TERM 2 - WEEK 5
Front Cover - 3/4 Brown
This term in 3/4 LB we are learning how to write information reports. We have been working hard to develop our understanding of all the elements that build an information report.
We have been exploring the purpose and audience of an information report and we have spent a lot of time learning about each individual heading and subheading including diet, habitat, and description.
We are continuing to build on this knowledge to work towards constructing our own information reports on an animal of our choice.
Our Gallery
Leadership
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Students, and friends of St Thomas More,
Welcome to Week 5, which brings us halfway through this term already. Last Sunday we celebrated Pentecost, a very significant day in the liturgical season after Easter as it celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. One of Jesus’ last Earthly promises was to send the Holy Spirit, a gift of God’s love to the Apostles and to all.
National Reconciliation Week 27 May – 3 June
This year the National Reconciliation Week theme is “Be a Voice for Generations.” In keeping up the momentum for change all Australians are encouraged to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives. We are encouraged to take action not just during National Reconciliation Week but every week of the year, as we live, work, and socialise. Students in all classrooms have spent time this week exploring this year’s theme through a variety of activities. Some of these activities will be shared on our Facebook page so please look us up.
For further information on National Reconciliation Week please access the link below.
Home - National Reconciliation Week 2023
Pupil Free Day
A reminder that our next pupil-free day will occur on Friday 9 June. All Catholic Education South Australian schools will have a new student reporting format this year. As a system, we are using SEQTA, a student learning management system to produce these reports. On this day staff from both St Thomas More and St Mary Magdalene schools will continue to participate in their training to generate student reports using this system.
Student Wellbeing - 5pt Scale Family Information Sessions
The 5-point scale is a whole school strategy that was introduced to students this year. As a result of our work with the PIP project last year and specifically with Ellen Jolly (occupational therapist) from Life Skills Hub, the 5 -point scale was developed for our school context ready for implementation in 2023.
The purpose of using the 5 -point scale is to support students with regulation, support consistent language between educators and students, promote social-emotional understanding, and assist with smoother transitions between classrooms each year. The 5-point scale is a concrete, systematic, and non-judgemental way of teaching social and emotional skills to help children notice and functionally respond to their own and other’s social behaviour.
This term we have offered two family sessions to share information about our journey as a school with the development of the 5-point scale and the implementation of the tool within classrooms. We are offering further information sessions this term for families who were unable to attend and there will be a variety of times available including morning, afternoon, and evening sessions to enable you with the opportunity to attend one that suits you best. Dates and times are as follows with the sessions running for approximately 45 minutes.
Tuesday 13 June at 9.00 am
Wednesday 14 June at 2.00 pm and again at 6.30 pm
Further information about these sessions will be sent home and we look forward to seeing you at one of them.
Term 3 Reception Intake
This is a reminder that we have a Term 3 Reception intake each year and we have some spaces available. The criteria for starting Reception on the first day of school in Term 3 is that the children will have turned 5 on or before 31 October of that particular year (i.e. 2023 this year). If you have a child who is eligible for this intake, please make a time for an enrolment interview with a member of the Leadership Team. If you are aware of another family who has a child who is eligible to begin in Term 3 and is considering St. Thomas More School, please feel free to encourage them to make an enrolment interview time. Our transition program for Term 3 Reception students will occur this term in weeks 7, 8, and 9 providing them with the opportunity to meet and get to know their teacher and peers.
Shaping our future together
Leadership Team
Religion
Feast of Pentecost
With the celebration of Pentecost, we come to the end of the Easter season and continue with Ordinary time in the liturgical calendar. Pentecost literally means 50th. It is a feast on the 50th day after the feast of the Resurrection of Jesus. On the feast of Pentecost, we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem. This event also marks the beginning of the Church. This week students will reflect on the effects of the Holy Spirit at work in their daily lives.
Reconciliation Week
This week we also celebrate Reconciliation Week with the theme, ‘Be a Voice for Generations’. The theme encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work, and socialise. For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, act today for a more just, equitable, and reconciled country for all. It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Ms. Jessop and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander committee have organised activities for classes to complete throughout the week.
Visit from Fr. Santosh
Last week, Fr. Santosh visited our school to meet students and staff. Fr. Santosh will join us to celebrate our St. Thomas More Feast Day in week 8, Tuesday, June 20 with a liturgy a 9 am for students in Reception – Year 2 and Mass with Fr. Santosh at 12 pm for students in Year 3-6.
Peaceful Kids
Mrs. Rubino and Mrs. Musolino have been leading Peaceful Kids sessions this term. The Peaceful Kids program is a Mindfulness and Positive Psychology based program to lessen anxiety and stress and increase resilience in children. This program helps children to build their emotional resilience, so they are better equipped to deal with the day-to-day stresses that life brings them. Students working with Mrs. Musolino have been learning that if we regularly practice Mindfulness, just like we care for and water a plant, then our brains stay healthy and strong. We can then stay calm, reduce worries and stress, get along better with others, and feel happier.
Elizabeth Catholic Parish Sacramental Program
For those families whose child/ren is involved in the 2023 Sacramental Program, please be aware of the following dates for Term 2.
Eucharist Session for Parents and Candidates
Term 2 Week 9 Saturday, July 1, 9.00 am – 11.00 am St. Thomas More Church
Liturgical Calendar Information
Special celebrations that we focus on during classroom and whole school prayer throughout term 2 and those that come up in our liturgical calendar include:
June 4 – Feast of the Trinity
June 5 – World Environment Day
June 20 – World Refugee Day
June 20 – Feast of St. Thomas More
July 2–9 – NAIDOC Week
Canteen
Just a Reminder
If your child/children are going to be away and they have a lunch order, please contact the front office to cancel the order by 9:00 am. The order can not be transferred to another day if it is not cancelled. Thank you for your understanding.
Humans of St Thomas More
The students at St. Thomas More School call me Mrs D’occhio and I have been teaching at the school since 1997! Over the years I have taught from Reception to Year 4 as a class teacher and every year level as a relief teacher.
St Thomas More School is a very special place to me as I grew up in Elizabeth and am an old scholar, having attended the school in the 1970s! At that time the school was on two separate sites, with Years 1-4 on Laverstock Rd. and Years 5-7 where we are today. I have the happiest memories of that time and of the teachers and Sisters of Mercy who instilled in me a love of learning.
I love being an old scholar, as it gives me an instant bond with the students I teach. Each year when I tell my new class that I was once a student at this school just like them, I am inundated with questions about what it was like at STM in the “olden days”. Of course, I have many interesting stories to tell them!
My favourite part of being a teacher at St Thomas More School is when former students come back to visit or when I see them out in public and they come up for a hug and a chat. I love hearing about what they are doing now and about all their achievements and successes.
Once a child has been a student in my class, they will forever be one of “my kids” and hold a special place in my heart. The following quote inspires me every day:
“Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be.” Rita Pierson
During my time at St Thomas More School, I have been privileged to work alongside so many amazing teachers and staff who are exactly that - champions! They strive to bring out the best in the students they teach and go above and beyond to help them succeed. It is what I hope to be for the students that I teach so that their years at St Thomas More School are as happy as mine were.
Installing SZapp
Please click on the link below for instructions on how to install SZapp on Apple and Android products.
Chess Club
On Friday, 26 May a group of Year 3-6 students attended Elizabeth Park Primary School for a friendly chess tournament. Although Elizabeth Park Primary School came away with the win, St Thomas More students represented the school superbly demonstrating respect and kindness to their opponents. We are looking forward to our next competition held in Week 4, Term 3 at St Thomas More School.
Aidan - Even though I didn’t win any games I had lots and lots of fun.
Achok - It was amazing because I had lots of fun and I won 2 games.
Malakai - I liked how it challenged me.
Caleb - It was challenging but I won 1 game and lost 2.
Taylor Meyer
Leader of Teaching and Learning
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
May 27 - June 3
Reconciliation Week
June 4
Feast of the Trinity
June 5
World Environment Day
June 9
Pupil Free Day
June 20
World Refugee Day
Feast of St. Thomas More
July 2-9
NAIDOC Week
Raising Hearts and Minds
