TERM 3 - WEEK 5
Front Cover - 3/4 Jessop
Space Science
In 3/4 KJ this term, we have been looking at Space Science! Students have been exploring a planet of their choice, focusing on their stars, moons, the orbit of the sun, the diameter of the planet, and the temperature of these planets. Students have engrossed themselves wholeheartedly in this learning, and to celebrate they created their own space paintings with their chosen planet.
Leadership
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Students and friends of St Thomas More,
It certainly has been a busy term so far and hard to believe that we are already halfway through Term 3. The colder mornings have continued and with the start of Spring next week we hope to see the approach of sunnier days and warmer weather. We continue our busy and exciting term with upcoming events including Bookweek, various Sports Carnivals (Athletics and T-ball), Learning Conversations, ReLAT (Religious Literacy Assessment Tool) for Year 4 students, Year 5/6 Camp, CSMF (Catholic Schools Music Festival). As these events come up further information will be sent home.
Greening Australia – Cooling the Schools Program
St Thomas More & St Mary Magdalene’s School have been successful with their application to participate in the Cooling the Schools program. Greening Australia is working in partnership with the City of Playford to plant trees in schools across the Northern suburbs. This initiative provides up to 200 plants for tree canopy and native habitat on school grounds. The aim is to reduce urban heat, support native pollinators and create greener, healthier places for children to learn and explore. Cooling the Schools is all about connecting kids to nature, empowering them to take action in their communities and creating greener, cooler places where both people and nature can thrive. Greening Australia will be coming out on Wednesday 31st August to work with the Year 5 and 6 students to plant trees and shrubs on our school grounds. We look forward to the great learning that our students will engage in on the day and the benefit of having these trees and shrubs planted.
The Importance Of Sleep
Sleep is an essential function that allows your body and mind to recharge, leaving you refreshed and alert when you wake up. Getting a good night’s sleep often comes down to routines. It is important to avoid late-night technology use such as computers, mobile phones, and iPads, etc. Recent studies have found that adolescents used multiple forms of technology late into the night, including gaming systems and as a result, they have difficulty staying awake and alert throughout the day.
Any factor that decreases the quality or quantity of sleep will lead to difficulty with school performance and poor behaviour problems. When children stay up at night texting in bed or playing computer games, they are increasing their risk for neuro-cognitive problems. According to research, having a regular bedtime was the most consistent predictor of positive developmental outcomes for children. In a sample of 8000 children, language, reading and maths scores were higher in children whose parents enforced regular bedtimes.
The number of night sleep hours required by children varies by age. In general, five-year-olds should get 11 hours of sleep, nine-year-olds need 10 hours and 14-year-olds require at least 9 hours.
Start for the Day
The first 10 minutes of instruction time is crucial for everyone in the class as it often establishes the climate and routine for the ensuing day. Please ensure you are doing your utmost as a parent/caregiver to contribute to the success of your child, your child’s class and the class teacher by arriving before the school day starts at 8.50am. Our school gates open at 8.30am and we look forward to greeting you each day from that time. We thank you for your support with this ensuring a successful day for all.
Learning Conversations
A reminder that Learning Conversations with teachers, students and families will occur in Week 7, Monday 5th to Wednesday 7th September. Please book a time to meet with your child’s teacher through Schoolzine. This is an important opportunity to discuss your child’s progress in their learning and wellbeing. We look forward to seeing you then.
Duty Of Care
A reminder that our Duty of Care commences at 8.30am and concludes at 3.20pm when Staff are responsible for the supervision of students. Children who are at school outside of these times will be placed in Out of Hours School Care. We thank you for your support with this matter.
Student Phones
A reminder that if students need to bring a phone to school, they must give it to their classroom teacher for safe storage in the morning and collect it at the end of the school day. We ask that parents/caregivers let their child’s teacher know if their child will be bringing a phone to school so that this can be closely monitored. If students bring a phone to school without following this process, the phone will be confiscated until the end of the day and parents/caregivers will be contacted. We thank you for your support in this matter, ensuring the safety of all.
PLEASE OBSERVE THE ‘NO STANDING’ AREAS AND ‘YELLOW LINES’ AROUND THE SCHOOL.
These areas are designated to help provide a safe environment for the students. We ask and expect that all members of the St Thomas More School community follow the road rules associated with the ‘School Crossing’ (on Yorktown Rd) and all road signage (both Yorktown Rd and Shillabeer Rd) stringently. They are also monitored by the police and council.
Please ensure children are dropped at the front gate or office if arriving after 9am to sign in to ensure they enter their class safely.
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 RECEPTION ENROLMENTS
Places are available. If you have or if you know of anyone who has a child turning 5 before May 1, 2023, 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, 2023, please complete and lodge an enrolment form at the Front Office.
Working in Partnership,
Leadership Team
Acting Principal
It has been a great pleasure to have returned to St Thomas More as Acting Principal for the past three weeks in Chris Platten’s absence. As a former Principal, the last time that I spoke to children as a part of an assembly in Jubilee Hall was 9 years and 1 month ago. These three weeks gave me the opportunity to catch up with some staff that I worked with previously, to meet some new staff, to see the changes that have happened and to meet some students whose parents are former students of mine.
St Thomas More remains close to my heart and I do have lots of fond memories both as a teacher and as a Principal. The past few weeks have reminded me of just how busy and demanding the work is that our staff: teachers, co-educators and leaders do every day. From my observations, each one of them gives their all every day in supporting children in their learning, their relationships and their behaviour and wellbeing. I encourage you to continue to work with the school and your child’s teachers to make St Thomas More a special place, not just for your child(ren) but for all children.
Sadly this week we heard the news of the death of Sr Kate Conley. Kate was the Principal of St Thomas More in the early to mid-1970s. Kate was a leader who was ahead of her time. She was a visionary Principal who ensured learning was fun for children and who stressed the importance of friendships and wellbeing. Kate warmly welcomed families into the school and developed strong relationships with parents, students and staff. As a Sister of Mercy, she clearly demonstrated and articulated the Mercy Values that are central to our charism today: Compassion, Courage, Hospitality, Justice, Respect and Service. This is evidenced by her Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her work for many years as a chaplain at Adelaide Women’s Prison. Kate was a mover and a shaker, not just happy with going along with the status quo, but she was always looking for ways to improve the lives of the women, including using a small unit at the back of her house to accommodate women temporarily when they were released from prison.
I would like to thank the staff, students and parents for making me feel so welcome back in the St Thomas More Community. Mr. Platten will return as Principal this Monday 29 August.
Working in partnership
Peter Mercer
Acting Principal
Religion
Sacrament Program
This year Chika from 3/4 KJ has been preparing to complete the Sacraments of Initiation. In September, she will celebrate the sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist. As she continues her preparations, I ask that you keep her in your prayers.
Student Learning in Religious Education
Every Wednesday we gather with St. Mary Magdalene’s students and staff via Microsoft Teams, to pray together. A different staff member each week leads this prayer and this week Miss Maiello spoke to us about Gratitude. Students and staff are ready at 9am every Wednesday morning, waiting for prayer to begin. A highlight each week is seeing each other on the screens. Each week the staff member leading prayer shares an action for us to complete throughout the day. This week, Ms. Maiello asked us to think about what we are grateful for and to work on showing kindness in our interactions with others.
Students in 5/6 CM and 5/6 JO read the story of the Mustard Seed as part of their learning in Religious Education lessons.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed is a short, but important story about the Kingdom of God: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32
Students were asked how they as individuals could create greatness from something small, like a mustard seed. Students then listed the little things they do during the day that could have a big impact on someone’s day. They then came up with one thing that the whole class group could do during a day at school which is a small act of service that can turn into something greater if it is continually practiced. They wrote that gesture on the seed. Each day as part of prayer, one seed is opened up and every student is called to follow that act of service throughout the day.
Catholic Charities Brochure
Today your child will bring home a brochure providing information about the agencies supported by Catholic Charities. It outlines their work in the community supporting the vulnerable and disadvantaged.
Sacrament Program 2022
Practice for Confirmation
Saturday, Sept 3 - Term 3 Week 6
St. Ann’s Church 10.00am – 11.00am
Celebration of Confirmation
Wednesday, Sept 7 - Term 3 Week 7
St. Ann’s Church 7.00pm – 8.00pm
Celebration of First Eucharist
Saturday, Sept 10 - Term 3 Week 7
St. Thomas More Church 6.00pm – 7.00pm
OR
Sunday, Sept 11 - Term 3 Week 8
St. Thomas More Church 10.00am – 11.00am
Book Week Parade
Well done to Ms. Swann who coordinated the Book Week Parade on Friday 26th. Thank you to all the parents who helped their children to dress up as their favourite book character. The focus of Book Week is to highlight the importance of reading for all of our young people. I encourage you to read with and to your children every day, no matter what year level they are in. Of all the educational things you can do, I consider reading to be about the most important. - Peter Mercer, Acting Principal
This week the whole school celebrated Book Week. First Mrs. Carter's class read the Blue Flower book. Next, me and the class read the Blue Flower book again. Finally, on Friday the whole school dressed up. The whole school had a parade. The parade was fun and exciting. - Aleaha, Yr 1 Carter.
This week the whole school celebrated Book Week. First, we read the Blue Flower. We coloured in a house so we can learn more about differences and everyone in my class did a different house. Next on Friday, we had a parade. There was music. The classes showed off their costumes and it was great! - Ava, Yr 1 Carter.
Book Week Parade
Book Week Parade
Book Week Parade
School Counsellor
Placement
Hi there! My name is Thomas Johnson, and I will be working with David here at St Thomas More School through to the start of November. I am from the University of Adelaide studying a Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy, finishing off my final semester with my placement here. I have been married for 3 years and have an 8-month-old daughter, I also enjoy board games and reading. I am looking forward to working at St Thomas More over the next few months, getting to know everyone here and helping equip the students to work through the difficult situations and emotions that they face.
Installing SZapp
Please click on the link below for instructions on how to install SZapp on Apple and Android products.
Learning Conversations
Canteen
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
August 28 - 3 September
Legacy Week
August 31
National Meals on Wheels Day
September 1
Wattle Day
September 1 - 7
Be Kind to Animals Week
September 1
Father's Day
September 8
R U OK Day?
Raising Hearts and Minds
