Grandparents Day

Grandparents & Grandfriends Day is always a cherished event in our school calendar. As a school community, we value the important role that extended family members play in the lives of the young people we nurture and educate. This year, we are delighted to celebrate Grandparents & Grandfriends Day during Harmony Week, a fitting occasion that highlights the significance of our grandparents in preserving traditions, family stories, and customs.

Event Details:

Join us in the hall at 11:30 am for a Centred in Faith Gathering hosted by Kindergarten.

Following this, you will be welcomed into classrooms to spend some quality time with your special little people.

Our time together will conclude outside where you are invited to bring a picnic to enjoy with your grandchild. We look forward to making memories with you!

Working Bee - RSVP's Required by Friday

Our annual School and Parish Working Bee will be held on Saturday March 15 from 9:00-11:00am. At this stage we have only received one RSVP. We will need at least 10 more families volunteering for the Working Bee to be a success as we plan to complete the following jobs:

1. Weeding of garden beds and laying of mulch in top gardens
2. Weeding of beds out the front of the school
3. Removal of dead tree in Memorial Garden outside Church and replanting of native tree and shrubs
4. Build Compost area to the left of the Modular Classroom.

 If you are available, we would ask you to complete the RSVP HERE by Friday this week. We may need to reschedule this event is we are unable to have a sufficient amount of volunteers.

Afternoon Pick Up - Trial

We are currently trialling a new system for afternoon pick up to improve student safety and alleviate congestion. There will be two options for pick up under this trial:

1. Collect your child/ren from the Courtyard - 3:00pm - 3:10pm: Our courtyard gates will open at 3:00pm for you to collect your child from the courtyard as has always happened.
2. Remain in your car and have your child/ren come to you - 3:10pm - 3:20pm: At 3:10pm the teacher on duty will bring the remaining students to the top of the carpark at the Mary Grotto where parents will be able to pull into a carpark facing the school and have their child get into the car under the supervision of the teacher on duty

If you have concerns for your child/rens safety of an afternoon, or would prefer to remain in your car, we would encourage you to commence arriving between 3:10pm and 3:20pm. At 3:20pm any remaining students are brought to the front office and their parents phoned.

NAPLAN

Our Year 3 and 5 students will be sitting NAPLAN next week from Wednesday to Friday. Parents who are wishing to withdraw their children will need to contact Mrs Gwen Tarleton by the end of this week. 

Community Council News

Our Community Council Executive held our first meeting last Tuesday evening. It was an affirming time spent discussing the successful commencement of our school year with increased enrolments of 24 students compared to this time in 2024. The council welcome Shelle Rose to the role of Events Working Party Coordinator and brainstormed strategies for Shelle to support the school in the success of our events. The council also planned for our first open meeting on Tuesday 25 March from 6:00pm -7:30pm where all members of our community are invited to attend the meeting to discuss updating the school uniform policy, strategies for improved events and proposed improvements to the top carpark. 

Lent

As we begin the season of Lent today, with Ash Wednesday, students have been exploring scripture and traditions around the liturgical significance of Lent. As a time of preparing and waiting, we see a change of colour in our church and prayer spaces from the green of ordinary time to the purple of Lent. In classrooms students have discussed ways in which we prepare for the celebration of Christ's passion by having courage to show our love of God through committing to a change in our own lives over the Lenten season- perhaps giving up something we enjoy like technology or a sweet treat. Another courageous act may be in taking up an activity that fulfills Jesus' commandment to love others through helping out more at home or committing to daily prayer. The school attended Mass to celebrate the day of Holy Obligation and receive the Ash Cross symbol. 

Our Peer Support Captains launched Project Compassion with the support of 3/4 Green at our Cenred in Faith Gathering last Friday. Information and resources to support our fundraising were sent home last week as well. We take the opportunity during Lent to support Project Compassion with their charity works all around the world, providing much needed assistance to many less fortunate in our global community. Students are being encouraged to consider ways they can raise money through additional jobs at home to help donate to their classrooms Project Compassion boxes. 

Parish Mass

This year we continue to attend Parish Masses in year groups on the 1^st and 3^rd Friday of the month at 11:45am. Families are more than welcome to join us in the celebration of the Eucharist. This Friday Kinder, Year 2 & 5/6 will attend. 

Youth Group

The St Thomas More's Parish Youth Group for students in Year 3-6 will commence its first session for 2025 next Wednesday. Please see the attached flyer for more information about registering your child. 

Skye McPadden  

Religious Education Coordinator

Calling all 9 and 10 year old boys and girls who want to play netball!

 'Net Stars' Needs You!

Is your child interested in playing beginners netball in the Inner North Netball Club Saturday morning competition, at Lyneham? We are starting up a team for 9 and 10 year old boys and girls - the 'Net Stars'!

Competition Dates: 3rd May to 20 September 2025 

(possible grading dates include March 29th and April 5th, 2025) 

Anticipated Cost: $180 per player to register, and additional $20 for uniform shirt.  

Training: Will be held before each game on a Saturday morning, at the Lyneham Courts.

Please contact Abigail Boettcher (mother to Jemima, year 4) at abigaileboettcher@gmail.com or 0432010013 for more information.

Please note, registration must occur before 15 March, so don't delay! 

This team will not be affiliated with STM but we are hoping to have enough interest to be able to create a team with school friends only!

MERICI COLLEGE ENROLLING NOW

A wonderful opportunity for prospective families to see the College in action, meet our students and attend the Principal’s Address, Year 7 and 11 Information Evenings and lots more.

Visit www.merici.college for all dates and information for our Open Day and enrolment events.

• Open Day, Principal’s Address and Year 7 2026 Information Night: Wednesday 7 May
• Be a Merici Girl Days: 2, 5, 12 May 
• Talk and Tour: 10 May

We’re celebrating the AWESOMENESS of diversity this Harmony Week! ?

Get ready to paint the town ORANGE as we embrace and learn all about inclusivity, kindness and respect.

We’ll enjoy lots of special activities to highlight the joy of belonging! ? ✨

Book NOW to join the FUN – www.teamkids.com.au/venues

? Reach out to your DOS to find out when your venue will be celebrating!