Dear Parents and Carers,

A special welcome to new staff, students and families who are joining the St Thomas More’s Primary School community for the first time. I hope your time at STM is exciting, rewarding and happy.

The new students have settled in well and I am always so amazed at the generosity and kindness of their classmates in making each of them feel valued and included. It’s great to be back and re-connecting with our students.  

Last week staff participated in a week of professional learning. Together we looked more closely at being “Centred in Faith” by gaining a deeper knowledge of Social Catholic Teaching resources and curriculum links. Fr Emil spent the day with us and celebrated Mass, which was the perfect opportunity to come together as a staff community in prayer. On Thursday we spent the day looking at the Science of Learning and High Impact Teaching strategies. This day launched our work in ”Catalyst” this year where we had the opportunity to listen to world renowned scholars and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of high impact teaching strategies. We finished the week fulfilling our First Aid requirements. It was a very busy week! I am excited about the year ahead and feel so privileged to have dedicated and hardworking educators in our school. Your children are very fortunate!

Newsletter

The newsletter is emailed out to families every Wednesday. During odd weeks, we have “More News” and in even weeks we send out “More Reminders”. The electronic copy can be accessed through our Schoolzine app and on the school website.

School Expectations

At all times, we expect students to respect more, think more and encourage more. Perhaps families could discuss these expectations at home. We also have the “No hat; No play” expectation. It might be a good idea to have 2 hats at school – one in your child’s bag and one that can be left in the classroom.

St Thomas More Parish

Mass times and other parish information can be found by clicking on the link below -

http://www.stthomasmore.org.au This Sunday, staff will be receive a blessing for the beginning of the school year at the 9:30am Mass.

School Counsellor

Our school counsellor is Sarah Foley; Sarah will work every Thursday.

Parent Information Night

Parent Information Night is next week, on Tuesday the 9^th of February. Please come along to visit your child’s classroom and to meet their teacher. We are offering 2 sessions with the same information; first session will be at 5pm; second session at 5:40pm. RSVP by clicking the link below. We can only have one parent from each family attend this year due to our COVID requirements.

https://forms.gle/n59aJEncDHjyzAJ18

Email Correspondence

I would like to advise that staff will respond to emails during professional working hours (8am to 5pm) across the working week. For emergencies, please email me on julie.wiley@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Class Contacts

On Monday a letter was sent home about the St Thomas More’s Parent Network. This network provides an opportunity for all parents to be connected with other families. We encourage all families to provide their details for the class contact list to promote communication and being kept informed of important class events. Please complete the form and return it to your child’s teacher by next Monday. 

We are also looking for one parent volunteer to be the “class contact” for each class. Being a class contact is a great way to get to know families in your child’s class and be involved in the school community. If you are interested in being a class contact or have any questions, please contact Julie Ogden at the Front Office.  

Supervision Hours

School hours are 8:50am to 3:00pm. Students are supervised each day from 8:20am until 3:30pm. I would like to remind parents of the importance of ensuring that children are not dropped at school prior to 8:20am. Before and After School Care is available at our school.

Uniform  

Thank you to families for ensuring students are in full school uniform. P.E. days are Wednesday and Friday. Boys are to wear navy socks with their summer uniform (not white). White socks are to be worn with the PE uniform.  

Leadership Badges

Our Year 6 leaders will be presented with their badges during our Centred in Faith gathering on Friday, February 19^th (Week 3). Parents of Yr 6 only are warmly invited to join us for this special assembly.

Facebook

Did you know we have a Facebook page? Find us @stmcampbell.

Yours sincerely,

Julie Wiley
Principal.

I warmly welcome you back to the 2021 school year. We especially welcome Father Andrew Lotton to our school and parish. We are looking forward to working with both Father Andrew and Father Emil this year.

Last week the staff participated in our annual Spirituality Day. Helen Bramanathan presented the staff with the following visual to remind us about the ‘Essentials of Christian Meditation’.

We then spent time looking at our Scripture focus for the year-

 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are called according to his purpose Romans 8:28 

It was wonderful to have Father Emil join us for our Spirituality day to help us reflect on what this scripture passage means for our community.

First Reconciliation

Enrolment will take place for those students who are interested in preparing for First Reconciliation after the 9:30am Mass on Sunday 14th of February. The celebration of the Sacrament will take place on Saturday 27th March at 11:00am.

Catholic Schools Youth Ministry International (CSYMI)

Our new Youth Minister Anh Tran will meet all of the classes on Friday. Later on this term, the Year 5 and 6 students will be part of a retreat called ‘Journey with Jesus’. From this retreat students will be invited to be part of the Youth Ministry team at St Thomas More’s led by Anh. 

Opening School Mass- Ash Wednesday

Our Ash Wednesday Opening School Mass will take place at 9:30 in the hall on the 17th of February. Due to COVID restrictions we are unable to invite members of the community to join us. A 5:30pm Ash Wednesday Parish Mass will also be held. 

Yours in Christ,

Samantha Mance
Religious Education Coordinator

A warm welcome back and best wishes to our returning and new Defence families for a great 2021.  I hope that all our new families settle in quickly and find St Thomas More’s to be a welcoming and friendly community. I hope that everyone had a relaxing summer break.

I will be sending home the St Thomas More’s DSM Support 2021 Forms this week with the eldest child in your families. It is the same form that was sent home last year but I would appreciate you completing it and returning it to me by Friday 12 February 2021 (end of week 2).

Our Deployment Group (craft/Lego sessions) for students with parents away from home will be starting in week 3 on Tuesdays at lunch after eating time. Please let me know if your family has a Defence parent away from home, whether it be deployment, course or exercise and your child would like to attend Deployment Group.

We will also be commencing our regular Thursday craft in the library with all students being able to attend after eating time. We endeavour to have a small craft activity or board games available to keep the students entertained.

The Defence Education Assistance – Tutoring Support is available to Defence students who have moved school as a result of posting (applicable for up to 18 months after moving) and need additional services to help them meet the academic standards of the new school. The application and reimbursement processes for Defence Education Assistance are managed by the Defence Family Helpline and they can be contacted on 1800 624 608. If you would like any further information, I have included a link below which will take you to the DCO website, I am also happy for you to contact me.

https://www.defence.gov.au/DCO/_Master/documents/Factsheets/Education-assistance-tutor.pdf

Please feel welcome to visit me at school or contact me on 6249 8869 or, alternatively, send an email to brenda.galvin@cg.catholic.edu.au

Brenda Galvin
Defence School Mentor

Mini Vinnies

Mini Vinnies is a group of the St Vincent de Paul Society comprising of students in Years 4-6 who volunteer to help those in need in their school and community with a focus on social justice issues. Mini Vinnies participate in activities such as fundraising, clothing appeals and visiting the elderly. We are still working out a schedule for our Mini Vinnies meetings and I will advise our Year 4-6 students interested in joining of the time as soon as it is scheduled.

Called to Care Meal Bank

Notes were sent home today seeking volunteers for St Thomas More’s Called to Care Meal Bank. Called to Care Meal Bank is a roster of volunteers willing to cook one meal for four people. The meals are kept in the school freezer and given to families who are experiencing a hard time for whatever reason. It is anticipated that as a volunteer you may be rostered to contribute once or twice a year (depending of the number of volunteers and the need). This is a great way to show love and care within our own community to families when extra care and support is needed.

Feel welcome to visit or contact me on 6249 8869 or send an email to brenda.galvin@cg.catholic.edu.au .

Brenda Galvin
School Chaplain

STM Library

Welcome to the beginning of the school year. I’m looking forward to fun times ahead for 2021! 

We are very fortunate to have such a well-resourced, exciting and inclusive library that promotes a love of literacy for all students. We are constantly updating our collection to have a wide selection of recent, popular and quality texts for borrowing. The library is open at lunchtime on Thursdays, providing a quiet place for children to read, play chess and participate in craft or drawing activities. 

Each class visits the library twice a week. Every Monday, all students are encouraged to borrow. (K-4 require a library bag, an A4 drawstring

 or cloth bag). Books are to be returned each Monday in order to borrow again. On Thursday, Library lessons provide students with opportunities to appreciate literature, develop 21st Century critical thinking skills and become informed citizens. Reading and listening to stories gives our students an opportunity to learn about the world & emotions experienced by characters. It opens up worlds not normally available to be experienced by children. What an adventure! 

If you have any questions, requests or problems with lost/damaged books please don’t hesitate to contact me via email madeleine.reid@cg.catholic.edu.au

Madeleine Reid
Teacher-Librarian

Team Kids

TeamKids are very excited to have commenced our Before and After school care partnership with St Thomas More’s Primary.

We have created an interactive Welcome Flyer for your school community that provides further information on:

Before and After Care video – showing off the new space (password: 123)

• How to register with TeamKids
• Child Care Subsidy information

Music Tuition

Music tuition is available at  St Thomas More’s during school  hours.  If you would like your child to learn a musical instrument contact the Tutors directly .

Piano lessons are available at school with Jaki Kane (BMus Hons) and Andrew Koll (BMus Hons).  Please contact Jaki on 0407007362 or email: jakikane@hotmail.com

Flute lessons are available at school with Andrew Koll (BMus Hons). It is best for children to be over the age of 9 before learning to play the flute. Enquiries to Andrew on 0407066304 or email: realbach@tpg.com.au

Violin and Cello are available with Matthew Foster

http://www.mfviolin.com/violin/

Guitar

Tennis

Basketball

Book Club

Music Tuition

Music tuition is available at  St Thomas More’s during school  hours.  If you would like your child to learn a musical instrument contact the tutors directly.

Piano lessons are available at school with Jaki Kane (BMus Hons) and Andrew Koll (BMus Hons).  Please contact Jaki on 0407007362 or email: jakikane@hotmail.com

Flute lessons are available at school with Andrew Koll (BMus Hons). It is best for children to be over the age of 9 before learning to play the flute. Enquiries to Andrew on 0407066304 or email: realbach@tpg.com.au

Violin and Cello are available with Matthew Foster

http://www.mfviolin.com/violin/

Guitar

Tennis

Merici College

MERICI COLLEGE ENROLLING NOW!

Merici’s new Principal, Anna Masters, and her Executive are looking forward to meeting you at one or all of the College’s enrolment events. This is a wonderful opportunity for prospective families to see the College in action, meet the students and staff, attend the Principal’s Address, Year 7 and 11 Information Evenings and lots more.

The College is enrolling now for 2022 and beyond!

Please visit www.merici.college for all dates and information for Open Day, Be a Merici Girl Days and Talk and Tours. Register online now!

Open Day and Year 7 2022 Information Night: Wednesday 28 April 2-4pm, 5.30-7.30pm

Be a Merici Girl Days: 22 April, 23 April, 6 May

Talk and Tours: 20 February, 27 March, 1 May, 21 August, 23 October

Telephone 02- 6243 4178 for all enquiries.