TERM 4 - WEEK 7
Front Cover - Graduation
Year Six Teachers and Students
Leadership
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Students and friends of St Thomas More,
School Concert
We were so disappointed to have had to cancel our school concert this year due to the weather conditions. The children did, however, have the opportunity to perform in front of the entire school and we all enjoyed a spectacular day of entertainment with outstanding performances by all the children, they truly did shine as stars. We thank the very talented Megan Pollard for her dedication, commitment and hard work in putting together this event together, ensuring that everyone had the opportunity to share their artistic talents. We also thank the teachers and students for their efforts in preparing and practicing for the event. The performances were filmed and shared with you so that although you could not be here, you still had the opportunity to see your child perform. We hope you enjoyed it.
COVID-19
Thank you to all community members who are working hard not to become complacent during COVID-19. I have observed social distancing amongst most adults present at our school. This continues to be of paramount importance. We can easily forget and return to our previous way of greeting each other but, as we have seen, things can quickly change. It is important to remember that if you or your children are not feeling well, it is best to not come to school, see a doctor and get tested if required to. If you are being tested and awaiting results, we ask your family to self-isolate until you have the outcome of those results.
School Reports
Teachers have been working very hard to write Semester Two reports for students in their care. Our Semester Two reports are individual and extremely detailed and provide an excellent summary of each child’s progress. They will be distributed to students on Monday 6 December (Week 9).
Classes 2022
Much consideration has been given to class structures for next year. After consultation with staff, we have decided on the following structure. St Thomas More School will begin the year with
11 classes.
Rec, Rec, Rec/Yr. 1, Yr. 1\2, Yr. 1\2, Yr. 1\2, Yr. 3\4, Yr. 3\4, Yr. 4\5, Yr. 5\6 and Yr. 5\6
We believe this structure best meets the educational and social needs of our students. The flexibility and learning opportunities provided will be positive for our school.
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF TEACHERS TO EACH YEAR LEVEL WILL BE MADE IN THE LAST WEEK OF THIS TERM.
Students in Reception (Term 3) to Yr. 5 will spend between 10.00am to 11.00am on Monday 6 December in their 2022 class.
School Uniform
Please make arrangements to ensure your child is wearing the correct uniform in Term 1, 2022.
Wearing the school uniform reflects our identity not only at school but also within the wider community. When students are out attending excursions, positive comments are often received regarding our students and they identify the school through the school uniform. The wearing of the uniform not only reflects who we are, but it eliminates any competition and fashion wear as well as any arguments at the beginning of the day regarding what to wear to school. At times, school uniform items are not worn correctly. If students are not wearing the correct uniform, a uniform note will be sent home from the class teacher identifying the uniform area to be addressed.
All St Thomas More’s students are required and expected to wear the correct uniform.
St Thomas More School’s Front office will be open on Thursday 27 & Friday 28 January, 2022 from 10 am to 11 am – the week before Term 1 begins to try on and collect uniforms.
St Thomas More School uniform items are to be paid for using the
St Thomas More School QKR App.
End of Year
Thanksgiving Mass
The End of Year ‘Thanksgiving Mass’ will be celebrated this year on Tuesday 7 December at 9.00 am. This is during the normal school day. We will also be recognising the contribution made by the Year 6 students to the life of St Thomas More School. Families are invited to attend.
Whole School Assembly
Friday 3 December at 2.00 pm. Families are invited to attend.
Year 6 Graduation Dinner
Monday 29 November. Students, families and staff will be having dinner together.
Year 6 Graduation Liturgy
Monday 6 December at 6.00 pm Year 6 students, their families and staff will be attending the Year 6 Graduation Liturgy.
2022 RECEPTION ENROLMENTS
Places are available. If you have or if you know of anyone who has a child turning 5 before May 1, 2022, please complete and lodge an enrolment form at the Front Office.
2022 TERM 3 RECEPTION ENROLMENTS
Places are available. If you have or if you know of anyone who has a child turning 5 before October 31, 2022, please complete and lodge an enrolment form at the Front Office.
End of Term Arrangements
Year 6 students – Monday 6 December 2021 at 1.30 pm
Reception to Year 5 students – Wednesday 8 December 2021 at 2.30 pm
TERM 1 2022 begins for Reception to Year 6 students on MONDAY 31 January at 8.50 am
Working in Partnership,
The Leadership team
Government Direction on Mandatory Vaccinations for School Staff
Dear Parents,
You may have seen in the media the recent SA Government Direction concerning COVID-19 vaccinations for staff in schools and Early Childhood Education Care settings.
This school has acted quickly to inform our staff of these new requirements. It has been our previous position that for the safety of students and the community, those who are eligible, ought to be vaccinated where possible.
The SA Government Direction now specifies that staff in all schools and education and care settings must have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination by 10 December 2021 and show evidence of a booking for their second dose.
The Direction also extends to volunteers (including Board members) and any unpaid workers.
It does not apply to students and parents who are incidental visitors to the school.
You would appreciate that the 2-year journey we have experienced in dealing with the pandemic has resulted in numerous strategies and compliance measures implemented for the safety of students, families and staff.
Throughout the pandemic, we have been absolutely lock-step in following the advice of the SA Chief Public Health Officer as it relates to the schooling sector. The Catholic Education Office has a strong direct liaison with the SA Department for Education which has meant that each sector has been remarkably consistent in the messaging over health measures adopted at school sites.
We will continue to monitor and act upon any relevant advice and make staff aware of this new government law.
If more information comes to hand that has an impact on the wider school community, I will keep you informed.
If you are a volunteer in our community, I ask that you contact info@sttmore.catholic.edu.au to find out how you might supply the necessary information to be compliant with this government Direction.
Chris Platten
Religion
Feast of Christ the King
Last Sunday we celebrated the feast of Christ the King. This feast brings the church year to a close. It
invites us to consider ways to achieve the things that make for peace. The Kingdom that Jesus proclaimed was so different to what was expected. His Kingdom was about serving others, showing justice, mercy and peace to others, and caring for the poor, the weak, the lonely and the rejected. He calls us to build his
kingdom here on earth.
Let us pray today that we can be kingdom builders.
Advent
The Season of Advent Begins Next Sunday.
Advent is a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ’s first coming is remembered. It is a season of joyful expectation. We take this time every year to practice how to receive Jesus every day, of our lives. We remember the call of Jesus to his followers to make our world a peaceful and loving place.
Advent reminds us of the sacred meaning of Christmas. It is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas. Advent means ‘coming’ – this is the coming of Jesus into the world.
We use the colour purple on our prayer space as we wait in joyful hope to celebrate the birth of Jesus, our king and light of our world. So, as we move into the Advent season, let us pray together:
Gracious God open our hearts so that we may receive the message of your coming with joy and wonder. Help us to discover the people and places in the midst of our daily lives where you meet us with your love and care. May we show this love and care to all those we meet. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Something to consider over the four weeks of Advent:
First Week of Advent
How can I be ready for Jesus?
What can I do to be prepared?
Second Week of Advent
Think of some people who show by how they live their lives that Jesus is an important part of their lives.
What is it about their lives that you admire?
Can you live like that?
Third Week of Advent
How do we continue the healing work of Jesus today?
Fourth Week of Advent
Christmas is coming!
How will you celebrate God’s coming to us?
Plumbtree Community
COVID - Check-in
Elizabeth Community Connections
Playgroup and ELY
Canteen Specials
Out of School Hours Care
Daily: 6:30am to 8:45am and 3:00pm to 6:00pm Wednesday: 2:30pm to 6:00pm
School Access
8:30am to 8:50am
Access via the main front courtyard gate at the school crossing.
8:50am to 2:45pm
Access via green front pool gate in front of the administration building. You will need to lift the pool gate lock at the top of the gate to open and please ensure the gate is closed securely.
2:45pm to 3:15pm
Access via the main front courtyard gate at the school crossing.
Children dropped off before 8:30am and not collected by 3:15pm will be sent to OSHC and caregivers will be invoiced for the service.
School Banking
School Banking at our school is on Wednesdays.
For every deposit made at school, students will receive a silver Dollarmites token. Once students have individually collected 10 tokens they can redeem them for an exclusive School Banking reward item in recognition of their regular savings habits.
School Banking is also a great fundraiser for our school. Our school receives a Regular Savers Contribution of $5 for every 10 deposits processed per student as well as an Annual Contribution which is based on the number of students who made at least one School Banking deposit in the prior year.
If your child has lost their book, please contact your School Banking Co-ordinator for a replacement or visit any CommBank Branch.
If you would like to know more about School Banking, please ask for a 2020 School Banking program information pack from the school office or visit www.commbank.com.au/sbc
Advance Notice
Every Tuesday
Parent Coffee/Tea chat 8:30am in Jubilee Hall - Postponed
ECC Playgroup 9:15am to 11:15am
Principal's Tour (first Tuesday of the month) 10:00am - By appointment only
Every Wednesday
ECC Early Learning Years (ELY) 9:15am to 11:15am
School Banking
November 28
First Sunday of Advent
November 29
Graduation Dinner 6pm
December 3
End of Year Assembly 2pm
December 5
Second Sunday of Advent
December 6
Transition Morning 10 -11am
End of School Year for Year 6 students at 1.30 pm
Yr 6 Graduation Mass
Jubilee Hall 6pm
December 7
Whole School Thanksgiving Mass at 9am
December 8
End of School Year – Reception to Year 5 students at 2.30pm
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Raising Hearts and Minds
