It is a very busy time of year with lots going on, last week I added additional dates to the Important Dates and Upcoming Events tab. Please make sure you keep up to date with all of our comings and goings.

Just a reminder to families that I have some Long Service Leave coming up. I will be away from Friday, 29th of November and return on Thursday, 12th of December. Mrs Danielle George will be Acting Principal in my absence and she will be well supported by our school leadership team.

Please note the school will be closed on Monday 2nd of December and Tuesday 3rd of December as the staff engage in planning and undertake some professional learning.

Also another note for your diaries (as per the Important dates tab), the assembly on Monday will start at 2:15pm to allow time after for the 5/6 students to present our first Advent Liturgy. All families are welcome.

Mental Health in Primary School:

I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Marcia Janky and Jess Jones for being appointed our Mental Health in Primary School officers for 2025. They will also help liaise with families around our 2025 School Councilor Program.

GAGA Ball:

We have hit pause on GAGA ball for a few days, the kids are loving the game and enjoying the new equipment, however we need to provide the students a bit more clarity and the rules so all can enjoy the game fairly. We will be working to simplify the rules for the junior school and have some extra teacher or LSO help there when issues arise. Hoping to have everyone going GAGA again next week.

Flexible Uniform:

In 2025, we will be adopting a "Flexible Uniform", there will be more information and details provided in newsletters when I return from Long Service Leave. Please note, the uniform will NOT be changing.

Family Holidays:

If you are planning on going on a family holiday of more than a few days, it is MACS policy for a written request to be provided to the Principal (in this case me). We have a large number of families who are heading on holidays early, please make sure you pass an email on to myself and the classroom teacher.

Library in 2025:

In 2025 our School Library will be open on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon's from 3:10pm-3:30pm. This year we have noticed less students borrowing and this is because the library is open at lunchtimes. The after-school time frame will mean families can come in together either of these days and borrow/return books as often as they like. The library will be staffed during this time.

Parents and Friends AGM:

On Monday night our Parents and Friends Committee held their Annual General Meeting (AGM). I would like to congratulate the following members of their election to the PnF exec team.

President: Emily Atkinson

Vice President: Audrey Brook

Secretary: Taryn Meijers

General Committee: Bernice Mahoney, Mel Pearce, Paul Iorlano

I thank these people for taking up these volunteer roles.

I would like to pass on a mountain of gratitude to Amy Gillet, who after many years of service on both the PnF and SAC is stepping down due to her youngest child graduating from STM this year. Amy has been a wonderful leader in our school community and has dedicated countless hours over many years helping our school community. Amy has held many roles of the exec teams on both parent bodies. Amy, you will be missed and on behalf of the school community, we thank you.

St Vincent de Paul Fundraiser:

On Friday, December 6th, after lunch, we will be hosting a fun food fight at school. This will include water fight-style activities using foam food. To take part in this event, we would appreciate it if you could contribute food items from the attachment below. These items will be donated to St Vincent de Paul, a Catholic organisation that provides support to families in our local community. You can start sending in your donations anytime leading up to the event. We hope you will help make a difference and bring joy to families this Christmas.

Thank you for your support

Archie, Fraser, and Olivia

Social Justice Leaders

Passing on Ceremony:

The Passing on Ceremony is a very important tradition at our school. It is where our current 2024 school leaders "Pass on" the responsibility of school leadership to our 2025 school leaders. Families of our Year 5 families are encouraged to join the school staff and students on Wednesday, December 11th at 2pm in the Parish Church.

2025 Student Leadership roles will also be announced at this ceremony.

Tackling Tricky Conversations - Replay:

This webinar is available to our community for the next few weeks. Thanks to those families who attended.

Participant in Sports Survey:

A message from Mrs Norris in the Library:

All library books must be returned by December 1st ( particularly grade 6's).

Week 8 is the last week of borrowing.

Thank you and God bless

Declan McDermott

Principal

St Thomas More Catholic Primary School

We are one as we walk in the footsteps of Jesus. This school community promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children

Issue 37 · 19 Nov 2024

In this issue

We are one as we walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

This school community promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children