Dear St Thomas Aquinas community,

Happy Book Week!

It's an exciting week for students. We're hearing a lot about how they will dress up this Friday and we hope this translates into conversations about books they love.

My adult children were not avid readers when they were younger, despite our encouragement. Later, during their teenage years they became more highly independent and enthusiastic readers. 

What was the trigger? As they got older my wife and I had more time to read and model that enjoyment. The real turning point was finding something they loved reading. My son became an avid reader of news, research, psychology, etc. He is a very curious learner and fills his mind with lots of general knowledge and information about the world and events only to discuss them later. Two of my daughters found fiction series that they loved and couldn't wait to get through. This then led them onto other related series and now they are recommending books for each other.

It's heartwarming to watch them love reading. It slows the pace of life down a little and creates a restful moment of escape in a very busy world. Much better than scrolling through Insta for 30 minutes!

Growing Readers: Encouraging a Love of Books in the Early Years

Reading is one of the most powerful tools we can give our children. It opens doors to imagination, knowledge, and lifelong learning. At our school, we believe that fostering a love of reading from an early age sets children up for success—not just in the classroom, but in life.

How Can Families Encourage Reading at Home?

Here are some simple, effective ways to make reading a joyful part of everyday life:

• Create a reading routine: Set aside a regular time each day for reading—bedtime stories, morning picture books, or quiet afternoon reading.
• Let children choose: Whether it’s comics, fairy tales, or non-fiction, letting children pick what they read helps build enthusiasm.
• Visit the library: Libraries are treasure troves of books and often host fun events for young readers.
• Be a reading role model: When children see adults reading, they learn that reading is valuable and enjoyable.
• Talk about books: Ask questions, share thoughts, and encourage children to express what they liked or learned from a story.

The Long-Term Benefits of Early Reading

Reading in the early years does more than improve literacy—it builds a foundation for lifelong success:

• Boosts vocabulary and language skills: Children who read regularly develop stronger general knowledge and communication skills.
• Improves focus and concentration: Sitting with a book helps children learn to focus and follow lines of thought and complex narratives.
• Enhances imagination and creativity: Stories spark curiosity and help children explore new ideas and worlds that they ordinarily might not encounter.
• Supports emotional development: Books help children understand feelings, relationships, and different perspectives. Children develop greater empathy.
• Sets the stage for academic achievement: Early readers often perform better across all subjects as they grow. As we get older, we read to learn in other subject areas.

Let’s Celebrate Reading Together!

We encourage all families to make reading a shared adventure. Whether it’s a bedtime story or a weekend library trip, every moment spent with a book helps your child grow. Let’s work together to build a community of confident, curious, and joyful readers!

New parish names short listed

This weekend we enter into the final consultation phase for developing a new joint parish name. Last week the Parish Pastoral Council collated all of the nominations. They created a short list. On Sunday I will send out a Compass alert with an opportunity for families to submit a vote for one of the short listed names. There are some lovely names with great meaning and, as part of the parish community we have an important opportunity to contribute to the decision. This is an exciting time as we move into this new phase.

Being at school on time

Arriving at school on time sets the tone for a successful day of learning! When children start their day calmly and on schedule, they’re more likely to feel settled, confident, and ready to engage. Being on time helps students build good habits, strengthens their sense of responsibility, and ensures they don’t miss important instructions or social time with friends. Every minute counts. Our school day starts at 8.50am—let’s work together to make sure our students start each day with their best foot forward!

Matthew Garton

Principal