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Reflection
It is not easy to recognise a true prophet. Frequently those with prophetic insight are treated without honour. The people to whom Ezekiel was sent were hard of face, obstinate of heart, a rebellious house. The Galileans who heard Jesus' words were no better. They questioned his authenticity because they thought he was no better than they were and, therefore, he had no right to act superior. We so often resent people who can do what we cannot. This resentment can be magnified when the person is someone with whom we have grown up, a member of the family or of the community.
True believers recognise and admit their human frailty. They also know that genuine weakness does not impede the saving action of God. In fact, God seems to prefer to act where pride and self-satisfaction do not prevail, for such attitudes are obstacles to personal transformation. However, when we open ourselves in humility and honest piety, the power of God can flood our minds and our hearts and shine forth from us to all around. When this happens, there will be no doubt in any mind as to the origin of this wondrous reality. It will be very clear that though it comes through us, it comes from God. The receptivity of Paul in this matter is in sharp contrast to the rebellion of the people at the time of Ezekiel and the resistance of those who thought that they knew Jesus so well.
© Dianne Bergant CSA
Dear Families,
I wish you all a safe and relaxing holiday. School resumes Monday 19th July for staff and students.
We had a great day on Tuesday celebrating St Thomas More’s Feast Day. Our day commenced with a whole school Mass, followed by young talented hopefuls performing at STM’s Got Talent. Our students then went searching around our school for information about St Thomas More in our scavenger hunt. Lunch was a sausage sizzle, thanks to our parents, staff and Fr Chatty who helped cook and prepare the sausages for our children. Our day concluded with our buddy classes sharing activities. A big thank you to Mrs Taylor for coordinating the day.
During this term, we conducted a uniform survey with our families from Kinder to G2 about wearing our sports uniform 5 days a week for Kinder to G2. I thank all the families who took the time to respond, we had 157 respondents. The results of the survey showed that 73% of respondents supported moving to sports uniform 5 days a week, therefore we will be phasing out the green uniform for our Early Years from next year. In 2022 sports uniform will be 5 days a week for our Kinder to G1 and in 2023 sports uniform will be 5 days a week for Kinder to G2. The wearing of the sports uniform supports modern pedagogies as it allows students more freedom of movement.
As the holidays approach it is important to monitor your child’s technology use. One way to do this is to create a family media plan. The best way to create a family media plan is to ensure that all members of the family are involved in creating the plan, addressing these areas:
- How much technology can be used?
- Where technology can be used?
- When technology can be used?
- What technologies can be used?
- With whom technologies can be used?
- How much technology can be used?– Although there is no set suggested time, you need to be considering the quality of the screen time. Is the content supporting or stifling their development? What is your child missing out on by using a screen? How much free play, preferably outside, are they getting each day? For a specific guide – 11 hours sleep, 6 hours school, 2 hours play and 1 hour eating, leaves 2 hours on a school day. In the holidays I suggest you substitute school with craft, play and other activities and only increase the screen time a little.
- Where, what and when to use the technology? – All technology should be used in public, high traffic areas of your home, such as the kitchen or living room. What and when is up to you, but it is not recommended to use devices to play games in the evening before bed, and mobile devices and TVs should not be in bedrooms.
- With whom technologies can be used? You need to specify TV programs different siblings can watch depending on their age. With social media or online gaming discuss with your child who they should be talking/playing with and what to do if someone they don’t want to talk with tries to engage them. (In real life would you let your child play with an unknown adult?) I recommend your child shares with you access to their account.
Finally, I suggest that you include yourselves as part of this plan, have times when you all switch off. Children learn a lot from what they see modelled.
Reference: Goodwin, Dr Kristy (2016). Raising Your Child in a Digital World
Have a great break and God Bless.
Shayne Kidd
PRINCIPAL
Congratulations to Gemma, Zander, Eliska, Max, Lucy, Macie, Stella who have received 25 stickers in their Student Acknowledgement booklets. These stickers are given to students displaying positive and respectful behaviour in the playground. They are great role models for others. Well done!
St Thomas More's Cup: House points update
Congratulations to Tenison house who was awarded the St Thomas More Cup for most House points received in Term 2!
To recap, last year we commenced a House points system to acknowledge the collective effort of individual and House groups, by awarding the House with the most points each term with the St Thomas More's Cup.
House points are collated from the number of school stickers earned by students. The school stickers are earned by being role models and examples of our school rules in our playground - Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be a Learner. House points can also be earned by Houses at the whole school assembly for being respectful audience members.
Please enjoy some of the learning our students have been doing in Japanese during Term 2 STM Japanese Term 2
No lunch orders on Monday 19th July (1st day of Term 3)
Please note there will be no lunch orders on the first day of term 3, Monday, 19th July, due to St Patrick's College having a student free day. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Congratulations to Amani, Macie, Amber and Grace who represented NTNA in the NTNA carnival last weekend, winning the U12 Div A competition. Well done girls!
See attached the Launceston Parish Bulletin for 4th July 2021.
Regards,
Fr Mark Freeman