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from the Principal ..........
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Dear Parents,
All of a sudden we have arrived at mid-term already! Last week we entered into the liturgical season of Lent, marked by Ash Wednesday, being preceded by Shrove Tuesday. My thanks to our committed team of parent helpers, supported by our groundsperson Bruce and Mr Maglai, for providing delicious pancakes for us all on Shrove Tuesday! It really was reflective of the true meaning of this occasion, with feasting and festivity to start our day. Then we entered into the more solemn spirit of Ash Wednesday, with whole school Mass, where we were called to reflect upon the three pillars of Lent: almsgiving, prayer & contemplation, and fasting. Over the time of Lent our students will learn more about each of these and explore ways to embed them in daily life.
For our families over this time of Lent, if you wish to to consider these three pillars of Lent too, here are some thoughts:
Almsgiving: You will have already received the Project Compassion boxes and these are a great way to contribute, whatever you can, to the work of Caritas global aid agency that works to support and empower vulnerable communities as well as providing disaster relief. Almsgiving is a sign of gratitude for all that God has given us and as an act of love to those in need. I also quite like the notion of ‘alms of the heart’ – words of kindness, good deeds done for another, a favour, a kind gesture which requires no money, but instead, thought and goodwill.
Prayer: Creating time and space where you can for contemplation, reflection and expression of gratitude is so beneficial. Prayer, contemplation, meditation are only some of the many ways to express spirituality and we encourage you to give yourself the gift of this time over Lent.
Fasting: The notion of fasting in Lent is attached to a sense of ‘freedom’ from unhealthy attachments. As adults we may find this concept easier to understand than our young people. For this reason, we sometimes instead focus on ‘being more’ or ‘taking up’ rather than ‘giving up’. So, the emphasis might instead be on, applying extra effort towards making life better for someone else, for the world, for the environment and so on.
As we move through Lent and come closer to Holy Week, we will share more details about our whole school prayer times with you.
Monday Music Sessions
How great was it to hear such fantastic sounds coming from the Undercroft on Monday afternoon as our day was ending? A big thank you to Mrs Czabayski and all the students who performed, sharing their musical talent with us. This was the first of these sessions to be held, designed to share with parents a ‘glimpse’ of our learning in Music. Whilst we have the more formal ‘Instrumental Concert’ in Term 4, we thought this was a great way to showcase our students’ musical knowledge, skills and development in an informal way to our parent community. Don’t worry if you missed this one, there will be another one next term!
I was pleased over the last couple of weeks to receive some good feedback regarding our attempts to streamline communications home to families. We know how much risk there is of ‘information overload’ or ‘communication breakdown’, so getting the balance right is our goal. We are working hard at trying to improve our communication systems and we have taken on board your feedback from last year in this regard. We are still working on this and have more steps to take this year, but for now, thank you for your positive feedback.
Finally, I have a few reminders for our parents regarding our two surveys in circulation. Please find some time to complete the Uniform Survey and the Initial Consultation Survey from the links below.
Uniform Survey...
https://forms.office.com/r/yFuZCvg7Uw
Initial Consultation...
https://forms.office.com/r/4GU3Kp9YFS
Wishing you all a great week ahead!
Belinda Burford
Principal
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Wed 8th Swim Training 8-9am
Mon 13th Adelaide Cup Day - Public Holiday
Wed 15th NAPLAN (Writing)
Thurs 16th NAPLAN (Reading)
Fri 17th NAPLAN (Conventions of Language)
St Thomas TERM 1 PARENT Calendar 2023.pdf
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CELEBRATING IMPERFECTION
In our role here at St Thomas, Belinda and I are blessed with sharing in so many stories of our students, staff and families. There is immense beauty in these stories. Sometimes we share in the hard chapters of struggle or challenge; and sometimes we share in the chapters of joy and excitement. There is immense beauty in these stories, no matter which chapter we share.
I have come to the realisation that the only way to see this beauty, even during difficult times, is to celebrate the imperfection of life, the necessity of challenges and the new life that follows. One of the wisest people I know, Fran Stanley, a retired teacher, Religious Education Coordinator and chaplain of Catholic Education SA, reinforced in me that ‘life is not about perfection, it’s about connection.’
Perfection is intrinsically related to the subjective ideas of how one perceives things should be. One person’s idea of what is perfect is different from another’s. And seeking perfection in ourselves and others, always results in anger, blame, jealousy and judgement. We are certainly living in an age of perfection-seeking, compounded by the impact of social media on the way we live and perceive the world.
Connection on the other hand, fosters in us the very core of our humanity. We are created to exist within family and within community. Seeking connection draws us closer to a life of fullness. In this space, we love, trust, believe, forgive, grow, grieve and become.
We just have to look at those people we know who seek connection rather than perfection; and just how much happiness this brings to their lives.
‘Life is not about perfection, it’s about connection.’
Brené Brown, a US research professor, author, presenter and expert in courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy, encourages readers and listeners to celebrate imperfection. In her book, ‘The Gift of Imperfection,’ Brené highlights the importance of accepting the imperfection of life to uncover and deeply appreciate our own worthiness and the worthiness of others. You are worthy. You matter and matter absolutely. And so does everyone else!
So this week, I want to take this opportunity to celebrate the imperfection in our lives, the imperfection in our families and the imperfection of our St Thomas Community. We are a community of parents, caregivers, grandparents, teachers, educators and children who, while striving for greatness, are beautifully imperfect. Let’s celebrate all that we are, all our failures and faults, our mistakes and wrongs. They are part of who we are and our journey to become the best version of ourselves. Not the perfect version of ourselves- but the ‘best’ version of ourselves.
In celebrating imperfections, especially during the season of Lent, let’s hold our judgement, promote acceptance and understanding, be patient and know all will be well.
Go gently,
Paul Mensforth
Deputy Principal
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Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends,
On Wednesday morning, the year two classes had Class Mass in the church. During the celebration, Fr. John asked the children that ‘who is your neighbour, who do you need to help?’ The students replied: Everyone especially the people who needs help. At the Mass, we learnt that God is working through us to love one another, to love and help people who are in need here in Adelaide and around the word.
During Lent we are called to help other people through Project Compassion and tell other people God is working in us to be like Jesus.
We are raising funds to help support Project Compassion, Caritas Australia’s annual fundraising campaign.
Project Compassion brings together supporters from across Australia to address the challenges of poverty today, and drive lasting change for a better tomorrow.
Join our St Thomas School community to help support remote and communities across Asia, Africa, the Pacific and Australia.
Your generosity today can help communities access clean water, food security, skills training, health and sanitation and disaster reduction training.
Together with your support we can create lasting change today and for all future generation.
If you would like to support Caritas through our St Thomas School fundraising page just scan our school QR code attached in the link below.
https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/o/st-thomas-school-goodwood?utm_source=qrcode
Here is an example what your help can change the life of others.
Laxmi's story
Nepal
After losing her father at a young age, Laxmi was at risk of falling further into extreme poverty. But with the support of our partner Caritas Nepal, Laxmi joined a child's club, became a leader in her school and is now a mentor to other girls in her village.
Laxmi lives with her mother and siblings in Jajarkot, one of the least developed districts in the remote Karnali province, with almost half of the population living below the poverty line.
Tragedy struck when Laxmi was 10-years-old. Her father, who worked hard to pay for his children’s education, passed away. Laxmi was devastated. She used to love to go to school but for the first time she stopped attending her classes.
Before her father’s passing, Laxmi joined a child's club at her school that was run with the support of Caritas Nepal, through the Nepal Livelihoods and Resilience Program. Child's clubs support students to develop their speaking, writing and leadership skills through extracurricular activities.
Thanks to the support of her child's club, Laxmi was encouraged to resume her education. She became an active member of her child's club, where she developed the skills and confidence to become a leader, advocating for clean water taps at her school.
Since 2018, Caritas Nepal has supported more than 5,000 children through the child's clubs.
Laxmi’s grades have excelled since joining the child's club. But her proudest achievement is something that will have a lasting impact for future generations.
Clean water has long been an issue at Laxmi’s school. Laxmi and her child club members discussed the need to build multiple water taps at the school so that all students can access clean drinking water. They lobbied the school administration, the ward office and the municipality office until they eventually agreed to construct a series of water taps on the school grounds.
“Now, I know where to speak, what to speak. However big the gathering might be, I'm not afraid to speak,” Laxmi said.
Laxmi is now excelling in her studies and working towards her dream of becoming a civil engineer. She continues to be involved in the child's club, serving as an advisor and mentoring the next generation of young leaders at her old school.
“Even though I don't study in this school now, I have to show them what I did with my talent. How I changed. Teach them what they can do. I want them to learn from the things I did,” Laxmi said.
Sebestyen Maglai R.E.C.
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from Chair of the School Board
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Parenting through a storm
Sometimes, I question if I am cut out for this mothering gig.
Then I see pictures of me with giant hands, scribbled hair and the tallest in the line of the family, and I know that my presence is felt.
There is no question though, that it is hard mothering, parenting, our children through their own Storm.
Storms where you feel they have no lifeboat, no sunshine in sight -and they just must ride it out.
As a parent, it’s wanting to weather the storm for yourself, so you don’t need to see them this way.
It’s watching them feel the feelings that you can’t fix. It’s seeing their heartbreak on show, where you need to console and hold space to carry them through. When you yourself, need the same.
It’s trusting they have the skills to handle the situation themselves when all your instincts want to walk into the playground and sort it straight out yourself.
It’s our job, as parents, to share our calm in the storm. Not join in the chaos.
Remember when you found out you were pregnant, and you thought “How am I going to get through this this?” You did.
Remember the crying newborn and sleepless nights and you thought “How am I going to get through this? “ You did.
Remember the strong-willed toddler who demanded daily dress ups before going out of the house?” you thought, “How am I going to get through this? “ You did.
Whatever the storm your child may be facing, know that have not only taught your children how to get through this, but you have also shown them. Each time, when you thought you couldn’t make it through, you have.
This new storm, you will get all through.
You have.
You can.
You will.
Don’t doubt it, you are cut out for this gig.
Trish Jarvis
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Reminder School Fee Payments
Canberra Camp Deposit (Year 6 Students) $300 payable on Qkr by 10 March 2023.
Term 1 School Fee instalment is now due.
Annual payment of School Fees paid upfront in full by 17 March 2023 will receive 5% discount.
Upfront payment discounts are as follow:-
1 child $202.00
2 children $379.75
3 children $513.05
Direct debit forms available from our website or front office.
Please contact me if you have any queries regarding school fees accounts@stg.catholic.edu.au
Jodi Jansons
Business Manager
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Lots of students have now started their instrumental lessons and it is lovely to hear music back.
Some tutors are still finalising their timetables or have not started yet.
Our drum tutor is currently overseas and due back to start teaching in the next couple of weeks.
Our Guitar tutor will be in contact with parents soon to begin lessons within the next few weeks also.
Thank you for your continued patience.
If your child is interested in learning an instrument at school, please complete the form on Skoolbag.
Monday Music Sessions
We had our first Monday Music Session this week and it was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our student's learning, musicianship and talent. It was also great to see the collaboration of students performing.
Congratulations to all of our performers and for some of them this was their first experience performing to an audience.
Our next Music Session will be in Week 5 Term 2.
Susan Czabayski
Music Teacher
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Literacy at home in focus!
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This fortnight we are focusing on oral language. Oral language is the system through which we use spoken words to express knowledge, ideas and feelings. Developing oral language, then, means developing the skills and knowledge that go into listening and speaking—all of which have a strong relationship to reading comprehension and to writing. Oral language is the way children communicate their views, learn to understand others and make discoveries. Here are a couple of links to watch to see how you can develop your child’s oral language at home:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ34-Kkchp4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IObcCR2yG58
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