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,

Thank you for your strong support of the Mindfull Aus parent session on Tuesday, it was great that so many of you were able to join us to hear Matt’s presentation on “A child’s life should be good, not easy.” We got to hear valuable strategies to support our children with resilience, managing difficulties, building positive relationships and how to build connections with our children. 

The presentation focused on the six key emotions of:

We appreciate your support of this initiative and on your behalf thank Deb Fox for bringing this program to our school. 

WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY

At St Thomas, we believe that a strong partnership between parents and teachers is key to fostering a supportive learning environment for our students. Positive interactions between parents and teachers can significantly enhance a child's educational experience and overall well-being. 

Some ways we can work together to build these connections include:

• Open Communication: Regular and open communication helps build trust and understanding. Whether it's through Class Dojo, phone calls, or parent-teacher meetings, staying in touch ensures that both parties are working together to support the student's progress and needs. Please reach out to your child’s teacher if anything comes up that you feel they need to know.
• Active Participation: Parents are encouraged to participate in school activities, volunteer opportunities, and classroom events. This involvement not only shows students that their education is valued but also builds the connectedness to the school community.
• Positive Reinforcement: Celebrating successes and acknowledging efforts, both big and small, can boost a student's confidence and motivation. Teachers and parents can work together to recognise and reward achievements, this helps to foster a positive attitude towards learning.
• Constructive Feedback: Providing constructive feedback in a respectful and supportive manner helps students understand areas for improvement without feeling discouraged. By communicating together parents and teachers can share insights and strategies to help students grow and succeed.

Tips for Parents:

• Be Proactive: Don't wait for issues to arise before reaching out to your child's teacher. Regular check-ins can help address potential concerns early on.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with school newsletters, announcements, and your child's assignments. Being informed allows you to support your child's learning more effectively.
• Be Supportive at Home: By showing an interest in what is happening at school, your child will feel supported and it will increase communication about what they are learning and the school experience.
• Attend School Events: Make an effort to attend parent-teacher conferences, school plays, and other events. Your presence shows your child and their teacher that you value their education.

By working together, parents and teachers can create a nurturing and effective school experience. Let's continue to build these positive relationships and support our children in reaching their full potential.

STARTING LATE AND FINISHING EARLY

We have noticed that there are a number of students arriving at school late and finishing early. 

We understand that for some students coming to school is hard - please speak to your child’s teacher or a member of the learning adjustment team if your child is displaying school refusal or “school can’t“ so that a support plan can be discussed. 

We also understand that medical appointments such as doctors or offsite therapist appointments cannot be avoided during the school day but we ask that NON URGENT appointments be scheduled outside school hours. 

There are several reasons why arriving late and leaving early are not okay:

• Arriving Late - The start of the day is a chance to get settled, complete the before school classroom routine and connect with their teacher and friends before the day officially begins. The children are more settled, they know what is expected of them for the day and they haven’t missed important information about what might be happening in their day. 

• Leaving early - Learning is occurring right up until the end of the day; whether it is completing set work or playing a game with their class, there is always a learning intention behind it and a reason why it is important. Reasons such as getting a haircut, avoiding traffic, wet weather are not acceptable reasons for your child to leave early. 

• Frequent absences - these not only impact your child’s learning, they also influence their ability to form connections with their peers. By having continual absences they may also find it hard to return, creating anxiety as they need to reconnect with their friends and teacher, relearn the routines of the classroom and establish themselves back into the games on the yard during break times. 

2025 SCHOOL TERM DATES

Term 1

Tuesday 28th January - Friday4th April 

(Students start Friday 31st Jan)

Labour Day Public Holiday Monday 10th March 2025

Pupil Free day Monday 31st March 2025

Term 2

Tuesday 22nd April - Friday4th July

Term 3

Monday 21st July - Friday 19th Septmeber

Term 4

Monday 6th October - Friday 19th December

2025 SCHOOL SAVINGS BONUS (SSB)

The School Savings Bonus is a State Government initiative designed to assist families with cost-of-living pressures. Under this funding, each eligible student is entitled to a $400 bonus for application towards activity levies and uniform purchases from approved supplier. Within our school, all CSEF applicants are eligible to receive this funding. All families who have a Centrelink Health Care Card and have not applied for CSEF in the past are encouraged to contact the school office and initiate an application this year. Please refer to the below link for more information:

https://www.vic.gov.au/receiving-school-saving-bonus#non-government-school-information

SCHOOL FEES
School Fee Invoices will be emailed to all families within the next 2 weeks, you will be notified
once these have been sent out. Please make sure your details are up to date.
Please see below some reminders about school fees.

Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF)
The Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund helps ensure that no student will miss out on the
opportunity to join their classmates for important educational and inclusive activities.
How to apply:  New applicants will be required to complete a new CSEF Application form.  These
forms can be found on the PAM under “Parent Forms”  CONCESSION CARD HOLDERS -
Camps, Sports and Excursions (CSEF) Application Form or there are copies available from the
office. Please make sure you provide a copy of your Concession Card with your application.

Primary School Concessional Fee for Centrelink Concession Card (CCC)
Holders
Families who hold an eligible means-tested CCC (such as an eligible health care card or
pensioner concession card) may be eligible for a school fee concession. 
Please contact the school office if you require a Concessional Fee Application Form.

Fee Payment Options
Fees are charged annually during Term 1. There are a number of options available to pay your
fees. Fees can be paid in 4 termly instalments, by Direct Debit (arrangements can be made to pay
weekly, fortnightly or monthly) by BPAY or by Credit Card. We do encourage a direct debit
arrangement. 
The option for payment in full at the commencement of the year is available.  The due date
for full payment is due is Friday 28 th  March 2025.

If paying termly instalments: Full total of school fees and levies divided by 4 is due to be
paid on the following dates:
1st Instalment due: Friday 28 th March 2025
2nd Instalment due: Friday 27 th June 2025
3rd Instalment due: Friday 12 th September 2025
4 th and final Instalment due: Friday 5 th December 2025

If at any time you have any concerns about school fees and levies, please contact Jo De Lazzer
(jdelazzer@sttsale.catholic.edu.au) to discuss any issues.

SSV State team selection trials

School Sport Victoria (SSV) State Team (12yr) trial registrations are currently open for a range of sports. These trials are not a ‘come and try’ but for talented individuals who are currently playing high level representative sport. In order to attend a trial, students must be endorsed by the school and complete the online registration process. Parents are responsible for transporting their child to the event and paying the $25 registration fee to SSV. Nominations should only be submitted by students who demonstrate a high level of competency for the sport they are wanting to try-out for. State team selection incurs a cost of $1000-2000 for travel, accommodation and uniform expenses. These fees are not subsidized by the school. 

For more information Please find attachment or contact Kristy 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.

A Special Report: The Wellbeing Barometer - 2025

The Wellbeing Barometer survey is an invaluable tool for schools, providing critical insights into the mental health and wellbeing of young people. This annual survey identifies areas of concern, highlights resilience and adaptability in students, and emphasises the importance of preventative strategies to promote positive outcomes.

Participation in this survey is strongly encouraged, as it offers a comprehensive view of students' experiences, challenges, and achievements. By capturing a detailed understanding of young people's experiences, the survey supports a tailored approach to enhancing their mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. It helps to identify strengths and areas for improvement, as well as pinpoint opportunities for early intervention.

The survey is part of an ongoing longitudinal study, and we encourage you to take a few moments to complete the survey for each of your children. Responses remain anonymous and should be based on your observations over the last 12 months. By working together, we can reduce the long-term impact of mental illness and make a meaningful difference to the lives of our young people for a brighter future.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:
https://sttsale.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-wellbeing-barometer-2025-au