Dear families,

Welcome to Term 2 and STM!! It has been a nice start to the term, the students have settled back into school routines and there is a wonderful feeling around the school. We have a very busy term planned with lots of fun and engaging activities for the students.

School Photos:

Just a reminder for families that we are have our School Photo day on Thursday, 30th of April. Students are asked to wear their sport uniform with white socks. Students are also encouraged to wear their Blue Fleece jumper rather than the Maroon jumper. Year 6 students are welcome to wear their Year 6 tops and Jumpers.

School Review - We need you!!!

This Term our school in undetaking the School Review process, this process occurs every four years. On Wednesday 29th of April, our school reviewer Lorraine Kennedy is hoping to run a Parent Workshop from 2:30pm-3:00pm. This is a chance for parents to be involved in this process. I would really appreciate it if you are able to attend that you please do so.

Hats in warmer weather:

With the weather still being nice and on some days warm, we are encouraging the students to wear their hats at play time. Please return any hats that have been taken home to school so we can support all students with this.

Prep Numbers 2027:

This week I have had the wonderful oppurutnity to engage in interviews with our prosepctive Prep families for 2027. We have such a large number, Mrs George had to give me a hand with a couple of interviews. We have a few places left and need to fill these spaces so we can move forward with two small Prep classes in 2027.

ANZAC Day Liturgy:

Tomorrow we will be holding an ANZAC Day Liturgy in the Library at 9:00am. Parents are welcome to attend. Please see below a wonderful story ANZAC TED.

Seusical 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 encourgaed to being some money (between $5-$10).

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.

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)

The Victorian Premiers' Challenge:

The Victoria Premiers’s Reading Challenge is now open and St Thomas More is excited to be taking part in Term 2. This year's theme is ‘Stories to discover. Stories to tell.’

The challenge is open to all Victorian Children from birth to Year 10 and aims to help young readers to develop a lifelong love of reading. It is not a competition; it is a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books by 5 September 2026.

Children from Prep to Year 2 are encouraged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books

Grade 3 and 4 are encouraged to read 15 books throughout the Challenge.

Grade 5 and 6 are encouraged to read 15 books throughout the Challenge.

Since it began in 2005, more than 4.5 million young readers have taken part and together have read more than 63 million books. To read the premiers letter to parents, view the booklist and more information about the Victorian Premiers/ reading Challenge visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge

To register your child or for more information please email our Librarian at lnorris@smbelgrave.catholic.edu.au.

Happy reading!

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.

Award Winners:

Please see below photos from the last assembly of Term 1, where we celebrated March birthdays and also celebrated "Student of the Week" award winners.

Declan McDermott

Principal

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