Dear Parents and Caregivers

As Term 3 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to pause and say thank you. My first term as Acting Principal has been a real privilege, and I feel so grateful to be part of such a supportive and faith-filled community.

This term has been full of wonderful moments, from the excitement of classroom learning and sporting achievements to the joy of watching our students shine in art, music, and liturgies. It’s been inspiring to see the way our young people live out our school values each day with kindness, courage, and faith.

There have been so many highlights to celebrate – an author visit, Book Week fun, Bowral Library visits, excursions to various places, public speaking, gymnastics, soccer, athletics, basketball, Year 5 and Year 6 Leadership Days, Father’s Day Breakfast and, of course, our beautiful Milo started work. Each of these experiences has given our students a chance to grow, to learn, and to share their gifts with others.

I would especially like to acknowledge our amazing staff. Their dedication and commitment to our students is extraordinary, and I see every day how much they give to ensure that each child feels valued and supported.

Thank you also to you, our parents and carers. Your encouragement and partnership mean so much, particularly during the ups and downs of a busy school term. Together, we make St Thomas Aquinas the caring and welcoming place it is.

As we move into the holidays, I hope you and your families enjoy a well-deserved rest and some special time together. I look forward to all that Term 4 will bring as we continue our journey of learning, faith, and community.

God bless,

Mrs Joanne Robinson

Acting Principal

Waste Free Playground

Thank you to all the families who have embraced our goal of becoming a waste-free school. It is wonderful to see so many students bringing lunchboxes with little or no disposable packaging, and equally encouraging to see students responsibly taking any small amounts of waste back home.

On canteen days, we are also working alongside students to identify the best ways to manage and dispose of any unavoidable rubbish. This initiative reflects our commitment to caring for God’s creation, inspired by the principles of Laudato Si’, as we work together to protect and cherish our common home.

Parent Contact Details

At all times, we ask that parents keep your contact details up to date.  Phone numbers and email addresses can be amended, by you, through the Compass portal.  Please advise the office, in writing/email, of any other change in details.

Change of Routine

Please remember to inform the office or your child's class teacher if there is going to be a change in routine. If a parent is running late please contact the school office. If you have organised for someone else to collect your child, please inform the office of this as soon as possible or write a note for your child's class teacher.

2025 School Calendar

The key date of events and celebrations for 2025 can be viewed in our online school calendar. The calendar can be viewed on our school website and via the newsletter.

Upcoming Events

• Friday 26th September = Lunch on the Lawn

• Friday 26th September = Last day of term + whole school assembly @ 2:30 pm

• Monday 13th October = Staff Development Day = no students

• Tuesday 14th October = Day 1 for students

• Wednesday 15th October = Oliver Twist performance Years 3 and 4

• Thursday 16th October = Oliver Twist performance Years 5 and 6

• Friday 17th October = Diocesan Public Speaking Regional Competition

Staff Development Days - Term 4

• Week 1 = Monday 14th October
• Week 10 = Thursday 18th December and Friday 19th December
• The final day for students will be Wednesday 17th December

Term 3 Calendar

REC Term 3 Message

REC Term 3 Message 97.06 KB

Gospel Focus – Luke 16:19–31

This week’s Gospel tells the story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man lived in comfort while Lazarus, a poor man, sat at his gate longing for food. When they both died, Lazarus was welcomed into heaven, while the rich man was left in suffering.

Jesus reminds us that God calls us to notice the needs of others and respond with compassion. True discipleship means using what we have - our time, talents, and treasures - to care for those who are struggling. This will be our focus during the month of October as we raise awareness and funds for Catholic Missions.

Classroom Connections

• Students have been learning about fairness, justice, and kindness in everyday life.
• Classes reflected on the importance of seeing the dignity of every person, especially the poor and those on the margins.
• Activities included storytelling, prayer, and role plays exploring how we can be “good neighbours” in our own school community.
• We also acknowledge that the Season of Creation is drawing to a close. This special time in the Church’s calendar reminds us of our responsibility to care for the earth, our common home. As we finish this season, celebrating the feast of St Francis of Assisi, may we continue to make choices that protect creation and honour God’s gift of life.

 Faith in Action

• Students are encouraged to practice simple acts of service over the break —sharing with others, including someone who feels left out, or donating to those in need.
• As a school, we are reminded to be a community of generosity, living out the Gospel message of love and justice.

Prayer

Loving God,
Open our eyes to see those in need,
Open our ears to hear their cries,
And open our hearts to respond with compassion and love.
Help us to live as true disciples of Jesus.

Amen.

 

Why do we celebrate the Eucharist?

For Catholics, the sacrament of the Eucharist, the sacred meal whereby we break bread and share the one cup, is the paramount sign of our unity with and in Christ. It has been described as the source and summit of the Church’s life. When we receive the Eucharist, we believe that we receive Jesus in an extraordinarily intimate way: we take him into our very beings in the form of food and drink. In doing so, we remember the way he died for us and rose again to lead us into eternal life. The Eucharist not only commemorates past events, it draws us into the mystery of Christ in the here and now and ultimately towards our eternal life with God.

First Holy Communion classes will begin at the start of Term 4.

Vicki Johnson

Acting Religious Education Co-ordinator

Consent and payment for events

If your child is attending an event, we kindly ask that you complete the Consent or Consent & Payment via the Compass app as soon as possible after the event has been published.

This helps our office staff greatly by reducing the need to follow up and ensures your child is included in all activities without delay.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Contacting staff

If you need to email a staff member, could you please use the email address:  info@stabdow.catholic.edu.au and your email will be directed to the relevant staff member for you.

• If you would like to make an appointment with a staff member (including the Principal and Assistant Principal) could you please contact the office to organise a convenient time.
• Please do not contact office staff direct via their mobile phone except in case of emergency. If you need to make contact with the office, please call or email.  

Canteen

If you have any difficulty with orders, etc. could you please direct all enquiries  directly to Jade on 0414 862 409. Thank you.

Policies

Please find below a link to our Policies, Procedures & Forms that can also be found on the website:

https://stabdow.catholic.edu.au/parents/policies-procedures-forms/Attendance

Attendance

If your child is away for any reason, can you please enter the absence in Compass.  Otherwise you will receive an automatic notification at 12 pm that day to justify the absence.  Thank you.