Dear Families and Friends,

As we approach Week 7 of Term 4, we are focusing closely on a successful transition for our students into 2022. Our teachers have started the conversation with our students asking specific questions such as: 

• Who are my friends who help me to learn? 

• Who are my friends who say helpful things and help me to concentrate?

• Who are my friends who help me feel safe?

When we ask these questions, we are providing for our students a voice to share their thinking around who helps them learn best. These names are recorded and help inform our class structures for 2022.

Please continue to communicate with your child’s teacher as new information comes to hand so we can provide an effective learning environment that caters for our student’s learning at their point of need. Working in partnership between home and school is so critical in a successful transition for all our students. 

The process of transition occurs over time, beginning well before children start school and extending to the point where children and families feel a sense of belonging at school then continues to build, ideally all the way through their child’s education. 

When a transition is effective it looks like:

• respectful, trusting and supportive relationships are maintained among all those working with children and their families

• information about the children is well understood, shared and valued

• children have the opportunities to have their say about what is important to them

• processes are adapted in response to the local communities and individual children and families

• children and families who require additional support are identified early, and support is planned and delivered through a collaborative approach

If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to your child’s teacher as the first contact. My door is always open, should you require additional support or clarity.

Enjoy your week everyone. 

Take care and stay safe.

Jen Gulavin (Deputy Principal-Inclusive Education)

Remembrance Day

For the first time this year, St Thomas the Apostle PS was able to gather together for a very special occasion, Remembrance Day. For the students and staff, this was quite a big deal. We had to remember what it is like to be together in the one space and for the Foundation students, this must have been daunting! The students did an amazing job of maintaining reverence and a reflective atmosphere.

Senior students of the Bethany Community stepped up to the occasion and took on a very important leadership role of taking us through the readings and prayers. Suitably, we listened to John’s gospel that reminds us that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend. We were led through the beautiful poem, ‘In Flanders Fields’, the ‘Ode’ and our beloved ‘Lord’s Prayer’. A touching moment was experienced when two Foundation students carried the wreath carefully to the foot of the flagpole. The school choir sang the National Anthem to complete the ceremony.

The flagpole courtyard was adorned with red poppies, red balloons and red streamers to create a stunning backdrop for the Remembrance Day prayer service. It was a beautiful event to be part of and we were so grateful that this was made possible with recent lifting of restrictions.

It is moments like this that provide students with a richness of tradition and recognition of significant stories in our history. Whilst there are still aspects of our life where we are feeling a lack of freedom, it is nothing compared to the freedoms that were fought for by our generations before us. 

Lest we forget.

Dear Families

Thank you to all those families who have paid their 2021 fees in full.

Just a reminder to all that the final balance of fees for 2021 are due this Friday 12^th November (excludes those on direct debit).  Should you have difficulty meeting this deadline please contact me to discuss.

Thank you to all.

Nicola Saunders

Administration Officer

Dear Parents,

We are very excited to be in a position in 2022 to have room to engage an Out of School Hours Care partner. 

After several months of exploring our options we are happy to announce we are partnering with Village OSHC to support our families with before and after school care onsite. There will be details in the newsletters coming up and the company will be sending through support information for those interested in using the service on a regular or casual basis.

Some of the key reasons that Village OSHC was chose are:
- child centred and proud of their safety reputation

- proprietary booking system which allows near real time booking

- regular and casual bookings available

- school closure and holiday programs (starting after the beginning of Term 1 2022)

We look forward to this partnership and hope that the service of an onsite OSHC will be supportive of our families.

Kind regards, 
Kate