Prayer
Loving God,
Thank You for a wonderful term of learning, growth and friendship.
Help us to use our gifts to serve others with kindness and generosity.
We thank You for the Year 5 and 6 students and their efforts,
to support Sr Joan’s Milk Run, helping families in need.
Bless our students, staff and families during the holidays.
Keep us safe, happy and close to You.
Amen.
.
Important Dates
Please remember dates of events can be subject to change
TERM THREE
- Thu 24 Sep – TERM 3 CONCLUDES FOR STUDENTS
- Fri 25 Sep – Staff PD (Pupil free)
TERM FOUR
- Mon 12 Oct – TERM 4 COMMENCES
- Mon 12 – Fri 16 Oct – Y6 Canberra Tour
From the Principal
As we come to the end of another wonderful term at St Thomas’, I am grateful for the many achievements and moments of growth we have seen in our students. It has been a pleasure to watch them develop their talents, build their confidence and grow in character. Our school values remain at the heart of all we do and are reflected each day in the way our students learn, show kindness to others and contribute positively to our community. These everyday moments are a reminder of the caring and welcoming spirit that makes St Thomas’ such a special place.
Thank you, parents and carers, for your ongoing support of our programs and for partnering with us in your child’s learning journey. The strong partnership between home and school is one of the great strengths of our community, and I sincerely appreciate the time, encouragement and support you provide for your children and for St Thomas’.
BIG HEARTS, BRIGHT IDEAS
Year 5 and 6 Students Raise Funds for Sr Joan’s Milk Run
What a wonderful celebration of creativity, teamwork and generosity our Year 5 and 6 Market Stalls were on Wednesday. Students worked together to develop products, create marketing plans, manage budgets and run their stalls, bringing their Economics and Business learning to life in authentic and engaging ways while raising funds for Sr Joan’s Milk Run in Thailand.
Founded by Australian Presentation Sister, Sr Joan Evans, the Milk Run provides infant formula and support to vulnerable babies and families living in the slums of Bangkok.
I am incredibly proud of our students for using their gifts to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Their compassion, initiative and willingness to serve are a beautiful reflection of our Catholic values and Presentation heritage. Through this project, students not only developed valuable entrepreneurial skills but also gained a deeper understanding of social justice and the importance of helping those in need.
Thank you to our staff, students and families for supporting this meaningful initiative and for embracing the spirit of generosity that continues to flourish within our St Thomas’ community.
BEST WISHES FOR THE HOLIDAY BREAK
As this term draws to a close, I wish all our families a wonderful and restful holiday break. May the holidays provide an opportunity to spend quality time together, relax and recharge after a busy and rewarding term. Please stay safe over the break, and we look forward to warmly welcoming all students back for the first day of Term 4 on Monday 12 October.
Natalia Thomson
Principal
From the Assistant Principal
EXCELLENCE FOR ALL
Throughout this term, we have been exploring with our students what it means to pursue ‘Excellence for Others’. Excellence is not simply about achieving our own goals or doing our personal best, although doing YOUR best is also promoted to students. It is also about bringing out the best in others and celebrating their successes.
We encourage our students to recognise that their words and actions can help others to flourish. We can encourage someone who is struggling, include someone who feels left out, cooperate rather than compete, offer help when it is needed, and genuinely celebrate the achievements of others. In doing so, we live out Jesus’ commandment: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31). Jesus reminds us that how we treat others is inseparable from how we live our own lives.
This leads us to a simple challenge: Give your best to others. Whilst there is a range at which this can be understood and adopted by a 3year old to a 12 year old, these discussions are important for adults to be having with children. How we speak, listen, play, learn, lead and serve matters. Excellence can be seen not only in the quality of what we achieve, but also in the quality of what we give to other people — our time, encouragement, kindness, patience, effort and support.
As we conclude the term, we encourage our students to continue looking beyond themselves: Who can I encourage? Who can I include? Who can I help to succeed? Whose success can I celebrate? When we use our gifts to help others become their best, we demonstrate that excellence is not just something we achieve — it is something we share.
TERM FOUR
There is no ‘quiet’ term here at St Thomas’, with the amount of opportunities our students are presented with. Please view the school website calendar for key dates of Term Four. They are also included at the end of this newsletter. In addition, the 2027 Term Calendar is being added to the website calendar also. The ‘Subscribe’ feature for both Apple iCal or Google Calendar is a great tool to have dates fed to straight to your device. To subscribe, visit https://stthomas.wa.edu.au/our-community/term-dates-calendar/
PHOTOS
School photos have arrived and were distributed to students Wednesday 23/9. If there are any issues with the delivery (after you have checked your child’s school bag!) please contact the office, or issues with the photos should be directed to MSP directly (along with any compliments you may have!).
Y5-Y6 iPAD USE OVER HOLIDAYS
Parents are encouraged to access resources at https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents. This is one of the best websites for parents to visit to support their child’s safe use of iPad. Given the holidays approaching, setting limits for screen time, and openly discussing agreed use of the iPad can help families with what can sometimes be a battle! If you wish to discuss this further, please make contact with me.
Heath Nankivell
Assistant Principal
Grandparent's Day & Art Show
Reminder - Pupil Free Day Friday
Parents are reminded that there is no school for students on Friday 25 September.
Merit Awards
Final call School Fees 2026
As the end of the school year approaches we remind families to please settle their school fees on or before 28 November.
If you have a payment plan in place (direct debit) then this will automatically occur and there is nothing further you are required to do.
Should you have any queries please contact Victoria in Finance either by phoning: 9286 9500 or emailing: accounts@stthomas.wa.edu.au
Thank you for your continued support.
2027 Planning
As we begin planning for the 2027 school year, we ask that any families who anticipate leaving St Thomas’ at the end of this year please advise the School Office in writing.
As outlined in the Conditions of Enrolment, one term’s written notice is required. Failure to provide the required notice will result in a term’s fees being charged in lieu of notice.
Student Departure Forms are available from the School Office and can be emailed or collected at your convenience.
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
Athletics House Carnival
2026 St Thomas’ Athletics Carnival
What a fantastic day we had at our 2026 St Thomas’ Athletics Carnival!
We were very lucky to have such beautiful weather and it was wonderful to see so many students giving their best, supporting their faction and showing fantastic sportsmanship throughout the day. A huge congratulations to every student who competed. You should all be very proud of your efforts!
I would also like to say a huge thank you to all of our wonderful parent volunteers who generously gave their time to help throughout the carnival as well as our Jumps and Throws Days. Your support with recording, ribbons, announcing, events, setting up and packing away was greatly appreciated.
Days like these simply could not run as smoothly without the support of our parent community, so thank you!
Final Faction Results
1st – Forrest: 2,308 points
2nd – Sheridan: 2,255 points
3rd – Gittens: 2,043 points
Congratulations to Forrest on taking out the 2026 Athletics Carnival!
A special congratulations also goes to Sheridan, who were awarded the Spirit Award for their fantastic encouragement, enthusiasm and faction spirit throughout the day.
Individual Champions and Runners Up
Year 1
Girls Champion: Victoria
Girls Runner Up: Elsie
Boys Champion: Jordan
Boys Runner Up: Loïc
Year 2
Girls Champion: Scarlett
Girls Runner Up: Isla
Boys Champion: Samuel
Boys Runner Up: Quinn
Year 3
Girls Champion: Mary
Girls Runner Up: Natalie
Boys Champion: Charles
Boys Runner Up: Vince
Year 4
Girls Champion: Rosinia
Girls Runner Up: Anastasia
Boys Champion: Thomas
Boys Runner Up: Rowan
Year 5
Girls Champion: Aviva
Girls Runner Up: Elizabeth C.
Boys Champion: Hudson
Boys Runner Up: Jack
Year 6
Girls Champion: Madeline
Girls Runner Up: Beatrice
Boys Champion: Arthur
Boys Runner Up: Julian
Congratulations again to all our champions and runners up and to every student who participated across the carnival events. It was such a beautiful day and a wonderful celebration of athletics, participation, teamwork and school spirit.
Thank you to our staff, families and parent volunteers for helping make the 2026 Athletics Carnival such a successful day!
Miss Wallace
Health & Physical Education Teacher
Year 5/6 Market Stalls
Year 6 Raffle
Royal Show Parking
Parents wishing to access parking when visiting the Royal Show over the holidays are encouraged to park at the school for $20 a space! The school is a short walk to Claremont showgrounds down Warden Street and Gugeri Street.
Funds raised will go toward the Year Six Canberra trip as well as raising funds to support the school and our parish. Thank you in advance for your support!
Health Notification
As you are no doubt aware there has been a lot of virus’ making the rounds within the community and unfortunately, St Thomas’ PS hasn’t been immune.
We hope during the holidays everyone has the opportunity to fully recuperate so they join us fit and healthy for the start of Term 4.
We have also been advised of head lice/nits within our school. It is a timely reminder to please check your child/ren’s hair tonight and on a regular basis.
If lice/nits are discovered, the Health Department regulations require that your child not be returned to school until appropriate treatment has commenced. Your local pharmacist will be able to advise you in this matter.
For further information about detecting and treating head lice you can go to: http://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Head-lice
Thank you in advance for your attention to these matters.
Spirit of TOM Award
Arts Show Fundraiser
2027 Pre-Kindy & Kindy Enrolments Now Open
Enrolments are now open for Pre-Kindy and Kindergarten 2027 at St Thomas’ Primary School.
If you have a child who may be eligible, we encourage you to let us know as soon as possible:
· Pre-Kindy 2027: Children turning 3 years of age in 2027
· Kindergarten 2027: Children turning 4 years of age on or before 30 June 2027
As places can be limited, enrolment applications are considered in the following order of priority:
1. Catholic students from the Claremont Parish with a Parish Priest reference
2. Catholic students from outside the Parish with a Parish Priest reference
3. Other Catholic students
4. Siblings of non-Catholic students
5. Non-Catholic students from other Christian denominations
6. Other non-Catholic students
Families applying for enrolment are asked to support and abide by the policies and practices of Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA).
If your family has a younger child who is eligible, or if you know of other families who may be interested, please encourage them to visit our website to book a tour and access enrolment information: https://stthomas.wa.edu.au/our-school/enrolment/
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
Tiny Toms
· Free
· 0-3 children & parents/grandparents
· Every Wednesday 9 -10.30am
· Pre-kindy room at St Thomas’
· Entry through Melville Street entrance
· All welcome.
Student Assistant Payments - final call
The West Australian Government have once again initiated the West Australian Student Assistant Payment (WASAP) for families with school-aged children.
The program commenced on Monday 20 July and will run until Friday 25 September 2026.
All eligible parents and caregivers can claim: • $150 for every child enrolled in kindergarten and primary school. • $250 for every child enrolled in secondary school.
It is expected that most families will submit their claim through the ServiceWA App, however paper-based forms will also be accessible from the Department of Education. Parents/ Caregivers may contact the ServiceWA Customer Care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for any assistance on 13 33 WA (13 33 92) or email support@digital.wa.gov.au during business hours.
If you require assistance with your child’s identity verification or locating your child’s West Australian Student Number (WASN) please contact our school office on 9286 9500 or email admin@stthomas.edu.au.
Edu-sing
2026 Term Dates
2026 TERM DATES:
TERM 2 – Tuesday 21 Apr – Friday 3 Jul (11 week term)
TERM 3 – Tuesday 21 Jul – Thursday 24 Sep (10 week term)
TERM 4 – Monday 12 Oct – Friday 11 Dec (9 week term)
PUPIL FREE DAYS:
Friday 29 May
Monday 20 Jul
Monday 24 Aug
Friday 25 Sep
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
Monday 1 Jun (WA Day)
Monday 28 Sep (King’s Birthday)- in school holidays
2027 Term Dates
2027 TERM DATES:
- TERM 1 – Thursday 28 Jan 2027 – Friday 9 Apr (11 weeks)
- TERM 2 – Wednesday 28 Apr – Friday 25 Jun (9 week term)
- TERM 3 – Tuesday 20 Jul – Thursday 23 Sep (10 week term)
- TERM 4 – Monday 11 Oct – Friday 10 Dec (9 week term)
PUPIL FREE DAYS:
TERM 1:
- Mon 25 Jan – Staff Development Day
- Tue 26 Jan – Australia Day
- Wed 27 Jan – Staff Development Day
- Mon 1 Mar – Labour Day
- Fri 26 Mar – Good Friday
- Mon 29 Mar – Easter Monday
- Tue 30 Mar – Easter Tuesday
TERM 2:
- Mon 26 Apr – ANZAC Day
- Tue 27 Apr – Staff Development Day
- Fri 4 Jun – School Catholic Day – school closed
- Mon 7 Jun – WA Day
TERM 3:
- Mon 19 Jul – Staff Development Day
- Mon 23 Aug – Staff Development Day
- Fri 24 Sep – Staff Development Day
TERM 4:
- Mon 8 Nov – Staff Development Day
