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from the Principal ..........
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Welcome back to all our families for the start of Term Two! I hope that you all enjoyed a very relaxing and refreshing holiday break and took advantage of some nice weather to enjoy the outdoors before the cool winter arrives. It has been wonderful to see our children all return happy and excited to be back at school and with their friends again.
You will have noticed the new parking signs in Angus and Rushton Streets that were installed over the holidays. My thanks to all our families for your efforts in adhering to the new signage and parking practices. I have heard from our resident neighbours and the Unley Council recently to say that they are grateful for our improved efforts in this regard. We have been really pleased with how smoothly this transition has occurred this week. There is a much greater use of the church car park and school pedestrian crossing which has helped to alleviate congestion in Angus Street. Please be aware that Council Regulatory Services will be operating in the area so please ensure that you continue to follow the new signage and be sure also to tell any grandparents or other family members who may collect your children.
This week our Year 5 students attended camp at Mylor which was a wonderful experience for them. Upon returning, many students commented that they had ‘the best time ever’! I visited them this morning and was impressed with both the campsite and the program of outdoor education activities that they undertake. They have been fortunate to have clear weather and I have no doubt that they will all sleep well tonight! My thanks to our Year 5 teachers, Mr Rampazis and Mrs Wotherspoon for preparing all arrangements for Camp and also to Mr Maglai and Ms Anthony for supporting.
For us in our Catholic tradition, as we approach Mother’s Day, we are reminded of Mary mother of Jesus as the ultimate example of faith for us – a steady, unwavering faith. In the Christian tradition, Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth and is filled with God’s grace. She is considered a spiritual mother to many across the world, with many prayers and petitions created, asking for her grace to be shared.
In closing I wish all our Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunts, and all who we consider ‘Mums,’ the very best for Mother’s Day. May this day be filled with gratitude and joy for the role you have and the incredibly important part you play in sharing your love, wisdom and kindness. We also remember at this time, those Mums who are no longer with us and those who are ill and in need of healing. I ask for the blessing of Mary Mother of Jesus to be upon you and your loved ones to bring you much love, strength, peace and joy.
Belinda Burford
Principal
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CELEBRATE THE HOPE OF EASTER BY CONNECTING MORE DEEPLY WITH THE MYSTERY OF CREATION- GET INTO NATURE!
Easter isn’t just one day of the year, it is actually a season in which we celebrate new life and opportunities of transformation.
One way to continue to celebrate throughout this 6-week season of hope, is to make time to connect more deeply with nature. The Christ we celebrate through Easter, is the same Christ present in and through all creation- making all things new. Easter is a cosmic mystery. The true mystery is that from the first Easter, we are reminded that Jesus is with us always; and the natural world provides such powerful opportunities to experience this knowing.
Contemporary theologian, Joan Chittister writes, ‘To cultivate an appreciation of nature is to deepen our own spiritual life and to see our own responsibility to it in the way we treat every blade of grass.
One of the pit-falls of modern life, living close to or within great cities, is that it separates us from the natural world. The problem with that, is that it also then separates us from the rest of ourselves- the part of us that needs the cycles of nature to remind us of our own destiny to grow and thrive, whatever the social climate of our own present moment.
Never let a day go by without consciously becoming part of the outside world- its great oceans, its full bushes of bright flowers, its small animals, its wild winds, its swaying bushes; and massive rolling trees; they each bring out something in us that nothing else can touch.” (Joan Chittister)
We witness the power of the natural environment when students venture onto the nature playground, spend time in the Ecology Garden or visit the chickens. As they play with the water, create in the sand, climb the timber frame playground, pat a chicken or build a fairy garden, the world seems to slow and a calm is created. There is certainly something that the natural environment offers which can never be replicated.
So, let’s look for ways we can connect our young people to the wonder of the natural world, especially during this Easter season. Visit a national park, climb a tree, build a cubby, look for birds, plant some vegies!
In fact, Nature Play SA over so many opportunities to help our children connect with nature. Visit their website for more information natureplaysa.org.au
Enjoy the peace! Enjoy the connection! Enjoy getting those hands dirty!
Go gently,
Paul Mensforth
Deputy Principal
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A big thank you to all our families and students for supporting each other as we adjust ourselves to the new parking restrictions around St Thomas. The council have been very grateful for our support of the changes.
Thank you for caring for the safety and well being of all in our community, including our local neighbours!
We also extend a big thank you to the Banner Crew for their support in creating the added signage.
Just a few reminders to keep things moving smoothly...
When using the Angus Street drop-off/pick-up zone, can drivers please move up to the eastern end, similar to a taxi rank, especially at the end of the school day. This will further increase safety for students.
It will be important for grandparents and anyone else doing drop-off and pick-ups to have information about the new restrictions.
Can parents ensure disabled car parks are available for those with a disabled parking permit. It is important we are respecting these spaces for those who are most vulnerable in our community.
Follow this link to access the Road Safety and Parking Information for families...
Find out more > |
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Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff, Students and Friends,
I hope you had a relaxing and safe term break and that you were able to spend some quality time together with your family.
Firstly, let me wish all mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures a happy day for next Sunday. May those little rays of sunshine – your children – bring you great joy for the day and for every other day of the year too!
Honouring Mothers in the Catholic Tradition
Catholics have been celebrating a sort of mother's day since the first few centuries of the Church. The fourth Sunday of Lent, or Laetare Sunday, traditionally was a time to return to your mother church (home parish) and leave an offering.
Also known as Mothering Sunday, it naturally evolved into honouring your mother as well. And devotion to Mary, the mother of God and our spiritual mother, in the month of May gives this time depth for Catholics that goes far beyond giving flowers or candy on Mother's Day.
Chosen by God above all other women, Mary's faith and obedience paved the way for the Incarnation. Her example teaches us faith, obedience, humility and most of all, how to love. According to St. Thomas of Villanova, "If in this world any creature ever loved God with whole heart, with whole soul, and with whole mind, she was the creature.”
A Mother's Love
There are times when only a mother's love can understand our tears,
Can soothe our disappointments and calm all of our fears.
There are times when only a mother's love can share the joy we feel
When something we've dreamed about quite suddenly is real.
There are times when only a mother's faith can help us on life's way
And inspire in us the confidence we need from day to day.
For a mother's heart and a mother's faith and a mother's steadfast love
Were fashioned by the angels and sent from God above.
- Author Unknown
Sebestyen Maglai R.E.C.
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from Chair of the School Board
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Re: Clarify job description and rules
Hey kiddo,
Thanks for asking for more info on the rules around here and what I do as your parent. I'm happy to clear things up for you.
First off, let me just say that I love you to bits. You're my son/daughter and always will be. However, it's important to remember that I'm not just your best friend or someone you can boss around. My role as your parent is to help you grow into the best version of yourself possible.
I am your parent.
There will be times when you won’t like me. There will be times when I will say No. This is exactly what it sounds like. You probably won’t like me, or that word. You may even think I am the worst person on earth.
My job is to raise you into being the best version of yourself. I love this job - because I want the best for you.
My job is also to prepare you for real life. Whilst I would only want you to have happy moments with sheer enjoyment, this is not real-life. You won’t always get picked in the sports team, you won’t always blitz your maths test and you won’t get an invite to every party.
This is not failing. This is real life.
I won’t like it when this happens either. But these setbacks will make you humble, grateful and strive harder. They will make you stronger.
So I don’t go crazy in raising you, there will be rules in our house too. You will have jobs. You won’t like them – as watching YouTube would be more fun. These jobs will not only help me, but teach you responsibility.
Of course, I'm not expecting you to be a perfect little angel all the time. In our house you have the right to disagree with me, to be upset and to argue. But heads up, words like "Whatever" or "As if" isn't cool, and we're not going to tolerate it.
Remember, I will love you for who you are – even when you make the same mistake over and over. I will love you whether you win, lose, and don’t get picked for the team you want.
My job is the best job. These rules are all in place because I love you. I believe in you. You will have an amazing life.
We will get on just fine,
Your Parent
Trish Jarvis
Chair - School Board
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BUILDING RESILIENCE- DEVELOPING FRIENDSHIP SKILLS IN CHILDREN
Michael Grose, a parenting expert, author and former teacher, says, ‘Resilience is the art of staying steadfast in the face of life’s difficulties. It is the ability to bungy-jump your way through life when you experience loss, disappointment and hardship. We all want our children to be resilient. It will help them deal with some of life’s smaller and bigger hurdles.
In his book “Bringing Out Your Child’s Resilience,” Michael suggests that there are 21 attributes which contribute to the development of resilience.
Follow this link to discover all 21 attributes…
St Thomas Resilience Series by Michael Grose- 00 Attributes of Resilience.pdf
We will aim to provide ongoing information and resources on these 21 attributes to support our St Thomas families in the great work of growing their children!
Follow this link to access the fourth attribute… Making Friends….
St Thomas Resilience Series by Michael Grose- 04 Making Friends.pdf
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The Oliphant Science Awards are a fantastic opportunity for our students (R-6) to develop their interests in science through a competition with a range of categories to suit a wide variety of abilities and interests. The Oliphant Science Awards are open to all South Australian school children.
St Thomas has a proud history of entering the Oliphant Science Awards. Our school would like to provide the opportunity for our students to join the competition in 2023. A decision to register for the competition must be made by 12th May 2023. Other key dates are included below, along with links to Oliphant Science Awards information. Reminders will be issued via the SkoolBag App.
Categories include: Computer Applications, Games, Multimedia, Models and Inventions, Photography, Inquiry, Writing, Computer Programming, Posters and Robotics. Students can enter as many categories as they like.
 Oliphant Science Awards Note 2023.pdf
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Fee Statements will be mailed out this week.
Payment due date for Term 2 fees is Friday 19th May.
If you have any queries with regards to school fees, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Jodi Jansons
Business Manager
accounts@stg.catholic.edu.au
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Resilience Confidence Discipline Fitness
• Children can start at the age of 5
• Self defence and anti bullying program
• Non - Contact Training
• Experienced WWCC Instructors
• Sports Voucher approved provider
• Olympic Sport
BEGINNERS WELCOME ANYTIME
Enquiries: info@worldtaekwondo.com.au
Ph: 0412 909 500
Website: www.worldtaekwondo.com.au Sports Voucher Approved Provider
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May
Please see link below to access the Camp Australia Newsletter.
