St Thomas More School Newsletter - Term 1, Week 5 2024
Our Newsletter | 2024
Year 1 | "Our Learning" in 1CC and 1MA
A message from Connie Carter, Year 1 Teacher
During the first two weeks of school, 1CC have been engaging in play-based learning each morning. Here is some of the learning students have chosen to consolidate during this time.
Practicing handwriting, writing words and sentences, creating feeling faces using playdough, drawing, using imagination and creating interesting things at the collage table.
Play based learning is also a great time to refine our social skills like sharing taking turns and co-operating.
We have also learnt about being Bucket Fillers. We are all trying hard to be bucket fillers to make our classroom a happy and safe place. Bucket fillers' are those who help without being asked, give compliments, and generally spread their love and good feelings to others.
During our Literacy block, we have engaged in a variety of tasks to help us learn our letter sounds and heart/tricky words. It’s lots of fun using playdough, special tracing sheets and lots of other engaging tasks, to help us learn during our Literacy block.s
A message from Michael Arthur, Year 1 Teacher
In 1MA, our first weeks have been filled with stories, creativity, and the beginnings of a beautiful classroom community. Guided by the heartwarming tale "Our Class Is A Family" by Shannon Olsen, we've laid the foundation of support and unity, visualised through our collaborative handprint artwork. This gesture of togetherness set the tone for our year ahead.
"Owl Babies" by Martin Waddell introduced us to the gentle exploration of emotions, teaching us the value of reassurance and belonging. Our students expressed these themes through creative art, using innovative techniques that brought the story's warmth into our classroom.
Beyond these literary adventures, we've woven literacy and numeracy skills into our daily activities, alongside moments of mindfulness through meditation and yoga. These practices are nurturing a sense of calm and focus, enriching our learning experience.
As we move forward, the enthusiasm and kindness of our 1MA community shines brightly, promising a year of memorable growth and connection.
Connie Carter and Michael Arthur
Year 1 Teachers
A Message from our Leadership
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Students, and Friends of St Thomas More,
Welcome everyone to Week 5 of Term 1.
Year 3 and Year 5 | NAPLAN
During weeks 7 and 8, our Year 3 and 5 students will be participating in the NAPLAN assessments.
At St Thomas More School, we are dedicated to preparing your child for these assessments and using them as one of many tools to understand and support each student’s learning journey. In preparation for NAPLAN students, a practice test was conducted this week to familiarise students with the format of the assessments so that they can feel more comfortable and confident to take the tests.
If you have any questions or concerns about the NAPLAN assessments or if you would like to discuss your child’s participation and support, please feel free to contact us.
Community | Do you want to volunteer?
We are looking to increase our pool of registered volunteers at St Thomas More School.
It is a privilege to have the support of parents and caregivers who are willing to volunteer their time and efforts to support our school. Once you are a registered volunteer you can support with excursions, canteen, School Board and school events.
How you can become a volunteer...
There is a process for becoming a registered volunteer and the front office can give you more information. Regular inductions will be held throughout the year and information regarding these will be communicated to you. We value your contribution to our school community and support of the many events we have planned for this year.
School Policy | Grievance procedure
A reminder is given to all parents and caregivers that if there are concerns about situations that have occurred, you are to initially speak with classroom teachers to clarify information you have about it. Issues are also brought to the attention of Leadership staff and the appropriate follow up is enacted. Please do not approach students on school grounds to question them about issues between students.
School Policy | Arrival times
It has come to our attention that several children are arriving at school after the morning bell. This is very disruptive for classes and not a good beginning to the day for the child. We understand that on an occasional day, things do not run smoothly at home or travelling to school, but we stress the importance of arriving at school between 8.30am - 8.45am to ensure that classes can begin promptly at 8.45am.
Parents/Caregivers should be clear of classrooms by 8.45 am to enable the morning routine to commence. If we truly value children’s learning, then we must make the most of every minute of their classroom learning time.
Gates will be opened at 8.30am and locked at 9.00am in the morning and re-opened at 2.45pm and locked at 3.15pm in the afternoon. We thank you for your support with this matter.
School Policy | Uniform
The uniform policy of St Thomas More School addresses the total appearance of the student while at school.
The uniform is seen as an internal and external statement of the quality education offered at St Thomas More School. In effect, it presents to the public an image that is in line with the school ethos. In addition, the uniform is a means of helping to develop unity and pride within our community.
The uniform policy is developed by the school community and approved by the School Board. It is an expectation that all students will comply with the policy in all its requirements. Indeed, enrolment at the school is dependent upon parents accepting and supporting the school’s uniform policy and rules.
Generally, the students are wearing the correct uniform and look very smart. Please enquire at the front office if you are unsure about any aspects of the winter uniform.
Community| Pupil Free Day Reminder
Please note that there will be a Pupil Free Day on Friday 8 March (Week 6). OSHC facilities will be available for families. Bookings for OSHC are essential, contact OSHC Director, Cheryl Bielby on 7285 5555 / 0409 551 699.
Ensure you freuently check our School Calendar for important events and dates.
Community | Sports Day
Our whole school sports day this year will be held in Term 1. Please join us on Friday 12 April (last day of term) to cheer on our students in the various events they will be participating in and support our wonderful sports teams. More information will follow as we approach the day.
To get us in the Sports Day spirit - let's flashback to last years awesome Sports Day!
Shaping our future together,
The Leadership Team
Faith and Community
Liturgical Calendar
A Liturgical Calendar shows the cycle of seasons in the Catholic Church. The Church year consists of six liturgical seasons: Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time after Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time after Pentecost. In each newsletter we aim to highlight different events in the Liturgical Calendar that we might be focusing on or celebrating in our school.
Special celebrations that we focus on during classroom and whole school prayer throughout term 1 and those that come up in our liturgical calendar include:
Week 6
- 9th March - Ramadan Begins
Week 7
- 17th March - Feast of St Patrick
Week 8
- 19th March - Feast of St Joseph
- 21st March - Harmony Day
Week 9
- 24th March - Palm Sunday
- 28th March - Holy Thursday
- 29th March - Good Friday
Week 10
- 31st March - Easter Sunday
For more important dates, please view our School Calendar for Term 1 2024.
Faith| Lent
With Ash Wednesday beginning the Season of Lent, we are reminded that it is a special time when we stop and think about how we can play our part in God’s hope for a world that is fair, just, and peaceful. Through prayer, fasting and almsgiving we take the focus from ourselves and instead focus on our relationship with God. Vicki Rubino led our combined schools prayer last week for students and staff across both schools guiding us to focus on being more caring and loving towards each other just as Jesus showed us.
During the season of Lent, is the perfect time to create opportunities where we can be a support to others in our wider world and to those within our own school community.
With a focus on ‘giving’ during Lent, you may have heard about our ’40 items for 40 days’ campaign where students, families and staff who wish to join in, can donate 40 items over 40 days to charity.
Community | St Thomas "Mini Market"
Giving to others
Towards the end of 2023, one of our school parents Nathan Craill, shared an idea with us as a plan to support our very own school community. With the rising cost of housing, weekly groceries, and household bills, and recognising that we can all do with some support sometimes, he suggested implementing a ‘giving cupboard’ where families can ‘give’ food items and ‘take’ food items when in need.
With the start of the season of Lent and the focus on ‘giving’ to others and those in need, we decided this was the perfect time to launch our very own St. Thomas More ‘Mini Market’.
Our ‘giving cupboard’ will be set up in a section of the counsellors building and will be open for families to visit on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning between 8.30am – 8.45am If you have any non – perishable food items that you would lie to donate, you can leave these in the basket inside the front office. If you would like to come and have a look, we will be open and ready to go on Wednesday Week 6.
Years 3 - Year 6 | Mass
Join us as we celebrate the third week of Lent with Mass in the Jubilee Hall on Tuesday March 5 at 12 noon.
Faith | Holy Week
Join us as we celebrate Holy Week through story and song in week 9. Dates and times tbc.
Faith | Sacrament Program
Our Sacrament Program begins this weekend. For those families who have enrolled in the program or are wanting to enrol, please be aware of the following dates:
- Baptism Workshop
Saturday, 2nd March | 9am - 11am | St Thomas More Church (19 Laverstock Road, Elizabeth North) - Eucharist Workshop Session 1
Saturday, 23rd March | 9am - 11am | St Thomas More Church (19 Laverstock, Elizabeth North) - Eucharist Workshop Session 2
Saturday, 13th April | 9am - 11am | St Thomas More Church (19 Laverstock Rd, Elizabeth North)
AFL Clinics
Our students are taking part in a 3 week long AFL Clinic during this term.
As part of their Certificate 3 VET Course for Sport and Recreation, seniors from SEDA College providing our students with a three week AFL Clinic during their weekly PE lessons.
These clinics have focused on developing hand and foot skills, spatial awareness and improving overall confidence and general AFL capabilities.
Our students have been highly engaged and thoroughly enjoying their Footy clinics.
At St Thomas we will continue to strengthen the relationship with SEDA college to provide additional sporting opportunities to Cour studentsand to form community connections.
Cristian Morgado
PE Teacher/Sport Coordinator
Important Dates and Events
March 8 | Pupil Free Day and International Women's Day
March 9 | Ramadan Begins
March 11 | Adelaide Cup - Public Holiday
March 12 |Swimming Week R-4
March 15 | Assembly, 9am - Hosted by Year 3/4
March 17 | St Patricks Day
March 18 - 20 | Camp 5-6
March 19 | Feast of St Joseph
March 20 | World Story Telling Day
March 21 |Harmony Day
March 24 |Palm Sunday
March 27 |St Thomas More School, Elizabeth Park - Annual General Meeting, 6.30pm
March 28 | Holy Thursday
March 29 |Good Friday - Public Holiday
March 31 | Easter Sunday
April 1 | Easter Monday - Public Holiday
April 5 | Assembly, 9am - Hosted by RSH
Apri 9 | Ramadan Ends - Eid al-Fitr
April 12 | Sports Day and Last Day of Term 1
Out-of-School Hours Care (OSHC)
2024 OSHC runs daily from 6:30am to 8:30am and 3:00pm to 6:00pm. To make a booking, please call our OSHC Director on 7285 155 / 0409 551 699.
Birthdays!
At St Thomas More School we like to take any opportunity we can to celebrate and eat cake! Let's take a look at the special students who celebrate their birthdays in February this year...
Seth K
Ryder C
Mason M
Mason H
Archer B
Archie S
Veronica B
Freddie F
Ryder E
Patrick C
Summer G
Myles H
Tully M
Annabel-Grace B
Molly D
Behzad J
Kayleigh C
Georgia B
Lateisha J
Mason B
School Life
Safety Before and After School
For the safety of our students the following yard safety protocols have been implemented:
- Before School:
- Gates open at 8.30am
- Students attending before this time will be placed in OSHC and this will also incur a fee
- Students and parents/caregivers meet in the courtyard.
- Play areas are out of bounds - these include playgrounds, nature play space, ovals and basketball courts.
- School bell rings at 8.45am and students should move to their meeting areas to meet with their teachers.
- Parents/caregivers should leave the school grounds before the gates are locked at 9am.
- After School:
- Gates open at 2.50pm
- School bell rings at 3.00pm and students are dismissed from their classes
- Play areas are also out of bounds after school.
- Gates will be closed at 3.10pm.
Teachers have discussed and practiced the procedures involved with these protocols so that the students are very familiar with these. We thank you for your support in following them contributing to a safe and orderly start and finish to the school day.
Absentee Process
If your child is not going to be at school for any reason, you must inform the school by:
- Phone (before 9:00am): 7285 1500
- Schoolzine / Szapp / School Website (before 9am)
In a case where you know your child will be absent the following day please inform your child's teacher and the Front Office directly.
If a student’s name appears on the class roll as Absent without a verified explanation, our Front Office will send an SMS to a parent’s/caregiver’s mobile to confirm the absence, and the absence will be followed up asap.
Late Arrival Procedures
If a student arrives late (after 9am) they must report directly to the Front Office to receive a Late Card. Failure to do so may result in being marked as absent and may mean that an SMS is sent to the parent’s/caregiver’s mobile phone.