15 June 2017

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

This week’s Church readings provide us with yet another challenge: that of creating unity amongst ourselves. “Brothers, we wish you happiness; try to grow perfect; help one another. Be united; live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you”. (2 Corinthians 13: 11). The focus is on the Trinity – God, Son and Holy Spirit. Created in the image and likeness of God we are called to unity among ourselves as there is unity that exists in God – a mystery, but one we can live out by our own relationships with each other. “Every time we do anything to form new and good relationships, mend those which are broken, help other relationships to be deeper and richer or just enjoy the ones we have, we discover one thing: Trinity Sunday is a moveable feast”. (Richard Leonard SJ.)

I was privileged to be able to attend a two day retreat for Principals last week where the focus was on ‘Be, Here, Now’ within the Christian tradition. Being present in the moment; taking in all that surrounds us; stopping just for a moment and seeking the peace of the moment is a counterintuitive action in today’s busy world but one that does bring you back to the present and to what is important – the here and now. Staff use this technique in classes to encourage students to enjoy and love the work they are doing at that moment rather than worrying about the past or what is to come – this strategy which can become a daily practice that is said to help both anxiety and depression. But it is a habit that needs lots of practice!!

Carol Seagar
Principal

Communication

Please take 5 minutes to answer our communication survey so we can continue to improve the manner in which we communicate with you.

Thanks

Carol

Newsletter

Please read our newsletter as it only comes out fortnightly.

School Photo Day – 26 June

• Photo packs have been sent home with children.
• Family Photo Envelopes are available at the office – family photos cannot be ordered online.
• Family Discount applies to families with 3 or more children in Catholic schools. Discount cannot be claimed when ordering online, please go to the link below for more information
• Photo envelopes need to be returned by Photo Day.

Lunch Box Suggestions

If students bring the equivalent of two lunches to eat in our two lunch breaks they are less hungry in the afternoon. Two lots of sandwiches, or a sandwich then a wrap; with a muffin, fruit; vegetables… in order to enhance their brain function, memory and concentration.

Uniform

Thank you to parents who present their children with pride when they wear their school uniform. Our policy is on our website and I would like to bring to your attention our hair requirements: “Hair should be well groomed, neatly cut with no extremes of colour or style. Shoulder length (or over) must be tied back”. Can all boys please wear either School Winter Shorts or Long Trousers – all available from Targetts in town. Summer shorts are not acceptable uniform at this time of the year.

STM Techspot – Digital Technologies Curriculum

The Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies is a relatively new area of the curriculum that we will start formally assessing and reporting on from 2018 onwards. Knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of digital technologies will become incredibly important in the next ten to twenty years as many of the jobs currently performed by humans will no longer exist, replaced by jobs that require these skills. Below is a link to an article by Stewart Riddle published on theconversation.com that outlines the importance of teaching digital literacy for the future. It is well worth a read.

To ensure that our staff and students are prepared to implement and learn in the digital technologies space, we have been planning, teaching and learning about digital technologies as a whole staff, in grade groups and in the classroom. Most of our students have now had experience in these lessons and they are finding that they already have many of the skills required to do well in this subject area. In the primary school years much of the learning relates to logical sequences and steps that can be created and followed to reach a specific outcome. Basically it is procedural thinking. Another element is computational thinking, which is the problem solving of the digital technologies world. Students that are able to problem solve and think critically and creatively adapt extremely well to this learning area. A major element of digital technologies eventually becomes programing and coding, and students build up to a point from prep to grade six where they are able to design and program in order to create a digital solution to solve a problem.

Cheers, Kurt

A Day Made Better – School Staff Nominations

It’s that time of year again – our annual ‘A Day Made Better’ awards program, for Staff working in schools, is open for voting.

There are 10 prizes nationally and one for Tassie - the prize is valued at over $6000, so well worth supporting this wonderful program.

Nominations close – 23rd June

As per previous years, winners are determined on the quality of the nomination not just numbers.

MYTERN – Teaching the value of giving

It’s important that everyone learns the value of giving to others. This can be an incredibly powerful PET (Personal Emotional Tool) when you feel stuck on your own red road.

Family Activity: Discuss different ways that you could give within the family, as a family or as individuals, so that when there are moments that you feel you want to give to others, the ideas will already be there.

Change of Details

PLEASE advise the school when you change jobs, addresses, phone numbers – this is really important so we can contact you when your child is ill or injured.

WWVP Card

Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers are reminded that if they wish to do Parent Help with their children they must have a current WWVP card which has been copied and held on file at the office.

How to apply for a WWVP Check & Number

1. Complete the online application form via the link below
2. Print the “Application Receipt” which is generated when the application has been completed in full.
3. Take the “Application Receipt” (and your 100 point check to confirm identity) to a Service Tas Shop and pay the fee.
4. Take your WWVP card to the school office where your number will be recorded. If you are not recorded in the office you will not be able to do parent help, camp, etc.

School Drop Off & Pick Up

Please be aware that we are monitoring pick up and drop off on Campbell St and Abbott St. Both Carol and Kurt are now able to issue parking violation notices through the council.

The 5-minute drop off zones do not allow for you to leave your car and enter the school. If you wish/need to come into the school grounds, please park in another parking zone.

Our new ‘No Parking’ teardrop banners on Campbell St are working well so far, and fewer people are parking on the yellow lines. Thank You.

SOME PARENTS HAVE BEEN OBSERVED TURNING ACROSS ROADS INTO DRIVEWAYS WHEN PICKING UP AND DROPPING OFF STUDENTS. THIS IS NOT SAFE.

School Crossings

Please ensure that you always use the school crossings when picking up or dropping off children at school. Not only does this maximise your and your child’s safety, but it also sets an excellent example for other students at the school. Thank you all in advance for your cooperation in this matter.

2017 Sacramental Calendar

Confirmation and First Eucharist 2017

Parents who wish to present their children for the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist this year are invited to attend the Parent Information Meeting on Tuesday 20th June at 7.30pm in Sacred Heart Church, Newstead. There will be one preparation program for Confirmation and First Eucharist. Confirmation will be celebrated on the 30th August and candidates will then continue their preparation for First Eucharist to be celebrated on the weekend of 11th & 12th November. For further information please contact our Sacramental Co-ordinator Rosie Caelli on 6331 4377 or email: apostles@bigpond.com

Sacramental Preparation

Notes regarding the parent meeting for Confirmation and First Eucharist have been sent home to children in Grades 4, 5, and 6 who have already celebrated their First Reconciliation and are ready to celebrate the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist this year.

If your child has not yet celebrated Reconciliation this will be offered again in Term 1 2018.

If you have not received a note, and your child is ready for the Sacraments, or if you have any questions, please contact me: jacquie.wood@catholic.tas.edu.au

P & F

This year’s committee members are: President – Jacqui Cross; Finance Officer – Kylie Smart; Secretary – Kirsty Pedder.

Our Fair Coordinators for 2017 are Belinda Lehner and Belinda Anderson.

Dates of meetings: Wed 5 July; Wed 16 Aug; Wed 13 Sept; Tues 17 Oct; Wed 15 Nov.

Birth to 4 Program at St Thomas More’s

In the Josephite Hall 9 -10:30 every Tuesday during term time. All parents and children 4 and under are most welcome. Looking forward to seeing you.

Survey for Parents of Children with ASD

My name is Scarlett Bones and I am conducting a research study examining the factors predicting depression, anxiety and stress in the parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study is being conducted as part of the requirements for the Honours Psychology Program at the University of Tasmania, under the supervision of Dr Kimberley Norris.

Do you have a child aged between 4 and 17?

How can you help?

We want to examine the factors associated with parental distress in parents of children with Autism. Your participation could help us predict parental distress in parents of children with Autism, which could inform treatment interventions.

We are looking for parents of children with Autism AND parents of children without Autism.

Interested?

• Scan the QR code on your phone or follow the link below to complete our online survey
• The survey should take around 45-60 minutes.
• Participants also go in the draw to win one of four $50 Coles-Myer vouchers

Student researcher: Scarlett Bones (bonessa@utas.edu.au). Ethics Approval number: H0016467

FAIR DATE CHANGE

UPCOMING EVENTS

THURSDAY 15 JUNE – BOARD MEETING, 7.00PM
18 – 24 JUNE – REFUGEE WEEK
TUESDAY 20 JUNE – INFORMATION EVENING FOR CONFIRMATION AND FIRST EUCHARIST
THURSDAY 22 JUNE – FEAST OF ST THOMAS MORE
MONDAY 26 JUNE – SCHOOL PHOTO DAY
THURSDAY 29 JUNE – FOUNDATION BAND & STRINGS WORKSHOP
FRIDAY 7 JULY – END OF TERM 2
MONDAY 24 JULY – TERM 3 STARTS
FRIDAY 28 JULY – ROCK AND ROLL NIGHT

An evening for Parents and Teachers

About
Early Entry to Kinder

• Eligibility for Early Entry
• The assessment process
• Benefits of Early Entry
• What a parent could expect of the school
• Making the right decision for a child

Steve Biddulph Talk

The St Finn Barr's Parents and Friends have organised to have Steve Biddulph come to the school on Wednesday 28 June to present 'The Secrets of Happy Children'.

The talk starts at 7.30pm and is in the St Finn Barr’s School Hall.

Tickets are $20 and only available through the trybooking website, please follow one of the links below.

Please note the event is strictly no babies or children.

RSPCA's Christmas in July Quiz Night

It’s that time of year again … time to hang the tinsel, brush off the baubles and dust off the tree for RSPCA's Christmas in July Quiz Night, Friday July 28 at Country Club Casino.

Last year was an absolutely cracking event and we’re hoping to make it even bigger and better this time around … and we’d love you to be a part of it.

The elves have once again been very busy putting together a feast of trivia, great prizes, a fabulous auction, raffles and games ... there's even a prize for the very best festive dressed.

Last year sold out very quickly and we’d hate you to miss out, so get together seven of your favourite reindeer, or we can find you a seat on another sleigh, and book now.

Tickets are just $15 per person and a bar and food will be available.

Email LACCFundraising@rspcatas.org.au or phone 0438 892 691

Doors open at 6.30pm, quiz starts at 7pm.

All proceeds go to helping the RSPCA's Launceston Animal Care Centre provide love and support to the thousands of animals that come through its doors, and with winter upon us, the need is even more urgent.

Secrets of Natural Walking workshop @ Emmanuel Centre 17 June

The most natural way to correct/reactivate these natural healing abilities is WALKING.

First time participants ask for your free assessment on line & concession cost may be applicable., suitable for healthy / all fitness levels.

Contact: Georgy Michael on 0410247346
Email : georgy@happyswimmers.com.au
Web page: www.natural-walking.com

Before School Care

Catholicare is now providing Before School Care for St Thomas More's School children at the Old Presbytery.

Launceston Competitions

Congratulations to all Years 4 and 5 students who entered writing pieces in the Speech and Drama section of the Launceston Competitions this year. The judge’s feedback on the quality of the entries was extremely positive.

Congratulations to the following students who gained a first placing for their writing: Eliza Duigan, Hervee Sullivan Arkless (Grade 4) and Isabel Amaya (Grade 5).

GALLERY