TERM 1 - WEEK 2
Cover Page - Leadership
Leadership
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Students and friends of St Thomas More School community,
Welcome to Term 1! I hope you all had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday. The students appear relaxed and excited to be back at school and it was great to hear some of their holiday stories. Holidays are always a great opportunity for everyone to recharge their batteries and Term 1 looks like being a very exciting and busy term!
We welcome new staff and students. I hope that their experiences at St. Thomas More School and Parish encourage their love of learning and sense of curiosity. I hope, too, that their families feel connected with their children’s learning and development and that our partnership with them is long and prosperous.
It is lovely to see so many happy, smiling faces every morning, keen to go into their classrooms for a day of learning. All teachers have been extremely busy over the last few weeks, preparing their classrooms for a new year, paying particular attention to providing a space that is inviting, welcoming, and conducive to good quality learning.
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.
2021 Classroom/Teaching Structure Specialist Teachers
Reception: Alex Appelbee The Arts: Megan Pollard
Reception: Gorgi Zolotovs Physical Ed: Fabian Chevalier
Reception/Year 1: Connie Carter Italian: Carly Durdin
Year 1/2: Anne Mannella/Marie D`Occhio Leadership
Year 1/2: Lisa Crossley Inclusive Ed & Wellbeing: Leah Williams
Year 2/3: Janie Gosling APRIM: Melissa Musolino
Year 3/4: Cristian Morgado Head of Campus: Vicki Rubino
Year 3/4 Stephanie Maiello Principal: Chris Platten
Year 5/6: Carly Morrison
Year 5/6: Tara May
PARENT MEET AND GREET
There will be a Parent ‘Meet & Greet’ on Monday 8, Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 February. This involves a one-one 10 minute Parent/Teacher Meet and Greet. This Meet and Greet will be an opportunity for families to get to know the teacher/s, for teachers to learn more about your child/ren, hear about class routines and ways they can support their child and families to ask general questions about the year ahead. This Meet and Greet is not a formal Parent/Teacher Interview. Parent\Teacher interviews will also take place early in Term 2.
BUILDING
Builders have been very busy over the break with the refurbishment of the Yr. 5/6 transportable, painting and repairing the entrance driveway.
ASSEMBLY WEEK 1
At our first Assembly last Friday, we welcomed all of our new staff and students (both Receptions and older students) who have begun their learning journey with us.
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 Inclusive Ed & Wellbeing coordinator: Leah Williams. 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.
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,
Chris Platten, Vicky Rubino, Melissa Musolino, Leah Williams
Religion
Liturgical Events
Unfortunately, as the COVID restrictions are still in place for large worship gatherings, there will be no Masses celebrated at school until further notice. Classes will continue to have liturgies in class groups but parents are unable to attend. Teachers will include families by sending photos, iMovie's, or copies of the class prayer service via seesaw.
Elizabeth Community Connections
Playgroup and ELY
Brain Teasers
Can you solve them?
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
February 9
Safer Internet Day
February 12
Chinese New Year
February 14
International Asperger's Day
February 16
Shrove Tuesday
Beginning of Year Mass & Staff Commissioning
February 17
Ash Wednesday
Raising Hearts and Minds
