19 October 2017

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Welcome to Term 4.

It is great to see the eagerness and spirit of the students as we launch into the last term of 2017 – a term of more discovery, growth, consolidation of learning and expectations of what is to come next year.

The gospel writings from St Luke the Evangelist, whose feast day we celebrate this week, are well known to us, such as the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son. We too, know Mary’s Magnificat as a beautiful canticle of her humility and faithfulness to God in Luke’s Gospel. These passages all centre on Jesus and his desire to help people, especially those on the fringes of society. Our students are so great at sometimes being our best teachers. Indeed this week I have witnessed many of our students helping others in need and forgiving others willingly so life can move on. The effect of such forgiveness on the recipient is powerful. We also have many humble students who work tirelessly to improve themselves in their learning and to help others. I am very mindful of these students who are great role models for us all. I wish us all, as a community, a very enjoyable, challenging and rewarding Term 4.

I am very mindful of these students who are great role models for us all. I wish us all, as a community, a very enjoyable, challenging and rewarding Term 4.

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
For he has looked with favour on his humble servant.” (Luke 1: 46- 48).

Carol Seagar
Principal

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.

Back to School Book Lists

With the closure of Birchalls, we have had to select a new provider for our Back to School requirements – OfficeMax is the supplier of choice with ‘on-line ordering’ being the method we have chosen. At the moment, we are busy finalising the grade list requirements and are hoping to ‘go live’ in the next 2-3 weeks. The process is very easy to follow, however if there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the office.

Here is an approximate timeline of procedures:

• Lists to be available, for on line purchasing, in October/early November– more information to follow
• All parents/carers will receive a step by step information sheet to assist with ordering on line
• All orders submitted prior to the 10 December 2017 will not attract a freight charge – therefore an incentive to get in early!
• Orders received after 10th December will incur a $12.95 (per family) freight charge

We encourage you to use OfficeMax for your BTS books as the school receives a percentage of sales from all orders. This money in turn benefits the students.

We will also introduce a new method of payment called zipPay. See details below.

Community Care Meal Roster

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

Fair to-do list

STM Drink Cup Orders

STM Drink Cup Orders to be returned by Friday 20th October

Fair Poster

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 (please see attachments for The Mac Shop below) 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 this week.

iPads with Ed Discounts from The Mac Shop

Students Climbing Trees

We 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.

These markings show the maximum height for a child’s feet, 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.

Techspot - Digital Citizenship Week

Digital Citizenship Week is nearly here! Digital Citizenship is a hugely important factor to K-12 education, and it’s only becoming more and more imperative that students learn the ins and outs of responsible behaviour on the Internet. Equip your students with the right information about Digital Citizenship and best practices on the web with these online resources.

RE Calendar

Family Mass

Mass of Remembrance

CATHOLIC PARISH OF LAUNCESTON — MASS OF REMEMBRANCE

Thursday, 2nd November 2017 at 7.30pm in St Finn Barr’s Church, 247 Invermay Road,

An invitation is extended to everyone who has lost a loved one, especially during the last year to come along to our annual Mass of Remembrance. Relatives and friends are also invited to attend. You may wish to bring a photo or memento of your loved one and there will be an opportunity to place this at the altar during the Mass if you wish. You are also invited to stay for refreshments after Mass. All are welcome to join in this very special celebration of our faith. For further information, please contact the Parish Office on 6331 4377.

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 25 Oct; Wed 15 Nov.

PIPS and PAT Standardised Tests

During Week 2 of Term 4 Students in Prep will undergo their end of year PIPS testing and students from Grades 1 to 6 will have PAT testing. These standardised tests give the school another snapshot of our students’ abilities in English and Mathematics and provide us with helpful data to better plan for student needs.

Fire Education Week

During Week 3 students from Prep to Grade 6 will be involved in Fire Education Lessons with Fire Fighter Aaron. Please see the below attachment for more information.

Newsletter

Please read our newsletter and all contents as it only comes out fortnightly.

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.

Grandparent’s Day

Grandparent’s Day is on Monday 13th Nov. More information coming soon regarding concert times.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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
THURS 7 DEC - CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
MONDAY 18 DEC – GRADE 6 LEAVER’S DINNER
TUESDAY 19 DEC - LAST DAY OF KINDER S
TUESDAY 19 DEC – GRADE 6 AWARDS ASSEMBLY @ 2:00
TUESDAY 19 DEC - END OF YEAR MASS
WEDNESDAY 20 DEC - LAST DAY OF KINDER W AND GRADE 6
THURSDAY 21 DEC - TERM 4 ENDS

2018 Term Dates

Outside School News

Tasmanian State U13 Touch Football

Nandi and her team departed Tasmania for Lake Dewar in Central Victoria. This is a YMCA camp. The team arrived on the Friday and was involved in some outdoor fitness activities such as using the flying fox and tunnel activities etc. All designed to test the teams concentration, stamina, and coordination.

Games were played at the Lake Dewar facility over 2 days. There were boys and girls teams competing for the 'Battle of the Bass". Three teams competed from Victoria. (Metro Vic, Country Vic, State Vic) and one from Tasmania.

Tasmania State U13 girls played well. This was their first competition and they were runners up in the finals.

Nandi and her team were exceptional ambassadors representing Tasmania for Touch Football.

Gallery

School Choir at Singfest Last Term