Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
SALUTATION
Grace to you and peace.
TOURNAMENT OF MINDS
This past Saturday (13th September), a team of seven students from St Thomas More’s Catholic School were crowned State Champions in the Tournament of Minds Tasmanian Finals!
Competing in the Arts discipline, the students presented a long term challenge performance that explored the theme of peace, creatively interwoven with references to legendary U2 frontman, Bono. Their piece was not only thoughtful but full of insight and humour. In the spontaneous section of the tournament, the team demonstrated outstanding teamwork, problem solving, and creativity under pressure, which proved pivotal in securing their overall victory on the day.
As a result of their success, the team will now represent Tasmania at the Tournament of Minds International Finals, to be held in Canberra in late October or early November.
Congratulations to George Boyle, Eva Lewis, Ivy Angelia Taylor, Tess Allie, Eliza Eldershaw, Chaz Swain, and Lachlan Phillips on this incredible achievement.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mrs Angela Edwards for her exceptional leadership, energy, and commitment in preparing the students for both the long term and spontaneous challenges. From guiding the scriptwriting process to managing rehearsals, prop making, and the final performance day itself, Angela’s dedication has been instrumental in the team’s success.
We also thank our Grade 5 and 6 teaching staff for their generosity in supporting the students’ rehearsal time during curriculum hours. We are immensely proud of our students and look forward to supporting them as they take this next exciting step on the national stage!
DELORAINE DRAMA FESTIVAL
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GOSPEL VALUE AWARDS
Our fortnightly Gospel Values Awards process provides for the nomination and presentation of the Gospel Value Awards for those students who demonstrate, live out, and exemplify the school's Gospel values. For the month of September, the school community is focused on the Gospel value of DIGNITY. Our Gospel Values: Head, Heart & Hands Framework, reminds our students that to show the value of DIGNITY is to be yourself, do your best, and be proud.
The following students received a Gospel Value Award at our Prayer Assembly this Monday (14th September), as nominated by their class teacher for exemplifying the Gospel value of DIGNITY:
| Term 3 - Week 9, 2025 | ||
| Ellis Winch | Ellis you always strive to do your best and encourage others to do the same. You show pride in your work and set a great example for your peers. Thank you for being you Ellis, never change! | Prep More |
| Hazel McGinniss | Hazel, you are always trying to be the best version of yourself. You consistently treat others with respect in the classroom and on the playground. | Prep Thomas |
| Lilou Hommel | For living out the Gospel value of Dignity. Lilou stays true to herself, is proud of who she is, and always does her very best. Keep being you, Lilou! | Grade 1/2 More |
| Edward Wahl | Edward demonstrates the gospel value of Dignity by giving his absolute best in his efforts in class recently. Edward is showing every day what it looks like to be the best version of himself, and his determination and hard work have not gone unnoticed. | Grade 1/2 Saint |
| Murphy McInerney | For showing quiet strength, respect, and focus in everything he does. Murphy leads by example, proving that true dignity is shown not in words, but in calm, consistent actions. | Grade 1/2 Thomas |
| Jessica Blazley | Jess, you treat others with dignity through your kindness, fairness, and thoughtful actions. You approach your learning with dedication and can always be trusted to make positive choices. You are a true role model to those around you in the school community. Keep up the amazing work! | Grade 3/4 More |
| Ryan Murray | Ryan demonstrates the Gospel Value of Dignity through the calm and controlled manner he uses to engages with his teachers and peers. Ryan holds himself to a high standard displaying respect for self, always working to the best of his ability and by taking pride in his appearance. Ryan is a great role model for his peers. | Grade 3/4 Saint |
| Kade Hodgetts | For demonstrating the Gospel Value of Dignity by working hard to give his best effort in all tasks and activities, and making positive choices. Well done, Kade! | Grade 3/4 Thomas |
| Douglas Anderson | Douglas shows the gospel value of Dignity through the kindness and fairness he shows to others, reflecting the genuine respect he has for his peers. | Grade 5/6 More |
| Mikayla Bardenhagen | Mikayla is respectful and caring in the way she treats others. Mikayla shows dignity by valuing her own gifts and the gifts of those around her. She listens to others with kindness, includes her peers, and upholds the dignity of everyone she meets. She is a wonderful example of how we are called to live out Jesus’ message of love and respect. | Grade 5/6 Saint |
| Ivy Angelia-Taylor | Ivy shows dignity in all that she does. She is a self-directed learner, always seeking new ways to challenge and extend her thinking. Ivy brings out the very best in those around her, encouraging and motivating others to shine alongside her. Her quiet confidence and positive influence inspire our whole class community. | Grade 5/6 Thomas |
These students also attended the Principal’s Morning Tea on Tuesday (15th September) in Josephite Hall during First Break.
PRINCIPAL'S MORNING TEA
At our Monday morning Prayer Assembly this week, there were a number of students who received a Gospel Value Award for demonstrating the value of DIGNITY. These students attended a special Principal’s Morning Tea in Josephite Hall this Tuesday (16th September).
We were treated to a smorgasbord of fruits, muffins, cake, and party pies, and we each shared what we are grateful for in our lives: parents who take us on big adventures (even to London!), mums who return from cruises just in time for hugs, the joy of working with the Tournament of Minds team — and doing it all again in Sydney! We also heard gratitude for everything we have, friends and family who are always kind, and mums and dads who help us when we’re hurt or just need looking after.
They also shared about their hobbies, interests and dreams which included: playing footy for Lilydale and netball for Generation, swimming laps, playing ukulele, and dancing in tap and jazz at Melissa Wimmer’s studio with performances at the Princess Theatre! Some love gaming at home with Mum and little sister Milla, helping Dad in the garden, kicking goals for Launceston City, shooting hoops with the Trojans, and even dreaming of travelling the world to catch a live Premier League match in the UK!
REHEARSE THE POSITIVE SUPERHEROES!
Our Rehearse the Positive superhero capes continue to make a big impact across the school! Each week, these capes are passed on to new students who are living out the simple daily actions that make St Thomas More’s such a welcoming, positive community.
At our Prayer Assembly on Monday (14th September), we celebrated three more wonderful students who have been shining examples of kindness, respect, and care in action:
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Maggie Taylor (Grade 3, Chisholm House) – for greeting people using their name, and practising five star listening during assemblies.
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Amelia Walters (Prep, Tenison House) – for being respectful, being responsible and for showing five-star listening during assemblies.
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Huntah Walker (Grade 4, MacKillop House) – for including other in play by being fair, being respectful, and helping those who are hurt.
Congratulations to Maggie, Amelia, and Huntah! Each wore their cape proudly for the day as champions of Rehearse the Positive, and as a reminder to all of us that greatness is built through consistent positive actions.
TERM 3, 2025 - HOUSE CUP WINNERS!
All of Term 3, students have been receiving tokens from staff members for showing our positive behaviour expectations: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be a Learner. The House that receives the most tokens by the end of Week 9 each term wins the House Cup.
The winning House each term attends a special afternoon of activities with Mr Douglas and Ms Cornish on the Tuesday afternoon of Week 10, where they will also be presented with the House Cup.
The House Captains have tallied the tokens, and the final count for Term 3 is:
In third place, with *** tokens is Tenison House.
In second place, with *** tokens is Chisholm House.
And in first place, and the winning House for Term 3, with *** tokens is MACKILLOP House!
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL - POSTPONED
As communciated with the school community yesterday, due to the inclement weather today (Friday 19th September), the Athletics Carnival has been postponed to Wednesday 15th October (Term 4 - Week 1).
STUDENT FREE DAY - MONDAY 13TH OCTOBER
There will be a Student Free Day on Monday 13th October (Term 4 - Week 1) as all Staff in Catholic Education Tasmania participate in the All System Day: Applying Knowledge, which is a professional learning day in which all Staff will deepening their knowledge of applying the principles of high impact teaching strategies. The event is being centrally hosted by Catholic Education Tasmania and includes keynote presentations from renowned educational experts such as Simon Breakspear and Nathaniel Swain.
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
