GAGA BALL IS HERE!

There’s been a buzz of excitement around the school this week with the arrival of our brand new Gaga Pit, installed over the Term 1 holiday break by Island Recreation. The inspiration came directly from our recent Grade 6 cohorts, who discovered the fast-paced fun of Gaga Ball while on camp at Riverbend Youth Centre in Smithton.

On Monday, our Grade 5/6 students were the first to dive in, learning how to play in their PE lessons with Mr Stacey. The joy was infectious – and it didn’t stop there. Throughout the week, every class across the school had their chance to jump into the pit and give Gaga Ball a go. Thanks to Mr Stacey for guiding our students through the rules and bringing the energy all week long!

We're thrilled to share that the Gaga Pit will be officially open for student play from Week 2! Please note that the pit will remain closed before school, and is available only during First Break and Second Break. A weekly roster has been established to ensure equitable access for all year levels:

Thank you to our Parents & Friends Association for their generous $10,000 contribution to this project! The Gaga Pit is more than just a game – it’s a celebration of student voice, community partnership, and our shared commitment to making play at STM dynamic, inclusive and fun!

We’re thrilled to announce that next Thursday 8th May, St Thomas More’s will welcome Chaz Mostert, one of Australia’s most recognisable Supercars drivers, to speak with our Grade 5/6 students as part of the Optus Digital Thumbprint program.

Chaz, a Bathurst 1000 winner and fan favourite, will deliver an engaging session focused on digital citizenship, online safety, and responsible technology use. As an ambassador for Optus, Chaz uses his real-life profile and racing career to inspire young people to make safe and respectful choices in the digital world.

The session will take place from 11:00am–12:00pm in Josephite Hall and will include a 45-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute student Q&A. This exciting initiative brings national attention to the positive digital habits we’re encouraging at our school.

Adding to the excitement, Chilli FM and the Optus media team will be onsite to capture the event and interview some of our students about what they learned from Chaz’s message. It promises to be a moment of pride for our community!

And there’s more...

Thanks to the generosity of Optus, 16 of our Grade 5/6 students and four staff members will attend a fully funded Pit Lane Tour at Symmons Plains Raceway on Friday 9th May. Students will get an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience of the Supercars environment — an unforgettable opportunity made possible through Optus' support, which includes covering all transport and expenses.

We’re incredibly grateful to Optus for partnering with our school and for helping us bring learning to life in such dynamic, real-world ways!

PLACE - COMMUNITY ROADSHOW & LISTENING TOUR

On Wednesday 30 April, St Thomas More’s Catholic School was honoured to host a national PLACE Community Roadshow and Listening Tour event in Josephite Hall. This inspiring gathering brought together students, staff, and community leaders to celebrate the power of community voice in shaping the future of our school environment.

PLACE – a national organisation committed to place-focused and person-centred design – selected STM as a key stop on their national tour following our 2023 community consultation with Village Well. Their visit acknowledged the depth and authenticity of our school’s engagement in reimagining our learning and play spaces.

We extend our sincere thanks to Fiona Graham from Catholic Education Tasmania and Kim Barker from Village Well for leading and organising the event, and for spotlighting the work we are doing at St Thomas More’s. Their vision and support have been instrumental in helping bring our community’s hopes and ideas to the forefront.

We also wish to thank members of our School Advisory Board, including Board Chair Derek Bye and Rhiannon Menegon, for attending and supporting this important milestone in our school's journey. Special mention must go to our Grade 6 School and House Captains, who represented the student voice with pride and maturity.

It was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on our shared story, to listen with open hearts, and to celebrate the unique character of our school as we continue fostering greatness – together.