Dear Parents and Carers,

First Eucharist Mass

We would normally have all our staff attend the First Eucharist Mass but unfortunately due to restrictions we will only have a few staff in attendance. We are particularly sad about this because we believe it’s important to support our students and families on their faith journey through our physical presence. I look forward to being at Mass with our Yr 3’s on Sunday.

 Principal's Affirmation

Congratulatations to Gemma van Daele and Abel Tidswell
on receiving the Principal's Affirmation last week.

Yours sincerely,

Julie Wiley
Principal

A message from our School Community Council Chair

Update on School Uniform Results 

Thank you to those of you who participated in the school uniform survey. It provided some great feedback on your thoughts about the school and sports uniform and how the school can ensure the needs of our parents and students are accommodated. Feedback provided indicated a need for minor changes to be made to the School Uniform Policy to provide more choice with respect to attire and enable students to feel comfortable during play and sports periods. As a result, the following amendments have been made to the School Uniform Policy:

• requirement for sport’s shoes to be ‘predominately’ white as opposed to all white;
• addition of option for students to wear bike pants or ’scungies’ when wearing the summer dress or sport’s skirt;
• addition of an option for students to wear a plain navy coat/parker in Winter as opposed to limiting the option to the school fleece jumper. 

The survey also indicated a level of support for changing the white sports polo top to a darker colour due to difficulty in cleaning and keeping the shirt white. Considering this feedback, the Council will be asking parents to participate in a follow up survey in Term 4, which will help decide whether this component of the uniform is to change. A two-year transition period would occur to minimise the cost for parents, where wearing either the new or old shirt would be permissible. Regular updates via the newsletter would occur to ensure parents were kept informed to ensure costs were minimised and informed decisions could be made when purchasing the old/new sports polo top. 

Additionally, feedback provided to the Council via these results questioned why the Council was focusing on this issue considering recent events. Whilst it is acknowledged and understood that a change to the school uniform is not considered a high priority at this time, the Council has a responsibility to the school and the parish to discuss issues that are raised by parents, in which this was the case. Considering this feedback, I wanted to take this opportunity to explain the role of the School Community Council.

Role of the School Community Council

The Council provides the opportunity for members of the school and parish to work with the Principal, Parish Priest and staff to provide leadership to the wider school community. The Council operates as both a decision making and advisory body and undertakes a range of functions. Some of the functions include:

• Developing, approving and monitoring the annual budget, including school determined levies, loan commitments and the fee collection and remission policy;
• Approving school uniform items decided at school level;
• Providing input on parent priorities and suggest ideas about Catholic schooling for the school’s strategic plan;
• Providing opportunities for social interaction and for parents to form supportive networks and;
• Providing advice on curriculum, educational policies, student welfare policies, etc.

Previous initiatives implemented through the Council include contributing money through P & F funds for the school to purchase coding resources, organising community BBQ’s and breakfasts including Cuppa at the Gate, Movie night and Fathers and Mother’s Day Out functions both within and out of school hours, purchasing and disseminating of gift cards to teachers and support staff on behalf of the school community and raffles. We are currently undertaking initiatives to ensure parents and the wider community are supported during this difficult time by coming up with ideas to ensure community engagement and involvement with the school i.e. raffles and dinner vouchers and so on. 

The Council is here to listen and support parents and the wider community. The Council sits twice per term and welcomes your feedback and enquiries regarding initiatives for Council consideration. If you wish to get in contact with the Council, please do so by sending an email to stthomasmorecouncil@gmail.com or alternatively please come and see me during pick up/drop off. 

Kind regards,

Sonia Skinn
(Alyssa Year 2 and Rhianna’s Year 3/4 Green mum).