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Dear Parents and Caregivers
September is a month in our Church’s calendar rich with meaning and reflection. On 14 September, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This feast reminds us that the cross is not a symbol of defeat, but of hope, love and the promise of new life. The cross stands at the centre of our faith – a sign that God’s love transforms even the greatest suffering into a path to life. In our school community, we are called to carry the cross by showing kindness, compassion and courage each day.
The very next day, on 15 September, we honour Our Lady of Sorrows. Mary’s witness teaches us about the power of love and faithfulness in times of challenge. Her example calls us to walk alongside those who are hurting, offering comfort and strength through our presence and care. It is a reminder to us all – staff, students and families – that our school is a place where no one should feel alone.
As spring unfolds around us, it is also a good opportunity to reflect on the themes of renewal and growth. Just as the season brings colour and life back to the earth, so too are we invited to grow in our faith, our relationships and our learning. Small acts of kindness, moments of forgiveness, and words of encouragement are ways we help one another to flourish.
In the weeks ahead, I encourage our families to take time for prayer together at home. A simple moment at the dinner table or before bedtime can nurture not only faith but also a deep sense of belonging and connection. Prayer grounds us, strengthens us, and reminds us that we are part of God’s family.
Let us continue to walk forward in hope, inspired by the cross and guided by Mary, who always points us to her Son.
Loving God,
May we find strength in the cross of Christ and comfort in the love of Mary, His mother. Bless our families and our school community, so that all we do may reflect your light in the world.
Amen.
Yours in partnership
Acting Principal
Sparking Life
Do you currently donate blood, or maybe it’s something that you are considering doing? Please read on.
Sparking Life is a non-profit organisation that aims to create awareness of the real need many people face daily to maintain their health and the simple way we can respond to help these people. Sparking Life has affiliated with Lifeblood to continue this mission. We would love to encourage and warmly welcome family members of St Thomas Aquinas, Bowral to our team. At present the staff at St Thomas Aquinas are doing a wonderful job in donating blood to save the lives of others. In fact they have made 17 donations already this year.
All you need to do to help out is to register online with Lifeblood, make an appointment to donate blood and then attend your appointment at the mobile van located at the Swimming Centre, 152 Mittagong Road, Bowral. At your appointment, to be absolutely sure you’re in the school team, it is very important to say:
“Could I join the Sparking Life - St Thomas Aquinas, Bowral team please?”
Each blood donation that you make saves the lives of up to 3 people. What an opportunity to make a positive difference in assisting the many people in need of donated blood and blood products every day. Sparking Life would love you to be an important part of your school team.
Child Protection Week - Information Session
Event details - Zoom
- Respectful Relationships: Helping Children Navigate Healthy Friendships
- Thursday 11 September
- via Zoom (link provided on the day)
- 6:00–7:00 pm
- Click here to register or scan the QR code below
Change into Summer Uniform
The students are able to transition to summer uniform after Father’s Day. During the transition period the students can elect to wear either the summer or winter uniform, but not a combination of both. The transitional arrangements apply until the start of Term 4. Please ensure that your child complies with all aspects of our school uniform policy.
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
- Thursday 11th September = Catholic Care Parent Session via zoom @ 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday 11th September = Year 4 Excursion to Mary MacKillop Place
- Friday 12th September = Assembly 2:30 pm
- Monday 15th September = Kindergarten Excursion to Symbio Wildlife Park
- Tuesday 16th September = Year 5 Excursion to Minnamurra Rainforest
- Wednesday 17th September = Year 1 & 2 Excursion to Stanwell Tops
- Wednesday 17th September = Milo’s first working day
- Friday 19th September = Basketball Gala Day
- Friday 26th September = Last day of Term 3
- Friday 26th September = Lunch on the Lawn + whole school assembly @ 2:30 p.m.
- Monday 13th October = First day of Term 4 (staff - pupil free day)
- Tuesday 14th October = First day of Term 4 (students)
Teacher Professional Learning
At St Thomas Aquinas the staff has an ongoing commitment to professional learning. The staff benefits from attending in-services, in curriculum areas, that assist them in providing quality learning opportunities for the students in their class. The following staff have or will attend professional learning:
|
Date |
Staff Members |
Professional Learning |
|
11 September |
Mrs Johnson |
Catholic Mission Launch |
|
15-16 September |
Mrs Robinson |
Principal’s Retreat |
|
17 September |
Mrs Cleary, Mrs McFayden, Mrs Robinson |
Intro to new Science &Technology Syllabus ZOOM 3:00-5:00 p.m. |
Sports News
Celebrating Success!
The CEDoW Basketball Gala Day will be held on Friday 19 September at Moss Vale Basketball Stadium. Further details TBA.
Term 3 Calendar
Liturgical Season
The Sundays of Ordinary Time are interrupted today by the feast marking the Triumph of the Cross. The Cross is more than a well-known symbol, it is a reminder of Jesus' victory over sin and death.
Parents' notes
Sunday's readings will draw our attention to Christ's triumph over death on the cross and his promise of eternal life for all who believe in him. Do your children know how to make the sign of the cross? Now might be a good time to go through its meaning with them. Can you weave its use into your family life?
Faith in Action
- Thank you for the wonderful response to our Father’s Day Liturgy – it was a beautiful celebration of fathers, grandfathers, father figures and carers.
- As part of the Season of Creation, students are encouraged to care for our environment by making small choices that protect God’s creation.
- This Thursday, two leaders from our Mission Team will be proudly representing our school at the official launch of Catholic Mission Month. We thank them for their leadership and commitment to living out our call to serve others.
Saint of the Week – Saint Carlo Acutis
Feast Day: October 12
Who was he?
Carlo Acutis was a teenager from Italy who loved computers, video games, and soccer. He also had a very strong love for Jesus, especially in the Eucharist. Carlo used his computer skills to share stories about Eucharistic miracles online, helping others grow in their faith. He died at only 15 years old in 2006, but he inspired many people with his deep faith.
What can we learn?
- We can use our gifts and talents (such as technology or sports) to serve God.
- You are never too young to live as a friend of Jesus.
- Loving the Eucharist helps us to grow close to God.
Blessed Carlo Acutis, pray for us,
that we may love Jesus in the Eucharist
and use our gifts to share God’s love with others.
Amen.
Looking Ahead
First Holy Communion preparation will begin in October, after the long weekend. We are grateful for the leaders who guide our children through this important sacrament.
Why do we do the things we do?
Why the different colours?
You may notice over the Church year changes in the colours of the vestments of the priest and the altar. This has nothing to do with the whims of fashion!
Different colours are used to symbolise the truths and sentiments expressed by the various liturgical celebrations.
- Purple (symbolising preparation and penance) is used for Advent and Lent;
- Red (warmth and blood) for Pentecost and for feasts commemorating the sufferings of Christ and the martyrs);
- White (joy, purity, innocence, glory) for celebrations such as Christmas and Easter, weddings, baptisms and funerals;
- Green (life) for Sundays in Ordinary Time.
Acting Religious Education Co-ordinator
Just a reminder that a link to our School Calendar can be found on the STA website, when viewing the newsletter, and on your Compass feed. |
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.
Sickbay
Due to the all the current winter ailments, the office staff have had to make a lot of phone calls to advise parents/carers or to request children be picked up. Can we please ask that you do not request we call another parent or emergency contact on your behalf. Thank you for your understanding.
School Fees
If you would like to pay by instalments, please complete and return the form below to the email address on the form.
New uniform supplier - Lowes
Please see the Price List below:
2nd hand Clothing Pool
The 2nd hand clothing pool is located adjacent to the school office and is managed by the P & F Association. It is open Friday mornings 8.30-9.30 am.
- 2nd hand items = $4 (note price rise)
- New hats, bags, gloves, scarves
Cash or card is accepted.
Medication
Please note that the only medication students are to carry on them at school is an asthma puffer (if required) for students in Years 3 - 6. All other medication is to be brought into the office. However the form below needs to be completed for all medication brought to school:
- Medication prescribed by a medical practitioner (the form needs to be completed by a parent/carer and medication needs to be sent in original packaging)
- Over the Counter medication (the form needs to be completed by a parent/carer and stamped and signed by a Medical Practitioner)
The form can be downloaded here:
Our Stage 3 students were invited to take part in the 20th annual Year 5 and Year 6 Christmas Story Art Competition and Exhibition. This competition encourages students to explore the true meaning of the Christmas story through scripture and to reflect on that message in the context of their own lives.
At school level, twenty-three of our Stage 3 students created unique and high-quality artworks inspired by the Christmas story. Their pieces were judged against the following criteria:
- Originality of the artwork
- Depth of personal reflection
- Connection to the scriptures
- Consistency of style
- Standard of visual arts skills and techniques
- Appropriate use of surface, media, and application
- Quality of presentation
On Tuesday, all students in Years 3-6, along with staff, voted for their favourite artworks. From this process, six students have been selected to move forward to the Wollongong shortlisting stage. If successful, their artworks will be displayed as part of the Christmas Story Art Exhibition at the Wollongong City Gallery.
Congratulations to the following students whose creative talents and thoughtful reflections have taken them to the next stage of this wonderful celebration of faith and art:
Year 5
Isla Z, Ava M, Lucas H
Grace Y, Henry W, Bailey M
Our other amazing artworks
P & F Committee 2025
| President | Erin Adams |
| Vice President | Carl Davey |
| Secretary | Polly Colgan |
| Treasurer | Justin Mulcahy |
Uniform Shop
Donations readily accepted. If you would like to be on the roster, could you please contact Polly Colgan at stapandfsecretary@gmail.com
Mittagong Junior Disco
- Date : Saturday 27 September
- Times : 4pm to 6pm
- Venue: Mittagong RSL – Bessemer Street, Mittagong
- Cost : $5
- Ages : 0-14
- Please note: This is a CASH ONLY event.
- Alcohol free event.
All money raised goes back to the children in the Southern Highlands community. We hope to see you there .
