As the 2020 school year draws to a close, I would like to extend my thanks to Father Sean for his support and guidance, the staff for their tireless work and dedication and to the students for their hard work and for always making this school a wonderful place to be. Congratulations to our graduating Year 6 students. Throughout their years here staff have watched them grow in many ways, the level of responsibility they accepted, the confidence they displayed, and the quality of work they have been able to produce. As a group, they have shown great leadership this year and have put into action many of the things they learnt with Cameron. They appeared to have enjoyed their roles and put a lot of fun and excitement into what they had to do.

It has been a tough year for the local community, with the end of the previous year and the new year starting with bushfires. The community rallied together to support those affected and donated generously to support the emergency workers and those that had to relocate, even though it was the vacation period. Due to our experiences this time last year we can empathise with those people in Northern NSW and Queensland who are being impacted by floods. We pray that they stay safe and don’t have too much damage to clean up. Our thoughts and prayers also go out to those who suffered loss over this period last year, especially those that lost loved ones.

The year, although disrupted by extenuating circumstances, has still involved a wide variety of opportunities for the students across the whole spectrum of learning. Students have experienced academic success through achievements of their learning goals, many received High Distinctions, Distinctions and Credits in the University competitions. A number of students' artworks were selected to be a part of the Diocesan Christmas Art competition, two entries progressed to the next level in Sydney and gained a place and a commendation.

As the community reflects back over the 2020 school year, it will be noted as a very unusual year, where the mode of teaching and learning was remote for part of the year. Thank you to the staff for their expertise, commitment and care of the students and families during the remote learning time. In a matter of days they were able to transform the way they taught and learnt many new skills themselves in order to deliver the content digitally. Thank you to the parents/caregivers for their support and partnership in learning, especially during this time.

The staff of STA wish everyone a happy, safe and holy Christmas.

Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,

that we may share in the song of the angels,

the gladness of the shepherds,

and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate

and open the door of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,

and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,

and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,

forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

-- Robert Louis Stevenson

End of Year Celebrations

Last Friday our Year 6 students celebrated their End of Year Mass to give thanks for all the achievements and blessings of 2020. We were very lucky to be able to have parents attend, and, like the Confirmation and Holy Communion Masses, it was very personal. Thank you to Mrs Preddey who recorded the Mass so that other classes were able to view it as we were unable to have a whole school Mass.

https://youtu.be/0HuWrKU_ZjQ

On Monday night we were able to have the Year 6 graduation dinner at the RSL. A big thank you to the parents who did a fabulous job of decorating, the room looked amazing. Thank you to Mrs Broad for all of the hard work she put into ensuring that it all ran smoothly and even attended just to make sure everyone got the right meals without eating herself. I hope you all enjoyed the Christmas Concert. I am sure that you will all agree that it was a very polished production due to the expertise and many hours of work put in by Ms Abotomey. Congratulations to all teachers and students! If you haven’t watched it yet, it is a must see! The link is:

https://youtu.be/w5qlFhg2bi8

Class Teachers for 2021

Kinder: Mrs Erin Cleary & Mrs Annette Syrros

1G: Mrs Kylie Archbold      

1B: Ms Kisten Young

2G: Mrs Renee McFayden  

2B: Mrs Vicki Johnson & Ms Jacinta Rice (Tuesdays)

3G: Mrs Dona Connell         

3B: Mrs AnMarie Moroney & Mrs Lynn Shepherd

4G: Mrs Sonia Weekes & Mrs Chris Gough (Friday)

4B: Mrs Rebecca Ryan

5G: Mr Mark Blake

5B: Mrs Vicki Menzies

6G: Mrs Jenny White

6B: Mr Liam Adams

Support Teacher: Ms Michele Crittenden

Teacher Librarian & Technology Support Teacher: Mrs Virginia Preddey

Music: Miss Keva Abotomey

School Support Officers - Classroom: Mrs Kim Hagan, Mrs Sharon Roberts, Mrs Maree Whitton, Mrs Kelly Gould, Mrs Rosemarie Van Den Haak & Mrs Suzanne King

Library: Mrs Carola Murnane

Reception: Mrs Eileen Norman

Senior School Support Officer: Mrs Shauna Broad

Assistant Principal: Mrs Joanne Robinson

Principal: Mrs Kayleen Petzer

Uniform

Below is our current uniform requirements list in case you need to make purchases during the holidays. Please remember that school shoes must not have high heels or be the jogger style shoe that some shoe stores are selling as school shoes and that sports joggers must be predominantly white. If you are unsure if a style is correct, please check before purchase as these items are quite expensive and I would hate to see you waste money buying something that can’t be worn at school. During the holidays, children will undoubtedly have haircuts in preparation for the school year ahead. A reminder to parents that hairstyles for the school term should not attract attention. Hair for both boys and girls should be neat and tidy and of natural colour. Rat tails, shaved indents and hair covering eyes etc, are not permitted.

School concludes for all students today Wednesday 16 December and resumes for students in Year 1 to Year 6 on Thursday 28 January 2020. Kindergarten 2021 students will attend their individual Best Start Assessment dates and then commence together on Thursday 4 February.

Fundraising Committee News

Due to COVID-19, virtually all of the planned fundraising activities for the year were unable to go ahead. Thankfully, the P & F were able to arrange the Christmas Card fundraiser and raised $1,060. They agreed to fund the decodable readers for the school as the funds which had previously been put aside for artificial turf in the playground was no longer required due to CEDoW funding. Whyte’s continued to pay $1,000 per month for the previous sale of the Uniform shop, with $25,925 remaining to be paid as of 27 November 2020. Hopefully in 2021, more fundraising opportunities can occur to replenish the bank account.

Christmas Masses

Christmas Eve ​

• 5.00 p.m.
• 7.00 p.m.
• 9.00 p.m.
• 11.00 p.m.

Christmas Day​

• 8.00 a.m.
• 9.30 a.m.
• 11.00 a.m.

Registration for Christmas Mass are open. Please remember to register for yourself and any guests who may be attending with you.

Message From St Vincent de Paul Society

Thank you all for the generous donations to Vinnies for our clients Christmas Hampers. 

We would especially like to thank the parents' children and staff of our primary school St Thomas Aquinas, who have worked on putting hampers together for those who are in need. By giving the children learn that Christmas is not only about themselves but others who are in poorer circumstances who need a hand up.  

 Your enthusiasm has resulted in a very welcome response to our Christmas appeal, both in presents, food, and treats which will lift the spirits of our clients in both Bowral and surrounding areas.

We will be delivering these hampers to our clients in the coming days so they will have not only food but also a Christmas treat as well.

We thank you for your helpful assistance and generosity.

Have a Happy Christmas and may peace and love be with you at this time

Attached is a photo of St Thomas Aquinas school children with teacher Vicki Johnson who put so much effort in organising the hampers.

Regards

Bruce Cowan

President Bowral Conference

St Vincent de Paul Society

 Vinnies Christmas Appeal   “ADOPT A FAMILY” 2020

There are hundreds of reasons to donate, we only need one. STA, we have changed many lives this Christmas.

Without your support the St Vincent de Paul \Society would not be able to assist the people who turn to them at Christmas for financial assistance, clothing, utilities, food hampers, and gifts for children. Your generosity was overwhelming and the Vinnies volunteers were emotional and delighted.

Many thanks also to our P & F for their very generous cash donation raised from selling second hand uniforms.

Our School is characterised by being generous and lending a helping hand to those people who are struggling. Again THANK YOU!!

2020 - What a Year!!!

As this year comes to an end let us reflect on what we have discovered and learned.  Nearly every dimension of our lives - physical, financial, social, emotional, psychological and spiritual are in fact so fragile, we can begin to see our shared humanity as a valuable asset rather than a liability. 

Embracing our shared vulnerability becomes a way to build real communities.  As we have been forced to step out of the bubble of our routine, security and independence we have found space and time to navigate what truly matters in life. 

In the silver lining we have remembered the value of community and each other and we have been gifted with experiences of God’s love in unexpected and surprising ways and places.  And all our endeavours are ways we have participated in God’s Mission.

Thank you for all you have dome to build our community of St Thomas Aquinas during this difficult 2020.

Mrs Vicki Johnson

REC

A Prayer for Mrs Eccleston

Blessed are those who teach today,
for they are impacting tomorrow.
Blessed are those who live what they say;
their words will be heard.
Blessed are those whose lesson is the Gospel; they are being formed by the Teacher of teachers.

Blessed are those who do not fear questions;
they are pursuing truth.
Blessed are those who teach with compassion; they are shaping souls.
Blessed are those who do not count the cost;
they are purchasing hidden treasures.
Blessed are those who ‘teach others in justice; they will shine like stars for all eternity.’

Dr Kathleen Cepelka

The canteen is open Wednesday - Friday for recess and lunch.

It is once again operated Fresh Start Canteens and online ordering is available.  Please see the flyer and menu below.

School Attendance

If your child is absent from school, could you please enter the details in Compass, with an explanation for their leave eg Travel, Holiday, Medical Appointment etc.

If your child will be absent for 10 days or more, there is a form (available from the office) which needs to be completed and approved by the Principal.

This is located adjacent to the school office and we sell hats, bags, beanies, gloves and scarves.  EFTPOS is available for new stock.

The P & F 2nd hand Uniform Shop is open 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.

School Road Rules Quiz

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE ROAD RULES IN AND AROUND SCHOOL ZONES?
Take the Transport for NSW Back to School Road Rules Quiz to find out.  You could win a $250 or $25 Fuel Gift Card just for having a go!
Road Rules Quiz
The competition will close at midnight on 14 th March 2021. Winners will be drawn within 7 days.