Think You Know Workshop - repeat notice

We will be hosting a ThinkUKnow presentation on Wednesday 9 of August at 6:00 pm in the library and all parents, carers and teachers are encouraged to attend. ThinkUKnow Australia is an evidence-based education program delivered nationally to prevent online child sexual exploitation. ThinkUKnow Australia is a partnership between the Australian Federal Police, Microsoft Australia, Datacom and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The presentation will be delivered by a local law enforcement member and an industry volunteer. The presentation is pro-technology and addresses topics including self-generated child abuse material, online grooming, sexual extortion, and importantly encourages help seeking behaviour.

We see this workshop as an important conversation to have in our community and encourage a representative from each family to attend. We also understand that family life can be challenging and will therefore offer the option of joining the meeting virtually over MS Teams. Please complete THIS RSVP to confirm your attendance in person or online. 

Protective Behaviours

We hope you have had a chance to familiarise yourself with the Protective Behaviours lessons sent out by Mrs Mance. 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.

Hats On!

Now that we have entered August it has come to the point that the students will need to wear their hats when outside. If your child has misplaced their hat they can purchase a new one from the front office.

An Affirmation from one of our Families

'The school, teachers and community is amazing, welcoming and supportive. Everyone is passionate and thrives to do the best for the kids and school community.'                                                    

St Thomas More's Parent Survey Response 2023

Luke Donnelly
Principal

Sacrament of Confirmation

Enrolment for those students interested in preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation will take place on the 10th of September at our 9.30 am Parish Mass. This Sacrament is for those in Year 6. The Sacrament will be celebrated on Sunday 29 October at the 9.30 Mass.

Whole School Masses

We will have a whole School Mass at 9:30am Tuesday 8^th of August for the Feast of Mary MacKillop, as well as 9:30am Tuesday 15^th of August for the Feast of the Assumption. Please join us to commemorate these special days in the Church’s Liturgical Year.

Centred in Faith Gatherings

3/4 Green will run our next Centred in Faith Gathering on Friday 11th of August. They will talk about the importance of the Feast of the Assumption for the Catholic Community.  All Centred in Faith Gatherings for this semester are now on the calendar on our website.

Becoming Catholic

Becoming Catholic is a website for those wanting to learn more about the Catholic faith www.becoming.catholic.au The website is a resource for those interested in the Catholic faith, it will help you discover God and explain what it means to be Catholic. The Discovering Prayer section of the website provides a 30 day prayer journey of encountering God. 

Yours in Christ

Samantha Mance

Religious Education Coordinator

Book Week Schedule

Thank you to our families for responding to the survey questions to provide us with data regarding our current home learning practices.

There were 2 initial questions regarding homework. The first was regarding time spent on homework. The majority of our respondents said their child spends less than 30 mins a day completing homework. 9 children spend between 30-40 mins a day completing homework.

There were 48 comments from parents concerning our question around what home learning could look like moving forward.  

3 parents would prefer to have no homework. This was mainly due to family and work commitments outside of school hours as well as the productivity levels of completing homework tasks after a long day at school and work.

The majority of parents said they are happy with the current format. 13 parents also requested a form of research-based homework and some flexible options including the time frame around completing homework tasks.

There was a large consensus around spending 20-30 mins a day on homework.

98% of Year 4-6 students agreed it was important for them to complete homework.

Our staff looked at all survey results and we had a lengthy discussion around a proposal for homework, taking into consideration parent, staff, and student voice. We considered family commitments and what we value in regard to homework.

Our proposal:

• At STM we set homework tasks.
• Homework will be set for all students.
• Homework will be acknowledged when submitted.
• There is no disciplinary action or consequences for not competing homework tasks.
• 15-20 mins reading a night is expected for all grades.

Kinder and Year 1 – reading, tricky words, nightly repetition of these and tasks which consolidate class learning.

Year 3 and 4- fortnightly homework which includes maths and spelling tasks as well as an Xplore More task related to a project type presentation at the end of the term.

Year 5 and 6 – continue with a self-paced structure of homework in preparation for high school.

This proposal will be discussed at the School Community Council meeting next Tuesday night. Please email me by Monday August 7^th with any further comments regarding this or have a discussion with a member of our School Community Council before Tuesday.

Thank you.

Nicole Mikkonen.

Year 3/4

We have been working on sensory poems in Year 3 and 4, ‘A Pelicans View.’

Here are a few examples.

I see fish swim as the birds fly with me to the end of the beach.

I taste the salt water fish as I eat because I am starving.

I hear booming waves and branches swaying violently as I fly across the bay.

I smell dead fish in a small fishing boat nearby as I land on my nest.

I feel the smooth sand on my feet as I waddle across the beach

William

I see ducks, foxes, emus, and geckoes all looking after their babies as I look after my own.

I smell salty, pureed fish from my mum’s mouth in Lake Eyre as I swim for more.

I taste rotten fish from the colossal creels that have been there forever.

I hear other pelicans laughing with satisfaction as they have eaten too many fish.

I feel my furry feathers on myself on myself as I sit in my nest.

Aya

I see fish swimming through the flowing river and the current washing them away. 

I feel the soft crumbling sand beneath my feet as the trees rustle in the wind.

I hear the other pelicans squawking as I slowly lift my feet off the ground and start to fly. 

I taste the salty water of Lake Eyre and catch the fish swimming through it.

I smell the fresh air from the trees and then I join the other pelicans.

By Amelia

The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) will hold its annual public Open Day on Saturday 19 August 2023 from 9am to 4pm, at the ADFA Campus in Campbell. Please note this is open to all members of the general public not just Defence Personnel. It is a great family day and there are opportunities for kids to see and even go inside some of the tanks, planes and helicopters that are used in our Australian Defence Force. The Open Day will provide prospective Navy, Army and Air Force candidates and members of the community with information on life and study at ADFA. There will also be an opportunity to view exciting demonstrations and displays. Staff from ADFA, Defence Force Recruiting, and University of New South Wales will be on hand to provide career and course information about the undergraduate degrees on offer. For more information, please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/events/australian-defence-force-academy-open-day

Defence Club continues on a Wednesday lunchtime. Last week we had Christmas in July craft. Upcoming clubs include beading and a Scavenger hunt. It is always great to see so many students attend and have fun together!

Last week we practised the Fire Drill. Everyone followed all procedures and moved to the assembly area on the oval efficiently with no hesitation. It was a very successful practise and all children and staff should be very proud that it was accomplished so thoroughly.