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Our school is a place of faith and learning
“From the first moment that a student sets foot in a Catholic school, he or she ought to have the impression of entering a new environment, one illuminated by the light of faith, and having its own unique characteristics. The inspiration of Jesus must be translated from the ideal into the real. The Gospel spirit should be evident in a Christian way of thought and life which permeates all facets of the educational climate”.
Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,
As the weather changes and cold and flu season is approaching I wanted to update and inform you of one of the challenges we face in education today. Undoubtedly, most parents would be aware that there is a pressing shortage of teachers in Australian schools at present, and the evolving landscape suggests that this situation is not likely to improve in the immediate future.
At St Thomas we are fortunate to be fully staffed despite the current teacher shortages and have been able to maintain a small but committed base of Casual Relief Teachers (CRT’S) and Casual Education Support Officers that enjoy working in the St Thomas learning community.
One of the challenges we face at St Thomas at the moment is the building and maintaining a bank of CRT’s that we can use to support staff who are in leadership roles, staff who are on sick leave, staff who are on long service leave or staff completing mandated assessments across a specific grade level.
Organising these replacements to ensure we are providing coverage for all students is a big job. Our Deputy Principal Tara (and over the past few weeks, Emily) are in charge of this task, their school day can begin from 6.30 am, and it can take anywhere up to an hour and a half to ensure classrooms and yard duties are covered.
If we cannot source teachers, we have no option but to split classes and or not run a specialist class for the day. We acknowledge that this is not ideal, can be disruptive, as well as increasing the workload of teachers who are onsite working, but this is the only way we can provide a duty of care to all our students.It is always our last resort.
If you know of any teachers or Education Support Staff who would be willing to do some extra work as a Casual replacement please encourage them to contact me.
PARISH MORNING TEA
This Sunday St Thomas School together with the Polish Community are hosting the welcome morning tea at the Sale Cathedral after the 9:30am Mass. It would be great to see you there and/or available to help serve the tea and coffee and greet parishioners. I know it can be challenging with weekend sport but if you were free it would be great to see you there.
Kind Regards
Jodie
2025 SCHOOL TERM DATES
Term 1
Tuesday 28th January - Friday 4th April (2.15pm finish)
(Students start Friday 31st Jan)
Pupil Free day Monday 31st March 2025
Term 2
Tuesday 22nd April - Friday 4th July
Public Holiday - Anzac Day - Friday 25th April
Term 3
Monday 21st July - Friday 19th September
Term 4
Monday 6th October - Friday 19th December
Reminder you can also check the PAM calendar for important dates.
Friday 6th June Student Free Day St Thomas'
Monday 9th June Kings Birthday NO BUSES RUNNING
Friday 4th July Last day of term 2. Buses leave at 2.20pm instead of 3.20pm
Monday 21st July Student Free Day NO BUSES RUNNING
Tuesday 22nd July First Day of Term 3 for buses
Friday 19th September Student Free Day St Thomas
Last day of term 3. Buses leave at 2.20pm instead of 3.20pm
Monday 6 th October First Day of Term 4
Monday 3 rd November Student Free Day NO BUSES RUNNING
Tuesday 4 th November Melbourne Cup Day NO BUSES RUNNING
Thursday 18 th December Last day for St Thomas
| Foundation A - Mrs Goudie & Mrs Manning | Johann Wilson Nava& Evie Lewis Ellot. Jayla Ngapare, Ellaoise Hughes & Charlotte Rees |
| Foundation B - Mrs Brayshaw | Spenser Jones & Maddie Nicholson. Aurora Flanagan & Xion Yang |
| Year 1 A - Mrs Morelli / Mrs Ray | Lenix Sanders & Lorah Lim. Elira Clancy & Robyn Burnard |
| Year 1 B - Mrs Phillips / Mrs Ray | Lilly O'Shea & Lexie Healy. Alexander Pais-Bubb & Logan Flanagan |
| Year 2 A - Mrs Davis / Mrs Jones | Class of 2A, Ethan Fairhall. Mia Rees |
| Year 2 B - Mrs Bennett | Audrey Bedggood & Kayson Robinson - Class of 2B. Oliver Heatherington & Spencer Heywood |
| Year 3 A - Mrs Lee | Noah Elston & Stevie Brennan |
| Year 3 B - Mrs Ko | Alexis Simmons & Reuben Campbell |
| Year 4 A - Mrs Wilson | Harry Hayman, McKenzie George, Elsie Smolenaars,Josie Vatnsdal Will Malady & Tilly Phillips |
| Year 4 B - Mr Brunt | |
| Year 5 A - Miss Cameron | Jensen Fraser, Ted Waterman & Ben Armstron. Lottie Goudie, Annabella Cutrupi & Sienna Smolenaars |
| Year 5 B - Ms Berry / Mrs Glover | Chloe McCarthy & Jake Whykes. Bodhi McKenzie & Mesa Cordwell |
| Year 6 A - Mrs Irwin | Poppy Fowler & William Bendall. Hunter Lange & Billy Wilson |
| Year 6 B - Mrs Bradley / Mrs Fox | Georgia Rogers, Addiarna Finlay & Amelia Glover |
We have a number of items available in the second hand uniform shop. To purchase or check out what's available please contact Anna Baynes on 0419117649.
JOINT STATEMENT FROM
Bishop Greg Bennet & Mr Paul Velten
Catholic Bishop of Sale Director of Catholic Education
Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Ltd
Community Update 3: The Future of
Our Lady of Sion Convent and
former Sion Campus, Sale.
The Our Lady of Sion Convent building in Sale is a much-loved local landmark with historical and
educational significance for Catholics, the Catholic education community, and the broader community
in Sale.
In this third update, we want to bring members of St Mary’s Parish, St Thomas’ Primary School, and
other members of the Sale community, up to date about the significant progress that has occurred
since August 2023 in the redevelopment of the former Our Lady of Sion Convent site into an exciting,
state-of-the-art education facility, serving the mission of the Diocese of Sale.
A significant challenge in the redevelopment planning process is to ensure that the comprehensive
renovation of this iconic 125-year-old building will be done in ways that will (a) meet the needs of
students and staff in a contemporary educational context, and (b) comply with the more rigorous
21st-century building codes, while still retaining the building’s original beauty, grandeur and
character. This process requires meticulous planning and sensitive consultation with numerous
stakeholders.
The architects and consultants are progressing in the design and preparation works. The
Architectural team continues to meet with heritage advisors, specialist engineers and the St Thomas’
Primary School community.
There has also been ongoing consultation with the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion to identify how their
extensive contribution to Catholic education on this site can be acknowledged and celebrated, to
ensure their legacy endures among future generations.
We are happy to announce that, earlier this year, the Victorian Minister for Planning, through the
Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), granted a planning permit for the proposed works.
We can also confirm that we were successful in obtaining a Commonwealth Capital Grant from the
Federal Government for the construction of additional new student learning spaces on the site. These
proposed education facilities are an essential element of the overall St Thomas’ Primary School
masterplan and are separate to the redevelopment work on the former Sion Convent building.
While the planning process continues, it is anticipated that work will soon commence to bring the
property back to a clean site, as well as beginning some preservation of the former Sion Convent.
Community members may see the demolition of some non-heritage and ad-hoc structures that have
been identified as being unsuitable as contemporary learning spaces. These buildings are not
included in the proposed development masterplan. There will also be some associated groundwork
and temporary building maintenance essential to preserving the former Sion Convent building whilst
it is in caretaker mode.
While we are excited about the considerable progress that has been made in the past ten months, a
great deal of work is still to be done before a definitive announcement can be made to key
stakeholders about the approval of the project. Please keep this project, the re-development team,
and the St Thomas’ Catholic Primary School community, in your prayers.
Background and Timeline:
November 2020: The site became vacant following the formal relocation of the Catholic College
Sale Junior campus. Many expressed their dreams and hopes for the future use
of this treasured local landmark.
August 2021: The Bishop of Sale, through his Diocesan Committee chaired by the former
Member for Gippsland South and parishioner of St Mary’s Cathedral, the
Honourable Mr Peter Ryan, began exploring possible uses of the convent
building. The Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Ltd (DOSCEL) engaged
specialist consultants to explore the possible relocation of St Thomas’ Catholic
Primary School, Sale to the Sion Campus site.
November 2021: A community survey was undertaken to gather feedback on relocating
St Thomas’ Catholic Primary School to the Sion Campus site.
October 2022: It was announced that through the work of DOSCEL and the Diocesan
Committee, consideration would focus on the development of the whole site as a
state-of-the-art education facility with the Convent building which includes the
Chapel being the centrepiece of the school.
December 2022: Early conceptual designs for a Preliminary Proposed Masterplan were
developed by a project architect for consideration and assessment.
January - June 2023: Extensive investigations continued and a range of consultant specialists
including engineers, surveyors and a Heritage Advisor were appointed.
June 2022: Preliminary Proposed Masterplan moved to Detailed Design Phase. Architects
commenced engagement with Town Planning.
February 2024: Planning permit granted by the Minister for Planning through the Department of
Transport and Planning
February 2024: Commonwealth Government Capital Grant confirmed.
For Project Updates on Our Lady of Sion Convent and Sion Campus go to:
