Filter Content
Celebrating Mr Barry Nas
This week we remember Mr Barry Nas, who was a dear friend, mentor and teacher of many people within the St Thomas More’s Community. Mr Nas taught music at St Thomas More’s for many years, retiring from our school in 2018. In memory of Barry Nas we give thanks that his gift of music and love of life has touched so many people in our community. Barry will live on in our school as our School Song that we sing at every assembly was sung by Barry.
Those whom we love and lose
are no longer where they were before.
They are now wherever we are.
St John Chrysostom
One of Barry’s great friends, Andrew Chinn, a singer songwriter that STM has worked with and we continue to use his songs for many of our school Masses and liturgies, shared the following comments….
‘Barry was joy. His music was more than notes played with expertise and precision, it was music from the heart, a gift given in the hope that it would grow in the hearts of others. And it did, and it will, and that gift he gave will now be given by others so that Barry will be with us in the songs of love, faith and joy that we share.’
Andrew Chinn, 2021
When Barry retired our students sang this song to him, I thought I would share it with everyone (it is to the tune, Thank you for the Music).
You’re something special,
You’ve been with us now for so long
Mr Nas, we want to say
Good-bye with this song
You have a talent, a wonderful thing
‘Cause everyone listens when you start to sing
We’re so grateful and proud
All we want is to sing it out loud
So, I say
Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing
Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance what are we?
So, I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me
Carols and Rock’n’Roll nights with our family and friends
We loved the Nutbush and the Limbo that never ends
Recorders, ukuleles,
Keyboards and drums
You’ve taught us to sing and
To dance and have fun.
You’re our own music man
And we want you to know we’re your fans
So, I say
Thank you for the music, The songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing
Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance what are we?
So, I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me
We’ve been so lucky
We want to show how much we care
We want to sing it out to everybody
What a gift you have been
Thank you, Mr Nas,
Thank you for the music,
The songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing
Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance what are we?
So, I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me
So, I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me.
Dear Families,
It’s been a mixed week this week, with the excitement of students returning to school, the shock and sadness of Mr Nas’s passing, and the uncertainty of some people being required to isolate due to our changing Covid situations.
For our students at school, everyone has settled in well and had a great start to Term 3. During the holidays you may have seen our display in Launceston Library that was in The Examiner. If you haven’t yet had the chance, I encourage you to go to Launceston Library to see the display.
This week our classroom teachers celebrated NAIDOC Week in many ways. As a school we were visited by Fiona and Jason who taught our students how to make fire the traditional way. Although no-one made any fire, they did succeed in heating the wood and making some smoke. (Some classes will do this next Thursday.)
Ms Rosevear, our Prep T Teacher has informed me that she will be moving interstate next term. We wish Ms Rosevear all the best with her new adventure.
Mr Nas’s funeral notice will be in Saturday’s Examiner. I will provide the details next week; Wendy Nas has asked me to let you all know that you are welcome to attend to celebrate Barry’s life.
We have currently had no further Covid updates. Any students who are unwell need to stay at home and if they have cold or flu symptoms they should have a Covid test.
Kind Regards,
Shayne Kidd
PRINCIPAL
23rd July 2021
Congratulations to the following students who have received awards today:
Our school uniform is a proud symbol of who we are. It proudly proclaims who we are and what we represent.
We ask all families to continue to support their child/ren and our school by providing them with the correct uniform to wear to school. Attached is a copy of the updated STM uniform policy. It incorporates the changes to the sports uniform as well as additions to the uniform (e.g. STM jacket etc).
Please take a moment to go through it to ensure your child/ren has the correct uniform and is wearing it appropriately.
Launceston Parish Bulletin for 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time B (24/25 July 2021) - World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
Regards,
Fr Mark Freeman