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World Teacher's Day Awards
Last week was World Teacher's Day! Our teachers were celebrated on Monday morning with a special morning tea and gifts of books which will start a book swap in our staffroom. We thank all of our teachers for their dedication to inspiring the minds of our students each day and living out our Creed.
In addition to celebrating our staff here at school, Gwen Tarleton and Karen Tozer received their official certification as Highly Accomplished teachers from the Teacher Quality Institute (TQI). I was also recognised for the 10-year renewal of my Lead teacher certification. We are so fortunate to have such high-quality educators in our school.
Staffing News
We are sad to announce that Ariana Strmota and Daniel Vido will not continue with our school in 2025. Both Ariana and Daniel are in a position to pursue chosen careers based on their studies. We have been so blessed to have Ariana in the many roles she has assumed within the school and we will particularly miss the gift of music that she so readily shares with us during masses, at school events, and in leading our school choir. We know the students will also miss Daniel who has an innate ability to help any student grow in peace as he nurtures their heart. The position of Student Welfare Officer will be advertised in the coming days, in addition to the Defence School Mentor.
We also farewell Anna Cater, our school counsellor. Anna commenced with us at the beginning of the year and has become a valued member of our community providing counselling services to our children. Anna's last day will be next Wednesday.
Colour Run - Help us upgrade our bubblers!
In consultation with the students and our community council, we will be allocating the funds raised at our Colour Run to upgrading our current bubblers. It will be wonderful to have bubblers at varying heights and with the facility to fill drink bottles. We are currently sourcing sponsorship for the event and will launch the booklets next week, allowing the students two weeks to gather sponsors.
If you know of, or belong to, a business that would be interested in donating prizes or funds, please get in contact with the front office.
Request for Prayers
On Friday my family farewelled my father-in-law John who became terminally ill whilst we were on our trip. It has been a difficult time for our family and I would ask that you keep my wife Rachel, her mother Gemma and all of the family in your prayers.
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 3 | Centred in Learning | Centred in Faith |
| Kindergarten | Joshua Mayer | Fleur Mills |
| Year One | Benjamin Liddy | Hamish Quinn |
| Year Two | Charlotte King | Eliza Dean |
| Year Three/Four Green | Madigan Driscoll | Chase Thompson |
| Year Three/Four White | Hardy Davis | Amelia Clancy |
| Year Five/Six Green | Isabella Hazelwood | Max Singh |
| Year Five/Six White | William King | Lachlan Dean |
| Principal's Affirmation | Roy Jiang | George Dounoukos |
| Lilly Tully | Sophie Lentini | |
| Friday 22 November 8.50am | Centred in Faith Gathering 3/4G |
| Friday 22 November 11.30am and 2.30pm | Mission Fete and Colour Run |
| Thursday 5 December 5.00pm | Year 6 Graduation |
| Friday 6 December 12.30pm | Kinder Nativity |
Parish News: Want to be part of history?
Have you always dreamed of being a talking head in a documentary? Well, now is almost your chance! As part of the St Thomas More Parish 60th anniversary celebrations, the Parish Pastoral Council are doing an oral histories project. We are asking people to be a part of short video interviews talking about any memories or stories they may have about attending Mass, being a part of the STM community or growing up in the Parish. These videos will play at the upcoming 60th birthday brunch. We would LOVE school families, old or new, to be a part of this exciting project. If you, or anyone you know would like to participate, please contact Bill Mason bill.mason@rwbm.net.au by Nov 10.
Also, please check out the Parish's new improved website! https://stthomasmore.au/
We congratulate our students who will be celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation at this weekends Mass. Mass is beginning at 9:30am and everyone is welcome to attend. The Year 6 cohort will support the preparation with a retreat day in the school and Church tomorrow.
St Thomas More's will be celebrating Mission Month alongside our Colour Run on Friday in Week 6. This year we are raising awareness and funds for the Caring Center in Mongolia. Vouchers for the Mission Fete are available to purchase on COMPASS for a $5 donation. This allows students to select an item for our toy store, bookstore, puzzle & games store, as well as wear their silly socks on the day and receive an ice block following the Colour Run. Please see the Mission Fete flyer for Information about donations for the stores.
St Thomas More Parish 60th Anniversary Faily Mass
Please join us for Mass and a BBQ on the 17th November to celebrate this milestone for our Parish community. Students are invited to take part in the Mass and we need volunteers to help run the BBQ. Please RSVP via this link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZbD66ISZnKci0p1-YAPHri8NgsWIjzmW0o6IRt6OZljuXVA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Youth Group
The next St Thomas More Vessels Youth Group is being held next Wednesday 6th November from 3pm-4pm in the Church. Please use the QR code on the flyer to register.
Skye McPadden
Religious Education Coordinator
Updating our Acknowledgement of Country
The members of the Gang Gang Gang have reflected on our school’s Acknowledgement of Country and decided to recraft it to be more inclusive and weave in our learning from our time on Country from our NAIDOC Week excursion last term.
It has been written by the students under the guidance of Miss Tozer using the framework for Acknowledgements of Country from Narragunnalwali and Common Ground. We would like to share this Acknowledgement with the community and open it up for consultation. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact Miss Tozer at karen.tozer@cg.catholic.edu.au.
A perfect day for the Boorowa Netball and Touch Carnival. We had three teams attend, two netball and one touch. What a fabulous day we had.
The Sustainable Canberra Expo is a family-friendly event for ALL Canberrans!
There will be face painting, colouring in and a scavenger hunt for children, along with cooking demonstrations, EVs on display and an array of stallholders with information for householders who are interested in sustainable living.
The Sustainable Schools Program team will be there, and you are invited to vote for the People’s Choice award in the Sustainable Steps Poster Competition.
Come along to EPIC this Saturday 2 November between 10am and 4pm.