TERM 4 - WEEK 9
Front Cover - 3/4 Maiello Art
Last week Aboriginal artist and Yamatji Nyoongar woman shared her experience as an Aboriginal artist with us. Sasha has been an artist for 18 years. She shared Aboriginal stories with our class and how stories are represented in artworks. The students developed their own story and designed a painting using symbols and techniques demonstrated by Sasha.
It was a wonderful experience and we thank Sasha for sharing her history, knowledge and amazing talent.
Artists at Work
Leadership
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Students and friends of St Thomas More,
2021 Reflection
As we reflect on the very challenging year just passed, we take this opportunity to thank God for the many gifts we have received throughout the year. As I write this, I reflect on the year that has gone so quickly and identify the accomplishments of our school, albeit without an audience/spectators – Class and Whole School Masses, Excursions, Sporting Carnivals, Sports Day, Sporting Teams, Premier’s Reading Challenge, Book Week, Liturgies, the list goes on!
During class liturgies, students delighted staff, who beamed with smiles and affection. In this experience, we glimpsed the face of an extraordinary God in the ordinary. St Augustine once said, ‘God doesn’t want extraordinary people to do extraordinary things but ordinary people to do ordinary things extraordinarily well’. One of the greatest gifts that we can give to the world is to provide an outstanding education for our students. Through everyday ordinary support from our community, from such things as preparing breakfast, ironing uniforms, serving in the canteen, listening to reading, delivering a contemporary curriculum, looking after students before and after school and celebrating Mass all contribute to this extraordinary gift. This is truly a wonderful place to work because of them.
St Thomas More School has a wonderful reputation in this community for supporting children’s learning needs, their growth and development, well-being and bringing out the best in children. This is where a great and dedicated staff come in – helping, guiding and motivating each child to be the best person and learner they can be! Our teachers, Out of School Hours Care staff, Canteen staff, Co-educator staff, Administration staff, Contractors and Groundsman, are all dedicated in their own fields to ensure your child receives the best support possible here at St Thomas More. They often give of their own time to ensure good outcomes for your children and I would like to publicly acknowledge their efforts, dedication and professionalism.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank parents during this ‘unusual’ year. Your understanding, flexibility, support and cooperation throughout the school year was greatly appreciated.
No school is without difficulties, but when goodwill, patience and the desire for real partnership between home and school exist, there is nothing we cannot work through together.
Togetherness is vital to accomplish the best learning and life outcomes for your child/children.
I also thank all our children for the way in which they embrace their learning opportunities and always give their best to be the best. Their attitude to achieve their best makes a difference to our whole school learning culture.
Staffing News
Mrs. Sandra Shephard has won a 12-month contract at St Margaret Marys, Croydon in 2022 and will be leaving the St Thomas More School community during this time. Sandra has been a valued and important part of the school, seeing many changes and someone who has always been friendly, caring and welcoming to staff, students, parents and visitors. On behalf of our school community, I would like to wish her every success and blessing as she embarks on this new experience.
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.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
As we find ourselves in the Advent season, a time for preparation and waiting, there is an opportunity, regardless of our age, to step back and to evaluate the priorities which we live out in our daily choices. There is a chance to take stock and feel the gentle 'nudging' of the Spirit. So, as Christmas approaches, amidst the inevitable workout of the plastic card at the shops and all the Christmas parties, perhaps there will be an opportunity to be attentive to the inner voice, the voice that calls us to see at this time of the year the newborn child, a countercultural message to reorder our priorities, to put people, not things first and to give first call to love.
In the words of Pope Francis:
“The world tells us to seek success, power and money; God tells us to seek humility, service and love.”
On behalf of the St Thomas More School staff, we wish each of you a safe and enjoyable holiday break and hope Christmas is a joyful celebration of Jesus’ birth and ongoing presence in our lives.
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
Plumbtree Community
COVID - Check-in
Elizabeth Community Connections
Playgroup and ELY
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
December 15
Chocolate and Coffee Day for Religious Harmony
December 18
International Migrants Day
December 25
Christmas Day
December 26
Boxing Day
Raising Hearts and Minds
