ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE

We are seeking feedback from all our parents/caregivers as to the possibility of using these services if we offered this on-site from 2020. This may be from a full-time, part-time or on a casual basis. It is really important for us to have appropriate numbers to be able to proceed with organising the establishment of our STA Out Of School Hours services.

The survey link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RMFPK6Q

STAFF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

It has been a very busy time for many of us, as there have been a number of exceptional opportunities for professional learning over the last few weeks.

Kinder Speech & Occupational Therapy 

Mrs Cleary, Mrs Syrros, Ms Lord & Mrs Lane are participating in professional learning from a Speech Therapist and Occupational therapist to assist us with recognising students who may not have some of the foundational "building blocks" of development that will assist with the higher order skills of academic learning they will need throughout their schooling. We have had 2 days of a three-day course and we have all found this highly valuable PD.

Some critical information for parents I will share in my future newsletters but these are a few to start:

• SLEEP - A very concerning issue is so many children are sleep deprived. The recommended hours, particularly for young children should be 10-12 hours. The lack of sleep has a very significant impact on a child's ability to learn.
• DIET - The issue of fussy eaters who have a bland diet without variety can lead to a lack of essential vitamins and this should be followed up with your doctor. They mentioned the deficiency of iron as being of concern.
• PLAY - The issue of creative play to allow children to develop so many aspects to the "Pyramid of Learning". We need to have a lot more time for all children to have unstructured play. This is something that we are keen to work on at school, providing stimulus materials to allow students to think & be creative without adults organising them al the time. The thinking,problem-solving & interpersonal skills this can develop are essential for later learning. If you have spare clothes, hats, shoes, gloves, scarves or anything that could be donated to a "dress-up" box for our playground we would be very grateful.
• SWAP SCREEN TIME FOR GREEN TIME....  children should have very limited time on devices after school and not ever close to bedtime or in their bedrooms.

Other PD staff have undertaken:

Mrs Ryan attended a conference in Sydney - Visible Learning for Literacy.

Mrs Bull went to an Environmental Education Network to support our efforts planning for the Class Gardens & our school environmental plans.

Mrs Lane attended the Catholic Primary Principals Conference in Sydney for 3 days last week with some excellent presenters on the Theme: WHAT MATTERS MOST - Faith, Learning, Well-being. I look forward to sharing many of the insights in coming weeks.

LUNCHES

A number of children are coming to the office saying they are hungry and do not have enough to eat. Could we ask that you talk to your child to check if their food is enough. We are thinking the colder weather may increase their appetites so could parents/caregivers please make a little extra if your child is finding they are still hungry through the day.

UNIFORMS

Students may wear any jacket due to the very cold weather but they must wear their jumpers and full school uniform and not replace things that we already have as uniform. the extra jacket is on top of school uniform.

National Reconciliation Week - Monday 27 May to Monday 3 June

Grounded in Truth, Walk Together with Courage

NRW 2019 is a key activity in the Reconciliation Movement’s strategy to support Australians in making progress on the Five Dimensions required to achieve reconciliation. Each year the theme engages with one of the Five Dimensions, and the theme this year will focus on building positive race relations. Find out more about Reconciliation Australia’s Five Dimensions.

To foster positive race relations, the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader community must be grounded in truth. Whether you’re engaging in challenging conversations or unlearning and relearning what you know, this journey requires all of us to walk together with courage.

SPB4L 

In Term 3 we will be introducing a Student SPB4L Team into our school for students in Years 2-6. One student will be elected to represent each class. It is the hope that this team will bring a stronger voice to our students and encourage problem-solving skills in order to foster positive relationships in the classroom and on the playground. Students nominating themselves for this role will need to show a high level of understanding of the school rules - Stay Safe, Together We Learn and Act Respectfully. More details to follow.

MEETINGS

Unfortunately, Mrs Lane has had numerous meetings and courses over the last 2 weeks that has meant she has not been as available as usual. Please be aware that other members of the Leadership Team are also available to assist with any issues or concerns. Mrs Norman could assist in directing you to the most suitable person on the day.

Mrs Cleary will be away for 2 weeks from next Wednesday and Miss Moroney will be taking KG.

Many thanks for your ongoing support

Warm Regards

Mary-Lynn Lane

The community of St Thomas Aquinas Parish Catholic School

warmly invites all Stage 2 families

to celebrate Mass this Sunday 2 June at 6 pm

ALTAR SERVERS

Important Dates

BUS TRAVEL

NATIONAL STORYTIME

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 19th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.