NURTURING MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SCHOOL

As parents, how often do we find ourselves greeting our children at the end of the day with the classic question, “How was school?”—only to be met with the equally classic one-word response, “Good”? It can leave us feeling disconnected from the real happenings of our child’s day and does little to help our children reflect on or share their experiences.

When children sense real curiosity and openness, they become more eager to share. The type of questions we ask, and the consistency with which we ask them, shows how deeply we value their education and growth. Moreover, the attitude we project—eager, engaged, and curious—can be contagious. If we only ever lead with questions about what went wrong, children will also start to focus on the negative. But if we show genuine interest in the positive aspects of their day, we teach them to seek out and celebrate the good moments, too.

Below is a list of questions adapted from recommendations by the Child Mind Institute, a highly regarded source in child development and mental health. They are designed to spark meaningful dialogue and encourage your child to open up about their school experience.

• “What was the most interesting thing you learned today?”
  – Invites them to reflect on their learning and share something new or exciting.

• “Did anything happen today that surprised you or made you curious?”
  – Encourages them to identify moments that sparked wonder.

• “Who did you enjoy spending time with at school, and why?”
  – Focuses on the positive aspects of social interaction.

• “Was there a moment you found challenging or difficult? How did you handle it?”
  – Helps them acknowledge struggles and celebrate resilience.

• “What was something kind you did for someone else, or someone else did for you?”
  – Reinforces empathy, kindness, and noticing good deeds.

• “Which part of your school day made you think the most?”
  – Prompts critical thinking and helps them evaluate their engagement.

• “If you could redo one part of your day, what would it be and why?”
  – Encourages reflection on growth and problem-solving.

• “What made you laugh or smile today?”
  – Shifts focus to joyful or uplifting moments.

• “If you had to teach me one thing you learned today, what would it be?”
  – Lets them ‘take the stage’ and reinforces understanding by teaching.

• “What are you looking forward to tomorrow at school?”
  – Fosters a forward-thinking and positive mindset.

By asking a broader range of questions—especially ones that reflect interest and enthusiasm—you send a clear message that your child’s school experience and personal growth truly matter. When children see your eagerness to learn about their day, they begin to mirror that enthusiasm in their own studies and relationships. Let’s continue to support and inspire our young learners through thoughtful questioning, genuine curiosity, and positive engagement every day.

Sunday 2nd March, 2025

Mr Casimir Douglas

Dear Parents and Carers,

SALUTATION

Grace to you and peace.

SHROVE TUESDAY

This Tuesday (4th March), we celebrated Shrove Tuesday. There is no question the most excitement and energy for our students in the lead up to Lent, is on the promise of pancakes for this celebration! Thank you so much to our amazing parent volunteers from our Parents & Friends Association who generously gave their time to plan, cook, and serve the pancakes. They were delicious and very well received!

I spent time in each of the classrooms that morning, and when quizzing the students on their preference of pancake toppings, their responses ranged from the downright delicious to overly outrageous. The day was topped off (pun intended) with the three Grade 1/2 classes participating in the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Race! And as always, the guiding principle of the race was... to the winners go the spoils!

Our School Captains also had a special task on Shrove Tuesday as they boarded the Maxi Taxi with Mrs Belinda Taylor to Church of the Apostles for Caritas’s Project Compassion Launch, which began with a prayer service where each school received a Caritas candle and donation box. They then joined a lively Q&A session with Richard Landels from Caritas Australia, brainstorming creative ideas for one of our biggest fundraisers, and returned inspired to share ways we can all support Caritas’s vital work during Lent.

ASH WEDNESDAY

This Wednesday (5th March) our Catholic school community gathered once more to mark the beginning of Lent with the ancient and evocative ritual of Ash Wednesday. A hush of reverence fell across our halls as staff and students stepped forward to receive the ashen cross upon their foreheads. Even before they returned to their seats, curious hands twitched toward pockets and bags in search of mirrors; reflective windows and the smallest puddles on the playground became magnetic. Yet teachers reminded everyone that this delicate smudge of ash was a visible sign of something far more profound than dust and charcoal could ever convey.

This cross reminded us of Christ’s sacrifice—an echo of Good Friday that resonates throughout the Lenten season. As always, the Church invites us to offer a personal sacrifice for these forty days. Some people chose to step back from chocolate, others from scrolling mindlessly on their phones, or from shopping impulses and late-night streaming. But we were reminded that Lent is not about absence for its own sake; rather, it is about creating space. Where we relinquish one thing, we allow more room for God, for community, for loved ones, for the quiet stirrings of faith that so often go unnoticed in the busyness of everyday life. Thus, our sacrifice becomes less a burden and more a sacred invitation—a clearing of the heart for that which truly matters.

We extend our deep gratitude to Mrs. Belinda Taylor, our Religious Education Coordinator, whose thoughtful organisation of the liturgy brought fresh meaning and unity to our community this year. We are equally thankful to our dedicated teachers for guiding their classes through the rich symbols and teachings behind the ashes. In that gentle cross traced upon our foreheads, on that bright Wednesday morning, our school community once again embraced the mystery and promise of Lent—together, renewed, and ready for the journey ahead.

NAPLAN 2025

This time every year, as the chatter of so-called ‘experts’ fills our airwaves to debate the purpose and relevance of national literacy and numeracy testing, I find myself drawn back to what truly matters: our students. In 2025, I will again speak directly to our Grade 3 and Grade 5 cohorts, for whom these tests loom largest, to remind them of a simple yet profound truth: NAPLAN testing is significant—but it cannot, and must not, define your worth as human beings.

Yes, these assessments hold importance. They provide valuable data to government agencies and can serve as a diagnostic beacon for schools and parents alike—if the results reach us in a timely manner. Yet no set of marks can measure the curiosity in your hearts, the resilience in your spirits, or the kindness you bring to our school community every day. That is why, above all else, the wellbeing of our students takes precedence.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Deputy Principal, Ms Allison Cornish, and our dedicated Grade 3 and Grade 5 teachers. Their unwavering commitment to organizing these online NAPLAN tests and ensuring the welfare of each child underpins the success of this yearly endeavor. And now, as the 2025 testing commences next week, let us face it with calm confidence, remembering that while these assessments can guide our steps, it is you—our bright young learners—who ultimately shape the path ahead.

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

A reminder that this Monday is a Public Holiday.  We look forward to seeing our students on Tuesday, 11th March.

This is a reminder that if you have had a change of postal address or physical address from last year, please email the front office on stm@catholic.tas.edu.au with the current details. Phone numbers and emails addresses can be edited on your Compass app.

Within the next couple weeks we will hold an unannounced emergency practice with staff and students to test our response to a potential fire scenario, which would warrant the school to go into an evacuation. Like for lockdown drills, we recognise the worth to test this process. We have plans in place to make this practice as least disruptive as possible. If you have queries please contact our Safety Officer, Kirsten Seymour on kirsten.seymour@catholic.tas.edu.au.

Throughout the year we administer Book Club for Scholastic Australia. Approximately once a month students will be given catalogues offering books for sale.  Please feel no obligation to buy.

Ordering is easy - simply go online and place your order. Payment is to be made ONLY via Scholastic’s Linked Online Ordering and Payment system (i.e. no cash/cheque payments to school).  LOOP allows parents to order and pay via the Scholastic website or app. Please see the brochure below for further information.  There is no need to return order forms to school.  Books are sent directly to the school and distributed to students. 

Each order earns the school valuable reward points which are used to purchase Library and classroom resources. 

For more information about Scholastic and Book Club, visit www.scholastic.com.au

Rebecca Thomas

Librarian

Looking for a joyful, educational start for your little one? Our Joeys Playgroup at St Thomas More’s Catholic School is the place to be!

✅ FREE sessions for children aged birth to 4!
✅ Fun, learning & play in a school environment!
✅ Run by experienced, accredited educators
✅ Tuesdays 9:00am - 10:30am during term time!

Come along to Josephite Hall and watch your child’s curiosity and confidence grow! Plus, connect with other local families and share in the joy of learning together!

No bookings required — just turn up & have fun!

St Thomas More’s Catholic School
Every Tuesday (School Term)