From the Principal
Dear families,
It has been a wonderful first couple of weeks of Term 4. Last week our Year 4-6 Students participated in the Summer Sports Carnival. They competed across a range of sports including Tennis, Basketball and Vollyball. They represented our school extreamly well and we are proud of their efforts.
Just a reminder for students (may be a new one for families). We have a free dress day / crazy sock day on Wednesday (21 October) to support Socktober. Students are invited to wear casual clothes on this day, they are also invited to wear a pair of crazy socks.
A few really important dates for your diaries:
Monday 2nd of November - School Closed (Time in Lieu Day for staff)
Tuesday 3rd of November - School Closed (Melbourne Cup Public Holiday)
Wednesday 4th of November - School Closed (Staff Professional Development Day)
Friday 4th of December - School Closed (2027 School Planning Day)
EBA Implications for STM 2027:
As many families would be aware, there are ongoing negotiations for a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement for teachers and support staff within the Catholic School Systems in Victoria. MACS have been forward planning around what this will look like moving forward. I can confirm the following decisions have been made for St Thomas More in 2027.
The school class structure will remain at SIX classes. This is a wonderful result for our school that we are in a position to continue with this structure.
There will be EIGHT school closure days in 2027 (up from SIX in 2026), these will be a combination of Professional Learning Days and Time in Lieu Days for staff. As always we will work to make these days as seemless as we can. More information will be provided as the term continues.
Class Structure 2027:
Now the decision has been made to remain at six classes, we will work through class structures for 2027. Over the coming weeks, I will share the decided structure (in collaboration with SAC) to families and provide more details as they come to hand.
Please note all students will be given the chance to provide a list of students who they would like in their class for next year. I would ask families to reach out if there are any concerns around class placement for 2027. Being a small school these requests cannot always be met, but there is a chance for parents to email me if they would like.
Icy Poles for sale:
Our Year 6 students will commence selling Icy Poles on Monday 26th of October. Orders can be placed on CDFPay.
Term 4 - Hats are compulsory:
A reminder that hats will be expected from the start of Term 4. Students who are not wearing a hat will be asked to sit in the shaded areas during recess and lunch.
Just a note the school does not provide sunscreen for students. Families are welcome to send sunscreen and ask their own children to apply before going outside.
Teeth on Wheels:
We’re excited to announce that Teeth On Wheels will be returning to our School on November 19th 2026.
Teeth On Wheels makes dental care easy, fun and completely stress-free for children—right here at school. No time off work, no after-school appointments, just quality care in a familiar environment.
They specialise in working with children and offer services including check-ups, cleans and more. Their team is also specially trained to support neurodiverse patients, ensuring every child feels comfortable, safe and cared for.
If your child has already participated this year, there’s no need to complete the form again unless your contact details or your child’s medical history has changed.
If eligible under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), your child may receive FREE dental care, making this a valuable and accessible service for families.
To secure your child’s place, simply complete the E-form by the cut-off date November 12th 2026.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE YOUR FORM!
Spots are limited and fill quickly—don’t miss this convenient opportunity for your child to continue receiving high-quality dental care at school. Submit your form today, and the Teeth On Wheels team will be in touch to schedule your child’s appointment!
Colouring Competition:
Scholastic Bookclub:
Emily Atkinson currently does the Scholastic bookclub orders online and is looking for someone to take over this role in 2027. This role is approximately one hour twice a term. Please let the office know if you are interested.
Declan McDermott
Principal
