From the Principal

It has been a busy week here at STM, and it is still not finished. Tomorrow we have the Teeth on Wheels Van visiting our school. We also have our Year 4 students visiting Mater Christi and St Joseph's College for their Taster Day sessions. 

Next week we will send our Year 5/6 students off to Camp Manyung in Mount Eliza. We are sure they will have an amazing time, we hope the 3 days at camp are full of joy and fun. In recent days I have also confirmed a new location for Year 3/4 Camp in 2027. The students will head to CYC Forest Edge in Neerim East. The date we have been give is Tuesday, June 15, 2027. In recent years our 3/4 overnight camp has been held at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat, however due to increased costs we have made the decision to move locations. 

Keeping your Hands to Yourself:

Over recent weeks staff have noticed an increase in students participating in rough play at recess and lunch. I have had many conversations with the whole school about how this is unsafe, the message however does not seem to be sinking in with some students. Most of the incidents over recent weeks have been low level (wrestling, rough tiggy and gentle pushing) however several of these incidents have ended in head knocks and injuries. 

From Monday, staff will be asked to remove students from the yard if they are seen with their hands (or feet) on someone else. 

On the first occasion staff will be asked to direct the student to a seated bench in the yard for 5 minutes, at the conclusion of the 5 minutes if the student re-enters play and engages in the same or similar behaviour they will be asked to sit out for a further 10 minutes. A third incident will see students asked to attend the office for a conversation with leadership. Any aggressive behaviour will skip the first two steps and be sent to the office. 

The students will be made aware of these changes prior to Monday. We are doing our best to keep all students safe. We would be thankful for parental support in this space. 

We need you - St Thomas More Feast Day Mass @ St Thomas More Parish:

As per the NForma form sent out today, we are seeking students and their families to attend Sunday Mass on Sunday, June 21st to help celebrate St Thomas More Feast Day in the Parish. Students from the school will be invited onto the altar to sing our school song for the concluding hymn. Mass will begin at 10:00am, some STM staff will also be attending the service.

Annual Report to the School Community:

Please see below the St Thomas More Annual Report to School Community.

Donations to support the Parish:

Please see the below poster which was created by one of our students Eliza Atkinson. We are trying to support the Parish in their efforts to obtain donations for a local women's refuge. There is a donations tub in the school foyer. 

Well done Runners!!!

A huge congratulations to the runners who represented our school at the most recent District Cross Country Carnival. We have a group of runners who will run again on Tuesday at the Division Cross Country Carnival at Yarra Valley Racecourse. 

Camp Manyung (June 3rd to 5th):

We are only a week away from Camp for our Year 5 and 6 students. We will be attending Camp Manyung in Mt Eliza. 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 have also also included the slide show from the Parent Information Evening which was held on Tuesday night. 

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)

Rock'N Earth Works:

One of our families have just opened a  rock and earth moving business. If you need any work done at all please visit the below website and give Paul a call. 

Declan McDermott

Principal