Filter Content
Dear Parents and Caregivers
On 26 May each year, Sorry Day marks the anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing Them Home report in the Australian Parliament in 1997 and commemorates The Stolen Generations survivors. Last Monday we were blessed to have the Green family (Ava - 4B, Teddy - K) lead our prayer service to acknowledge this important
Sorry Day is an important opportunity to acknowledge the past with sincerity and empathy, paving the path towards healing and reconciliation. This day provides a chance for everyone in our community to come together in the healing process for The Stolen Generations who were forcibly removed from their family and communities.
National Sorry Day is a day to acknowledge the strength of The Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and Nation. While this date carries great significance for The Stolen Generations and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it is also commemorated by Australians right around the country.
We acknowledge that within our Catholic Education community, we have colleagues who are part of The Stolen Generations and that their lives have been impacted on over the generations. We keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
The current Social Justice Statement (2023 - 2024) from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) Listen, Learn, Love: A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples is a call for all the People of God to embrace a new engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, an engagement which involves a commitment to listen to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers and to learn from them. This listening and learning and the actions which flow from them must be grounded in a spirit of love if there is to be a change for the better. We still have work to do.
However, amidst these challenges, the strength, perseverance, and dignity demonstrated by the First Australians offer a glimmer of hope for a future where these injustices are overcome, and their voices are heard and valued, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable society.
“When the Old Testament speaks of justice or righteousness, it means the right relationship – and you can’t have the right relationship with God unless you have the right relationship with other people...and vice versa.”
How do you live in right relationship and work for reconciliation in your life?
How do you listen to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers and make the commitment to learn from them?
How do we ensure our actions towards deep understanding flow from a spirit grounded in love?
Yours in partnership
Mr Anthony McElhone
Principal
2024 School Calendar
Upcoming Events
- 7 June 2:30pm Whole School Assembly
- 10 June King’s Birthday Public Holiday
- 12 June Year 6 Canberra Excursion
- 13 June Hindmarsh Cup Rugby League Gala Day
- 14 June Feast of Corpus Christi Mass (combined with St Michael’s Mittagong)
- 17 June Year 4 attending Chevalier College Musical
Dancesport Confidence Program (Years 5 & 6) commences
- 20 June 2:30pm Whole School Assembly (note changed to Thursday due to Athletics
- 21 June School Athletics Carnival at Eridge Park
- 28 June Western Region Netball Gala Day
Semester 1 Reports Distributed
- 1-5 July Parent/Teacher Interviews
- 5 July Jolly Bops Show (K-6)
2:30pm Whole School Assembly
Final Day of Term 2
- 22 July First Day of Term 3
- 23 July Year 4 Practice Religious Literacy Assessment
- 26 July Year 6 Mass with Bishop Brian Mascord (at St Paul’s Camden)
- 31 July 6:30pm P&F Meeting
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 |
|
7 June |
Mrs Syrros |
New Syllabus Implementation Planning Day (English) |
|
11 June |
Mr McElhone, Mrs Robinson |
System Professional Learning Day |
|
12 June |
Mr McElhone, Mrs McFayden |
New Syllabus Implementation Professional Learning Day (Mathematics) |
|
13 June |
Mrs McFayden, Mrs Menzies |
New Syllabus Implementation Planning Day (English) |
Staff Development Days - Terms 3 & 4
- Term 3 - Friday Week 2 (2/8/24)
- Term 3 - Friday Week 10 (27/9)
- Term 4 - Monday Week 1 (14/10)
- Thursday & Friday Week 10 (19/12 & 20/12)
Sports News
Well done to Mihaan who represented the MacKillop team in hockey and scored 5 goals in 5 games. Congratulations on a great effort Mihaan.
Living the Year of Prayer in Preparation for Jubilee 2025
In this year of Prayer, we are reminded that prayer in our family is an important part of our faith journey and Pope Francis has reminded us of ways we can do this.
At the table before and after meals One of the main places where families gather is definitely sharing at least one meal a day. This time could be a short but meaningful opportunity to pray together as a family, thanking the Lord for what we have received and praying for those most in need. Children can thus learn that the daily bread, which we ask for with the Lord’s Prayer, is not just an abstract concept, but a very concrete request that we make as children to our Heavenly Father.
The meal that we eat together is a providential blessing received from the Lord, which accompanies us throughout our lives. Here are suggestions for prayers that each family can adapt according to their own perspective:
Before Meals “Heavenly Father, we thank you for this food, may we make your will our daily nourishment. We pray to you for the poor who have none: give them what they need to live according to your will. Amen.”
After Meals “We thank you, Lord, for all your blessings: may we always use them for good. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Children’s Liturgy
All children are warmly invited to attend Children’s Liturgy each Sunday at our 9:30am Mass. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to unpack the Scriptures and interact with other children from the parish. All welcome!
Important dates
Please note down the following dates in your diary. We would love to celebrate these important events with you. Our Liturgy Group are looking forward to leading us in song.
-
- Corpus Christi: Combined Mass with SMM Primary School and morning tea - Friday 14th June at 10am. All families welcome!
- Confirmation: Saturday 6th July at 11am for any students who have made their First Holy Communion.
- Stage 2 Mass: Sunday 8th September at 5pm. All families welcome!
- Early and Stage 1 Mass: Sunday 3rd November at 5pm. All families welcome!
- First Holy Communion: Sunday 24th November at 11am. For all students who have made their First Reconciliation.
Renee McFayden
Religious Education Co-ordinator
Eva D from Year 3 was our lucky winner of the movie tickets
at assembly in Week 11 last term.
Well done Eva and we hope you enjoy your trip to the cinema.
Thank you to the P & F for the donation of the tickets.
Netball NSW Schools Cup
The Netball NSW Schools Cup has been postponed to a date in Term 3
Upcoming events
| 13 June | Hindmarsh/Noble Cup NRL Gala Day - Moss Vale |
| 21 June | STA Athletics Carnival - Eridge Park |
| 28 June | |
| 30 June | Rugby MacKillop trials |
| 29 August |
CEDoW Soccer Gala Day - entries still open via the link below |
Jenn Worner
Sport Co-ordinator
Year 6
16 students from Year 6 represented St Thomas Aquinas at the University of Newcastle Science and Engineering Challenge last week. They worked in teams to complete STEM challenges such as building wind turbines, lighting up a circuit board and bridge building. The Catholic Schools Team, which consisted of St Thomas Aquinas, St Michael’s and St Paul’s, came 3rd! Congratulations to all. Thank you Ms Norrie for accompanying the students.
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. |
Providing consent and payment via Compass
There are a lot of sport events and excursion that are happening at this time. If your child is attending an event and it requires payment / consent could you please complete the details via Compass as soon as possible. This assists the staff who have to follow up if the permission has not been completed. Thank you very much.
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
Could you please ensure that your school fee payments are in order and up to date. Thank you.
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 abut open during school hours. Cash or card is accepted.
| June | ||
| Friday | 7 June | Whole School Assembly 2:30 pm |
| Monday | 10 June | King's Birthday - public holiday |
| Wednesday | 12 June | Year 6 Canberra excursion |
| Friday | 14 June | Corpus Christi Mass with St Michael's Mittagong 9 am |
| Monday | 17 June | Year 4 Excursion - Chevalier College musical |
| Friday | 21 June | Athletics Carnival - Eridge Park Burradoo |
| Friday | 28 June |
|
| July | ||
| Friday | 5 July |
|
| Monday | 22 July | First day Term 3 |
P & F Trivia Night - Your help is needed!
- Saturday 17 August 2024
- Parents / carers required for a committee (or sub-committees) to organise and oversee the evening
- Get a group together and form your own sub-committee tailored to you
- Your input is vital for the success of the event
- Don't just sit back and think someone else will put their hand up
- Could you please:
- Complete the form I Can Help
- or contact the school
- or contact Gabbi via the Facebook Parent Hub page if you can help with:
- Preparing questions & answer sheets
- Organising fun activities for the night
- Collecting prizes
- Setting up on the day
- Arranging AV equipment for music, videos etc.
- Evything else that goes into creating a successful fundraiser
AFL
MITTAGONG JUNIOR DISCO
We have several gift vouchers to win on the night.
Date : Saturday 29th June
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 .