21 September 2017

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Saint Mary MacKillop once said: “ Keep your mind in peace whatever happens” (1890). However it can be so hard having a calm, peaceful mind and it has always been a challenge for humans. Saint Mary wrote this over a century ago and she meant that if we could keep our mind at peace we would not miss the ordinary. “If we have a keen vision and feeling of all ordinary human life, it would be like hearing the grass grow”, George Elliot (1819 – 1880).

This current topic of mindfulness was one Jesus and the Old Testament also spoke of. Beginning with a day of rest: to honour the Sabbath by taking time to rest (mind, body and soul) to experiencing the wonder and awe of our daily lives. As Psalm 104 (24-25) states: How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number - living things both large and small. Can we take the time to appreciate the wonder around us and in that moment be at peace.

So it is about slowing down our minds and looking around; appreciating, recognising the ordinary in every day life. The students at STM have been full of the energy and delight of spring and they are just able to enjoy the moments as shown in the photos below: playing together, enjoying the classroom and the playground, delighting in PE lessons, the care taken constructing the prayer mat; Kinders practising their C’s and so much more everyday. Ahh, that we could learn from the children.

“My peace I leave with you” (John 14:27).

Carol Seagar
Principal

The Cs

Rosemary O’Brien’s Retirement

Holiday

Student holiday Monday 16 October - there will be no staff at school as this is a holiday.

Fees

FEES: Thank you to all parents who continue to pay fees regularly through direct debit. Please be aware that at enrolment the signatories on the enrolment form continue to be responsible for fees even if family situations change.

Community Care Meal Roster

A big thank you to the following volunteers who have made meals for our Community Care Meal Roster this term. The families who have received the meals are very appreciative of your generosity.

Carolyn Bean
Naomi Simpson-Kitt
Shelley Twynam-Perkins
Sharon Woolridge
Renee Daly
Jacquie Wood
Kathy Ranson
Lyndal Barns
Jane O’Connor
Jacqui Fryett
Joan Sullivan
Aurelia Wilkins
Aimee Rooney
Christine Connors
Mel Atkins

If you would like to join the roster for Term 4 please email Jacquie.wood@catholic.tas.edu.au

Kind regards,
Jacquie Wood
Teacher/ APRE

Fair News

The countdown is well and truly on, only 8 weeks till the STM Twilight Fair to be held Friday 17th November, 5-8pm. We have had some amazing support so far with prizes still rolling in, so thank you! We are now calling for donations of clean, good quality used books for the book stall. It’s also time to get crafty, so if you can sew, knit, glue, melt or weave any new handmade items, even just one or two, will all add variety to the craft stall. Donated books and craft can be left in the baskets labelled in the sunroom (just behind the office). Look out for Raffle Tickets and empty Pick-a-Cups in your children’s bags which will be sent home next week, ready to sell and fill over the holidays.

Ipads 2018

BYO iPads @ STM in 2018

Dear Parents of Grade 4 Students

In 2018 we will be continuing our one-to-one BYO iPad program in Grade 5/6. For next year’s program the school will not be offering the outright purchase of iPads through the school. The main reason for this is that iPads can now often be bought cheaper when stores have sales on Apple products. Our educational pricing discounts can’t match 10% or more off. Therefore, we ask that you keep an eye out for good deals on iPads and purchase one for your child for Grade 5/6 next year. Refurbished iPads can also be purchased; these iPads are often considerably cheaper than a new iPad with the same specifications. Many stores that sell Apple products now allow parents to buy iPads with the 5% education discount. These stores include The Mac Shop and JB HiFi.

IMPORTANT: St Pat’s request that iPads have no less than 32GB memory. Also, from 2019 iPads will be used to do NAPLAN online. iPad Minis are not suitable for this purpose and therefore both St Thomas More’s & St Pat’s ask that iPad Minis are not purchased. iPad Airs, iPad Air 2s, the new iPad and iPad Pros are all suitable.

We will offer a lease-to-buy option for those parents that do not want to buy the iPad outright and will also still offer an iPad for use at school only, if you are unable to buy an iPad at all.

LEASE-TO-BUY OPTION

Our Lease-To-Buy option allows you to pay out your iPad over a 40-week period in fortnightly instalments if you do not wish to buy the iPad outright. It is important to note that this would work out to be more expensive than buying the same model iPad outright. The iPad would also not be available for pick up until the first week of school in 2018.

We will be offering the new iPads on our Lease-To-Buy option. The iPad will come with a cover and a screen protector. Info regarding prices for this option will be sent out soon.

Singfest

Thursday 28th September

Our school choir will be busy this term as they prepare for Singfest 2017. Tickets for Singfest will be available from the Princess Theatre box office in Brisbane Street from Monday 7 August or by phone using credit card (with a small charge) on 63 233 666. There will be limited door sales on the night, cash only as there is no EFTPOS available. Tickets will be $10 per person. Concession tickets will be available for children two and under who sit on a parent's lap, or a companion cardholder for anyone in a wheelchair.

The concert will start at 6.30pm and conclude at about 8.00pm. Choir members will bring home a letter with more details closer to the event.

Natalie Zegveld
Music Teacher

Newsletter

Please read our newsletter as it only comes out fortnightly.

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: Tues 17 Oct; Wed 15 Nov.

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 21 SEPT – STRINGS SOIREE
THURSDAY 28 SEPT - SINGFEST
FRIDAY 29 SEPT – COLOURS DAY; END OF TERM 3
MONDAY 16 OCT – STUDENT FREE DAY - HOLIDAY
TUESDAY 17 OCT – TERM 4 STARTS
THURSDAY 26 OCT - FOUNDATION BAND & STRINGS WORKSHOP
FRIDAY 3 NOV - NIJSSA ATHLETIC CARNIVAL
MONDAY 6 NOV - PUBLIC HOLIDAY - LONG WEEKEND
SATURDAY 11 NOV - REMEMBRANCE DAY
MONDAY 13 NOV - GRANDPARENTS DAY
TUESDAY 14 NOV - BAND 2018 INFORMATION EVENING
THURSDAY 16 NOV - DEVELOPMENT BAND WORKSHOP
FRIDAY 17 NOV – SCHOOL FAIR
MONDAY 20 NOV - THURS 30 NOV - GRADE 1/2 SWIMMING
THURSDAY 30 NOV - CONCERT REHEARSAL DAY
FRIDAY 1 DEC - BAND CONCERT AT ST PATRICKS
THURS 7 DEC - 2018 ORIENTATION DAY 10 - 11
- CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
TUESDAY 19 DEC - LAST DAY OF KINDER S
- END OF YEAR MASS
WEDNESDAY 20 DEC - LAST DAY OF KINDER W AND GRADE 6
THURSDAY 21 DEC - TERM 4 ENDS

Outside School News

Woolworths Earn & Learn Program Thank you to everyone who returned sticker sheets.

Gallery

Religious Education

Strings group

Abi Talbot performed in the 12 years introduction to stage section. Abi sang "Tomorrow" from Annie.

Race Walking Competition

Recently in May this year, Demi and Macie Petterwood competed in the All School Race Walking competition and placed 2nd and 3rd respectively in their age groups. Macie only being 8 had to compete in the U 10s as this is the youngest age group that is available, so this was a feat in itself.

Then they both backed this up by competing in the State Road Walks Competition in July, with Demi achieving Gold and Macie Silver medals.

This then enabled Demi to compete at a National Road Walks Championships in Wollongong last weekend, which was a fantastic experience for her. Demi didn't place in the medals but did Tasmania proud and achieved a personal best, which she was very happy with. And she was extremely happy not to be disqualified as this can very easily happen at this level of competition!

Ava Walker, Grade 5, and Alex Towns, Grade 4 participated in the Northern Schools Dressage and Show Jumping Competition held last weekend at Westbury.
Alex jumped some great clear rounds. Ava placed 5th overall in the Primary dressage and scored a 4th in one of her jumping events.