Dear Parents and Carers,

A very warm welcome to the 2019 school year! A special welcome to new staff, students and families who are joining the St Thomas More’s Primary School community for the first time. I hope everyone’s time at STM is exciting, rewarding and happy.

At 7pm next Monday night, we have Narelle Wickham presenting on “Device and

Internet use” with Primary age children. The presentation will be engaging and interactive. Narelle will also cover a range of mental health issues, for example, the impact of device overuse and when ‘worry’ is anxiety. Narelle comes to us with impressive qualifications and is well regarded around Australia. Entry is $5 and it will be held in our hall. Please come along. Parents from other schools are very welcome to attend – so, bring a friend! For more information go to http://italkmentalhealth.com/?page_id=43

Last week staff participated in a week of professional learning. Together we looked more closely at being “centred in learning” through Inquiry Learning. We also spent a day in prayer and being “centred in faith”. Fr Josh and Fr Emil celebrated Mass with us, which was the perfect opportunity to come together as a staff community in prayer. Friday was a full day of First Aid training for all staff. I am very excited about the year ahead and feel so privileged to have dedicated and hardworking educators in our school. Your children are very fortunate!

Congratulations to Miss Cassie Halls, now Mrs Neiufi, on getting married during the Summer break.

St Thomas More’s Staffing 2019

Newsletter

The newsletter is emailed out to families every Wednesday. On odd weeks, we have “More News” and on even weeks we send out “More Reminders”. The electronic copy can be accessed through our Schoolzine app and on the school website.  You can access the SZAPP link via the school website or by clicking on the following link . http://www.schoolzine.com/szapp. 

School Expectations

At all times, we expect students to respect more, think more and encourage more. Perhaps families could discuss these expectations at home. We also have the “No hat; No play” expectation. It might be a good idea to have 2 hats at school – one in your child’s bag and one that can be left in the classroom.  

St Thomas More Parish

Mass times and other parish information can be found by clicking on the link below -

http://www.stthomasmore.org.au

School Counsellor

We have a new counsellor this year. Her name is Jaye Corkeron. Jaye will work every Wednesday, 9am to 12pm.

Parent Information Night

Parent Information Night is in Week 3, on Tuesday the 19^th of February. Please come along at 5.00pm to visit your child’s classroom and to meet their teacher. We are offering 2 sessions with the same information; First session will be at 5pm; second session at 5:40pm.

Email Correspondence

I would like to advise that staff will respond to emails during professional working hours across the working week. For emergencies, please email me on julie.wiley@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Class Contacts

Yesterday a letter was sent home about the St Thomas More’s Parent Network. This network provides an opportunity for all parents to be connected with other families. We encourage all families to provide their details for the class contact list to promote communication and being kept informed of important class events. Please complete the form and return it to your child’s teacher by the end of Week 2. 

We are also looking for one parent volunteer to be the “class contact” for each class. Being a class contact is a great way to get to know families in your child’s class and be involved in the school community. If you are interested in being a class contact or have any questions, please contact Julie Ogden at the Front Office.  

Supervision Hours

Students are supervised each day from 8.20am until 3.30pm. I would like to remind parents of the importance of ensuring that children are not dropped at school prior to 8.20am. Before and After School Care is available at our school.

Uniform  

Thank you to families for ensuring students are in full school uniform. P.E. days are Wednesday and Friday. A reminder that runners must be predominantly white. Also, boys are to wear navy socks with their summer uniform (not white). White socks are to be worn with the PE uniform.  

Cuppa at the Gate 

Next Friday,15th February at morning drop off, stop by the hall kitchen area for a cuppa and chat. The School Community Council will be there; it’s a good chance to mingle and get to know other parents. The second-hand clothing pool will also be open.

Leadership Badges

Our Year 6 leaders will be presented with their badges during our assembly on Friday, February 22^nd (Week 3). Parents are warmly invited to join us for this special assembly. It will begin at 9am, after the welcome breakfast.

Yours sincerely,

Julie Wiley
Principal.