TERM 4 - WEEK 7
Front Cover - Graduating Students of 2022
Teachers and Year 6 Students of 2022
We farewell and give thanks to our Year 6 students. We ask that you remember the graduating students in your prayers and we ask God to bless them as they take the light of Christ to others on their journey. I would like to thank them for their enthusiasm and commitment to Servant Leadership. Their leadership to make a difference within the school and with students is inspiring. May they always remember this school community and keep St Thomas ore School, their experiences here and the friendships they have made, in their minds and hearts.
Leadership
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Students and friends of St Thomas More,
With the busyness of this time of year and with many rushing to purchase gifts and organise gatherings, it’s easy to miss the true meaning of Christmas. Most importantly, it’s a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, a very special gift for us to share. Through Jesus, we are reminded of how we are to treat and love one another and live out the gospel values each and every day. Christmas is such a memorable time for our young people. Spending as much time with our kids and creating experiences for them is one of the most important things we can do.
For me, it’s also a time to reflect on the year that has past, to stop and think about what’s important in one’s life and to treasure what we each have. For many, Christmas can be a very lonely and isolating time of year that brings little joy at all. Teaching within a Mercy school supports us to reflect on what we can do for others during this time, however small this may be. Even the simple gift of a smile, warm greeting or helping hand, can make a big difference in people’s lives.
Premier’s Reading Challenge
Congratulations to all students who participated in the 2022 Premier’s Reading Challenge. It was very pleasing to see so many students involved and reading so many books. Certificates and medallions were handed out last week. Thank you to all teachers for encouraging students to participate and a big thank you to Ms. Lesley Swann for her coordination of this challenge.
Year 6 Graduation
We are once again drawing near to Graduation time. Below is a summary of the way in which we commemorate and celebrate Graduation for our Year 6 students and their families.
The first celebration is our Year 6 dinner on Thursday 8December. Year 6 students and their families are invited to meet at ‘The Midway Hotel’ where students and their families sit together and share a meal together with school staff.
The second and most significant celebration will be our traditional Graduation Liturgy. This will be held here at school in Jubilee Hall on Monday 12 December. This Graduation Liturgy is a special ceremony where we will acknowledge and thank our Graduating Year 6 students for their wonderful contribution to our school community.
Thanksgiving Mass
The End of Year ‘Thanksgiving Mass’ will be celebrated this year on Friday 9 December at 9.30am. This is during the normal school day. We will also be recognising the contribution made by the Year 6 students to the life of St Thomas More school. Families are invited to attend.
Reception to Year 5 School Assembly
Families are invited to attend our final 2022 Assembly on Wednesday 14 December at 9.30am
School Reports
Teachers are preparing to write Semester Two reports for students in their care. Our Semester Two reports are individual and extremely detailed and provide an excellent summary of each child’s progress. They will be distributed to students during week 9, this term. They will include information regarding each child’s class for 2023.
School Uniform
Please make arrangements to ensure your child is wearing the correct uniform in Term 1, 2022.
Wearing the school uniform reflects our identity not only at school but also within the wider community. When students are out attending excursions, positive comments are often received regarding our students and they identify the school through the school uniform. The wearing of the uniform not only reflects who we are but it eliminates any competition and fashion wear as well as any arguments at the beginning of the day regarding what to wear to school. At times, school uniform items are not worn correctly. If students are not wearing the correct uniform, a uniform note will be sent home from the class teacher identifying the uniform area to be addressed.
All St Thomas More’s students are required and expected to wear the correct uniform.
St Thomas More School’s Front office will be open on Wednesday 25 & Friday 27 January 2023 from 9.30 am to 11.30 am (the week before Term 1 begins) to try on and collect uniforms
St Thomas More School uniform items are to be paid for using the
St Thomas More School QKR App.
Reminder
I’d like to remind families that the last day of the 2022 school year is Wednesday 14 December at 2.30pm. OSHC is available for those families requiring care on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 December, with Vacation Care available throughout the school holidays. BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL
I hope the children enjoy the last few weeks of school which will involve fun experiences such as; liturgies, excursions, class parties, Christmas activities and so on.
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.
2023 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.
End-of-Term Arrangements
Year 6 students – Monday 12 December 2022 at 1.30 pm
Reception to Year 5 students – Wednesday 14 December 2022 at 2.30 pm
Working in Partnership,
The Leadership Team
Religion
Liturgical Events and Special Celebrations
Advent is a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ’s first coming is remembered. It is a season of joyful expectation. We take this time every year to practice how to receive Jesus every day, of our lives. We remember the call of Jesus to his followers to make our world a peaceful and loving place.
Advent reminds us of the sacred meaning of Christmas. It is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas. Advent means ‘coming’ – this is the coming of Jesus into the world.
We use the colour purple on our prayer space as we wait in joyful hope to celebrate the birth of Jesus, our king and light of our world. So, as we move into the Advent season, let us pray together:
Gracious God open our hearts so that we may receive the message of your coming with joy and wonder. Help us to discover the people and places in the midst of our daily lives where you meet us with your love and care. May we show this love and care to all those we meet. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Something to consider over the four weeks of Advent:
First Week of Advent
How can I be ready for Jesus?
What can I do to be prepared?
Second Week of Advent
Think of some people who show by how they live their lives that Jesus is an important part of their lives.
What is it about their lives that you admire?
Can you live like that?
Third Week of Advent
How do we continue the healing work of Jesus today?
Fourth Week of Advent
Christmas is coming!
How will you celebrate God’s coming to us?
Sacramental Program
The Sacramental Program for 2022 is now complete. If you would like your child to be involved in the Program in 2023 or would like more information about the program, please email Melissa Musolino.
mmusolino@sttmore.catholic.edu.au
Catholic Schools Athletics Carnival
Majok Manyuon - Individual Age Champion Award
Year 3 Girls and Year 5 Boys Age Champion Award
Last Wednesday, St Thomas More participated in the Catholic Schools Athletics Carnival at the Bridgestone Athletics Centre. Twenty-four students represented the school extremely well and gave their best against challenging opposition. We are currently competing in section seven. Congratulations to the boy's and girls' teams who both finished fourth.
Congratulations to Majok Manyuon on winning an individual age champion award. Majok gained three 1st placings and a 2nd placing. Majok was announced as the best athlete in his section. Super effort Majok!!
Throughout the day there were many outstanding individual performances, and the students should feel proud of their efforts gaining many place ribbons.
Thank you to all of the students for their efforts throughout the day and for the way they displayed great sportspersonship. I would also like to thank Lesley Swann, Jay O’Leary, Andrew Scott and Amanda Schumann for their help and support during the day.
Fantastic effort team!
Mr Chevalier
P.E. Co-ordinator.
Athletics
Parenting Courses
Installing SZapp
Please click on the link below for instructions on how to install SZapp on Apple and Android products.
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
Principal's Tour - By appointment only
December 4
Second Sunday of Advent
December 5
School Board Meeting
December 6
2023 Reception Transition Visit & Parent Meeting
December 7
Years Reception - 2 Excursion
December 8
Year 6 Graduation Dinner
December 12
Whole School Transition
Year 6 Students End of School Year 1:30pm
Semester 2 Reports Sent Out
Year 6 Graduation Dinner
December 14
Whole School assembly - Years R-5
Years Reception - 5 End of School Year 2:30pm
December 15
Pupil Free Day
December 16
Pupil Free Day
December 18
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Raising Hearts and Minds
