Dear families,

It has been another fantastic week here at St Thomas More. The weather is starting to cool down a little bit, which is to be expected but we were hopeful the sunny days would keep rolling around.

I would just like to wish a very Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful mums in our community. I know I am blessed to have a wonderfully supportive mum who sacrificed so much for me and my brother as we grew up (and still to this day). I am also lucky to have an amazing wife who supports our family and is a wonderful mum to our three children. I hope you all have the chance to rest up and enjoy the day.

Today our Yr 4 students are attending a cameo performance of the Mater Christi College and St Joseph's College production "Suessical the Musical". We thank our local Catholic Secondary Schools for their continued partnership and sense of community. I am sure the students are having a wonderful time and we look forward to hearing all about it upon their return.

Just a note for families, that tomorrow some of the dads in our community are running the annual Mother's Day stall here at school. Students are invited to bring some money ($10 is normally more than enough) to purchase a gift for those wonderful women in our lives.

We keep in our Prayers our Confirmation Candidates who next weekend (Sunday 17th of May) will recieve the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Lost Property:

These glasses were found in the second hand uniform cupboard.

Teeth on Wheels:

This is a friendly reminder that Teeth On Wheels will be visiting our school for dental check-ups starting on May 29th 2026.

Early dental visits are crucial for your child’s long-term oral health. At this visit, Teeth On Wheels will help identify and address common dental concerns, such as:

Thumb-sucking– which can affect tooth development.
Teeth eruption– ensuring teeth are coming through correctly.
Bite issues– preventing misalignments that may cause future problems.
Hypoplasia– weakened tooth enamel that can lead to decay.
Decay and cavities – catching early signs before they develop into bigger issues.
Deep grooves and pits– which can trap food and bacteria, increasing the risk of decay.
Gum infections– preventing long-term damage to gums and surrounding tissue.

To ensure your child is part of this visit, please complete the consent form by clicking the link below:

Complete Consent Form HERE!

Once completed, the Teeth On Wheels team will Check your child’s eligibility for FREE care under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). If your child is not eligible, Teeth On Wheels is offering a special deal of $125 for a full check-up, clean, fluoride treatment, and any required x-rays (which can be claimed through your private health insurance).

Important: The cut-off date for completing your child’s form is May 22nd 2026.

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact the Teeth On Wheels team at (03) 9338 1191.

Thank you for prioritising your child’s oral health!

Important Information for Year 6 families - National Assessment Program (Science):

This year, our school has been selected by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) to participate in the National Assessment Program - Science Literacy. This assessment is designed for Year 6 students and measures science literacy and education across Australia.

The online assessment will take place on Thursday, 7 May. Twenty Year 6 students have been randomly selected by ACARA to participate, and the school is required to follow the authority's guidelines and processes. As a small school, we recognise that not all students will have the opportunity to take part in this assessment.

Students who have been selected will complete the assessment during school hours, and no additional preparation is required. We encourage all students to approach the assessment with a positive mindset and simply do their best. Students who are not selected will have work to complete during the assessment period.

An information sheet has been included below. If you have any questions or would like further information, please feel free to contact our Learning and Teaching Leader, Danielle George, on 9754 4444 or dgeorge@smbelgrave.catholic.edu.au

Camp Manyung (June 3rd to 5th):

We are only about 6 weeks away from Camp for our Year 5 and 6 students. We will be attending Camp Manyung in Mt Eliza. There will be a Parent Information Session on Tuesday 19th of May at 6:30pm. The meeting will be online and a link will be shared that week. As per normal procedure, any medication taken on camp (outside of regular school medication) will need to have a medication authority form signed by a medical professional. I have attached a copy here for those families who want to get a head start on the process. I have also attached a packing list for families (I know we are still a while away).

Staff attending camp:

Declan McDermott (Wednesday)

Katherine McLoughlin (Wednesday)

Jeanette Wicks (Wednesday)

Jess Jones (Wednesday - Friday)

Allison Munro (Wednesday - Friday)

Robyn Auld (Wednesday - Friday)

Belinda Saville (Thursday - Friday)

School Photos:

It's not too late to order

STM Homework:

We’ve been reviewing our homework approach and would like to share an update with our families.

At St Thomas More, homework will continue to be offered to all students to practise important skills. From Term 2, all classrooms will provide homework to ensure consistent expectations across the school.

Homework will focus on building literacy and numeracy skills, helping students develop confidence and fluency. Tasks will be simple and manageable, keeping in mind busy family schedules.

What to expect:

Homework will be set from Monday to Thursday only (no weekends).
It should take approximately:
- 10–15 minutes in the junior years
- Around 20 minutes in the middle and senior years
Teachers may send homework home weekly or fortnightly.

Homework will not be formally graded; however, teachers will check in with any students who have participated in the tasks.

We appreciate your support in encouraging your child to complete these short practice activities and understand that each family will do what works best for them. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher, or our Learning and Teaching Leader, Danielle George.

Declan McDermott

Principal

MACSEYE (OSHC)