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In last Sunday’s Gospel we heard of three parables, all stressing the dynamic of lost and found. The point being made in each case is the generous willingness God demonstrates in accepting back the repentant sinner. In the first parable the repentant sinner was symbolised in the lost sheep. The second parable focused on the lost coin. The third parable presented a younger son and an elder son both of whom were lost. In each case, someone assertively went after what was lost until found.

Looking at the parables from a different angle could see the emphasis shift a bit. Jesus himself does not focus on what is lost so much as the extravagant behaviour of the one doing the finding. From the perspective of Jesus the finder does not require repentance for full and exuberant acceptance. He seems to prefer stressing a radical desire and openness on the part of God to joyfully accept the sinner, no matter what the sin has been. In these parables Jesus presented us with a picture of God whose generosity extends beyond any human generosity we imagine. The word “angels” here refers not only to the spiritual angels, but also, in a certain way, to all those around us who seek to facilitate our conversion: these angels are our parents, our brothers and sisters, our friends, our close relatives, everyone we meet, here and there, throughout our life… All of them rejoice in seeing us turn ourselves around when we go astray.
Uniform
The policy with uniform changeover allows for parents to use their discretion with regards to weather the last two and first two weeks of the term. The weather at present is making it easier for students to stay in their winter uniforms without overheating. Regardless of what uniform is worn can you please ensure that it is either full winter or full summer, not a combination of both.
Soccer Gala Day
Congratulations to all those who participated in the Soccer Gala Day last Thursday. Thank you to the many parents and staff involved in the preparation for the day and to the students for their participation and good spirits.











As this is the last newsletter for the term I would like to thank everyone for your warm welcome and support I have received this term, it is truly a pleasure working with the St. Thomas Aquinas community. I wish everyone a very restful break, enjoy the couple of weeks away from routine.
Be Still and Know I am God,
Be still and know that I am,
Be still and know,
Be still,
Be.
Study each line carefully, it is surprising how much meaning each one contains.
ALTAR SERVERS
Sunday 9 am |
Sunday 6 pm | |
22 December |
Amelia C |
Henry McM Hugh W Ella B Melinda W-S |
IMPORTANT DATES
December 20 | Second Rite of Reconciliation |
December 24 |
Christmas Eve Vigil Mass |
December 25 | Christmas Day Mass 7.30 am Mittagong 9 am Bowral |
Christmas Eve Children’s Mass
One of the highlights of the Christmas celebrations will be the
Children’s Mass at St Thomas Aquinas at 6 pm Christmas Eve.
We would love to see as many children dressed as angels and shepherds as possible in attendance.
The STA Liturgy group will be providing the music for the Mass and will need to arrive by 5 pm to see Mrs Johnson.
SPORT NEWS
K - 6 Swimming Carnival

BEACH & WATER SAFETY




September 27 |
Assembly 2.15 pm - Year 5 on prayer |
October 18 19 22 24 25 |
Year 3 Excursion - Sydney P & F Trivia Night WSC Environment Day - Year 5 School Musical (see details below) Asembly 2.15 pm FGC |
November 6 7 8 27 29 |
Musica Viva Year 5 - Chevalier Experience Day Assembly 2.15 pm FGC Beach & water safety presentation - Surf Life Saving Whole school swimming carnival |
If you require further information regarding any of the above,
please contact the school office.

Students presenting at sick bay
We have been advised by the CEDoW that if a student is absent or presents at sick bay with flu-like symptoms (as outlined by NSW Health below), a negative COVID clearance is required before they can return to school:
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Fever
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Coughing
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Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
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Sore throat
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Loss of smell or taste
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Please note: the requirement is for a COVID clearance
If your child has undergone a COVID test, could you please email through a screen shot of the message received from NSW Health.
Thank you for your support of this requirement due to the impact of Coronavirus.
Absent notes in Compass
If you are entering an absence for your child in Compass, can you enter the details only of the absence. If you wish to advise the school of any other information regarding your child, could you please ring or email the school office. Thank you.
Afternoon pick-up reminder
The 2 minute drive-through afternoon pick-up process is only for parents of Kindergarten students or parents who have toddlers in the car. For all other students, the side-gate option at 2.50 pm is available. Thank you for your support.
STA Uniform Shop
This is located adjacent to the school office and we sell hats, bags, beanies, gloves and scarves. At present we are out of stock of beanies but hope to have these shortly. EFTPOS is available for new stock.
The P & F 2nd hand Uniform Shop is open 2.30pm - 3pm each Monday for the sale of items @ $2 per item. The money raised from these sales will be donated to St Vincent de Paul at the end of the year.
for 2nd hand items. Donations gratefully accepted.
Consent for use of your child's work/image
If you have not completed this form, could you please do so and return as soon as possible, thank you.
Canteen
The full menu is now available.
The canteen is open Wednesday, Thursday & Friday (breakfast [8.30 - 9], recess & lunch) and the menu is attached.
Please send in your order in a brown paper bag with money.
If you need to send through an order via email, please email us at mail@stabdow.catholic.edu.au and send the money in with your child.
Just a reminder that we do our best to be a nut-free school and appreciate that you don't send any nut products to school with your child.
Don't forget you can also catch us on our Facebook page.
CALLING ALL HIGHLANDS PRE-SCHOOL AND PRIMARY SCHOOL ART TEACHERS!
SAVE THE DATE 11- 4PM SUNDAY 17 NOVEMBERWe now have 162 metres of gorgeous creativity from highlands children in painting, drawing, stitching and embellishment galore! Eight kind volunteers sewed the bunting together. This will be used to decorate the grounds and new gallery space at Retford Park during the Our Gallery Community Day - Sunday 17th November!
Sunday 17th November we are celebrating our new Southern Highlands Regional Gallery with the Our Gallery Community Day at Retford Park in Bowral and we would love YOU to be part of it.
From 10 - 4pm the Retford Park gardens will be open to explore, Ben Quilty will share architectural plans of the new gallery in the beautiful old diary building; Mahalia Barnes, Trinity, Michelle Cashman, Angus Murray and more will entertain on main stage; and Tertini Wines, Southern Highlands Brewery, Billy Chan's Dumplings, Wandering Pizza Oven, A Van Called Delilah, Kombi Kapers and more will ensure a memorable day out for all the family.
All funds raised will go towards supporting the establishment of the new Southern Highlands Regional Gallery - sound and lighting systems, education programs, office fit out and landscaping.
To celebrate creativity in the Highlands, local artists to be working en plein air; Natalie Miller will be running an interactive public wool weaving; Ink Brush and Willow are doing public workshops in painting, weaving and printmaking and we are looking for more arty teachers to bring the day to life assisting with a variety of children's art making activities.
We will be offering art making activities for youth of all ages - from preschool to primary and high school.
Bookings are essential and tickets limited so ask friends and family to book early. (PS. If you're volunteering on the day your name will be on the guest list, so no ticket necessary. However you will be asked to join the Supporters of the SHRG if you haven't done so already. If supervising children you will need to provide your current Working With Children Check number.)
To find out more visit our website:
https://www.ourgallery.com.au/
Or follow us on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/

Examples of the beautiful bunting made by children from around the Highlands.
We are seeking pre-school and primary school art teachers who would be able to assist in supervising some children's art making activities for a two hour time slot on the day. We will be offering pavement art, a kids creative space, textile printing on bags and a plein air art making experience.
To register your interest to take part please contact Sara Farmer - President of the Supporters of the SHRG: sarafarmer00@gmail.com or 0415 935871.
If you have other ideas of how to be involved please get in touch with us. Looking forward to celebrating with you and being part of it from the start.
UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG
The University of Wollongong would like to invite students to LITTLE and EARLY LEARNING LABS, an academic enrichment holiday program. We are targeting students from Year 1 to 6 during 2019, who are passionate, self-motivated and curious learners.
Dates: Little Learning Labs (Years 1 and 2): 6th – 8th January 2020
Early Learning Labs (Years 3 to 6): 14th – 16th January 2020
Venue: University of Wollongong (Wollongong campus only)
Applications close: 6th November 2019
Mittagong Swimming Club – 2019/2020
Mittagong Swimming Club registrations are now open.
Go to www.masc.acenet.com.au and click on the Registration tab. The swim club meets are held at The Centenary Pool, Frensham. The first meet of the season will be on Friday 18 October commencing at 6.30pm.
The swim club meets are held every Friday night and are designed for all ages and abilities. Children are only competing against themselves and their previous times. It’s a great way to practice for the school swimming carnivals.
Social Level registration for club nights (Fridays) is $40 per swimmer.
For more information:
email: mittaswimclub@gmail.com
Goto: www.masc.acenet.com.au