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Dear Parents and Carers,
Do you give your children 8 minutes of attention per day?
(I came across this notice in a leadership newsletter recently and loved it! Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher. Investing uninterrupted time in your child AND partnering with your child’s school are two of the most important things you can do). Stop what you’re doing and give 100% attention to each of your children for at least 8 minutes a day. Small emotional investments like one-on-one; quality time now will help ensure your kids grow up feeling safe, valued and listened to. Time is precious…but not as precious as your children. That’s why it’s so important to set aside at least 8 minutes every day of distraction-free time to engage with each of your kids, one on one, without interruptions. Put down your phone, iPad or laptop and take the time to really BE with them - exchanging stories, asking and answering questions, sharing a laugh…whatever works best! Your child will feel more listened to, valued, safer and happier. Studies show that kids who receive this kind of attention do better at school, with greater language skills and higher self-confidence. With benefits like these, there’s no better way to spend 8 minutes a day.
ACTIONS • Sit down with your child for at least 1 meal every day. • Read a book together before bed or tell a story of your own. • Ask questions about your child’s life that need more than a one-word answer. • For older kids, discuss a news item they might be interested in. |
School Leadership Insights, Steve Francis.
Hay and Hamper for Hope Campaign
St Thomas More’s Primary is supporting SchoolAid’s Hay and Hamper for Hope Campaign. With farmers suffering through what many are calling the worst drought in living memory, SchoolAid has launched its ‘Hay and Hampers for Hope’ campaign. Donations can be made on the SchoolAid website -https://schoolaidtrust.com/project/drought-hampers-and-hay-for-hope
St Vincent de Paul is also providing immediate relief through food assistance and other household bill payments. Financial donations are the most effective way to quickly provide the right kind of assistance. To make an online donation, please visit www.vinnies.org.au/donate or donate at any local Vinnies shop in the Canberra/Goulburn region. All financial donations received in Vinnies shops Canberra/Goulburn between 6 August and the end of September will go towards the drought appeal.
Term Overviews
A reminder you can read the term overviews on our website under the “Curriculum” tab.
Uniform
Just a reminder that we are currently wearing Winter uniform. Thank you to those parents who are enforcing our uniform policy. It’s great to see our girls wearing navy tights or navy socks – thank you.
Playgroup
The STM playgroup meet every Thursday morning at 9.00am in Holy Faith Hall.
Come and join us this week.
Save the date
The choir will be singing at Floriade again this year - Wednesday 19 September at 9.30am. Mark your diaries!
Yours sincerely,
Julie Wiley
Principal.
Heroes of Faith
‘Walk Humbly’
Walk in Wisdom
Welcome to Week 3!
This year we have been looking at Prophet Micah’s words:
‘Act Justly, Love Tenderly, Walk humbly with your God.’
In Term 3, we will be focusing on how to be people who are humble and wise.
“Walk humbly” is a description of the heart’s attitude toward God. God’s people depend on Him rather than their own abilities. Instead of taking pride in what we bring to God, we humbly recognise that no amount of personal sacrifice can replace a heart committed to justice and love.
The response of a godly heart is outward (do justice), inward (love mercy), and upward (walk humbly). Wisdom is knowing that walking humbly with God brings inner peace and the strength to be obedient to God’s WORD.
Our two heroes this term are Deborah and Gideon. Their stories are found in the Book of Judges, a period of time in the Israelite history where God’s people had turned their back on Him.
Firstly, to better understand Deborah and Gideon, we have to discover the world they lived in. They lived during the time of Israel’s judges, as told in the Book of Judges. This was a time of war and peace and a struggle for Israel’s national identity. It records the rise and fall of the Israelites under their different leaders (called judges).
These are our two heroes for this term. The Wonder Woman of the Old Testament ~ Deborah, and the timid, unlikely hero Gideon who after a personal encounter with God, conquered the Midianites and led his people to freedom and guided them back to God.
Our heroes had:
Heart ~ their heart was full of compassion and understanding. They knew the oppression of their people. Their heart and eyes were on God.
Hope ~ their unwavering faith in God meant that they knew that God would save them and deliver them from their slavery.
Courage ~ it takes enormous courage to stand up for justice and peace, but with God on their side, Deborah and Gideon knew that God would help them be strong and courageous. They had the courage to be obedient to God’s WORD.
Power ~ heroes used their power and strength for good and knew that power came from God.
Wisdom ~ by listening to God, meditating on His word, our heroes gave wise counsel to those around them.
May you all enjoy the rest of your week.
Donna Victory
Religious Education Coordinator
Postings
Upcoming postings and changes are on the agenda for some Defence families. The Defence Community Organisation website has well laid out information to guide through the process of relocation. See http://www.defence.gov.au/dco/ , scroll down to see the section titled ‘Moving and relocation’. Worth mentioning is ‘Moving with kids’ and subsection ‘Support for children’. Of note, KidSMART programs are fun and interactive resilience-building programs for children where they learn practical tips for dealing with moving to a new location and school (call Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608 to sign up).
If you are relocating and have not already had the chance to do so, could you please advise the Front Office. This assists with school administration and also my planning for preparing the children for farewells. Thank you.
Defence Community Organisation (DCO) Canberra E-News August/September Highlights
What Defence Christian’s Dinner
When Friday 31 August 2018, 7-10.30pm
Where ADFA Cadets Mess
Info Hosted by Military Christian Fellowship. Key note speaker is Dr John Dickson (PhD). He started out as a professional singer-songwriter, now works as an author, speaker, historian, senior pastor, and media presenter. He has published 15 books, three of which have become television documentaries. Follow link http://mcf-a.org.au/events/defence-christians-dinner-2018/ Enquiries: 02 6266 4950 or email mcf.office@defence.gov.au .
What Father’s Day
When Saturday 1 September, 2-4pm
Where Weston Park, Yarralumla
Info BYO picnic rug and chairs. Light refreshments provided by DCO and beverages by the Salvation Army Sallyman Truck. Limited tickets available for an 18‐hole round of mini golf at the Yarralumla Play Station (first in, best dressed!).
What Lifeline Bookfair
When Friday 7- Sunday 9 September
Where Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), Flemington Rd & Northbourne Ave, Mitchell
Info Huge range of books, movies, music, games, comics and more, at low prices! Entry by gold coin donation. Fundraiser for Lifeline’s local 13 11 14 crisis support and suicide prevention service. To find out more follow the link
http://www.act.lifeline.org.au/item/sept‐2018‐bf
Kookaburra Kids
Kookaburra Kids offer free camps and activities for kids aged 8-18years who have a parent with a mental health issue due to military service (this can be the serving member or the spouse). The next primary aged camp will be held at the end of October; registrations are now being taken. Referrals can be made via https://kookaburrakids.org.au/how-you-can-help/refer-a-child/ or call 6109 0408 and ask to speak with Nick.
DCO Canberra E-news is published bimonthly and now available on the DCO Canberra website: http://www.defence.gov.au/DCO/Community/Canberra/Default.asp . E-News includes handy information such as upcoming events, contact details for social groups and links to DCO resources. When it is published, a link can be emailed to you if you are on the DCO Canberra mailing list. This list is opt-in, opt-out, so simply send an email to dco.canberra@defence.gov.au to update your preference. Alternatively, ‘like’ the DCO Facebook Page to receive information and updates.
Feel welcome to visit or contact me on 6249 8869 or send an email to sonja.mingay@cg.catholic.edu.au .
Sonja Mingay
DSTA
Work hours: Mon-Wed 9am-3pm, Thu 9-11am
Mini Vinnies
At our meeting last Thursday, 2 August, Mini Vinnies planned our focus for Term 3. Some Mini Vinnies were interested in participating in ‘Pens Against Poverty’. We also elected to organise a fundraising activity and visit Southern Cross Apartments later in the term.
Pens Against Poverty is a creative writing competition for students in Years 3-10 living in the Canberra and Southern NSW regions. It is an official activity of Anti-Poverty Week (14-20 October 2018) https://www.antipovertyweek.org.au/about/about-anti-poverty-week and aims to heighten empathy among readers and writers on the topic of poverty. The theme for this year is ‘On the Edge’. Entries of short stories or poems of no more than 500 words will be judged by author Jackie French and Canberra-based poet John Foulcher. Entries close Monday 24 September and must be submitted through Mrs Mingay. This is an optional activity. An ‘unofficial Mini Vinnies meeting’ will be held this Thursday, 9 August at lunch time for interested Mini Vinnies.
Our next ‘official Mini Vinnies Meeting’ will be Thursday 16 August (Week 4) after eating time at lunchtime in the Afters Area. We will organise our fundraising activity.
Feel welcome to visit or contact me on 6249 8869 or send an email to sonja.mingay@cg.catholic.edu.au .
School Banking
Playschool
Bookclub
Orienteering
SC-ORE School Orienteering
2018 Term 4
A before school body and brain work out.
Teams 2 girls and 2 boys
Thursday 25 Oct
Thursday 1 Nov
Thursday 8 Nov
Thursday 15 Nov
Forrest Primary School
Garran Primary School
Hughes Primary School
Canberra Grammar School
SC-ORE online registration NOW OPEN
https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?E=29490
For more information visit http://act.orienteering.asn.au/juniors/blue-sparks/sc-ore/
Or call 0411 968 001
ENTRIES NOW OPEN
(4-week Challenge in Term 4)