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Dear Parents and Carers,
Many families use technology (desktop/laptop/iPad/phone) as an interactive learning tool; this is an excellent way to build literacy and numeracy skills for children aged 4 - 12 years old.
A computer can be used to book a holiday, use a map using google earth, find a phone number and to do research. Children can learn to send and receive emails and visit websites of family interest. Creating cards for family cultural celebrations, birthdays or a menu for a dinner party using a publishing program is also a skill that children can utilise. Children enjoy learning about the origins of interesting people, sports and foods from different cultures. Now with eBooks available, children can use the computer for reading and listening to songs. Our library offers eBooks through “Overdrive” – I know many of our students are utilising these texts. (If you’d like to know more about this, contact our Teacher Librarian, Liz French).
Here are some interactive websites that are appropriate for primary school children, and that integrate technology to build English and Mathematical skills.
** It’s important to have parental supervision when using the computer and a balance between screen-time and outdoor play.
KidsMatter
See attachment below. An excellent article about emotional development in children and how we can support children to manage their emotions. Worth a read!
Hats Off!
Many years ago, Cancer Council ACT coined the phrase - End of May is Hats Off Day to assist Canberra schools and early childhood services with their hats on (and off) policy. In June and July Canberra children do not need to wear their hat to play; this will assist with their vitamin D requirements.
Marriage as Mission
If you have been married for 10 years or more and would like to discuss and hear about how we can better support marriages in our Archdiocese you are warmly invited to join other married couples at our first Archdiocesan Marriage as Mission Afternoon Tea to be held at Haydon Hall behind St Christopher’s Cathedral in Manuka from 2-4pm on Sat 2nd June.
At the Marriage as Mission Afternoon Tea you will have the opportunity to:
- Learn about Pope Francis’ vision for the accompaniment of married couples
- Contribute your ideas about how we as a Church can better promote and support marriage
- Hear about ways to get involved in ministries already supporting marriages in this Archdiocese
- Network with and feel supported by other Catholic couples from across the Archdiocese
It is fine if only one member of a couple can attend. There is no charge for the event but a donation of $10 per couple on the day would be appreciated to help with catering. Register at http://bit.ly/marriageasmission Enquiries contact Lara Kirk on 0429 192 869 or at lara.kirk@cg.org.au
Yours sincerely,
Julie Wiley
Principal.
At STM we are - Centred in Learning . . .
Come and visit our classrooms on Thursday June 21st between 8:20am and 8:50am OR 3:00pm and 3:30pm.
Your child will walk and talk you through their learning and what they have learned so far this year.
They will show you work and talk to you about how they are Curious, Connected and Collaborative learners.
We look forward to your visit.
Thank you.
Nicole Mikkonen
Assistant Principal
Heroes of Faith
‘Love Tenderly’
Essential Question:
How can the story of Joseph encourage me to be strong and courageous?
This week, as we celebrate National Reconciliation Week, we commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Cited from: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/
This Friday, Year 5/6 White students will be presenting Prayer Assembly and will be reflecting on what courage means and how it takes courage to love tenderly, particularly when relationships have been broken.
As we know with the story of Joseph, he had the strength and courage to show forgiveness and reconcile his broken relationship with his brothers.
As a nation, we too reflect on ways we can show courage to mend broken relationships, learn to live with each other in a just and fair society, where respect is shared between all cultures, particularly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
I would like to thank Year 5/6 White students for preparing Prayer Assembly for St Thomas More’s School community.
I wish you all a very happy and peaceful week ahead.
Donna Victory
Religious Education Coordinator
Mini Vinnies
At our last Mini Vinnies meeting on Friday, 25 May (Week 4) we decided upon organising a Winter Talent Show to fundraise for the St Vincent de Paul Night Patrol Van. The van is operated by volunteers and offers friendship, support and refreshments to homeless people every night of the year. The concert will be held at lunchtime on Thursday, 28 June 2018 (Week 9). We will also organise the Winter Clothing Appeal in Weeks 9 and 10. Details will be provided in the next newsletter. Our next Mini Vinnies Meeting will be Friday 8 June (Week 6).
Kitenden Preschool Update
In Term 1, Mini Vinnies fundraising went towards the Kitenden Preschool Project which is managed by the Future Warriors Project charity. Our school has sponsored this project since 2014 to support the children in this Maasai community in Tanzania, Africa that has been struggling due to drought and modernisation. We receive Quarterly Reports which update sponsors on progress. The most recent report was very heartening. January to March 2018 the preschool had an enrolment of 50 children. Attendance rates are high. The children are taught beginner Swahili and counting skills in preparation for primary school (the Maasai language is spoken and not written and the schools teach in Swahili). The children receive two nutritious meals a day. There has been success with developing a garden and growing soya beans and maize and building a chicken coup. After many months of dry weather, Tanzania has recently experienced the wettest day in 53 years with 178mm of rain. This week we received another email from Sianga Kuyan, founder of Future Warriors Project with recent photos.
For more information on the Kitenden Preschool Project see http://www.futurewarriorsproject.org/our-projects/kitenden-village-preschool.
Seasons for Growth
There will be four groups for the Seasons for Growth Program. Information will be sent home by the end of this week.
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
Deployment Groups
Groups are held on Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtimes (after eating time). 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.
Duntroon Community Centre
Duntroon Community Centre is a facility located on the grounds of the Royal Military College – Duntroon, and offers a diverse array of programs and activities, available to both Defence and non-Defence families. Programs include 3 year old Playschool, Playgroups, craft groups, short courses, community events and social activities. For more information see http://duntrooncommunitycentre.org.au/ .
Defence Families of Australia
Defence Families of Australia have National Delegates located across Australia near most major bases who know their communities and can advocate for you at a local level. The National Delegate for ACT and Southern NSW is Emma Steil. If you would like to have your say on an issue or if you have been unsuccessful in resolving a concern through either your local relevant channels or national channels contact Emma on act.sthnsw@dfa.org.au.
Kookaburra Kids
Kookaburra Kids Foundation run a program for Defence kids aged 8–18yrs who have a parent with a mental illness as a result of their military service (serving and ex-serving). Their Activity Days provide children with an opportunity to participate in activities, meet new friends, learn new skills and have fun. For more information see www.kookaburrakids.org.au .
The next Activity Day for Canberra area is Lasertag on Tuesday 19 June 2018, 5.30-8pm. Contact Nick 6109 0408 or nick.atkin@kookaburrakids.org.au to register.
Feel welcome to visit or contact me on 6249 8869 or send an email to sonja.mingay@cg.catholic.edu.au .
Sonja Mingay DSTA
Work hours: Mon-Wed 9am-3pm, Thu 9-11am
SZapp
We now have a new app replacing Skoolbag and a new look Newsletter which is accessible from the school Website. SZapp is an app with an integrated approach to our website. Please follow the links below to download. Once you have subscribed, the Newsletter will automatically send to you, for those that do not download the app, the newsletter will still be emailed directly to you.
Click here to view SZapp Installation Guide
School Banking
Do you have 10 or more tokens?
If so, it’s time to choose a reward for consistent saving.
Print off the above and fill in your details or write down your reward choice and include it with your next banking.
If you are unsure how many tokens you have, please write us a note and we will let you know.
10 tokens=1 reward. Students with 20 tokens can choose 2 rewards.
The Resourceful Adolescent Program for Parents (RAP – P).
The Program is called The Resourceful Adolescent Program for Parents (RAP – P). This program is suitable for parents and carers of children attending primary school years 5 & 6 and secondary school students attending years 7—12.
RAP – P will help you:
Help your teenager to develop a healthy self-esteem
Help your teenager to gain independence while still feeling safe and part of the family
Manage your stress so you can do your best job as a parent
Prevent and manage conflict with you teenager
Promote harmony in your family
The course is offered 3 hours per week over a 3 week period. DATES: Mondays 18th June, 25th June & 2nd July 2018
TIME: 6pm—9pm
VENUE: 57 Hicks Street, Red Hill FEE: $100 (Concessions available)
Fee includes light supper & course materials
Bookings Essential Contact
1800 068 698
Family Photos
Please call into the Office for your last chance to view your family photo. They can be purchased for $10.00.
