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.

ANSWERING QUESTIONS WITH QUESTIONS

Have you ever been in conversation with another person where you are asking them a very clear series of questions, but for whatever reason, they are not giving, and you are not getting, a straight answer?

Then you would be experiencing the same feelings, sensations and frustrations that Nicodemus was in his dialogue with Jesus in Chapter 3 of the Gospel of John. This Sunday’s Gospel (4th Sunday in Lent, Year B), includes a passage of Jesus’ extended response to Nicodemus after he had just asked Jesus a litany of questions. 

I am told that Jesus only directly answers just 3 of the 183 questions that He is asked in the four Gospels! I will let you count them… And Nicodemus’ questions are no exception. Jesus appears to be evasive as he answers questions with questions, answers questions with parables, and answers questions with direct quotes from scripture that all avoid a direct literal response.

But why? Does Jesus not have the answers? Is he simply attempting to frustrate his audience? Or is simply attempting to obfuscate the truth? Either way, the manner in which Jesus responds to questions is totally surprising to people who have grown up assuming that the very job description of religion is to give people answers and resolve people’s dilemmas.

This is not to say that Jesus’ purpose was to intentionally obscure His meaning. Instead, Christ’s questions, parables, and scriptural references are intended to pique their curiosity of the learner, to inspire reflection, and to challenge their thinking. And in creating that space of contemplation for His audience, Jesus invites them to arrive at the truth on their own. For those who deal in black and white, they ask a direct question and expect a direct answer, and if they don’t like the direct answer they receive, they reject it. Christ’s approach to allowing his followers and challengers alike to arrive at the intended truth of His words on their own accord is creating space for them to accept and receive the Good News; rather than risk rejection through enforcing it, and  - that would make Jesus no better than any of the military or industrial leaders of His time. For it is through God’s grace that the acceptance of truth and transformation of the heart occurs, not through forceful actions - the world is not black and white.

To close this reflection, I offer the thoughts of my favourite theologian and spiritual writer and thinker, Fr Richard Rohr, on this topic:

“Instead, Jesus asks questions, good questions, unnerving questions, re-aligning questions, transforming questions.  He leads us into liminal, and therefore transformative space, much more than taking us into any moral high ground of immediate certitude or ego superiority. He subverts up front the cultural or theological assumptions that we are eventually going to have to face anyway.  He leaves us betwixt and between, where God and grace can get at us, and where we are not at all in control… Easy answers instead of hard questions allow us to try to change others instead of allowing God to change us. At least, I know that is true in my life.”

Let us not be people who give easy answers, rather than ask hard questions. Let us not focus on being the knower and being right, rather than being the learner and getting it right. Let us be Christ for one another, when we are stuck in the mindset of Nicodemus. Let us not try to change people ourselves, but create space for the grace of God to transform their hearts.

Mr Casimir Douglas

Tuesday 5th March, 2024

Dear Parents and Carers,

SALUTATION

Grace to you and peace.

STM TV: JOYFUL JOURNEYS

This episode for Term 1 - Week 5, 2024, features the students from our Thomas classes. This week we have delicious adventures with the Preps, Holy connections with 1/2, personal sacrifices in 3/4 and off to camp we go!

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.

PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS: PURPOSE

As we are all aware, Parent-Teacher Interviews commence next week. These interviews are of critical importance to the learning journey of our students. Research indicates that the quality of the relationship, communication and partnership between home and school is significant to student success in learning. The interviews provide a forum for discussion of the holistic progress of each student throughout Term 1. I have encouraged our teachers to continue to be open, honest, transparent, and even forthright with our parent community in these interviews. An honest appraisal of your child’s learning is key to student progress and improvement. The best information equals the best outcome. The key expectation is that we set high standards for our students, and I trust that these are communicated to our parent community. Thank you, in advance, to all parents scheduled to meet with their child's teacher this week. Your visible and tangible participation in your child's education and the life of the school makes a significant impact on your child's educational achievement. 

PARKING ON CAMPBELL ST

It has been brought to the attention of the school that a number of parents/carers are parking illegally at both pick up and drop off times on Campbell St. This includes parking on yellow lines, parking over the entrance to school car park, parking the bus zone, and parking over the pedestrain crossing. These behaviours jeopardise the safety of our students by restricting traffic flow, further narrowing the passage of vehicles on the road, and creating unpredictable road conditions. The safety of our students and families at pick up time is paramount. We all have places to be at the end of the school day; but these needs do not trump the law, road safety or student safety.

ENROLMENTS FOR YEAR 7 @ ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE

Just a reminder for all parents and carers of Year 6 students that Enrolment Applications for current Year 6 students to attend St Patrick's College in Prospect for Year 7, 2025 close on Thursday 11th April (Term 1 - Week 10).

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

Please find below, the Uniform Protocol for students at STM. As it is a new year, it is a good idea to have a read through and ensure your child is wearing the correct uniform for their year, this includes hair and jewellery expectations.

Expressions of Interest are now open for enrolments for Kinder 2025.

Please visit our school website to complete an Expression of Interest form via the link: link