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Farewell - For Now!
It is hard to believe that we are at the end of Term 1 after a busy and exciting term at St Thomas More's. It has been rewarding to welcome new families to our community, engage in multiple events and see the students grow in their learning. Other highlights have been our well stocked community garden with its vibrant sunflowers and seeing our classroom refurbishments completed in time for the enrolment period.
For me, it is farewell for now as I embark on my adventure around Australia with my family. I have promised the students that I will send postcards along the way. We are so lucky to have a community that grows leaders at St Thomas More's as I can be confident that Nicole Mikkonen and the staff will only continue to grow our school and strengthen our creed for my return in Term 4.
The first day of Term 2 will be Tuesday 30 April.
Wellbeing Dog - Welcome Maggie
From next term, we are pleased to welcome Maggie to our school community. Maggie is Skye McPadden's 2 year old cavoodle who has been given full endorsement from her vets and through her obedience training to take on the role of a Wellbeing Dog. Maggie commenced visiting the school this week and will engage in the same transition program as Annie to ensure her wellbeing is maintained as she takes on this important role.
School Fees
A reminder that the Term 1 school fees are now due. We would ask you to ensure you have made payment of the fees for this term. If you have any concerns regarding the payment of fees please contact the front office.
Community Council Report
A feature of our newsletter today is the Community Council Report from our recent Open Council Meeting. Thank you to Skye Keatinge for preparing the report and working to achieve the STM BBQ 5 that she initiated as a marketing strategy. We are proud of our school and believe that you sharing our success is the best way to ensure we maintain enrolments. We also take this opportunity to thank Skye for her contribution to our Community Council since commencing in 2022. Skye has provided valuable insight and engagement in her role and will be greatly missed as she moves interstate with her family.
Luke Donnelly
Principal
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Congratulations to the following students who will be presented with a certificate which reflects an affirmation from their teacher. These affirmations will highlight their applications to their learning as well as affirm how they have been a person of Wisdom, Courage, and Peace. Affirmations will be handed out at 8.50am on Friday morning. Parents are welcome to attend. |
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| Week 2 | Centred in Learning | Centred in Faith |
| Kindergarten | Lilliana Burgess | Joshua Mayer |
| Year One | Jedidiah Fox | Jack Lentini |
| Year Two | Darcy Liddle | Solomona Uelese |
| Year Three/Four Green | Aya Makin | Brian Ward |
| Year Three/Four White | Anna Heith | Daniel Hall |
| Year Five/Six Green | Alyssa Skinn | Ciara Colman |
| Year Five/Six White | Ashlea Williams | Annabelle Fenton |
| Principal's Affirmation | Peggy Liddle | Charlotte Khalil |
| Principal's Affirmation | Josephine Butcher | Lilliana Burgess |
The first STM Community Council Open Meeting for 2024 was a great success - thanks to all the parents who came along in addition to our usual council members.
We discussed a wide range of initiatives, including:
- Luke's update on facilities improvements and teacher movements;
- the High Impact Teaching Practices being implemented across the school
- exploration of school canteen options;
- how to best use our community gardens; and
- planning for future school events (see the STM magnet for dates!)
Our community council members - parents and teachers alike - are highly approachable, and always welcome ideas or issues. Names are listed below
- Michael Kelly - Chair
- Stephanie Dickson - Secretary
- Leah Makin - Council Member
- Skye Keatinge - Council Member
- Megan Hansford - Council Member
- Keren Baker - Kindergarten Council Member
- Fr. Anthony Riosa - Parish Priest
- Luke Donnelly - Principal
- Nicole Mikkonen - Assistant Principal/Staff Member
- Reuban West - Staff Member
and we encourage anyone with views or wanting to get involved to contact the council via stm.communitycouncil@cg.catholic.edu.au or in person at pickup/dropoff.
Big thanks also to Ms Strmota for taking to the Parent Engagement Coordinator role with gusto, and ensuring every class has a Parent Contact. For anyone who missed signing up to the class contacts list, please contact Ms Strmota at ariana.strmota@cg.catholic.edu.au - it's never too late to join the groups and access information about class social events and other bits n pieces.
Speaking of social things, below is the table of events for the rest of the year with the class(es) responsible for running each event. Take a look to see when your class(es) will be on duty. Your class contact will work with parents and carers regarding requirements for your specific event closer to the time. If you're unable to make the event itself there are plenty of opportunities to help out beforehand (with rostering / shopping / organising raffle prizes etc) while on the day even just 15 minutes of volunteering to help prepare food/serve/clean up makes things run smoothly - and is a great way to meet other parents, community members, and your child's classmates.
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Event |
Term |
Date |
Class |
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Mother’s Day |
2 |
10 May |
3/4W |
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Father’s Day Breakfast |
3 |
30 August |
5/6G |
Year 1 |
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School Disco |
3 |
12 September |
3/4G |
5/6W |
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Campbell Community Event |
TBA |
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Kinder |
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Our final discussion at the community council meeting was on developing a short piece of marketing that you - our school community members - could consider using in conversations with friends, family or colleagues who are investigating schooling options. We are so lucky to be part of a great school - with kind and empowering leadership from our principal and deputy, our teachers, and our student leaders - and we'd love your help getting the word out there. We've come up with the below 'BBQ 5' (5 points that would suit a conversation around a barbecue/water cooler/elevator trip). Welcome your feedback and thoughts.
This was my last council meeting as my family are moving to the country in the school holidays, but I know STM will continue to go from strength to strength. If you're ever out in the central west look me up, and please do come along to the next open council meeting on 25 June at 6pm - put the date in your calendars now, and use it as an opportunity to learn more about your school, meet some other people, and give back - the joy of volunteering is real!
Cheers,
Skye
Skye Keatinge