2025 T2W10 – 03 July

FOUNDERS DAY MASS & CELEBRATIONS

On Wednesday, our school community came together to celebrate Founders Day, a special occasion honouring St Thomas the Apostle and the Presentation Sisters, the founders of our school.

St Thomas is often remembered as the Apostle who doubted, but his story reminds us that asking questions is part of growing in faith. When he saw the risen Jesus, he believed deeply and proclaimed, “My Lord and my God.” His journey teaches us to be curious, to seek truth, and to trust in God’s loving presence.

We are blessed to have been founded by the Presentation Sisters in 1908. Their spirit and values continue to shape our school in meaningful ways. We were honoured to welcome eight Sisters to our beautiful Mass, led by our students. A heartfelt thank you to Mr Godsall, Mrs Gibbs, Miss Antulov and Mrs Wills for preparing the students so thoughtfully. Special thanks also to our P&F led by Patrycja and John Spears, for organising a delicious morning tea for our guests. A highlight for the sisters, was not only the Mass and singing, but also the beautiful cards created by our Year 3 students.

We were also delighted to have Fr Garner Vergara celebrate his first school Mass with us as our new Parish Administrator. Father Garner has already made several visits to staff and students since arriving in the parish less than two weeks ago. We thank him for his presence and support.

WINTER CARNIVAL

Congratulations to our Year 5 & 6 Winter Carnival teams who represented our school with great enthusiasm and sportsmanship at last Thursday’s interschool competition. Under the guidance of Miss Wallace, our Physical Education Specialist, our students achieved first place in both the Soccer and Netball A Division competition—bringing home the shields! Well done to all involved.

STAFFING UPDATE

This week we farewell Mrs Renee Miller, who has taught Drama at St Thomas’ for the past two and a half years. Renee has accepted a new classroom teaching role closer to home. We are grateful for her contributions, especially in developing our students’ skills in the performing arts. We wish her every success in her new role.

To ensure continuity, Mrs Nicole Wills, our Music Specialist, will be taking on the Drama portfolio and leading the Year 5 & 6 Drama Club after school. We look forward to seeing the creative energy continue under her guidance.

PRAYERS

Please keep Mrs Lila Gibbs and her family in your thoughts and prayers following the recent passing of her father in Melbourne. Lila is currently spending time with her family, and we send her our love and support during this difficult time.

THANK YOU & TERM 3 WELCOME

As we conclude Term 2, a big thank you to our students, staff, families, Advisory Council, P&F, parents, and the entire school community for your ongoing support, dedication, and care throughout the term. Your contributions help make St Thomas’ a vibrant and nurturing place for all.

We look forward to welcoming students back for Term 3 on Tuesday, 22 July.

Wishing everyone a safe, restful, and joyful holiday break!

EDUDANCE CONCERT

What a joy it was to witness the energy and enthusiasm of our students at the recent EduDance concert! Their confidence and creativity shone brightly, and it was heartwarming to see so many families in attendance supporting their children. Thank you for being part of this special celebration of movement, music, and community. If you have any feedback about the evening, please either email myself or fill in the ‘Contact Us’ form of our website by clicking here.

DIGITAL RESILIENCE WORKSHOP & VIDEO LINK

Thank you also to the parents who joined us for last night’s Digital Resilience Workshop. Your engagement in supporting your children’s safe and responsible use of technology is appreciated. A video recording of the evening will be available shortly, and we encourage you to explore further resources on the eSafety Commissioner’s Parent Portal, by clicking here.

REPORTS AVAILABLE

Mid-year reports are now available through SEQTA Engage. These reports provide a snapshot of your child’s progress and achievements so far this year, and are designed to support ongoing learning conversations between home and school. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s report, please don’t hesitate to reach out to their classroom teacher.

CHARACTER – WEEKLY FOCUS

This week, our weekly focus has been on the virtue of Character. We’ve been reflecting on how each of us is blessed with unique gifts from God and how we are called to use these gifts wisely. Through stories, prayer, and classroom activities, students have been encouraged to make good choices that reflect kindness, courage, and integrity.