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The vision for St Thomas More's Catholic School is to be a vibrant, positive, and energetic learning community, where every child is valued, and where relationships, the Gospel, and our Josephite charism are at the heart of every aspect of our educational program.
We have high expectations for student learning and student behaviour, and aim to support our students to grow into independent and confident learners, but community-minded contributors to society.
Students are invited into an intimate relationship with Christ. We know we have achieved this goal when our students smile when they arrive at school, and are still smiling when they leave.
SACRAMENTALITY OF CREATION
From the awesome power of the ocean, to the tiniest grain of sand; from the warmth and brilliance of the sun, to the slender blade of grass; from the surprising speed of the wind, to the simple beauty of the tree; from the chaos and grandeur of the storm, to the calm and quiet of the stream.
In each of these experiences it is not difficult to sense the divine, to encounter Christ in all things, and to see the glory of God’s creation anew. When Moses experienced God’s presence in the simplicity of the Burning Bush, it is not that God was there in that place and time and then left; every bush is on fire with the presence of God. As St Bonaventure taught us, the footsteps of God, vestigia dei, are visible in all creation.
There is no question that the Sacrament of the Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life, and it is through this ancient and sacred liturgical ritual that we receive Christ. But as St Paul wrote in his Epistle to the Philippians: “Christ is in all things”. In this Christ-soaked world, we experience the sacramentality of creation. Indeed, life itself is a Sacrament. A perfect gift.
May we cherish and hold sacred the sacramentality of this divine gift; in all of its beauty, wonder, ecstasy, joy, hurt, pain, suffering, confusion, complexity, simplicity, surprise, splendour, magnificence, turmoil, challenge, futility, failure, struggle, success, growth, charity, love, and hope. That is the promise of a full life.
“I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.” - John 10:10
Mr Casimir Douglas
Tuesday 20th February, 2024
Image of Aurora Australis in Franklin, Tasmania
Taken by Gill Dayton, March 2023
Dear Parents and Carers,
SALUTATION
Grace to you and peace.
STM TV: WE'RE BACK!
This episode for Term 1 - Week 3, 2024, features the students from our Saint classes. The heat heats up with a special celebration, we enter a kindness raffle, and meet our new Kinders!
STM TV is our school's episodic YouTube show designed to share the key learning experiences of nominated students and classes each week to engage our parents and the broader community in the learning journey of our school.
COMMUNITY WELCOME EVENING
This Monday 19th February, we held our annual Community Welcome Evening. The event provided the opportunity firstly for students to escort their parents to classrooms to share and show off their learning environment, and the work they have produced early in the school year. The classrooms were filled with excited students, curious parents, and teachers who were overjoyed to share their hard work in preparing their classroom throughout the summer holidays for a new and fresh year of learning.
This was followed by a BBQ in the Kitchen Garden area, where families gathered together to enjoy a sausage or hamburger, a drink in the early evening sun, the beautiful music provided by Kim Brown's String Quartet, and the wonderful company of friends and peers to welcome in the new school year.
Thank you very much to Mr Rik Bryan, Mrs Sharon Woolridge, and Mrs Shannyn Hodgetts for the organisation of the event. And, of course, to the members of our School Advisory Board, thank you for sharing your legendary culinary skills and unparalleled tong and spatula techniquie to sizzle sausages and hamburgers for the afternoon. Your service for the school community is greatly appreciated!
30TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAMME
This Tuesday 20th February, we welcomed the education team from the Tasmanian Fire Service into our school to celebrate the thirty year anniversary of the delivery of the Fire Safety Education Programme. The event not only included visiting dignitaries, but also our students and staff were interviewed and featured on ABC Radio Northern Tasmania (91.7 FM), the Examiner Newspaper, WIN News Tasmania, and 7 News Tasmania. Please find below below the YouTube clips of our students and staff featuring in this story.
The programme itself was created by Mr Rod Patterson, and the first school in which he delivered the program was St Thomas More's Catholic School!
Our Grade 3/4 students were treated a special education session with Firefighter Aaron, and we held a School Assembly where we heard from Mr Patterson and Acting Chief Officer, Mr Jeremy Smith, who presented Mr Douglas with certificate acknowledging 30 continuous years of supporting the programme. The celebration concluded with a good ol' fashion sausage sizzle!
Thank you very much to Ms Allison Cornish for her organisation of the event, to the staff who helped in cooking the BBQ for our students and our guests, and to Tasmanian Fire Service and its education team for all the work they do in keeping our young people safe.
ABSENT IN WEEKS 9 & 10
Please note that I will be absent for the last two weeks of this term from Wednesday 2nd April to Friday 12th April whilst recovering from a minor surgical procedure. This only amounts to seven school days with student contact. During this period, Ms Allison Cornish will have overall responsibility for the life of the school and will be supported remotely by Mr Shayne Kidd (Principal Lead: North) should there be any concerns. I am certainly looking forward to increased mobility on the soccer field for the season ahead. But first, it will be patiently resting, and catching up on reading.
FINAL GREETING
May the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
God bless,
Mr Casimir Douglas
Principal
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Awarded by |
To |
For |
|
Miss McLauchlan |
Ruby Rednianko |
For making a wonderful and enthusiastic start at St Thomas More’s. Ruby has begun contributing positively in class |
|
Miss McLauchlan |
Isobel Zegveld |
For her dedicated, curious and positive approach to her new school year at St Thomas More’s. |
|
Miss McLauchlan |
Harrison Geale |
For a really settled, positive start to 2024 and Grade 5, showing positive engagement and contribution within the classroom |
|
Mrs Wheeler |
Lachlan Oakley |
For an excellent start to the new year. Lachlan is focused and ready for learning every morning. His listening skills are amazing. Thank you Lachlan. |
|
Mrs Wheeler |
Ivy Notman |
For an excellent start to the new year. Ivy is focused and ready for learning every morning. Her listening skills are amazing. Thank you Ivy. |
|
Miss Johns |
Finn Spiteri |
For leading by example in classroom rules and expectations. A fantastic start to the year, Finn! |
|
Miss Johns |
Esther Cassidy |
For a wonderful start to Grade 3 and her readiness for learning in the classroom. |
|
Mr Davie |
Ethan Crawford |
For a positive attitude and approach to Grade 6. Ethan demonstrates a hard work ethic, giving every task his best effort and takes pride in everything that he completes, |
|
Mr Davie |
Tohbe Chaston |
For his continuous positive attitude towards his work and school life. Tohbe gives his all to his school work, contributing to classroom discussions and showing pride in his work. |
|
Mrs Carr |
Hugo Artis |
For a brilliant start to Prep, you are a star Hugo! |
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Mrs Carr |
Bonnie Elliot |
For an awesome start to Prep, I am very proud of you Bonnie! |
|
Ms Flynn |
Jack Taylor |
For your tremendous effort and achievement in Maths. Well done Jack! |
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Ms Flynn |
Magnolia Johns |
For being an enthusiastic contributor to our class discussions and a positive role model. Well done Magnolia! |
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Mrs Scharapow Miss Edwards |
Archie Tuson |
Well done on a wonderful start to the Prep year. You are making great choices and we love seeing your welcoming smile everyday. |
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Mrs Scharapow Miss Edwards |
Billie Spears |
For your fabulous start to the Prep year. You are a great listener and learner. Keep up the great work. |
|
Ms Nichols |
Scarlett de Virieux |
For being an amazing classroom helper! Thank you for being so caring, Scarlett! |
|
Ms Nichols |
Lekhya Sompalli |
For a great start to Year 1 at STM. Keep up the wonderful work, Lekhya! |
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Ms Nichols |
Huxley Clarke |
For a great start to Year 2 at STM. Super impressed with your work, Huxley! |
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Mr Farran |
Max Bertram |
For a great start to 2024. Max is a quiet achiever who demonstrates good work ethic and is a positive role model to his peers. |
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Mr Farran |
Jamison Griffiths |
For a fantastic start to Grade 6. Jamison provides positive contributions to the classroom and always shows pride in her work. |
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Mr Farran |
Dante Holmes |
For an excellent start to the new year. Dante has demonstrated a great attitude towards his final year at St Thomas More’s. |
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Mrs Hodgetts |
Lincoln Kirschbaum |
For his excellent start to the school year at STM. Lincoln you have shown courage, resilience and have been a wonderful contributor to our class. |
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Mrs Hodgetts |
Claire Bassett |
For her positive, confident and enthusiastic attitude towards all learning tasks and experiences. |
|
Mrs Taylor |
Aria Rainsford |
For a great start to Year 1. You are always ready and prepared for your learning. A great role model for your peers. Thank you Aria! |
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Mrs Taylor |
Harry Peters |
Harry is a kind and caring class member of ½ Thomas. He listens respectfully and speaks kindly to his peers. Thank you for being so kind Harry! |
A reminder that Gastroenteritis is doing its rounds. Please ensure you do not send your child to school if they have symptoms.
Symptoms as follows:
Loss of appetite, bloating, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, abdominal, pain, diarrhoea.
Gastroenteritis can be highly infectious, therefore it is important that a student with Gastroenteritis stays home, until 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting
or diarrhoea.
Please seek medical advice if you have any concerns.
