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Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to Term 3! I was hoping for a more positive start to the new semester; however, I have just received new COVID-19 restrictions from Catholic Education. Unfortunately, this means we must move to locking down our school grounds again. Catholic Education have put a restriction on parents and visitors attending school sites. Starting tomorrow, we ask that you do not enter school grounds. We will dismiss the students from the top gate, just as we did last term. My apologies for this.
Parent/Teacher interviews will go ahead. Catholic Education have given permission for teachers to meet with parents. Physical distancing and hygiene measures will apply.
I would like to remind parents that If any student has any kind of illness, flu or cold like symptoms, they must not attend school. If a student is showing any signs of illness, parents and carers will be asked to collect their child as soon as practical.
A message from ACT Health
You should get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms like fever (or history of fever), cough, sore throat or shortness of breath. In line with NSW Health advice, we’re now asking anyone who attended these locations on these dates to self-quarantine for 14 days and get tested – even if you don’t have symptoms.
Batemans Bay Soldiers Club – Monday 13 July, Wednesday 15 July to Friday 17 July.
Crossroads Hotel in Casula – between Friday 3 July to Friday 10 July.
Planet Fitness in Casula – between Saturday 4 July and Friday 10 July.
Picton Hotel in Picton – on Saturday 4 July, Sunday 5 July, Thursday 9 July or Friday 10 July.
More information: https://bit.ly/CBR-testing
Parent/Teacher Interviews
Parent/Teacher interviews will be held next week. (Click on the link below). We will hold them Wednesday and Thursday morning and afternoon. The interviews are 15 minutes long and we ask that you physically distance when you are in the room and sanitise your hands once entering the classroom. Sanitiser will be available in every classroom. We look forward to seeing you and discussing your child/children’s progress.
https://stmpscampbell.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/35
Dance lessons
Dance lessons started today, and the students had so much fun! They will take place every Wednesday in Term 3. At this stage we are unable to hold any performances and it is highly unlikely that the Dance Display will go ahead this year. We are very sad about this but it’s out of our control. If there’s a change to restrictions, I will let you know.
Yours Sincerely,
Julie Wiley
Principal
Sacramental Program
Reconciliation
The children will be asked to participate in a meeting after Mass on Sunday 2 August. A mini retreat will be held for the children on Wednesday 5 August. The children will make the Sacrament at 11:00 am on Saturday 8 August.
First Eucharist
Enrolment for those children wanting to make the Sacrament will be after the 9:30 am Mass on Sunday 9 August (please note this is also the date for Confirmation enrolment). A retreat day will be held at school on Wednesday 16 September. The children will make the Sacrament on Sunday 20th September.
Confirmation
Enrolment for those children who want to make Confirmation is Sunday 9 August. The Confirmation retreat day is to be confirmed. The Sacrament of Confirmation will take place on Sunday 25th of October.
Centred in Faith Gatherings
Year 2 are running our Centred in Faith Gathering on Friday about the value of Courage. Thomas More was a man of wisdom, courage and peace which are also our school values. Our Centred in Faith Gatherings this term will focus on these values. Unfortunately, due to restrictions we are unable to invite parents to join us at this time.
Yours in Christ,
Samantha Mance
Religious Education Co Ordinator
Welcome to Term 3, I can’t believe we are here already! I hope everyone managed to have a relaxing break and enjoy some quiet time. It is great to have everyone back at school and ready to go for Term 3.
We will be continuing with our weekly lunchtime craft activities on a Thursday, and we are hoping it will prove just as popular as last term.
Posting/Leaving STM
It is getting to that time of year where our families may be notified of a move for 2021. If you are a defence family that will be posting out of Canberra at the end of the year or your child is leaving St Thomas More’s, could you please email myself or Mrs Ogden as soon as possible so that we may be able to assist other families who are moving to Canberra.
Please remember that I am here to assist you and your children in any way I can so 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
Anglicare Pens Against Poverty
Anglicare is putting the call out to all young writers to submit an original poem or story of no more than 500 words based on the theme ‘Lost and Found’, inspired by Shaun Tan’s book, ‘The Lost Thing’. Having read the story to 3/4W several times it has prompted a great discussion amongst the class on "disconnect" and what it might feel like to be lost and then found. Some of our defence students were able to associate the feeling of being lost to when they have had to move schools, while our non-defence students were able to reflect on the feeling of having a good friend leave the school and how that made them feel.
The contest is open to students in grade 3 to 10. More information can be found at https://pensagainstpoverty.org/.
Entries close at 5:00pm on Friday 4 September 2020.
Called to Care Meal Bank
Due to the current climate we find ourselves in we have made the decision to postpone our Called to Care Meal Bank program for Term 3. Thank you again to all those who have volunteered to prepare meals for our school community. We will reassess as Term 3 continues and should we be able to commence our Meal Bank again I will be in contact. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mini Vinnies
I look forward to welcoming back our St Thomas More’s Mini Vinnies over the coming weeks and planning and commencing our activities for the rest of our school year.
I would like to say a big thank you to all the families who donated to the St Vincent de Paul Winter Clothing Appeal and Night Patrol Van. Your donations of socks, gloves, beanies and scarves were greatly received and will be much appreciated by the recipients.
Please 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 Term 3 Events
Important! Library borrowing day has changed to FRIDAY. Please encourage your child to return and borrow Library books each week. The children love to be part of the borrowing experience and share their book choices with peers and teachers.
Welcome back to Term 3! I’d like to thank all who volunteered to cover books. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and have helped to speedily update some Non-Fiction titles in our Library. Many of these books will directly support students in their Explore More learning this semester.
We have a busy term ahead for the Library. Please save the date for a few of our book related events:
- Week 3- Book Fair- Exciting times as a mobile bookstore arrives at our school for students to browse and purchase their very own books! Viewing information and procedures to follow.
- MS Readathon- Throughout the month of August we will be reading as many books as possible to raise funds for kids who have a parent living with Multiple Sclerosis. If interested, there is still time to register msreadathon.org.au
- Weeks 4-9- STM Student Book Club (Years 3-6) – An optional Book Club for students in Years 3-6 to get involved in as part of our MS Readathon challenge. Students do not need to be registered in the MS Readathon to participate.
- 27 August - Storyteller visit: ‘Valanga Khoza’:
Madeleine Reid
Librarian
Family Photos
Family photos are now available for purchase from the office for $10.00. The Portrait Gallery generously donate all funds from the family photographs to our school. If you would like to purchase the photo, click on the link below to download the credit card payment slip. The slip can be sent in with your child and the photograph will be sent home that afternoon. Alternately you can contact the office and provide your details over the phone on 62498869.
Click here CC_Slip.pdf
If you wish to purchase additional copies of the photo please contact the Portrait Gallery directly on mail@theportraitgallery.com.au