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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, Guardian and Carers,
Welcome back to term 2. It has been lovely to see so many smiling faces each day as the children arrive at school. Tara and I enjoy doing the before school duty as it gives us a chance to connect with the students as they arrive at school.
Our Parents and Friends have been doing an amazing job getting ready to celebrate Mother Days. If you haven’t already done so please return the RSVP form and join us for a special Mothers Day breakfast.There are also some special gifts being prepared and again we thank the members of the P & F for giving up their time to help us get them ready. We hope you have a lovely day!
Loving God, we pray for our mothers, who have given us life and love,
that we may show them reverence and love,
and others who show us a mother’s love.
We pray for adoptive mothers and for the women who wish to give birth
but experience challenges, that they know your care.
We pray for mothers who have lost a child through death,
that their faith may give them hope,
and their family and friends support and console them.
We pray for those who wish to serve as mothers,
but are not able to do so, that they know your comfort.
We pray for mothers who have died,
that God may bring them into the joy of his kingdom.
Amen.
Our Confirmation candidates have begun their preparation for this Sacrament which will be celebrated on Sunday 8th June at the Cathedral. Thank you to our REL Rosie Phillips for your support of these candidates at school.
Class liturgies are also resuming this term at school. We have set up a sacred space in the school in the community room for liturgy and prayer and are excited that we will be able to use this space for our level liturgies and prayer services.
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 Septmeber
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 | Inigo Schofield & Lachlan Winn |
| Foundation B - Mrs Brayshaw | Audrey Smolenaars & George Hepworth |
| Year 1 A - Mrs Morelli / Mrs Ray | Gabriel Burson & Billie Hudson |
| Year 1 B - Mrs Phillips / Mrs Ray | |
| Year 2 A - Mrs Davis / Mrs Jones | Charlotte Wood & Mitchell Dutschke |
| Year 2 B - Mrs Bennett | Noah Bird & Parker Adams |
| Year 3 A - Mrs Lee | Miller Osborne, Laura Salerman, Rafaella Gunn & Beau Bigham |
| Year 3 B - Mrs Ko | Audrey Zidarich & Beau Hudson. David Sulyman & Sophie Ryan |
| Year 4 A - Mrs Wilson | Tom Duffield & Matthew Swasbrick, Ettie Curtis, Elsie Baynes & Lincoln Clancy |
| Year 4 B - Mr Brunt | Arley Murphy & Penelope White |
| Year 5 A - Miss Cameron | Abby Glover, Lyla Matheson, Ben Armstrong & Toby McLaren |
| Year 5 B - Ms Berry / Mrs Glover | Riley Bennett & Madi Ryan |
| Year 6 A - Mrs Irwin | Ava Williams & Madi Cook |
| Year 6 B - Mrs Bradley / Mrs Fox | Alyson Ryan & 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:
