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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
Principal |
Mrs Julie Wiley |
Assistant Principal |
Ms Nicole Mikkonen |
Religious Education Coordinator |
Mrs Donna Victory |
Kindergarten |
Mrs Cassie Neiufi |
Yr 1 |
Ms Nicole Mikkonen (Mon – 12pm Wed) Mrs Pam Sixsmith (12pm Wed – Fri) |
Yr 2 |
Mrs Christine Washington |
Yr 3/4 Green |
Mrs Samantha Mance (Mon – Thurs) Mrs Helen Bramanathan (Fri) |
Yr 3/4 White |
Mrs Gwen Tarleton |
Yr 5/6 Green |
Mrs Kristy Poole (Mon, Wed – Fri) Mrs Pam Sixsmith (Tues) |
Yr 5/6 White |
Mrs Donna Victory (Mon-Thurs) Mrs Madeleine Reid (Fri) |
Library K-6 The Arts K-6 |
Mrs Liz French |
Italian K-6 |
Mrs Antonija Rover |
Classroom Support Teacher |
Mrs Sharon Melhuish |
Literacy |
Ms Nicole Mikkonen |
Numeracy |
Mrs Kristy Poole |
Kinder Support Teacher |
Mrs Helen Bramanathan (Wed & Thurs am) |
Classroom Support Assistant |
Mrs Amanda Lynch |
Classroom Support Assistant |
Mrs Robyn Eldridge |
Defence Schools Mentor School Chaplain |
Mrs Sonja Mingay |
Office Manager |
Mrs Julie Ogden |
Maintenance |
Mr Peter Hales |
Parish Priests |
Fr Emil Milat Fr Josh Scott |
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 19th 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 22nd (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.
One Community
in God’s Love
WE are a Community of PEACEMAKERS
Welcome back! I trust you all enjoyed your holiday break with loved ones and are ready to begin the school year.
I also welcome any new families to St Thomas More’s School and know that you will very much enjoy your time here.
This year, staff, students and St Thomas More’s School community will tune in, ask questions, explore deeper, make connections and reflect on the life of St Paul the Apostle and his teachings on how to live in community.
Some interesting facts about St Paul:
St Paul the Apostle was once named Saul.
St Paul grew up in Tarsus, a large city in Turkey. He moved to Jerusalem when he was 14 years old to continue his studies of the Torah.
St Paul wrote 13 books in the New Testament. His stories were written before the Gospels.
St Paul would encourage communities to live in harmony, work COLLABORATIVELY and to be KIND and FAIR.
St Paul established the Early Church throughout the Roman Empire.
To begin the year, we will be focusing on the Scripture -
1 Corinthians 12: 12 – 27. ‘The Body of Christ.’
In this Scripture, St Paul is writing a letter to the Corinthians and explaining to them how to live in one community, celebrating everyone’s gifts, and worshipping only one God.
Each term we will support a new understanding of what it means to live in community.
Term 1: We are a community of peacemakers.
Term 2: We are a Eucharistic community.
Term 3: We are a community living with the Spirit.
Term 4: We are a community Centred in Faith.
I wish you all a peaceful start to the school year.
Donna Victory
Religious Education Coordinator
Welcome and best wishes to everyone for a great 2019. I sincerely hope our new families find St Thomas More’s to be welcoming and friendly and soon feel part of our community.
For our new families (not Kindergarten), Help Sheets with class information have been sent home. It would be great if you could return the Getting to know you sheets to the School Office by Monday 12 February (start of Week 2).
St Thomas More’s DSM Support 2019 forms have been sent home this week to all Defence Families and it would be appreciated if these could be returned by Friday 15 February (end of Week 2).
Craft/lego sessions will be held on Monday lunchtimes (after eating time) and relaxation sessions on Tuesdays 1.40pm beginning in Week 3. These sessions will be organised on class rotation throughout the term.
Deployment Group will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtimes (after eating time) starting in Week 3. Please let me know if your family has a Defence parent away (whether it be deployment, course or exercise) and your child would like to attend the Deployment Group.
The Defence Education Assistance Scheme (EAS) is available to Defence students who have moved school as a result of posting (applicable for up to 18 months after moving) and need additional services to help them meet the academic standards of the new school. The application and reimbursement processes for the EAS are managed by the Defence Family Helpline 1800 624 608. Please contact me if you would like more information.
Please be aware that Defence Community Organisation renamed the Defence School Transition Aide Program to Defence School Mentor (DSM) Program. As of 2019, the position title at St Thomas More’s Primary will be known as Defence School Mentor (DSM).
Feel welcome to visit or contact me on 6249 8869 or send an email to sonja.mingay@cg.catholic.edu.au .
Sonja Mingay DSM
Work hours: Mon-Wed 9am-3pm, Thu 9-11am
Welcome and best wishes to everyone for a great 2019. I sincerely hope our new families find St Thomas More’s to be welcoming and friendly and soon feel part of our community.
Mini Vinnies
Mini Vinnies is a group of the St Vincent de Paul Society comprising of students in Years 4-6 who volunteer to help those in need in their school and community with a focus on social justice issues. Mini Vinnies participate in activities such as fund raising, clothing appeals and visiting the elderly. Mini Vinnies meetings will occur every second Friday in the Afters Room at 1.10pm. Students interested in joining Mini Vinnies should come along to an Introduction Session on Friday, 15 February in the Afters Room at 1.10pm
Called to Care Meal Bank
Notes will be sent home in the next week seeking volunteers for St Thomas More’s Called to Care Meal Bank. Called to Care Meal Bank is a roster of volunteers willing to cook one meal for four people. The meals are kept in the school freezer and given to families who are experiencing a hard time for whatever reason. It is anticipated that as a volunteer you may be rostered to contribute once or twice a year (depending of the number of volunteers and the need). This is a great way to show love and care within our own community to families when extra care and support is needed.
Save the Date – Friday 22 February 2019 – STM Community Breakfast
All families are warmly invited to the St Thomas More’s Community Breakfast on Friday, 22 February (Week 3) from 8-8.50am in the undercover area adjacent the library. This is an opportunity to welcome our new families and come together for a chat. Coffee, tea, fruit juice, croissants, muffins and fruit will be on offer. Notes will be sent home this week requesting an RSVP for catering purposes, however, no payment is required.
Feel welcome to visit or contact me on 6249 8869 or send an email to sonja.mingay@cg.catholic.edu.au .
Sonja Mingay
School Chaplain
Work hours: Thu 11am-3pm, Fri 9am-3pm
Music Tuition
Music tuition is available at St Thomas More’s during school hours. If you would like your child to learn a musical instrument contact the Tutors directly .
Piano lessons are available at school with Jaki Kane (BMus Hons) and Andrew Koll (BMus Hons). Please contact Jaki on 0407007362 or email: jakikane@hotmail.com
Flute lessons are available at school with Andrew Koll (BMus Hons). It is best for children to be over the age of 9 before learning to play the flute. Enquiries to Andrew on 0407066304 or email: realbach@tpg.com.au
Violin and Cello are available with Matthew Foster
http://www.mfviolin.com/violin/
Tennis
Join a Tennis Canberra junior tennis group and learn a sport you can play for life.
- Programs run by qualified Tennis Professionals at official Tennis Canberra Clubs
- Groups for all ages and abilities - FREE Trial Available!
- FREE Tennis Racquet & Hot Shots Players Shirt
- Hot Shots Match Play & ACT Junior Team Tennis Competitions
For more information and to sign up please visit: www.tenniscanberra.com.au/junior-tennis
Contact us via email play@tenniscanberra.com.au or 0416 186 121.