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Dear Parents and Caregivers
Last year we commenced the implementation of the Pivot Wellbeing for Learning ‘check in’ process for students in Years 3-6. The check in is in the form of a brief survey and is designed to help students and teachers monitor and understand wellbeing. The check in takes one minute, once a week to complete and students are asked questions on:
- General wellbeing (this question is all about a student's general emotions and will help to track how they are feeling each week).
- Resilience (questions about perseverance, grit, optimism, growth mindset and self-advocacy)
- Belonging (peer relationships, friendships, trusted adults, engagement, sense of belonging)
- Safety (emotional, physical and online safety)
A pattern we have identified in this data is around sleep. Over one-quarter of our students in Years 3-6 report that they are not getting enough sleep.
A good night’s sleep can have a hugely positive impact on a student’s mood and their learning outcomes. When students sleep well, they are better able to concentrate in their classes and retain new information. When students are tired, they will be less likely to focus and learn new information quickly and efficiently. Equally, when students do not sleep well, they are less likely to be able to consolidate and easily recall new information. The recommended daily amount of sleep for adults is around 8 hours a night, but children and young people may need more. Experts suggest that 9-11 hours of sleep is best for 6-13 year olds, whilst for 14-17 year olds the optimum length of sleep is between 8-10 hours.
Sleep allows our bodies and minds to rest and recharge. When students experience healthy sleeping patterns and good quality sleep, they are more likely to have healthy bodies, experience full cognitive function and have stable moods. Without enough restful sleep, students may struggle to function properly. In these cases, concentration may be impaired, and it may be harder for students to retain memories and have clear thought processes.
Quality is just as important as quantity when it comes to sleep for students. Evidence shows that good sleep routines can help sleep come more easily and can improve how well someone sleeps. Good sleep routines include:
- Keeping bedtime around the same time every night
- Sleeping in quiet, dark, cool room
- Reducing the use of mobile phones and other blue-light emitting devices in the last hour before bedtime
When we experience heightened emotions or high levels of stress during the day, this can have an impact on our ability to fall asleep and can also impact the quality of sleep that we experience. If we don’t sleep well, research shows that we are more likely to experience heightened emotions and become increasingly sensitive to stressful situations.
Sleep can impact our ability to regulate our behaviour. Poor sleep can impact how students perceive and judge the different situations that they find themselves in throughout the school day. If they find themselves in new or challenging situations, students who aren’t sleeping well may be less likely to assess these situations accurately. This can result in students struggling to react with appropriate behaviours. For students, poor quality sleep or reduced sleep can result in a higher risk of anxiety, depression and aggressive behaviour in their learning environments.
Yours in partnership
Principal
Uniform Reminder
As we progress through the year, we would like to take a moment to emphasise the significance of adhering to our school's uniform policy. The uniform policy is an integral part of our school community, contributing to a positive and focused learning environment. We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring that your child follows these guidelines consistently.
The school uniform serves several important purposes:
- Fostering a Sense of Belonging: Uniforms create a sense of unity and equality among students, fostering a positive school culture where everyone feels included and part of a larger community.
- Promoting High Expectations: Wearing a uniform instills a sense of pride and responsibility, preparing students for future academic and professional endeavours. It helps cultivate a mindset of high expectations and respect for oneself and others.
We kindly request your support in ensuring that your child complies with the school's uniform policy. If there are any challenges or concerns regarding the uniform, please feel free to reach out to myself or Mrs Robinson. We are here to work together to find solutions that ensure your child's comfort while maintaining the integrity of our uniform guidelines.
Follow-up measures will be taken in the event of non-compliance with the uniform policy. These measures will include:
- Verbal Reminders: Teachers and staff will provide reminders to students who are not in compliance, encouraging them to adhere to the uniform guidelines.
- Parental Notification: If the issue persists, we will inform parents/carers about the non-compliance and seek your cooperation in rectifying the situation.
- Additional Support: We understand that certain circumstances may arise, and we are here to support families in need. If there are specific challenges preventing adherence to the uniform policy, please communicate with us so that we can explore possible solutions together.
Thank you for your understanding and collaboration in maintaining a positive and conducive learning environment for all students. Your support in this matter is greatly appreciated.
ANZAC Day March
STA will be participating in the Anzac Day service in Bowral on Friday 25 April and all students are invited to attend. Students participating need to meet the school staff at 10am in the Coles car park. The march will commence at approximately 10:30am and they will enter the memorial park via the fountain end of the park.
At the conclusion of the Anzac Day Memorial Service, parents/carers of participating children must notify a staff member they have picked up their child/ren. Students representing St Thomas Aquinas must wear the full winter school uniform and bring a water bottle.
Attendance - New Extended Absence Procedures
For extended absences (of more than 5 school days) due to travel, parents must submit the Notification of Extended Absence form along with relevant travel documentation. This documentation should include: Dates, locations of travel, purpose and reasons for travel outside school holidays.
If you wish to apply for an extended absence, the relevant form is accessible via COMPASS or can be accessed from the school office. All the appropriate documentation must be completed and returned to the school. All applications will be considered by the school principal.
Acknowledgement of Extended Absence
After considering the explanation for the extended absence the school will issue an Acknowledgement of Extended Absence to the parent, regardless of whether the explanation for the absence is accepted or not accepted by the Principal. The acknowledgment may include agreed matters relating to the student’s learning and well-being. Accepted extended absences will be recorded as explained and Unaccepted absences will be recorded as unjustified
Staff Development Days
Following are the dates for the remaining staff development days for this year. Please note the student’s final day for the 2025 academic year is 17 December.
- 28 April (first day of Term 2)
- 29 April (second day of Term 2)
- 21 July (first day of Term 3)
- 13 October (first day of Term 4)
- 18 December
- 19 December
2025 School Calendar
The key date of events and celebrations for 2025 can be viewed in our online school calendar. The calendar can be viewed on our school website.
Upcoming Events
- 27 March Year 5 Leadership Program
- 28 March School Photos: Kinder - Year 4 + sibling photos
- Project Compassion Fundraiser Wear Your Favourite Hat Day
- 2:30pm Whole School Assembly - Prayer led by Year 4
- 4 April School Cross Country Carnival at Chevalier College
- Cake stall - donations required
- 10 April School Photos: Year 5 + 6, sibling photos & Year 6 group photos
- 11 April 9:00-10:00 Holy Week Liturgy in FGC (tbc)
- 1:30pm Lunch on the Lawn (weather permitting)
- 2:30pm Whole School Assembly
School Photo Day
Our Annual School Photo Day will be held on Friday, 28 March for students in Kinder - Year 4. Personalised student envelopes have been sent home. Please contact the office if you did not receive one for your child (one each) or if you require a Sibling Photo envelope. Envelopes are to be brought back on the day (not before).
Notifying Parents/Carers in Emergencies
In the case of an emergency and/or critical incident parents/carers will be notified via Compass alert and/or text message. Please ensure your contact details (i.e., mobile number and email address) are up to date. If any details have changed please contact the office at your earliest convenience.
Enrolments for Kindergarten 2026
We are now accepting enrolment applications for Kindergarten 2026. The enrolment form is now available online via our school website Enrolments. Applications should be completed by the end of Term 1.
Sports News
Celebrating Success! CEDoW Representative Sport
Good luck to the following students this Friday as they trial for a place in the MacKillop team:
Hockey: Henry W & Harry D
Football (Soccer): Olivia D, Harrison D, Ashlin H, Isaac H, Lucas H, Grace McD and Harrison McF
Good luck also to the STA representatives in the MacKillop swim team next Wednesday 2 April: Billy H, Autumn H, Tobias H, Thomas L, Erin S & Henry W
Term 1 Calendar
Year of Jubilee 2025
In the 2025 Jubilee Year, the Church celebrates the theme Pilgrims of Hope, encouraging us all to live with hope in God and to share that hope with others.
Pilgrimage is not a new concept nor is the expectation of being pilgrims of hope. As pilgrims of hope our commitment is to look outward and go out into the world to be good news, as people of hope who encourage hope in others. Hope is grounded in love and so we are called to walk through this world with the eyes of love, recognising and appreciating the sacred in all of God’s creation. This is our job as pilgrims of hope.
Jubilee years are like moments of profound grace - calling for growth, reflection and conversion. This process leads us towards making a positive difference as we consider how we can be agents of hope and renewal in the world.
Lent
Our next Project Compassion fundraiser will be a Wear your Favourite Hat Day on this Friday 28 March. We are encouraging the students to bring a gold coin or paper note to donate to Caritas.
Holy Week Liturgy
Your children are very busy preparing for our Holy Week Liturgy. You are invited to join us on Friday 11th April at 9:30am in the Church.
First Reconciliation
We have students busily preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please keep them in your prayers.
Confirmation
Save the Date: 24 May
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be held on Saturday 24th May at 11am. Please keep these children in yor prayers as they begin the Sacramental program.
Renee McFayden
Religious Education Co-ordinator
Parish News
This week our rule reminder focuses on games we can play in Area 3 & 4:
- In Area 3 and 4 there are some out of bounds areas.
- Behind the sport shed
- Behind the Stage 3 block
- Behind the FGC
- Large Skip bins
- Around the vegie gardens and behind the water tanks
- When in Area 3:
- We shouldn’t stand and watch/chat with friends on the field when games are in play.
- We shouldn’t interfere with games we are not involved in.
- All soccer and football games are non contact - so no tackling.
- Please remember to be kind and be good sports whilst playing.
Delilah P (Year 2) was our lucky winner of the movie tickets
at the last assembly.
Well done Delilah and enjoy your trip to the cinema with the family!
Thank you to the P & F who supply the tickets to our students.
Year 1
Year 1 have been learning the Parable of the Mustard Seed. They have been writing and drawing their version of the Parable.
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. |
Attendance
If your child is away for any reason, can you please enter the absence in Compass. Otherwise you will receive an automatic notification at 12 pm that day to justify the absence. Thank you.
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
If you would like to pay by instalments, please complete and return the form below to the email address on the form.
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 and will be open each Monday morning 9 - 10 am and several times each holiday period.
- 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:
P & F Committee 2025
| President | Erin Adams |
| Vice President | Carl Davey |
| Secretary | Polly Colgan |
| Treasurer | Justin Mulcahy |
Cakestall
Student Disco
- Dinner 5.30pm Pizza Outside Served
- Disco Doors Open 6pm (all ages)
- 8pm Close
Uniform Shop
Cookbook
Chevalier College Open Day
We warmly invite families to attend our upcoming Open Day on Saturday 29th March. Open Day is a wonderful opportunity to explore our 100-acre campus and discover everything Chevalier College has to offer, including the key learning areas, extracurricular sports and activities, the working farm, visual and performing arts, and visitors will get the opportunity to enjoy some great hospitality from our student-run Jules café. Tours are led by the students so you and your family can ask any questions and get a feel for day to day life at Chev.
- Principal Talk from Greg Miller will take place at 11.00am in the John Fahey Centre.
To register for Open Day, please click here
Applications for 2027
For families with students currently in Year 5, now is the time to apply for enrolment at Chevalier for Year 7 2027.
Applications are due by 1 June 2025. With a healthy level of interest in this year group, we want to ensure our Catholic families are not missing out.
Basketball
Mittagong Junior Disco
- Date : Saturday 29th March
- 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 .
Rugby League
