This week, Ash Wednesday, marked the start of the season of Lent. Lent is a time of fasting, prayer and penance, which leads us through the forty days to Jesus’ resurrection. Symbolically the forty days remind us of Jesus spending forty days in the desert praying and fasting. We want to change our lives during Lent and come closer to Jesus. These 40 days are used in preparation for the future joy of Easter bringing God’s blessings, mercy and forgiveness. To practice sincere repentance, God tells us to change our hearts. We are called to examine our most inner self. In order to do this, we are called upon to pray, give alms and fast. Some ways to do this include:

Prayer– Mass attendance, spending time in the Church, reading the Bible or prayer book, extra prayer time, attending Stations of the Cross and praying the Rosary.

Fasting - giving up something we like or enjoy, limiting food and drinks that we have as treats and giving the extra money we have to the poor.

Almsgiving – helping people less fortunate than ourselves with money or time. In general, being kind to those we meet.

Caritas Project Compassion Launch

On Tuesday students from the Year 6 Social Justice committee attended the virtual launch of Project Compassion with students all across the state.

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal. Millions of Australians come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. Through Project Compassion, we are asked to acknowledge that we are all members of the one human family, all equally worthy of love, mercy and respect. 

This year the Project Compassion 2021 theme is:

If you are able to, please give generously during lent to provide resources that will make major changes in the lives of whole communities. As the season progresses we will learn about each of the communities we are supporting. This year caritas has set up virtual immersions that we will be exploring in class throughout lent. If you wish to involve your family you can find the immersions at https://lent.caritas.org.au/virtualimmersions

Catholic Schools Week

This year, Catholic Schools Week (CSW) will be held from 28 February - 6 March. The theme for 2021 is ‘Faith in the Future’. This theme is shared with dioceses across the country as together we celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in Australia.

As we pause this week to reflect on the precious gift of Catholic education, we remember the intergenerational contributions that preceded us and that we continue to build upon. Since the very first Catholic school was established, countless children and young people have benefitted from the dedication and commitment of parents and staff in our Catholic schools.

Our school is planning a number of activities that showcase our wonderful learning opportunities and the accomplishments of our students which we will share with you in a COVID safe way. Unfortunately, we will not be able have the traditional format due to restrictions, this includes our wonderful G Day Mass. Hopefully we will be able to celebrate with the great people in our lives in a different way and have the Mass later in the year.  

Catholic Schools’ Week Prayer

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. 

Afternoon Collection of Children

Please remember that it is very important to let us know if someone other than yourselves is collecting your children on a regular basis, eg a grandparent. Please also advise if there are any changes to arrangements so that we know we are able to allow the person picking them to take them and we avoid confusion over where a student is.

Social Media Policy

In accordance with a directive regarding  the need to provide parents/carers with the CEDoW Social Media Statement at the commencement of each school year, please see attached. 

This is also available via the link https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/about-us/policies/social-media-policy/

IMPORTANT DATES

At the moment, due to COVID restrictions, parents are not able to attend school liturgies.

February

23 -  Sacramental Program begins

March

28 Feb - 6 March:  Catholic Schools Week

5  -  Diocesan Education Mass

May

Confirmation - 29 May

Lent

As Oscar Romero’s reflection says:

This is what we are about:
We plant seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.

Ash Wednesday

We were fortunate to be able to gather together as a whole school community to celebrate a liturgy for Ash Wednesday. It was a very prayerful and reverent event, one which warmed the heart and gives me great hope for the future. Staff were so very proud of the students and how they participated and responded. Many thanks to the Liturgy Group and Miss Abotomey for providing the music which added to the beauty of the service.

Morning Mass During Lent

Lent is often known as a time for ‘giving up’ something . It is also a 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 at Mass and their safe return to school after Mass.

Social Justice Team

Congratulations to our Social Justice team:

Edward, Chiara, Eli, Maddie, Claire, Nick, Annalise and Rose.

They represented our school at the Project Compassion Launch this week and participated in a liturgy with 100 schools across NSW and the ACT . The students received a blessing and were commissioned by two Bishops to lead St Thomas Aquinas School through Lent as advocates for the venerable and poor. Congratulations and thanks to these students for sharing their gifts.

If you wish to register for Sunday Mass please visit the Parish website:

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

• For the remainder of the term we will be concentrating 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. 

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.

REMEMBER TO:

* Wear Black Leather shoes with full school uniform.

* Wear mostly white joggers on sports days.

Remember pride in the uniform is a thing! 

Act respectfully and wear the uniform correctly. 

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

Western Region Swimming Carnival:  Good luck to those students who have progressed to the Western Region Swimming Carnival at The Gordon Fetter Place Aquatic Centre, Campbelltown on 3 March.  Parents need to give consent and make payment via the Compass app.  Some students may progress onto the Swimming Trials at Corrimal on 8 March (note this is photo day).

Sport Trials:  Good luck to those students who will be attending the Netball, Soccer and Rugby League trials on 5 March and Hockey trials on 10 March.

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.