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Dear parents, caregivers and students,
Term 2 sees our students settled and focused on their learning. They continue to explore both academic and social experiences and learn and grow. Part of this is learning to fail, to be wrong, to feel the discomfort of learning. For some children this discomfort is a little frightening or could be described as creating anxiety. Having safe adults that share the challenges of learning, of the feelings that sit underneath our confident faces is very important for children to hear. Please take the opportunity to share with your children little snippets of how you felt when faced with learning new or difficult things. Share how the messiness of learning is then trumped by the pride and satisfaction of achievement and mastery.
If we think back to our children as toddlers. The determination they showed to learn to walk, pulling themselves up, falling again and again and again. They determinedly tried again and again and then that look of joy, of excitement, of triumph when they began to walk. Somewhere along the path children can lose that willingness to try; they want to be right first time, to not feel shame or embarrassment.
NAPLAN
Our students have completed their NAPLAN testing this week. We have a short catch up window for those students who were unwell for a test/s. I thank the students for their determination to try, to do something new (this is the first NAPLAN for both our Year 3s and our Year 5s in 2022) and to keep coming back each day to try again!
Our teachers have prepared the children well by helping them understand the test format, allowing them to practice and explain the processes. The teachers have helped students manage their concerns, work through frustrations and to feel confident that they tried their best.
Mothers Day
It was wonderful to have the chance to meet many of our mothers and special ladies last Friday. To see the nurturing women in our community spending time meeting one another, sharing a laugh and a cupcake was lovely. We look forward to developing new ways for our community to celebrate, that fit our size and demographic.
If you are interested in this please email me about joining Friends of St Thomas. There is an email address that we can use for FOST communication fost@cranbourneeast.catholic.edu.au . We have a good number who signed up during the Mothers' Day event and we look forward to working together to support the school families.
Kind regards,
Kate
Bethlehem Mass
The Bethlehem Community (year 2) celebrated Mass on Wednesday. We had parents and parishioners come to celebrate too. This makes it truly a community experience and we love the fact that we can have parents onsite once again.
The theme of the Mass was 'Followers of Jesus', which enabled us to explore what it means to 'follow' Him. Fr Denis asked the students for examples of how they can show they love Jesus. And this is really what defines someone who identifies as a Christian. It is not by a label, it can only be shown by words and actions.
Confirmation 2022 Program Underway
We had a wonderful start to our Confirmation 2022 program on Tuesday night this week. Fr Denis has instituted a bit of a change in format, which now includes a 'wine & cheese' introduction to the evening! It was a lovely way to welcome our parents and allow a bit of a chat before we started. This is a good reminder to all of our parents that Parent Formation Night means that it is a parent only event - do not bring your child along to this. The Parent/Child Workshops however, later in the term, is the event that you bring your child to.
We have a repeat of this night, coming up next Tuesday night (17th May) for the rest of our parents who have indicated that they wish their child to celebrate their Confirmation sacrament this year. See below for a summary of dates for the Confirmation Program.
Sacrament Dates 2022
Parent Formation Night - opportunity for adult formation as well as details around the preparation and celebration of the sacrament. No children attend this event.
Parent/Child Workshop - opportunity for students to learn about the sacrament with parent participation. Children come with their parent to this event.
Reconciliation - opportunity to see the priest individually, ‘reset’ their relationship with God before the celebration of Confirmation or First Communion.
Confirmation
Date |
Event |
Time |
10 May |
Parent Formation Night 1 (no children) |
7pm |
14/15 May |
Enrolment Masses |
|
17 May |
Parent Formation Night 2 (No children) |
7pm |
21/22 May |
Enrolment Masses |
|
7 June |
Parent/Child Workshop 1 (children attend) |
7pm |
8 June |
Parent/Child Workshop 2 (children attend) |
7pm |
16 August |
Retreat Day |
|
10 & 17 August 13 August (catechism group) |
Reconciliation |
|
20 August |
Confirmation Masses |
11am 2pm |
First Holy Communion
Date |
Event |
|
19 July |
Parent Formation Night 1 (no children) |
7pm |
23/24 July |
Enrolment Masses |
|
26 July |
Parent Formation Night 2 (no children) |
7pm |
30/31 July |
Enrolment Masses |
|
9 August |
Parent/Child Workshop 1 (children attend) |
7pm |
10 August |
Parent/Child Workshop 2 (children attend) |
7pm |
7 September 3 September (catechism group) |
Reconciliation |
|
10 & 11 September |
First Holy Communion Masses |
6pm 9am 10:45am |
17 & 18 September |
First Holy Communion Masses |
6pm 9am 10:45am |
What amazing turn out last week!
The cupcakes and coffee went down a storm.
It was so lovely to see our special ladies chatting, laughing and meeting new people.
Friends of St Thomas Group - FOST
Thanks to the multiple people who signed up to find out more about FOST last week. It's not too late to sign up!
Next week the school will send home a google sheet, by email, to all interested parties.
This will seek to determine a steering committee and work out the next steps to get the group functioning again after the enforced COVID hiatus.
Whether you'd like to be on a group that organises events, fundraisers or resources, or just turn up on the day and be given a task or two, FOST would love to have you!
To be included in the mailing list for FOST, please email fost@cranbourneeast.catholic.edu.au