27 July 2017

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

At St Thomas More’s Catholic Primary School it states in our Mission Statement that “we endeavour to provide a nurturing environment in which each member of our community can become the person they were created to be”.

In the Catholic faith we believe we ‘were created in the image and likeness of God’ (Gen1:26). Whilst this is a huge concept to understand because the concept of God is often beyond words as all loving, all forgiving, all compassion. The image suggests likeness such as our reason, free-will and self-consciousness, But it is, secondly, in God’s likeness, which implies something closer and more inward. It refers to a person’s moral powers, lived out Christian values and especially to his/her capacity of attaining/working towards holiness (of faith, goodness and a person of virtue inspired by God and the model lived by Jesus). As we were created in the image and likeness of God we therefore respect and honour the dignity inherent in every other human being and of all living things.

And so when we live by the words of Jesus as said in John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” we really want our students and our community to flourish – to become the persons they were created to be: individuals each unique and loved by God, ready to give to themselves and to their community the gifts they have been given – different gifts that we are all given.

PLEASE PRAY EACH DAY FOR OUR SACRAMENTAL CANDIDATES. This prayer can be especially heartfelt for the person praying as well as for the candidate.

Hugh Daly, Subi Daly, Lachlan McInnes, Scarlett Morrison, Jasmine Smart, Elena Darby-Rodriguez, Felix Darby-Rodriguez.

Loving God, we ask you to bless these children.
May they always feel your presence in their hearts and lives.
We take them to our hearts as you take them to your heart.
We pray that by our word and example we will help them along their journey of faith.
May our school community always be a place where they feel welcome and cherished.
We make this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen

Carol Seagar
Principal

Rock and Roll Night

FRIDAY 28 JULY

6 – 8pm
St Ailbes Hall, Margaret St
$10 entry and raffles available
BYO drinks and nibbles
Students have been learning dances for this night, this is a great community event.

We have our wonderful Rock n’ Roll night this Friday. An event the students have been practising all term for and one in which adults can join in the dances. This is a great community event and only $10 per family. Please remember that the music is quite loud and for students with sensory issues they may not be able to endure the whole night. You are welcome to stay for only the time that is most suitable for you and your family.

Nude Food Day

The SRC is requesting that the school reinstate “Nude Food Tuesday” starting this term. This involves bringing food to school that has minimal or no wrapping in order to help our school be a cleaner environment and less rubbish needs to go to the tip.

Community Care Meals

Face Book Consent

Please return the consent/refusal forms sent home with each child regarding chiildren’s images on Face Book.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Report evenings will be held next week: Please respect the 15 minute schedule, as all parents deserve to have their appointment time honoured.

Road Safety

Helpful tips – timing – PICKING UP STUDENTS A LITTLE AFTER 3:10 ENSURES LESS TRAFFIC BUILD UP.

Fee Payments

Letters have recently been sent out for your fees. Could you please attend to the required payments as these payments ensure we can continue to provide all of the rich learning experiences for your child at STM.

Students Climbing Trees

Dear Parents/Guardians

From tomorrow - We will formally support children extending their learning and development via those who wish to, being able to climb a limited number of school trees, when adult supervision is offered.

We advise: Trees with our WHITE PAINT markings on their limbs, indicate that this is an approved tree for Kinder or Prep children, while trees with our YELLOW PAINT markings are for Grades 1 to 6 children. Those markings show the maximum height for a child’s feet. eg, the rest of their body can be higher.

Know we have a process to inspect trees condition; reapply worn paint markings; and remind people of expectations.

If you child wishes to actively participate, please discuss with them related aspects below. Feedback is welcome to the Principal.

• Students once IN trees are to ‘climb down’, not jump out;
• Staff on duty can limit the number of trees being climbed at any time, if supervision is limited; and
• To get up into trees, DON’T place extra objects underneath (to be stood on). If needing help, children have another person give them a ‘hand grasp’ boost, or select another tree.

Communication

Please fill out our survey on school communication so we can refine the processes if needed. Follow this link.

Thanks, Carol

Newsletter

Please read our newsletter as it only comes out fortnightly.

Change of Details & Medication

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.

Also please check your child’s medication is not out of date and that the school knows about current circumstances/allergies/illnesses, etc.

P & F

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

Fair Coordinators; Belinda Lehner and Belinda Anderson
Dates of meetings: 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.

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: www.justice.tas.gov.au/working_with_children
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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

THURSDAY 27 JULY – BOARD MEETING, 7.00PM
FRIDAY 28 JULY – ROCK AND ROLL NIGHT
MON 31 JULY – THURS 3 AUGUST – PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEW EVENINGS
MONDAY 11 SEPT – BAND SOIREE
TUESDAY 19 SEPT – STRINGS SOIREE
FRIDAY 29 SEPT – COLOURS DAY; END OF TERM 3
MONDAY 16 OCT – STUDENT FREE DAY
TUESDAY 17 OCT – TERM 4 STARTS
FRIDAY 17 NOV – SCHOOL FAIR

Before School Care

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

Outside School News

Woolworths Earn & Learn Program has started, so collect your stickers, put them on the sticker sheet and post them in the box provided outside the office. Please fill the sheet before sending in. The more we sheets we collect the more great stuff we will get for the school.

Paul Kenny – Music Teacher

NEW: Children’s Choir Group. After so many children and parents requesting a choir group I have put together a program for them. So, I am now offering a Children’s Choir Group at my studio. I do run several choirs at local schools and it is exciting to be offering this now at my studio.

Also available... Piano, Keyboard, Organ, Music Theory All Levels, Song Writing, Chords, Harmony and more.

Now is the time to get your kids into music. Its fun and it helps children on so many levels. If you would like to discuss tuition or have any interested parents wanting more information about music lessons please contact me on the details listed below or phone/text 0413 488 004.

Natalie Hillier – Music Teacher

Life Centre Music is currently taking new enrolments for Term 3. Our music classes for children 3 months - 9 years are fun, engaging, interactive and educational. We have been specialising in early childhood music in Launceston for 30 years; classes are taught by a fully qualified, registered teacher. Visit www.lifecentremusic.com or call Natalie on 0448 517 719 for further information, or to try a class for free.

Award to recognise students following in Fred Hollows’ footsteps

The Fred Hollows Foundation is calling for teachers, parents and community members to nominate students for the Fred Hollows Humanity Award.

The award recognises Year 6 students who show compassion, integrity and kindness in their lives, just as Fred did. Nominations open Monday 24 July and close Sunday 10 September.

Award recipients will be recognised at a state presentation ceremony where a Junior Ambassador to The Foundation will be announced. This Ambassador will extend their humanity by allocating $5000, donated by Specsavers, to a Fred Hollows Foundation program of their choice to help end avoidable blindness.

To nominate a student go to the link below.

GALLERY

All Schools Cross Country. Macie and Demi Petterwood, Josie Chambers, Molly and Lucy Hargreaves

Japanese work

Foundation Band Workshop

Coding class