2026 T2W4 – 14 May

Loving God,

We give you thanks for the gift of mothers and all those who care for us with love and generosity. We are grateful for their kindness, patience and selfless hearts, which reflect your care for each of us.

As we celebrate our Presentation heritage, inspired by Nano Nagle,
help us to be people of compassion, reaching out to others with understanding and hope. Guide our school community as we nurture each child to grow in faith, learning and love.

Bless our families, our students and staff,
and all who walk alongside us in shaping young hearts and minds.
May we always recognise the goodness in one another
and strive to bring your light into the world.

Amen.

As I celebrated Mother’s Day this weekend, I found myself reflecting on the beautiful message shared by Sr Catherine Warner PBVM during our Mother’s Day liturgy on Wednesday morning. Following a wonderful breakfast prepared by our P & F and Men of St Thomas’, Sr Catherine reminded us that this is a time not only to honour mothers, but to celebrate all those who care for us and shape our lives. The love, kindness and selfless giving of mothers and mother figures is a true blessing, one that enriches our school and our wider community every day.

Sr Catherine, a Presentation Sister, has a deep and meaningful connection to St Thomas’ Primary School. As a past student, a former Principal within Catholic Education WA, and now a facilitator who supports our students on their Sacramental journeys, Sr Catherine embodies the enduring spirit of the Presentation tradition. Her presence with us this week was a powerful reminder of our rich heritage.

250 Years – Presentation Education in WA.

This year, we celebrate 250 years since the founding of the Presentation Sisters by the Venerable Nano Nagle. Nano’s vision during a time of great hardship in Ireland was to provide education to those who were poor and marginalised. Her courage, compassion and commitment to justice continue to inspire us today. As a Presentation school, we are called to continue this mission, nurturing each child with care, dignity and a deep sense of purpose.

As educators of your children, we are privileged to partner with you in their growth. We strive not only to support strong academic development, but to nurture the whole child, helping each student to build meaningful relationships, navigate social situations with confidence, and develop a strong sense of empathy, resilience and faith. In doing so, we honour both the legacy of Nano Nagle and the everyday example set by the many caregivers in our community.

Thank you for the love, support and faith you bring to your children and to our school. Together, we continue to build a community grounded in care, respect and hope.

Living Our Values Together
At the heart of everything we do is a deep commitment to live out our school values. Values are guiding lights of behaviour and attitude. They guide not only what we learn, but how we learn and grow together as a faith-filled community. This term, our focus on Academic Excellence and our fortnightly emphasis on Community have provided rich opportunities for students to strive, connect, and contribute.

Academic Excellence: Striving to Be Our Best
Academic excellence is not simply about achieving high results, it is about developing a love of learning, persistence in the face of challenge, and pride in personal growth. Simply, it’s doing YOUR best, not necessarily THE best. Across the school, students have been encouraged to ttempt challenging tasks, take ownership of their learning, and embrace feedback as a way to improve. In classrooms, students engage deeply with their work, ask thoughtful questions during discussions and while inquiring, collaborate with peers, and demonstrate resilience when experiencing challenges. Teachers continue to support this culture by providing purposeful learning experiences that extend thinking and celebrate effort as well as achievement.

Community: Sharing Our Gifts and Talents
Our fortnightly focus on Community reminds us that we are stronger together. At its core, community is about a group of people united by shared faith, who share their gifts and talents for the good of group. As a Catholic school, this call to community is central to who we are, reflecting Gospel values, and living as Jesus taught.

Recent events have beautifully illustrated what it means to live this value, such as our cross country carnival, the WaterWise incursion where experts in our community were invited to share their knowledge with students, and the recent Year Four, Five and Six Parish Masses, where our students joined with St Thomas the Apostle parishoners for Wednesday mass. Upcoming events such as the school disco, Saturday night masses and sausage sizzles, and our term culminating in our Founders’ Day celebrations, are yet more ways our school celebrates ‘community’.

The interconnectedness of our values is evident throughout our school. Academic excellence thrives in strong communities, and community is strengthened when individuals bring their best efforts and gifts forward. I look forward to celebrating Values Awards at next Monday’s assembly – a highlight of our week at St Thomas’! Thank you to our staff, students, and families for the many ways you contribute to our community.