TERM 1 - WEEK 3
Welcome Back
Leadership
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Students and friends of St Thomas More School community,
Welcome to Term 1!
It certainly has been an interesting return to school. Thank you for your continued support and for the way you have managed the combination of ‘remote’ and ‘face-to-face’ learning. Thankfully we have now been able to return to our ‘normal’ mode of teaching and learning. Please keep in mind, however, that things change very quickly, and we need to adapt and change depending on the advice of SA Health and Catholic Education SA. It is important that we remain calm throughout these changes and reassure our children that, no matter what, things will be okay. We want this year (and in fact every year) to be the best year of learning that your child has had at school!
With the return to school, it is likely that there will be an increase in the number of students, parents or staff who get COVID-19. Anyone who develops symptoms or tests positive must stay at home, notify the school immediately and follow the advice of SA Health. Also, remember that parents are still required to use the QR Code at the gate or in the front office and wear a mask. Parents are still unable to enter any classrooms until further notice. We know that we are unable to have any agencies visit or hold any gatherings or events until at least Week 5. It is important that we continue to follow the rules and keep ourselves and others safe.
I would like to thank and congratulate our staff for the great way that they have prepared for this different start to the year and how they have supported our children, whether they have been at school or at home. I know that it has been a challenge for them but they have managed it really well and endeavoured to touch base regularly with every child in their care. Our teachers are always prepared to make themselves available to chat at any time that you have questions about your child’s learning. However, it cannot just be ‘unannounced’ at the beginning or end of the day, rather it needs to be a time set via email or a phone call.
Our staff this year is as follows:
2021 Classroom/Teaching Structure Specialist Teachers
Reception: Alex Appelbee STEAM: Janie Gosling
Reception: Rebecca Arnold Physical Ed: Fabian Chevalier
Reception/Year 1: Connie Carter Italian: Rosemarie Villano
Year 1/2: Marie D`Occhio/Rosemarie Villano Leadership
Year 1/2: Stephanie Maiello Leader of Teaching & Learning: Taylor Meyer
Year 1/2: Tara May APRIM: Melissa Musolino
Year 3/4: Cristian Morgado Head of Campus: Vicki Rubino
Year 3/4 Katelyn Jessop Principal: Chris Platten
Year 4/5: Leah Williams
Year 5/6: Carly Morrison
Year 5/6: Jamie Warren
Leadership Team
This year the Leadership Team structure has changed slightly. Our Leadership Team comprises of the Principal, Chris Platten, Head of Campus, Vicki Rubino, the Assistant Principal, Religious Identity and Mission (APRIM), Melissa Musolino and our Leader of Teaching & Learning is Taylor Meyer. Please feel free to drop in at any time to have a chat with any of our Leadership Team about any questions, concerns or suggestions you may have.
Adjusting to the First Weeks of School
Back to school can be a very emotional time for children. For first-time students, being away from parents, adjusting to a new environment with new people, and adapting to a new routine can be overwhelming. You can help by talking about the positive aspects of school. Tell stories about your happy, funny and enjoyable experiences at school. Talk to older siblings about ways they can help so they don’t tell scary stories.
Establish a regular bedtime and wake-up routines. Children, including teenagers, need plenty of sleep. They may be more tired than usual and need time to relax. You may find that rather than becoming more grown-up, young children might regress or become more difficult or defiant, in response to the stress of the new routines.
- Celebrate the start of school with a special meal or outing. Make the experience as happy and positive as you can.
- Children normally shed a few tears when they part from their parents. Try not to extend your stay because it can prolong and intensify the child’s reaction. This behavior may last a few days or weeks. Staff are prepared to handle the situation and if alerted that a child may react to separation, they can give the student a special job or a partner in the class to help with the adjustment period. Even if children have been to school previously, they might still find their initial weeks a period of change.
There is much to celebrate and to recognise the rich heritage of our past, the gifts of the present and the vision for the future. It is a great privilege to be Principal of St Thomas More School and I look forward to being part of this community. I encourage you to be an active member of our community and take up every opportunity possible to be involved in your child’s education.
Working in Partnership,
The Leadership Team
Religion
Welcome back!
As we gathered for prayer to begin our school year, we gathered as staff via video links as we learnt to quickly adhere to the covid restrictions placed upon us. It doesn’t stop us from praying though. That is something we can do anytime and anywhere and in a variety of ways.
The theme of our prayer was based on the gospel reading of “The Mustard Seed.” This seed is one of the smallest, yet the tree which grows from this seed is one of the largest.
Staff were invited to imagine for a moment that this seed was an impact you have on a child, parent or staff member in our school community.
Just as tall trees from tiny seeds can grow, so can we contribute to the lives of those around us – in our words and actions, through small acts of kindness and love, through compassion and care - making a difference so large we may not even recognise. Jesus’ words and actions in this gospel are central to all that we are and all that we do in our schools.
Throughout the school term, we have the opportunity in our weekly classroom prayer to stop reflect and celebrate the patron Saints. Saints provide us with a guide as to how to live out our faith. Students learn that Saints are people who love Jesus and share his love with others and that we can all live like the saints even while we are still on earth.
This term we take time to think about:
14.2.22 St. Valentine
17.3.22 St. Patrick
20.3.22 St. Joseph
Sacramental Program 2022
Please note that the Information Session on February 18 for those interested in joining our Sacramental Program for 2022 has been cancelled. A new date will be advertised in the coming weeks.
CARITAS – Project Compassion
This year, Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion theme is ‘For All Future Generations’. This Lent, we are encouraged to make simple lifestyle changes and act with care for each other and our environment. Our challenge is to respond with love and hope, now and for all future generations.
Shrove Tuesday
To prepare to fast during Lent, some people use up the extra food they have that are traditionally restricted during the season of Lent. One custom on this day is to ‘feast’ on pancakes. Shrove Tuesday continues to remain an important day of observance for Catholics and Christians to prepare for the Lent and the Lenten fast so we invite you to join us for pancakes.
They will be served by STM staff between 8.30am & 8.50am on March 1st to celebrate Shrove Tuesday in preparation for the Season of Lent.
Ash Wednesday
On Ash Wednesday we receive the mark of the ashes. The ashes are the blessed burnt palms from the previous Palm Sunday. They are a symbol of repentance and are placed on the forehead of Catholics around the world. They are a physical sign that Lent has begun. Ash Wednesday is a day of abstinence (going without meat) and fasting. Lent is a time to rediscover the meaning of life and prioritise what is important in how we live our lives. We try to simplify our lives (fasting), take time out to reflect and pray (prayer), and listen and respond to those in need (almsgiving). Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are concrete ways in which can demonstrate our relationship with God.
This year due to Covid restrictions, classes will celebrate Ash Wednesday in their individual classes. Students will be given a badge to wear representing the ashes that would normally be placed on their foreheads.
COVID - Check-in
Canteen Price List
Playgroup and ELY
Postponed until further notice
Saver Plus - Community Support
Secondary School
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
Feb 20
World Day of Social Justice
Feb 22
World Thinking Day
March 1
Shrove Tuesday
World Compliment Day
March 2
Ash Wednesday
March 3
World Wildlife Day
March 8
International Women's Day
Raising Hearts and Minds
