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- Reflection
- Principal's Message
- STM Awards
- STM Achievers
- First Reconciliation
- Gr5/6 Liturgy
- Launceston Competitions
- National Simultaneous Storytime
- Save the date!
- Kinder Enrolments for 2022 closing soon
- Emergency Practice
- STM Cross Country Carnival
- Student Absences
- Parish Bulletin
- Timetable change to bus Route 811AM
The Feast of the Ascension is really a kind of liminal moment in the Easter season. It is a time between times; a moment when we have left one place in our journey, but have not yet arrived at a second. While the narratives that describe the Ascension fit well into the unfolding story of redemption, the feast itself celebrates one aspect of the resurrection itself, namely, the exaltation of Jesus. The readings help us through this paradox. They allow us to focus on this theological point while we commemorate a turning point in the life of the church. We do this by considering both the enthronement of Christ in the heavens and the new body of Christ on earth.
Today we stand awestruck, watching Jesus ascend into the clouds of heaven, there to be enthroned at God’s right hand. Today we are overwhelmed by the divinity of the one whom we have known in his humanity. Amidst shouts of joy and exaltation, Christ is enthroned in heaven in both his divinity and his glorified humanity. Now he is present with us in a new way, in a new body, in the church. He teaches through its apostles and evangelists; he ministers through its prophets and pastors. Through us he continues to heal and to comfort; to forgive and to include. We have his power, the same power with which he performed marvels when he walked the earth. We have each other; together we make up the new body of Christ.
© Dianne Bergant CSA
Dear Families,
On Wednesday evening it was lovely to be part of the large number of students receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Our Reconciliation service was led by Fr Mark, supported by priests from around our region. It is always wonderful to share the celebration with the other Catholic Schools in our Parish, Sacred Heart and St Finn’s Barr’s, it brings a real sense of community. Reconciliation is important as it is our opportunity to reconcile with ourselves and God for all the actions that have wronged others. Later this year some of our students will receive their First Eucharist and be Confirmed as part of our Sacraments of initiation.
It was great to see the Launceston Competitions back this year. Our students performed exceptionally well over the weekend with their individual events, with many children placing in their categories. To see so many students stand on stage in front of an audience including their family and peers takes a lot of courage, and they should be very proud to have done so. The full list of placings in our newsletter. Our Wednesday saw the revised class poetry recital section, where the judges came to us. Again, our students did very well. A big thank you Mrs Edwards who organises this event for us.
A reminder that if you have any questions about your child’s learning or what is happening at school, your first point of call should be your child’s teacher, and this is best done through an email. If you have an urgent message, please contact our office directly. Communication from us is in various forms; SchoolZine is used to communicate general messages such as the newsletter, whist Compass and emails are used for more specific information about your child’s class. Seesaw and Google Classroom are used to share students’ learning.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have had reports of some unsafe behaviours of families on our roads. We want to ensure everyone is safe here, therefore we all need to take road safety seriously. To do this we must cross at the two marked crossings - crossing at the roundabout increases risks. It is expected all children and families to cross Abbott Street at our crossing with Robyn. When parking, follow the directions on the signage and ensure your child enters and exits the car on the curb side. We are all models for child safety, therefore we need to be conscious of our behaviours and model safe practice.
This year we have seen a huge interest in our 2022 Kinder program. It has been wonderful talking to all our new potential families and to hear why they are interested in choosing St Thomas More’s as their school for their child. My favourite part of each interview is where I get to share the school with our potential families, as no matter what time the day they also see polite well mannered children engaged in learning. That is something we can all take credit for, thank you. A reminder that Kinder expressions of interest close at the end of May. Please let anyone who has Kinder aged children know as we only have limited spaces.
Our third school rule is Be a Learner, ‘Education is … making visible what is hidden as a seed’, St Thomas More. Although schools are about learning, it is important that our students and our wider community see themselves as learners. In our modern world as you are all aware we are constantly called upon to learn new skills, we never stop learning and growing. For more information on our school PBS procedures visit our website.
Kind Regards,
Shayne Kidd
PRINCIPAL
Congratulations to the following students who have received awards today:
Congratulations to Orlando and Seb, who have received 25 stickers in their Student Acknowledgement 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!
Following on from Mr Kidd's write up of the Launceston Competitions, please enjoy a full list of placegetters and a write up from some of our students below.
Congratulations also goes to Maeve Kok-Connors, winner of the Arthur Ride memorial trophy for the highest aggregate score, grade 5, after winning Inpromptu reading, serious recital, and coming second in humorous recital on Saturday!
National Simultaneous Storytime
STM will be participating in the National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday 19th May at 11.00am. NSS is celebrated annually by the Australian Library and Information Association and aims to promote reading, children’s literacy and Australian authors and publishers. Every year a picture book, selected by ALIA is read simultaneously in schools, libraries, pre-schools, bookshops and homes.
This year’s title is Give Me Some Space! by Philip Bunting and we will gather together to watch a special guest read the story. We are thrilled to announce that NASA astronaut Shannon Walker is this year’s guest reader and will share the story from the International Space Station!
Click here to find out more about Shannon Walker.
Kinder Enrolments for 2022 closing soon
This term 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 you are welcome to call our Safety Officer Simon Natoli on 0400 105 476.
Our school Cross Country Carnival is being held on Friday, 21st May, 2021.
A program of events is attached, and we will endeavour to run to time as much as possible. Spectators are welcome to attend, and as is our new normal, all COVID requirements must be adhered to, including signing in to both Compass and Check in Tas upon arrival, and remaining socially distanced throughout the event. Attendance limits are in place, and will be monitored to ensure we comply.
Please contact the office if you have any queries.
If your child is absent from school, parents/caregives are requried to contact the school by using the Compass App, telephone (6337 7200), or email (stm@catholic.tas.edu.au) prior to 9.30am on the day of absence.
Please note the Absentee option on the SchoolZine (SZapp) is in the process of being phased out, and we ask you to familiarise yourself with the alternate notification options.
Please contact the office if you have any queries.
Attached you will find our Launceston Parish Bulletin for the Feast of the Ascension Year B (15/16 May 2021). Warm regards to all,
Fr Mark Freeman
Timetable change to bus Route 811AM
Metro have advised the following timetable change to bus Route 811am service which would impact students living in Blackstone Heights and attending St Thomas More’s Catholic Primary School.
Please refer to the attached communication from Metro.