St Thomas More's Catholic School Newstead eNewsletter

DRIVING EXCELLENCE: ON AND OFF THE TRACK

This past weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the 2025 Formula One Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne with my wonderful wife by accessing, some well deserved and long overdue, Long Service Leave. From the moment we arrived, I was captivated by the electrifying atmosphere: the roar of the engines, the precision of the pit crews, and the unwavering focus of the drivers. Having watched the Netflix series “Drive to Survive” religiously, I already had a sense of the dedication, determination, and collaboration it takes to succeed in Formula One. However, witnessing it in person brought it all to life in an unforgettable way. The synergy between the drivers, engineers, and support teams was a masterclass in high performance culture—every single person in the paddock knew their role, strove to execute it flawlessly, and continuously learnt from each lap to improve.

Reflecting on this experience, I am reminded that the pursuit of excellence is not exclusive to the world of high-octane motorsport. The principles that propel F1 drivers to shave milliseconds off their lap times are the same ones that can help us thrive in our profession: a commitment to continuous improvement, reliance on data-driven strategies, and an unwavering focus on the development of skills. Just as an F1 team analyses every detail of the race, from tyre wear to aerodynamic performance, educators can continuously refine their practices by using evidence, research, and feedback.

At St Thomas More’s Catholic School, we believe in the power of a high performance culture for our staff and students alike. One of the central themes of our Strategic Plan (2025–2030): Fostering Greatness is to deliver high performance teaching. Catholic Education Tasmania’s newly introduced “Teach First Initiative: System Sprints,” guided by Simon Breakspear and his Learning Sprints process, stands at the forefront of this vision. Inspired by F1, where teams break performance down into crucial segments and work relentlessly to optimise each one, our System Sprints will have teachers iterating on their craft in short, focused cycles.

These sprints will be tightly aligned with Tom Sherrington’s interpretation of Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction, ensuring that we emphasise high-impact teaching practices proven to maximise learning outcomes. Just as an F1 team convenes after each race to debrief and strategise for the next, our teachers will participate in regular coaching, observation, and feedback sessions. This reflective cycle promotes a habit of continuous refinement in our teaching, with fresh data and insights enabling us to adjust our approach and try new techniques.

Ultimately, the core of high performance culture—whether on the racetrack or in the classroom—lies in commitment, collaboration, and constant improvement. By adopting evidence-based practices and supporting one another through cycles of reflective learning, we create an environment where every teacher can perform at their absolute best. In turn, this synergy fosters greatness within our students, helping them develop the confidence and capabilities to strive for excellence in their own pursuits.

I return from the Grand Prix feeling both energised and inspired. The roar of engines in Melbourne rings in my ears as a call to action: to champion a high performance culture at St Thomas More’s Catholic School, igniting our collective passion for continuous growth and success—on the track, in our classrooms, and beyond.

Mr Casimir Douglas

Tuesday 18th March, 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

SALUTATION

Grace to you and peace.

THE RESILIENCE PROJECT - BUILDING RESILIENCE AT HOME WORKSHOP

On Monday night, parents and carers gathered in Josephite Hall for our Building Resilience at Home workshop, a truly inspiring evening led by Sam Korsch from The Resilience Project. Sam travelled from Melbourne to share the powerful GEM principles—Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness—along with practical strategies for fostering resilience in our children. Parents left with simple yet effective ways to incorporate these principles into daily life, reinforcing the whole-school approach that underpins wellbeing at St Thomas More’s.

The evening was designed not only to help parents embed these practices in their own lives but, more importantly, to equip them with the tools to support their children at home in developing these essential skills. Sam highlighted that gratitude can be nurtured through simple daily reflections, such as asking children to share three things they are thankful for each day. Empathy grows when children are encouraged to consider others' perspectives, for example, by discussing how a friend might feel in a difficult situation. Mindfulness can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths before responding to frustration or noticing small joys in the present moment. By reinforcing these strategies at home, parents play a vital role in helping their children develop strong emotional wellbeing that will support them for life.

A huge thank you to Sam Korsch for his engaging and insightful presentation, and to our Key Teacher – Pastoral Care & Wellbeing, Jessica McLauchlan, for her outstanding organisation, coordination, and leadership of the event. The energy in the room reflected our community’s deep commitment to student wellbeing, and we are excited to continue embedding the GEM principles both at school and at home. Together, we are building a culture of resilience, gratitude, and connection.

GOSPEL VALUE AWARDS: DIGNITY

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 DIGNITY. Our Gospel Values: Head, Heart & Hands Framework, reminds our students that to show the value of dignity is to be myself, do my best, and be proud.

The following students received a Gospel Value Award at our Friday afternoon School Assembly (21st March) this week, as nominated by their class teacher for exemplifying the Gospel value of DIGNITY:

Term 1 - Week 7, 2025
Sullie Bessell	Sullie, I love the way you always do your best and take pride in your work. Thank you for being such a happy and hard working member of our class.	Prep More
Leo Williams	Leo you are always trying to be the best version of yourself by consistently treating others with kindness and honesty, and doing your best in all class activities.	Prep Thomas
Archie Padgett	For the effort and positive attitude he shows towards his learning activities at school. Archie shows the Gospel value of dignity by being proud of himself and the work he produces. Amazing work, Archie!	Grade 1/2 More
Cooper Springer	Cooper will always be the first to assist his classmates. When he has completed his own work and understands the material, he often offers to help his classmates who are finding the task challenging. He approaches his peers with kindness and dignity, asking if they need assistance, and patiently explains the concepts they are struggling with. This demonstrates dignity to his peers well.	Grade 1/2 Saint
Toby Rowe	The dignified way Toby looks out for his classmates and shows thoughtfulness and kindness.	Grade 1/2 Thomas
Riley Pearce	Riley, you consistently uphold the Gospel Values with dignity within our school community. You show respect for both your peers and your learning by approaching everything with dedication and admiration. Well done!	Grade 3/4 More
Reuben Pentland	For consistently demonstrating dignity through his actions. Reuben consistently treats others with kindness and sets a positive example for all.	Grade 3/4 Saint
Jack Taylor	For his persistence and confidence shown towards his reading this week. Jack is always striving to put forth his best effort. Proud of you Jack!	Grade 3/4 Thomas
Millie Van Namen	Millie has demonstrates the gospel value of dignity by treating herself and others with kindness and respect, uplifting those around her, and recognising the worth in every achievement.	Grade 5/6 More
Eden Luttrell	Eden treats others with kindness, respect, and a strong sense of fairness. She leads by example, showing care and compassion in her interactions with classmates and teachers. She listens attentively, values others' opinions, and ensures that everyone feels included and valued.	Grade 5/6 Saint
Zoe Goldsmith	Zoe embodies the true meaning of dignity by confidently embracing who she is while showing deep empathy for those around her. She stands firm in her values, unafraid to go against the grain, yet always considers the thoughts and feelings of others with kindness and respect.	Grade 5/6 Thomas

These students also attended the Principal’s Morning Tea on Tuesday (25th March) in the Josephite Hall during the first break at 10:50am with myself and Fr Vinco Muriyadan.

HARMONY WEEK

The theme for Harmony Week 2025 is: "Harmony – we all have a role to play!" This important message reminds us that every individual has unique gifts and talents to offer, and when we unite our efforts, we create an inclusive community where everyone is celebrated.

On Friday, 21st March, our school demonstrated its commitment to celebrating diversity by encouraging all students to wear orange. Once again, the sea of orange was a vivid reminder that although we may come from many different backgrounds, each member of our school community truly belongs.

Students enjoyed the face painting at break time by decorating their faces and hands with symbols of their heritage, flags representing their countries, or orange totems of love and diversity. It was an inspiring sight to see so many vibrant expressions of cultural pride and solidarity!

Continuing our beloved tradition, each student appeared on our Harmony Day Tree in the Reception Area to demonstrate that all are seen, heard and valued for who they are and come together as a beautiful and rich tapestry of diversity. The growing tree serves as a beautiful symbol of our collective journey, highlighting how we each have a role to play in fostering harmony, both as individuals and as a united school community.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Mrs Simone Ross for her incredible efforts in organising these memorable Harmony Week events for our students. Her dedication ensures that the spirit of inclusion and connectedness remains a central part of our school’s culture, reminding us all that we truly do have a role to play in creating harmony for everyone.

INSIGHT SRC SCHOOL EFFECTIVENESS SURVEY

As you may recall, in Weeks 8 and 9 of Term 3 in 2024, St Thomas More's Catholic School participated in a trial of Catholic Education Tasmania's new annual School Effectiveness Surveys for students, parents, and staff, conducted by Insight SRC on behalf of the school and system. We were just one of eight school involved in the trial last year, and the only school in the north of the State.

Catholic Education Tasmania have now moved to expand the survey to include all 38 Catholic Schools in the system. All schools will be conducting this survey in Weeks 8 and 9 of this term. Therefore, St Thomas More's Catholic School will again be conducting this survey with students, parents, and staff commencing next week.

Next week, your child will receive an envelope with a letter providing you with the link to complete the Parent Survey along with your unique Login ID and Access Code. You will find this letter in your child's school bag.

The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of parents' perceptions of their children's experience of school. In terms of identifying solutions and making data-informed decisions, my leadership mantra is that: "The best information equals the best outcome".

Therefore, we implore all parents to complete this 10-minute survey to provide the school with the information, the feedback, and the data we need to continue to improve our educational programme. The key insights from the high level summary data in the previous survey were essential in forming the Strategic Plan (2025-2030): Fostering Greatness and our 2025 Annual Priorities.

PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS - TERM 1, 2025

As we prepare for our Term 1 Parent-Teacher Interviews next week, it is vital to recognise the profound impact these meetings have on the educational journey of each student. Research consistently affirms that the strength of the partnership between home and school—grounded in clear, open communication—strongly influences student success. In other words, your involvement and interest in your child’s progress is not a peripheral detail; it is central to their overall development and achievement.

These interviews offer a focused forum in which we can discuss and reflect on your child’s holistic progress throughout Term 1. You can expect our teachers to approach these conversations with honesty, clarity, and even forthrightness. Providing you with an authentic appraisal of your child’s learning is an indispensable step toward improvement, as clarity and candour lay the groundwork for meaningful growth. This reflective dialogue allows us all—teachers and parents—to collaboratively set the highest standards for our students.

Yet, the significance of your participation extends well beyond the information exchanged in these interviews. By actively attending, asking questions, and engaging in the conversation, you are sending a powerful message to your child about how deeply you value their education. Children notice the priorities of adults around them—if they see you setting aside time to meet with their teacher, they understand that learning truly matters. Conversely, neglecting or avoiding this vital meeting can inadvertently communicate indifference, suggesting that academics and the dedicated work of their teacher rank lower on your family’s list of priorities.

I challenge every parent to make this engagement a clear statement of support: prove to your child, through both words and actions, that their growth and success at school deserve your full attention. By being present, asking thoughtful questions, celebrating strengths, and tackling concerns head-on, you underline your commitment to your child’s well-being and development.

Thank you, in advance, to all parents who have scheduled or will schedule a meeting with their child’s teacher. The visible commitment you demonstrate in these interviews not only helps forge a strong school-home partnership—it undeniably reinforces the value of learning itself in the hearts and minds of our students. We look forward to working alongside you to help every child thrive in 2025 and beyond.

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

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*Awarded by*	To	*For*
Mrs Wheeler	Roy Singline	For always having a smile on his face and trying everything to the best of his ability. Your positive attitude brightens our classroom every day.
Mrs Wheeler	Harper Clarke	For consistently demonstrating dedication and hard work. As a quiet achiever, you strive for excellence and continuously put in your best effort in all tasks.
Mrs Wheeler	Eden Luttrell	For giving school life a positive outlook and always with a smile, inspiring her peers and brightening our school community.
Mrs Hodgetts	Chase Offer	For trying really hard with all his writing tasks. Keep up the great work Chase.
Mrs Hodgetts	Harry Muller	For his excellent focus and increased responsibility in completing all tasks and participating within classroom discussions.
Mrs Hodgetts	Frankie-Willow Alexander	For her dedication and positive attitude, Frankie consistently tackles every task with enthusiasm and determination. Keep up the great work Frankie!
Miss McLauchlan	Lachlan Phillips	For showing a positive mindset while tackling his Naplan this week!
Miss McLauchlan	Mary Hau Sian Huai	For her positive and insightful contributions to classroom activities and discussions.
Miss McLauchlan	Lucy Goss	For her perseverance and determination when working on multiplication in maths this week.
Mrs Wahl	Felix Young	For working hard on his maths work and using his class time wisely.
Mrs Wahl	Lily Black	Having a consistently good work ethic and always doing her best.
Mrs Wahl	Daisy Bertram	Having a consistently good work ethic and always doing her best.
Mr Davie	Tohbe Chaston	Tohbe consistently tries his best, works hard, and displays a good attitude in all that he does. He listens to advice and applies it to his learning, showing dedication and a willingness to improve.
Mr Davie	Quinn Russell	Quinn has made a fantastic start to Grade 6, demonstrating a strong work ethic and a positive attitude. He is a hardworking student who leads by example in group tasks, supports his peers, and contributes thoughtful ideas. Well done, Quinn!
Ms Flynn	Lachlan Oakley	For demonstrating your creative writing in class and being a respectful class member. Keep up the great work Lachlan
Ms Flynn	Aavish Mali Manandhar	For continuously applying yourself to your learning and completing tasks with precision. Well done Aavish
Ms Flynn	Lillian Carey	For being a responsible and caring class member who looks out for the needs of others and helps our class. Keep up the amazing work Lillian
Ms Flynn	Oliver Coppleman	For your application and dedication to your learning in class and through NAPLAN. Keep up the great work Oliver
Mrs Chugg	Archer Coombe	For his courage and bravery to share his ‘Me Bag’ presentation in front of his peers.
Mrs Chugg	Charlie Thomas	For his attentive listening and hard work towards all learning tasks, and positive contributions to class discussions.
Mrs Chugg	Ada Amerikanos	For developing more confidence to seek help when she needs it, and for her hard work and dedication towards her extra-curricular activities this week.
Mrs Scharapow	Finn Harding	Finn, for consistently demonstrating great focus and effort in class. Your commitment to doing your best in all tasks and making positive choices at school is wonderful to see.
Mrs Scharapow	Harriet Wilson	For your caring and considerate manners. You include others in all activities and love to share your learning with others.
Mrs Carr	Josie Singline	For the calm and independent way you go about your learning. Josie thanks for always doing your best and encouraging others to do the same.
Mrs Carr	Angus Carey	Angus, you have worked incredibly hard this year to master your number and name writing. Your positive attitude and determination is awesome to see. Well done!
Mrs Hartley	Frankie Lunson	Frankie Lunson shows leadership by stepping up with confidence and respect. She takes challenges in stride and is always willing to help others.
Mrs Hartley	Samantha Wheeler	For her genuine kindness and dedication to learning, Samantha is a credit to herself and a blessing to her peers.
Mrs Hartley	Rafe de Bruyn	For his thoughtful mind and ability to see things differently, Rafe brings creativity and fresh perspectives to all he does.
Ms Nichols	Alianna Andrado	For helping put out the chairs in the classroom each morning. Thanks for being a great helper, Alianna!
Ms Nichols	Anna Badcock	For being an amazing classroom helper! Thank you for being so caring, Anna!
Ms Nichols	Lachlan Wrankmore	For being a keen participant in class discussions. Thank you for sharing your ideas, Lachlan!

Reminder, an early payment discount is available for all accounts, paid in full, by 31st March 2025.

$117 per child is the applicable discount, please short pay your account by this amount, if you would like to take advantage of this offer.

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WANTED:

students to enrol on the following: Flute, Percussion, Clarinet, Trombone, Saxophone

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)

Musical.pdf

Musical _pdf 182.32 KB

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Bulletin.pdf

Bulletin _pdf 1.49 MB

5 Apr	3/4 Basketball Tournament 05 Apr 2025 - 06 Apr 2025

8 Apr	Set up for Success/Joeys 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Recurring event

8 Apr	Gospel Values morning tea 10:50 AM - 11:25 AM

10 Apr	Term 1 concludes for Students All day

25 Apr	ANZAC Day All day Recurring event

25 Apr	ANZAC Day All day Recurring event

28 Apr	Term 2 commences for Staff and Students All day

29 Apr	Set up for Success/Joeys 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Recurring event

2 May	3/4 Excursion to Agfest All day