Hi everyone,

It has been another busy week at St Thomas More with lots of fun and learning. Tomorrow we have our Mother's Day stall organised by our wonderful Parents and Friends Committee. If the children would like to purchase their mum or a special person a gift or two, they will need to bring money in a named envelope and also a bag to put the gift in. Normally we ask the children not to bring more than $10 each.

Tomorrow is also Walk to School Safely Day! It would be great to see lots of families making an extra effort to walk all the way to school, or just part way to school for those families that live too far away. Teachers and even the Belgrave Police may be in the Woolworth's car park handing out special stickers to those students who are walking.

One of our parents Kate Lee Joystar has unfourtunately been diagnosed with cancer. The family lives in Boronia and is seeking assistance in getting the wonderful Reishi to and from school while Kate can focus on getting back to full health. If you live nearby or would be happy to help, please contact me and I can put you in direct contact with the family.

I hope all the mums and special other women in our lives have a wonderful day on Sunday. I hope you are all spoilt and get a chance to put your feet up.

I am incredibly blessed to be surrounded by wonderfully supportive women in my life. I thank my mum and my wife for all the wonderful support they have given me.

You are all amazing.

Lunch Orders - Mondays - starting 6 May 2024:

Subway Vermont South and Canteen Hub are very pleased to be able to offer the Subs For Your School Lunch Program.

Every Monday - Starting Monday 6 May 2024
Place your order by 4:30 pm, Sunday
If you are using a VPN please select Australia
Please register at canteenhub.com.au
Select St Thomas More Primary School
If you need to cancel your order this can be done via canteenhub.com.au under your profile up to the order cut-off time.
Need help please email help@canteenhub.com

Sacrament of Reconciliation:

Congratulations to the following students for completing their Sacrament of Reconciliation. Zach B, Rose H, Romina, L & Charlotte B

These students will also complete their Sacrament of First Eucharist over the coming weekend. We keep these students and their families in our prayers.

Father has asked me to remind families of these children that they are to attend the 9:00 am Mass this coming Sunday (May 12th). We also need to pay a big thank you to Marcia Janky who has coordinated with families and with Father Cruz to make sure all the children who want to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation later this month were prepared.

Healthy Families Webinar Series - Register HERE!!

Semester 1 Reports:

As parents are aware, students receive achievement reports each semester. We are slightly adjusting these reports to be more friendly for parents to read and understand. An overview of each subject taught will be provided so parents can view what content has been covered throughout the semester. Students will then be given a curriculum progression point for each subject. This will be displayed in a graph that is easy to read, a key will also be provided. Students will also receive a teacher judgement mark on their Effort and Behaviour in class, this will be marked on a 5 point scale. Parents will access reports through their N-Forma portal. Printed copies can be provided on request after reports have been published and sent home.

If you have any questions about the reporting process, please let me know.

St Joseph's College:

Lighthouse Expo: (Year 6 Boys):

Victorian Premiers Reading Challenge:

If your child is interested in joining the Victorian Premiers' Reading Challenge, please let our school Library technician and LSO, Lisa Norris know.

Lisa can be contacted on lnorris@smbelgrave.catholic.edu.au

Cross country training:

Each Tuesday morning (8am) and Wednesday (1st half of lunch time), students in Year 3 and up are welcome to join our Cross Country training and trials. Students will be selected for the district squad from these sessions.

Term 2 important dates:

Please keep checking in on the important dates tab - new events and activities will be added to each newsletter.

ART Therapy:

Please reach out to our very own parent Alice Hermans if there is interest in Art Therapy.

Walk to School Day:

Staff will be on duty on the 10th of May to give stickers to those students who are walking on this day. Last year we had some wonderful parents coordinate walking groups from different parts around the suburbs. It would be amazing if this can happen again to promote this day!

School Fees:

School fees are now payable. Fee payments can be set up flexibly with Tarnia in the office. We kindly ask for regular payments or if you intend to make a one off payment please just let us know when you plan to do so. All fees are due by the end of Term 3 (unless on a payment plan, these plans can run all year). If anyone has any questions about fees please speak to Tarnia or myself.

2024 School Closure Days:

Friday 16th of August - School Closure

Monday 21st of October - School Closure

Monday 4th of November - School Closure

Tuesday 5th of November - Melbourne Cup (Public Holiday)

Friday 29th of November - School Closure

Monday 2nd of December - School Closure

Tuesday 17th of December - Students Last Day

Thank you and God bless

Declan

ICT - Cyber Safety