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- Reflection
- Principal's Message
- Beeswax Wraps are on their way!
- NAIDOC Week
- CET Creative Storytelling Showcase Awards
- 5/6 Gala Day
- Student Awards
- STM Achievers
- Soccerball donation!
- Reminder - Last day of term & Term Dates 2021
- Flexischools Lunch Orders
- Parish Bulletin
- Experiencing God, Walking in Nature Family Walk
Today’s readings contain several images: the faithfulness of those who suffer, even as they lament their predicament; the admonition to watch and wait; the expectation of the coming of the Day of the Lord. As trustees of the one who is coming, we live in the ‘in between’ time of ambiguity and hope. The placement of these readings at the beginning of Advent shapes the context for understanding the entire season. They fix our gaze on the world of human pain and then moves beyond it to the hope of a brighter future. Lamentation and expectation find fulfilment in the Day of the Lord.
Waiting is a prominent image this Sunday. Some people wait to be released from suffering, others await the second coming of Christ. Waiting saps our energies and stifles our enthusiasm. Yet wait we must, and as we wait, we wonder: ‘What should I be doing?’ The readings suggest that we should wait with patient expectation for the day of reconciliation and peace; we should wait in joyful hope that what is to come will come soon. While we wait, we should faithfully fulfil our responsibilities. We believe that we have a future worth waiting for, that there are promises that God will keep. And so we look expectantly to the Day of the Lord, that future day of ultimate fulfilment.
© Dianne Bergant CSA
Dear Families,
Yesterday I had the pleasure of watching our Strings and Band perform at St Patrick’s College. The concert was a little different as we were unable to have our families in the audience. Our students all played extremely well and there was a real relaxed atmosphere amongst our students. Well done to Isaac, Reuben, Lexi and Marina who received awards for their efforts in Band and strings this year.
Yesterday afternoon we hosted the CET Writing Awards ceremony. It was a lovely afternoon showcasing the writing talents of the students in Catholic Education Tasmania. Well done Maggie, Marina and Lexi who all received an award.
We apologise that we have not yet sent out ticket registration for the Christmas Concert, we have been unble to create what we would like. Instead of tickets, we'll be sending out a Google Form for families to register. Please look out for this early next week.
This year I have received a large amount of parent requests for their child’s classes for 2021, in particular, preferred teacher. I have personally reflected upon the many requests we have received this year, and as I am fortunate to see each of our teachers in operation, I know that all our teachers have many strengths that complement our school and every students’ learning. The team here at St Thomas More’s are a talented team who are dedicated to the students in their care. I have reflected upon some of the outside perceptions that may be made of our teachers. I remember as a child being scared of the G6 teacher as we all believed her to be a grumpy old lady. When we made it to G6 we were pleasantly surprised to discover that she was a warm, welcoming teacher who had high expectations of us; this was very different to our initial perception.
Our teachers have spent over 6 hours in collaborative meetings building class groups with an effort to ensure the mix of students will complement each other’s learning. I ask that you respect our decisions for your child’s class for 2021, your child’s future teacher is an excellent teacher who has many teaching strengths and will care deeply for your child. Your child will meet their new teacher on the step-up days for Kinder to Prep on Monday, and for the rest of the school on Thursday morning.
Below is our staffing list for 2021.
Role |
Teaching |
TA / Support |
Principal |
Shayne Kidd |
|
Deputy Principal |
Niccola Pearce |
|
REC |
Belinda Taylor |
|
SSC |
Cassie O'Neill |
|
SSC |
Julie Love |
|
Kinder M / Joeys |
Jacquie Wood |
Ann Lee |
Kinder T |
Gemma Stephens |
Shelley Thompson |
Prep T |
Julie Nailer |
Hayley Foot-Hill |
Prep M |
Georgia Greig |
Brianna Petty |
1/2 S |
Jessica Scharapow |
Julia Svoboda |
1/2 T |
Jessica Gleadow |
Johanna Swoboda |
1/2 M |
Kate Nichols |
Julia Svoboda |
G3/4 S |
Tracey Kidd |
Courtney Parker |
G3/4 T |
TBA |
Mandy Turner |
G3/4 M |
Denise Morgan |
Courtney Parker |
G5/6 S |
Anthony Healey |
Michelle McCullagh |
G5/6 T |
Belinda Taylor |
Michelle McCullagh |
G5/6 M |
Jessica McLauchlan |
Michelle McCullagh |
Play Therapy, ATSI, Chaplain |
Lisa Spotswood |
|
Prep Support |
Julie Love |
|
G1/2 Support |
Julie Love |
|
G3/4 Support |
Emilie Carr |
|
G5/6 Support |
Aimee Rooney |
|
Digital Technologies Key Teacher |
Rebecca Thomas |
|
PE |
Nick Stacey |
|
Arts |
Nat Zegveld |
|
Arts |
Angela Edwards |
|
Japanese |
Kayla Lockett |
|
RE Release |
Kate Chugg |
|
Librarian / ICT Support |
Rebecca Thomas |
|
Finance Manager |
Shannyn Hodgetts |
|
Finance Officer |
Mandy Jones |
|
Administration Officer / WHS Officer |
Lauren Pietsch |
|
Administration Officer |
Christine Booth |
|
Maintenance Officer |
Rik Bryan |
God Bless,
Shayne Kidd
CET Creative Storytelling Showcase Awards
The CET Writing Showcase
Last term students wrote some adventure stories to be entered into the Writing Showcase Competition, which is a competition for students from Catholic Primary schools across Tasmania. Our stories were shortlisted and we were invited to an awards afternoon tea on the 26th of November.
Maggie received a Highly Commended award for Prep to grade 2 with her story called ‘The Magic Out of Space Mansion’, about twins who travelled to space.
Marina received 1st prize for grades 3 and 4, with her story titled ‘Painted Magic’, about a girl who loves to paint and one night her painting comes to life.
Lexi received an Encouragement award for grades 5 and 6 with her story ‘The Predator’ presented in a multimedia format, about a predator that lives in a village and eats humans for breakfast, lunch and tea.
By Maggie Beaumont, Lexi Pietsch and Marina Stagg
Our Grade 5/6 students enjoyed Gala day last Friday - please enjoy a few snippets about the day from our students:
Cricket- Heidi and Ryan
In week 3 and week 6 of term 4 we went to the NTCA grounds to play cricket for gala day. We had to play against 2 other schools which were Sacred Heart and St Finn Bars, they were great competition. We won a few games but lost a few too. There were 4 STM teams all up (1 girl team and 3 boy teams). We would like to give a big thank you to the parents and Miss McLauchlan for coaching the 4 teams and the people that were there to supervise and set up the grounds. It was a really fun day. #GoHurricanes
Speedball- Georgia and Mabel
In Weeks 3 and 6 of term 4 some Grade 5/6 got to play a game called speedball. We got to play against lots of different catholic schools. Speedball is a cross between netball, soccer and basketball. There were 2 teams for speedball for St Thomas Mores and everyone had so much fun! We really enjoyed playing against other schools and tipping water on each other’s heads as it was so hot! Thank you to Mrs. Taylor and David Harmey for their help at speedball. It was a great way to spend our last gala day for 2020.
Touch Football- Jai and Nieve
On Friday the 20th of November we went to touch football at St Anthony's. Touch football is a fun and less rough version of rugby. It involves touching the player with the ball. To score a try you must make it to the score line without being touched and put it on or over the line. We both really enjoyed playing touch football and would recommend it for any sporty players that want to have fun. Thanks to Mrs Edwards and the parent volunteers for helping couach the teams.
Congratulations to the following students for receiving awards this week:
Congratulations to Joshua and Grace who have each received 25 stickers in their sticker booklets. These stickers are given to students displaying positive and respectful behaviour in the playground. They are a great role model for others. Well done!
We thank the Launceston United Soccer Club for their great generosity! At the end of this 2020 season, the junior club made a donation of 80 soccerballs to our school. Their support helps our students enjoy playing soccer and keeping active during break times. We greatly appreciate their support, thank you again!
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.
The last day for ordering lunch orders for 2020 will be Friday, 4th December 2020. No lunch orders will be available after this date (weeks 9 and 10).
Attached you will find the Launceston Parish Bulletin for Sunday, 22 November 2020 - the Feast of Christ the King. Please note a couple of additions and changes to our Weekend Mass timetable. The 10.30am Sunday morning Mass will recommence from next Sunday, 29 November 2020. People are asked to book in for this Mass through the following link: https://www.trybooking.
Warm regards,