TERM 1 - WEEK 7
Front Cover - 5/6 O'Leary
This term in HASS and Art, 5/6JO have been learning about the history and impact of bushfires in Australia. The students in 5/6JO have created their own artwork that raises awareness around the devastation of our wildlife.
Our Imagery
Leadership
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Students and friends of St Thomas More,
Classes are in full swing with our students seeking to build on the success of the beginning of the School Year. From the beginning of the term, we have continued to develop our emphasis on a strong learning culture where everyone strives to achieve their personal best.
While our teachers do a remarkable job of staying abreast of the latest educational trends and implementing them into their daily practice, your assistance is also vital. You can never underestimate the impact of parents in developing a learning culture.
The following pointers from www.education.com provide some useful tips for parents to assist in their child’s educational potential:
How Should I Help My Child with Homework?
- Show that you think education and homework are important. If your child knows that you care about what is happening at school, he or she will have a good reason to complete work on time.
- Set a regular time for homework. The best schedule for homework is what works best for your child and your family. Your child’s outside activities, such as sports or music lessons may mean that you need a flexible homework schedule.
- Provide an area for your child to do homework. Make sure the area is well-lit and has minimal distractions.
- Ensure that there are no distractions. Discourage your child from making and receiving social telephone calls during homework time.
- Turn off the television if it is keeping your child from doing his or her homework.
- Provide supplies and identify resources. Have pencils, pens, erasers, writing paper, a dictionary, or other supplies that may be helpful available.
- Help your child use everyday routines to support the skills he or she is learning. Teach your child to play word and math games.
- Help your child look up information about something in which he or she is interested.
- Look over completed work before they are handed in. Discuss with your child the learning that they experienced in completing the work.
- Talk about school and learning activities in family conversations. Ask your child what was discussed in class that day.
- Show your child that the skills he or she is learning are an important part of the things adults do.
- Let your child see you reading, writing, or using math.
- Talk to your child about what you do at work.
- Attend school activities. If you can, volunteer to help in your child’s classroom or at special events
School Crossing Monitors
Recently our Year 5/6 students and staff 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 5/6s for taking on this important responsibility and leadership opportunity within our school.
Student Well-being
Supporting student well-being remains a key focus for us. As part of our ongoing commitment, all teachers will teach a specific unit on Bullying at the beginning of 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
As the school year commences 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 well-being 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.
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.
Leadership Team
Religion
St Patrick's Day
This Friday, March 17, we stop and take a few moments to think about St. Patrick. St Patrick was a faithful follower of Jesus. At an early age, St. Patrick chose to work in the service of God and to bring the message of God’s love to the people of Ireland.
St Joseph's Day
On Sunday, March 16, we take time to think about St. Joseph. St Joseph was the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. According to the earliest Christian traditions, he was a carpenter. The Gospel of Matthew calls St Joseph, “a righteous man,” meaning he was an observant Jew who obeyed God’s law.
Harmony Day
As a school community, we come together to celebrate Harmony Day this year on 24 March. Created in 1999 to celebrate unity and diversity, Harmony Day was originally an Australian celebration but is now marked worldwide. Harmony Day is all about respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. The colour of Harmony Day is orange and the theme this year is EVERYONE BELONGS.
Project Compassion 2023
As we work together to support our brothers and sisters around the world in need, each class in our school will be holding a fundraiser for Project Compassion. See the flyer below for more information.
Classroom Learning
Year 1/2 Docchio and Year 1/2 Maiello gathered this week for a class liturgy about St. Patrick. Students from both classes led a prayerful liturgy as they reminded us that St. Patrick was a great follower of Jesus. They began their celebration asking God to bless the land of St. Patrick and our land with love and peace. In their prayers, students prayed for Fr. Pat and our new priest who will join us in term 2, Fr. Santosh. We thank the many parents who were able to join us in this celebration.
Elizabeth Catholic Parish Sacrament Program
Last week an information session was held at the Elizabeth Catholic Parish for those families interested in enrolling their child in the program for 2023. If you would like more information about this program, please call or email Melissa Musolino.
Phone: 7285 1500
Humans of St Thomas More School
The smiling faces of all the students, as they greet me throughout the day, are absolutely my biggest motivator to come to work. It is lovely to see them succeed when they receive Mercy Cards and come up to the front desk to show me their amazing class work.
I’ve worked at St Thomas More School for almost a year now and I have loved my time getting to know all the wonderful students and their families. Prior to joining St Thomas More School, I was at St Mary Magdalene’s School in Front Office, Student Support, and OHSC roles.
St Thomas More School is an inviting, inclusive, and supportive community – I think that’s what I love most about it. Everyone works together to ensure the best education and well-being support for the students. I feel privileged to be a part of this community.
Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the office, I am excited to announce that I’ll be moving on to a Student Support position within the school and will be entering classrooms as of Term 2 - I am super excited about this new opportunity.
World Storytelling Day
The aim of World Storytelling Day is to celebrate the art of oral storytelling, with as many people as possible around the world telling and listening to stories in their own languages on the same day.
The theme of World Storytelling Day 2023 is “Together We Can.” Considering worldwide events, storytellers felt the need in society to come together and move forward together. Building community, inspiring change. Storytellers worldwide will tell stories on March 20, 2023, on this theme.
There is not one organization that decides the theme. The storytellers most active in World Storytelling Day find each other mostly in the official Facebook group. Each year themes are proposed, votes are cast, and in the end, a theme is embraced by all. World Storytelling Day is always on March 20.
During library lessons next week, we will be sharing some stories and discussing the benefits of storytelling.
Installing SZapp
Please click on the link below for instructions on how to install SZapp on Apple and Android products.
Playgroup and ELY
Postponed until further notice
Out-of-School Hours Care
2023 OSHC runs daily: 6:30am to 8:30am and 3:00pm to 6:00pm
School Access
8:30am to 8:45am
Access via the main front courtyard gate at the school crossing.
8:45am 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
March 17
St Patrick's Day
Close the Gap Day
March 19
St Joseph's Day
March 20
World Storytelling Day
International Day of Happiness
March 21
World Harmony Day
March 22
Ramadan Begins
Raising Hearts and Minds
