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- Reflection
- Principal's Message
- P&F in 2021 and Farewells
- P&F Cookbooks
- STM Achievers
- 2021 Schedule of Fees
- Back to school Information
- Office Hours
- Collection of medication
- Reminder - Last day of term & Term Dates 2021
- Arabian nights - Lights, camera, action!
- Bee-autiful wraps
- Christmas Masses Nativity Play
- Last call for Basketball tops
- Holiday Reading
- 2021 Launceston Catholic Schools Instrumental Music Program Enrolments
- Christmas Masses and Parish Bulletin
- Esk Netball Club
- Nippers at Bridport SLSC
On Sunday we enter the third week of Advent. Advent is a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, a time for us to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.
At this time of year, it is easy to be caught up in the commercial pressures of buying the right present, ensuring “Christmas Dinner” is a perfect occasion and getting ready for our summer holidays. It is easy for us to feel frustrated when the checkout lines are long, or your relatives stay too long at your house, or when someone else buys the last toy your child really wanted. The challenge is for us to take this time to stop and remember why we are celebrating this season, to reflect and give thanks that we do have food for our Christmas dinner, we do have loved ones to buy presents for, that we live in a safe country and that we can enjoy the summer holidays. Let us show in all we do Peace, Hope, Joy and Love.
Shayne Kidd
Dear Families,
2020 is certain to be a year to go down in history. This year we all learnt about lock down and Learning @ Home.
When reflecting on this year, it seems like a lifetime ago when our 2020 school year commenced in February. Our year started well with our Welcome Family BBQ and all our students were settling into the rhythm of a new year.
What happened next, I don’t think anyone could have predicted, we were thrown into a global pandemic. There were shortages of toilet paper and hand sanitiser, we all learnt new practices like social distancing, elbow bumps instead of hand shaking, protocols to effectively use Zoom and then Learning @ Home. Fortunately for us we moved to a new normal part way through Term 2 and as time goes on slowly our restrictions are being lifted.
Our children, families and staff have been very resilient throughout this pandemic, a real strength demonstrated here at St Thomas More’s. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your consistent support of our school and staff, it has been greatly appreciated.
Next week we farewell our Grade 6 students as they leave us to embark on the next leg of their education journey, High School. Our Grade 6’s has felt the impact of Covid this year through competitions, gala days and other activities being cancelled, however they have also learnt how to be adaptive and creative. From the creation of a virtual school, to our Captains leading Zoom assemblies or developing sanitising practices for sports equipment, G6 as a cohort have been true leaders this year, thank you. I wish you all the best with your future endeavours and remember, you are always still part of the St Thomas More’s family.
Yesterday and today, I had the pleasure of watching our Kinder Nativity. The children do a fantastic job retelling the Christmas narratives. A great effort by our students and the Kinder Team.
I wish to congratulate our 2021 Captains on your appointments, and I look forward to working with you next year. School Captains: Grace Turner, Amber Richards, Xavier Hampton and Tay Cassidy. House Captains: Chisholm, Thomas Anderson and Lexi Pietsch; Tennison, Cooper Devine and Holly Hendriksen; MacKillop, Jett Patterson and Ilana Kacarevic. I would also like to thank all those students who nominated, you did a great job with your speeches and I believe you all have leadership potential. There will be plenty of opportunities next year if you wish to take them.
Today your child’s End of Year Report is available through Compass. If you have any questions or queries about your child’s report, please make contact with your child’s teacher next week.
Sadly, we farewell two well regarded members of our team, Mrs Megan Booth and Mrs Cindy-Lou Campbell. Mrs Campbell has been teaching our G1/2 classes since 2019, she has been a wonderful teacher and we will be sad to see her go. Megan has been our school counsellor or the past 3 years and our UR Strong / Friendology school expert. Megan has assisted many children and families over her time here at St Thomas More’s and I wish to thank her for that.
The last day of school for students is Wednesday 16th December 2020. School resumes on Monday 1st February 2021, this is earlier than the State schools. Term 1 concludes on Thursday 1st April 2021. We will be having a 3 week holiday over the Easter break with school returning for Term 2 on Monday 26th April 2021.
I wish you all a Blessed Christmas, prosperous New Year and a relaxing break.
God Bless,
Shayne Kidd
Congratulations to Layla, Ella, Angus, Alannah, Isaac and Yoel who have each received 25 or 50 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!
Please find information relating to the 2021 Schedule of Fees.
Prep to Grade 6 Classes commence on Monday, 1st February 2021
Kinder classes commence:
Kinder Thomas (Mrs. Stephens) |
Tuesday 2nd February (First Day) |
Thursday 4th February | ||
Kinder More (Mrs. Wood) |
Wednesday 3rd February (First Day) |
Friday 5th February |
Uniform
Kinder to Grade 4 students are to wear sports uniform (blue) on the first day of school.
Grade 5 and 6 students are to wear formal uniform (green) on the first day of school.
Students will be advised of PE days from their classroom teacher.
The school office will be closed from Friday 18th of December, and will re-open from 10am-2pm from the 13th January - 22nd January 2020.
Normal hours resume from Monday 25th January. Please note: The office will be closed on the 26th January for Australia Day.
Any urgent matters should be directed to Mr Shayne Kidd on shayne.kidd@catholic.tas.edu.au.
Merry Christmas!
All medication must be collected by parents from the office at the end of the school year please.
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.
Arabian nights - Lights, camera, action!
Arabian Nights - Lights, Camera, Action!
On Friday December the 4th I was so excited, not only was I able to perform on stage at the Princess Theatre for the first time this year, I was also performing in front of all Grades 3-6 from STM.
I was very nervous but when I saw all their smiling faces in the audience I forgot about my nerves and danced like nobody was watching.
My dance school and I worked very hard in term 4 to put together our end of year dance concert, Arabian Nights, in just eight short weeks. The theme of Arabian Nights was from the film Aladdin. My role in the production was one of the village children. Many hours were put into rehearsal and we had three performances in one day. I was very, very tired the day after!
Thank you for coming to watch me STM I loved seeing you all there!
Olive Saxton
It is bee-autiful to see the beeswax wraps being used at school. After all of the work done by the conservation club it gives us such a buzz to see them being appreciated.
Christmas Masses Nativity Play
If any children would like to be part of the Nativity play at the Newstead masses, please contact Jacquie Wood on jacquie.wood@catholic.tas.edu.au
Thank you.
Could any outstanding basketball tops please be returned to the office as soon as possible please.
The Library is now closed for the year. Please return any outstanding books.
The summer holidays are a great time to read! Reading keeps our brains active, helps us to relax and develops our imaginations. Reading for just ten minutes a day improves our concentration and develops reading stamina.
All STM students have access to the wonderful SORA Digital Library with hundreds of ebooks and audiobooks available to read anywhere anytime. Instructions on using the SORA app are attached and log-in details were forwarded to all families earlier this year.
Libraries Tasmania is a great place to visit during the holidays to borrow reading materials and their digital catalogue can also be accessed through SORA giving students even more choice. Libraries Tasmania also runs a fabulous school holiday activityprogram at many of their branches.
And don’t forget our STM Library Newsletter where you can find book reviews, reading activities, storytime videos and much more - everything you need to keep reading during the holidays!
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
Rebecca Thomas
Librarian
2021 Launceston Catholic Schools Instrumental Music Program Enrolments
Christmas Masses and Parish Bulletin
Attached you will find this week’s Parish Bulletin. Also attached is the schedule for Christmas Masses in the Launceston Parish. It is essential for people to book in for our Christmas Masses given the current COVID-19 restrictions on capacity that apply for religious gatherings.
Esk Netball Club are looking for Players (Girls and Boys, aged 8 to 17) who would be interested in participating in Netball in 2021.
NTNA will be offering a roster for Boys in 2021.
If your daughter or son is interested in playing please contact Judy Headlam on 0427 819 649 to receive further information on how to join our Club. Our Club trains at indoor venues.
Interested players are invited to come along to our Pre-season training sessions at the Punchbowl Reserve 4.30 to 5.30 on Tuesdays 12th, 19th & 26th January. 2021 Training and Selections will commence for 8 to 17 year old players at the Riverside Primary School Gym on Thursday 4th February, new players invited to come from 4.30pm.”