ON SCHOOL REPORTS AND WHAT TRULY MATTERS

Last week, I sat down at our kitchen table to open my own son’s Grade 6 school report. As a parent, there’s always that moment of anticipation; not just about marks, but about how he’s growing up. This term, Jimmy achieved his goal in every subject area. He was understandably proud. Then he asked me about the comment his teacher had written.

I read it aloud to him: how he is kind and gentle, how he laughs easily, gets along with others, has grown into a leader, works hard and excels in his learning. To my surprise, Jimmy frowned slightly and said, “But that doesn’t tell me much else about how I did in each subject.”

Without missing a beat, I corrected him, gently but firmly. I told him that the comments about who he is as a human being will always matter more than the little letter next to the subject name on his report. That these words are the real evidence of a life well-lived.

Because while curriculum outcomes and grades matter, they are never the whole story. The research on character education is unequivocal: it is the single greatest long-term predictor of success in learning, work, and life. As Dr. Marvin Berkowitz notes, “Character shapes how we use our knowledge, skills, and abilities. Without character, they can do harm as easily as good.” This is why teaching values, virtues, and habits of heart is so important; and why it must begin in the home.

We parents are our children’s first and most influential teachers. The words we use, the stories we tell, the way we respond to setbacks or triumphs; all of it forms the foundation for who our children will become. At school, we aim to build on that foundation. But we can’t replace it. Character is not an “extra” or an “add-on.” It is the ground of education itself.

As the Christian mystic Thomas Merton wrote, “Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” This is especially true for our children. And so, as we look ahead to the coming school holidays, let’s remember what these breaks are for. They are meant to punctuate the year with time for leisure, rest, and connection. Critical developmental research confirms the necessity of “unstructured time” for children to grow socially and emotionally.

Our kids need days when they are not assessed, critiqued, scrutinised, judged or evaluated. They need time to play, to wonder, to be with family, to heal from the busyness of term time. Cynthia Bourgeault reminds us that “Stillness is not the absence of movement, but the container for it.” Holidays are that container, a sacred space to simply be.

So as reports go home, let’s read them together, celebrate the goals achieved, reflect on the feedback given; but most of all, let’s cherish the words that speak to who our children are becoming. And then let’s close the reports, put them away, and head outside to kick a ball, go for a walk, share a meal, tell a story, laugh together. That, in the end, is the best kind of learning there is.

Wishing you and your family a restful, joy-filled break.

Mr Casimir Douglas

Monday 30th June, 2025

Jimmy & I at the Easter Monday AFL Clash this year: Cats vs Hawks

Dear Parents and Carers,

SALUTATION

Grace to you and peace.

DUSTIN'S GREATEST SHAVE

Today at second break, hundreds of St Thomas More’s students flocked to the Kitchen Garden Area to witness and support something truly special: Dustin’s Greatest Shave.

In an incredible act of solidarity and service, Grade 6 student and School Captain, Dustin Graham, shaved his head as part of the World’s Greatest Shave, raising vital funds for the Leukaemia Foundation. Before the clippers came out, Dustin’s friend and fellow Year 6 student, Lydiah Hawkins, carefully created seven plaits in his hair. Dustin then invited seven people (including yours truly!) to each cut off a plait, a symbolic and generous gesture, as the plaits themselves will be donated to the World’s Greatest Shave to help create wigs for people living with leukaemia.

Dustin spoke passionately to the gathered crowd about his reasons for taking on this journey, demonstrating real maturity and empathy. He also shared the incredible news that he had not just reached but smashed his $1,000 goal, with a final fundraising total of $3,064.

Dustin’s parents were in attendance to witness the big event, alongside representatives from The Examiner and 7 News. We look forward to sharing those media stories on our Facebook page when they are released.

Congratulations, Dustin, on this remarkable example of courage, service, and leadership that you have gifted to your peers and our entire school community. You are truly living the charism and legacy of St Mary MacKillop:

“Never see a need without doing something about it.”

STM TV 2025: FEAST DAY SPECIAL!

Smiles, sausage sizzles, sunshine and song; this candid episode brings you the joy, reverence, and all-out fun of our St Thomas More's Feast Day celebrations last Monday 23rd June! From Mass to MacKillop’s back-to-back win, come relive the heart and hustle of a day that captures the soul of our school.

TERM 2 - HOUSE CUP WINNERS: CHISHOLM!

Throughout Term 2, students across St Thomas More’s have been earning House tokens for demonstrating our positive behaviour expectations: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be a Learner. These tokens have been counted weekly, with the House earning the most by the end of Week 9 crowned House Cup Champions!

We’re thrilled to announce that Chisholm House took out the win for Term 3 with a grand total of 3,525 tokens! A huge congratulations to all Chisholm students on this wonderful achievement. Tenison and MacKillop Houses weren’t far behind, showing just how committed all students have been to upholding our school values.

To celebrate their success, Chisholm students from Prep to Grade 6 gathered in the Piazza on Tuesday afternoon of Week 10 to be presented with the House Cup trophy. The celebration continued with a fun-filled activity called Fly the Coop, where the four Chisholm Pastoral Care Groups participated in some friendly competition that involved eggs, rubber chickens, a relay and a lot of fun and laughter!

The afternoon wrapped up with a cool treat delivered by our fantastic Grade 6 leaders—icy poles all round for our sweaty but smiling champions.

With Term 3 already underway, the race for the next House Cup is heating up. Will Chisholm go back-to-back? Or will another House take the crown? Let the friendly competition continue!

PARLIAMENT OF TASMANIA - OUTREACH PROGRAM

On Tuesday 1st July, our Grade 5 and Grade 6 students took part in the Parliament of Tasmania’s School Outreach Program at the UTAS Inveresk Campus. Our Grade 5 class attended the morning session from 9:30 – 11:00 am, while our Grade 6 students followed from 11:15 – 12:45 pm.

This free program is run each year by the House of Assembly Education Office to help students across Tasmania learn more about how our democratic system works. Understanding that not all schools can travel to Hobart to visit Parliament House, the program brings parliamentary education to regional centres like Launceston. Delivered by experienced Parliamentary Educators, the Outreach Program is closely linked to the Australian Curriculum’s Civics and Citizenship strand, giving our students the chance to see concepts like democracy, elections and law-making in action.

During their 90-minute session, students participated in a lively and interactive lesson that included quizzes, discussions and a hands-on role-play of the House of Assembly. Students took on roles such as Speaker, Premier, Leader of the Opposition, and other Members of Parliament. Working together, they debated and voted on a fictional Bill, giving them first-hand experience of how laws are proposed and passed.

This was a wonderful opportunity for our senior primary students to deepen their understanding of government in a practical and memorable way—especially timely given the snap state election announced this week! We thank the House of Assembly Education Office for offering this experience to our students, helping them develop the knowledge and skills they need to be active, informed citizens.

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 Monday, 21st July 2025 is a student free day. Students will return to school to commence Term 3 on Tuesday, 22nd July 2025.

Waiving of Fees

If you are looking for some reading related fun these school holidays then the STM Library has you covered!  

Students can use Sora, our ebook library with an extensive collection of ebooks, audiobooks, read-alongs and emagazines to keep them reading.  Don't forget the Premier’s Reading Challenge runs right through until 24 August! 

We also have access to ClickView for safe, ad-free and age appropriate video content including kids’ movies.  All students can log in to both of these apps using their school email credentials.  

You can also watch some wonderful stories on Story Box Library with our school subscription and use the fun educational and craft activities to really connect with the stories and their characters.  The STM Library also provides access to World Book Online which also has some great online games to keep students engaged.

Click here to access the STM Library webpage for more information.

Kind regards,

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)