Dear Parents & Carers

It was with great excitement that I welcomed your children back to the new school year! It is hoped that they experienced a restful break from the routines of school and they are  ready to be ‘Crazy about Learning’. I especially welcome the new families to our school community. We know they will find St Thomas Aquinas to be a place of friendship and hospitality. 

New students to our school (Years 1 - 6)

• Year 1 - Xanthe & Bobby
• Year 3 - Conor & Harrison G
• Year 6 - Ayesha & Angus

I came across this prayer for the new year during the holiday break. You may wish to share it with your family during the first weeks of term.

Prayer for the School Year

Lord of all things. We ask your blessings on our children’s school of
St Thomas Aquinas.

Thank You Lord for the staff you have called to work in education.

Bless their hearts and minds with Your love, joy and peace.

May our children experience from them Your patience, kindness and goodness when they teach and respond to their learning needs.

As parents show us how to be cooperative and supportive when our children
reach out to us.

Remind all of us to be patient with these precious gifts you have blessed us
with – our children.

Help us to be examples of Christ’s love at all times, with our teachers, students and school community.

Give us helpful and encouraging words especially when we speak of others.

Grant us the gift of hospitality. Let us be merciful to others in our thoughts, words and actions.

We give thanks for this new school year and ask your blessings for its success
Dear Lord. Amen.

A student prayer:

Open my eyes to the new challenges and exciting opportunities
that this new school year brings.

Open my heart and mind to new friends and new teachers.

Help me to be attentive to my teachers and let me experience Your presence
in my new friends.

Jesus, inspire me to do my best this year!

Yours in partnership

Mr Anthony McElhone
Principal

National Consistent Collection of Data for Students
with Disability (NCCD)

All schools in Australia are required to participate annually in the National Consistent Collection of Data for Students with Disability (NCCD). This allows our Catholic sector to continue to provide and prioritise innovative and high-quality teaching and learning to support all students on their learning journey. Above all though, our Catholic tradition demands that educators see every child as equal, inherently sacred and worthy of dignity and respect. Our Catholic schools support children and young people with disability as an act of love, not merely as a legislative requirement.

What is the National Consistent Collection of Data? The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on Student School Students with Disability (NCCD) is a process that all schools must complete on an annual basis. It is designed to count the number of students who receive additional adjustments or “help” at school because of a disability. This national data collection helps federal and state governments plan for the needs of students with disability. It is also the way that schools seek and receive funding to support the learning needs of their students.

Please see the attached document for further information.