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- Reflection
- Principal's Message
- CBCA Book Week Celebrations
- Northern Cultural Day
- Wakakirri 2020
- Helping Hands
- Foundation Band and ALL Strings Workshop - Thursday 5th November
- Development Band Workshop - Thursday 12th November
- Nature friendOmeters - URSTRONG
- STM Board Members - Expression of Interest
- P & F Cookbook - extended cutoff!
- Volunteer wanted!
- Lockdown Practice
- Parish Bulletin
Our religious tradition is founded on love. Actually, life itself is grounded in love. We may not always feel this love, but if we allow ourselves to reflect on life, we will realise this truth. We have been called into being by God’s love; and we will only be happy if we live in that love. Thus, when we are directed to love God and love one another, we are not being asked to do something contrary to our nature. Rather, we are being told to live in accord with that nature. We come from God who is love, and so it is in our very nature to love and to be loved.
We may sometimes think that it is easier to love God than to love others. It may actually be just the opposite. Other people are tangible. We can see and hear them, interact with them. Their influence in our lives can permeate our consciousness. That is not the way it is with God. Like Moses on the mountain, we can only see the traces of divinity as God passes by (see Ex 33:23). However, we show that we love God in the way we love our neighbour.
Love, the foundation of the reign of God, is contagious. When we love others, the reign of God spreads throughout the world. The compassion that we show toward others is a form of evangelisation. It proclaims much louder than any words that the reign of God has been established.
© Dianne Bergant CSA
Dear Families,
Another exciting week here at St Thomas More’s. On Monday we let our curious minds wander to create curious creatures for our biannual book week parade. It was great to see the creativity of our students and teachers through their costumes.
Today I led an MJR Pastoral Care group for our P to G4 students. Our focus was on noticing God Moments, which are always around us, we just need to stop and notice. I have also reminded our children that they cannot notice God moments if they are on a device.
Today our G5/6’s braved the rain for their first Gala Day of 2020. It is always great to see the sportsmanship our students show on days like today and the opportunity they have to make friends with students from other Catholic Schools. We have another Gala Day in a few weeks.
I am pleased to inform you that we are now able to host an End of Year Concert which will be on the evening of Friday 11th December. Our End of Year Concert will be different from our Carols evening as we will be removing the individual items and replacing them with items prepared by our Drama Club; we will still have our class Christmas songs and our G6 song. We have chosen to make this change as our drama students have not had an opportunity to perform in front of an audience this year. We are looking forward to this event. Please note that the event will be for parents, students and staff only. We will send out more information about the event later this term.
We congratulate More House on achieving the most points for the Athletics Carnival. Well done everyone for your sportsmanship and efforts.
On Monday Mrs Janet Wilson received a 25 years’ Service Award at the Catholic Education Awards. Mr Rik also has achieved 25 years’ service at St Thomas More’s. I thank both Janet and Rik for their hard work and dedication.
At the Awards, St Thomas More’s also had their Response to The Archbishop’s Charter approved for the next 4 years.
I wish to inform you that Mr Rose has decided to resign from his teaching position here at St Thomas More’s Catholic School. This decision was effective immediately and as such he will not be returning to work at either St Thomas More’s or Sacred Heart. We thank Mr Rose for his time here and wish him all the best for the future, both personally and professionally. Mr Gray and Mrs Carr will continue teaching 3/4M for the rest of 2020.
God Bless,
Shayne Kidd
Students and staff of STM celebrated CBCA Book Week this week and a wonderful time was had by all! We began the week with our biennial Dress-Up Parade in which we embraced the theme Curious Creatures, Wild Minds and dressed as our favourite book characters. In the lead-up to Book Week, we shared the shortlisted books and voted for our favourites. During our Library lessons this week we created our own curious creatures, coloured our own Book Week posters, and participated in a Book Week quiz. Book Week is a great time to celebrate the joy of reading and to immerse ourselves in quality Australian children’s literature.
Rebecca Thomas
Librarian
Catholic Schools Northern Cultural Day was held last Wednesday, 14th October. The students spent their day at the Trevallyn Hoo Hoo Hut area, and were immersed in cultural activities led by members of our Tasmanian Aboriginal community.
The students made kelp baskets, tap sticks, fire sticks and created a special piece for themselves learning the skill of stringing. The students also went on a treasure hunt to learn about some of the local native flora and fauna in the Trevallyn Recreational Area, and the day ended with the students playing their tap sticks together whilst others learnt how to perform the Kangaroo and Emu dance.
The wonderful Peta Rae from STM P and F cooked bbq sausages for all who attended the day, and we would like to send Peta our sincere appreciation and grateful thanks for giving up her time and being a part of our day.
We would also like to thank the St Patricks students and staff who attended and helped the younger students with their activities, a brilliant day was had by all the students and staff who attended one student voiced " this is the best day ever".
What is Wakakirri? Well, Wakairri is an online dance and drama contest which is formed from the Aboriginal word meaning to dance a story. This year we decided to follow the story of the well-known book, the Wizard of Oz.
Thanks to the Kinder students who gave Mr Rik a helping hand topping up the sand in our sandpit during the week. Many hands make light work!
Foundation Band and ALL Strings Workshop - Thursday 5th November
Foundation Band and ALL Strings members will have recently received a notice regarding the second Combined School's Workshop Day, to be held next Thursday, 5th November at St Albie's Hall. Details for the day are outlined in the attached copy for your convenience.
There will be no Development Band session run at school on this day.
If you have any queries, please contact the Office.
Development Band Workshop - Thursday 12th November
Please note the date for the second Developement Band Combined School's Workshop to be held on Thursday, 12th November at St Albie's Hall. Details for the day will be outlined in a note to be sent home soon.
There will be no Foundation Band session run at school on this day. There WILL be a Strings sessions run.
If you have any queries, please contact the Office.
STM Board Members - Expression of Interest
St Thomas More’s Catholic School Board are looking for expressions of interest for 3 vacancies, commencing the beginning of the 2021 school year. The STM School Board works closely with the Principal to provide advice and guidance on school governance. If you are interested, please contact Mrs Pietsch for an application package. Expressions of Interest close on Friday 20th November 2020.
P & F Cookbook - extended cutoff!
Please send in your favourite family recipes as soon as possible!
Email your recipes to stm@catholic.tas.edu.au, using the following template as a guide:
Recipes will be shared in our St Thomas More's cookbook - further details are attached.
We are looking for a volunteer with wood-working skills and a current WWVP registration to spend time with some students to plan and construct easy wood projects and develop basic woodworking skills.
If you know of someone available on Thursday afternoons between 12-1.30pm who would like to be involved, please contact the office on 6337 7200.
Emergency Practice
Within the next few weeks, whilst at recess or lunch we will hold an unannounced emergency practice with staff and students, to test our response to a potential scenario that staff identify a threat warranting the school go into lockdown (opposite to evacuation).
Like for fire evacuation drills, we recognised the worth to test this process. We have plans in place to make this practice as least disruptive as able.
If you have queries please call our Safety Officer, Simon Natoli on 0400 105 476