Dear Parents and Families,

Last night, the Annual General Meeting of the Parents & Friends Association was held. 

It is always timely to review the purpose of our work and to plan for the future. 

St Thomas’ Parents and Friends Association has been established by the School Advisory Committee. It is accountable to the Principal and the terms of reference are as follows.

Parents and Friends Association Purpose

The purpose of the Parents and Friends Association are to:

• Promote community development by fostering a strong inter-relationship between the parish, the primary school and the wider community
• Build strong community relationships within the school
• Fundraise for the school and community 
• Elect a member to sit on the School Advisory Committee who will provide a link between the Parents and Friends and the School Advisory Committee

Parents and Friends Association Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Parents and Friends Association are:

• Produce a calendar of activities
• Social gathering and community building opportunities
• Uniform shop
• Tuckshop
• Cake raffle
• Easter and Christmas raffles
• Mother’s Day and Father’s Day stalls
• Mother’s Day and Father’s breakfasts/celebrations
• Creative Christmas or other major fundraisers
• Barbeque and morning tea at sporting events
• Hot dog days
• Scholastic Book Club
• Hot cross buns
• School BBQ’s
• Other: Bunnings BBQ, BINGO

Membership Requirement

All members of the Parents and Friends Association must hold a current Working with Children Check or current Victorian Institute of Teaching registration. All members must attend and meet the requirements of St Thomas’ Volunteer meeting where you are provided with Child Safe recruitment procedures and a Safety Induction.

Ordinary Meeting

The Parents and Friends Association should meet at least five times per year. 

All are welcome to attend.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Parents and Friends Association shall be held once a year.

All are welcome to attend.

Details of meeting outcomes will be shared on PAM .We are looking for a number of volunteers to co-ordinate and to assist with various activities so that they can continue across the school. We rely on parent volunteers to provide extra opportunities for students and without them, these activities may not proceed. We understand that families have many commitments, but if you are able to assist with one activity it would be appreciated by the P&F committee. 

New ideas are welcomed. 

School Board

Families should have received an email detailing the role of the School Advisory Committee and calling for nominations. We will have hard copies of nomination slips available at reception for those interested in being a part of the Advisory Committee. All nominations need to be accepted by the nominee and seconded by another parent of the school. All nominees need to be  registered volunteers and hold a current Working With Children Check or be prepared to participate in a Volunteer  Induction if nominated prior to being accepted as a Committee member.

We are looking to fill four positions, which also includes a representative from the Parents and friends Committee. Nominations are to be returned to the school by Tuesday, March 26th, 2024.

A ballot will be held if necessary, i.e there are more nominations than positions.

I sincerely thank all those who have vacated their positions and the time they have given to supporting the work of the school. I particularly thank Kim McMaster who has chaired the Committee for many years as an elected member and Chair and thank her for all she has done to support families, staff and myself.

I thank Peter Wheeler and Eva Amezquitas who have also given his time to be a part of the Committee in recent years. We have valued your contribution.

We begin 2024, with new faces and look forward to the years ahead.

Sacraments

A parent workshop was held on Wednesday evening for families wishing to enrol their children to receive the sacrament of Confirmation later in the year. Those wishing to enrol their child may contact Jenny Fitzgerald at the Presbytery or the school for further information.

Children preparing to receive their First Eucharist are busily preparing for this sacrament within class and in small group workshops run by Rosire Phillips, our Religious Education Leader.

Holy Week

Our Year 3/4 students will be revisiting the events of Holy Week and Easter on Thursday, March 28th with a special liturgy open to all our families. The liturgy will begin at 9.20am. 

School Camps

Teachers are busily preparing documentation and liaising with camp providers.

Yr 3/4 camp will be an overnight camp and is scheduled to take place on May 13th & 14th 2024, once appropriate approval has been received. It will be held at Coolamatong.

Year 5/6 camp will take place on May 22nd, 23rd and 24th, 2024. This will take place at Forest Edge Camp at Neerim.

It is a huge responsibility taking students away to camp and we are pleased that we can still provide this opportunity for students.

Swimming

Congratulations to all our students who represented our school and district at the recent Regional Swimming Championships. We were delighted with their efforts and sportsmanship throughout the carnival.

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend.

Anita & Staff

Just a friendly reminder that team registrations for the Saturday season close on Monday March 18th. 

Teams can register by clicking the following link or by selecting the 2024 Saturday Winter Season in the Netball Connect app. 

Register here.

Promoting Safety Around Our School 

As we continue to prioritise the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community, it is imperative that we address certain concerns regarding traffic and pedestrian safety around our school premises. 

1. Speeding is Not Acceptable Near a Schools:Speeding vehicles pose a significant threat to the safety of our students and pedestrians. We urge all drivers to adhere to the posted speed limits, especially in school zones. Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the likelihood of accidents, particularly in areas where children are present. Please be mindful of your speed and drive cautiously, especially during peak drop-off and pick-up times. 

2. Correct Use of School Crossings at All Times:Our designated school crossings are in place to provide a safe passage for students and pedestrians. It is crucial for everyone to use these crossings correctly and responsibly. Students should be instructed to cross only at designated areas and to wait for the crossing guard’s signal before proceeding. Drivers must also be vigilant and yield to pedestrians at all marked crossings. 

3. Crossing the Street Safely:Teaching children proper pedestrian safety is essential for their well-being. Parents and or guardians, please take the time to educate your children on safe pedestrian practices, including looking both ways before crossing the street, using crosswalks whenever possible, and making eye contact with drivers before stepping onto the road. Additionally, encourage older students to serve as role models by following these safety guidelines themselves. 

By working together as a community and prioritising safety, we can create a secure environment for everyone.

Let us all remain vigilant and committed to ensuring the well-being of our students both in and around the school premises.