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Our school is a place of faith and learning
Dear Parents and Families,
We are currently awaiting further clarification regarding restrictions to be implemented across the State of Victoria due to the Premier’s 1pm announcement regarding a COVID 19 lockdown.
It is due to start after midnight for a period of five days. We believe these restrictions will impact schools across the State. We will communicate information to families as soon as it comes to hand regarding arrangements for next week.
We are of the understanding that schools will be closed next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. (February15th,16th &17th, 2021)
Letters regarding school arrangements are being sent home this afternoon. Children of essential workers can attend onsite, if arrangements cannot be made for them to be cared for at home. Families need to complete the Onsite Intentions form by 12 noon, Sunday, February 14th 2021 so that staffing arrangements can be made for next week.
Teachers have sent home writing and reading materials for the three allocated days.
Child Safety
Swimming Carnival
We look forward to our swimming carnival next Friday and hope it will be able to continue and that spectators will be able to attend. We have been communicating with our Head Office and Aqua Energy and have made plans for spectators to attend, however, we now await further direction regarding school sporting events in this current climate. If we proceed, there will be specific guidelines in place to implement our own COVID Safety Management Plan and COVID Safety plans that exist for the Sale Pool.
If we proceed, the following Covid Safe protocols will be in place at Aqua Energy to allow parent spectators to safely attend:
- When arriving at the outdoor pool, parents are asked to enter via the main entrance gate located off Guthridge Parade.
- Parents will need to sign in manually or by scanning the QR Code provided by Aqua Energy at the entrance gate.
- There will be a designated seated area at the shallow end of the pool for all spectators. This area will be kept separate from St Thomas staff and students.
- Students will sit in their House Teams and will not be able to mingle with spectators.
- As per current guidelines and Aqua Energy protocols, visiting spectators must maintain social distancing and carry a mask at all times. We encourage only one spectator per family.
We ask that all parents respect and adhere to St Thomas and Aqua Energy’s Covid Safe procedures.
Permission slips and details regarding the Carnival have been sent home today in readiness for Friday, if the Carnival goes ahead. We will be calling for volunteers. All volunteers need to have their Working with Children Check, must have completed the Parent Volunteer Induction and will need to participate in a briefing regarding the Carnival and COVID Safe protocols, prior to the Carnival starting.
RE
Next Wednesday, we celebrate Ash Wednesday. This date marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Within the Catholic Church, we prepare to celebrate Easter and reflect upon the events of Holy Week. It is a time for repentance, forgiveness and new beginnings. We recall the ways we have followed Christ, loving and serving others and the times we have chosen not to do so. We are called to have a change of heart and to rebuild and strengthen our relationship with God or maybe even, begin a relationship with Him.
Unfortunately, Mass will not be taking place at school on this day.
School Information
Just a reminder that information regarding the school will be distributed via the school newsletter, the School App and class bulletins. We are currently working towards setting up a new communications system and details will be shared with families very soon.
The school does not have a facebook page. If unsure of matters regarding the school, please contact the school for clarification or check newsletters and Apps for events taking place.
Teachers will be available via email for matters pertaining to your child’s learning. Please know that teachers may not necessarily be able to view your emails during the day as they will be teaching or preparing for classes and therefore, cannot respond immediately. Responses may be via email or phone. Teachers are not expected to check or respond to emails after 5pm during the school week.
In light of current events, teachers will be available during school hours on the lockdown days. Email addresses include the teachers first initial followed by their surname and school details. |
Details regarding operational or administrative matters are accessed via the school office. Please contact the office if there are changes to pick up or drop off arrangements or record them in your child’s school diary. Any information that needs to be forwarded to your child during the day is to come via the Office.
Information regarding community events may be published via the school newsletter. Clarification of community events need to be made directly to the organisation involved.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend.
Again, we will continue to communicate any information regarding Lockdown Arrangements as soon as it becomes available to us.
Anita and staff.
2021 SCHOOL TERMS
TERM 1 Monday 1st February 2021 - Thursday 1st April
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Term 1 | Friday 2nd April - Good Friday |
Monday 5th April - Easter Monday |
SCHOOL CLOSURE DAYS
Term 1 | |
TERM 2 - Monday 19th April - Friday 25th June
TERM 3 - Monday 12th July - Friday 17th September
TERM 4 - Monday 4th October - Thursday 17th December
Wednesday 17th February - Foundation rest day
Friday 19th February - Swimming Carnival 9-2pm (Grade 3-6)
Wednesday 24th February - Foundation rest day
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2021
BUSES
Monday 8th March Labour Day Holiday NO BUSES RUNNING
Thursday 1st April Last day of term 1 Buses leave at 2.20pm instead of 3.20pm
Monday 19th April First day of Term 2
Friday 11th June Student Free Day NO BUSES RUNNING
Monday 14th June Queens Birthday NO BUSES RUNNING
Friday 25th June Last day of term 2. Buses leave at 2.20pm instead of 3.20pm
Monday 12th July First Day of Term 3
Friday 17th September Last day of term 3. Buses leave at 2.20pm instead of 3.20pm
Monday 4th October First Day of Term 4
Tuesday 2nd November Melbourne Cup Day NO BUSES RUNNING
Reminder to Families that the children are required to bring an art smock to school for art class. This can be bought, home made or even an old shirt.
Tips on how to stay safe online during the COVID-19 pandemic
Helpful linki: Is your chils old enough for a smart phone.....
ST THOMAS' APP
St Thomas’ has an app for both android phones and iphones. The app is called SZapp (Schoolzine Pty Ltd), This is an important communication tool which we use for relaying important messages and notifications to families. You will have access to the Absentee form for notifying the school of any absentees. It also has access to a calendar with upcoming events, access to the weekly newsletter and the ability to contact the school via phone or email.
CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSIONS FUND (CSEF)
CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSIONS FUND (CSEF)
CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.
If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.
If you applied for the CSEF at this school in 2020, you do not need to complete and Application Form in 2021. If any changes have occurred during 2020, and you and unsure of your eligibility, please contact cjohnson@sttsale.catholic.edu.au
Application forms are available from the Office.
Concession is available for CSEF recipients.
CONVEYANCE ALLOWANCE If you travel by private car, more than 4.8km (one way) to school, or the nearest designated bus stop that services the school of the denomination of your choice, you may be eligible for Conveyance Allowance. Please contact the Office for information |
FEES 2021
Family Fee 1 Child |
$1805 + $235 Capital Fee |
$2040 |
Family Fee 2 Child |
$2005 + $235 Capital Fee |
$2240 |
Family Fee 3 Child |
$2205 + $235 Capital Fee |
$2440 |
Family Fee 4 Child |
$2205 + $235 Capital Fee |
$2440 |
Per Student Levies - in addition to Family Fee listed above |
|||||||
|
Prep |
Yr.1 |
Yr.2 |
Yr.3 |
Yr.4 |
Yr.5 |
Yr.6 |
Curriculum |
$170 |
$170 |
$170 |
$170 |
$170 |
$170 |
$170 |
Activity |
$135 |
$135 |
$135 |
$135 |
$135 |
$135 |
$155 |
Camp |
|
|
|
$140 |
$140 |
$350 |
$530 |
Total Year Level Levy |
$305 |
$305 |
$305 |
$445 |
$445 |
$655 |
$855 |
You will receive your 2021 Annual Fees & Levies account via Email this week.
There are many payment options available – Direct Debit, BPay, Credit Card, Cash/Chq.
If you don’t have an on-going Direct Debit arrangement in place already, and you wish to use the payment option, please Email apiasente@sttsale.catholic.edu.au or cjohnson@sttsale.catholic.edu.au to commence payments.
CAR PARKING
For safety reasons parents are not permitted to use the staff car park.
We also ask parents not to walk through the car park with their children. We have staff entering and leaving the car park and it is unsafe to do so. Please use the gate on Guthridge Parade at the front of the office or the Raglan Street gate
We would like to remind all families under instruction by the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited, for any students who are being tested for COVID-19 and have siblings who attend the school, the siblings should also remain at home until a negative test result is provided for the student awaiting a test result.
https://docs.google.com/forms/