Welcome back to school for Term 2. I hope you all had a happy Easter and holiday. It was lovely to be able to have family gatherings this year and we were certainly blessed with perfect weather.

Shortly you will be receiving a link to a survey for my upcoming appraisal. I encourage you to please take the time to give me your feedback. On the appraisal day, Tuesday 22nd June, parents are invited to meet for half an hour with memebrs of the panel. This is done in a non threatening way within a small group. If you would to be a part of that group please let the office know.

From now on, the newsletter will be published after the Friday assemblies so that we are able to acknowledge the recipients of the awards handed out at the assembly.

I will be taking some long service leave during Weeks 5 & 6. My husband and I will be taking a little time away to  celebrate our 35^th wedding anniversary. Mrs Robinson will be stepping in as Acting Principal during my absence.

We wish all of our Mums and other significant people in our students' lives, such as Aunties and Grandmas, a fabulous day on Mother's Day.

ANZAC Day

This year we were able to send two Year 6 students to the local ceremony, we thank Jack, Amelie and Mrs Preddey for attending on our behalf.

Once again ANZAC Day events were restricted so many of our students and staff marked the day in their own special way.  #lightupthedawn2021 

Our students all took part in liturgies to remember those that gave their lives for the freedom we enjoy in our country today. Thank you to those who sent in photos of the their own driveway dawn memorials, they are proudly displayed in our foyer and on the Facebook page if you wish to view them.

Diocesan Cross Country

On Tuesday I had great pleasure in attending the Diocesan Cross Carnival. It was a lovely day, but it did get quite hot for the last few races. Our team were outstanding in the way they supported each other and our neighbouring schools. Whilst we didn’t have anyone progress to the next level, we had quite a number of students placed between the 10 and 30^th positions which is tremendous considering that there were nearly 90 students in each race. The course is a tough, hilly course so I am sure there were a lot of tired legs that night. A big thank you to the parents who took the children and were a great support on the day.

Parish News

From next weekend (1st /2nd May) it will be no longer necessary to register online or through the office for Mass. However, it is most important that you remember when you arrive at Church, you will still be required to either scan the QR code with your phone or write your name and contact details on the sheet at the entrance to the Church. Monitors will assist. This is a regulation of the Government and the Parish is responsible for making sure information is available on request.

There are five weekends in May, and for the first four, we are participating in a National Mass Attendance count. This is nothing new, but this year, more information is being asked for: the gender of attendees and their age group.

This year, the Parish will be celebrating of the feast of Corpus Christi, our Parish feast day, on 6th June. The main Mass that day will be celebrated at 11 am, concluding with Benediction, followed by lunch. Cost for the lunch is only $10. For catering purposes, bookings are essential. Contact the Parish office. More details to come.

This is the first opportunity we will have to celebrate the new Parish of Corpus Christi, Mittagong/Bowral. All are welcome to attend.

Please remember that all Masses will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, because of the social distancing requirements.

Weekend Masses
Saturday Vigil - 5:00pm
Sunday - 8:00am 
Sunday - 9:30am
Sunday - 5:00pm

Weekday Masses
Tuesday - 8:00am
Wednesday - 7:30am
Thursday - 7:30am 
Friday - 8:00am

Kayleen Petzer
Principal

Why confirm?

As the name implies, the Sacrament of Confirmation confirms or strengthens thenew life received at Baptism. Symbolically, the bishop or priest makes the sign of the cross on the forehead using an oil called chrism. As he does so he says, ‘(Name), be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.’

Although the Holy Spirit is received at baptism, Confirmation focuses on this gift by recalling the promise of Jesus to send the Spirit. Having been baptised as a baby and raised in the Christian life, the youth is now called upon to make a more mature commitment to the Gospel.

Please pray for our students and their parents preparing for Confirmation.

Athletics Carnival

The STA Athletics Carnival will take place next Friday 7 May at Chevalier College (Eridge Park Road side of the campus).    All students from K - Yr 6 will be participating on the day.  Parents need to give permission for their child/ren to attend via the Compass app.  Students will be transported to and from Chevalier by bus.  There will be a mobile coffee van available for parents and staff to use – students are not permitted to use this facility.  Dogs are not permitted at the event.

If you wish to take your child home from the carnival, please let their teacher know before you leave the grounds.

Diocesan Cross-Country

Thank you to Mrs Petzer for supervising the students who took part in the Diocesan Cross-Country carnival on Tuesday this week.  The children displayed great sportsmanship and enjoyed the day.  Thank you also to the parents who transported the children.

Rugby Union

Good luck to those students who will be taking part in the Rugby Union Knockout competition at Woonona on Friday 7May.  Thank you Mrs Cleary for supervising on the day.

Gala Days

The Gala Days will be finalised in the coming weeks.

The students are to wear the winter school uniform from next week (Week 3). Please see the uniform requirements below.

School Fees

Due to several excursions, etc not going ahead this year, fee credits for every student have been processed and should be reflected in your school fee account.  If you have any questions please speak with Shauna in the office.

Fees for 2022 will be billed at the beginning of January and are due 28 days later.  If you wish to pay by instalments please complete the form which was sent out via Compass this week.

STA Uniform Shop

We have quite a lot of second-hand uniforms for sale in the P & F Uniform Shop @ $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.

Thank you to everyone who brought in an egg or chocolates for the Easter Raffle.  There were prizes for three students from each class and another two major prizes.  The raffle raised over $3,000.  Thank you very much to the Fundraising Committee for your organisation.

Mother's Day

MID WEEK ROAST:

From the beginning of May our popular Thursday Roast dinner moves to Wednesday night. We are open from 5.30pm to 8pm for this 2 course main meal and dessert. The cost is $35. Booking is essential. Please ring the office on 4872 1911 (8.30 – 4.30pm) to make a booking. There is also the possibility to reserve a separate room for your group if that is preferred. The Director’s room can cater for up to 12 people.

SUNDAY MORNING TEA/BRUNCH/ROAST LUNCH: 

From Sunday May 2 our weekend Morning tea and Brunch returns. This year we are also introducing our popular 2 course Roast dinner ($35) from midday to 2pm. Morning tea ($15) & Brunch ($25) will be available from 10.30 – midday. Why not come along to enjoy the hospitality and welcome environment offered by The Hermitage and our staff? Bookings are essential. Ring during business hours on 4872 1911 or email your booking request to reception@thehermitage.org.au

Our address is 843 Old South Road. We are on the corner of Old South Road and Bong Bong Road.