Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
SALUTATION
Grace to you and peace.
DUSTIN'S GREATEST SHAVE
Today at second break, hundreds of St Thomas More’s students flocked to the Kitchen Garden Area to witness and support something truly special: Dustin’s Greatest Shave.
In an incredible act of solidarity and service, Grade 6 student and School Captain, Dustin Graham, shaved his head as part of the World’s Greatest Shave, raising vital funds for the Leukaemia Foundation. Before the clippers came out, Dustin’s friend and fellow Year 6 student, Lydiah Hawkins, carefully created seven plaits in his hair. Dustin then invited seven people (including yours truly!) to each cut off a plait, a symbolic and generous gesture, as the plaits themselves will be donated to the World’s Greatest Shave to help create wigs for people living with leukaemia.
Dustin spoke passionately to the gathered crowd about his reasons for taking on this journey, demonstrating real maturity and empathy. He also shared the incredible news that he had not just reached but smashed his $1,000 goal, with a final fundraising total of $3,064.
Dustin’s parents were in attendance to witness the big event, alongside representatives from The Examiner and 7 News. We look forward to sharing those media stories on our Facebook page when they are released.
Congratulations, Dustin, on this remarkable example of courage, service, and leadership that you have gifted to your peers and our entire school community. You are truly living the charism and legacy of St Mary MacKillop:
“Never see a need without doing something about it.”
STM TV 2025: FEAST DAY SPECIAL!
Smiles, sausage sizzles, sunshine and song; this candid episode brings you the joy, reverence, and all-out fun of our St Thomas More's Feast Day celebrations last Monday 23rd June! From Mass to MacKillop’s back-to-back win, come relive the heart and hustle of a day that captures the soul of our school.
TERM 2 - HOUSE CUP WINNERS: CHISHOLM!
Throughout Term 2, students across St Thomas More’s have been earning House tokens for demonstrating our positive behaviour expectations: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be a Learner. These tokens have been counted weekly, with the House earning the most by the end of Week 9 crowned House Cup Champions!
We’re thrilled to announce that Chisholm House took out the win for Term 3 with a grand total of 3,525 tokens! A huge congratulations to all Chisholm students on this wonderful achievement. Tenison and MacKillop Houses weren’t far behind, showing just how committed all students have been to upholding our school values.
To celebrate their success, Chisholm students from Prep to Grade 6 gathered in the Piazza on Tuesday afternoon of Week 10 to be presented with the House Cup trophy. The celebration continued with a fun-filled activity called Fly the Coop, where the four Chisholm Pastoral Care Groups participated in some friendly competition that involved eggs, rubber chickens, a relay and a lot of fun and laughter!
The afternoon wrapped up with a cool treat delivered by our fantastic Grade 6 leaders—icy poles all round for our sweaty but smiling champions.
With Term 3 already underway, the race for the next House Cup is heating up. Will Chisholm go back-to-back? Or will another House take the crown? Let the friendly competition continue!
PARLIAMENT OF TASMANIA - OUTREACH PROGRAM
On Tuesday 1st July, our Grade 5 and Grade 6 students took part in the Parliament of Tasmania’s School Outreach Program at the UTAS Inveresk Campus. Our Grade 5 class attended the morning session from 9:30 – 11:00 am, while our Grade 6 students followed from 11:15 – 12:45 pm.
This free program is run each year by the House of Assembly Education Office to help students across Tasmania learn more about how our democratic system works. Understanding that not all schools can travel to Hobart to visit Parliament House, the program brings parliamentary education to regional centres like Launceston. Delivered by experienced Parliamentary Educators, the Outreach Program is closely linked to the Australian Curriculum’s Civics and Citizenship strand, giving our students the chance to see concepts like democracy, elections and law-making in action.
During their 90-minute session, students participated in a lively and interactive lesson that included quizzes, discussions and a hands-on role-play of the House of Assembly. Students took on roles such as Speaker, Premier, Leader of the Opposition, and other Members of Parliament. Working together, they debated and voted on a fictional Bill, giving them first-hand experience of how laws are proposed and passed.
This was a wonderful opportunity for our senior primary students to deepen their understanding of government in a practical and memorable way—especially timely given the snap state election announced this week! We thank the House of Assembly Education Office for offering this experience to our students, helping them develop the knowledge and skills they need to be active, informed citizens.
FINAL GREETING
May the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
God bless,
Mr Casimir Douglas
Principal
