Dear Parents and Carers,

You may have noticed over the last 12 months the staff and students have been focussing on student growth, as opposed to student “performance”. We acknowledge that an element of performance is necessary and does in fact contribute to student growth; however, it’s not the key to contributing to a student’s progression and development over time.

When teachers monitor growth in the students, they are often looking for a willingness in individual students for continual improvement. Teachers look for long-term progress (this can be from term to term or from one semester to the next) and our teachers have a belief that every learner is capable of further growth, regardless of their current level of attainment.

With our Yr 3 and Yr 5 students sitting NAPLAN this week, I have been very conscious of making sure we treat these assessments for what they are. They are an indication of where students sit at one point in time. There can be many variables that impact how students perform on these days. Often NAPLAN does not show the growth that we would expect. Some students do not perform in test situations; but can achieve great results when presented with problems in the way that they learn best. Each and every one of our students has special gifts – not all of them are displayed in a NAPLAN test.

Enrolment 2020

Enrolment Period: 6 May until 24 May. If you have a little one ready for school in 2020 or you know of anyone interested in looking at our wonderful school for their child, please encourage them to visit our website and book a tour.  

Mother’s Day Breakfast

Thank you to the wonderful 3/4W parents who helped with the Mother’s Day breakfast. Special thanks to Sally Witt (Alex Yr 4) for her coordination and organisation. It was a great community event.

Uniform

Students are allowed to wear a navy beanie, navy gloves and navy coat when the weather is cold. Thank you so much for ensuring your girls are wearing navy socks and tights – much appreciated.

Class Coordinator Year 3/4 Green

We are still looking for parent volunteer to be the class coordinator for 3/4 Green.  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, please contact the Front Office.

Yours sincerely,

Julie Wiley
Principal.

Inquiry- it’s been on the education agenda in many forms. It develops children who take risks in their learning, pose questions and search for possible solutions to problems we encounter in our daily lives.

We have always been on the inquiry journey at STM. We have been inspired to create a model of inquiry that is our own and which relates to our Vision for Teaching and Learning. At STM, we XPLORE MORE. Teachers have participated in professional learning this year to uncover the ingredients in an inquiry teaching and learning classroom. We will officially launch our model on our Feast Day in Week 8.

At the heart of our Teaching and Learning Excellence, is our vision- Centred in Learning. We always come back to the centre to think about what we have learned, what we are going to do with this learning, and where this learning will take us next. 

Over the next two newsletters, I will explain the different phases in the model. Stay tuned and be ready to XPLORE MORE with us as we grow this way of thinking, doing and being at our school.

When we XPLORE MORE we Inspire Minds and Nurture Hearts.

Nicole Mikkonen
Assistant Principal

One Community

in God’s Love

We are a EUCHARISTIC Community

Welcome to Week 3.

This term we are spending time on what it means to be a ‘EUCHARISTIC’ Community.

Pope Francis spoke these important words when he was launching the ‘World Day of the Poor.’

“The Body of Christ, broken in the sacred liturgy, can be seen, through charity and sharing, in the faces and persons of the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters.”

A EUCHARISTIC Community:

• Welcomes all people
• Listens to and responds to God’s Word
• Gives thanks to God
• We go forth to SERVE the Lord.

This term, St Thomas More’s school is serving the Lord by showing gratitude, being kind, showing empathy and giving back to others.

One way we can ‘give back’ to others as well as support the most vulnerable people in our community, is through food donations.

St Thomas More’s School will be offering their support to St John’s Care group, located in Reid. This group provide food for the homeless people and are in desperate need for additional food supplies. These items can be in canned food and/or dry foods. A food hamper will be placed in the school foyer for your donations.

Thank you for your generous support for the St John’s Care group.

Donna Victory
Religious Education Coordinator

REMINDER

Project Compassion boxes are due

Monday Lunchtime Craft and Deployment Groups

Monday Lunchtime Craft and Deployment Groups have commenced for Term 2. Please let me know if your family has a Defence parent away (including for short courses etc) and your child would like to attend the Deployment Group.

Battle of the Coral Sea Commemoration

The weather forecast was 90 per cent chance of rain for the Battle of the Coral Sea Commemoration at the Australian-American Memorial (“the Eagle”) at Russell Offices on 10 May 2019. Sure enough, just as the ceremony commenced so did a light drizzle which soon developed into a steady moderate drenching. Several addresses were made speaking of the significance of the Battle of the Coral Sea, Australia’s close relationship with the USA and paying homage to the fallen.

Standing resolutely in the front row was veteran, Mr Derek Holyoak. He seemed unperturbed by the rain. He laid a wreath for his comrades. Sophie Neighbour, respectfully laid a posy of remembrance alongside the wreaths on behalf of the youth of Australia. Mr Derek Holyoak proudly recited the Naval Ode. There is something special about standing in solidarity, even if it is in the rain, with a veteran such as Mr Derek Holyoak to honour those who fought in war 77 years ago.

Well done to our School Captains and House Captains for being great ambassadors for our school. On occasions such as this, it seems very fitting that our Houses are named Honour, Legacy and Valour.

Defence Community Organisation (DCO) Canberra E-News April/May/June Highlights

What  ADF Rugby Union Championships and Community Day

When  Saturday, 18 May 2019, 9am-5pm

Where  Gungahlin Enclosed Oval (entry Warwick St), GUNGAHLIN

Info Free event. Gold coin donation at gate. Many activities for the whole family throughout the day.

Defence Families of Australia

Defence Families Australia (DFA) want to hear from ADF families about the issues they are facing. In August each year, DFA meet with Defence policymakers in Canberra including CDF, Service Chiefs and the Minister for Defence Personnel and so they are now reviewing what's happening in the local Defence Communities. DFA plan to advocate for the programs that most benefit families and the issues that most affect families. Emma Steil is the Canberra Region DFA Delegate so if you have feedback, contact her via email at act.sthnsw@dfa.org.au or 0419 333 101.

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

Sonja Mingay DSM
Work hours: Mon-Wed 9am-3pm, Thu 9-11am

MiniVinnies

Our first Mini Vinnies meeting for Term 2 was held on 9 May, also the Feast Day of St Louise deMarillacc. St Louise deMarillacc worked with St Vincent de Paul in the 1600’s and co-founded the Daughters of Charity, establishing and developing models of service to others that were revolutionary for the time and remain in place today. In her own home, Louise trained young women to read, write and serve the poor in health care, social ministry and education. The Daughters of Charity served in hospitals and schools, cared for the galley slaves, wounded soldiers, the aged, the lonely and the isolated. All who called upon them were served with love, humility and compassion. Louise died at age 68 in 1660. Today, she continues to stand as a modern-day role model and inspiration in humility and service.

Our Mini Vinnies Team decided upon two focuses for Term 2:

- to visit Southern Cross Apartments and meet and entertain the residents

- to support the St Vincent de Paul Winter Clothing Appeal and Night Patrol Van (at the end of Term 2)

More detail about these will be provided in future newsletters.

Our next Mini Vinnies Meeting will be Thursday 23 May (Week 4).

Seasons for Growth

There will be two groups for the Seasons for Growth Program. Parents of the children participating in the program will be notified of the details of the program by the end of this week.

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

Sonja Mingay
School Chaplain
Work hours: Thu 11am-3pm, Fri 9am-3pm

Sporting News

Congratulations to Luke Herpen and Ruby Di Petta for being selected to be part of the ACT Basketball’s under 12’s representative development squad. This development squad is made up of about 40 girls and 40 boys who were selected after having played in inter-state and NSW regional basketball tournaments during this year. Ruby and Luke have been selected (as part of a 10 player girl squad and a 10 player boy squad) to represent the ACT at the National Junior Classic Tournament in Melbourne in June 2019.

Book Club

ACT / SNSW Interschools Snowsports Championships

Online Entries for the Subaru ACT-Southern NSW Interschools Snowsports Championships (July 24-26 at Perisher) are now open. Online entries and volunteer registration will close on June 26 at 10pm.   How to Complete School Entries School entries are completed online by the School Coordinator (Kestine Kenny - Mum of Ruby 3/4W and Cooper Kinder) who has a login for the entry system. If you are interested in your child participating please contact Kestine on -0447 711 189 or email kestine@loveyourstyle.com.au