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In the parable in last Sunday’s Gospel, darner, a weed, had been sown in amongst the wheat. The landholder’s workers judged the weed to be bad and wanted to pull them out, which seems logical. The owner surprisingly said no and said that they had to be left to grow together. Judgment would be rendered at the end and then only by the owner and the worker. The point is that the judgment between the wheat and the weeds is not easy and hasty judgment can be disastrous, as the two look very similar.
We often run the danger of categorizing things as good and bad based on only the outward appearances. We sometimes judge people, only to discover later how wrong we were. Instead of judging who is good and holy and who is not, we should ourselves remain good and holy and leave the rest to God. God, the sower of good seed, allows bad seed as well as good to grow until harvest time and then he will deal with good and bad on their merit, it is not our place to do so - we are like the workers, God is the owner.
Welcome back to school for term 3. I hope everyone was able to take some time from routine, although the weather wasn't as we would have liked it to be, particularly last week. We will be continuing with the COVID plans that were in place at the end of Term 2. The important things for you to remember as parents are:
• Adults are not to enter the playground areas
• Send your children to school with their own equipment where possible, this is a must for drink bottles as the bubblers are not being used
• Side gate pickup will continue to be from 2:50pm. This can be spread out but please try to be away from the school by the time the other students are brought up for buses. Please exercise social distancing during this time and move away from the school quickly.
At the end of last term there were a number of near misses out the front and also down near the bridge in Victoria Street. Can I please ask you to be patient and follow the road rules. Please also be a good role model around the road. I know that using the pedestrian crossing can mean that you walk a little further but it is important that you do this. If you cross the road between buses and cars your child will think that this is okay to do and one day may do it without you with serious consequences. Please think of the safety of your children.
We do not know what the next few weeks will bring with regards to COVID. Please stay safe, keep your children at home if they are sick and look after yourselves.
Parish News
We congratulate Father Anthony who was ordained as a priest on Saturday 11 July, 2020 at the Co-Cathedral in Fairy Meadow by Bishop Brian Mascord.
We thank Anthony for his time spent in the Highlands as Deacon and pray that he will enjoy God's many blessings as he takes up his appointment as Priest in Campbelltown.
Mass times for this weekend will be the same as last week:
Vigil Mass | 5 pm |
Sunday |
5 pm 8 am 9.30 am 11 am 5 pm |
Weekday Masses will be Tuesday - Friday at 8.00 a.m.
Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered from 4.15 p.m. to 4.45 p.m. on Saturday.
Please don’t forget to register at www.ccsh.org.au please remember that all Masses will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, because of the social distancing requirements.
Father Sean will be taking his annual leave from next week, we wish him a relaxing and safe holiday.
St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal
We thank our students for their generosity on the last day of term with our Christmas in July winter appeal for St Vincent de Paul. We raised $543 and had lots of fun.
See our Facebook page for more photos
Gymnastics
This week we commenced our gymnastics program. We are also fortunate enough to be able to complete the hockey program that was started last term. Please see below the timetable for wearing of sport uniforms that was sent out this week.
NCCD Data Collection
Please see below information regarding collection of data.
Have a lovely week.
Kind regards
Kayleen Petzer
Acting Principal

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.