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Dear Parents and Caregivers
As we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King this weekend, we are reminded of the profound connection between Jesus’ kingship and the sacrament of First Holy Communion. The Gospel reading from John presents us with a striking image of Jesus before Pilate, declaring a kingdom "not of this world." This kingdom is one of truth, love, and self-giving—values that come to life every time we gather at the table of the Eucharist.
For our students who will celebrate their First Holy Communion, this connection is especially meaningful. In receiving the Body of Christ, they are not only participating in the great gift of the Eucharist but also stepping into the heart of Jesus’ mission as King. His kingship is not about power or control but about serving others and bearing witness to God’s truth and love.
As a school community, we are privileged to journey alongside these young people as they grow in faith. We encourage them to see the Eucharist as a source of strength to live out Christ’s call to love and serve. Just as Jesus declares that His kingdom is "not of this world," we are reminded that the Eucharist equips us to live as citizens of this heavenly kingdom, bringing kindness, justice, and peace to our world.
Let us pray for all our children and families, especially those who are preparing for the sacraments, that they may always listen to the voice of Jesus, our King, and bear witness to His truth in their lives.
Yours in partnership
Principal
We have received the following information from the Catholic Education Office, Wollongong advising the amounts for 2025 tuition fees:
|
Parish Primary Schools |
2024 |
2025 |
|
|
Tuition Fees |
$1843 |
$1898 |
3% increase |
|
Primary Building Levy |
$1245 |
$1320 |
6% increase |
Resource/excursion/sport fees are also part of the Primary School fee structures and are set at school level. Please see below the full fees for 2025.
NEW FAMILIES TO OUR SCHOOL
School Fees are invoiced as an annual account, due for payment in full 30 days after invoicing. However, many families elect to pay their school fees by regular instalments and as a new family to our school, we would like to offer you this option. If wish to take up this offer, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form (see below).
This is also available on the school’s website or from the school administration office. On completion of the request, either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the school office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2025 school fees. Your school fee statements are emailed to you and they will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date.
IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalments. The instalment request carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment e.g. weekly, fortnightly, etc.
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITH INSTALMENTS
If you are currently paying by instalments there is no need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment as your request carries over from year to year unless you wish to amend the frequency of your payments e.g. weekly to fortnightly
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITHOUT INSTALMENTS
If you would like to pay school fees by instalments in 2025 and have previously not taken up this option for payment, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form. On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the school office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2025 school fees. Your school fee statement will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date depending on the frequency you have chosen e.g. Fortnightly, Monthly, etc.
eSafety Commission: Free Webinars for Parents and Carers
Supporting healthy technology use as your child transitions into high school.
This webinar explores the social pressures, peer influences, and technological challenges young people face as they transition into high school. It also offers practical strategies for navigating online friendships and connections to help minimise negative experiences.
It's suitable for parents and carers of children in upper primary school (ages 11 to 12) and Year 7.
eSafety 101: How eSafety can help
- Wednesday 4 December, 12.30 pm AEDT
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 |
|
29 November |
Mrs Robinson |
Curriculum Implementation Meeting |
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.
2024 School Calendar
The key date of events and celebrations for 2024 can be viewed in our online school calendar. The calendar can be viewed on our school website and via the newsletter.
Upcoming events
- 22 November Dance Program commences
- 2:30pm Whole School Assembly (Year 4 Prayer)
- 24 November 11:00am First Holy Communion
- 27 November 5:30-7:00pm Christmas Concert & BBQ
- 29 November 9:30-11:00am 2025 Kindergarten Orientation
- Year 4 Excursion
- 9-11 December Year 6 Camp (Fitzroy Falls)
- 12 December 6:00pm P&F Christmas Drinks (date & time TBC)
- 16 December K-2 Movie Day @ Empire Cinema
- 2:00pm Move Up Monday (students move to 2025 classes)
- 6:00pm Year 6 Farewell Dinner
- 18 December - Last day for students
- 9:30-10:30am End of Year Thanksgiving Mass
- 11:45-1:00pm End of Year Assembly (FGC)
- 2:30pm Year 6 Guard of Honour
Staff Development Days - Terms 4
Term 4 - Thursday & Friday Week 10 (19/12 & 20/12)
The final day for students will be Wednesday, 18 December.
Sports News
CDF Sports Awards
Mr McElhone had the pleasure of attending the Wollongong Diocesan CDF Sports awards at St Mary Star of the Sea College to support Tommy C and Mihaan P who both received the Wollongong Diocese Sports Council Medallion. Congratulations and well done boys.
G-Day was a beautiful day with a lot to celebrate! Our students were very excited to share Mass, morning tea and open classrooms with their “GREAT” people.
See more photos on the Facebook page.
First Holy Communion
First Holy Communion is on this Sunday 24th November at 11am. Please keep these students in your prayers. All Welcome!
Christmas Concert and BBQ
This event will take place on Wednesday 27th November in the FGC. A BBQ will commence at 5pm, followed by the concert in the FGC. Students are very busy planning their item. The list below is what they are required to wear. Very simple and should be what they have at home already!
- Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2 & Year 4
- Dressed as shepherds or angels
- Year 3
- Black pants and white T-shirt
- Jeans and black T-Shirt
- Year 5
- Tea Towel, Earthy coloured clothes (cream, brown, fawn, gold), sport shoes, sunglasses
- Year 6
- Black, white, red or green with a touch of gold - any combination
Vinnies Christmas Appeal
On Friday 13th December, the students are invited to wear Christmas mufti (closed in shoes and a hat to be worn) and bring a paper $ note to donate to our local Vinnies Conference. The students will be making Christmas cards in class, to accompany our monetary donation and a representative from Vinnies has been invited to accept our donation and speak with the students at our final school assembly.
End of Year Thanksgiving Mass and Assembly
This event will take place on Wednesday 18th December at 9:30am-12 noon.We will begin with Mass at 9:30 in the Church, followed by our final assembly in the FGC. This will be an opportunity to give thanks for all the blessings and success that 2024 has brought. All welcome!
Children’s Liturgy
A reminder that Children’s Liturgy is on Saturdays at 5pm. All Welcome!
Reminder:
Please note down the following dates in your diary. We would love to celebrate these important events with you.
- First Holy Communion - Sunday 24th November at 11am. For all students who have made their First Reconciliation.
- Christmas Concert and BBQ- Wednesday 27th November 5-7pm- All Welcome!
- End of Year Thanksgiving Mass - Wednesday 18th December at 9:30am
Renee McFayden
Religious Education Co-ordinator
Mark Taylor Shield Cricket Competition - Round 3
Our cricket team played against St Clare’s, Narellan Vale in the Mark Taylor Shield on 8 November at Stephens Park! They batted first and achieved a score of 133 runs. However, it was not enough to win. All players showed great sportsmansip and enjoyed the day. Thank you to Mr Houlihan & Mr Schmidt who coached the team.
See photos posted on our Facebook page.
Jenn Worner
Sport 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. |
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.
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:
| November | ||
|
Friday |
22 November |
|
| Sunday | 24 November | First Holy Communion - 11 am |
| Wednesday | 27 November | Christmas Concert & BBQ 5-7 pm |
| Friday | 29 November |
|
| December | ||
| Friday |
6 December |
Assembly 2:30 pm FGC |
| Mon - Wed |
9-11 December |
Year 6 Camp - Fitzroy Falls |
| Friday | 13 December | Semester 2 Reports distributed via Compass |
| Monday | 16 December |
|
| Wednesday | 18 December |
|
|
2025 |
||
|
January |
31 January | Staff Development Day |
|
February |
||
|
Monday |
3 February | Staff Development Day |
|
Tuesday |
4 February | Students return - Term 1 |
|
Wednesday |
5 February | Kindergarten commence Term 1 |
Well done to the winner of the movie tickets at the last assembly. We hope you enjoyed your trip to the cinema.
Thank you to the P & F for the donation of the tickets.
