Dear families,

It is hard to believe that tomorrow is the first day of May. The year is certainly zooming along at a great rate. Today we had our school photo day, thank you to all families for a great effort with school uniform. The students looked great and I am sure the photos will turn out perfectly. Thanks to the team at "The School Photographer" for working with us.

Thanks to the families who made the effort to attend the Parent Workshop for our school review process yesterday. This was a chance for parents to have some input about current practises at the school and pass on feedback to an external reviewer.

Just a reminder for families, that run club is now back up and running on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 8:00am.

Trading Cards:

We have been having a few issues in the Yard with playing cards. Some teachers have asked their classes to not bring trading cards to school as it is creating some conflict. While there is currently no school wide ban on Trading Cards, I ask that you support the school and your child's teacher by following guidelines set by them.

Seussical the Musical (Yr 4 Students):

Mother's Day Stall:

This year we have some dads who are running the Mother's Day stall on Friday, 8th of May. Students are encouraged to being some money (between $5-$10).

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)

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

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