EVERYTHING BELONGS: A CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK REFLECTION

It seems appropriate that the muse of my reflection in this Catholic Education Week is a quote from the most recent book of my favourite Catholic author, Fr Richard Rohr (The Tears of things, 2025):

“Secular freedom is having to do what you want to do. Religious freedom is wanting to do, what you have to do.”

I am able to write and share with full honesty, conviction, and faith that my vocation in Catholic educational leadership is 'wanting to do, what I have to do'. Such revelations and conversations always lead us to grapple with the nature of faith.

Faith is not knowing or proving or clinging. Faith is letting go. Faith is total surrender. Faith is complete trust in God. The pure fact of understanding is not the point. The point is the journey, the inner journey, toward understanding - a destination at which we never fully and completely arrive.

If you understand it, things are just as they are. If you don’t understand it, things are just as they are. The mystery is to be ready to receive things just as they are and be ready to let them teach us. Life does not care what I like and don’t like. It doesn’t matter a bit. If we stay in the world of preference and choice, we keep ourselves as the reference point. As if it matters what colour I like, who cares what I look good in, or what movie is pleasing to me. It all changes from moment to moment. No wonder people have identity crises. No wonder people have a fragile self-image. They have nothing solid to build on beyond changing opinions and feelings. Those who are totally converted come to every experience and ask not whether or not they liked it, but what does it have to teach them. What’s the message in this for me? What’s the gift in this for me? How is God in this event?

That’s why Jesus said to go into the closet. That’s where we stop living out of other people’s response to us. We can then say: ‘I am not whom you think I am. Nor am I whom you need me to be. I’m not even who I need myself to be. I must be nothing in order to be open to all of reality and new reality.’ The Zen master calls this state: who you are before you were born. Paul calls it who you are: “In Christ, hidden in God” (Col 3:3).

What a terrible tragedy, that people should be seduced into imitating and desiring what we are not, and can never be.

The soul doesn’t know itself by comparison and differentiation, the soul just is. The soul knows itself through what is now and everything that is - both the dark and the light. The soul triumphs over nothing and therefore cannot be defeated because it is not in the game of succeeding or failing. It does not need to separate the dark from the light - everything belongs!

And so, in the spirit of Catholic Education Week and in the deeper spirit that everything belongs, I want to share a piece of myself. Thrice is the band I have listened to more than any other in my life, and their song Everything Belongs feels like a fitting close to this reflection. The lyrics speak deeply to the mystery of faith, the ties that bind us, and the hope that lives in the unfolding: “There’s a web and every thread ties you to me; and we are here and now, the future’s yet to be.” I invite you to listen, not just with ears, but with the heart - for after all - that is business of Catholic education.

Mr Casimir Douglas

Monday 4th August, 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

SALUTATION

Grace to you and peace.

HOSTING CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK MASS & AWARDS

On Wednesday (6th August), we had the great privilege of hosting the Catholic Education Week Mass at Sacred Heart Church. Students, staff, and clergy from across the Northern Region joined us in a beautiful celebration of our shared faith and commitment to Catholic education. His Grace, Archbishop Julian Porteous, presided over the Mass, supported by the priests of the Launceston Parish, and joined by members of the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office, including Executive Director, Dr Gerard Gaskin.

During the liturgy, I was honoured to receive, on behalf of our school, a certificate acknowledging and affirming our response to the Archbishop’s Charter. More than a formal recognition, the certificate symbolises the collective spirit, values, and mission that guide the daily life of our school community. I was also grateful for the opportunity to offer the Vote of Thanks at the conclusion of the Mass, on behalf of all those gathered.

After the celebration, visiting students enjoyed a shared BBQ and playtime, while invited guests gathered in Josephite Hall for a special luncheon—a chance to connect, reflect, and share in the joy of the occasion.

Later that afternoon, Josephite Hall was once again abuzz as we hosted the Catholic Education Commission Tasmania’s annual Recognition Awards. These awards honour the dedicated staff, volunteers, and friends of Catholic Education who have given 25 years of service or made an outstanding contribution to their school communities.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff of Catholic Education Tasmania for their careful planning and tireless work in making these meaningful celebrations possible.

KINDER ENROLMENTS 2026

Over the past few months, I have had the privilege of meeting with more than 120 families who are hoping to enrol their child in Kindergarten at St Thomas More’s Catholic School in 2026. Every meeting, every conversation, and every encounter has been a gift. It is humbling to hear how deeply families value what our school stands for.

It breaks my heart that we cannot offer a place to every child. While I don’t hold a growth agenda for our school, I do hold an inclusion agenda. My dream is simple: that any family who wishes to choose a Catholic education at St Thomas More’s for their child is able to do so. But with more than four times the number of applicants than available places, that dream is not yet a reality.

This overwhelming demand is not a reflection of any one person. The credit belongs to our staff, whose dedication shapes a nurturing and inspiring environment every day. It belongs to our parents, whose generous words and advocacy speak volumes in the community. And most of all, it belongs to our students, the heroes of this story, who live out our Gospel values with joy, integrity, and kindness.

CBCA BOOM WEEK - BOOK AN ADVENTURE!

CBCA Book Week (Week 6 of this term) is fast approaching, and this year’s theme – Book an Adventure – invites us to open a book and journey far beyond the classroom. It is a nationwide celebration of literature, imagination, and the joy of reading.

Here at St Thomas More’s, Book Week is always a special time, and our calendar is full of joyful events to mark the occasion. We’ll be hosting our Readers’ Picnic and Art Show on Monday 18 August from 1.25–2.00pm – a relaxed and colourful celebration for families and students alike. Bring a picnic rug, a favourite book, and settle in on the lawn (or under cover if the weather demands it!) to enjoy a shared story and a bite to eat. For those whose families are unable to attend, students will buddy up with a friend or older student so that everyone gets to take part in the fun.

At the same time, families can explore our Book Week Art Show, with each class displaying artwork inspired by one of this year’s shortlisted titles. Wander the windows and enjoy the creative ways our students have responded to the stories they’ve been reading and loving.

Throughout the week, students will also take part in a range of activities, including our Book Week Quiz, craft activities for our youngest learners, a vote for favourite books, and even a 3D reading adventure using QR codes in the library.

None of this would be possible without the passion and dedication of Ms Rebecca Thomas, our librarian and literary champion. Rebecca’s enthusiasm for reading is contagious, and her leadership of Book Week is a gift to our entire community. From hand-selecting the shortlisted titles, to dreaming up book-themed activities, to personally engaging every student in the joy of story – she is, quite simply, the beating heart of Book Week at STM. We are lucky beyond words to have her.

Oh, and before I forget – myself and Ms Cornish will be popping into classrooms throughout the week to share a story or two. Costumes may or may not be involved (but let’s just say you haven’t lived until you’ve seen me attempt a Scottish accent while dressed as a dragon).

Adventure awaits. Let’s book it!

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

CBCA Sun Project : Shadow Judging Book of the Year Program

This term a group of Grade 1/2 students from STM have been participating in an initiative called Shadow Judging, run by the Children’s Book Council of Australia.  The program calls for students to dive deeply into the books shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year competition and act as “shadow judges”, critiquing the books in terms of the official judging criteria.  We were tasked with selecting a winner in our chosen category and developing a series of creative responses to be shared on the national website.

STM chose to judge the Early Childhood category and, after much debate, chose Briony Stewart’s Everything You Wanted to Know About the Tooth Fairy (And Some Things You Didn’t)  as our winning book. Our beautiful artwork is on display in the Library for CBCA Book Week.

Rebecca Thomas

Librarian

Every Wednesday, Lachlan spends time with his tutor, Miss Zoe. During this time, she assists him to deepen his understanding in writing and reading. As Lachlan is such an expressive author,  Miss Zoe encouraged him to write a story and enter it into a National Competition, entitled the “Laura Literary Awards”.

The story Lachlan created is called “The Messerschmitt” and it is a gripping and mysterious tale, set in the time of World War II. 

Lachlan’s story achieved third prize, out of all the stories written within his age group, in the whole of Australia!

“It is awesome to see my story published in the booklet, with all the other stories from around Australia, and I even got to be in The Examiner!” 

We are all very proud of Lachlan’s achievement and we cannot wait to read more exciting tales from this talented young author!

MacqLit awards:

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)