TERM 1 - WEEK 5
Front Cover - 5/6 Morrison
Health and Religion
"We have had a wonderful start back to face-to-face learning in 5/6CM. As a part of our Health and Religion units on Identity and Belonging, we created these 'half n half' self-portrait collages, displaying items or words that show who we are as individuals and to show our true identities. The students did an incredible job at expressing themselves and took lots of pride in their work. Here are some of the amazing, finished products we have!"
Leadership
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Students and friends of St Thomas More School community,
Classes are in full swing with our students seeking to build on the success of the beginning of the School Year. From the beginning of the term, we have continued to develop our emphasis on a strong learning culture where everyone strives to achieve their personal best.
While our teachers do a remarkable job in staying abreast of the latest educational trends and implementing them into their daily practice, your assistance is also vital. You can never underestimate the impact of parents in developing a learning culture.
The following pointers from www.education.com provide some useful tips for parents to assist in their child’s educational potential:
How Should I Help My Child with Homework?
- Show that you think education and homework are important. If your child knows that you care about what is happening at school, he or she will have a good reason to complete work on time.
- Set a regular time for homework. The best schedule for homework is what works best for your child and your family. Your child’s outside activities, such as sports or music lessons may mean that you need a flexible homework schedule.
- Provide an area for your child to do homework. Make sure the area is well-lit and has minimal distractions.
- Ensure that there are no distractions. Discourage your child from making and receiving social telephone calls during homework time.
- Turn off the television if it is keeping your child from doing his or her homework.
- Provide supplies and identify resources. Have pencils, pens, erasers, writing paper, a dictionary, or other supplies that may be helpful available.
- Help your child use everyday routines to support the skills he or she is learning. Teach your child to play word and math games.
- Help your child look up information about something in which he or she is interested.
- Look over completed work before they are handed in. Discuss with your child the learning that they experienced in completing the work.
- Talk about school and learning activities in family conversations. Ask your child what was discussed in class that day.
- Show your child that the skills he or she is learning are an important part of the things adults do.
- Let your child see you reading, writing, or using math.
- Talk to your child about what you do at work.
- Attend school activities. If you can, volunteer to help in your child’s classroom or at special events.
Student Punctuality and Attendance
When children begin school, they develop learning habits. These learning habits continue to develop throughout each learning year and these habits can affect learning achievements. Two important habits and life skills are attendance and punctuality. Very few people can argue with the correlation between attendance and school achievement. There is empirical evidence at a state, national and international level to prove that this relationship is true but, closer to home, our own achievement data and student report information clearly demonstrate that, as a general rule, the more time students spend at school, the better they will do.
We need to maximise every day to get full value – this means turning up to school every day and on time. When students arrive late and take time to settle, valuable learning time is lost. When students are absent from school they miss work (which they seldom make up) and also miss important interactions with their peers.
It is now commonplace for children to stay away from school for reasons that would have been unheard of 20 years ago. These include:
- Their own or a sibling’s birthday
- Stayed up too late watching TV
- Going shopping for clothes
- An extended long weekend
- Not wishing to participate in a sports day, special school event or excursion
This sends a strong message to children that their parents neither value learning nor the school experiences. It is difficult to resist the persistent pressure that children can exert on parents, but parents need to be strong and send their children to school every day, on time and ready to make the most of school experiences.
In conclusion, it is reassuring to know that parents increase their children’s chances of future success just by making sure they turn up to school every day. This important habit and regular school attendance also prepares young people for the workforce where it is expected that they turn up each day ready for work! Absentee notification – please ring the front office by 9.30 am.
Arrival Time
It has been brought to my attention that several children are arriving at school after the morning bell. This is very disruptive for classes and not a good beginning for the child. We understand that on an occasional day things do not run smoothly at home or travelling to school but we stress the importance of arriving at school between 8.30am - 8.45am to ensure that classes can begin promptly at 8.50 am. Parents too should be clear of classrooms by 8.50 am or move out of classrooms as soon as they hear the bell. If we truly value children’s learning then we must make the most of every minute of their classroom learning time! Gates will be opened at 8.30am and locked at 9.00am in the morning and re-opened at 2.45pm and locked at 3.20pm in the afternoon.
School Hats
During Term 1 & 4, hats are compulsory for all playtimes and learning activities outdoors for all children and staff. No Hat - No Play will apply to children not wearing a hat for playtimes and they will also have to be under shelter or in the shade during outside activities. Please remind your child to ensure they have their CORRECT SCHOOL HAT.
Uniform
The uniform policy of St Thomas More School addresses the total appearance of the student while at school. The uniform is seen as an internal and external statement of the quality education offered at St Thomas More School. In effect, it presents to the public an image that is in line with the school ethos. In addition, the uniform is a means of helping to develop unity and pride within our community.
The uniform policy is developed by the school community and approved by the School Board. It is an expectation that all students will comply with the policy in all its requirements. Indeed, enrolment at the school is dependent upon parents accepting and supporting the school’s uniform policy and rules.
As we approach the end of the first term it is time for new uniform reminders. Generally, the students are wearing the correct uniform and look very smart. Please enquire at the front office if you are unsure about any aspects of the winter uniform.
The uniform must be purchased through the QKR App.
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
2023 TERM 1 RECEPTION ENROLMENTS
Places are available. If you have or if you know of anyone who has a child turning 5 after October 31, 2022, please complete and lodge an enrolment form at the Front Office.
Working in Partnership,
Leadership Team
Religion
Shrove Tuesday
A big thank you to staff for preparing and cooking pancakes for our Shrove Tuesday celebrations. Pancakes were enjoyed by all!
Ash Wednesday
Due to continuing Covid restrictions, we were not able to gather as a school community for Ash Wednesday. This year we celebrated our Ash Wednesday Service via Teams with students from St. Mary Magdalene’s School and St. Thomas More School. Staff and students set their prayer space and gathered for prayer while leadership from the two schools led this service.
Lent
We are now in the Liturgical Season of Lent. The season of Lent is the time when the Church prepares to celebrate Easter. Lent has many traditions. We notice the colour purple in our churches and the absence of the ‘Alleluia’. We don’t sing or hear it again until Easter, when we rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus.
During Lent we hear the call to pray, to fast, and to give alms. We try to become more prayerful, to make our lives simpler and to share what we have with those in need. For the remainder of this school term, our students and staff will focus on these themes: pray, fast and give alms.
Ash Wednesday – 2 March 2022
(Week beginning Monday 28th February)
This week the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.
The theme of Project Compassion 2022 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues. We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion.
Project Compassion – 20c Challenge’
‘Alms’ are what we give to people in need. Project Compassion is a great way of doing this. From Ash Wednesday you will notice a Project Compassion box on the prayer space in your child’s class. During the season of Lent, we will complete the 20c ‘giving’ challenge where each class will aim to collect as many 20c pieces in their project compassion boxes as they can. In week 10 we will gather as a school community to see if we can outline the word ‘give’ with our coins in preparation for sending our proceeds to CARITAS Australia.
St. Vincent De Paul Society
The St. Vincent De Paul Society Central District Region will be holding a forum on Sunday March 27 from 3pm – 4pm at the St. Augustine’s Parish Family Centre. You are invited to hear stories about what they are doing in the Elizabeth and Salisbury area.
Please see the flyer included in this newsletter
Sacramental Program 2022
This week students from Year 3-6 would have brought home a letter regarding the Sacramental Program for 2022. Due to COVID restrictions, we were unable to hold the Parent Information Session. We will instead proceed to the first workshop: Baptism and Confirmation on:
Friday 25th March 2022
St Thomas More Church
19 Laverstock Road, Elizabeth North
4:30pm - 6:30pm
This workshop will be attended by candidate and parent.
We are inviting all parents/caregivers whose children are 8 years of age and over, baptised in the Catholic church, and who are interested in enrolling their children in the Sacrament Program to attend this workshop.
COVID - Check-in
Canteen Price List
Playgroup and ELY
Postponed until further notice
Community Hub
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.
Advance Notice
Every Tuesday
Parent Coffee/Tea chat 8:30am in Jubilee Hall - Postponed
ECC Playgroup 9:15am to 11:15am - Postponed
Principal's Tour (first Tuesday of the month) 10:00am - By appointment only
Every Wednesday
Early Learning Years (ELY) 9:15am to 11:15am - Postponed
March 8
International Women's Day
March 17
St.Patrick's Day
March 19
St. Joseph's Day
March 21-27
Harmony Week
Raising Hearts and Minds
