TERM 4 - WEEK 5
Front Cover - 1/2 D'occhio
SCIENCE in 1/2MD
This term in Science lessons we have been learning about how everyday materials can be physically changed in a variety of ways. We have discovered that paper can be changed by twisting, bending, folding, breaking, cutting, and tearing. This week we had great fun folding paper to make origami dogs. We found the folding a bit tricky to start with, however with practice we got the hang of it. We think our dogs look amazing!
Leadership
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Students, and Friends of St Thomas More,
Last Friday our Year 3/4 classes presented a moving Remembrance Day liturgy for the whole school. This was a time to pray and pause in honour of the Australians who fought and fell in the First World War and the generations who have followed them in service to our country and in striving for peace. The array of poppies across classrooms is always a solemn reminder of the significance of this yearly event.
Congratulations to our school Athletics Team for their achievements and participation in the SACPSSA (South Australian Catholic Primary School Sports Association) Athletics Carnival last week at the South Australian Athletics Centre. A great day was enjoyed by all.
Term 4 School Events
A reminder for school events occurring this term, which we are looking forward to. Below are the dates and times to include on your calendars:
Tuesday 21 November, 28 November, 5 December – 9.15 am 2024 Reception Transition Visits
Friday 24 November – SPORTS DAY
Friday 1 December -- CHRISTMAS CAROLS NIGHT
5:30 pm Start with a sausage sizzle. 6 pm classes perform. Please bring chairs and/or picnic rugs.
Tuesday 5 December – 12 pm End of Year Thanksgiving Mass. All families are invited to attend.
Thursday 7 December – 7 pm Yr 6 Graduation Dinner.
Monday 11 December – 6 pm Yr 6 Graduation Liturgy.
Wednesday 13 December – Last day for the school year.
2024 Reception Transition Program
A reminder to our families with children beginning school in 2024 that our transition visits are as follows:
Tuesday 21 November
Tuesday 28 November
Tuesday 5 December.
As part of our transition program, the Reception teachers have been visiting the children in their kindergarten environments this week to learn more about them and to also provide a familiar person when they come to their transition visits at St Thomas More.
If you are aware of another family who has a child eligible to start school and is considering St. Thomas More School, please encourage them to contact the front office for further information.
Student Wellbeing – 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. Every student in our school matters and their identity, sense of belonging, relationships, and opportunities for learning are paramount for their success. Through analysing the student survey responses, we can monitor how individual students are progressing and identify areas they may need further support in to enable them to thrive as people, learners, and leaders.
Student Attendance
It is expected, that whenever your child is absent, you will notify the school either by phone or on schoolzine at the start of the day. Any accompanying notes and/or medical certificates can be sent on the child's return to school. Students away from school for 3 days or more, during term time, must have lodged an application for exemption from school attendance with the Principal. Forms are available from the Front Office. If a child is frequently absent, the school is required to advise School Attendance Officers.
Emergency Contacts
If you have changed your address, phone number, email, or any confidential information, please contact the front office to ensure ALL details are correct.
If you need to make updates, we ask you to do so as a matter of urgency.
Late Arrival at School and Early Pickup
Children arriving late to class can find it difficult to settle and organise themselves for the day’s events and picking children up early at the end of a school day can cause disruption to the teaching program in progress. We ask that all children arrive to settle in for the start of the school day at 8.45 am and they are then dismissed at 3.00 pm each day. If a pattern of frequently being late or collected early is observed, the school is required to advise Attendance Officers. This is a Social Justice issue enabling all children to access the curriculum.
If you need to pick your child/ren up during break times, could you please give advance notice where possible. Your child/ren can then be in the front office with their belongings ready and classrooms do not need to be opened.
School Uniform and Lost Items
Generally, many of the students are wearing the correct uniform and look very smart. We have however, noticed some children wearing items that are not in line with wearing the correct school uniform. A list of St Thomas More School’s uniform requirements is available from the Front Office if you have any queries.
There are a number of uniform items in the lost property box in the front office. Please ensure you have a look through if your child is missing any item.
Sun Smart
In line with our Sun Smart school policy, all students are required to wear their hats next term. Please ensure that your child has a school hat, labelled with their name to wear. If students do not have a hat, they will need to remain under the shelter area during sports and play times. We thank you for your support with this.
Shaping our future together
Leadership Team
Pupil Free Days
Religion
Catherine McAuley
Last week we celebrated Catherine McAuley Day. Staff member Cloe Bowman who teaches our reception students at St. Mary Magdalene’s School, reminded us during our combined schools Microsoft Teams community prayer, that Catherine McAuley’s faith led her to dedicate herself to serving the poor, sick, and uneducated. Throughout her life, she was deeply aware of the human suffering caused by social, economic, and religious injustice.
Hospitality was a fundamental part of Catherine’s sense of service. The story is told that even as she lay on her deathbed with sisters travelling from far and near to pay their last respects to her, her first concern was their comfort. “Be sure to give them a cup of tea” was her instruction which has become a symbol of Mercy hospitality and servant leadership.
Last week Catherine McAuley staff and students celebrated the life of Catherine McAuley. This week we will gift them a hamper on behalf of staff at St. Mary Magdalene’s and St. Thomas More Schools to enjoy as part of their celebrations.
Remembrance Day
Our Remembrance Day service last week was led by Year 3/4 Jessop, Year 3/4 Brown, and Year 3/4 Fischer. Students reminded us that Remembrance Day is a day that we remember all those who died in war of conflict, those men and women who returned home, and those who continue to serve today. As part of their reflection, they shared:
‘In our world today, we find and face challenges as we acknowledge that life is difficult, and conflict still exists. We must commit to helping ourselves by creating peace in our own world. We begin by recognising that peace begins in our own families, classrooms, schools, and communities and it all begins with us.
World Kindness Day
This week we celebrated World Kindness Day. World Kindness Day is an annual event that encourages individuals to practice kindness in their daily lives. It is a day that focuses on encouraging and shaping a kinder and more compassionate world.
Universal Children’s Day
Next week we focus on Universal Children’s Day. The theme for 2023 is: For every child, every right! World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, and awareness among children worldwide, and to improve children's welfare.
On our prayer tables throughout the school, we place a candle. Candles remind us of Jesus, the living light of the world. In our churches, you will always see candles on the altar. These candles are lit only during Mass. We also light small votive candles in our churches as a sign of our own prayers.
Liturgical Calendar Information
Special celebrations that we focus on during classroom and whole school prayer throughout term 4 and those that come up in our liturgical calendar include:
20/11 Universal Children’s Day
26/11 Feast of Christ the King
3/12 1st Sunday of Advent
10/12 2nd Sunday of Advent
End-of-Year Thanksgiving Mass
Please join us to celebrate our end-of-year Mass and blessing of our Year 6 students on December 5, at 12 noon in the Jubilee Hall.
Christmas Carols
Elizabeth Catholic Parish News
Please see below for the link to the weekly parish bulletin.
https://elizabethcatholicparish.com.au/bulletin/
Sacramental Program
We have now come to the end of our Sacramental Program for 2023.
If your child would like to be involved in the Sacramental Program for 2024 or you would like to find out more about the program, please see Melissa Musolino.
Athletics Carnival
On Wednesday, November 8 a selection of year 3-6 students attended the Catholic School Athletics Carnival at the SA Athletics Stadium. Competing in a range of events, all students displayed great sportsmanship and represented our school proudly.
Congratulations to Thomas and Matilda for winning the individual year group medal.
Thank you to Mrs. Schumann and Mrs. McSwain for volunteering their time to help with the events on the day and to those parents who were able to support and encourage from the stands.
Great effort everyone!
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
November 1 - 30
World Novel Writing Month
November, 21, 28 November, December 5
2024 Reception Transition Visits 9.15 am
November 24
SPORTS DAY
December 1
CHRISTMAS CAROLS NIGHT
December 5
End-of-Year Thanksgiving Mass
December 7
Year 6 Graduation Dinner
December 11
Year 6 Graduation Liturgy.
December 13
Last day of the school year.
Raising Hearts and Minds
