St Thomas More's Catholic School Newstead eNewsletter

THE 2024 SCHOOL YEAR - A REFLECTION

“This is the real secret of life – to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realise it is play.”

– Alan Watts

The quotation above from British philosopher, writer and speaker, Alan Watts, comes from his Essential Lectures Collection recorded in 1972, from a lecture titled, Work & Play. It speaks partially to Hungarian psychologist’s Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s research on flow state, and the wellbeing benefits of being so immersed and focused on our task that we lose track of time itself. But it also speaks to both seeing and seeking work as play. To empower ourselves to be engaged in work that promotes dynamic engagement, creativity, experimentation, curiosity, and wonder. The learning, personal growth, and self-actualisation that this mindset promotes is self-evident.

And this is the task of Catholic education, to not only prepare and deliver these experiences for students in the classroom each year, but each and every single day. Every day is different, and every student is different, and designing and cultivating an educational experience that caters for the vast range of variables presented to a school community is an imperfect science, but a science that we are committed to approaching with a spirit of play and pursuit of excellence. The journey of 2024 for St Thomas More’s Catholic School has not been without its challenges. But without challenge there cannot be growth. I will attempt to capture some of that unique journey of challenges and successes here, in as much as words can emulate experiences.

The central pillar and focus of our school is our faith and our Catholic identity, and in 2024 our students participated in: daily class prayer; Monday morning Prayer Assemblies; weekly class liturgies with Fr Jessie Banez, Fr Vinco Muriyadan, and Fr Leonard Caldera; a number of whole school Masses held in the Church including the Feast Day of St Thomas More; weekly Christian meditation on Tuesday mornings; multiple Making Jesus Real sessions each term with Mr Davie; raising money for Project Compassion; and welcoming His Grace, Archbishop Julian Porteous, to celebrate Catholic Education Week Mass with us in our Church.

There were a number of unique initiatives, some commenced and some completed, in the 2024 school year to enhance student learning, celebrate student achievement, and promote the life of the school to the community. This included the continued implementation of the Insight initiative, so that the principles of evidence-based high impact teaching practice are evident in every class, every day; the incredible Little GEM Production at the Door of Hope, featuring 180 of our Early Years students as choreographed by Adam and Sarah at TasDance; the review and renewal of the school’s approach to positive behaviour support in terms of the structures, incentives, rewards, routines, and expectations; and the planning, development, and publication of the Strategic Plan (2025-2030): Fostering Greatness, which seeks to ensure that every student finds their voice, that we deliver high performance teaching, that we establish our school as a leader in wellbeing practices, and that we commit to resourcing our growing community.

There were also a number of significant upgrades made to the school environment, both aesthetically and functionally. This included the installation of the new hybrid Basketball Hoops/Futsal Goals; the replacement and upgrading of the fencing on the courts; the installation of the timber panelling on the western wall of the School Office building; major plumbing works to improve drainage and the schools stormwater capacity in school holiday periods; the repairs and maintenance for the Grade 1/2 More classroom; the creation and installation of the Gospel Values Actions posters as visual environmental cues, and the purchasing of the land on which the old Parish Presbytery currently sits to enable planning for the commissioning of a new Early Years facility as a major building project.

As we anticipate the holiday break ahead, and embrace the opportunity for renewal and recreation, I encourage the staff, parents and students of St Thomas More’s Catholic School to use this time to seek stillness and quiet reflection. The rhythm of busyness in our lives tends to persist as we transition from school days into holidays; the season of giving brings with it a season of organising, budgeting, travelling, and buying. Rather than giving in to our preoccupation with the external pressures of agendas, demands, and requests, may we make the time in silence to discover the truth of what drives us from within: the love of God and the love of our family and friends. To finish I would like to express my most heartfelt and sincere gratitude to all those who have contributed to the task of educating and forming our students in 2024.

God bless,

Mr Casimir Douglas

Tuesday 10th December, 2024

Dear Parents and Carers,

SALUTATION

Grace to you and peace.

YEAR 6 GRADUATION MASS

Our Year 6 Graduation Mass & Awards Ceremony was held at Sacred Heart Church in Newstead this Monday (16th December) evening. It provided an opportunity for the staff and the families working with the graduating class of 2024 to; celebrate their educational journey for the past eight years, join in the Eucharistic liturgy together, present the recipients of our Excellence & Honours Awards, acknowledge the parents who have supported their children through Primary School, and thank the staff for their guidance of our young people.

Congratulations to all Year 6 students on their graduation, and we wish you all the best in your transition to High School. And don't forget:

- You are not defined by your grades... but by the content of your character. Never see a need without doing something about it.

- We do not want to see you again... as you are now. Do not be content and continue to grow.

- It does not matter if we are proud of you... it is most important that you are proud of yourself. Love yourself for who you are, you are always enough!

Please find below the names of the recipients of our Year 6 Excellence & Honours Awards for the 2024 school year:

Academic Achievement Award:

Excellence Award - Maggie Beaumont

Honours Award - Maxwell Ferguson & Maggie Beaumont

Patrick Carney Arts Award:

Excellence Award - Pippa Harmey

Honours Award - Ivy Fankhauser

Sportspersonship Award:

Excellence Award - Halle Turner

Honours Award - Ethan Crawford & Eliza Davie

Citizenship Award:

Excellence Award - Isabelle White

Honours Award - Grace Goss

GRADE 6 GRADUATION DINNER

This past Friday evening (13th December), we celebrated our Grade 6 Graduation Dinner at the Tailrace Centre. One of the most memorable moments of the evening was the joyful scene of students and families capturing photos together before the event began—moments of laughter, love, and a few happy tears as they marked this special milestone.

The evening began with heartfelt gratitude as the students led us in a beautiful prayer, reflecting on their journey at St Thomas More's Catholic School. Following a delicious dinner and dessert, the dance floor came alive! The students and parents joined together for lively renditions of Nutbush and Waka Waka, with the parents enthusiastically showing that they still have some great moves!

A huge thank you to the Grade 6 teaching team for their dedication and effort in organising this incredible event. Their thoughtful planning made it a truly unforgettable evening for our graduating class of 2024.

FAREWELL, ROBYN!

Today (Tuesday 17th December), we bid a heartfelt farewell to our beloved Road Crossing Patrol Officer and Kitchen Garden Monitor, Robyn Eltringham, who has dedicated over two decades of service to our school. After her final morning of ensuring our students' safe arrival, the entire school gathered at the front gate on Abbott St to form a guard of honour for Robyn's emotional final walk. Robyn’s commitment to St Thomas More’s Catholic School has been nothing short of extraordinary. Not only did she know each child by name, but she could also identify every parent by their car, making her presence a source of comfort and safety for all. Her reliability, kindness, and unwavering dedication have become a cornerstone of our school community.

Although Robyn will be retiring from her official duties at the gate, we are blessed that she will continue to be part of our school family through her volunteer work. Robyn will continue tending to the school’s gardens and sharing her love for cooking with students in the kitchen. Her legacy will live on in "Robyn’s Kitchen Garden," a tribute to her invaluable contributions. We are forever grateful for Robyn’s generosity, patience, and the profound impact she has had on St Thomas More’s Catholic School. Robyn, you will always be a Saint of our school, and we thank you for everything you’ve given to our community.

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THANK YOU!

In reflecting on the achievements of 2024, I would like to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to the parents of our school community for their unwavering support, engagement, and generosity in volunteering their time and talents. Parents are, and always will be, the first and most important educators of their children—a role that encompasses not only guiding their academic growth but also nurturing their character and faith. This vital partnership between home and school creates the foundation upon which all great learning and formation are built. I would like to thank our P&F, led so capably by Tamara Rimmelszwaan and Alecia Bowman, for their outstanding contributions this year. Their dedication has enabled numerous initiatives and experiences for our students, including a commitment of $10,000 towards the construction of a Gaga Pit in 2025, which promises to enhance the play and social opportunities for our children. Special thanks also go to Peta-Marie Goss for her driven and thoughtful representation of our school within the Catholic Schools Parent Council, ensuring our parent voice is heard at a wider level.

I would also like to acknowledge the invaluable advice, guidance, and camaraderie provided by the members of the School Advisory Board, whose work is instrumental in shaping the daily life, student experience, and governance of St Thomas More’s Catholic School. Under the steadfast leadership of Derek Bye and Lisa Amerikanos, the Board has been a key partner in navigating our challenges and planning for our future with wisdom and care. Your contributions have truly been a gift to our school, ensuring that we remain focused on delivering excellence in education and wellbeing for every student.

I would also be remiss not to highlight the exceptional contributions of Ms Allison Cornish, our Deputy Principal, whose leadership moves our bus forward each and every day. Ms Cornish wears many hats within our school, leading initiatives in learning and teaching, supporting staff and students with care and professionalism, and playing a pivotal role in fostering our Catholic identity. Her ability to inspire, organise, and energise those around her is nothing short of extraordinary, and her contributions to our school’s success in 2024 have been immeasurable.

No reflection on the year would be complete without acknowledging the extraordinary contributions of all staff to the mission of our school. Each member of our team, whether in the classroom, administration, or support roles, has played a vital part in bringing to life the vision and values of St Thomas More’s Catholic School. Your dedication, professionalism, and care create an environment where every student feels seen, valued, and supported to thrive. A special mention must go to Mrs Denise Morgan, who retired at the end of 2024 after 30 years of exceptional service to our school. Mrs Morgan’s wisdom, compassion, and unwavering commitment to her students and colleagues have left an indelible mark on our community. We thank her for her incredible legacy and wish her every blessing in her well-earned retirement.

To our students, who are the very purpose, focus, and heart of our educational enterprise, thank you for your energy, curiosity, and boundless potential. Each of you brings unique gifts to our school, and it is a privilege to walk alongside you as you grow in knowledge, faith, and character. You remind us daily why our work is so important and so rewarding. Thank you for making 2024 a year filled with moments of joy, learning, and achievement.