Leadership Communication
My Lord and My God
St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Primary School
Celebrating Mother’s Day – Invitation to Families
We warmly invite all mothers and mother figures to join us at school on Friday 8th May from 8:30–9:30am as we take time to acknowledge and celebrate Mother’s Day together.
During the morning, classrooms will be open for families to visit and share learning with their children. A light breakfast will be provided, along with time to connect and enjoy being together as a school community.
Grandmothers, aunts, carers, and all special mother figures are very welcome to attend.
As a Catholic community, Mother’s Day gives us an opportunity to give thanks for the love, care, and guidance shown by mothers and mother figures. We are reminded of Mary, the mother of Jesus, whose faith, gentleness, and strength continue to inspire us.
We also recognise that experiences of Mother’s Day can be different for everyone. This can be a time of both joy and reflection for those who have lost their mothers, those who long to be mothers, and those whose journeys are complex. We hold all members of our community in our thoughts and prayers, trusting them to God’s loving care.
Reading - A Critical Skill for Life
Reading is an essential skill that supports learning across all areas of the curriculum. From Foundation to Year 6, our teachers take an explicit and structured approach to teaching reading so that students build strong skills over time.
Reading is taught using an Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) model. This means teachers clearly explain new learning, model reading skills, practise them with students, and then support students as they work more independently. Lessons are carefully structured and focused on specific learning goals.
Across the years, students are taught:
- How letters and spelling patterns work
- How words are built and how their meaning can change
- How to read smoothly and accurately
How to understand and talk about what they read
Students have regular opportunities to practise these skills during lessons. Teachers also use checks for understanding, which means they regularly check how well all students are understanding, not just those who put their hand up. This helps teachers identify who is progressing well and who may need additional support.
We know that early reading success is critical. Research and experience show that students who fall behind in reading in Year 1 often find it difficult to catch up later. For this reason, we closely monitor student progress and aim to intervene early with targeted support when a student is not meeting expected reading milestones.
Homework includes a strong focus on reading each night, both for enjoyment and for sustained periods of time. Families may also choose to register their child for the Premier’s Reading Challenge, which encourages regular reading and helps build positive reading habits at home.
Regular reading at school and home supports confidence, fluency, and comprehension, and helps children grow as readers over time.
If you have questions about your child's progress, in reading or any other area of learning, please reach out to your child's teacher as the first point of contact.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead,
Peta Overbury
Deputy Principal