunteer and is open on Monday mornings between 8:30am - 9:00am and Wednesday afternoons between 3:00pm - 3:30pm during even weeks.  Preloved uniforms can be purchased for $5 per item and are available for St Thomas Aquinas students only.  To visit the clothing pool outside these hours, please contact the Front Office to make these arrangements.

Parent Talk newsletter is distributed electronically twice a term by the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT (CCSP).  The newsletter aims to provide parents and carers with relevant and timely information about developments in education, wellbeing, CCSP advocacy program and significant Catholic news and events.  Find the latest online newsletter here.

We encourage families to subscribe to the newsletter to keep up to date with the latest information from CCSP.

For further information please contact Sarah Rose, Family Engagement Officer on Sarah.Rose@cg.catholic.edu.au or 0447 888 326 or Service Area Leader, Tim Elliott on Tim.Elliott@cg.catholic.edu.au or 0409 042 130.

The Music Bus is back at our school!

The Music Bus is back at our school in term 1 offering tuition in keyboard, drums, guitar, ukulele and singing. There are still places to commence term 1 and term 2,

To register your interest, go to: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/ee4627a5204c46158e1ab17e7c8069c6

For more information visit us at www.themusicbus.com.au

CANTEEN

The Canteen is open from Wednesdays to Fridays - for the first 10 minutes of each break.  We sell a limited selection of healthy canteen approved chips and ice blocks.

SUBWAY

Parents and staff are able to place Subway Orders Online.  Click on the link below to place an order and payment as well. 

Cut-off time is 9:15 AM for same day delivery.
Call on 02 6259 9101 to place your order after this time

Subway Lunch Orders can also be made, via Subway Envelope, at school.  Subway envelopes, including cash, need to be placed in the Lunch Order Subway box, located outside the Front Office,  by 9:30am on the day before the lunch is required.  For example, if you would like a lunch order on Wednesday, the lunch order needs to be manually submitted by Tuesday 9:30am.

Here is a sample of the Subway ordering envelope.  Envelopes are available from the Front Office or the classroom.

Online orders for Issue 5 due by 4 August 2022.

Scholastic Book Club Order Forms will be arriving home this week.

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

MARCH 2022
Congratulations to the following students who will be celebrating their birthday this month:

Sebastian C, Zach B, Henry B, Zeke F, Molly WS, Levi W, Sofia A, Marian R, Isaac R, Aseem H, Jayson T, Aarav S, Aryan S, Krystof M, Samuel A, Ruby R, Ellie H, Layne M, Cameron C, Astrid F, Travis GT, Laurence GT, Amboz B, Zara B, Ashlyn T,
Kupakwashe M, Sofia A, Archie W, Maxine M, May R