TERM 1 - WEEK 7
Front Cover - 5/6 Warren
The Arts
In Visual Arts lessons, 5/6JW have been learning about warm and cool colours. For this task, students used mixed media (watercolour and acrylic paints) to create a silhouette of mountains and then finalise their piece using either warm or cool colours for the sky. Students enjoyed the experience and were very pleased with their results. You can see how much effort they put into their work!
Leadership
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Students and friends of St Thomas More School community,
School Crossing Monitors
Recently our Year 5/6 students took part in School Crossing Monitor Training conducted by the South Australian Police. At the completion of their training students received a Certificate of Authority issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police which, under the Road Traffic Act 1961 authorises students to work as school crossing monitors. The certificate authorises students to stop traffic using a Stop Sign or using Pedestrian Actuated Traffic Lights, as well as give reasonable directions to pedestrians for the safe and efficient movement of traffic at or on the crossing.
It is extremely important that all people (including parents) use the crossing and become good road safety role models, by following the School Crossing Monitor’s directions, not only for their safety but for the safety of all students and road users. I’d like to thank our Year 5/6’s for taking on this important responsibility and leadership opportunity within our school.
Student Wellbeing
Supporting student wellbeing remains a key focus for us. As part of our ongoing commitment, all teachers will teach a specific unit on Bullying and continue to reinforce strategies learnt throughout the year. Teachers will focus on developing student’s understanding of;
- What bullying is
- Why bullying happens
- What students can do about bullying
- Ways to support a friend being bullied
Students will be taught that bullying involves one or more people repeatedly and deliberately doing things to make another person upset, afraid or hurt. Bullying is not just ‘playing around’ – it can really affect someone’s feelings and emotions. Bullying can take place just about anywhere and can come in many forms. For example, bullying can include physical, verbal and social aggression and it can be either face-to-face or online (cyberbullying). If you are having problems with bullying, seeking support is a good way to help you overcome the negative effects of bullying and find ways to get the bullying to stop.
Please feel free to speak to your child’s class teacher to find out more information about this important focus on bullying.
Ensuring our school is a safe place for all
With the commencement of the school year, I want to assure all parents and carers of our absolute commitment to ensuring that St. Thomas More School is a safe place for all.
- Our staff are committed and trained to protect the children and young people in our care.
- All staff and regular volunteers have current police checks.
- We teach our children age-appropriate strategies to keep themselves safe through South Australia’s Keeping Safe Child Protection Curriculum.
- Staff complete certification and undertake regular updated training in Responding to Abuse and Neglect in Education and Care Settings.
- We also promote strategies to minimise bullying and help students stay safe online.
You can read more about our commitment to the wellbeing of your child on our school website.
Additional information about the broader protection policies of Catholic Education SA can be found on their website. http://www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/our-schools/safe-environments-for-all
The website also includes links to online resources for parents and students on a range of topics including anxiety, depression, bullying and how to support your child.
If you have any questions or concerns about child safety please contact me.
Harmony Day Monday 21st March
Next Monday 21st March is the celebration of Harmony Day. With its motto ‘Everyone belongs’, Harmony Day reminds us to appreciate everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. It is all about loving and understanding different cultures and ways of life, and seeing how they can fit together. Harmony Day is represented by an orange ribbon, and participants are encouraged to wear orange due to connotations of social communication, freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect.
To celebrate this significant event students will be involved in a range of activities including:
- Coming to school dressed in cultural dress or the colour orange
- Beginning the day with a Harmony Day Prayer in their own class
- Reading and discussing texts about belonging and diversity
- Exploring what it looks like, sounds like and feels like to belong in our school community and individually designing a logo that shows what 'everyone belongs in our school’ looks like.
Election Day
This Saturday we have the state election when people will vote to elect a new government for South Australia. I ask that you keep education, and in particular Catholic education, as one of the important areas to consider when making your vote.
To help you make an informed decision, Catholic Education SA have provided a State Election Political Parties Comparison for you to read.
Working in Partnership,
Leadership Team
Religion
Lent
On the first Sunday of Lent, we hear about the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert before he began his public ministry. On the second Sunday, we hear about his transfiguration. In the reading for the third Sunday, we hear about a fig tree that does not produce any figs, but just as God is patient and gives the fig tree more time to grow, God always gives us every chance to grow in God’s love. On the fourth Sunday, we listen to the well-known story of the wasteful son and his forgiving father.
Every Wednesday morning, we have been gathering via Teams as two school communities (St. Mary Magdalene’s and St. Thomas More) to break open the gospel readings for the Sundays in Lent.
Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving
During Lent, we are called to pray, fast, and give alms.
One way we can enhance our prayer life is to consider others. During the six weeks of Lent, we will have a prayer bowl placed in the admin area of our school. Students, staff, and family members are invited to write a prayer and add it to the bowl. Prayers will be shared during our Wednesday morning prayer.
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. Patrick
This week we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. At an early age, Patrick chose to work in the service of God and bring the message of God’s love to the people of Ireland. Patrick’s deep faith and trust in God enabled him to serve them knowing that God was with him at every moment of the day and night strengthening him and protecting him. This is the message he wanted to bring to the people of Ireland – always hope in God. St Patrick is especially remembered in Australia because of the many Irish people who settled in Australia. As a preacher and great teacher, St Patrick used the shamrock leaf (three-leaf clover) to explain the Holy Trinity and as a symbol of faith, hope and love.
St. Joseph
The Feast of Saint Joseph is observed on March 19. The husband of Mary and father to Jesus. God called Joseph, a simple carpenter, to care for and protect Mary and Jesus. Joseph showed great faith and trust to do the job God had given him. We can learn from Joseph to listen to what God asks of us and become faith-filled servants ready to place our trust in God.
Harmony Day
Next Monday 21st March is the celebration of Harmony Day. With its motto ‘Everyone belongs’, Harmony Day reminds us to appreciate everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. It is all about loving and understanding different cultures and ways of life and seeing how they can fit together.
Come dressed in cultural dress or the colour orange to celebrate Harmony Day on Monday, March 21.
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
In week 5 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
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 19
St. Joseph's Day
March 21-27
Harmony Week
April 10
Palm Sunday
April 11
Holy Thursday
April 15
Good Friday
Raising Hearts and Minds
