Term 4 - Week 4 - Newsletter
- Prayer of the Week
- From our Principal
- From our APRE
- Important Dates to Remember for Term 4
- From Our Learning Support
- From our Sport Desk
- From our Student Representatives
- From our Service Club
- Classroom Newsletters
- From our Tuckshop
- From Our Office
- From our Uniform Shop
- From our P&F
- Thank you!
- Notice Board
- Day for Daniel
- From Our Parish
- Transport Assistance Scheme
Prayer of the Week
Image retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/190628996700852131/
From our Principal
Dear Parents / Guardians,
We are currently in the process of finalising our teaching staff for 2023. Once this is completed, we will then begin allocating teachers and students to classes.
While this has been a practice unique to St Thomas More’s, we will not be seeking parent requests for class placements for 2023. We have found that it is becoming increasingly limited in its effectiveness and not in the best interests of the majority of students.
We will continue to take into account parent preferences with regard to placement in a composite class and in the event of a child already having been in a particular teacher’s class.
God Bless
Michael Cash
Principal
From our APRE
What a busy few weeks we have had to start this term! As we get to the pointy end of the year, that busyness (and fun!!!!) is only going to ramp up! Please make sure you check the school newsletter, class newsletter, Parent Portal and school social media to stay up to date with what's happening at STM.
This week we are finalising our 2023 school calendar (yay!) and would really like to capture a whole school photo to feature on the front cover. We are hopeful one of our STM families might have a drone they would be happy to bring in and snap a photo with for us. The turnaround on this request it very short - photos need to be submitted to the publishers this Friday! If you think you can help us out, please contact the school office ASAP.
Day for Daniel
This year we celebrate the Day for Daniel on Friday, October 28th. We invite all students in our STM school community to participate in the Walk for Daniel on this day to honour his memory. Please use the form below to register your interest and get further details.
As in previous years, students can also show their support for the Day for Daniel by accessorising their school uniform with red on Friday!
Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum
During Term 4, we will be implementing the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum. This curriculum has been developed to support Queensland schools’ delivery of key safety messages to students from Prep to Year 9. Through a series of lessons, students will learn how to recognise, react and report when they are unsafe or find themselves in situations that can have a significant detrimental effect on their physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing.
We encourage you to talk to your children about what they are learning in class. The following table outlines the content areas to be covered by each class this year.
Prep to Year 2
Key Safety Message | Prep – Year 2 Lessons | P | 1 | 2 |
Recognise | Lesson 1: Safe and Unsafe |
|
| |
Lesson 2: Safety Clues |
|
| ||
Lesson 3: Body Clues |
|
| ||
Lesson 4: Private Body Parts (using anatomical names) | ||||
Lesson 5: Body Ownership |
|
| ||
React | Lesson 6: Safety Options | |||
Report | Lesson 7: Persistence and Safety Helpers |
|
| |
Lesson 8: Phone and Online Safety |
| |||
Review | Lesson 9: Review – Recognise, React and Report |
Year 3 to Year 6
Key Safety Message | Prep – Year 2 Lessons | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Recognise | Lesson 1: Safety Clues and Situational Awareness |
|
|
| |
Lesson 2: Risk Taking |
|
|
| ||
Lesson 3: Rules, Rights and Responsibilities |
|
| |||
Lesson 4: Private Body Parts (using anatomical names) | |||||
React | Lesson 5: Problem Solving |
|
| ||
Lesson 6: Strategies |
|
| |||
Report | Lesson 7: Safety Helpers |
|
| ||
Lesson 8: Online and Mobile Phone Safety |
|
| |||
Review | Lesson 9: Review of personal safety using self-confidence skills |
Further information about the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Lessons and Curriculum can be found at ...
Lessons: https://danielmorcombe.com.au/keeping-kids-safe-resources/keeping-kids-safe-lesson-plans/
Curriculum: https://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/stages-of-schooling/daniel-morcombe
If you would like further information about what the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum involves, please contact your classroom teacher or Miss Kristin Byrne (Kristin.Byrne@twb.catholic.edu.au).
World Teacher's Day
This Friday we celebrate World Teacher's Day! We are very lucky at St Thomas More's to have a group of staff who share such passion and enthusiasm. While we can show appreciation for our teachers and support staff at STM at any time during the year, please make sure you say a special thank you on Friday!
Family Mass
This term we celebrate Family Mass on Saturday, October 29th as part of the 6:00 pm Mass at the St Thomas More's Church. We warmly invite all STM families to come along and join the parish to pray and celebrate.
Hike for Homeless - this weekend
This weekend we have some brave hikers heading out to participate in the Hike for Homeless. It's a great cause to support and a great way for our school to show its support for this wonderful Toowoomba initiative. Good luck to all our hikers!
Socktober
This year we celebrate Socktober on Monday, November 7th. Children can wear their normal school uniform with their most crazy socks for a gold coin donation. Children will also be able to participate in the Socktober Kick-Off. We are looking for parent volunteers to be kick-off goalies. You don't need to be David Beckham - you just need to be able to stand in a goal and at least attempt to stop some soccer balls from making it through! We're after 30-minute commitments but of course, you can do longer if you are willing and able. Please let me know if you are able to help out!
Why Socktober?
Each year Catholic Mission supports communities across the world. In 2022, through Socktober Catholic Mission is giving students and their families across Australia a chance to raise funds to support families in Ethiopia who are facing malnutrition and food insecurity.
The reason we use soccer is because sport is something that unites people across the globe. Children in Ethiopia play soccer just like we do, they just don’t have access to the same resources. Many children in the communities Catholic Mission helps don’t have access to soccer balls like we do, so they have to make their own out of materials they have around their home and school. They might have balls made out of socks, old clothes or plastic bags. As you prepare for Socktober, it would be a great idea to make your own ball to use for our Kick Off, with the help of your adult, using something from home.
TCSO Family Life Lessons 2022
At the end of this term, the Sexual Health Education Program (better known as Family Life Lessons) will be taught to children from Prep to Year 6. Please have a conversation with your child/children and clarify any questions that they have after these lessons.
These lessons are part of the curriculum of our school and all schools across this Diocese. They form part of the Personal, Social and Community Health Strand of the Australian Curriculum and follow the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Toowoomba, Guidelines for Teaching Sexual Health.
Please be assured that this material will be handled with sensitivity. Below is a brief overview of the content covered across the school. You will also receive a note home with further details for each year level. If you have any questions or concerns about the content being covered or your child's participation in these lessons, please contact your classroom teacher.
Year Level | Core Content Overview |
Prep I am God's Child. I am special. | Difference between male and female In Creation, God created males and females equally Naming different parts of the body using correct terminology – penis, vagina, breast, bottoms, sex (as in male and female) |
Year 1 I am God's Child. I am special. | Revision of Prep Differences between male and female In Creation, God created males and females equally Naming different parts of the body using correct terminology – penis, vagina, breast, bottoms, sex (as in male and female) |
Year 2 God made me. I am loved. I can love. | Revision of Year 1 Revise the names of the different parts of the body from the Year 1 core content. Include new vocabulary – testicles Articulate the physical differences between males and females |
Year 3 I belong to God's family. I have responsibilities. | Revision of Year 2 Simple understanding of life cycles Revise correct vocabulary and include new terms – sperm, egg, womb, uterus, umbilical cord, breast fed/bottle fed |
Year 4 I can help make decision. I can choose. | Celebrate the 'miracle’ of life Appropriate knowledge of growth in the womb to birth, i.e., conception to birth Use the following vocabulary: womb, placenta, amniotic sac, foetus, conception (‘the moment new life begins’). Do not discuss sexual intercourse until introduced in Year 6. |
Year 5 I grow by interacting with others. | External pubertal changes Revision of vocabulary and include new vocabulary: puberty, genitals, pubic hair, acne, genes, hormones, fertilisation. Do not discuss sexual intercourse until introduced in Year 6. |
Year 6 I can make decisions that lead to happy and fulfilling relationships. | Revise external pubertal changes List the internal changes that occur during puberty Basic knowledge of the reproductive system Revision of all vocabulary and include new vocabulary: fallopian tubes, cervix, ovary, ovum, sperm duct, scrotum, urethra, pituitary gland, ovulation, menstruation, nocturnal emissions/wet dreams, vaginal discharge, sexual intercourse. |
Giveaway chairs
We were able to give away an enormous amount of old school chairs last week! There are still a few left if there is anyone else who would like to take some chairs off our hands. Please contact the school office if you would like some of these old school chairs.
God Bless.
Miss Kristin Byrne
Assistant Principal: Religious Education
Once again, a huge thank you to Evention for your sponsorship and support of our Matilda Jr. production this year! You went above and beyond and we are so very thankful!
Important Dates to Remember for Term 4
Due to Lower School swimming, some adjustments have been made to our school calendar. Please make sure you check the calendar dates below and note any changes - especially the Junior School Swimming Carnival.
Date | Activity | Who |
Friday, October 28th | Day for Daniel | Whole School |
World Teacher’s Day | Whole School | |
| Saturday, October 29th | Hike for Homeless | Early morning start |
STM Family Mass | 6:00 pm in the STM Church | |
Monday, October 31st | Year 5 Hero (Leadership) Retreat | Year 5 |
Thursday, November 3rd | 4 Red Bike Ed | 4 Red |
Friday, November 4th | ||
Friday, November 4th | 3 Red Prayer Celebration 2:00 pm in the STM Church | 3 Red families Year 3 & Year 4 |
Monday, November 7th | Socktober – Kick Off and Crazy Sock Day Children to wear their normal school uniform and crazy socks for a gold coin donation. Children will also have the opportunity to participate in the Socktober Kick Off in the morning session! | Whole School |
Thursday, November 10th | 4 Gold Bike Ed | 4 Gold |
Friday, November 11th | ||
Remembrance Day Prayer Celebration 10:45am in the Sportscentre Led by 6 Blue | Whole School | |
Wednesday, November 16th | Prep Transition Morning #1 | 2023 Prep Children and Families |
Thursday, November 17th | 4 Blue Bike Ed | 4 Blue |
Friday, November 18th | ||
Prep Transition Morning #2 | 2023 Prep Children and Families | |
5 Blue Prayer Celebration 11:30 am in the STM Church | Year 3 – Year 6 to attend Families Welcome | |
Friday, November 25th | Prep Nativity Play | Prep Families welcome to attend |
Year 4 Soccer Gala Day | Year 4 | |
Monday, November 28th | Year 6 Graduation Mass 6:00 pm in the STM Church | Year 6 students and families to attend |
Tuesday, November 29th | Senior Swimming Carnival | Upper School |
Wednesday, November 30th | STM Family Carols Evening | Whole School Community |
Thursday, December 1st | End of Year Mass From 9:00 am | Whole School Community welcome to attend |
Junior Swimming Carnival | Lower School |
From Our Learning Support
Teaching and Learning News
Term 4 PAT Testing
To assist teachers in determining the progress a student is making from year to year, Students from years 1-6 engage in PAT testing. PAT stands for Progressive Achievement Test. At St Thomas More’s, students complete three PAT tests in the areas of reading comprehension (years 2-6), spelling (Years 3-6) and Mathematics (years 1-6).
Students complete these tests online with questions being mainly multiple-choice for reading and mathematics. Spelling is also completed online with some questions being multiple choice and some requiring the student to type in the correct answer. The content of the tests reflects the content of the curriculum. Test times range from 25 to 45 minutes according to the particular test. The tests are completed in the familiar environment of the classroom with technology students are familiar with. Ample time is provided to explain what to do and support students during testing.
Once completed, teachers, learning support and the middle leader will look at how students have progressed over the previous twelve months. PAT tests are just one source of information that will build a picture of your child for the teacher. This information, is then reviewed again at the start of the school year to inform the appropriate support and starting points for teacher instruction.
ICAS
Some parents have enquired about accessing results for last term’s ICAS assessments. If your child has participated in the ICAS tests in previous years, the results for all tests are available in the student section of the Results Portal using your TAP-ID and PIN printed on the back of previous ICAS student certificates. Due to security reasons, the school does not have access to TAP-IDs and PINs. For students who participated in the tests for the first time this year, once the school has received all student certificates for the 2022 tests, certificates will be handed out at Friday morning assembly. I am hoping that we will have all certificates available to be handed out by the end of this week.
God Bless.
Mrs Patricia Wardle
Learning Support Teacher/Middle Leader
From our Sport Desk
Term 4 Swimming Lessons Prep-Year 3
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
Week 4 Beginning 24th October | Prep Gold 9:00am –9:45am Prep Red 9:45am – 10:30am Yr 1 Red & Yr 1 Blue 10:30-11:15am
|
|
|
| Yr 2 Red & Yr 2 Blue 9:30am – 10:15am Yr 2 Gold & 3 Gold 10:15am – 11:00am Yr 3 Red & Yr 3 Blue 11:00am – 11:45am
|
Week 5 Beginning 31st October | Prep Gold 9:00am –9:45am Prep Red 9:45am – 10:30am Yr 1 Red & Yr 1 Blue 10:30-11:15am
|
|
|
| Yr 2 Red & Yr 2 Blue 9:30am – 10:15am Yr 2 Gold & 3 Gold 10:15am – 11:00am Yr 3 Red & Yr 3 Blue 11:00am – 11:45am
|
Week 6 Beginning 7th November | Prep Gold 9:00am –9:45am Prep Red 9:45am – 10:30am Yr 1 Red & Yr 1 Blue 10:30-11:15am
|
|
|
| Yr 2 Red & Yr 2 Blue 9:30am – 10:15am Yr 2 Gold & 3 Gold 10:15am – 11:00am Yr 3 Red & Yr 3 Blue 11:00am – 11:45am
|
Week 7 Beginning 14th November | Prep Gold 9:00am –9:45am Prep Red 9:45am – 10:30am Yr 1 Red & Yr 1 Blue 10:30-11:15am
|
|
|
| Yr 2 Red & Yr 2 Blue 9:30am – 10:15am Yr 2 Gold & 3 Gold 10:15am – 11:00am Yr 3 Red & Yr 3 Blue 11:00am – 11:45am
|
Week 8 Beginning 21st November | Prep Gold 9:00am –9:45am Prep Red 9:45am – 10:30am Yr 1 Red & Yr 1 Blue 10:30-11:15am
|
|
|
| Yr 2 Red & Yr 2 Blue 9:30am – 10:15am Yr 2 Gold & 3 Gold 10:15am – 11:00am Yr 3 Red & Yr 3 Blue 11:00am – 11:45am |
Term 4 Interschool Sport – Friday 28th October
Girls AFL
Junior A & Junior B – 12:50pm @ Concordia
Senior A & Senior B – 12:35pm @ Concordia
Boys Touch
*updated draw unavailable*
Junior Swimming Carnival 2022 Prep-Year 2
Dear Parents,
This year our Junior Swimming Carnival will be held on Thursday 1st December at the TAS (Toowoomba Anglican School) swimming pool, access via Wirra Wirra Street. Children in Prep – Year 2 will have the opportunity to participate at this carnival. We invite parents to attend this carnival if they wish.
We will leave school via bus at the conclusion of the End of Year Mass (approx. 11am) to hopefully start by 11:30am and we intend to be back at school by the end of the day. All Prep-Year 2 teachers will attend the carnival. We encourage all students to attend regardless of their swimming ability.
Shorter lap lengths and novelty races ensure that this is a memorable day, whilst building confidence in the water prior to joining the more competitive races at the upper school swimming carnival in years to come. Some events will include freestyle/kickboard, noodle and other novelty races.
No ribbons will be awarded at this carnival as this is purely a non-competitive carnival to encourage fun in the water. Adults will be placed in each swimming lane and will be available on the sides of the pool to assist if required.
The school will provide buses to transport students to and from the carnival.
Children can wear their sports uniform and wear their togs underneath or get changed at school before getting on the bus. They will also need to bring a towel, goggles (if needed), swimming cap, sunscreen, lunch and a drink bottle.
*All Year 2 students participate in this carnival, even if they would also like to participate in the Senior Swimming Carnival if they are an 8yr old and can confidently swim either 25m or 50m*
If you have any further queries, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s classroom teacher or myself
Senior Swimming Carnival 8-12 Years
The 2022 swimming carnival will be held on Tuesday 29th November at The Glennie Aquatic Centre. This year the swimming carnival will be open to all students born from 2010 to 2014. A decision as to whether parents can attend this carnival is still being worked out.
To assist with the planning of the carnival, please complete a form for each child using the following link.
https://forms.office.com/r/eKpNSnxzGN
The Central Zone and Catholic Carnival Teams for 2023 will be selected from the results of the 50m events. Correct technique is a requirement for some strokes. The Central Zone Carnival will have strict nominating times that will need to be adhered to. Children born 2014 will be eligible to be nominated in these carnivals in 2023 if they choose to swim 50m events at our school carnival.
Please read the following information and complete the nominating form by Friday 11th November. Once all nominations have been completed a program will be created and available to students and parents.
We will be offering a bus to and from the carnival. The school will cover the cost of the bus. If you wish your child/children to utilise the bus, please indicate on your child/children’s nomination form.
Important Information
- A teacher will be on duty from 8am at the venue.
- Years 3-6 teachers will attend the carnival. We encourage and it is expected that all students attend the carnival regardless of their swimming ability and have a go in at least 1 event. There will be no supervision at school for these year levels.
- Kickboard events are for competitors who are not competing in the 25m or 50m events.
- Competitors may only swim one distance per stroke i.e. 50m Freestyle or 25m Freestyle or 25m Kickboard. Not all three.
- Students who are capable of swimming 50m in a particular stroke are strongly encouraged to do so.
- Only competitors who nominate as 50m swimmers will be eligible for age champion.
- Only 50m events will have heats if there are sufficient numbers. Otherwise 50m events will be straight finals.
- Only 50m events will be timed.
- Ribbons will be given to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th places of kickboard, 25m and finals of 50m events.
- Age champion trophies will be given to 9yrs-13yrs champion swimmers who nominate/compete in 50m events.
- Some events may have to be combined due to the number of nominations but will be judged separately.
- Open 100m Freestyle and Open 4x50m Individual medley events are for house points ONLY.
God bless,
Stacey Hancock
HPE Teacher
From our Student Representatives
We had a great time doing the House Cup Competition last term! We will continue our House Cup Minute to Win It challenges this term as well. Please see an overview of the challenges you can participate in this term below.
| Week 4 | Sticky Marbles |
| Week 5 | Partner Wall Bounce |
| Week 6 | Back to Back Stand |
| Week 7 | Karaoke Fun: Prep - Year 3 |
| Week 8 | Karaoke Fun: Year 4 - Year 6 |
Don't forget ...
House Cup Challenge is in the Digi-Tech and Music Room
each Thursday at second break.
Have a great week!
God bless,
Darcy and Ava
From our Service Club
We have had to change our meeting day this term to a Tuesday at first break. Any Year 5 children who are keen to come and learn what Service Club is all about are invited to come along from this week.
Socktober is just around the corner. This year we are inviting STM parents to be guest goalies for us. Please let Miss Byrne know if you are interested. Socktober Crazy Sock and Kick Off Day is on Monday, November 7th. You can wear your normal uniform with your craziest socks for a gold coin donation. All children will have a chance to be part of the kick off this year.
The year STM will be supporting the Vinnies Christmas Appeal again. After Socktober we will be delivering a Vinnies Hamper Box to each class to fill for the appeal. Each class will be assigned a family to support. Please donate what you can.
Have a great day!
God bless,
Maria, Makenzie and Charlotte from the Service Club
Classroom Newsletters
From our Tuckshop
Open every Friday. Please place your childs order through FlexiSchools by 1pm Thursdays and please supply a Paper Bag for your childs order.
Money for Ice Cream day closes this Friday 28th October. If you have not placed your order yet, please make sure you bring your money to the office this week.
From Our Office
From our Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop will be back to normal hours this term.
Monday 8.00am – 8.30am
Wednesday afternoon – By Appointment
Friday 8.00am – 8.30am
If these times don’t work for you please email your order through to THOuniform@twb.catholic.edu.au and the orders will be at the office for collection at your convenience.
Need some uniform alternations?
A hem taken up? A skirt taken down? Some buttons adjust on a shirt? Give Mrs Fix It a ring and see if she can help.
From our P&F
Parents as Partners morning
Next Wednesday 2nd November, we invite parents and carers to join us for a shared reading experience in their child’s classroom.
This experience is one of the many varied engagement opportunities offered by our Parent Engagement committee.
The morning will run as follows:
8:30am :
-head to your child’s classroom to join in the morning prayer etc
-enjoy a shared reading experience (how this will work will depend on the individual class, teacher and resources)
9:00am
-head to the sports hall for a morning tea provided by the P&F
To ensure adequate catering, we ask parents and carers to (quickly) RSVP via this link https://www.trybooking.com/CDJSW
See you there!
Thank you!
A huge thank you to Westridge Fruit and Vegetables for their continued support with the donation of fresh fruit every week for our students!
Notice Board
Day for Daniel
From Our Parish
Transport Assistance Scheme
Some information with regards to the 2022 Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS) Semester 2 campaign.
