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.

HOW'S THE MOJO?

You may have noticed that the Digital Sign at the school these past few days has been displaying the question: “How’s the mojo?”

This is a question that I introduced to our Staff at the start of the 2024 school year. But why do we need a fancy question for this purpose?

As a society and culture we are taught to value, and praised for delivering, productivity. We have evolved from human BEings, to human DOings. The human doing is concerned with time. So much so that we have started answering the question, “How are you?”, with the response, “Busy”. We now answer questions about how we are, with answers about time, productivity, and activity. Unhelpfully, the implicit meaning of the question, “How are you?”, is now: “What have you been doing?” So of course we tell people we’re busy! Our culture shames lack of productivity.

So, we need to ask questions that encourage us to reflect not on how we are DOing, but how we are BEing. British philosopher, writer, and speaker, Alan Watts urges us to move from productivity to presence in this famous quote: “Stop measuring days by degree of productivity and start experiencing them by degree of presence”. Similarly, renowned vulnerability researcher and author, Brené Brown, exhorts that: “We must not reward exhaustion as a status symbol and attach productivity to our sense of self-worth… Daring Leaders both model and support rest, play and recovery.”

Therefore, I shared the Mojo Check Up Question with the Staff of St Thomas More’s Catholic School in Week 0 before students returned for their annual season of learning. The word ‘mojo’ means energy, excitement, mood, interest, and enthusiasm. If the human DOing is concerned with time, then the human BEing is concerned with energy. So, the challenge to Staff was, instead of asking one another, “How are you?”, to ask, “How’s the mojo?”

Language is important, and the language of the question is designed to compel the other to pause and reflect on their energy levels, their enthusiasm, their wellbeing, and their mojo; and then to share their response honestly and authentically with the other. And why “Check Up’ instead of ‘Check-In’? A ‘Check-In’ suggests a brief time-based exchange between two busy people. And whilst ‘Check Up’ has a formal medical connotation, it does elicit that sense of being genuinely interested in another and their health and wellbeing, holding the space for an honest and authentic encounter, and being truly present with whole-hearted listening.

Australian mindset and performance coach, Ben Crowe, challenges people to ‘find their mojo’. That is, to know their purpose, to find that spark, and to draw from that energy reserve to share their gifts authentically with those around them. So, the question is also a reminder and a prompt: remember what you stand for, remember why you are here, and remember the positive difference you wish to make in the lives of those around you today.

The next time you drive past the sign, walk through the front gate, or wait to collect your child, and you see the question: “How’s the mojo?” Take a moment for a personal inventory. And then ask the question to the person standing next to you. Maybe, just maybe, the answer will surprise.

So, how’s the mojo?

Mr Casimir Douglas

Thursday 7th November, 2024

Dear Parents and Carers,

SALUTATION

Grace to you and peace.

CRAZY SOCK DAY!

Last Friday, our students stepped out in style for Crazy Sock Day! From bright stripes to funky polka dots, our school was filled with colour as everyone showed off their wildest, wackiest socks.

The excitement didn’t stop there—we also held a Soccer Shootout, and the competition was fierce! Students tested their aim and had a blast scoring goals, all while sporting their crazy socks. It was a toe-tally fun day filled with laughter, friendly rivalry, and unforgettable sock style!

Through Crazy Sock Day and the Soccer Shootout, our school raised funds to support Catholic Mission’s important work in Mongolia in 2024, helping to bring hope and support to communities in need. We raised a total of $398.20 this year! THANK YOU to everyone for your efforts! And especially to Mrs Belinda Taylor for her organisation and leadership of this initiative, and her impressive sock game!

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 October, 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 helpful, be fair, be caring.

The following students received a Gospel Value Award at our morning Prayer Assembly this Tuesday (5th November), as nominated by their class teacher for exemplifying the Gospel value of JUSTICE:

Term 4 - Week 3, 2024
Archie Padgett	Archie thank you for being such a kind and caring friend in Prep M. You are always looking to do what is right and set a wonderful example for other children.	Prep More
Cruz Lunson	You show the Gospel Value of Justice by being a caring and helpful friend You can lead by example, when you are kind and fair to everyone.	Prep Thomas
Scarlett de Virieux	Scarlett exemplifies the Gospel value of justice by consistently going out of her way to support others. She is often the first to offer assistance and readily notices when someone is upset, taking them under her wing. Additionally, Scarlett loves helping teachers with their tasks and always volunteers her assistance. Thank you for everything you do, Scarlett; it does not go unnoticed!	Grade 1/2 More
Oliver Coppleman	Oliver takes responsibility for his actions and holds himself accountable for following classroom rules and norms. His commitment to fairness, advocacy, and accountability makes our classroom a better place for everyone. Congratulations, Oliver!	Grade 1/2 Saint
Hugh Anderson	Hugh is awarded the “Justice” Gospel Value award for acting with fairness in a kind and caring way. You look our for others and always do what is right. Thank you for making our school and classroom a better place.	Grade 1/2 Thomas
Eddie Crawford	For being able to act responsibly when interacting with his peers. Eddie ensures that he follows school rules and is a role model to others.	Grade 3/4 Saint
Rosie Fankhauser	For showing the true spirit of Justice! You always stand up for what is right, help others, and treat everyone fairly. Keep shining your light, Rosie!	Grade 3/4 Thomas
Magnolia Johns	For demonstrating the Gospel Value of Justice this week through her positive engagement in the classroom and being respectful of others and her teachers.	Grade 3/4 More
Lucy Mellor	Lucy consistently shows the value of justice through her genuine interactions, patience, kindness and respect towards all her peers and all students across the school.	Grade 5/6 More
Grace Goss	Grace is a kind and caring student who goes out of her way to help others. She is a positive influence on her peers and a joy to have in the classroom.	Grade 5/6 Saint
Max Bertram	For his dependable support, the kindness he show to his peers, and his willingness to help others without seeking recognition. Max is a well-respected and valued member of our class and school community.	Grade 5/6 Thomas

These students also attended the Principal’s Morning Tea on Tuesday 5th November in the Josephite Hall during the first break at 10:50am with myself and Fr Vinco Muriyada.

PRINCIPAL'S MORNING TEA

At our Tuesday morning Prayer Assembly this week, there were a number of students who received a Gospel Value Award for demonstrating the value of JUSTICE. These students attended a special Principal’s Afternoon Tea in Josephite Hall this Tuesday (5th November).

We were treated to a smorgasbord of fruit, muffins, and scones, and we each shared what we are grateful for in our lives, including; cats, Pokemon books, our parents, our loving families, friends, the current weather, the Priesthood (guess who!), an uncle supporting participation in sport, our School Principal, vacation to QLD, and every moment that we get to come to school! They also shared about their hobbies, interests and dreams which included netball, cheerleading, soccer, Mathematics, football, dirt bikes, trucking with an uncle, fishing, mudding, gymnastics, dance, swimming, and winning the BMX Team State Championship!

NIJSSA ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

Today, we had over 60 students compete in the NIJSSA Athletics Carnival at St Leonard’s Athletics Track.

Our young athletes were humble and hungry and well prepared to work hard to represent their school to the best of their ability! We are so proud of how our students from Grades 3-6 presented themselves, and exemplified our school values!

We were thrilled to finish third overall in the carnival. It was an achievement bolstered by our results for our Grade 6 students in their final year at the 4x100m relay. The Grade 6 Boys who finished first! And our Grade 6 Girls finished second!

Thank you very much to all our staff that supported and organised our students to compete in the meet, and also to all our parents and family members who attended the event as spectators to cheer on our students in their moment to shine!

And I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to Mr Nick Stacey for his leadership and organisation of our school's paticipation the carnival.

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

Congratulations to Sage Garwood who received 25 St Thomas More's sticker rewards for his positive contributions to our school.

Congratulations to Logan Graham who received 50 St Thomas More's sticker rewards for his positive contributions to our school.