Last Sunday’s Gospel told the story of the Transfiguration. This was a striking intervention by God in the lives of three of the disciples to show them who Jesus really was in order to strengthen them in their faith before he entered into his Passion and death on the cross.

Jesus took with him his three closest disciples Peter, James and John to a high Mountain and in their presence he was transfigured. When he was transfigured before them, his face shone like the Sun and his garments became white as snow. Moses, the greatest law-giver, and Elijah, the greatest prophet of Israel, came to the side of Jesus and talked to him about his passion and death. Their presence and their talking with Jesus indicated their total endorsement of all that Jesus was doing and also of all that he would experience in the days to come. For Jesus this was a special moment. He was now close to Jerusalem and hence close to his passion and death by crucifixion. This was the important moment when he had to strengthen his disciples particularly the ones who had been chosen to be close to him during his ministry. Jesus wanted who he was to be revealed to them. God told them that Jesus was his Beloved Son in whom he was well pleased and that they ought to listen to him. These were the same words used at Jordan during his Baptism as he began his ministry.

Jesus then spoke to the disciples in a gentle reassuring voice.  Jesus was alone. From now on the disciples would only see only Jesus, but, after that experience, they knew that he was not alone, that he had the full backing of his Father and of the Jewish tradition of the Law and the Prophets. Who he really was and his mission were revealed.

Today, if we choose to listen God still speaks to us and tells us that Jesus is his beloved son and that we ought to listen to him, For the disciples, unknown to them the glory of Jesus’ transfiguration was preparing them for what was to come. They would understand this only later with the resurrection. Today let us look beyond the pain of life and see the presence of God in our world, and the gift of life that God makes to each of us. We ask God for faith in order to trust and follow God’s will. We know not why things happen until we take the time for reflection afterwards, even then it is not always clear.

Dear Lord,

Speak to me and guide me through hard times.

In troubling times, I am filled with fear.

I reach out my hand to you,

And ask you to walk beside me as your Father, Moses and Elijah were there with you.

When I cannot carry all of my burdens, please walk beside me.

Please help me hold on strong, through the trials and storms.

Help me hold on to my faith when in doubt.

Stay with me Lord, and show me your will so I too am enlightened like the disciples and understand your will for me.

Amen.

Fundraising Committee Meeting

Thank you to those who attended last Friday’s meeting and to those who have also put their hand up to be the grade representative who will coordinate the organisation of the fundraising event set down for that grade. Please find attached the minutes and plan for 2020. 

Last week we celebrated Catholic Schools’ Week. Thursday was the highlight of our week with a special Mass and many visitors for G’Day. While the weather was a little unkind it certainly didn’t dampen the spirit of the day.

Dear Lord

Catholic Schools Week is a special time in the year when we celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our Catholic schools.

It is a time to give thanks for the wonderful teaching and learning that takes place each day in every classroom.

We acknowledge and thank all who work in the service of Catholic education to create the opportunities for students that allow them to grow and thrive.

We thank you for the wisdom and understanding of teachers,

the enthusiasm and energy of students,

the leadership of school Principals and executive staff

the skill, care and commitment of administrative and support staff

the guidance of our pastors and religious leaders

the support and partnership of parents, carers and local communities.

We pray that each student’s learning journey be inspired by a search for your

wisdom and truth.

We pray that we never take for granted the learning opportunities that we have all

been given, and that we use the gifts of learning wisely and responsibly.

We ask that we use what we have learnt to create a better world for all people,

particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen

 G Day

Coronavirus

As the impact of the virus on children and healthy adults can be quite mild there may be a tendency to continue working and attending school and hence increase the risk of infecting others. This is in contrast to SARS and Swine flu, where most people were quite unwell if infected. Consistent with current guidelines, children, students and staff who are unwell with respiratory illness should remain at home until symptoms resolve. In accordance with our current practice if any student becomes unwell, we will implement our infection control guidelines and follow the advice provided by the NSW Ministry of Health as appropriate. This is not a time for soldiering on with coughs and colds.

Good hygiene remains the best protective measure against the spread of the virus.

Please keep up to date with current requirements for self – isolation, especially as we head towards the school holidays as some families would be intending to travel overseas. Please refer to the daily alert from the Health Department.

Current advice from the NSW Government for parents and affected staff is:

• Any student or staff member who has been in, departed from, or transited through the following countries is excluded from child care services, school or work for 14 days from the date they left the country:
  • mainland China - since 1 February
  • Iran - since 1 March
  • the Republic of Korea (South Korea) - since 5 March.
  • Italy - since 11 March
• Any confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded until they are medically cleared to return.
• Close contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded for 14 days since last contact with the confirmed case.
• Students and staff who have returned to Australia and have shown no symptoms during the 14-day home-isolation period are able to return to school or work.

Please find attached a message from the Bishop about changes to the Mass during this time.

Children’s Liturgy:

Altar Servers:

Morning Mass During Lent

Lent is often known as a time for ‘giving up’ something . It is also about reflection, prayer  and acts of charity - Giving more!

A great opportunity for this is offered to us through attending Morning Mass. All students and families are welcome to attend Friday morning Mass at 8.00am.

I will supervise students and their safe return to school after Mass.

Why Lent?

In the early Church Lent originated as a time of repentance for those preparing for baptism. Having experienced the call to conversion, those seeking initiation into the Christian community resolved to turn away from sin and embrace a gospel life. They were baptized at the Easter Vigil.

Today, the six week period of Lent is a time of repentance and renewal for the whole Church.  It is a time when we prayerfully take stock of our lives, turn away from all lifestyle habits that contradict the Gospel and renew our commitment to Christ and each other.

Altar Server Training

All year 4 students are invited to become an altar server. Training will take place during lunch breaks for approximately 5 weeks. If your child is interested, please complete the note and return to school.

Let's Go Further, Together

Spanning through the six weeks of Lent each year, Project Compassion is an extraordinary, ongoing demonstration of the faith, love and generosity of Caritas Australia's caring supporters, all in the name of justice and peace. Millions of Australians come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

Dear students, families and school communities,

Thank you for your school's participation in Catholic Schools Week from 1-7 March. It's a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and showcase many of the fantastic things happening in your school every day, and in all our Catholic schools across the Diocese of Wollongong.

We thank you for working together in partnership with us to help make your school community such a vibrant, nurturing place of learning, faith, belonging and hope.

If you or a family member or friend would like to enrol your child in one of our schools, please download an enrolment package here.

Have a look at our Catholic Schools Week video below, celebrating what our students across the diocese love about their Catholic school. Can you spot the students from your school?

At St Thomas Aquinas we have three very important school rules.

Our Student PB4L Team will be reminding our school community each fortnight about the importance of our school rules.

During Week 7 & 8 they  are focusing on ‘Wearing The Correct School Uniform’. 

At St Thomas Aquinas school we have a Uniform Code to follow. When we are  wearing the correct school uniform we are representing our school with respect, pride and fairness to all students, staff and our school rules. 

At last  week's Assembly the students from the PB4L Team presented ways to wear our uniform correctly and with pride. 

Wearing the correct school uniform  looks like 

• Correct school colours are worn for ribbons and  scrunchies;
• Watch,  chain with cross, gold/silver sleeper or stud earrings only; 
• School hat on at morning tea, lunch and sport;
• White or mostly white joggers on sport days;
• White anklets that can be seen on sport days;
• We are neat, tidy and presentable at all times.

Wearing the correct school uniform  sounds like

Compliments from staff and other students like: 

•  “You are really well presented today.” 
• “ Your hair looks great in that school scrunchie.”

Wearing the correct school uniform feels like

• We are proud and welcoming;
• We are respectful;
• We encourage a positive school community spirit;
• We are all equal and our uniform shows this;
• We are role models;

Watch out for tips on how to wear our school uniform correctly and with pride on our Facebook Page

Congratulations to those students who took part in the Western Region Swimming Carnival recently and well done to Edward K for 3^rd Place - Senior Boys Age Champion. Congratulations also to our Junior & Senior Boys Swimming Relay teams who competed in the MacKillop trials this week:  Edward K, Benji L-B, Jack H, Hamish L, Oscar L, Geordie N, Jude W, Hayden W

Good luck to Jack K who will be attending Touch Trials on 31 March.

Sport Gala Days

There has been a huge response to the Gala Days and entries closed on 2 March.  A permission slip and information will be sent out to the parents of those who have signed up for the various Gala Days.  We will endeavor to allocate your child to the sport that they selected.  Due to lack of numbers we will not be taking part in the AFL or Rugby Union Gala Days. 

Cross Country

The Year 2-6 Cross Country will be taking place at Chevalier College on Friday 20 March.  The students will travel to Chevalier College by bus.  Permission needs to be given via the Compass App.

The K – Yr 2 Cross Country will take place at Bradman Oval on a date to be advised.  Permission needs to be given via the Compass App.

Hockey

All students in Years 3 – 5 are taking part in a Hockey Program funded by the Sporting Schools Granton Thursdays.  Students need to wear their sports uniform on Thursdays.

Upcoming Sport Dates

20 March	Yrs 2 - 6 Cross Country @ Chevalier College
TBC	K - Yr 1 Cross Country @ Bradman Oval
26 March	NRL Gala Day @ Camden
31 March	Touch Trials @ Fairy Meadow
1 May	Rugby Union Trials @ Woonona
5 May	Cross Country Championships @ Nowra
TBC	STA Athletics Carnival @ Chevalier College
25 June	Netball Gala Day @ Minto
6 August	Western Region Athletics @ Campbelltown
27 August	Soccer Gala Day @ Tahmoor
18 September	Basketball Gala Day @ Moss Vale
15 October	Cricket Gala Day @ Fairy Meadow
TBC	STA Swimming Carnival @ Bowral Swimming Centre

The first day of Term 2 (Monday 27 April) is a Staff Development Day.  The students do not come to school on this day.

Enrolments 2021

Enrolment Applications are now available for students who wish to attend St Thomas Aquinas Primary School in 2021.