Today, our Grade 5/6 students had the privilege of visiting the Church of the Apostles Nun’s Chapel to experience the Man of the Shroud Exhibition, a truly remarkable opportunity to deepen their understanding of one of Christianity’s most mysterious and studied relics.

The exhibition features a full-sized replica of the Shroud of Turin, the centuries-old linen cloth that bears the image of a crucified man, believed by many to be Jesus of Nazareth. This striking visual representation invited students to reflect on Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection in a profoundly tangible way.

Guided through the exhibition in two groups, students spent time engaging with detailed panels, images, and explanations of both the faith traditions and scientific investigations surrounding the Shroud. The experience sparked thoughtful questions about history, art, science, and faith; beautifully aligning with our Good News for Living curriculum. It encouraged students to explore how religious artifacts shape Catholic identity, history, and belief, while also inviting them to consider the meaning of faith, hope, and compassion in their own lives.

We’re grateful for the generosity of Aid to the Church in Need for making this touring exhibition available to Tasmanian Catholic schools. It follows the success of last year’s Blessed Carlo Acutis Miracles of the Eucharist Exhibition and First-class Relic, offering yet another powerful moment of faith formation for both students and staff. We hope today's visit will inspire ongoing curiosity, reflection, and conversation at home.

INSTALLATION OF HIS GRACE, ARCHBISHOP TONY IRELAND

On Tuesday 12 August at 10:00am at St Mary's Cathedral in Hobart, the Archdiocese of Hobart will celebrate the Installation Ceremony of Archbishop-elect Anthony Ireland, marking the formal start of his ministry as our new Archbishop. This is an important and historic occasion for the Catholic community in Tasmania.

I am honoured to have been invited to attend this special ceremony on behalf of St Thomas More’s Catholic School. I will be joined by Samuel Mannion (Grade 5), who will proudly represent our students. The Archbishop has asked for every Catholic school to send a representative, highlighting the importance of Catholic education in the life of the Church.

We look forward to witnessing this significant moment and sharing our reflections with you afterward.

ALL SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAY: EMBEDDING PRACTICE

On Monday 21st July, our staff gathered in Josephite Hall for a dedicated Professional Learning Day focused on Embedding Practice. This was an opportunity for all teaching staff to strengthen our shared commitment to using high-impact, evidence-based teaching strategies in every classroom.

The day featured two engaging keynote sessions delivered via Zoom. Dr Simon Breakspear, an internationally respected expert on educational leadership and change, led a session on Teacher Practice & Improvement. He encouraged us to focus on small, deliberate shifts in practice that are sustainable for busy teachers and genuinely improve student learning.

In the afternoon, Jordan O’Sullivan from Shaping Minds Australia spoke on Observation & Directive Feedback. His session emphasised how clear, actionable and positive feedback can help teachers refine their practice in practical ways. This aligns closely with our system’s Teach First Initiative, which supports teachers to practise and master one high-impact strategy each term through structured peer coaching.

Throughout the day, our teaching staff worked in groups to plan the next System Sprint cycle. This collaborative approach ensures we can continue to embed effective, research-informed strategies that make a real difference for our students.

We thank all staff for their active participation and commitment to ongoing professional growth in service of excellent learning outcomes for every child.