St Thomas’ General Information

Timetable

Daily Timetable:
Session One: 8:55 am to 11:00 am
Session Two: 11:20 am to 12:55 pm
Session Three: 1:45 pm to 3:15 pm

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School History

St. Thomas’ was officially opened in 1970 with Sr Therese Condon from the Sisters of Sion as Principal and fewer than 100 children enrolled in Grades Prep to 4. There were only 6 classrooms, Staff Room and Office, but only 5 classrooms were used. Boys in Grades 5 and 6 attended St. Patrick’s College in the years to 1978.

The school quickly grew and soon it was necessary to add additional classrooms, first a double classroom (our present Library), followed by a new block with large Open Area, and in 1984, 4 more classrooms with 2 withdrawal areas, a new tuckshop and a storeroom. A multi-purpose Hall was erected in 1999.

Numbers reached a peak of 370 students around 1984, but are at present about 235 with 11 classes. St. Thomas’ caters for a large number of mobile families including many RAAF families from the East Sale Base.

An increase in Enrolment for 2009 has enabled us to run 3 Prep Classes.

Principals:

  • 1970 Sr Therese Condon OLS
  • 1971 Sr Mary Lotton OLS
  • 1972-75 Sr Marie Johnson OLS
  • 1976 Mr Peter Surkitt
  • 1977-80 Mr Graeme Sleeman
  • 1981-87 Mr Michael O’Brien
  • 1988-91 Mrs Elizabeth Moroney
  • 1992-2000 Mr Kevin Greenwood
  • 2001-2007 Mrs Lois Ryan
  • 2008- Mr Jason Slattery

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School Organisation

St. Thomas’ School Board

The School Board meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The members of the Board include the Parish Priest, the School Principal, staff representative, two members from the Parents & Friends Association, one co-opted parent member and four elected members from the general parent body. Parents are all eligible for election and nominations will be warmly received when elections are held. The aims of the School Board are to assist the Principal and Parish in planning, development, maintenance, finance, education, pastoral concern and public relations.

St. Thomas’ Parents & Friends Association

St. Thomas’ P&F contributes to the life of the school in many ways and in doing so supports our children’s education, development, enjoyment and pride in our school. Meetings are held monthly (second Tuesday) to discuss activities, school issues and events.

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School Fees

  Fees Capital
Levy		 Per Term Total Annual
1 student: $235 $40 $275 $1,100
2 students: $275 $40 $315 $1,260
3+ students: $315 $40 $355 $1,420
Maintenance Levy per family/per year:- $50

Fees are charged annually at the commencement of the school year with the option of paying in 4 Term Instalments. Arrangements can also be made with the Principal to pay fortnightly or monthly instalments. Credit Card and Bpay facilities are also available.

Parents who have genuine difficulty with the payment of fees should contact the Principal as soon as possible to discuss alternate arrangements.

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Enrolments

Dates for enrolment of children who are eligible to begin school for the first time in the following year are announced in the Parish Bulletin, School Newsletter and also advertised in the Gippsland Times. Applications for enrolment should be made to the Principal. All applications are ratified by the Parish Priest and all parents are requested to bring their child’s Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certificate and Immunisation Certificate when enrolling.

An orientation session is held for Prep children in the November before they commence school. Parents are notified in writing about this day.

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Facilities

St. Thomas’ has well appointed classrooms and attractive and spacious grounds. Other features include:

  • large indoor open area for dance, drama and music classes and visiting cultural performances
  • air conditioned classrooms
  • art room
  • adventure playgrounds
  • football, soccer, volleyball and softball fields
  • netball and basketball courts
  • assembly/multi-purpose hall.
  • school chapel
  • a well-stocked, up-to-date computerised Library
  • new, modern Computer Lab & classroom computers

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School Uniform

Parents are responsible for sending children to school in correct uniform and are asked to check uniform daily. Children should be encouraged to wear their uniform with pride. All articles of clothing should be clearly marked with child’s name.

  • Boys – Summer:
    Grey shorts, white shirt, school jumper (navy), grey socks, black leather shoes or elastic-sided school boots.
  • Boys – Winter:
    Grey long pants, white shirt, school jumper (navy), grey socks, black leather shoes or elastic-sided school boots.
  • Boys – Sports Uniform:
    School polo shirt, navy school shorts, sneakers, navy school trackpants, navy school fleece tracksuit top or vest, plain, white, above the ankle length socks.
  • Girls – Summer:
    School summer dress, school jumper (navy), short white socks (above ankle), black leather shoes or elastic-sided school boots.
  • Girls – Winter:
    Winter tunic, white shirt, school jumper (navy), navy tights or knee length navy socks, black leather shoes or elastic-sided school boots.
  • Girls – Sports Uniform:
    School polo shirt, navy school shorts, sneakers, navy school trackpants navy school fleece tracksuit top or vest, plain, white, above the ankle length socks.

Sneakers are not to be used as school shoes. Tracksuit tops are not to be worn as school jumpers.

Sports Uniform: Children may wear the sports uniform to school on their weekly Physical Education/Sport day only.

Hats: Students are expected to wear the school hat at recess and lunch times and during P.E. classes in terms 1 and 4. No other hat may be worn. Students are encouraged to wear hats on days in Term 2& 3 when deemed necessary.

Scarf /Gloves: Navy school scarf and gloves are an optional item during winter for girls and boys.

School Bag: A backpack style school bag in St. Thomas’ colours with school emblem is compulsory for children in Years Prep to 6. Prep students are required to use the new style bag in 2008.

Uniform items are available at local uniform suppliers and must display the school logo.

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Pastoral Care, Discipline & Supervision

Pastoral Care: This leads us to be truly concerned for the well-being and development of each person and makes
the school a happy and safe environment for each. It facilitates children’s specific needs while emphasising the Christian values of self-esteem, respect for self and others and self-discipline. A well established Pastoral Care Committee operates within the school.

Childrens Voice: 2 representatives per class meet with the Principal once per term to discuss school issues and take feedback to class.

Seasons for Growth: An 8 week program for Grief and Loss Education for children from Yr1-6 who have experienced a death, separation or divorce in the family.

Discipline: All classes follow a discipline policy which incorporates a set of class rules, consequences and rewards. All teachers aim to be fair and consistent in the attempt to create an environment which enhances learning and fosters a feeling of well-being for all class members. This is based on the belief that all children have the right to learn and all teachers have the right to teach with minimum disruption. Discipline is aimed at being relational rather than punitive. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and behaviour. Consequences of unacceptable behaviour are aimed at suiting breach of rule. Parents/guardians will be informed of these rules and teachers ask that you support them in the enforcement of the discipline policy.

Supervision: This is done very diligently by all teachers from arrival to departure of children and is an expression of our pastoral care and discipline. The playground is supervised from 8.30 a.m. and children are not allowed to be at school before this time. The bus bay and children’s crossing in Raglan Street and the front of the school are supervised by teachers after school. Children must be collected by 3.30pm

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Parent/Teacher Interviews & Reports

Parents/guardians are encouraged and welcome to speak to the class teacher at any time regarding their child’s progress. However, please see the teacher or ring the school office to arrange a mutually convenient time. Teachers are not always available before and after school because of other commitments, so appointments are necessary. Formal parent/teacher interviews take place in Term 1 & Term 3 (from 2007). Written reports are sent at the end of second and fourth terms.

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Excursions/Camps

Throughout the year the children attend excursions according to topics studied in the classroom. A permission form for children to go on excursions is sent home and parents will be given details of any excursion their children are going on beforehand. Students from Grades 5 and 6 attend a camp each year. In 2008 Year 5 students will travel to Gelantipy and Year 6 students will travel to Canberra

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Class Parents Program

Class Parents (Mums or Dads) are very special people in our school community. They act as the link between the teacher, other parents, principal and the children of a particular class. At the beginning of each year parents volunteer to take on the role of Class Parent for their child’s class. Parents are urged to nominate and participate in this very worthwhile program.

The role of Class Parents is to:

  • Welcome/farewell class families.
  • Invite parents to class Masses/Liturgies, as well as other class functions.
  • Help the teacher with excursions, craft and other activities.
  • Help to provide assistance to families in need.

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Parent & Community Involvement

We have extremely supportive parents who are involved in:

  • Parent Information Evenings.
  • Class Parents Program.
  • Perceptual Motor Program (PMP).
  • Class Masses and Liturgies.
  • Sports and Swimming Carnivals
  • Celebrations and Feast Days.
  • Tuckshop helpers.
  • Book covering and library assistance.
  • Literacy & Numeracy assistance.
  • Meals on Wheels drivers.
  • P&F activities. Fundraising/working bees.
  • Grounds Committee.

From 2007 all parent volunteers are required to complete a “Working With Children Check”.

We also enjoy being actively involved in the community by:

  • Children assisting with Meals on Wheels.
  • Performances in music and drama for community groups.
  • Annual School Concert.
  • Well established transition programs with local kindergartens and Catholic College Sale.
  • Participation in parish Masses and events.
  • Participation in local & global charities

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