Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
SALUTATION
Grace to you and peace.
HATS OFF TO TEACHERS!
Today we celebrated World Teachers’ Day with a touch of Wonderland magic! Our staff gathered for a Mad Hatters Tea Party in the Staff Lounge during first break, complete with scones, tea, and plenty of laughter. To make sure everyone could join the fun, yard duties were covered by myself, Mrs Cornish and our ever-supportive team of staff helpers.
To spread the celebration beyond the staffroom, students were invited to wear hats of their choice, and they certainly rose to the occasion! From footy caps and top hats to fascinators fit for the Queen of Hearts, the playground was alive with colour, creativity and smiles.
My message to students was simple: while wearing a hat is a fun way to show appreciation, the most meaningful way to celebrate World Teachers’ Day is to approach your teacher, look them in the eye and say, “Thank you.”
Hats off to all our amazing teachers for your care, dedication and the magic you bring to learning every day.
GRANDPARENTS DAY
What a wonderful sight it was on Monday 27 October as our grounds filled with grandparents, picnic rugs, and smiling faces for Grandparents’ Day. Our visitors were welcomed into classrooms and outdoor spaces across the school for an afternoon of connection and creativity.
Each team hosted a range of activities: from water play and chalk art in Kinder and Prep, to puzzles, portraits, and interviews with grandparents in the older grades. The laughter and conversation flowed easily as generations came together to share stories, play games, and enjoy each other’s company.
The school was alive with energy and warmth. Many grandparents settled under shady trees for picnics or joined in classroom activities, while others explored the gardens and watched their grandchildren proudly show off their work.
A sincere thank you to all who joined us, and to our staff for their thoughtful organisation and care. It was a relaxed, joy-filled afternoon that reminded us of the important role grandparents play in the life of our school community.
You can catch all the highlights and heartfelt moments in the special STM TV episode below. Special thanks to Mrs Hayley Chugg for her wonderful work in creating this episode.
CRAZY SOCK DAY FOR CATHOLIC MISSION
On Thursday (30th October), St Thomas More’s was bursting with colour and creativity as students wore their craziest, most colourful socks to raise money for Catholic Mission and support children in Zambia.
This year’s Socktober theme, “Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples,” reminded us that through compassion, action, and faith, we can bring hope to communities around the world.
The day was full of fun and friendly competition with our soccer shootout, led by our wonderful Junior Joeys. A big thank you to our Grade 6 boys who stepped up as goalkeepers, and to every student who wore their wackiest socks and had a shot at goal.
Thanks to everyone’s enthusiasm and generosity, we raised an incredible $511.05 for Catholic Mission. What a fantastic effort, St Thomas More’s; true Missionaries of Hope!
2025 ATHLETICS CARNIVAL RESULTS!
After an agonising wait, and several careful recounts, the winning House for our 2025 Athletics Carnival was finally announced by Mr Stacey on Monday morning. The excitement was electric as the final points were revealed:
Final Scores:
1st – MacKillop House (1,805 points)
2nd – Chisholm House (1,803 points)
3rd – Tenison House (1,694 points)
Congratulations to MacKillop House on an outstanding victory, and to every student for their enthusiasm, effort, and sportsmanship throughout the day.
A sincere thank you to all staff, students, and our amazing parent volunteers whose support and energy made the carnival such a smooth, spirited, and joy-filled success.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT: NIJSSA ATHLETICS CAPTAINS
We are pleased to share that on Wednesday in the Kitchen Garden Area with our Grade 5/6 classes gathered, we announced the Captains of our NIJSSA Athletics Carnival team that represented our school at the event at St Leonard's Athletics Track this Friday (31st October):
NIJSSA Athletics Girls Captain: Stella Rowe
NIJSSA Athletics Boys Captain: Dex Cassidy
These Grade 6 students were appointed to the role following consideration of their sportmanship, skill level and attitude, as well as their modelling of respectful behaviour, and living out the values of our school. Congratulations to Stella and Dex!
I look forward to sharing the experience of our students at the NIJSAA Athletics Carnival in the Newsletter next week.
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 October, the school community is focused on the Gospel value of JUSTICE. Our Gospel Values: Head, Heart & Hands Framework, reminds our students that to show the value of JUSTICE is to be helpful, be fair, and be caring.
The following students received a Gospel Value Award at our Prayer Assembly this Monday (27th October), as nominated by their class teacher for exemplifying the Gospel value of JUSTICE:
| Term 4, Week 3, 2025 | ||
| Mila Dolting | For the way that you show care to others in our class. Mila you are always willing to lend a helping hand and treat everyone with kindness. We are lucky you in Prep M, Mila. | Prep More |
| Evie Rainsford | You show the Gospel Value of Justice when you are a caring and helpful friend, and when playing games you are fair and just with all. | Prep Thomas |
| Catherine (Cate) Viney | For demonstrating exceptional helpfulness and care in our classroom. You go above and beyond to keep our space clean and organised, from tidying up and caring for our plants to ensuring everything is in its place. Your kindness and thoughtful nature shine through in the way you care for others and show pride in our school community. | Grade 1/2 Saint |
| Charlie Bissett | This award recognises Charlie's resilience and enthusiasm at the athletics carnival, celebrating a spirit of justice, inclusion, and encouragement for everyone involved. | Grade 1/2 Thomas |
| Olive Rigby | For her commitment to helping others by participating in the MS Read-A-Thon. We are very proud of your effort, Olive! | Grade 1/2 More |
| Jack Bertram | For demonstrating justice through fairness, respect, and excellent sportsmanship at the Athletics Carnival. | Grade 3/4 Saint |
| Archer Coombe | For demonstrating the Gospel Value of Justice by treating others fairly, listening carefully, and being ready to learn. A fantastic start to the term, Archer! | Grade 3/4 Thomas |
| Jack Atherton | Jack, you always give your best in everything you do and show such fairness and care in your learning. You take responsibility for your growth, approach challenges with a great attitude, and treat others with kindness and respect. You're not only a dedicated learner but also a thoughtful and welcoming friend. Keep shining, your hard work and positivity are truly wonderful to see! | Grade 3/4 More |
| Cruz Atkinson | Cruz for showed incredible effort, enthusiasm, and true sportsmanship throughout our Athletics Carnival. His positive attitude, encouragement of others, and determination to do his best made him a shining example of our school spirit. | Grade 5/6 Saint |
| Lucy Claxton | Lucy has a wonderful sense of fairness and courage. She isn’t afraid to speak up for what’s right and always shares her thoughts with kindness and honesty — even when they’re different from others. Lucy stands beside anyone who needs support and shows every day that justice is about compassion, bravery, and doing what’s right for others. | Grade 5/6 Thomas |
| Rosie Fankhauser | Rosie consistently lives out the value of Justice through her genuine kindness, patience, and respect for others. She treats all her peers and students across the school with fairness and care in everything she does. | Grade 5/6 More |
These students also attended the Principal’s Morning Tea on Tuesday (28th October) 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 JUSTICE. These students attended a special Principal’s Morning Tea in Josephite Hall this Tuesday (28th October).
We were treated to a smorgasbord of fruits, cakes, scones and party pies, and we each shared what we are grateful for in our lives: our families and parents who care for us and take us to soccer, the park, and even sleepovers at our grandparents’; our friends who help us feel brave and make us laugh; and our wonderful teachers who help us learn something new every day.
They also shared about their hobbies, interests and dreams which included: playing soccer for Launceston United, representing Australia in futsal, shooting hoops, bowling wickets in cricket, and swimming laps. We also had dancers from Classique and Soda studios showing off their jazz moves, plus students who love reading, writing, and drawing. And of course, there were plenty of laughs about playing Gaga Ball in the lounge room, and fun moments spent with siblings: brothers, sisters, and a lot of giggles included!
STM IN BEAUTY & THE BEAST JR!
Encore Theatre Academy's inaugural production, Beauty and the Beast Jr. featured at the Princess Theatre in Launceston this week. It was an extraordinary blend of professional theatre production and youthful talent, including ten talented students, from St Thomas More’s. With professional lighting, sound, props, and set design, as well as experienced costume fitters, crew, and stage management, the production offered a top-tier theatrical experience. Three of the four performances were sold out, reflecting the high demand and excitement for this incredible show.
Paige Wylie, Ivy Angelina-Taylor, Eliza Eldershaw, Eva Lewis, George Boyle, Edward Wahl, Lucy Claxton, Millie Mae O'Mahony, Mia Gebka, and Charlotte Turner not only contributed their acting talents but also benefitted immensely from the professional experience. Their roles in the production ranged from narrators and villagers to tavern patrons, wolves, and even napkins, offering them the chance to showcase their versatility and creativity. Each student learnt firsthand about the intricacies of live theatre, worked within an ensemble, and engaged with all elements of this professional-grade production. They all shone on stage, particularly during Wednesday morning’s show, when our Grade 1/2s had the fortune to witness their stagecraft firsthand. All feedback was highly complimentary! Congratulations to all students!
RHYME, RHYTHM & REMARKABLE EVA!
We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Grade 6 School Captain Eva Lewis, whose remarkable talent for poetry and performance has earned state-wide recognition.
Earlier this month, Eva entered the Australian Poetry Slam – Tasmanian Youth Heats in Launceston, performing her original poem All Things Spice. Her performance impressed both judges and audience alike, earning her first place and a position in the Tasmanian Finals held in Hobart the following weekend.
Competing against accomplished adult poets as the youngest finalist by several years, Eva showcased her poise and confidence with a new original piece, Unmirrored. Her moving performance received enthusiastic praise from both the audience and judges.
Eva’s success captured the attention of the President of the Tasmanian Poetry Festival, who invited her to perform at the Launceston City Council Meeting to promote the Festival, and to feature on Chilli FM to discuss her poetry journey. She was subsequently invited to perform as a Spotlight Poet at the 2025 Tasmanian Poetry Festival, featuring in the Slam Tram event and the Poetry Cup, where she placed in the top five performers.
Eva’s achievements reflect her passion, creativity, and courage; a true example of fostering greatness through finding one’s voice. We commend her for representing St Thomas More’s with such distinction and heart.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS WEEK
Last week, the staff at St Thomas More’s Catholic School marked Breast Cancer Awareness Month by holding our own Breast Cancer Awareness Week, a time of reflection, education, and solidarity. From the Check-In Challenge and daily stories to our Pink Morning Tea and sea of pink attire, the week was filled with powerful personal stories that raised awareness and inspired us all. Each reflection reminded us of the strength found in community and the importance of looking after ourselves and one another.
This special week was led by Mrs Shannyn Hodgetts, whose compassion, creativity, and courage set the tone for an experience that touched us all. Shannyn’s openness in sharing her personal story, alongside those of other staff and community members, brought both inspiration and perspective to what can often be a difficult subject. Through her leadership, the week became not just a school initiative but a heartfelt reminder of empathy, connection, and proactive health awareness.
To everyone who contributed, participated, or simply showed up for a colleague, thank you for helping keep that spirit alive. Awareness does not end here. Schedule your check-up, encourage others to do the same, and keep the conversation going.
STM COMMUNITY TRIVIA NIGHT!
Josephite Hall was bursting with energy on Thursday night as more than 80 trivia buffs packed in for the STM Community Trivia Night, a fun-filled evening of laughter, competition and community spirit. The event was a huge success, raising valuable funds for JCP Youth, whose inspiring CEO Will Smith spoke between each round about the incredible work his team does to support at-risk young people through programs like the BEAST Program, youth mentoring and leadership development camps across Tasmania.
The highlight of the night came when Will was presented with a giant cheque (literally!) symbolising our school community’s donation of $2,000 to JCP Youth, a gesture of hope and solidarity for young Tasmanians who need it most. Will’s heartfelt stories reminded us all of the power of connection and belief in helping young people find their purpose and potential.
A huge thank you goes to the wonderful Mrs Steph Claxton for her phenomenal organisation and enthusiasm in making the night such a success, and to the Tasmanian Catholic Schools Parents Council for the parent engagement grant that made the event possible. And of course, thank you to everyone who came along to support the cause; your generosity and spirit truly made this a night to remember.
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
