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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.
I LOVE FOOTBALL
I love football. My earliest memories of childhood are full of kicking the frost off the grass at the Ulverstone Show Grounds and playing three, four or five games of football across multiple age groups every Saturday morning, with my father as the President of Junior Club organising the whole show every weekend. I loved it then. I love it even more now. And yes, I call it football, not soccer, football.
My formative memories of early adulthood are also coloured by football. Since that age, I was aware, cognisant and intentional that the three key anchors in my life were the three F’s: Faith, Family, and Football. Why anchors? Because I knew these three critical dimensions of my life are what would sustain me, support me, renew me, and guide me through the difficult waters ahead.
Being involved with the game of football has afforded me so many opportunities, benefits and successes: learning the importance of hard work, practice and routine; making life-long friends and wide network of mutually beneficial relationships; valuing and embedding a habit of physical exercise; cultivating a sense of belonging and connection; winning two Senior Men’s State Championships; having a cupboard full of Best & Fairest and Golden Boot trophies; but most importantly, just getting to play the game I love.
I do distinctly remember the 2004 State Championship game against Tilford Zebras at the KGV Ground in Hobart. I played in centre midfield that day, and was given the task of battling against the best player in the State at the time. Lo and behold, after 15 minutes he skipped around me and was brought down in the box, and scored the subsequent penalty. Thankfully, our captain, Snow, was two feet taller than everyone else on the pitch and deadly from corner balls. In the second half, Snow scored two headers to win the game and claim the 2004 State Championship.
After the game, I was mesmerised by my State Championship medal. The highest honour that football in our State could award, the highest accolade I could achieve in the game I loved, in the place I lived. I sat the medal next to the bag and headed into the showers. Unfortunately, when I returned to my bag… the medal was gone! I looked everywhere in the change rooms for that golden symbol of my greatest personal sporting achievement, but to no avail.
Thankfully, I was seated next to one of the most experienced players in our team, Howie, who had seen my distress and my frantic searching. And in one of the most generous, selfless, and kind acts I have ever been the recipient of, he simply offered me his medal, and insisted that I keep it. Being a young and naive man, I accepted the medal and still have it all these years later.
Luke Beveridge, the coach of the Western Bulldogs in the AFL was lauded for a similar act in which he had presented his own Grand Final medal as Head Coach to injured player and Captain, Bob Murphy. But Bob had the good sense to give it back to him only a few days later.
And now it’s my turn. I am undertaking to return the 2004 State Championship medal to Howie. I now realise that his gift to me was not the medal, and therefore, I do not need to keep it. The gift was his act of leadership, of selflessness, of generosity, and of kindness. His gift was the lesson of leadership, of character, of seeing a need and doing something about it, of humility, and of hiddenness. All principles that are characteristic of our Josephite charism at St Thomas More’s Catholic School, and that I strive to live into every day at our school.
My thoughts on the value of the game may be overly romanticised, but they are real. I have so many stories of learning from football like the one Howie taught me. This is the best argument I can put forward for engaging your child in organised sport, and ensuring that the organisation shares your values and the values you wish for your child to carry forward in their life. Their engagement with organised sport will outlive their schooling. In fact, it will be the key community group and identity marker that your child will cling to in terms of their sense of belonging once they have finished school.
But for their commitment to be sustained, your commitment must also never waver. The more you invest as a parent into your child’s interests, the more they will flourish and engage. But it is healthy investment that is important. I do not give my son feedback on his performances in football or playing guitar. I do not give my daughter feedback on her performances in football or dancing. I just simply say to them: “I love watching you play”.
And that’s why I love football. It’s more than just a game. And that’s why my own children play football. Yes, for learning new skills. And yes, for making friends. But YES, for its character-building, culture-defining, leadership-learning, identity-shaping, and life-giving experiences for my children. For the club at which my children play football, my wife is the current Junior Vice President, and I am the Club Coaching Coordinator. Every spare minute outside family and work time is absorbed with football… and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It is all I’ve ever known, and all I ever hope to know. The game has given me so much, I now only hope that I can give just as much back to the game.
Mr Casimir Douglas
Tuesday 11th June, 2024
SALUTATION
Grace to you and peace.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT: NIJSSA CROSS COUNTRY CAPTAINS
We are pleased to share that on Tuesday morning in our Grade 5/6 classes this week, we announced the Captains of our NIJSSA Cross Country Carnival team that will represent our school at the event at Windsor Park in Riverside next week:
NIJSSA Cross Country Girls Captain: Chloe Cocca
NIJSSA Cross Country Boys Captain: Kaiden Brooks
These Grade 6 students were appointed to the role following consideration of their sportmanship, skill level and attitude, as well as their modelling of respectful behaviour, and living out the values of our school. Congratulations to Chloe and Kaiden!
STUDENT LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT: ARTS CAPTAINS
We were also pleased to share that at our Friday afternoon School Assembly this week, we announced our inaugural Arts Captains for the school. These students were chosen following a formal selection process in which they wrote a letter to me outlining their reasons for applying for the role, and their credentials that would serve them well should they be appointed. We were thoroughly impressed with all the applications, and the choice was a difficult, as all applicants would have made outstanding Arts Captains.
Arts Captains: Evie Hanson & Isobel Zegveld
These two students will be responsible for Arts presentations at School Assemblies, committed to all Arts Activities in the life of the school, write reports for the Newsletter and School Magazine, host the Christmas Carols event, and support younger students in being engaged with the Arts. Congratulations to Evie and Isobel!
GOSPEL VALUE AWARDS: JUSTICE
Our fortnightly Gospel Values Awards process provides for the nomination and presentation of the Gospel Value Awards for those students who demonstrate, live out, and exemplify the school's Gospel values. For the month of March, the school community is focused on the Gospel value of JUSTICE. Our Gospel Values: Head, Heart & Hands Framework, reminds our students that to show the value of JUSTICE is to be gentle, learn, and listen.
The following students received a Gospel Value Award at our School Assembly on Friday (14th June), as nominated by their class teacher for exemplifying the Gospel value of JUSTICE:
| Term 2 - Week 7, 2024 | ||
| Charlotte Turner | Charlotte you are such a caring and helpful member of Prep More. You always look out for your friends in the playground and you are a great helper in the classroom. Thank you for being you Charlotte! | Prep More |
| Oliver Wood | You like to follow our school rules, and show your sense of Justice when you look out for others by seeking fairness for all. | Prep Thomas |
| Estelle Williams | Estelle shows the Gospel value of justice by going out of her way to look out for others, often being the first to offer assistance to those who require help in our class. Estelle is also happy to help out teachers without complaint. Keep it up, Estelle! | Grade 1/2 More |
| Neeva Bessell | For consistently following school rules and encouraging others to do the same, understanding that these rules are in place to create a safe and equitable environment for everyone. Your commitment to justice enriches our school community and sets a positive example for others. | Grade 1/2 Saint |
| Aria Rainsford | Aria is awarded the "Justice" Gospel Value award for always helping others, being fair to everyone and showing that you care. You make our school and class community a kinder and happier place, just like Jesus taught us to do. Thank you for making us smile Aria! | Grade 1/2 Thomas |
| Oliver Garwood | For being an empathetic friend in class and looking out for the wellbeing of others. Keep up the amazing work Oliver. | Grade 3/4 More |
| Ada Amerikanos | For ensuring that she demonstrates appropriate behaviour and sets an example to her peers with the way she deals with her friendships and interactions. | Grade 3/4 Saint |
| Hugo McGoran | For always following school rules and being a focused and responsible learner. Keep working hard, Hugo! |
Grade 3/4 Thomas |
| Arthur Williams | Arthur consistently shows the value of justice through his genuine interactions, patience and respect towards all his peers. He takes initiative, supports and guides others, showing exceptional leadership, following in the steps of St Mary Mackillop. | Grade 5/6 More |
| Ethan Crawford | For his helpful and caring attitude. He constantly stands up for others and for what is right, even in difficult situations. Keep up the good work! | Grade 5/6 Saint |
| Eliska Slama | For an honest display of her kind and caring nature when comforting a friend in need. | Grade 5/6 Thomas |
These students will also attend the Principal’s Morning Tea next Tuesday (18th June) in the Josephite Hall during the first break at 10:50am with myself and Fr Jesse.
SEMESTER 1 - BAND SOIRÉE
This Wednesday evening (12th June), the amazing sounds of brass, woodwinds, and percussion filled a packed Josephite Hall as we held our Band Soirée.
St Patrick's College provides a Music Tuition program for all the local Catholic schools in Launceston, and all the students who participate in the 'Band Program' performed with great joy and energy in the Hall that night. Music tutors visit our school every week for an hour at a time to work with students individually and in groups to support them in learning their instrument. As a former Deputy Principal of St Patrick's College for many years, I've had many the opportunity to experience the finished product of the Primary Schools Band Program, and have enjoyed the fruits of the labours that begin at these Band Soirées.
The event was a celebration of the progress and talent of our students, as they have committed themselves to mastering their instruments and playing them proudly for their parents, their friends, and the gathered school community to enjoy!
Well done to all the students involved, and thank you to Mrs Fiona Mowat and her team for their guidance and support of our budding musicians, and for putting on a wonderful show.
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
What better way to finish a busy term than with a good belly laugh?
Again, it is an individual entry, but the person who can make Mr Douglas laugh the most will win their class a PIZZA PARTY!
Entries are open on Padlet NOW: https://padlet.com/STM_
Entries will close at the end of the school day on Wednesday, July 3.
The winner will be announced on Friday, July 5.
Good luck!
