Dear Parents and Carers,

SALUTATION

Grace to you and peace.

FATHER'S DAY COMMUNITY EVENT!

Earlier this week, our school grounds were joyfully overrun by one of the most powerful forces in the universe: Dads.

They arrived in droves for our annual Father’s Day Community Event, ready to celebrate the unique bond they share with their children. From 2:00pm to 3:00pm, the school was transformed into a haven of high-fives, paper planes, basketball shots, cheesy dad jokes, and stories of former glory days on the sporting field!

But underneath the jokes and jests was something real and beautiful: time. Undivided, device-free, intentional time spent between fathers and their children. Whether it was playing noughts and crosses, skipping together, folding paper planes in the Kinder rooms, or posing like superheroes in the Piazza photo booth, what we witnessed on Monday was love in action. A special shout-out must go to our incredible P&F Committee, who poured their time, effort and creativity into helping all 360 students create something memorable for their Dad or special father figure. And what a gift it was! Each child designed their very own wooden coaster—complete with a hidden bottle opener underneath—personalised with colourful paint pens and plenty of heart. Honestly, it’s the kind of gift you don’t just use… you treasure.

Their work behind the scenes is what made this celebration possible. From managing resources and prepping materials, to supporting every child in creating something truly special—our P&F are the quiet giants of this community. Thank you for being the glue that holds the glitter together.

To the fathers in our community: Thank you for showing up. For playing. For laughing. For building. For reading. For skipping. For kicking. For clapping. For loving.

We know that our children look to you; not for perfection, but for presence. And on Monday afternoon, your presence was everywhere.

Happy Father’s Day to all our Dads and father figures. May your coasters never be out of reach, and your Dad jokes always find a captive audience (whether they like it or not)!

BAND SOIRÉE - SEMESTER 2

The second Band Soirée of the year was held this past Wednesday evening (10th September) in Josephite Hall, and once again delivered a joyful celebration of musical growth and student achievement.

One of the most heartening aspects of this end-of-year performance is seeing—and hearing—the remarkable progress our students have made since Semester 1. The confidence, precision, and musicality on display spoke volumes about the hard work and commitment they’ve shown across the year.

The Band Program, led by the wonderful Mrs Fiona Mowat and the dedicated team of music tutors from St Patrick’s College, continues to be a highlight of our school’s co-curricular offerings. Their support, encouragement, and skilled instruction help nurture a genuine love of music in our students, and for that we are deeply grateful.

Thank you to the families and friends who filled the hall once again in support of our young musicians. Your presence makes these moments all the more special. It is always a joy for me to attend and witness the power of music to bring us together in community and celebration.

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS FUTSAL TOURNAMENT

Today, two teams of St Thomas More’s students represented our school with pride and passion in the Australian Futsal Association’s Champion of Champions Tournament in Hobart!

After winning their respective grand finals at the Northern Primary Schools Futsal Championships earlier this year, our Grade 4 Boys and Grade 5 Boys earned their place in this elite state-level tournament, competing against the best futsal teams from across Tasmania. Indeed, our Grade 3 Boys and Grade 6 Boys also qualified for the tournament having won their respective grand finals in the Northern qualifiers, but due to a lack of other teams entered were not able to participate.

Our Grade 5 Boys claimed the State Championship by defeating Hutchins 4-3 in the Final to complete the tournament undefeated! Our Grade 4 Boys also progressed through to the final with strong performances, but in a valiant effort narrowly lost in Extra Time to Taroona who scored a Golden Goal, losing 5-6.

The tournament was more than just a showcase of skill; it was a testament to our students’ sportsmanship, resilience, and school spirit. Congratulations to all players for how they played the game and how they carried themselves in representing our school!

A huge thank you to Mr Nicholas Stacey for her outstanding organisation and leadership of our futsal program. Special thanks also to our volunteer coaches: Mr Stuart Ralph (Grade 4 Boys) and Mr Travis Bryan and Mr Matthew Richards (Grade 5 Boys), for generously giving their time and energy to support, mentor and coach our students. Your impact goes far beyond the pitch.

MUSICA VIVA IN SCHOOLS - LIFE IS AN ECHO

On Wednesday morning, 10th September, our school was delighted to host Musica Viva’s San Ureshi Ensemble for two very special performances of their program, Life is an Echo. Our Kinder–Grade 2 students and our Grade 3–6 students each enjoyed their own concert, carefully designed to engage every age group.

The performances were more than just concerts—they were experiences. Students were immersed in the rich sounds of the erhu, guzheng, and percussion, and quickly discovered that music can be just as powerful in its silences as in its notes. They learned how tone, space, and stillness combine to shape music, and how different cultures use sound to tell stories and express emotion. The musicians invited participation, and our students responded with enthusiasm, creativity, and joy.

Throughout both concerts, students were captivated and mesmerised by the professional, calming, and other-worldly sounds. Faces lit up with wonder, bodies swayed to the rhythm, and many reflected on how music can bring both energy and peace. It was a living lesson in listening, mindfulness, and cultural appreciation.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Music Teacher, Mrs Natalie Zegveld, whose organisation made this inspiring incursion possible. Experiences like these remind us of the power of live performance to educate, uplift, and broaden our students’ horizons.

TOURNAMENT OF MINDS - THIS SATURDAY!

This Saturday 13th September, a team of seven of our remarkable students will represent St Thomas More’s Catholic School at the Tournament of Minds Tasmanian State Finals in Hobart.

Tournament of Minds (ToM) is a national academic competition that challenges students to work collaboratively over six weeks to solve complex, open-ended problems in areas such as The Arts, STEM, Social Sciences, and Language & Literature. It’s a celebration of teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking—and a truly transformative learning experience for all involved.

This year, we are proud to be represented by the following students:

George Boyle, Eva Lewis, Ivy Angelia Taylor, Tess Allie, Eliza Eldershaw, Chaz Swain, and Lachlan Phillips

We wish them all the very best as they take to the stage this weekend! A heartfelt thank you to Mrs Angela Edwards for her passionate leadership and countless hours preparing the students, and to our Grade 5/6 teaching team for their generous support in enabling these young minds to rehearse and refine their work during curriculum time.