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Dear Parents and Caregivers
On Monday 26 May, we acknowledge the significance of National Sorry Day. This is a deeply important day in our nation's history, a time for us to remember and acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were forcibly removed from their
For us, as a Catholic community at St Thomas Aquinas, reflecting on National Sorry Day is intrinsically linked to our faith. Our Catholic teachings call us to recognise the inherent dignity of every person, to act with justice and compassion, and to acknowledge and learn from the wrongs of the past. We are reminded of Jesus' teachings of love, reconciliation, and healing, which guide us in our journey towards a more just and equitable society.
Pope Francis consistently emphasised the importance of acknowledging the suffering of Indigenous peoples and walking together on a path of reconciliation. His words resonate deeply with the spirit of National Sorry Day.
On this day, we encourage our students and families to take time to learn more about the history of the Stolen Generations and its ongoing impact. It is an opportunity to listen to the stories of survivors, to offer our sorrow for the pain caused, and to commit ourselves to building a future where such injustices are never repeated.
At the Whole School Assembly this Friday our students from Year 3 will lead us in prayer to acknowledge the importance of National Sorry Day.
Let us, as a community of faith, stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, acknowledging the past, working towards healing, and embracing a future built on mutual respect and understanding.
Yours in partnership
Principal
Tell Them From Me Survey
From the beginning of this week we have been inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.
We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at St Thomas Aquinas.
The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below:
http://tellthemfromme.com/stabdow
Notifying Parents/Carers in Emergencies
In the case of an emergency and/or critical incident parents/carers will be notified via Compass alert and/or text message. Please ensure your contact details (i.e., mobile number and email address) are up to date. If any details have changed please contact the office at your earliest convenience.
Staff Development Days
Following are the dates for the remaining staff development days for this year. Please note the student’s final day for the 2025 academic year is 17 December.
21 July (first day of Term 3)
13 October (first day of Term 4)
18 December
19 December
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.
Upcoming Events
- 23 May 2:30pm Whole School Assembly (Prayer led by Year 3)
- 27 May Rotary Science & Engineering Day
- 27 May Diocesan Cross Country
- 29 May Year 5 Leadership Day
- 30 May Year 6 Canberra Excursion
- 5 June Four week Basketball Program commences
- 6 June Bully Bull Ring Incursion (K-6)
- 6 June 2:30pm Whole School Assembly (Prayer led by Confirmation students)
- 9 June King’s Birthday Public Holiday
- 20 June 10:00am Corpus Christi Feast Day Mass
- 20 June 2:30pm Whole School Assembly (Prayer led by Year 5)
- 26 June Primary West Region Netball Gala Day at Minto
- 27 June Jollybops Science Show (K-6)
- 27 June Semester 1 Reports sent home
- 30 June - 3 July Parent/Teacher Interviews
- 4 July Whole School Assembly (Prayer led by Year 6)
- 4 July Final day of Term 2
Sports News
Celebrating Success!
CEDoW Representative Sport
This week Henry W has been taking part in the NSWPSSA Hockey Tournament in Newcastle. His team has done very well so far and will be playing the finals tomorrow. Good luck Henry!
Unfortunately the Western Region Cross-Country Carnival which was to be held next Tuesday has been cancelled and replaced with a Selection Criteria event.
The STA Athletics Carnival is being held at Tudor House on Thursday 24 July 2025. Further details TBA.
The CEDoW Soccer Gala Day will be held on Friday 26 August at Picton Sports Ground. Further details TBA.
Term 2 Calendar
Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be held on Saturday 24th May at 11am. Please keep these children in your prayers. Our choir will lead the singing during the celebration.
National Sorry Day
National Sorry Day is on Monday 26th May. Our Year 3 students will lead us in prayer on Friday 23rd May at assembly at 2:30pm. Members of our Social Justice Committee will then remind us of this significant day, through prayer at our morning assembly on Monday 26th. All welcome!
Save the Date:
Stage 2 and 3 Mass will be held on Sunday 15th June at 5pm in our church. Our choir will lead us in prayer and our Stage 2 and 3 students will assist throughout the Mass.
Renee McFayden
Religious Education Co-ordinator
Parish News
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. |
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.
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.
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.
2nd hand Clothing Pool
The 2nd hand clothing pool is located adjacent to the school office. This year it is managed by the P & F Association and will be open each Friday morning 8:45-10 am and each holiday period.
- 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:
P & F Committee 2025
| President | Erin Adams |
| Vice President | Carl Davey |
| Secretary | Polly Colgan |
| Treasurer | Justin Mulcahy |
Please see attached relevant reports from the meeting held on 7 May:
Mr McElhone and the P&F Executive extend a warm invitation to all parents and carers to be part of the Parent & Friends Association. Your active involvement in the association plays a crucial role in shaping the positive and nurturing environment that defines our St Thomas Aquinas community.
The next meeting will be Wednesday 30 July. If you have any agenda items, could you please send them to stapandfsecretary@gmail.com
Uniform Shop
Cookbook
Congratulations to our lucky winner of the movie tickets
at the last assembly.
We hope you enjoy your trip to the cinema with the family!
Thank you to the P & F who supply the tickets to our students.
Chevalier College
For families with students currently in Year 5, now is the time to apply for enrolment at Chevalier for Year 7 2027.
Applications are due by 1 June 2025. With a healthy level of interest in this year group, we want to ensure our Catholic families are not missing out.
Mittagong Junior Disco
- Date : Saturday 31 May
- 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 .