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TECHNOFERENCE - A HIDDEN DISRUPTION
As we approach the summer holidays, it’s timely to reflect on a growing body of research into a phenomenon called technoference. This term refers to the subtle, yet pervasive way technology—whether through phones, tablets, or other devices—interrupts our interactions, relationships, and even the everyday rhythms of life. Emerging evidence is revealing that this issue is not just an inconvenience; it’s having tangible impacts on children’s development and family well-being.
Research highlights that frequent interruptions from technology can reduce the quality of parent-child interactions, limiting the rich conversations and shared experiences that are essential for social, emotional, and cognitive growth. In the classroom, we see the value of undistracted time in fostering deep thinking and problem-solving skills. Similarly, at home, when technology intrudes on playtime, mealtimes, or conversations, children may miss out on critical opportunities to develop language, focus, and emotional regulation.
Technoference also affects physical health. Children whose play is replaced with screen time are more likely to experience reduced physical activity and poor sleep, both of which are crucial for growth and learning. In addition, studies suggest that the mere presence of a device during shared activities can subtly erode trust and connection—even if the device isn’t actively being used.
Of course, technology isn’t inherently negative. It offers enormous benefits when used thoughtfully, enhancing learning and creating opportunities to stay connected. The challenge lies in striking a balance and ensuring that devices serve as tools, rather than becoming barriers to meaningful connection.
This is where families play a vital role. Creating boundaries around screen use, modelling mindful habits, and prioritising device-free times—such as during meals or outdoor play—are some of the most effective ways to counteract technoference. As parents, you already value the importance of strong family connections and quality interactions. This holiday period is an opportunity to strengthen those bonds and mitigate the risks posed by excessive technology use.
At St Thomas More’s Catholic School, we are deeply committed to supporting the holistic development of your children. Part of this commitment includes fostering awareness of how our digital choices shape the world our children grow up in. By staying informed and intentional, we can ensure that technology enhances, rather than hinders, their growth and happiness.
Mr Casimir Douglas
Sunday 1st December, 2024
SALUTATION
Grace to you and peace.
CAROLS ON THE OVAL!
What an unforgettable evening we shared at the Carols last night! The joy and pride were palpable, with many community members expressing their gratitude and delight for being part of the St Thomas More's Catholic School family. The evening was a resounding celebration of everything that makes our community special.
Four key factors contributed to this magical event:
1. The unifying power of music and song, paired with the wonder of Christmas, brought joy, fun, and positivity to everyone present.
2. The dedication, generosity, and tireless efforts of our key staff in preparing, planning, and running this extraordinary event.
3. Our engaged and supportive parent community, whose enthusiasm fosters a culture where students feel confident and excited to perform.
4. Our incredible students, whose talent, courage, and bright spirits shone on stage. They reminded us all why Christmas is so special—because of the love and joy our children bring.
A heartfelt thank you to our Grade 6 students for their moving leavers' song, crafted and perfected under the guidance of Mrs. Aimee Rooney. Their touching performance brought many to tears and was a fitting farewell for our graduating class. Thank you to the families who stayed to support this memorable moment—you exemplify the strong community spirit that defines us.
Special thanks to Mr. Harrison Mills for his technical expertise and audio brilliance, Mr. Rik Bryan for his unwavering dedication to our school, and Mrs. Natalie Zegveld for her passion and energy in bringing this spectacular event to life—months of effort culminated in a night to remember.
And of course, a special mention to all staff involved in the '12 Years of Christmas' staff performance. Your creativity, enthusiasm, and willingness to go above and beyond brought endless smiles and laughter, making the night even more special. Thank you for your incredible contribution!
PRINCIPAL'S MORNING TEA
At our Friday afternoon School Assembly last week, there were a number of students who received a Gospel Value Award for demonstrating the value of EMPATHY. These students attended a special Principal’s Morning Tea in Josephite Hall this Tuesday (3rd December).
It was a small crew that gathered this morning as we had many students away on excursion. But it made the conversation more delightful and meant we each had more morning tea to gobble up! We were treated to a smorgasbord of fruit, muffins, scrolls, and rum balls, and we each shared what we are grateful for in our lives, including; our Mums for always getting us to our soccer games and for always cooking for us, and our friends for always being kind to us! They also shared about their hobbies, interests and dreams which included playing Basketball with the Devils, Mountain Biking at Kate Reed and Hollybank, playing Soccer, and going to the park with Mum and Dad!
PREP EXCURSION - CITY PARK & 'A CHRISTMAS CAROL'
This Tuesday (3rd December), our Prep students enjoyed an exciting excursion to Princess Theatre. Whilst the clouds and rain prevented the students from visiting City park for the first part of their excursion, it did not dampen their spirits as they were treated to a wonderful performance of A Christmas Carol by Kim Roe's School of Dance, leaving them with big smiles and a sense of excitement about the festive season ahead!
A huge thank you to our dedicated parent volunteers, whose support made the excursion run smoothly and safely. We are also deeply grateful to Mrs Scharapow and Mrs Carr, our Prep Teachers, and our Teacher Assistants, Mrs Foot-Hill and Ms Petty for their careful planning and organisation of such a memorable day for our students. Their hard work and commitment to providing enriching experiences for our young learners are truly appreciated. It was a wonderful day of learning and fun, and the students will look forward to more adventures like this in the future!
And a huge congratulations to our amazing students who were performers in the show: Ada Amerikanos, Mikayla Bardenhagen, George Boyle, Millie-Mae O'Mahony, Billie Speirs, Emily Van Helvoirt & Eloise Wahl!
GRADE 5/6 EXCURSION - RIVERSIDE SWIMMING POOL
This Tuesday (3rd December), our Grade 5/6 students had the most wonderful time celebrating the end of the school year with an excursion to Riverside Swimming Pool. The weather was not the type of conditions you would choose for a visit to the pool, but the atmosphere was filled with both and with laughter and joy as the students enjoyed a day of swimming and watersliding.
A big thank you goes out to our incredible organising teachers, who put in a great deal of time and effort to ensure everything ran smoothly, from coordinating transportation to making sure the students had a safe and fun day. Their dedication to providing such a memorable experience for our students is truly appreciated. It was a fantastic day that highlighted the importance of fun, friendship, and community as we close out the year!
STEP UP MORNING!
On Monday, 2nd December, our Step Up Morning was a resounding success, with all students having a fantastic time with their teachers for next year. It was a morning full of energy, laughter, and a shared sense of anticipation for the year ahead. The purpose of the morning—to build connections, establish expectations, and make students feel comfortable in their new classrooms—was truly achieved. The positive atmosphere in every classroom reflected the strong relationships that were formed, and it was evident that our students are ready to embrace the changes ahead with confidence.
This morning not only set the stage for an exciting year ahead but also reinforced the importance of wellbeing and quality relationships as the foundation for effective learning. By fostering these connections and creating a safe, welcoming environment, we are ensuring that all students are set up for success. With the support of their peers and teachers, students are well-equipped to navigate the transitions of the coming year, knowing that they are valued and supported. It was a wonderful opportunity to witness the strength of our school community, where every child’s growth and wellbeing are prioritised as we look ahead to 2025.
CONGRATULATIONS, MR KIDD!
Please join me in congratulating Mr Shayne Kidd on his appointment to the role of Principal of Marist Regional College in Burnie, commencing in the 2025 school year.
Mr Kidd, of course, is a former Principal of St Thomas More's Catholic School and has been in the role of Regional Principal Lead: North with Catholic Education Tasmania for the past three years, and now moves on to the next stage of his educational leadership journey.
My father, Peter, whose 70th birthday I wrote about in the Newsletter recently, is a former Principal of Marist Regional College and is also the current Director of Mission on the College's Leadership Team. My nephew, Benjamin, will also commence his time at Marist in Grade 7 in 2025.
It is a community with which I am familiar, and I know that they will embrace Mr Kidd and that his leadership will drive them forward into the future. I wish to thank Mr Kidd for his guidance, support, encouragement, and advice for the past three years and look forward to now being a colleague Principal with Mr Kidd in 2025 and beyond.
Below: Mr Kidd (pictured right) as Regional Principal Lead: North.
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 Lily Black and Olive Hartley who received 25 St Thomas More's sticker rewards for their positive contributions to our school.
Medications
Parents, please ensure you come in to the front office and collect your child's medications by 4pm on break-up day, Tuesday 17th December 2024.
Lost Property
Parents, if your child is missing anything they have brought to school throughout the year, please ensure you come and have a look in the lost property bench before break-up day, Tuesday 17th December 2024.
It Takes a Spark STEM Conference
On Friday 29th November, 17 students from St Thomas More's went to Launceston Church Grammar School to learn about the mysteries of STEAM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths!
The first thing we did was get a lecture about the importance of video games for people who recently had a stroke. Next we went to our first workshop where we learned about mapping and its importance, by doing a digital treasure hunt. Once we did that we knew it was hard to remember what way to actually go - that was the lesson. Other students went to a workshop to design a video game to help older people in our community.
Next we learnt how to write a story for an imaginary video game. First we got onto a website called Yarn Spinner which taught us how to create a game story, then the man said “Go Wild!” and we let our imagination’s floodgates open! We all made amazing games in the end although it was super hard but very fun! Other workshops were about First Nations technologies and binary coding.
Next we went to an exhibition and we even ate bugs! Dustin, Willow and Paige all won a Questacon bag that came with some illusions, firework glasses and some space ice cream (very cool) and even colour changing putty and more! At the exhibition there were VR Headsets that we got to use, a boat riding simulator, Lego robots, edible insects and much more! The day was amazing and everyone had a blast!
Report by Paige Wylie and Dustin Graham - 5/6 Thomas.
Congratulations to the following winners of the P & F Raffle, drawn yesterday 5th December 2024. Please come in to the office and collect your prize if you are yet to do so.
WINNERS
1st - Georgia Sackley
2nd - Willow Hammersley
3rd - Lynda Beadle
4th - Sarah Mawby
5th - Lewis Family
6th - Josh Mulholland
7th - Sarah Mawby
8th - Elliott Hammersley
9th - Georgia Sackley
10th - T. Crothers
11th - Kim Woolcott
12th - Abbie Turner
13th - Rubi Butwell
To St Thomas More's,
I would like to thank past and present families for making my time at St Thomas More's a time of feeling loved and wanted. I have really enjoyed my time here. You have all been so good to me and gave me so much, which I didn't want you to do.
It just made me so happy and young working with the children especially after I lost my husband and then my children left to live their own lives. Like all the teachers, it's so nice to see what the children become after they leave St Thomas More's.
I will be thinking of you always.
Robyn
aka the "Crossing Lady"
