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Dear Parents and Carers,
Last week our Yr 6 Leaders received their badges at our Centred in Faith gathering. Mrs Helen Bramanathan lead the students and parents through Christian Meditation. (This is something we do at all our whole school gatherings). Christian Meditation is a contemplative form of prayer that allows children to experience and develop their innate capacity to be open to God. Through silence and stillness of body and mind, children let go of thoughts and move from their ‘heads’ to their ‘hearts’, repeating internally, the sacred word “Maranatha”. It takes them on an inward journey to “be with God” – Centred in Faith.
Prayer forms an important part of our day. These occasions of gathering in stillness and silence build community. With God’s grace, our actions begin to show the fruits of this type of prayer – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fidelity, gentleness and self-control.
Ash Wednesday Mass
Please join us for Mass next Wednesday at 9:30am. We will be up in St Thomas More’s Parish Church. All students will receive ashes on their forehead. This marks the beginning of lent - 40 days of repentance and fasting leading up to Easter.
Community Breakfast
Please join us for our Welcoming Community Breakfast next Friday, February 28, from 8am. A note was sent home today, please RSVP by Friday 21st February.
YWCA Care Program
YWCA have been successful in extending their licence to cater for more students. I have been told they have contacted all parents who were put on a waiting list. If you have not been notified, please make contact directly.
Winter Sporting Teams
Thank you to those parents who have notified us about your child joining a local team for the Winter comp. We will forward this information out to families once we have all parent contact information returned.
Centred in Learning Gathering
This Friday we will affirm students for their contributions to our community, their efforts and successes. All welcome – Holy Faith Hall at 9am.
Yours sincerely,
Julie Wiley
Principal.
On Friday we held our first Centred in Faith Gathering where the Year 6 students were presented with their Leadership badges. Congratulations to our leaders for 2020. We wish you all the best for your last year of Primary School and we look forward to watching you strive in your leadership positions.
Reconciliation
Preparation for this Sacrament began on Sunday with Enrolment after Mass. Enrolment can also be made this week. Please contact Father Joshua Scott if you have any further questions. Reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation will take place on Saturday 28th of March at 10am.
Ash Wednesday
Please join us at 9:30am at the St Thomas More Church for Ash Wednesday Mass. It would be wonderful if you are able to join us for our first School Mass of the year.
Project Compassion
‘Go Further Together’ is Project Compassion’s theme for 2020. Project Compassion is
Caritas Australia's annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal. Hopefully by now a brochure and collection box have made it home to your place.
Centred in Faith Gathering
Our next Centred in Faith Gathering will be hosted by 3/4 White on Friday 6th of March. Our school values of Wisdom, Courage and Peace will be the focus of our next few Centred in Faith Gatherings. 3/4 White will explore our school value of Wisdom. 3/4 White would love to see you there.
Yours in Christ,
Samantha Mance
Religious Education Coordinator
Hello!
My name is Sarah Foley and I am the School Counsellor for St Thomas More’s available every Friday during term from 8.45 a.m.-1.15p.m.
I am a registered Psychologist and provide confidential counselling support and referrals for children and families with a range of concerns including stress, anxiety, emotional difficulties, friendship issues, developmental concerns, grief and loss and adjusting to change.
My approach is child centred and informed by the theory of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy- gently adapted to suit children’s developmental levels.
Counselling hours are limited so I tend to see children for about six sessions as a maximum, I will provide referrals should your child need more intensive support.
If you have concerns regarding your child’s well-being you can discuss your concerns in the first instance with your child’s class teacher or the Principal- Mrs Julie Wiley and they will advise as to whether School Counselling may be helpful.
Alternately, you can arrange an appointment for your child by contacting Julie Ogden at St.Thomas More’s reception for a referral form and I will make contact with you for a meeting to discuss your concerns. Please note, if your child attended counselling in 2019, you will need to complete a new referral form as we do not automatically continue to see children from the previous year.
All the best-
Sarah Foley
School Counsellor/Registered Psychologist
Parent Class Contact
We are also still looking for 4 more parent volunteers 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.
MERICI COLLEGE ENROLLING NOW CAMPAIGN
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.
We are enrolling now for 2021 and beyond!
Please visit www.merici.college for all dates and information for our Open Day, Be a Merici Girl Days and Talk and Tours. Register online now!
Open Day and Year 7 2021 Infor Night: 7 May
Be a Merici Girl Days: 30 Apr, 4, 5, 12 May
Talk and Tours: 22 Feb, 4 Apr, 9 May, 15 Aug, 24 Oct
Book club
An Evening with Dr Justin Coulson, Merici College 2 March 6.30pm
Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s most respected parenting authors and speakers, will be visiting Merici College on Monday 2 March. As a psychologist, and a father of six girls, he will be sharing his insights into what is really going on in the minds of our teenage daughters, how are they feeling and how we can stay connected with them. He will also be talking about his new book, Miss-Connection. Justin’s presentation will be held in the Merici auditorium from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, $5.00 per person. Please follow the link for bookings. We warmly invite our Merici families, as well as our wider community to come along.