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Mother's Day Raffle
It is that time of year when we begin calling for prize donations for our Mother's Day Raffle. We are hoping to put together hampers to spoil the mum's who win. We are asking businesses to provide prizes or families to contribute something to the hampers like a bottle of wine, items for pampering or non perishable treats. Donations can be delivered to the front office.
Uniform Policy Update
At our Open Council Meeting last Tuesday the Community Council and additional parents present moved a motion to adjust the uniform policy. The three changes have now taken place:
- Removal of 'white' joggers: We understand that getting the right pair of joggers can be challenging for families so the necessity for white is no longer in the policy. Our black shoe policy remains the same.
- Move to green sports trackpants: We will move from maroon to green trackpants in the winter sports uniform as green is a better match to our uniform and easier to purchase. There will be a transition period in 2025 where maroon and green will be accepted with green being fully implemented in 2026.
- House colours on carnival days: The policy now states that students can dress in house colours on carnival days, rather than just a coloured t-shirt. This will allow our students to engage further in house spirit during carnivals.
The updated policy can now be found on our school website here.
2025 St Thomas More's Parish Assembly
Claim the Date: Sunday 6 April 11.30-1.30 The St. Thomas More Parish Pastoral Council has convened our 2025 Parish Assembly for Sunday 6 April 2025 from 11.30am until 1.30pm. Following our 10am Mass that day there will be a Parish Brunch in lieu of Morning Tea in the Holy Faith Hall.All Parishioners are invited to attend as we consider the future priorities of our St. Thomas More Parish Community.Full details of the Assembly will be released after our combined PPC/PFC meeting on Wednesday 12 March 2025.
School Song Video Recording
Josh from Small Town Culture will be here next Tuesday and Wednesday to record a music video for our school. We would ask all families to respond to the event in Compass and either accept or decline the event. The school will ensure that only children with permission are filmed during this time.
Grandparents Day Survey
There has been feedback to the community council for the school to consider moving Grandparents Day to the end of the term as some families have grandparents scheduled to visit during the school holidays. Grandparents Day was aligned to Harmony Day this year and next year we hope to increase awareness of this combination by encouraging students and grandparents to dress in traditional dress or orange. If we were to move the day to the end of the term we would still attempt to align it with Harmony Day. We would like to hear your voice in this decision and you can do so by completing this survey.
Twilight Working Bee in Term 4
Following the success of our School and Parish Working Bee, the Community Council have decided to trial a Twilight Working Bee in Term 4. The Twilight Working Bee has been scheduled for Friday 24 October from 3:30-5:30pm. It is now on our school calendar.
| Friday 4 April 11.45am | Parish Mass Year 1 and 3/4 |
| Friday 4 April 2.45pm-3.30pm | Preloved Uniform Shop outside the Hall |
| Thursday 10 April | Last day of Term 1 |
| Friday 11 April | Pupil Free Day |
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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 7 | Centred in Learning | Centred in Faith |
| Kindergarten | Kyla Carney | Alice Oliver |
| Year One | Isabella Mazourenko | Chloe Lopes Basso |
| Year Two | Owen King | Edith Cooper |
| Year Three/Four Green | Ariunzul Khash-Erdene | Patrick Quinn |
| Year Three/Four White | Betty Moufarrige | Elijah Langi |
| Year Five/Six Green | Grant Henderson | Russell Geniola |
| Year Five/Six White | Alannah Austin | Elise Otter |
| Principal's Affirmation | Albert Hazelwood | Amelia Colwell |
| Edward Jackson-Hope | Imogen Hambrook | |
| Week 9 | Centred in Learning | Centred in Faith |
| Kindergarten | Amelia Colwell | Benjamin Fox |
| Year One | Mabel Young | Edward Jackson-Hope |
| Year Two | Pippa Gould | Kieran Hawkett |
| Year Three/Four Green | Jemima Boettcher | Emmeline Boettcher |
| Year Three/Four White | Emma Hansen | Nathaniel Welldon |
| Year Five/Six Green | Kayla Scott | Lila Ward |
| Year Five/Six White | Anu Manlai-Erdene | Lachlan Dean |
| Principal's Affirmation | Harper Hansford | Ainsley Dean |
| Bodhi Welldon | Alannah Austin |
HOLY WEEK
Next week we will celebrate our school Holy Week Centred in Faith Gatherings, families are invited to join us for these gatherings:
Monday 7th April 1:45pm Palm Sunday Holy Faith Hall (Kinder, Year 1 & Year 2 to lead)
Wednesday 9th April 1:45pm Holy Thursday In classrooms (Year 3 to lead)
Thursday 10th April 1:45pm Good Friday & Easter Sunday Holy Faith Hall then pilgrimage ( Year 5 & 6 to lead)
On Wednesday students will be sharing bread & juice during the gathering. All classrooms will be provided a gluten free option. The gathering in Kindergarten will be entirely egg and dairy free. If you have any concerns about your child's allergies, please contact Mrs McPadden before Wednesday.
Project Compassion
It is now time to return our Project compassion boxes to school. Our Peer Support captains will calculate a final tally of our efforts on Thursday Week 10. Thank you to all our families who have supported the Lenten fundraiser.
Parish Mass
Students in Year 1 & 3/4 will attend the Parish Mass this Friday 4th April at 11:45am. Families are more than welcome to join in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Skye McPadden
Religious Education Coordinator
Orders for Tuesday 8 April need to be completed by Thursday 3 April. Orders for Thursday 10 April need to be completed by Monday 7 April.
Late arrivals
If you arrive after morning assembly, please ensure you come to the front office to sign in. This will ensure you do not receive an absent email.
Setting Firm Boundaries
The word ‘NO’ is difficult for most people to say – especially at times for parents. Some parents never feel comfortable using it and others may overuse it, both can have troublesome results.
It is for the most part hard for parents to feel responsible for their child’s unhappiness.
Even though as a parent, you feel justified to say no, it does make you think whether you have taken the right approach or not, especially when you see your children’s reactions. It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed when you see your child throwing a tantrum.
Part of a parent’s role is to provide a framework within which children can grow up safely. To do this effectively children need set limits that are reasonable. Sometimes it is very difficult to do this, and some situations can be confusing for everyone.
It may be relatively easy to make rules it is often much harder to apply consequences after they may have been broken. If there are no consequences or ones that are applied inconsistently this can also lead to problems for your child. Some may even learn it doesn’t matter if you break the rules. As children are still growing up, their self-control mechanisms and sense of responsibility are not yet fully developed. They need limits and a framework in which they can grow up safety as children simply lack the maturity to independently make all the decisions regarding their lives.
In the best of circumstances, it is good to aim for this formula.
- Establish the rules and the consequences of breaking the rules.
- Explain why you have established the rules and the consequences (this might need to be repeated multiple time as children might forget)
- Enforce the rules.
Rules can be difficult to enforce as we may not like to deal with confrontation, but they are necessary for children to grow healthily.
Sometimes it helps to talk to other parents or talk to the school if you are in doubt whether your rules are reasonable.
We’re all human. Sometimes you may lose it, that is normal, but it can become destructive if it is happening all the time.
Please be kind to yourselves as you figure out the right rules and consequences that work for your children.
Services that you can potentially seek for professional advice and support:
- Parentline for free telephone and face-to-face counselling, https://www.mindmap.act.gov.au/s/article/ParentLine-Telephone-Service-ParentLine-ACT
- Tuning Into Kids – parenting program to learn about emotional coaching, https://crcs.com.au/programs-and-services/families/tuning-in-to-kids/
With thanks to MCCG School Counselling resources.
Coerver Coaching ACT Holiday Camps April 2025 – Registrations Now Open!
Coerver Coaching Holiday Camps offer a fun filled soccer experience for boys and girls aged 3 - 16+ years. Each day will include Ball Mastery, 1v1 attack and defence, receiving and passing, small sided Coerver games and mini Coerver Cup tournaments.
Players who attend a Coerver® Coaching ACT Holiday Camp receive:
- 12 hours of programmed Coerver ® Coaching sessions delivered by Coerver® Diploma accredited coaches
- Coerver® Coaching training Shirt
- adidas training football
- Coerver® Coaching Home Study Program
- Coerver® Coaching Home Study Program Online Support
- Coerver ® Coaching certificate of attendance
Dates: Monday 14 April – Thursday 17 April
Times: 9:00am - 12:00pm each day
Venue:
Northside - University of Canberra, Bruce.
Southside – Trinity Christian School, Wanniassa.
Registration Link: https://coerveract.com.au/holiday-camps
TeamKids has another amazing Autumn Holiday Program planned!
Ready to discover the TeamKids difference?
• Unique daily experiences
- Value-packed program
- Screen-free FUN!
- Delicious and nutritious morning & afternoon snacks
- CCS-approved care
? Check out what’s on at your nearest school à https://downloads.teamkids.com.au/st-thomas-more%E2%80%99s-primary.pdf
? Book NOW à www.teamkids.com.au/venues
