Filter Content
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Last weekend, we entered the Season of Advent, a time rich with spiritual significance. The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming,” “approach,” or “arrival.” In the Church, it marks the four Sundays leading up to Christmas—a sacred period of penance, reflection, and joyful anticipation as we prepare for the coming of our Saviour.
What makes Advent truly special for Christians is the deeper understanding that Christmas is not merely a commemoration of Jesus’ birth over 2,000 years ago. It is also a celebration of his continual coming into our lives and the world today. Jesus becomes present through the celebration of the sacraments—the Eucharist, Baptism, Confirmation, and more—where we, as his followers, become part of the living Body of Christ, active and present in the world. For Catholics, each celebration of the Eucharist and other sacraments can be seen as a "little Christmas," a moment of encountering Jesus in the here and now.
Advent is also a time of looking back and looking forward. It invites us to reflect on the long journey of Israel as they awaited the promised Messiah, and it encourages us to anticipate Christ’s final coming at the end of time. These dual themes—remembrance and hope—are woven throughout the Church’s readings during Advent, reminding us of God’s faithfulness and the promise of salvation.
To embrace the spirit of Advent as a family, consider incorporating a few meaningful practices into your daily routine. You could:
- Get or make an Advent wreath and light the candles each week.
- Set up a nativity scene and save placing the baby Jesus until Christmas Eve to mark his arrival.
- Use an Advent calendar to count down the days with prayers or small acts of kindness.
These practices help us stay grounded in the true meaning of the season and create a sense of anticipation and joy for the birth of Christ.
As we journey through Advent, let us remember its profound purpose: a time to prepare our hearts and minds for the arrival of Jesus, both at Christmas and in our daily lives. By reflecting on God’s presence in our world and embracing the hope and joy that Christ brings, we deepen our faith and draw closer to the love that transforms us and the world around us. May this Advent season be a time of renewal, connection, and joyful expectation for all.
Yours in partnership
Principal
Staffing Update
We are delighted to announce the appointment of a new staff member to our school community for 2025. Matthew Messina will be joining us as a class teacher.
Mr Messina has been teaching for the past three years at St Paul’s Camden, another Catholic school within our diocese. During this time, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to nurturing students’ academic growth and fostering their faith development.
With a fresh perspective and enthusiasm for Catholic education, Mr Messina is eager to contribute to our school’s mission of creating a positive and inclusive environment where every child feels valued and inspired to reach their full potential.
We are excited to welcome him into our school community.
Beginning of 2025
There will be two staff development days (Friday, 31 January & Monday, 3 February) at the beginning of Term 1 in 2025. Students in Years 1-6 will start on Tuesday, 4 February. Kindergarten will start on Wednesday, 5 February.
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.
Staff Development Days - Term 4
Term 4 - Thursday & Friday Week 10 (19/12 & 20/12)
The final day for students will be Wednesday, 18 December.
Upcoming events
- 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
- Liturgy Group - visit to Annesley
- 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
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 |
|
5 December |
Mr McElhone, Mrs Robinson, Mrs Cleary, Mrs McFayden, Mrs Johnson, Mr Blake, Mrs Hagan |
PB4L Team Planning Day |
Sports News
We are thrilled to share the exciting news that Gabrijela K (Year 4) recently represented our school at the MacKillop Tennis Trials and has been selected for the team as the number 1 seed!
This is an outstanding achievement and a testament to Gabrijela’s hard work, skill, and dedication to her sport. Competing at this level is no small feat, and we are incredibly proud of her efforts and success.
Gabrijela’s selection as the top player highlights her talent and commitment, and we are confident she will represent our school and the wider community with excellence and sportsmanship.
Congratulations, Gabrijela! We wish you every success as you prepare to compete with the MacKillop team.
Community Outreach
Our Year 4 students have had the opportunity to visit the residents from Harbison this year. They have developed some beautiful relationships and performed a mini concert last Thursday to celebrate the end of year. A huge thank you to the parents who so generously drove students to and from Harbison. Without your support, this would not have been possible.
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!
Christmas Mass
Our Parish will have Masses for Christmas at the following times:
Tuesday 24th at 5pm. Children are encouraged to come dressed as shepherds or angels. Liturgy Group will lead the singing.
Tuesday 24th 9pm Christmas vigil
Wednesday 25th at 8am and 9:30am. Note- No evening Mass.
First Reconciliation
If your child is in Year 3 in 2025 or older, they are invited to make their First Reconciliation early next year. Please keep your eye on the Parish Bulletin for information regarding the collection of forms and enrolment.
Renee McFayden
Religious Education 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. |
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
The school fees for 2025 have now been set by the CEO. Please see below school fees 2025 and information relating to the Resource Fee.
The fees are billed at the end of January each year and due 30 days from the date of the invoice. However, if you would like to pay by instalments, please complete and return the form below.
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. It will be open during the holidays:
- Monday 13 January 11 am - 12 pm
- Friday 24 January - 11 am - 12 pm
- 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:
| 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 Everett Robertson who was the winner of the movie tickets at the last assembly. We hope you and your family enjoyed your trip to the cinema.
Thank you to the P & F for the donation of the tickets.
