Term 1 Week 7 St Thomas' Newsletter
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Girai Wurrung people of the land on which we live and learn. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respects to elders, past, present and emerging.
Prayer
From the Principal
I hope everyone enjoyed a much needed long weekend.
What a week we had last week. Our big breakfast was very successful with lots of people through the door. It is always a very special way to start our Lenten period. Thank you to Cassie Greaves and our P&F group for the organisation of this event. Fr George made an appearance at our Ash Wednesday Mass. It was great to see him there. It is hoped he might visit the school in the next week or two.
Our Athletics Carnival was again another successful day. A particular thanks to Laurie Heffernan and the members of the Athletics Club who did the track lines for us. Also to our parent helpers who helped set up, worked on an event, helped on the BBQ and packed up on the day. Many hands make light work and that certainly was achieved on Friday. Also thank you to the MRC students who helped out on events and to those who ran the coffee machine.
This week see NAPLAN Start for our Grade 3 and Grade 5 students. This will start tomorrow.
Enjoy the remainder of the week.
Matt Uzkuraitis
News
ASSEMBLY: We will have assembly this Friday. Grade 2P will be sharing. This will happen at 2:45pm in the undercover area. All are invited to attend.
SCHOOL CANTEEN: Our school canteen is operating at a lunchtime - this is run by our senior students. We have the following items:
- Fruit Tubes: 70cents
- Fruit Boxes: $1
The canteen will operate most lunchtimes unless stated otherwise.
THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK: We thank Julia Ogdin-Gubbins who completed her two weeks worth of teacher placement at St Thomas'. We wish you all the best on your teaching journey.
NAPLAN - Gr 3 and Gr 5 students
NAPLAN starts this Wednesday for our Grade 3 and Grade 5 students. Students will start with a writing assessment on Wednesday and then work their way through Reading Comprehension, Language and Conventions and Numeracy over the next week or so. NAPLAN starts on Wednesday 12th March and is open until Monday 24th March. Therefore if your child is absent on one of the days we complete an assessment there are catch up days that we are able to complete.
Please find more information below.
School Wellbeing Survey - For Parents
To Parents/Carers,
You will notice a School Wellbeing Survey for Parents/Carers being sent home.
We ask that you take 10 minutes and fill this survey out and send it back to school with your child.
No names needed on the survey; it is completely anonymous.
I am working in a new role that is focusing on Mental Health and Wellbeing in our school.
As part of this new role we are trying to gain an overall picture of how Mental Health and Wellbeing is being fostered in the school and ways we can improve in ensuring that each student feels safe, happy and nurtured.
We would very much appreciate your help in gaining an understanding of what parents see us as doing well in the area of Mental Health and Wellbeing and areas to improve on. Could surveys be returned by the end of term 1.
Please be completely honest and remember it is anonymous so don’t put your name on the forms.
If you have any questions please contact me via my email address: apatterson@stterang.catholic.edu.au
Regards
Anna Patterson.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader.
Project Compassion Boxes
Each family will receive a project compassion box. The theme for Project Compassion is ‘Unite Against Poverty this Lent’. We invite families that if they have any spare change over the Lenten period that it could be put in the Project Compassion box which then can be handed back to school at the start of Term 2. The money raised goes towards people living in some of the most vulnerable communities across the world.
Please visit the website below for more information.
Handouts - please check your child's bag
The eldest in the family have received a number of handouts. We ask that you check your child's bag for these. They are as follows:
- Book Club
- School Photo forms
- Lions Eye Screening information (Prep, Gr 3 and Gr 6 students only)
- School Wellbeing Survey
- Project Compassion Boxes
Parent/Teacher Interviews
We will be having Parent/Teacher Interviews this term. We will have them on Monday 24th March and Wednesday 26th March. These interviews will happen after school and will be for 10mins. A timetable on PAM has been released. This is where you will be able to select an appropriate time to come and speak with your child/ren’s teacher/s.
School TV
Special Report: Social Media and Comparison Culture
In today's hyper-connected world, young people are constantly exposed to carefully curated snapshots of other people's lives - from picture-perfect holidays and academic achievements to the latest fashion trends and fitness goals. This relentless stream of comparisons, often amplified through social media, creates what is known as comparison culture.
Comparison culture fosters a mindset where individuals constantly evaluate their own worth by measuring themselves against others. This leaves many young people feeling as though they're falling short. For children and adolescents who are still developing their sense of identity, this environment can be especially harmful - contributing to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt and anxiety.
It's important to understand how comparison culture shapes the way children see themselves and their place in the world. When young people constantly compare their appearance, achievements, or social lives to their peers or online influencers, they can develop unrealistic expectations and a distorted sense of self-worth. This can lead to low self-esteem, perfectionism, and a constant need for external validation.
However, through open conversations, positive role modelling, and proactive support, families can empower young people to build the resilience and confidence needed to navigate today's comparison-driven world. Encouraging an environment that values individuality, personal effort, and growth - rather than constant comparison or external validation - helps foster a stronger sense of self that allows young people to embrace their unique strengths and identity.
Child Safety Officer
Birthday's
Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrate a birthday this week:
Jordan Greaves
Community Events
