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Dear Parents and Carers,
Yesterday the annual student NAPLAN parent report for students in Years 3 and 5 was sent home. The report contains student results for numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation on an achievement scale. The results provide parents and educators with a snapshot of how students are progressing – individually, as part of their school community, and against national standards over time. Of course, your child’s teacher knows your child’s learning best and the NAPLAN results need to be interpreted in light of classroom monitoring and assessment, teacher feedback, school reports and Personal Plans. The NAPLAN information adds to your child’s school-based comprehensive learning profile.
St Thomas More’s school staff also review the NAPLAN results from an individual and whole school perspective. This work helps us monitor our teaching, evaluate learning outcomes, set school-wide goals, evaluate curriculum and improve the accuracy of our individual analysis of student learning data.
While NAPLAN has its benefits, there can also be some angst attached to the process. I think the most important element, however, is “student growth”. The first thing I do when checking our school’s NAPLAN data is to chart individual student growth. This information is what we celebrate and promote the most.
Summer Sport Registration
It’s that time of year when our students are beginning to register for summer sport. If you are registering your child into a local community comp or sport, please let us know. We can arrange for the Class Contact to send out details to the class - we could have a few STM teams!
Dance Display
Today we had our dress rehearsal for our Dance Display next Wednesday night. It is all coming together! The dance display will begin at 7:00pm sharp next Wednesday, with a sausage sizzle running from 6:00pm. Pay on the night: $2 per sausage and $2 per drink. Remember, gold coin entry for the Dance Display.
Cuppa at the Gate
This Friday, from 8:20am, the School Community Council will be hosting “Cuppa at the Gate”. Stop by, grab a tea and coffee, browse the secondhand clothing pool and have a chat to SCC members.
Centred in Faith Gathering
Please join Year 1 for our Centred in Faith Gathering which will take place in Holy Faith Hall at 9:00am this Friday.
Yours sincerely,
Julie Wiley
Principal.
STM Dance Display
Next Wednesday evening we are delighted to present to you the story dance The Incurable Imagination.
Below is an outline of what happens on the night!
6:00 pm |
BBQ Sausage sizzle for families in the school courtyard. Costs apply. Children wear their outfit to school. Be careful not to spill tomato sauce on your clothes!!!! |
6:40 pm |
Children move to their classrooms and add the finishing touches to their outfits. |
6:45pm
|
Families will enter Holy Faith Hall. Please enter from the rear doors- go through the gates near the toilet block, past the play equipment and through the doors. There is no access through the main doors. Entry by gold coin donation to the school to assist us to cover costs of costumes. |
7:00 pm |
Dance Display begins. Be entertained watching dances from each class which are weaved through a story. |
7:50 pm |
Children return to their classroom with their teacher. Remove costume accessories and wait for parents to collect them. |
*** Please note children MUST be collected by a parent at their classroom, not an older sibling *** Thank you. |
We look forward to seeing you there on the night!
Nicole Mikkonen
Assistant Principal
One Community
in God’s Love
We are a Community
Living in the Spirit
Welcome to week 9.
This week, Year 5/6 wrote some reflective and thoughtful prayers on the Fruits of the Spirit.
JOY
Dear God,
Please help me to be joyful in my everyday life. Help me to enjoy others’ presence and help them to feel joy in their own life.
Amen
Dear God,
Please help me to understand joy and realise all the amazing things I take for granted.
Amen
PATIENCE
Dear God,
Please help me to have the fruit of patience by being less self-centred and instead, put others first. I don’t always need the things I want because there are some people who need more than me.
Amen
Dear God,
Please help me to have more patience, so that I don’t get annoyed at people’s imperfections. Please help me to accept everyone for who they are.
Amen
GOODNESS
Dear God,
Please help me to have the fruit of goodness so that I can be kind and good. Help me to be good to my sisters and my friends.
Amen
Come Holy Spirit,
Fill me with the fruit of patience so that I can have composure and be more calm in difficult situations. Please help me to accept everyone for who they are.
Amen
LOVE
Dear God,
Please help me to love others as they love me, so that I may feel compassion, understanding and love towards people who do the same for me. I pray that you will help me to care for others.
Amen
SELF CONTROL
Dear God,
Please hep me to control my anger and frustration so I can be the best person that I can be.
Amen
Dear God,
Please help me to have self-control when I am angry and annoyed, so that I can be the best person I can be.
Amen
GENTLENESS
Holy Spirit,
I ask to be granted with gentleness so that I can be kind with my words and actions and to respect other people.
Amen
I would like to thank Mrs Sixsmith, Ms Mikonnen and Year 1 students for preparing for and presenting our Centred in Faith Gathering this Friday.
Have a wonderful holiday with your family.
Donna Victory
Religious Education Coordinator
Mini Vinnies
Mini Vinnies have been working extra recesses and lunchtimes to prepare our presentation about St Vincent de Paul. This presentation will occur at the Centred in Learning Gathering on Friday, 27 September (last day of Term 3) which coincides with the Feast Day of St Vincent de Paul.
Seasons for Growth
This week is the final session of the Seasons for Growth Program. There will be a Celebration Session on Friday, 27 September (last day of Term 3) 2-2.45pm.
Holidays
Holiday Happenings is an excellent source of information for programs, events and activities for children in the Spring School Holidays. Children can enter the Colouring-in Competition in the centre spread by 25 September to have a chance to win a family pass to the Pied Piper Production ‘Puss in Boots’. The booklet is online: http://holidayhappenings.com.au .
I hope all families have an enjoyable time over the holidays.
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
Date for your Diary
Monday 11 November (Term 4 Week 5) at 9am – Remembrance Day Liturgy.
Defence Community Organisation (DCO) Canberra eNews September/October Highlights
What Military Christian Fellowship of Australia, Defence Christians’ Dinner 2019
When Friday, 27 September 2019, 7-10.30pm
Where ADFA Cadets Mess, Gallipoli Rd, CAMPBELL ACT 2612
Info Keynote speaker: Chaplain Gary Stone. Published autobiography “Duntroon to Dili – Mayhem and Miracles, Traumatic stress and Trust in God.” For more information:
phone 6266 4950
email mcf.office@defence.gov.au
website https://mcf-a.org.au/events/defence-christians-dinner-2019-canberra/
Bookings http://www.trybooking.com/508117 * please note bookings close 20 September
What KidSMART Program
When Tuesdays, 22 & 29 October, 5 & 12 November, 3.30-5pm
Where Duntroon Community Centre, 1-30 Gymkhana Road, CAMPBELL
Info For kids aged 7 to 10 years. The KidSMART Program is designed to help primary school kids manage issues arising from postings. It helps them learn how to manage change, stay connected with friends, meet new people, cope when they're feeling stressed or anxious and handle emotions. Kids will be provided with afternoon tea upon arrival. Parents don’t need to stay for the session. This program has had excellent reviews from families from our school whose children have attended this program in the past. To register go to https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/an-adf-families-event-kidsmart-postings-canberra-tickets-71612044553 .
Kookaburra Kids
Kookaburra Kids is for Defence kids, aged 8-18years, of serving and ex-serving ADF members. The program targets children who have a parent with a mental illness as a result of military service and offers support to them through the provision of camps and activity days. Referrals can be made at https://kookaburrakids.org.au/how-you-can-help/refer-a-child/ . Once the child has been referred, they will start receiving invites to upcoming events. To find out more call 1300 566 525.
DCO Canberra E-news is promulgated bi-monthly via email. It includes handy information such as upcoming events, contact details for social groups and links to DCO resources. If you wish to be on the E-News mail out list, send a request to dco.canberra@defence.gov.au . Alternatively, ‘like’ the DCO Facebook Page to receive information and updates.
Sonja Mingay
Defence School Mentor
Work hours: Mon-Wed 9am-3pm, Thu 9-11am
Cuppa at the Gate
Come and meet the parent members of the STM Community Council outside the School hall for a cup of tea and coffee on Friday morning, 20th September 8:20am to 8:50am.
Second hand uniforms
Come along and browse the Second hand clothing pool on Friday morning, 20th September between 8:20 and 8:50am outside the school hall.
Gold coin donation for items.
Yours Sincerely
Margaret Deerain
Council Chair
Orienteering
If your child is in years 3 to 6 and interested in this 4 week orienteering course (before school during weeks in October and November) let the front office know. Teams are required have two girls and two boys in each team.
Guitar Lessons
Students can receive guitar tuition at STM during School hours.