St Thomas Aquinas News & Events
Message From The Principal – November 2025
G R A T I T U D E I N T H E G R I N D !
November has arrived, bringing with it the whirlwind of final exams, endless marking, and the last push before the year ends. It is a month that tests our stamina—learners are weary yet must dig deep to study and succeed. Teachers are stretched thin, juggling exam preparation, marking, and moderation. Even parents feel the strain of daily school runs and the emotional support they provide. This time of year, we often find ourselves running on empty. The energy reserves are low, and the finish line still feels far away. But here’s the truth: we persevere. As a school community, we show up. We endure. We support one another. We give our best—not because it’s easy, but because we know the reward is near. December is coming, and with it, rest, celebration, and renewal.
YOU’VE GROWN THROUGH IT MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL GRATITUDE IN THE GRIND!
November is also a time for gratitude. It invites us to pause and reflect on the journey of 2025. Look at how far we have come—the challenges we have faced, the growth we have achieved, and the milestones we have reached. Whether big or small, every effort matters. So, let’s take a moment to acknowledge it all. Let’s celebrate the resilience, the hard work, and the heart that carried us through. Mrs Lange, Principal, You’ve done more than survive this year—you’ve grown through it. So go ahead, give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back.
Awareness Corner
We celebrate National Diabetes Awareness Month. The month of November is all about raising awareness and promoting effective ways to treat and manage diabetes.
Let’s shine a bright light on managing diabetes. Specifically, when it comes to very low blood sugar, there are over 500 million people worldwide living with diabetes
The original goal of National Diabetes Awareness Month is to:
Increase public understanding of diabetes and its complications Encourage healthy lifestyle changes to prevent type 2 diabetes Support those living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Promote access to care, treatment, and education
Lastly, by remembering our loved ones we lost to diabetes
Awareness
Corner
Unathi Soga
National Diabetes Awareness Month reminds us of the importance of understanding, preventing, and managing diabetes. It is a time to support those living with the condition, encourage regular health check-ups, and promote healthy habits that can reduce risk. By raising awareness and working together, we can create a community that values early detection, access to care, and education and helps build a healthier future for everyone.
Combatting End-of-year
Fatigue
Simple Wellness Habits
As we approach the end of the school year, it’s totally normal to feel exhausted, anxious, or swamped. The amount of work is significant, the expectations are high, and everyone is looking forward to the holiday break. However, by adopting a few easy wellness practices, you can remain centered, energised, and attentive—even in the most hectic weeks.
- Prioritise Sleep
Your mind and body cannot function well without rest. Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep and avoid screens at least 30 minutes before bed.
- Drink More Water
Staying hydrated boosts concentration, mood, and energy levels. Keep a bottle with you and sip throughout the day.
- Take Short Breaks
A 5-minute stretch, a walk, or deep breathing can reset your focus and reduce stress.
- Eat for Energy
Choose snacks that fuel your brain: fruit, nuts, yoghurt, popcorn — and avoid relying on sugary snacks or energy drinks.
- Stay Organised
A to-do list or simple daily plan removes pressure and stops everything from feeling overwhelming.
- Reach Out for Support
Talk to a friend, parent, or teacher if you’re feeling drained. Sharing how you feel relieves stress and builds connection.
Small habits create big changes. Take care of yourself — your health matters more than any deadline.
Study Tips
From Top
Learners
Her study method is to start by praying and ensure that she’s hydrated and eats, because she believes the academic pressure tends to make learners forget about such important things. The study methods she uses are active recall, doing quizzes online, and, most importantly, maintaining consistency.
Grade 8: Lwandle Konyane
Ziyanda Mhlope
Finds it important to pray every time before studying and take breaks in
between studying while using different study methods. For example, natural science is a content subject; she uses AI to simplify content, and then, for subjects such as math, she believes they require frequent practice. She advises trying to write out all possible scenarios that one might get in an exam, and also to remember to get enough sleep.
Grade 9: Minenhle Mhlanga
She makes sure that she starts off with a plan on how she will study; she uses the 2357 study method. She believes it’s easier to schedule each study day according to your level of brain memory and active recall. For theory-like subjects, she uses active recall, self-teaching, and blurting. She advises practising past papers to see what you don’t know. The morning of papers, she prays and makes sure to go through things that she is not sure of and recall what she does know.
Grade 10: Orapeleng Ntsheroa
Advises that learners should find their ideal study method, such as visual learning or speaking, but most importantly, remember to sleep!
Grade 11: Shrihara Govender
Ziyanda Mhlope
INTERHOUSE ATHLETICS
Highlights
Primary school
Our Primary School Interhouse Athletics Day was filled with energy, colour, and incredible school spirit! Learners gave their all on the track and field, cheering loudly for their houses and celebrating every effort—big or small.
From sprints to long jumps to fun events, the day was a wonderful reminder of teamwork, resilience, and healthy competition.
Well done to all our athletes for showing determination and sportsmanship throughout the event.
A big thank you to our staff and supporters for making the day truly memorable!
Week Ahead As we step into a new week, learners and staff can look forward to a blend of productivity and meaningful reflection. Academic focus remains a priority with revision sessions, test preparations, and continued curriculum coverage across all grades.
Learners are encouraged to stay organized, use their study timetables effectively, and reach out for support where needed. Teachers will also be available for extra lessons or catch-up sessions, especially as we approach key assessment periods. Parents are reminded to check communication platforms for any updates regarding academic deadlines or school events.
Week 3 17 – 21 November 2025
Attended all scheduled workshops
21 November, Friday
Grade 4- 6
Exams Start
17 November, Monday
Grade 8: Exam: Mathematics P2 07h50 – 10h00
Grade 9: Exam: Natural Science P2 07h50 – 10h00
Grade 10: Exam: Mathematics P2 07h50 – 10h00
Grade 11: Exam: Mathematics P2 07h50 – 11h00
Grade 12: Exam: Mathematical Literacy 08h50 – 12h00
Exam: Physical Science P2 08h50 – 12h00
20 November, Thursday
Grade 8: Natural Science P2 07h50 – 10h00
Grade 9: Exam: Afrikaans P2 07h50 – 10h00
Grade 10: Exam: Maths Lit P2 07h50 – 10h00
Exam: Physical Science P2 07h50 – 10h00
Grade 11: Exam: Maths Lit P2 07h50 – 10h30
Exam: Physical Science P2 07h50 – 11h00
Grade 12: Exam: Visual Arts 08h50 – 12h00
18 November, Tuesday
Grade 8: Exam: Business Studies 07h50 – 09h30
Grade 9: Exam: Business Studies 07h50 – 10h00
Grade 10: Exam: Afrikaans P2 07h50 – 10h00
Grade 11: Exam: Geography P1 07h50 – 11h00
Exam: Geography P2 12h20 – 14h00
Grade 12: Exam: CAT Paper 2 08h50 – 12h00
19 November, Wednesday
Grade 8: Exam: English P2 07h50 – 10h00
Grade 9: Exam: Coding & Robotics 07h50 – 12h30
Grade 10: Exam: English P2 07h50 – 10h30
Grade 11: Exam: English P2 07h50 – 11h00
Grade 12: Exam: Life Science Paper 1 08h50 – 12h00.
Grade 8: Exam: Creative Art – Practical 07h50 – 10h00
Grade 9: Exam: Creative Art – Practical 07h50 – 10h00
Grade 10: Exam: Visual Art Practical 07h50 – 15h30
Exam: Consumer Studies Theory 07h50 – 10h30
Grade 11: Exam: Visual Art Practical 07h50 – 15h30
Exam: CAT P1 Practical 07h50 – 11h00
Grade 12: Exam: English HL Paper 2 08h50 – 12h00
NOV 2025 – WEEK 2
Reflection
As we move through the challenges of life, it is easy to feel tired, discouraged, or unsure of the way forward. But in every season, Christ reminds us that perseverance is not something we carry alone—it is strengthened by His presence, His promises, and His unfailing love.
When we feel weak, He becomes our strength; when we feel overwhelmed, He becomes our peace. Persevering in Christ means trusting that He is working even when we cannot see the full picture. It is choosing hope over fear, faith over doubt, and courage over giving up. With Christ beside us, every setback becomes a lesson, and every challenge becomes an opportunity to grow.
Perseverance in Christ
NOV 2025 WEEK 2
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” —
Philippians 4:13
May this week remind us that no matter what we face, we walk with a God who sustains, strengthens, and leads us forward. Stay anchored in Him, and keep going — His grace is enough.
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