Our Vision: 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 and Families,

Welcome to the beginning of a new school year.  We especially welcome all our Foundation students and new families to St Thomas’. It was lovely to see a number of our Foundation and new families remain for a cuppa after dropping their children off to school. We look forward to working with you all. 

As always, we like to remind families of a few school protocols and procedures at the start of the new year. Guided and strengthened by God’s Spirit, we promote our three pillars of Respect, Resilience and Safety and it is within this framework, we set about our daily tasks at school.

Please refer to detailed information further below.

Beginning of the day

Our first reminder is with regard to starting and finishing times. All students are asked to arrive no earlier than 8.30am, with supervision beginning at 8.30am. The school day begins at 8.55am and classrooms are open at 8.45am for children to set up for the day. Children are aware that if there is no teacher in the classroom, they are to remain outside. Two teachers are rostered to supervise the senior oval and quadrangle area, i.e. the area located opposite the Yr1/2 & Foundation classrooms.

All students and their families may enter grounds via the Guthridge gates or Raglan St.

Children arriving after 8.55am will need to enter via the office and be signed in by parents/ carers/guardians using the VPASS register. Student attendance rolls are completed by teachers at 8.55am.

Entrance gates will open at 8.30am. At 9am, gates will be locked, except the Guthridge Admin gate which will remain closed and unlocked.

End of day arrangements

The school day ends at 3.15 pm. Country bus children are dismissed at 3.10pm and make their way to Sale College to catch their bus. All other students may exit with their families or siblings using the Gumnuts gate on Guthridge parade or Raglan St.

Parking for parents is located along Raglan St and Guthridge Parade. We remind you to adhere to the drop off zone protocols, which allow you to remain in the zone for two minutes to “drop off” or “pick up” your child/children. At the end of the day, children are asked to remain behind gates and fence lines, until the duty teacher arrives to dismiss them. Children are to be dismissed by the duty teacher unless accompanied by a parent. 

School timetable

It is important students are on time, as all classes, including Specialist classes will begin promptly at 8.55am. Arriving late can cause some children to be anxious entering classrooms and unsettling.

See timetable below.

School Uniform

Please know that all students are asked to wear their full summer uniform detailed below.

Sport day information will be forwarded to families via classroom teachers as days will differ for classes.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Boys - Summer: Grey shorts, white shirt, school jumper (navy), grey socks with blue stripes, black leather shoes or elastic-sided school boots.

Boys - Sports Uniform: School polo shirt, navy school shorts, sneakers, navy school trackpants, navy school fleece tracksuit top or vest, plain white, above the ankle length socks.

Girls - Summer: School summer dress, school jumper (navy), short white socks (above ankle), black leather shoes or elastic-sided school boots.

Girls - Sports Uniform: School polo shirt, navy school shorts, sneakers, navy school trackpants navy school fleece tracksuit top or vest, plain white, above the ankle length socks.

Sneakers are not to be used as school shoes. Tracksuit tops are not to be worn as school jumpers.

Classroom teachers will notify parents of sport uniform days when the school year begins in a separate Foundation newsletter.

Hats:  Students are expected to wear the school hat at recess and lunch times and during P.E.

classes from 1st September until 30th April.  No other hat may be worn. Students are encouraged to wear hats on other school days when deemed necessary.

School Jacket:  The school jacket may be worn over the woollen jumper or may be worn instead of the polar fleece on sports days.

School Bag:  A backpack style school bag in St. Thomas' colours. with school emblem is compulsory for children in Years Prep to 6. 

There have been some questions around the nature of school shoes. School policy outlines black leather shoes are to be worn at St Thomas’. We prefer the formal school shoe, either lace up or velcro straps, however, we are aware there are a number of black leather shoes that retail as school shoes. Black suede skater shoes or canvas shoes are not school uniform items. Sneakers are to be worn on sports day only.

We particularly remind children to adhere to the rules around keeping hair tidy. Hair falling below the shoulder is to be tied back for girls and boys. Hair ties are to be in school colours, yellow, navy or white.

Plain studs or sleepers may be worn; decorative jewellery is a holiday or weekend item.

Plain white socks are to be worn with the sports and the girls summer uniform. 

Boys are to wear their grey socks with their summer uniform.

School hats must be worn during the summer season. As a Sunsmart school, we adhere to the guidelines set by the Anti Cancer Council. You will be notified when the period for not wearing hats will begin.

Please know that JSM is waiting on the delivery of the following new stock.

St Thomas’ School socks

St Thomas’ woollen school jumpers

They apologise for any inconvenience caused. They expect items to arrive on February 12th, 2024.

We ask you to assist us with ensuring the uniform is worn correctly. Teachers will remind children of the protocols regularly as the new school year gets underway. Children without hats will need to remain in the shaded verandahs of the quadrangle.

Staffing

This year, we are delighted to welcome a number of new staff and look forward to working with them throughout the school year.

Our staffing arrangements for 2024 are as follows:

Learning Support Staff  

Mrs Peita Morris, Mrs Kylie Hulland, Mrs Mary Ann Verey, Mrs Rebecca Hudson,

Mrs Carolyn Dessent, Mrs Kylie Henry, Mrs Kylie Bendall, Mrs Nicole Mc Donald, Miss Kayla Holmes, Mrs Hayley Moxley, Mr Daniel Ireland, Mrs Whitney Young, Mrs Hannah Stubbe

Administration Staff:

Mrs Jo de lazzer

Mrs Alicia Piasente

Mrs Lisa Durrant     

TEACHING STAFF

Specialist Class teachers: 50 mins per week

School Leadership Team:

Deputy Principal and Learning Adjustment Leader: Mrs Allison Arnup

Religious Education Leader: Mrs Rosie Phillips

Principal: Mrs Anita Little

Unwell children

The best place for children when they are unwell is home. Children who present unwell at school will be sent home.

Volunteers

We always appreciate the support of our families and look towards 2024 being a year of parent involvement. School Volunteers are to complete the School Volunteer Induction Session and hold a current Working With Childrens’ check. 

Our next Volunteer Induction will be held on Monday February 26th 2024 between 5.30pm and 6.15pm and again on February 28th, 2024 between 9.10am and 10am.

TERM DATES2024

Term 1 - Tuesday 30th January - Thursday 28th March 2024

Term 2 - Monday 15th April - Friday 28th June 2024

Term 3 - Monday 15th July - Friday 20th September 2024

Term 4 - Monday 7th October - Friday 20th December 2024

God Bless,

Anita & Staff

2024 SCHOOL TERM DATES