Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am thrilled to write this final editorial for Term 3, and what a term it has been! As we reflect on the past few months, we are filled with pride and excitement for the incredible journey of learning and growth that our children have embarked upon. It has truly been a term to remember, filled with numerous events, celebrations, and valuable learning experiences.

Education in Faith: We started Term 3 beautifully as we celebrated our patron Saint, St Thomas the Apostle's feast day with liturgy, sports and art. This term, multiple students have engaged in the School/Parish Sacramental Program. Year Six students received the Sacrament of Confirmation, and many middle school children made their First Eucharist. Promoting our sense of Catholic Social Teaching our Grade Six leaders introduced the school to a special project in India that they wanted to support. Our initial fundraising event, a casual clothes day raised $1200. We will certainly add to this amazing total with some fun activities already planned for Term 4 - watch this space! 

Learning Excellence: Our students have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to learning. They have shown progress in their academics, participated actively in class discussions, and embraced new challenges with enthusiasm. Our dedicated teachers have gone above and beyond to foster a nurturing and engaging learning environment. We are so proud of our confident learners as I am sure you were if you got to visit their community expo.

Exciting Events: Our school has been buzzing with exciting events that have brought our school community closer together this term. From expos, incursions, excursions, Father's Day, to our book week dress-up and parade, our students have had the opportunity to showcase their talents and creativity. These events have not only been enjoyable but have also enriched their learning experiences.

Community Engagement: Our parent-teacher meetings gave all families a chance to meet class and specialist teachers. We are so grateful that these are now back to in-person and were well attended across all communities. In addition over 50 Parent Support Group (PSG) meetings took place to support children with additional learning needs.  These very important opportunities allow families and teachers to discuss specific adjustments for students to access learning. We thank each of you for this commitment to fostering partnerships with our school.

Looking Forward: As we look ahead to the next term, we are excited about the opportunities for growth and development that lie ahead. We remain committed to providing our students with the best possible education, nurturing their talents, and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. We are excited to commence integrated studies with a focus on Chemical Science next term. We encourage any family members with a science background or work role who might be able to share ideas, experiences, or knowledge to contact your child's teacher and let them know! We will also welcome you once again in Term 4 to come along and learn alongside your child.

In closing, the staff of St. Thomas extends our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for being a part of our Term 3 journey. Let's continue to celebrate the achievements and milestones of our students, and together, we can make the upcoming term even more remarkable. Wishing you all a wonderful and restful break, and we look forward to seeing you again in the new term filled with fresh opportunities, challenges, and celebrations. Don't forget Friday 15th is the final day of term and sports dress up day. We look forward to welcoming all students back on Monday 2nd October.

Warm regards,

Sarah Chappell

First Communion Update

Congratulations to half of our First Communion candidates who made their sacrament last weekend as we now move to the 2nd weekend of celebrations.

Christ Mission India

The Damascus Community were treated to a special guest, representing the Christ Mission India charity organisation today. This was special, as we are embarking on a fund-raising effort for this particular charity this year, instead of Socktober. The students got to hear firsthand, how the work in India is transformative for these communities. The casual clothes day we had recently is only the start of our efforts, so stay tuned next term, during Mission Month about how we will have more opportunities to raise some funds for desperate communities in India.

Our Grade Five students had a fun filled learning excursion to the zoo this week. We were all very proud of their engagement and behaviour on the excursion. 

Check out a small selection of photos from the day.

Showcasing the amazing collaborative work students at STAPS have been doing this term in sustainability and visual art lessons,
linked to the inquiry on biologocal science.

Lost Property

The lost property box is currently overflowing with items. Please remind your child/ren to please check for any lost items.
All unclaimed items will be donated to the second hand stall by end of term.