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- White Token lunch - RSVP
- STA Fete News
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- Principal Awards - CONGRATULATIONS
- Class Awards
- Birthdays - December/January
- 2025 Term Dates
- OSHClub News
- St John the Apostle Parish Kippax
- Hawker Community Repair Cafe
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we approach the festive season, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donations towards our St Vincent De Paul Christmas hampers. Your support truly makes a difference in the lives of those in need, and we are grateful for your kindness.
We are thrilled to share some exciting news regarding our NAPLAN data! After a comprehensive review, we have seen how St Thomas Aquinas Primary School is performing exceptionally well compared to similar schools across the country.
Our commitment to implementing the Catalyst learning framework over the past several years has yielded outstanding results. It’s clear that our strategies, coupled with the support from the Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn (CECG) team, have made a significant impact. The Science of Learning and the associated High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITP) have proven effective in enhancing key literacy and numeracy outcomes for our students.
A special congratulations goes to Carmen Myles, Peter Collins and Leah Taylor, whose leadership in various Coaching initiatives has been instrumental in working with our dedicated staff over the last four years. Their hard work and commitment have contributed to our remarkable achievements and success.
We are proud to announce that St Thomas Aquinas has been recognised by newspapers and other media outlets as a leader in educational programs. This acknowledgment reflects the dedication of our entire school community, and we should all take pride in these accomplishments.
Ultimately, the true beneficiaries of this exceptional program are our students. Their growth and success are a testament to the collaborative efforts of everyone involved.
A reminder for those who have scheduled appointments for the 3 Way Conferences: these important meetings will take place this afternoon and continue tomorrow. We look forward to seeing you and discussing your child's progress. Please note that school reports will go live on Compass this Friday afternoon, providing valuable insights into your child's achievements this Semester.
This time of the year brings many changes to the school community with families joining us and leaving us, this is also the case with our staff. It is with sadness for our loss but excitement for their new adventures that we farewell Mrs Rachael Hind, Ms Meaghan Younger and Miss Matilda Kelly, along with my own new adventure!
To add to our staffing news, with the exciting arrival of our new Principal, Mr Matthew Garton we would also like to welcome new teachers joining us for next year, Mrs Natalia Zarb joining us from St Benedict’s, Narrabundah and Miss Jessica Coghlan coming across from Good Shepherd at Amaroo. Both teachers have a wealth of teaching experience and are highly skilled in Catalyst and HITP. I know you will be welcoming and supportive of our new staff members for 2025.
We are excited to be celebrating our end-of-year Mass in the Church at 9:30 AM on Thursday, 5th December 2024. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together as a community in gratitude and reflection.
Additionally, at 2.00 PM on Thursday, we will host our third Advent Prayer Celebration led by our Kinder Green class. We invite everyone to join us in the Church for this special moment of prayer and anticipation.
This week is particularly significant for our Year 6 students, who will celebrate their Graduation Assembly at 2.00 PM on Friday, followed by a Graduation Mass at 5.00 PM. To cap off the day, we will have a Disco starting at 6:30 PM. This will be a memorable occasion for our graduating class and their families!
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Wishing everyone a wonderful end to the school year as we draw closer to Christmas.
Warm regards and blessings of the season as we look forward to celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Jesus.
Tim Cleary
Many thanks to our teachers who continue to work tirelessly preparing the Semester 2 reports for the students. This semester student reports will be supported with classroom teacher comments which will outline student success and areas for development.
Student reports will be released via Compass on Friday, 6th December 2024. It is recommended that you print your child’s report out, particularly our Year 6 students.
To access your child’s report please go to the Compass app and click on the image of your child in the top left-hand corner. Select the Reports tab in the top right-hand corner and then select 2024 - Semester Two to view their report.
Please be mindful that the A-E scale is very different to what it looked like years ago. Our Kindergarten students will receive an alternative scale to A-E as outlined below.
Please take some time to familiarise yourself with the guidelines for assessment and reporting.
Kindergarten Scale of Assessment
Engagement with Learning
|
Consistently |
Displays thorough knowledge, understanding and application of the content, processes and skills in this area |
|
Usually |
Displays engagement with learning most of the time |
|
Developing |
Is beginning to display knowledge, understanding and application of the content, processes and skills in this area |
|
Needs Improvement |
Is yet to display knowledge, understanding and application of the content, processes and skills in this area |
Kindergarten Grade Scale
|
Above Expectations |
The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills in most situations |
|
Meeting Expectations |
The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills |
|
Working Towards Expectations |
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills |
|
Experiencing Difficulty |
The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills |
Year 1- Year 6 Grade Scale
|
Outstanding |
The student has extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations |
|
High |
The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills in most situations |
|
At Standard |
The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills |
|
Partial |
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills |
|
Limited |
The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills |
Year 1 – Year 6 Achievement Scale
|
A |
The student has extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations |
|
B |
The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills in most situations |
|
C |
The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills |
|
D |
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills |
|
E |
The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills |
When a student receives a ‘C’ grade it means they have demonstrated the quality of learning described in the Achievement Standard based on the content studied in the reporting period. If a student receives a ‘C’ in both semester 1 and 2 reports it indicates that the student has made progress and learned new knowledge and skills based on the new and more challenging material studied.
A student’s report will list a grade for each subject studied.
The following A-E descriptors will appear on the report:
- A demonstrating outstanding achievement of the standard
- B demonstrating a high achievement of the standard
- C demonstrating achievement of the standard
- D demonstrating partial achievement of the standard
- E demonstrating limited achievement of the standard.
A friendly reminder that school fees for 2024 are now overdue.
Please contact the front office to arrange payment prior to the end of the school year. Please note that all school fees are required to be paid in full by the end opf each school year as per the Enrolment Contract.
Thank you for your cooperation.
| WEEK | DATE | EVENT |
| 8 | Tues 03/12 | SCC Meeting at 6pm |
| 8 | Tues 03/12 | Optional 3 Way Conferences |
| 8 | Wed 04/12 | Year 6 SFX Orientation Morning |
| 8 | Wed 04/12 | Class Party - 3 Blue |
| 8 | Wed 04/12 | Optional 3 Way Conferences |
| 8 | Thur 05/12 | End of Year Whole School Mass at 9:30am |
| 8 | Fri 06/12 | Year 6 Daramalan Orientation Day |
| 8 | Fri 06/12 | Reports live on Compass |
| 8 | Fri 06/12 | Assembly 2pm in the Hall presented by Year 6 |
| 8 | Fri 06/12 | Year 6 Graduation Mass & Disco |
| 9 | Mon 09/12 | Principal Awards Assembly |
| 9 | Mon 09/12 | White Token Celebration Lunch |
| 9 | Mon 09/12 | Kingsford Smith Orientation for 2025 - Year 6 |
| 9 | Tues 10/12 | Meet the Teacher Day |
| 9 | Wed 11/12 | Year 6 Big Day Out |
| 9 | Thur 12/12 | Leadership Ceremony - Year 5 Familes invited to attend |
| 9 | Fri 13/12 | Year 6 Water Fight Farewell |
| 10 | Mon 16/12 | Last Day for students |
| 10 | Tues 17/12 | Pupil Free Day |
| Parish Priest | Father Gerard McCormick |
| Parish Secretary | Sharon Greaves |
| Telephone | 02 6258 1563 |
| charnwood@cg.org.au | |
| Address | 23 Lhotsky Street CHARNWOOD ACT 2615 |
| MASS | TIMES |
| Monday to Friday | 9:30am |
| Thursday - School Mass | 9:30am - one grade each week |
| Public Holidays | 9:30am |
| Saturday Vigil | 6:00pm |
| Sunday | 9:00am Children's liturgy is held during the school term. All families are welcome to attend. |
Advent Prayer Celebrations
Congratulations to Kinder Blue and Miss Barry for your fabulous Advent liturgy last Thursday. We are eagerly anticipating Kinder Green leading us in prayer this week for our third Advent liturgy. All families are invited to join us in the church at 2:00pm each of the Thursday afternoons in Weeks 8 & 9 for these celebrations.
| Advent 3 | 05/12/2024 | Kinder Green |
| Advent 4 | 12//12/2024 | 5 Blue |
Christmas Appeal
This year we are hoping to contribute much needed food items to support those in our community who may find the financial aspect of Christmas challenging. We are working with St Vincent de Paul to collect items for Christmas Hampers. Below you will see a list of suggested items to be brought in with different grade levels being responsible for different items. All donations will be presented to St Vincent de Paul at our final whole school Mass this Thursday, 5th December. Please send these non-perishable food/drinks into your child’s class where they will be kept until this Mass. Thank you in advance for the generosity this school community is known for.
| Year | Food Items |
| ELC | Christmas cake/puddings |
| Kinder | Chips, corn chips |
| Year 1 | Chocolates/lollies |
| Year 2 | Biscuits - sweet & savoury |
| Year 3 | Pantry items – sauces, salsa, mustards, spreads, pickles etc |
| Year 4 | Pantry items – cereal, rice, noodles, pasta |
| Year 5 | Drinks – soft drink, juice, cordial, iced tea |
| Year 6 | Christmas serviettes, bon-bons, paper plates |
Dignity Hamper
As part of our ongoing support of St Vincent de Paul and those in need in our own community we have established a new dignity hamper. Families are invited to donate to the hampers items to assist the homeless and those in need with hygiene items such as shampoo and conditioner, body wash or soap, deodorant, tampons and pads, incontinence aids and moisturizer. All donations can be place in the new cubes outside the Coordinators’ Office. These will be passed on to St Vincent de Paul as the cubes become full. Thank you in anticipation of your generous donations.
Graduation Mass
A special Graduation Mass for our Year 6 students and their families will be held this Friday, 6th December at 5:00pm. Please keep them in your prayers at this time of transition as it holds excitement, trepidation and new challenges.
Please Return Your Library Books
It is time to return all your library books. Please have a good look around the house for books with the STA barcode on them.
Please also let me know if you are missing any books.
Students are introduced to new Ngunnawal vocabulary weekly. To match our Ngunnawal word, Mrs Wang is also introducing the matching Chinese word to increase our culture learning. Special thanks to Miss Evans & Mrs Wang.
Please keep up to date by visiting our weekly newsletter.
Further information surrounding these events will be distributed within the coming days and weeks. We hope families and students enjoy celebrating and farewelling our wonderful Year 6 students & families.
Congratulations to all our white token recipients. It is so wonderful to see so many students striving to achieve a white token and displaying kindness, gratitude, respect and responsibility.
The White Token lunch invites have been sent home. Please note that RSVP's MUST be returned by Wednesday 4th December 2024 for catering purposes. Please note that no RSVP's will be accepted after this date.
If you have any concerns please do not heistate to contact the front office.
Thank you.
Please join us at our assembly on Friday at 2pm to celebrate our Class Award & White token recipients
| CLASS | STUDENT | CLASS | STUDENT |
| ELC Acacias | Archie W Hugh P |
ELC Coolabahs | Ingrid S Jack P |
| ELC Waratahs | Lucas T Logan D |
||
| KB | Isabelle N Hudson K |
KG | Benjamin D Alyssa L |
| 1B | Cody H Mia P |
1G | Ben P Harjit S |
| 2B | Isaac R Anna D |
2G | Zeke F Marine T |
| 3B |
Lorelei M Lincoln D |
3G | Elodie A Austin K |
| 4B | Rhythm G Chimaobi M |
4G | Eleanor S Layla L |
| 5B | Mansirat K Parker W |
5G | Harrison B-S Leilani H-M |
| 6B | Lu'isa T Annabelle M |
6G | Heath W Frederick N |
| Declan R | Noor K | Romeo C C | Kael S |
| Kuzi M | Jonathan E | Sami B | Estelle W |
| Lu'isa T | Annabelle M | Charles M | Maddison J |
| Oliver H | Niklaus T | Casey M | Indy M |
| Aden G | Willow H | Darcy R | Lucas G |
| Mikey J |
December Birthdays
Levi T, Benjamin D, Zayne K, Raydon A, Flynn O, Eleni B, Nathaniel E, Rhythm G, Harper C, Annaliese M, Trinity N, Emilie T, Flynn S, Hazel A, Jade J, Declan R, Alena G, Allan-James H, Aurelius F, Beau S, Samuella B, Naomi L H, Heidi S, Alexander D, Gemma M, Austin R, Ayen K, Bonnie P, Isabelle W, Heath M, Jonathan E
January Birthdays
Athena V, Ronith T, Delilah W-P, Rohi B, John B, Heath W, Lucas A, Layla E, Fay D, Elizabeth K, Rafe H, Mason N, Summer H, Sofia H, Heath W, Michael J, Sienna A, Hannah E, Isabelle M, Amelia H, Kai U, Lars S, Kendall T, Miller R, Imogen T, Ryan W, Amelia W, Melody N, Athena M, Lazarus F, Casey M, Zander R, Mia Phillips, Frejya P, Charlotte M, Maci M, Alice S, Beau R
2025 Sacramental Program Registration
Register your interest for your child/children for the 2025 Sacramental Program.
Use the QR Code below to register.
Registration Night details will be advised soon
For students in Year 3 for the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist and Year 6 for the Sacrament of Confirmation at St John the Apostle Primary School
For students In Years 3 and 4 for the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist and Year 6 for the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Thomas Aquinas Primary School
For students attending non catholic schools who have not received these Sacraments from Year 3-6
Registration closes on 13 December 2024