On Tuesday we celebrated Mass for the 37^th anniversary of Father Sean’s ordination which was on Wednesday 4 August. Congratulations Father Sean.

Sunday is the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross, Australia’s First saint. This year we celebrate the 11th anniversary of Mary’s canonisation.  Let us all leave our mark, by following her example in creating a better world through the gift of education. We will be holding a liturgy on Tuesday to commemorate this day. Mary MacKillop has many famous quotes, my favourite is “never see a need with doing something about it”. It would be great if next week that saying was a focus for everyone, what a wonderful world it would be.

Mary MacKillop Prayer

Ever generous God,
You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop
To live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and constant in bringing hope and encouragement
to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy.
With confidence in your generous providence and through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop
We ask that you grant our requests
We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and openness.
Ever generous God hear our prayer.
We ask this through Jesus Christ.

Amen.

We congratulate all of our olympians and their families for their outstanding dedication to their sport. Our students have had the opportunity to make welcome-home decorations for the returning athletes which I am sure they will appreciate in their rooms as they isolate.

There have been a number of competitors in the games that previously went to school in our Diocesan schools. There would have been many proud moments when those school communities watched the events. A special mention to Keiran Woolley who, at 17 has competed in skateboarding and came 5th. Keiran is a current student in the Diocese and his father works for the Education Office. 

Thank you to all of you who collect your children at the early timeslot of 2:50pm for the way you move off quickly, you are doing a great job.

Have a lovely week everyone.

Kayleen Petzer
Principal

MARY MACKILLOP - AUSTRALIAS FIRST SAINT
FEAST DAY THIS SUNDAY

Mary MacKillop was an educator, a pioneer and a leader, someone who had compassion for others regardless of their situation or race.  Galvanised by her belief in the value of education as the foundation for a fulfilling life, Mary’s motto was ‘never see a need without doing something about it’.  This led her to minister in many different ways to those who were poor and pushed to the margins.

Did you know some of these details about Mary’s life, which reinforce her strength of character?

1. Her parents were Scottish immigrants who settled in Melbourne and Mary was born there on 15 January, 1842. Money worries were part of Mary’s life and the ‘boom and bust’ gold days saw the MacKillops suffer continual financial instability.

2. From her teens to mid-twenties Mary supported the family, working in a stationery business and then as a school teacher and governess, before taking the first of many courageous steps in her life at the age of 24.

3. Mary wanted to serve the poor, particularly educating the children who lived in the bush. She opened a school in a stable on 19 March 1866, wearing a simple black dress as a sign of a radical life change. The first school set the pattern for many to come – it was for the children of the working class, providing a basic but thorough education, aiming to make children independent, employable and well-grounded.

4. Other young women joined Mary MacKillop and worked to establish places of refuge and rehabilitation for people in need, as well as the schools. Mary developed a Rule for the Sisters of St Joseph, as they became known, dedicated to meeting the material and spiritual needs of struggling people.

5. Mary MacKillop had a radical vision of the way the Order of the Sisters should be structured – she didn’t want the Order to be subject to direction by the Bishops of particular dioceses, and every Sister was to help with the work, regardless of background.

6. In response to Mary’s stand on the structure of the Order of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Mary came into direct conflict with the Bishop of Adelaide. She was excommunicated on 22 September 1871, and was technically removed on 23 February 1872, although conflict around the principle of the matter continued.

7. Mary decided to take her cause to the Pope in Rome – the highest authority in the Catholic Church. Aged just 31 and as a professed Sister of St Joseph, Mary went to Rome dressed as a widow, and gained an audience with Pope Pius IX and a hearing from the Vatican authorities, receiving approval of her Rule within a year.

8. Returning to Australia, Mary went to Queensland establishing schools and communities but her troubles were not over. Mary was deposed as Superior General in 1885 on technical grounds but was later re-elected by the Sisters.

9. Mary MacKillop’s attitude was always of forgiveness and respect. Her many letters are evidence of her vision, courage and leadership.

10. After suffering a stroke, Mary lived at North Sydney in Alma Cottage, her health deteriorating but her keen mind alert to the end. Mary died peacefully on 8 August 1909.

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

STA Uniform

Please find below the newly revised STA Uniform Policy. Please take some time to familiarise yourself with the expectations outlined within it.
 
Commencing this week, students who do not comply with any points in the policy will receive a verbal warning, which will be recorded on Compass. If the uniform problem continues, a notification will be sent home with the student. The student’s parents will receive a Compass alert informing them of the notification. The completed tear off section is returned to school with the student and the uniform problem is corrected.
 
If there is a legitimate reason for your child being out of uniform, for example a medical reason or financial hardship, please do not hesitate to contact the school. This can also be explained on the uniform notification when one is received.
 
Wearing the correct school uniform promotes a sense of belonging for students and creates a positive identity for the school community. Wearing the correct uniform with pride is also a very clear way for students to show respect for the expectations at St Thomas Aquinas.
 
Thank you for your support in regards to this matter.

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.

Vinnies Winter Appeal