TERM 3 - WEEK 5
Front Cover - 3/4 Jessop
This term in 3/4KJ we have been exploring our community in religion. We have discussed the importance of community, as well as the different communities we are a part of.
We have developed our understanding that having a sense of community unites us. Being a part of a community can make us feel as though we are a part of something greater than ourselves. It can give us opportunities to connect with people, reach our goals, and makes us feel safe and secure. It's important for every person to have a sense of community.
The students in 3/4KJ spent time creating prayers for our community and thanking God for allowing us to be a part of many different beautiful communities.
Our Community Prayers
Leadership
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Students, and Friends of St Thomas More,
Welcome to week 5, we are already halfway through the term and it is going by so quickly. Although we are technically still in the season of Winter, we have been fortunate to enjoy some pre-spring weather giving us a taste of what is to come.
Catholic Schools Open Week
Catholic Schools Open Week occurred this week in all Catholic schools across South Australia. On Tuesday morning we held an open morning for interested families with our Leadership Team providing tours of our school. This was a great opportunity for parents and caregivers to see the school in action and be informed about how a Catholic school will help their child discover a love of learning and values for life. A big THANK YOU to Nevaeh and her family for agreeing to participate in a photoshoot, and proudly representing St Thomas More School during Catholic School’s Open Week around Adelaide.
Year 5/6 Camp
This week our Year 5/6 students attended Willow Creek Adventure Camp and a wonderful time was had by all. The students left on Monday morning full of excitement, wonder, and awe. They returned safely on Wednesday afternoon looking a little exhausted from the many activities they engaged in over the three days and were eager to share stories of their camp experience. Some of these activities included visiting Urimbirra Wildlife Park, bush survival for beginners, orienteering (basic), riding the Cockle Train, Billy cart building, and scavenger hunts. A very big thank you to our Year 5/6 teachers Sarah Carritt and Jay O’Leary for their thorough planning and organisation to ensure an educational, safe, and fun-filled experience for everyone. Thank you also to other staff members for their attendance to support this event.
Book Week
Our students have enjoyed reading the shortlisted books in the lead-up to Book Week. Due to the year 5/6 camp this week our celebration will be held next week with a costume parade on Wednesday 30 August at 9.15 am in the Jubilee Hall. We look forward to seeing the interesting and creative costumes the students and adults will be wearing. This event is always a popular one loved by all and we look forward to seeing you then.
Pupil Free Day
A reminder is given that our next Pupil Free Day is planned for Friday 1 September (Week 6). On this day staff from both St Thomas More School and St Mary Magdalene’s School will come together to participate in training and development.
Further Pupil Free Days in Term 4 are planned for the following dates:
16 October, 14 and 15 December.
Term 3 School Assemblies
Our next assembly will be held in Week 9, Friday 22 September, and will be hosted by the Year 1/2CM class. The school assemblies provide students with opportunities to share their learning and to celebrate their successes and achievements with the wider school community. The Assemblies commence at 9.00 am and we look forward to having you join us at this time.
Shaping our future together
Leadership Team
Children's Safety at School
At St Thomas More School safety of our students and community is one of our highest priorities. We provide a secure environment that allows the student to move safely around the school. Staff are clearly identified by the badges they wear. As our school is fully secure, with fences around all areas, visitors MUST enter through the front office and sign in upon entering the school. Safety in the yard encourages our students to play actively without fear. each teacher on yard duty, wear a fluorescent vest and carries a bag that contains a first-aid kit for the treatment of minor injuries in the yard whilst more serious injuries are dealt with promptly in the sick room by staff who are trained in senior first aid.
St Thomas More is situated on a main road and on a suburban street, which can make the movement of traffic difficult during peak school drop-off and pick-up times. To ensure that the students are safe during this time teachers are on duty at the school's front, ensuring the safe use of the school crossing on Yorktown Road and safely crossing Shillabeer.
Please ensure children enter through the front office if they are arriving at school late.
No Standing Areas
Please observe these areas to help provide a safe environment for the students. We ask and expect that all members of the St Thomas More community follow the road rules associated with the "School Crossing" (on Yorktown Rd) and all the road signage (both Yorktown Rd & Shillabeer Rd) stringently. They are monitored by the police and council.
School fees for 2024
We are pleased to inform our school families that there will be no increase in school fees for the 2024 school year. Catholic Education SA has announced it will freeze tuition fees at its 84 Diocesan schools for the 2024 school year.
“We recognise that cost-of-living increases are putting significant pressure on families,” says Dr. Neil McGoran, Executive Director, Catholic Education SA.
“Growth in enrolments across the State in our 101 Catholic Schools, together with prudent financial management, puts us in a position where we are able to hold tuition fees at this year’s level.”
Dr McGoran said the fee-freeze will not impact the quality of education.
“We’re committed to keeping school fees as low as possible and ensuring a Catholic education is affordable and accessible to all.”
Since 2019, Catholic Education SA has been implementing the Making Catholic Education More Affordable Initiative to ensure Catholic schools are accessible to any family who wants their child to have a Catholic education.
In addition to the fee freeze, further fee remissions are available to any family who is struggling to pay school fees due to financial difficulties. Families should contact Janelle Lieu (Business Manager) for more information.
Religion
Northern Regional Assembly
You are invited to attend the Northern Regional Assembly.
The 2023 Regional Assemblies are a continuation of the 2021 and 2022 Diocesan Assemblies and involve a greater number of people at the local level in participation, communion, and mission. The Regional Assemblies offer parishes, communities, and schools an opportunity to engage in mutual listening, developing responses to shared needs, and collaboration for missionary action.
The Regional Assemblies will discern the following questions:
What are we being called to do to participate in the mission of God in this time and place?
What is our shared reality in this part of the Archdiocese?
What are the priorities of each of our local communities?
What are the commonalities across our region? Differences?
What can we work on together? How can we support one another? What are the gifts and strengths of our members and communities that can be shared across our region?
Please find attached a flyer about the Northern Regional Assembly to be held on Saturday, September 2, from 10 am to 3:00 pm at St. Augustine’s Parish, Salisbury.
Elizabeth Catholic Parish Sacramental Program
For those families whose child/ren are involved in the 2023 Sacramental Program, please be aware of the following dates for Term 3.
Practice for Confirmation
Term 3 Week 6 Saturday, September 2, 9.00 am – 10.00 am at St. Ann’s Church
Celebration of Confirmation
Term 3 Week 7 Tuesday, September 12, 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm at St. Ann’s Church
Celebration of First Eucharist
Term 3 Week 7 Saturday, September 16, 6.00 pm – 7.00 pm at St. Thomas More Church
OR
Term 3 Week 8 Sunday, September 17, 10.00 am – 11.00 am at St. Thomas More Church
Whole School Mass
We invite you to join us to celebrate our term 3 whole school Mass in Week 8, Tuesday, September 12 at 12pm in the Jubilee Hall.
Liturgical Calendar Information
Special celebrations that we focus on during classroom and whole school prayer throughout term 3 and those that come up in our liturgical calendar include:
1/9 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
3/9 Father’s Day
4/9 Child Protection Week
5/9 Feast of Mother Teresa
Counsellor
Hello! My name is Abby, and I am a student counsellor. I am in the final year of my university studies, and I will be working with David over the next two terms to support students who may be struggling with a particular issue, or who may just need some extra support in general. I am very excited to be a part of the school community, and I look forward to getting to know you and the students. Please do not hesitate to reach out for a chat!
Book Week Winners
Cross Country
Congratulations to all the students who took part in our Cross-Country event on Thursday 10th August 2023 at Prince Alfred College Oval, East Parklands. It was great to see the level of participation shown by all students from Year 3 to Year 6. A big thank you to all the staff and community members who helped on the day. Congratulations to all students on their fantastic efforts!
Cristian Morgado
PE Co-ordinator
Humans of St Thomas More School
Linda Marsh
The students call me Mrs Marsh. My role at St Thomas More is as a co-educator (curriculum). I started working here in 2009 I think so have been working here for 14 years.
The thing I love the most about working here is the way all the staff work together to support the school community and each other.
I love coming to work to help the children, you get to share any successes with them big or small. It's great to see any growth in any part of their development not just limited to their schoolwork.
I grew up and have lived in the Northern suburbs all my life. I didn't attend this school, but my two adult children (24 & 20 ) did. So, it’s fair to say I feel a bit like a permanent fixture of this school community.
I like to relax by reading and going away in our caravan.
Pupil Free Days
Community House
You're Welcome at the Midway
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
September 1
World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
September 3
Father’s Day
Raising Hearts and Minds
