TERM 3 - WEEK 7
Front Cover - 1/2 Carter
1/2CC have been learning about Shape.
We have learnt about the properties of 2D and 3D shapes and here are some of our fantastic models of 3D shapes.
Shape Gallery
Bookweek is a great time to enjoy listening to stories and creating interesting Artwork.
We listened to the story ‘Bev and Kev’ and then created this Artwork.
We are learning about the structure of a narrative. So far, we have practiced writing about character traits and wrote about Bev.
We also had some very interesting characters at our Bookweek Parade.
Top Gun, Rapunzel, Creeper from Minecraft, The Hulk, Saturn, Koala with Undies, Spiderman, Cat in The Hat, Captain America, Darth Vader, Captain Smith of the Titanic, Where’s Wally and Batgirl. It was a very exciting day and we all had an amazing time.
Bev and Kev Gallery
Leadership
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Students, and Friends of St Thomas More,
As a staff over these past two weeks, we have reflected on the wonderful community we have here at St Thomas More School. We are filled with gratitude for all the love, care, and support expressed by you as we have navigated our way through a difficult time. It is a privilege and an honour to live our faith through our work, serving all at St Thomas More School Community. Upon reflection, a particular quote comes to mind.
“The fruit of love is service which is compassion for others”. Mother Teresa.
Learning Conversations
As you are all aware from the Schoolzine notification sent, Learning Conversations will occur next week. The dates and times are as follows:
Monday 11 Sep – 3:15 to 5:00pm
Tuesday 12 Sep – 3:15 to 5:00pm
Wednesday 13 Sep – 3:15 to 7:00pm
If you have not yet made an appointment time and would like to meet with your child’s teacher, please make contact to book a time. We look forward to seeing you all then.
Classroom Pulse Check-In
Each term in Weeks 5 and 6, all students in Catholic Education schools complete a Classroom Pulse Check-In. The purpose of the check-in is to learn about how students are feeling about their experience at school with a focus on identity, belonging, relationships, and learning. The responses provided by students enable us to identify any potential social, emotional, or learning needs they may have.
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.
Pupil Free Day
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 Reception MT class will have the opportunity to host the assembly in Week 10, Friday 29 September. The Assemblies commence at 9.00am and we look forward to having you join us at this time.
Shaping our future together
Leadership Team
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
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.
Catholic Charities
Each year, during term 3, our school supports the work of Catholic Charities and the agencies they support. The Catholic Charities Appeal was founded in 1941 by Archbishop Beovich to help people in the community. This week your child will bring home a brochure that contains stories from the agencies supported by Catholic Charities.
Mercy Day
Mercy Day is celebrated on September 24 each year. We will celebrate Mercy Day on Wednesday, September 20, week 9. This is an important day for all of us who belong to schools founded by the sisters of Mercy. It is also a day to remember and give thanks for the life of Catherine McAuley. On this day in 1827, Catherine’s House of Mercy in Baggot Street in Dublin was opened.
In our celebrations this year we think about how we live our call to be merciful people by reaching out to help others. Through our fundraising, we will support the works of Catherine House, who like Catherine McAuley, work to support women and children in need.
Throughout the day students will be involved in learning about Catherine McAuley and the sisters of Mercy and the work that Catherine House does to support women and children in need. This year we celebrate with a whole school Liturgy in the Jubilee Hall at 9.15am. We will also be making gift packs for Catherine House with the following toiletry items.
Body wash, Shower gel, Loofahs, Body lotion, Face cleansing wipes, Lip balm, Cotton tips, Cotton pads, Combs, Hairbrushes, and Hair ties.
If you would like to help us support Catherine House, you can leave your items in the ‘giving basket’ inside your child’s classroom up until September 22. (see flyer attached)
Child Protection Week
This week was Child Protection Week. The overarching message for Child Protection Week is ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’. This very important message is about making sure that children grow up safe and supported, and how every child in every community just like each of the students in our school, deserves a fair go. We think about how we can promote a safe and supported life for every child, now and into the future. Mrs Carritt helped us learn more about Child Protection Week during our teams prayer this week.
Religious Literacy Assessment Tool (ReLAT)
Our Year 4 students will complete the Religious Education Literacy Assessment (ReLAT) this week. The assessment focuses on students’ knowledge and understanding of key concepts that are addressed in the Crossways Religious Education Curriculum, the achievement of the outcomes set out in the curriculum, and the ability of students to communicate this knowledge and understanding about the Catholic tradition. Questions are based on general religious knowledge gained from participation in RE lessons and the religious dimension of the Catholic school. The data produced from the assessment is designed to give teachers meaningful feedback about the student’s learning and to assist in developing the classroom teaching of Religion. All students in Year 4 have received a separate letter regarding this.
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:
4-10/9 Child Protection Week
21/9 International Day of Peace
24/9 Mercy Day
27/9 St. Vincent De Paul
Book Week
Book Week Parade
Last Wednesday 30 August the students participated in a whole school Book Week parade celebrating books and reading. The parade was a culmination of all the learning that took place in exploring shortlisted books and engaging in related activities during the term. A highlight of the day was seeing the absolute joy on the children’s faces as they entered the school gates, so proud of their amazing costumes and looking forward to a fun-filled day. A very big thank you to our magnificent librarian, Lesley Swann, for all her preparation in putting together the Book Week parade and for her work with the children in the lead-up to it. You can always be assured that she will provide an interesting and entertaining Book Week experience for everyone. Thank you to our teachers and co-educators for their work with the students and their efforts in putting together their costumes which the children always find amusing. Thank you also to the many families who attended and stayed for some morning tea and for organising the marvellous costumes that the children wore. It truly was an uplifting celebration.
Vicki Rubino
Head of School
Book Week Photos
Pupil Free Days
Community House
You're Welcome at the Midway
Athletics
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.
RUOK?
A conversation could change a life
Advance Notice
Principal's Tour - By appointment only
September 14
RUOK? Day
September 21
International Day of Peace
World Gratitude Day
September 27
St. Vincent De Paul Day
Raising Hearts and Minds
