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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 and Families,
I sincerely thank you all for your continued support throughout my time here at
St Thomas’ as teacher and as principal. I thank you whole-heartedly for the privilege to lead your school and I know I leave it in very capable hands.
As we finish the year, I thank our P&F and School Advisory Committee for their work and I know the enthusiasm they hold to provide the very best opportunities for our students.
I sincerely thank the teachers who have contributed to the learning and life of the school throughout my time here. Their dedication is outstanding.
To the students of St Thomas’, I thank you for the many smiles and conversations you have shared with me and the way you have worked to be your very best selves. May you pursue your dreams and may the future hold all that you would like it to be.
I wish you all the very best for the years ahead. May God continue to bless you and may His Spirit guide you.
Enjoy a very happy, safe and holy Christmas and a restful break as you prepare to embrace the changes ahead.
Anita & Staff
Staffing:
A full list of staffing arrangements will be shared with you at the start of the school year as we seek to finalise some job share arrangements.
At present, staffing is as follows. We are still seeking some part time teaching positions and will be interviewing in the next few days. Parents will be notified prior to the start of the new year.
|
Grace Goudie |
FA (4 days, M, T, W, Th) 1 day to be filled |
|
Jen Brayshaw |
FB |
|
Teagan Morelli |
Yr 1A ( M,T, W, F) 1 day to be filled |
|
Rosie Phillips |
Yr 1B (M, T, W, Th ) (1 day to be filled, Leadership release) |
|
Kylie Jones |
Yr 2A (Th, Fr) 3 days yet to be filled |
|
Colleen Bennett |
Yr 2 B |
|
Meg Lee |
Yr 3A |
|
Emily Ko |
Yr 3B |
|
Mary Wilson |
Yr 4A |
|
Will Brunt |
Yr 4B |
|
Maddison Cameron |
Yr 5 A |
|
Prue Berry/Michelle Glover |
Yr 5 B (Michelle.G, M), Prue (T, W, Th, F) |
|
Michelle Irwin |
Yr 6 A |
|
Merran Bradley/Deb Fox |
Yr 6 B Merran( M, T, W, Th) Deb( F) |
|
Enrichment |
Tracey Grubb ( 4 days per week) |
|
Mental Health In Primary School Leaders |
Deb Fox Louise Cheshire |
Please note that Mrs Nardene Manning will be taking Long Service Leave during Term One.
Learning Support Officers:
Peita Morris
Hayley Moxey (Parental Leave)
Carolyn Dessent
Nicole McDonald
Kylie Henry
Kylie Hulland
Kylie Bendall
Hannah Stubbe
Daniel Ireland
Rebecca Hudson
Mary Ann Verey
We say farewell and a sincere thank you to Whitney Young and Kayla Holmes who will be leaving us at the end of the year.
We will be seeking an additional aide and replacement aides for staff who are leaving or on leave.
Admin: Lisa Durrant, Jo De Lazzer & Alicia Piasente
Leadership
Principal: Mrs Jodie Ware
Deputy Principal: Mrs Tara Battista
Religious Education Leader: Roseanne Phillips
Learning Adjustment Leader: Louise Cheshire
Middle leaders- Learning & Teaching
Junior: Teagan Morelli
Middle School: Emily Ko
Senior School: Michelle Irwin
MAI Testing
These assessments will take place at the start of the new school year with students scheduled to complete 30 minute assessments on one of the following dates: January 29th and January 30th, 2025.
You will be sent details of how to register online.
All students will begin their school year on Friday January 31st and may wear their Sport Uniform on this day.
Once again, farewell to you all and thank you for many fond memories.
Anita
2025 SCHOOL TERM DATES
Wednesday 29th Jan 2025 - Student MAI testing day
Thursday 30th Jan 2025 - Student MAI testing day
Friday 31st Jan 2025 - Frist day of School for students
(Information regarding the MAI testing days will be provided late term 4 2024)
Reminder you can also check the PAM calendar for important dates.
Friday 31st Jan First Day for St Thomas
Friday 7th March Student Free Day St Thomas'
Monday 10th March Labour Day Holiday NO BUSES RUNNING
Friday 4th April Last day of term 1 Buses leave at 2.20pm instead of 3.20pm
Tuesday 22nd April First Day of Term 2
Friday 25th April Anzac Day Holiday NO BUSES RUNNING
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
| FA - Mrs Goudie & Mrs Phillips | Piper Cordell, Lenix Sanders & Bronte Skeen |
| FB - Mrs Brayshaw | Lucas Malady & Elke Hickling |
| 1/2A - Mrs Morelli | Ava Whiteley & Emerson Bradley |
| 1/2B - Mrs Manning & Mrs Cheshire | Kayson Robinson & Rylee Skeen. Katie Clarkson, Mabel Fowler & Oliver Heatherington. |
| 1/2C - Ms Ko & Mrs Jones | Chevy Stubbe & Reuben Campbell |
| 1/2D - Mrs Bennett | David Sulyman, Archie Aurisch & Evelyn Edwards. Louis Brsitow |
| 3/4A - Mrs Irwin | Zaeem Junaid & Mackenzie George. William Malady & Lilly Bigham |
| 3/4B - Mrs Wilson | Claudia Gunn, Bailey Johnstone & Harry Hayman |
| 3/4C - Mrs Cameron | |
| 3/4D - Mr Brunt | |
| 5/6A - Mr Arnup & Mr Hickey | Lila Armstrong & Brooklyn George |
| 5/6B - Miss Berry | Parvana Chandran & Olly Poulios. Emme Johnson & Georgia Rogers |
| 5/6C - Mrs Lee | |
| 5/6D - Mrs Bradley & Mrs Fox | Madison Cook & Kailin Smith |
| Digitech - Mrs Etheridge | Harmynie Lange |
2024 Christmas Raffle Winners
1 st Lachie Simmons
2 nd Indy Foster
3 rd Penelope White
4 th Emiley Bennett
5 th Charlie Jones
6 th Will Lonsdale
7 th Ettie Curtis
8 th Laura Salerman
9 th Audrey Zidarich
10 th Tilly Phillips
11 th Ettie Curtis
12 th Rylee Skeen
13 th Gabriel Burson
14 th Alex Collins
15 th Neeve Jones
16 th Campbell Pini
17 th Lila Armstrong
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.
Confidence & Motivation
Building confidence and motivation in young people is essential for their overall wellbeing and is a key aspect of their development. These qualities can have a lasting impact on their success and happiness. Confidence helps children believe in their abilities and face challenges with a positive attitude, while motivation drives their desire to learn, explore, and achieve their goals.
Fostering these traits involves creating an environment that encourages children to take risks, learn from their mistakes, and celebrate their achievements. Confidence is built when children feel capable and valued, while motivation is fuelled by the belief that their efforts will lead to growth and success. By actively supporting both, we can help young people thrive in the academic, social, and personal areas of their life.
By offering positive reinforcement, setting realistic expectations, and celebrating their efforts, we can model a positive mindset that can go a long way in helping young people develop both confidence and motivation. Nurturing these qualities, will help them grow into self-assured individuals who believe in their ability to succeed, setting the foundation for a fulfilling future.
In this edition of SchoolTV, discover how to provide opportunities for autonomy and support your child in persevering through challenges.
Here is the link to your Edition https://sttsale.catholic.
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:
