In last Sunday’s Gospel reading we heard the story of the Ten Lepers. The story of Jesus healing the ten lepers contains several important insights. For children, one obvious take-away is the value of gratitude and saying thank you — both to people and especially to God. This story also includes a message of the mercy of Christ. He healed the 10 lepers, and even though only one returned to say thank you, He did not punish those who neglected to do so.

We often forget to offer God thanks and praise, but we should remember to always lift our eyes to the Lord and be grateful because everything comes form God. It is also important to say thank you to important people in our lives who help us along the way. Perhaps this week we can be mindful of showing our gratitude towards God and others around us.

Fr Sean will be away for a short time over the next two weeks. He is travelling with some of our parishioners to the Holy Lands on Pilgrimage.

Diocesan Christmas Art Competition

At the end of last term each school was able to submit entries to the Diocesan Christmas Art Competition. These entries were shortlisted to 55 artworks for exhibition in Wollongong Art Gallery. 

We are very proud to announce that Angus A, Eden B, Emma C, Hugh W and Scarlett G from St Thomas Aquinas have been amongst those selected for the annual Diocesan Christmas Story Art Exhibition.

The students’ artwork is now on display at the Wollongong Art Gallery until 23^rd October. Last night the students, their parents and Mrs White attended the Opening of the Exhibition. We are very proud of all of the students for their effort, the results are truly amazing.

Public Speaking Competition

Next Wednesday  Millie De H and Eliza P will be representing our school in the Regional Public Speaking Competition at Eagle Vale. We wish both Millie and Eliza well.

Mission Month

At the end of Term 3, two Year 6 students accompanied me to Nowra for the launch of this year’s Mission Month. Each year, during October, Catholic Mission holds appeals to raise funds and awareness for their work with children, communities and Church leaders. Each year there is a focus country for the appeal.

In 2019, students across Australia, are invited to take part and learn how the Church in Ghana is taking a lead, in providing life-saving care to children with a disability and fostering their personal development for a brighter future. Students are then given a chance to do something extraordinary for mission, learn about Ghana and the work of the Church there, and contribute through their fundraising and prayers. At the assembly on the last Friday of Term 4, Year 5 will lead us through a prayer and provide information about the work of Catholic Mission in Ghana.

Year 5 Leadership Day

Today Year 5 students participated in a Leadership program, ‘Explore, Discover & Act’  in preparation for being a responsible team leader in Year 6.  The focus of the program is to L.E.A.D. with Courage and is designed for Stage 3 leaders.

Throughout the day the students:  

• Explored (the possibilities) – Examined and processed personal and shared leadership by building an individual and shared connection, understanding and vocabulary.
• Discovered (potential) – Engaged in challenges and reflection that build awareness and appreciation of our ability to L.E.A.D. within our daily thoughts, words and actions.
• Acted (authentically) – Connected learning to leadership environments, empowering participants with meaningful action beyond the program and transferable skills, attitudes and behaviours.
• Developed an increased awareness of, and deepening connection to, self, others and the world around us.
• Developed an appreciation for the ability to L.E.A.D. in all daily thoughts, words and actions.
• Valued the role of connection and interdependence while working towards authentic goals.
• Expressed an attitude and sense of empowerment while continuing the learning and leadership journey.

This Saturday night is the trivia night, if you are able to please come and support it would be much appreciated.  I know that there have been many hours of preparation for the event and it is guaranteed to be a great night that will raise money to support the students in our school. Thank you to all of those involved for the time and effort you have put into the night.

Tickets are still available via Trybooking.com and searching STA Spring Fling or https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=557558&

The night of the big musical that the students and Mr Lindsay have been preparing for over the last term is finally upon us. Next Thursday the students will have a dress rehearsal during the day to fine tune pieces, movement and allow the students to see the whole performance. Parents, family and friends are invited to attend the night session which commences at 6 pm, entry is a gold coin donation.

The students need to bring their costumes to school on Thursday.  They will then take them home and come dressed ready for the night session. We ask that parents escort their children to the grass area near the outside stage of the Fr Glynn Centre at least 15 minutes prior to the performance, where they will meet their teacher. Students can be collected from the same place at the end of the concert. (See details below for costumes).

Next Friday morning we have the pleasure of a visit from Sarah Mitchell, the Minister for Education.

Have a lovely week,

Kayleen Petzer
Acting Principal

ALTAR SERVERS

IMPORTANT DATES

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. 

During Term 4 all students will participate in a Digital Citizenship and Cybersafety course during their weekly library lesson. This course will provide them with the  knowledge and skills in the responsible use of technology and behaviour online to ensure safety and appropriate practice. It aims to teach students to be safe and responsible digital citizens. It is now Diocesan policy that all schools deliver such a program and that students learn about appropriate technology use in line with the ‘CEDoW Student Responsible Use of Technology Agreement’. 

This week each family will receive an Online Safety Booklet created by the Australian Government eSafety Commissioner. This booklet is designed as a guide for parents and carers and covers key online safety issues for young people. It includes a range of practical tips and advice on what to do if things go wrong. It also includes a list of important services that can offer extra support.

Please take the time to talk to your children about this topic and ask them about what they have learnt each week in their Digital Citizenship course at school.

CeDOW Social Media Policy

Earlier this year the Catholic Education Office launched a new Social Media Policy. This policy will be useful in assisting us to navigate the complexities of this area of student and school life. The CeDOW Social Media Policy is to be implemented with other key policies and documents including the new CeDOW Student responsible Use of Technology Agreement and can be found the CeDOW Website. This Social Media Policy will become compliant on the 1^st February 2020.

If you require further information regarding any of the above,
please contact the school office.

Students presenting at sick bay

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.

The canteen is open Wednesday, Thursday & Friday (breakfast [8.30 - 9], recess & lunch) and the menu is attached.  

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.