Staffing News

At the end of Term Two, we farewelled our Arts Teacher Mrs Veronica Ellis who received a position in the Education Department at the National Museum. We were fortunate enough to employ Mrs Margie Lawson in the role of Arts Teacher last week. Margie comes to us with years of experience in the role and we look forward to seeing our student's creativity continue to develop under her wings each Monday.

We have also welcomed two additional Classroom Support Assistants to our staff, Mrs Bernadette Matthew and Miss Emily Michell. Bernadette and Emily are familiar faces to our students as they have been on our casual support list.

Protective Behaviours

We hope you have had a chance to familiarise yourself with the Protective Behaviours overview and lesson sent out by Ms Mikkonen. The unit is an essential element of a child's education and safety and wellbeing outside school. We would therefore encourage families to have conversations with their children regarding the content of lessons before they are taught so that a team approach is made.

School Disco

We can't wait to have our School Disco next Thursday from 6:00 - 7:00 pm in the school hall. Thank you to Paris Dounoukos and Team Kids for coordinating the event. Tickets can be purchased via Qkr! and additional details are located later in the newsletter.

Given that Team Kids are running the disco, any child who is enrolled in Team Kids next Thursday will be able to move from the program to the disco meaning that parents will not be required to pick up until 7:00 pm. If you are interested in your child continuing from Team Kids to the disco please make contact with Gill and the team.

An Affirmation from one of our Families

'We love St Thomas More's School. It has been inclusive and has a wonderful community feel to it. Students are actively supported and encouraged to reach their potential.'                                                    

St Thomas More's Parent Survey Response 2022

Luke Donnelly
Principal

Sacrament of Confirmation

An information session will be held on Sunday 4th of September after the 9:30am Mass for families of Year 6 students who are interested in enrolling to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Archbishop Christopher Prowse will be joining the Parish on Sunday 30th of October at 9:30am to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with our students. A retreat day will be held at school for the candidates on Wednesday 26th of October. 

MacKillop House for Homeless Women Lyneham ACT

Please consider making a donation this cold winter. MacKillop House offers temporary accommodation, and is filled to capacity with homeless women aged 22- 75 years. The six villas are all occupied with mums and small children. Most of the residents are homeless due to domestic violence. Renovations are desperately needed, any size donation is most welcome!

Direct Transfer
BSB: 062-786
Account: 00010602

Name: CatholicCare Canberra and Goulburn
Reference: ‘MacKillop House”

Yours in Christ

Samantha Mance
Religious Education Coordinator 

Our Scholastic Book Fair is being held in Week 5.

A range of books are sent to the school for children to buy for their home libraries. A commission from the total sales are given to the school to enable us to purchase new books for the school library.

Next week your child will visit the library to browse the shelves and will write a wish list of books they would love you to purchase for them. You are not committed to buy any or all of the books your child wishes for.

This year shopping and purchasing will be done online due to COVID measures in place for our CE schools.

Instructions for paying online

Click on the online payment portal https://parentpayments.scholastic.com.au/BookFairs(as per wish List)

1. Enter State and School
2. Enter credit card details and amount
3. Record receipt number on the Wish List or print receipt
4. Bring Wish List back to the school to collect books.

If you want to know more about the books on your child’s wish list, contact me (nicole.mikkonen@cg.catholic.edu.au) or check out next week’s newsletter and facebook page for details of the books that will be here and available for our students.

Thank you for supporting the love of reading.

Nicole Mikkonen
Teacher Librarian

School Disco Tomorrow 6.00-7.00pm
Tickets on sale until 8.00pm tonight.

Tickets will be on sale through the QKR app unitl 8.00pm tontight. Tickets are $10.00 for one child or $20.00 per family and will include a drink, chips/popcorn and a glowstick. No cash payments will be accepted. If you haven’t downloaded the app go the app store and look for this symbol and search for St Thomas More’s Primary School.

Children will need to be signed both in and out by their parents. For those children that will be at afters, they will be signed in by Team Kids.

School Hats

Now that we are in August, all children must wear a school hat to play. Hats are  available at the front office for $15.00.

School Counsellor

Catholiccare will be running Cool Kids again in term 4. The program is offered for young kids, mid primary, and upper primary aged children and their parents/carers.

Coerver Soccer

Coerver® Coaching is a global soccer teaching method and proven development system. We offer structured skill-improvement programs and school holiday camps for children, aged 3-18, of all abilities, including those who are completely new to the game. We have programs throughout the year including in term programs as well as the Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring school holiday breaks. Our programs are suited to players of all abilities and we ensure everyone has fun while learning soccer moves, skills and technique. Our official Coerver® Coaching accredited coaches ensure participants receive quality coaching throughout each program.

Coerver Coaching ACT Performance Academy 2022/23 Trials

The Coerver® Coaching Performance Academy is a football school for serious, dedicated individuals seeking additional professional training to improve technical ability and become more advanced players. Our mission is to provide comprehensive football education for young players looking to develop the skills necessary to elevate their game to the next level. To trial is free, and open to male and female participants born 2004-2016.

Date: Sunday, 28 August

Venue: University of Canberra, Bruce
Registration Link: https://coerveract.com.au/performance-academy-programs

To see our ‘Champions Start Here’ video, where players demonstrate the skills they learn at Coerver Coaching, please click the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNSADmHe46g

Please see attached correspondance form the Director, Ross Fox