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Dear Parents and Caregivers
As we move towards the liturgical season of Easter, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude for the blessings that this sacred season brings into our lives. Easter is not merely a day on the calendar; it is a season—a time of profound significance in the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church. It is a season of renewal, rebirth, and most importantly, hope.
During Lent, we have embarked on a journey of self-reflection, fasting, and prayer, preparing our hearts to receive the joyous message of Easter. Now, as we approach the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are reminded of the triumph of life over death, light over darkness, and hope over despair.
In our Catholic primary school community, the significance of Easter extends beyond the walls of our classrooms. It permeates our daily activities, infusing them with the spirit of joy, compassion, and love. We are reminded of the new life that Easter brings in our hearts and souls.
Through the liturgical season of Easter, we are invited to deepen our faith and embrace the transformative power of Christ's resurrection. It is a time for us to renew our commitment to living as disciples of Christ, embodying His teachings of love, forgiveness, and compassion in all that we do.
As parents and educators, let us seize this opportunity to instill in our children the profound meaning of Easter. Let us teach them to cherish the gift of faith, to embrace the hope that springs eternal from the empty tomb, and to live their lives as beacons of Christ's light in a world often shrouded in darkness.
These holidays may the joy of Easter fill your hearts with renewed faith, hope, and love. Let us continue to journey together as a community, guided by the light of Christ's resurrection, and may His blessings be upon us all.
Yours in partnership
Principal
Uniform - Transition to Winter Uniform
As we transition into the colder months, it is time for us to prepare for the shift from summer to winter uniform.
Beginning from the first Monday after Mother's Day (12 May), we will officially transition into our winter uniform.
With the fluctuating weather at this time of year we will implement a transition period from the start of Term 2 to allow students ample time to adjust to the change. During this period, students will have the flexibility to wear either their summer or winter uniform, depending on weather conditions and personal comfort.
We encourage parents and carers to support their children during this transition by ensuring they have the appropriate winter uniform items ready. Additionally, please take this opportunity to review the uniform guidelines outlined on our school website to ensure compliance with our uniform policy.
Exciting Update to the Parent Experience: Streamlined Notification of Extended Absence form
What's New?
We're thrilled to announce the launch of our new online Notification of Extended Absence form. This user-friendly form simplifies the process for parents, eliminating the need for printing or downloading documents. Now, parents can conveniently complete the application entirely online.
How This Benefits Parents
Accessing the application form is now easier than ever with the form working on both mobile and desktop platforms. Parents can complete the application electronically and can also send the application for multiple students across CEDoW schools.
How This Benefits Schools
Our school's information email (info@) from student.attendance@dow.catholic.edu.au will now receive the completed extended absence application, along with all supporting documentation, as a PDF attachment.
Access to the New Form
If parents attempt to enter an absence note exceeding five days in your school's Compass portal, they will be directed to the parent attendance information document that has a link to the online form.
The URL for the new online form is https://forms.dow.catholic.edu.au/to/yVv9DA
ANZAC Day March
St Thomas Aquinas 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 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.
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
- 10 April School Photos (Years 5-6)
- 11 April 9:30-10:30am Holy Week Liturgy in the church
- 11 April 1:30pm Lunch on the Lawn (weather permitting)
- 11 April 2:15pm Whole School Assembly
- 30 April Students return to school for Term 2
- 30 April 9:15am Easter Hat Parade in FGC
- 2 May 9:30am Easter Mass
- 9 May 7:45am Mother’s Day Prayer & Breakfast
- 9 May 2:30pm Whole School Assembly
- 9 May 5:30-8:00pm P&F Disco in FGC
- 12 May Formal change to Winter Uniform
- 23 May Whole School Assembly
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 https://www.stabdow.catholic.edu.au/enrol/
Applications should be completed by the end of Term 1.
Sports News
Celebrating Success! CEDoW Representative Sport
Following the MacKillop Swimming Trials last week we have had two students, Billy H & Autumn H qualify for the NSWCPS Swimming Trials this Thursday & Friday at Homebush. This is a significant achievement for these students and we wish them all the best.
Congratulations also to Henry W who has qualified for the NSWPSSA Hockey Championships in May. Great job Henry!
Term 1 Calendar
Year of Jubilee 2025
In this year of Jubilee, may we pray this prayer, as pilgrims of HOPE!
Jubilee Prayer
God in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ,
our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when,
with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever.
Amen.
Lent
Thank you for your support towards our Project Compassion fundraisers during this Lent. The children have participated with enthusiasm and donated generously. We will pass on all money to Caritas at the end of term.
Holy Week Liturgy
Our Holy Week Liturgy will take place in church this Friday 11 April at 9:30am. All Welcome!
Easter Mass
We will celebrate a whole school Mass for Easter on Friday 2 May at 9:30am in the church. Our choir will lead us in song. All welcome!
ANZAC Day Liturgy
There will be an Anzac Day Liturgy in the FGC at 2:30pm on Wednesday 30th April (our first day back after the holidays.) All Welcome
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
Congratulations to our lucky winner of the movie tickets
at the last assembly.
We hope you enjoy your trip to the cinema with the family!
Thank you to the P & F who supply the tickets to our 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. |
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 Friay morning 8:45 - 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 |
Easter Raffle
-
- Drawn this Friday 11 April at the Assembly
- 1st, 2nd & 3rd prizes for each class
- Tickets:
- 1 = $2
- 3 = $5
- 7 = $10
- 20 = $20
Tickets available via the QR code on the attached flyer or by visiting rafflelink.com.au/staeaster2025
Student Disco
- Dinner 5.30pm Pizza Outside Served
- Disco Doors Open 6pm (all ages)
- 8pm Close
Uniform Shop
Cookbook
Holiday Fun
Chevalier College
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 26 April
- 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
