Dear Parents and Caregivers

Learning Update - Focus on Writing

This year our learning goal is Students will demonstrate growth in writing through the improved use of grammar and punctuation. This goal was informed by a range of learning data, teacher judgement and student feedback. 

Throughout Semester 1 and ongoing, our staff have been involved in a book study of The Writing Revolution - a guide to advancing thinking through writing in all subjects and grades. What we are learning is guiding our approach to the way we teach writing consistently across the school.

Sentences, Fragments and Run-ons

Our students have been learning about sentences, fragments and run-ons, but do you know what they are exactly?

Stay tuned for more information in the next newsletter…..

Yours in partnership

Mr Anthony McElhone

Principal

Save the Date - Parent Workshop with Justin Coulson on 12 October

We are co-hosting a Parent Workshop with Justin Coulson on Thursday 12 October at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School in Moss Vale. Justin is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel 9's Parental Guidance, the founder of happyfamilies.com.au, and one of Australia’s most trusted parenting experts. He holds a PhD in Positive Psychology.

Over the past decade he has helped innumerable families with his 9 books about raising children, his hundreds of media appearances (including all of Australia’s major news outlets, and even the Washington Post and the New York Times), and two viral videos that have been viewed a combined 80 million times!

Save the Date!  P & F Meeting

The first meeting of the re-established P&F Association will be held on Wednesday, 18 October at 6:30pm. All are warmly invited! It will be held in the FGC and entry to the school will be via the back gate (Victoria Street).

Australia's Biggest Child Safety Lesson

Today students took part in Australia's Biggest Child Safety Lesson, which is an annual event created by the Daniel Morcombe Foundation to teach children about protective behaviours and staying safe.

Further information was provided via Compass today:

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.

2023 School Calendar

The key date of events and celebrations for 2023 can be viewed in our online school calendar. The calendar can be viewed on our school website and via the newsletter.

Staff Development Days

Following are the dates for the remaining staff development days this year. A reminder that children do not attend school on these days.

• Term 4 - Monday & Tuesday 18 & 19 December

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:

Sporting News

Upcoming Events

7 September          Chris Lawrence 7-a-side Rugby League Gala Day

Postponed              CEDoW Basketball Gala Day (Term 4 date TBA)

18 September        MacKillop Athletics

Diocese of Wollongong Pathway Sport Trials

Opportunities exist within our school for students in Yr 5 and Yr 6 to access the representative sporting pathways. Students are invited to attend trials for positions in Wollongong diocese representative teams for the following summer and winter sports: AFL, Basketball, Tennis, Cricket, Touch, Softball, Football (soccer) Rugby League, Rugby Union, Hockey and Netball.  These trials are held annually and link to the MacKillop selection trials.

Any student wishing to trial for a pathway sport needs to nominate and register for these events through the school Sport Coordinator at the start of Term 4 (October) for trials in the preceding year. These nominations will be advertised to the students of Yr 4 and Yr 5 through the Sport Coordinator and via the school newsletter. Nominations after the due date unfortunately can not be accepted.

The Diocese of Wollongong Pathway Sport trials are aimed at students that have adequate experience and training in the given sport. Representative experience is preferential. These trials are not for students wishing to give a new sport a go. There are many other sporting opportunities available for students to participate in new sports such as the Gala Days.

Each sport available has a set criteria for the nominees. Some sports such as netball and soccer are extremely popular, therefore representative experience may be needed to nominate for these trials. All nominations need to be approved by the Sport Coordinator and the School Principal before being sent to the event convenors. Nominations are then reviewed and finalised by the event convenors, who will inform the school Sport Coordinator of the successful and unsuccessful nominations. Successful nominees will be provided with the details of the Wollongong team trials.

Please refer to the flowchart below for further details on the nomination and trial process.