GOD IN GIGGLES AND SCRAPED KNEES

I write this week’s reflection from the newly revamped Launceston Bike Centre, where my daughter is attending her friend's birthday party. Around me is a swirl of scooters, bikes, rollerskates, face-painting, balloons, scraped knees patched with colourful band-aids, sugar-fuelled giggles, and parents swapping stories over coffee. To an untrained eye, it might look like bedlam. To mine, after twenty years as an educator, it looks like life in full bloom: the spirit of adventure, the joy of shared song, and the unity found in a slice of birthday cake.

Richard Rohr often reminds us that what appears to be chaos is often the place where God is most present. Our tendency as adults is to want to tidy, order, and control—but Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:14 challenge us otherwise: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” In the laughter, the stumbles, and even the tears, we glimpse a Kingdom where love is abundant and joy is unrestrained.

The Gospel calls us not only to tolerate this so-called “messiness,” but to enter into it with open hearts. Rohr might say that such spaces are where grace is hiding in plain sight. When we stop resisting the noise and the imperfections, we begin to see the holiness of life as it actually is: unpredictable, interconnected, and alive.

May we as parents, educators, and a faith community learn to find God not in perfect order but in shared humanity. Whether in the playground, the classroom, or at a birthday party, the Spirit is at work—reminding us that the Kingdom of God is not far away, but in the laughter of our children and the simple joy of being together.

Mr Casimir Douglas

Saturday 13th September, 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

SALUTATION

Grace to you and peace.

TOURNAMENT OF MINDS

This past Saturday (13th September), a team of seven students from St Thomas More’s Catholic School were crowned State Champions in the Tournament of Minds Tasmanian Finals!

Competing in the Arts discipline, the students presented a long term challenge performance that explored the theme of peace, creatively interwoven with references to legendary U2 frontman, Bono. Their piece was not only thoughtful but full of insight and humour. In the spontaneous section of the tournament, the team demonstrated outstanding teamwork, problem solving, and creativity under pressure, which proved pivotal in securing their overall victory on the day.

As a result of their success, the team will now represent Tasmania at the Tournament of Minds International Finals, to be held in Canberra in late October or early November.

Congratulations to George Boyle, Eva Lewis, Ivy Angelia Taylor, Tess Allie, Eliza Eldershaw, Chaz Swain, and Lachlan Phillips on this incredible achievement.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mrs Angela Edwards for her exceptional leadership, energy, and commitment in preparing the students for both the long term and spontaneous challenges. From guiding the scriptwriting process to managing rehearsals, prop making, and the final performance day itself, Angela’s dedication has been instrumental in the team’s success.

We also thank our Grade 5 and 6 teaching staff for their generosity in supporting the students’ rehearsal time during curriculum hours. We are immensely proud of our students and look forward to supporting them as they take this next exciting step on the national stage!

DELORAINE DRAMA FESTIVAL

***

GOSPEL VALUE AWARDS

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 September, 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 yourself, do your best, and be proud.

The following students received a Gospel Value Award at our Prayer Assembly this Monday (14th September), as nominated by their class teacher for exemplifying the Gospel value of DIGNITY:

Term 3 - Week 9, 2025
Ellis Winch	Ellis you always strive to do your best and encourage others to do the same. You show pride in your work and set a great example for your peers. Thank you for being you Ellis, never change!	Prep More
Hazel McGinniss	Hazel, you are always trying to be the best version of yourself. You consistently treat others with respect in the classroom and on the playground.	Prep Thomas
Lilou Hommel	For living out the Gospel value of Dignity. Lilou stays true to herself, is proud of who she is, and always does her very best. Keep being you, Lilou!	Grade 1/2 More
Edward Wahl	Edward demonstrates the gospel value of Dignity by giving his absolute best in his efforts in class recently. Edward is showing every day what it looks like to be the best version of himself, and his determination and hard work have not gone unnoticed.	Grade 1/2 Saint
Murphy McInerney	For showing quiet strength, respect, and focus in everything he does. Murphy leads by example, proving that true dignity is shown not in words, but in calm, consistent actions.	Grade 1/2 Thomas
Jessica Blazley	Jess, you treat others with dignity through your kindness, fairness, and thoughtful actions. You approach your learning with dedication and can always be trusted to make positive choices. You are a true role model to those around you in the school community. Keep up the amazing work!	Grade 3/4 More
Ryan Murray	Ryan demonstrates the Gospel Value of Dignity through the calm and controlled manner he uses to engages with his teachers and peers. Ryan holds himself to a high standard displaying respect for self, always working to the best of his ability and by taking pride in his appearance. Ryan is a great role model for his peers.	Grade 3/4 Saint
Kade Hodgetts	For demonstrating the Gospel Value of Dignity by working hard to give his best effort in all tasks and activities, and making positive choices. Well done, Kade!	Grade 3/4 Thomas
Douglas Anderson	Douglas shows the gospel value of Dignity through the kindness and fairness he shows to others, reflecting the genuine respect he has for his peers.	Grade 5/6 More
Mikayla Bardenhagen	Mikayla is respectful and caring in the way she treats others. Mikayla shows dignity by valuing her own gifts and the gifts of those around her. She listens to others with kindness, includes her peers, and upholds the dignity of everyone she meets. She is a wonderful example of how we are called to live out Jesus’ message of love and respect.	Grade 5/6 Saint
Ivy Angelia-Taylor	Ivy shows dignity in all that she does. She is a self-directed learner, always seeking new ways to challenge and extend her thinking. Ivy brings out the very best in those around her, encouraging and motivating others to shine alongside her. Her quiet confidence and positive influence inspire our whole class community.	Grade 5/6 Thomas

These students also attended the Principal’s Morning Tea on Tuesday (15th September) in Josephite Hall during First Break.

PRINCIPAL'S MORNING TEA

At our Monday morning Prayer Assembly this week, there were a number of students who received a Gospel Value Award for demonstrating the value of DIGNITY. These students attended a special Principal’s Morning Tea in Josephite Hall this Tuesday (16th September).

We were treated to a smorgasbord of fruits, muffins, cake, and party pies, and we each shared what we are grateful for in our lives: parents who take us on big adventures (even to London!), mums who return from cruises just in time for hugs, the joy of working with the Tournament of Minds team — and doing it all again in Sydney! We also heard gratitude for everything we have, friends and family who are always kind, and mums and dads who help us when we’re hurt or just need looking after.

They also shared about their hobbies, interests and dreams which included: playing footy for Lilydale and netball for Generation, swimming laps, playing ukulele, and dancing in tap and jazz at Melissa Wimmer’s studio with performances at the Princess Theatre! Some love gaming at home with Mum and little sister Milla, helping Dad in the garden, kicking goals for Launceston City, shooting hoops with the Trojans, and even dreaming of travelling the world to catch a live Premier League match in the UK!

REHEARSE THE POSITIVE SUPERHEROES!

Our Rehearse the Positive superhero capes continue to make a big impact across the school! Each week, these capes are passed on to new students who are living out the simple daily actions that make St Thomas More’s such a welcoming, positive community.

At our Prayer Assembly on Monday (14th September), we celebrated three more wonderful students who have been shining examples of kindness, respect, and care in action:

• Maggie Taylor (Grade 3, Chisholm House) – for greeting people using their name, and practising five star listening during assemblies.

• Amelia Walters (Prep, Tenison House) – for being respectful, being responsible and for showing five-star listening during assemblies.

• Huntah Walker (Grade 4, MacKillop House) – for including other in play by being fair, being respectful, and helping those who are hurt.

Congratulations to Maggie, Amelia, and Huntah! Each wore their cape proudly for the day as champions of Rehearse the Positive, and as a reminder to all of us that greatness is built through consistent positive actions.

TERM 3, 2025 - HOUSE CUP WINNERS!

All of Term 3, students have been receiving tokens from staff members for showing our positive behaviour expectations: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be a Learner. The House that receives the most tokens by the end of Week 9 each term wins the House Cup. 

The winning House each term attends a special afternoon of activities with Mr Douglas and Ms Cornish on the Tuesday afternoon of Week 10, where they will also be presented with the House Cup.

The House Captains have tallied the tokens, and the final count for Term 3 is:

In third place, with *** tokens is Tenison House.

In second place, with *** tokens is Chisholm House.

And in first place, and the winning House for Term 3, with *** tokens is MACKILLOP House!

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL - POSTPONED

As communciated with the school community yesterday, due to the inclement weather today (Friday 19th September), the Athletics Carnival has been postponed to Wednesday 15th October (Term 4 - Week 1).

STUDENT FREE DAY - MONDAY 13TH OCTOBER

There will be a Student Free Day on Monday 13th October (Term 4 - Week 1) as all Staff in Catholic Education Tasmania participate in the All System Day: Applying Knowledge, which is a professional learning day in which all Staff will deepening their knowledge of applying the principles of high impact teaching strategies. The event is being centrally hosted by Catholic Education Tasmania and includes keynote presentations from renowned educational experts such as Simon Breakspear and Nathaniel Swain.

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

Dear Parents and Carers,

Please note, if your child/ren will be absent from school for a period longer than two weeks (10 days) you will need to complete a Request for Student Absence form. This can also be found on the school website under the 'Our School' and 'Forms' tabs. You will need to forward this to the office, the Principal can then approve the leave. 

Also as a reminder, if your child/ren will be absent from school you are able to complete this absence on your Compass app under 'Attendance'.

Thank You for Embracing "A Splash of Blue Day"!

A big thank you to everyone who embraced our "A Splash of Blue Day" — our school was truly a sea of blue, and it was wonderful to see so many students and staff getting involved with such enthusiasm!

We hope you all enjoyed the refreshing Zooper Dooper treat as much as we enjoyed handing them out!

Thanks to your generosity and support, we raised an amazing $701.40! All money raised will go towards helping bring education to young people in Timor-Leste through the incredible work of Mary MacKillop Today.

What a fantastic effort by our school community. Your kindness and spirit make a real difference.

Well done, everyone!

A reminder that Term 4 commences on Tuesday, 14th October 2024.

Students will commence Term 4 in summer uniform.

School hats are required as of this date.

If your child/children will not be returning to St Thomas More's Catholic School in 2026, could you please notify the school via email: stm@catholic.tas.edu.au. Please also note that 10 weeks notice of leaving is required under the Terms of Enrolment. Parents of Grade 6 students do not need to advise.

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)