Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers, 

There has been a lovely buzz around the school as the staff and students have settled into the 2025 school year. Mrs Battista and I have enjoyed being able to visit classrooms and start to get to know the children.

Congratulations to our school captains Ashleigh and Alyson for running the first assembly of the year last Friday. I have been very impressed with their thoroughness in preparing for the assembly and their confidence in this space. We are lucky to have two strong captains helping to lead St Thomas. 

The swimming carnival was a success with a lovely atmosphere. Thank you to Mrs Glover for your organisation and enthusiasm and the teachers and volunteers who assisted on the day!

GETTING SAFELY TO AND FROM SCHOOL

As it is the start of the school year I just want to remind all of us as a school community to make sure our children are supported to get safely to and from school. The best way for children to learn to be safe on the roads is under your guidance, in real traffic, in everyday situations. Until children are about 10 or 11 years of age they do not have the necessary skills and physical abilities to be safe on their own so providing supervised practice is important. Some points to consider:

School Pedestrian Crossings

To promote a safe environment for all – parents and children are requested to use the School Pedestrian Crossings as these are the safest places to cross the road.

Supervision

• Children need to have their hand held in any traffic situation until they are at least 9 years old.  It is also recommended that children are both dropped off and collected within the school boundaries, rather than you waiting in the car for them to meet you.

Stop, Look, Listen, Think (SLLT) procedure

• Hold an adult’s hand (for younger children)
• Choose a safe place to cross if the road you are crossing does not have a school crossing – make sure you have a good clear view of traffic in all directions and where drivers can see you 
•  STOP one step back from the kerb or shoulder of the road if there is no footpath
• LOOK in all directions for approaching traffic
• LISTEN for traffic approaching from all directions
• THINK about whether it is safe to cross the road – when the road is clear or all traffic has stopped
• Walk straight across the road. Keep LOOKING and LISTENING for traffic while crossing.

 Parking Restrictions

Please obey all parking restrictions (no double parking or parking in driveways) and note the the No Parking areas in Gutheridge Parage and Raglan at the beginning and end of the school day.

With the increased volume of traffic that occurs at school drop off and pick up time, your young child may experience anxiety, in this case it is important that children are picked up from a pre-determined position, rather than finding a different position every day.

 Parked Cars

Teach your child the dangers – i.e. reversing cars, moving cars, people looking for a spot to park and not concentrating on the presence of young children.  It is much safer to use the school crossings when crossing the streets around the school.

Bikes/Scooters

Children under the age of 10 should not be riding alone in traffic. (Under 10s lack the cognitive skills to negotiate complex road situations by themselves. Bicycle Victoria).

For safety reasons bikes and scooters must not be ridden within the school boundaries.

SCHOOL UNIFORM SURVEY 

You will have received an invitation to participate in a survey gauging interest in some new pieces of uniform such as a soft shell jacket, a skort for the summer uniform for those who don’t like to wear a dress and the possibility of changing the pants/shorts colour from grey to navy. If you haven’t aready done so please click on the link that was sent through SIMON and complete the survey.

Thank you to the members of the parents and friends who have been busy seeking options for us to consider. We are just seeking interest at this stage as any change will necessitate a change in the school uniform policy and require time for suppliers to get the necessary stock.

Kind regards

Jodie