TERM 2 - WEEK 1
Front Cover - Yr 4 Williams
Swimming
This week, Yr 4's from Ms. William’s class attended swimming at the Starplex. The swimming skills of the students ranged from inexperienced to expert swimmers. It was a great opportunity for all our students to learn more or refine their skills. What a terrific, exhausting week!
Student Comments
It’s awesome because you can learn new techniques or some people just learn how to swim – Ryder Key
Our coaches really help us learn – Anabelle (Anon)
Swimming is fun and it makes you sleepy at night – Ellie Thomas
I like to learn to swim and to float on my back – Ruhama Benyon
It’s good because it’s fun – Phoenix Morphett-Rank
It was fun. We got to do some different activities like rescue people – Chloe Fremlin
I learned to hold my breath in the water. It's pretty fun splashing in the water and learning to float – Mariyum Jacob
The Swimmers
Leadership
Prayer for the Start of Term Two
Dear Lord, help me to live each day quietly, easily. To lean upon your strength truthfully, restfully. To wait for the unfolding of your will patiently, serenely. To meet others peacefully, joyfully. To face tomorrow confidently, courageously.
Amen.
Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students
Welcome to the start of Term Two. I hope you had a well-deserved break; I certainly did. It gave me the opportunity to recharge my batteries, physically and mentally. As always, we have a busy term ahead and already things are happening at full pace. As a staff, we meet on a regular basis to articulate the common vision we have for the children in our care. The rich educational experience that is offered at St Thomas More School can only be enhanced by the wonderful energy, enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by the staff in all our discussions. As always it is a pleasure to see the children back from their holidays, happily catching up with their friends and the staff.
NAPLAN 2022
The NAPLAN assessments for Years 3 and 5 are scheduled for the week commencing 9 May. As you are aware, these are valuable assessments for the school to use for analysis of teaching practices and for identifying trends across the school.
Uniforms
Thank you to those parents who have ensured that their children are immaculately presented every day in their correct school uniform. I seek the support of all parents in ensuring that we maintain the highest standards of grooming and uniform for all students. It is only a little thing, but little things matter. As the adults in the community, as parents, as teachers or supporters of the school, we need to ensure every student is proud to wear the school uniform correctly. We need your ongoing support, and I am confident we will receive it as we always do. Thank you.
Correct Procedure and Protocol
I remind you again, that parents need to direct their concerns, queries and suggestions to those who are able to listen, provide correct information and possible solutions, that is, with the teachers and Leadership Team. Discussion amongst parents regarding any concerns is not encouraged as information may be ill-informed, misdirected or incorrect advice given.
Attendance Roll
A legal requirement of the school is to ensure that student rolls are completed each school day. As part of this process, it is imperative that parents/carers provide the class teacher with appropriate correspondence regarding their child’s absence. If this is not forthcoming the student will be marked as Unexplained Absence. I need to stress the importance of having this information to the school as quickly as possible. This is also a good opportunity to encourage all parents to ensure that their children arrive at school at the correct time. Classes commence each day at 8.50am and students should be ready to start the day.
Mother's Day
On behalf of our staff, I take this opportunity to wish all mothers a very happy ‘Mother’s Day’. Below is a reflection that I’d like to share.
A Mother's Love
A Mother’s Love is something that no one can explain. It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain. It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may, for nothing can destroy it or take that love away. It is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking, and it never fails or falters even though the heart is breaking. It believes beyond believing when the world around condemns, and it glows with all the beauty of the rarest, brightest gems. It is far beyond defining, it defies all explanation, and it still remains a secret like the mysteries of creation. A many splendour miracle man cannot understand and another wondrous evidence of God’s tender guiding hand.
PUPIL FREE DAY
FRIDAY 10 JUNE 2022
(OSHC available – bookings essential)
Working in Partnership
Chris Platten & Vicki Rubino
Religion
Liturgical Year of the Church Easter
Easter is not just one day. It is a whole season of 50 days of joyful celebration, which will last until Pentecost. We take even longer to celebrate Easter than we took during Lent to prepare for it.
In these early days of the Easter Season, our readings will tell us how different people reacted to the wonderful news of the resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our faith. Jesus is truly risen and is with us still.
Catholic Education Week
Next week is Catholic Education Week!
Catholic Education Week is about education – celebrating quality teaching and learning across Catholic Education SA. It is an opportunity to celebrate the excellent teaching and learning that happens in our Catholic schools every day and thank the people that make our schools special and work hard Raising Hearts and Minds.
In 2022, the focus of Catholic Education Week is on saying ‘thank you' to all the hard-working people that make our Catholic schools so special – the principals, staff, teachers parents and students that contribute so much.
Installing SZapp
Please click on the link below for instructions on how to install SZapp on Apple and Android products.
Parent/Teacher Learning Conversations
Please click on the link below for further information.
Children's Book week - 2022
About the Children's Book Council of Australia
The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) is a not for profit, volunteer run organisation which aims to engage the community with literature for young Australians. The CBCA presents annual awards to books of literary merit, for outstanding contribution to Australian children's literature.
Established in 1945, the Children’s Book Council of Australia was founded at a time when Australian children’s books were few, and Australian authors and illustrators were virtually unknown. In 1946 the CBCA established annual book awards to promote books of high literary and artistic quality. These awards are now the most influential and highly respected in Australia.
Each year, across Australia, the CBCA brings children and books together celebrating CBCA Book Week. Throughout the year, the CBCA works in partnership with authors, illustrators, publishers, booksellers and other organisations in the children’s book world to bring words, images and stories into the hearts and minds of children and adults.
Australian children’s literature enriches our nation and reaches children across the world through international editions.
Our Vision: Creating a community that celebrates quality Australian literature for young people.
Our Mission: We promote and advocate for the sharing of quality literature for young people across Australia. We showcase Australian creators and collaborate widely to foster a love of reading.
The CBCA is made up of state branches, that work to promote literature and literacy in their state. The branches each send a representative to the judging panel for the Book of the Year awards.
Members of the CBCA's National Board are either nominated by their state/territory branches or sit as independent directors.
In 2015, the CBCA celebrated 70 years of promoting and supporting the best of Australian literature for young people.
Presenting the CBCA Shortlist - 2022
Congratulations to all CBCA Shortlist Authors, Illustrators and Publishers.
Canteen
Would you like to volunteer? Help is needed in the canteen for weeks 3 and 4 Term 2.
(17-20) & (24-27) May.
Please see Jane or the front office.
PRC and Stem Competition
Secondary School
Playgroup and ELY
Postponed until further notice
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
May 7
Starlight Day
May 8
Mother's Day
World Red Cross Day
May 9
Catholic Education Week
May 12
International Nurses Day
Raising Hearts and Minds
