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- Reflection
- Principal's Message
- STM Board Members - Expression of Interest
- P & F Cookbook - extended cutoff!
- Volunteer wanted!
- Development Band Workshop - Thursday 12th November
- Foundation Band and ALL Strings Workshop - Thursday 5th November
- Reminder - Last day of term & Term Dates 2021
- Lockdown Practice
- Parish Bulletin
- Celebrate the release of Maggie May Gordon's new book 'A little bush fairy'
- Want to learn Mandarin?
- Junior Badminton - come and try!
- Midford Christmas Opening Hours & 2021 Planning
Today (Sunday 1st November) we celebrate the memory of all the baptised who have gone before us and whose lives were virtuous. The saints of God are all those who have been baptised into Christ, who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. We all know people whose lives were steeped in genuine holiness. The life of every one of us has been blessed by their goodness. This is a day for us to remember and to celebrate their holiness. We celebrate the lives of all those who have been marked with the sign of faith, those who have been canonised by the church, those whom we have known personally as well as those whose names we do not know.
In the beatitudes listed in today’s gospel we are given examples of what it means to live lives of holiness. This gospel really does not present a blueprint for holiness. Rather, it offers a series of snapshots that demonstrate the holiness that is ours by virtue of our baptism. Those who have gone before us lived such lives. Today, as we remember them, we hold up their lives as examples of holiness and models for our imitation. The sentiments that are expressed and the commitment that it illustrated in the beatitudes clearly stand in opposition to the standards of the world. Their radicality may be more than some can understand, but they are traits that are recognisable by those who belong to the family of God, for they are genuine godly traits.
© Dianne Bergant CSA
Dear Families,
Today Australia celebrates World Teachers’ Day. This year has been a particularly tough year for many people, including our teachers. I would like to thank our teachers and staff here at St Thomas More’s and to teachers across Australia and the world. You have put the needs of your students and their families first. This was very evident during Learning @ Home when the team here not only established a home learning model, we continued to teach 30% of our students here at school. Continuing to now, the effort that all our team here at STM are making to provide a full learning opportunity for our students makes me proud. Thank you.
This month our MJR focus will be “OK with a smile.” The purpose of this is for our children to learn to say “Okay” to a request from their parents or teachers without back-chatting. I am looking forward to hearing some stories from home of children responding positively to requests from you.
Today I joined our G5/6 at the gym for a workout. Somehow, they convinced me to do RPM, and all I can say is I survived the experience! No, it was great really, and very positive to hear how highly the gym staff spoke of our students. Everyone tried their best and represented our school with pride.
On Wednesday our G12’s from St Patrick’s College finished their formal schooling, with only exams left. I wish all our former students and all students the best with their upcoming exams and all their future endeavours.
I hope you all find some time to spend with your families this weekend.
Our 2021 School Term dates are in the school calendar. Please note that school commences for students on Monday 1st February 2021 and that there will be a 3-week holiday over the Easter period, 1st April 2021 to Monday 26th April 2021.
A number of parents have been placing requests for 2021 classes. Our processes for selecting classes is complex, which involves first placing students in class groups, then placing teachers to classes. We do take everyone’s request into consideration; however, we cannot guarantee the request is met. Our priority is to achieve the best possible placement for all our students.
Message from Lochie G6
Hello, some of you may know me as one of the school captains but I am here today to tell you why I am going to shave my head on the 1st of December. I have wanted to do this for a couple of years now but feel that this is the right time because earlier this year my Grandpa passed away from cancer. I want to donate to the Holman Clinic because over the last two and a half years they supported my Grandpa through his cancer journey.
Please donate to my gofundme page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/lochie-shaves-his-head-for-cancer and help me to raise $200 and then I will shave my head! Thank you.
God Bless,
Shayne Kidd
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.
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 are attached below.
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.
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.
Reminder - Last day of term & Term Dates 2021
Please note the last day of Term 4 2020 for students is on Wednesday, 16th December.
Term Dates for 2021 are below:
Term 1 commences: Monday, 1st February
Term 1 concludes: Thursday, 1st April
Term 2 commences: Monday, 26th April
Term 2 concludes: Friday, 2nd July
Term 3 commences: Monday, 19th July
Term 3 concludes: Friday, 24th September
Term 4 commences: Monday, 11th October
Term 4 concludes: Wednesday, 15th December
Please remember to check the STM Calendar on our website for important school dates.
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
Celebrate the release of Maggie May Gordon's new book 'A little bush fairy'
Maggie May Gordon’s DESIGN A BUSH FAIRY COMPETITION
To celebrate the release of my new magical Christmas tale…. ‘A Little Bush Fairy,’ one lucky child will win a copy of my new book and 2 runner ups will receive my poem also titled ‘A Little Bush Fairy,’ that features in the book.
To enter:
- Follow my Facebook page @maggiemaygordonauthor
- Like and Share the competition post on Facebook
- For your child…on an A4 piece of paper use nature’s gifts- petals, leaves, twigs etc to make a Bush Fairy (you may like to sketch the fairy first and then decorate). See examples on the attached poster to give you an idea.
-Send via Messenger a photo of your child’s Bush Fairy design
For 4-8 years only.
Must have Australian residential address. Competition closes 30th November 2020. Winner announced on the 2nd December 2020, on my page. Fairy Designs may be used on social media, unless informed otherwise. This competition is not endorsed, sponsored or administered by Facebook. Happy for you to share this post with friends, playgroups, schools and libraries.
Look forward to seeing your magical fairies! Maggie
Midford Christmas Opening Hours & 2021 Planning
Please see the attached notice from Midford regarding appointment bookings, and Christmas closure dates: