SALUTATION

Grace to you and peace.

ANNUAL SCHOOLS CONCERT

This Monday (25th November) evening, over 40 students from St Thomas More's Catholic School performed in the Annual Schools Concert in the Nano Nagle Gym at St Patrick's College in Prospect. All the students who performed in the event participate in Music Program offered by St Patrick's College in which students receive regular tuition throughout the year during school time to learn a classical instrument from the string, woodwind, and brass families.

The following four students were the recipients of the 2024 Music Awards for St Thomas More's Catholic School, as selected by the staff of the Music Program:

Excellence Award for Band: Elliot Wheatley

Endeavour Award for Band: Cruz Atkinson

Excellence Award for Orchestral Strings: Eva Lewis

Endeavour Award for Orchestral Strings: Isabelle White

I was so pleased to attend the evening to watch and listen to our students as they proudly shared their talents and displayed the fruits of all their practicing and rehearsal this year. The art of performing music live as part of a group is a dynamic all-encompassing endeavour, which requires you to concentrate on the technique of your instrument, to read along with the written musical notations, to follow the rhythm and timing of the group, to listen to music being produced by the other instruments for the sonic cues to guide your playing, to watch the conductor for guidance on tempo and volume, and to smile, have fun, and enjoy it while you do it all!

A huge congratulations to all students who performed, to Ms Fiona Mowat for her leadership of the program, to all music tutors for the teaching of our students, and to the parents for their encouragement and affirmation of their children's talents!

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 November, the school community is focused on the Gospel value of EMPATHY. Our Gospel Values: Head, Heart & Hands Framework, reminds our students that to show the value of EMPATHY is to be gentle, listen, learn.

The following students received a Gospel Value Award at our School Assembly this Friday afternoon (29th November), as nominated by their class teacher for exemplifying the Gospel value of EMPATHY:

These students will also attend the Principal’s Morning Tea on Tuesday 3rd December in the Josephite Hall during the first break at 10:50am with myself and Fr Vinco Muriyadan.

Last Friday (22nd November), a group of our students competed in the Schools Triathlon Challenge held in Devonport, and what a day it was! The event showcased the incredible determination and teamwork of schools from across Tasmania, and our students made us proud in every way. Grade 3 student, Kip Cruse, had a stellar performance, taking home first place in both the individual event, and was also a part of the team that won the Grade 3 Boys Team event!

Our Grade 4 boys powered through to secure a fantastic second place in their team event, while the Grade 4 girls showed grit and perseverance, finishing strongly around 7th place. It was a celebration of fitness, fun, and camaraderie under perfect weather conditions.

Beyond the results, the spirit of our team shone brightly. Whether cheering each other on from the sidelines, crossing the finish line with determination, or simply enjoying the sense of community the event fostered, our students embodied the values of sportsmanship and collaboration. Thank you to the staff and parents who supported the students on the day, ensuring it ran smoothly and with plenty of encouragement. The Schools Triathlon Challenge continues to be a highlight of the year, reminding us of the importance of resilience, teamwork, and the joy of celebrating each other’s successes. 

Thank you also to Mr Nick Stacey for his leadership and organisation of the event, and also to the great and powerful, Mr Rik Bryan, our Utility Officer, who transported the bicycle trailer up and back along the highway to Devonport!

This coming Monday (2nd December), as our Year 6 student attended their Orientation Day at St Patrick's College, our Prep-Grade 5 students will participate in their Step Up Morning. Every year it is a pleasure to visit each classroom, as there is a palpable buzz of positivity and excitement for teachers and students alike.

The purpose of the morning is for the students to spend time in the classroom with their teacher for 2025 and their peers with whom they share their learning experience next year to build relationships, establish expectations and routines, become comfortable with their learning environment, and to embrace the mindset of seeing change as an opportunity. After all, as the Greek philosopher Heraclitus once wrote: "Change is the only constant in life". Change is a normal part of life.

We understand that approaching a new environment with different peers, a new classroom, and a new teacher can be unsettling for our young people. But our task as a school and parent partnership is to work together to understand the student's transition needs and provide them with the best possible support to succeed in that new environment.

2025 TEACHING STAFF

Following the depature of Mr Jacob Farran, the retirement of Mrs Denise Morgan, and the appointment of Mrs Tracey Kidd to the Principalship of St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Rosebery, our teaching staff for 2025 needed some attention!

Therefore, following a robust and thorough recruitment process, with the support of Catholic Education Tasmania, we have now finalised the appointments for teaching positions for St Thomas More's Catholic School for the 2025 school year:

The school has also commenced a recruitment process for Teacher Assistant positions to be filled for next year, and when the appointments have been finalised, these will be communicated to the school community along with the assignments for all ancillary staff.

FINAL GREETING