Term 3 - Week 2 - Newsletter
Prayer of the Week
Image retrieved from T2 - Week 4 : Indigenous Australian Spirituality (weebly.com)
From the Principal’s Desk…
During the period of the South-North Dynasty in China, there was a kingdom called Tuguhun. Acai was the emperor of this kingdom.
Acai had twenty sons, each one of whom was strong and skilled at fighting. Each had his unique expertise. When Acai was very ill, he called all of his sons together and asked each one of them to give him one arrow.
He then said to his younger brother, Mu Liyan, "Please take one arrow here and break it." Mu Liyan easily broke the arrow. Acai then said, "Please take nineteen arrows here and break them." Mu Liyan could no longer break the bundle of arrows.
Acai said, "Now do you understand? One arrow is very easily broken, while a bundle of arrows is hard to break. As long as all of you work together with one heart, our kingdom will be stable."
A principal’s job can be made or broken by the support they receive from families and at St Thomas More’s, we are very blessed to have such a committed group of families. When I look at the myriad of ‘things’ our families are involved in, on top of working and just running around after our children, it makes me extremely proud to be a part of this school community.
One group that any principal is delighted to be backed by is an active and positive Parents and Friends Association. At our regular monthly meetings, attending parents are valued for their opinions, ideas and willingness to help. The Parents and Friends deal with assisting with the provision of a good educational environment for our children.
I’ve previously giggled as to the many reasons why mums and dads enjoy attending P&F Meetings, however, this one takes the caked: “P & F Meetings were a wonderful way to get out of the house and have your husband feed, wash, dress and bed the children.” You can’t beat that!
The P&F is an integral part of the Catholic school and provides a formal structure and support network for parents to participate in the activities and decision-making processes at the school and to work for the benefit of the school and their children.
- The P&F represents the interests of the whole parent body.
- It helps parents engage with the school and the education of their children
- It works to support the school.
Some P&F activities
- Develop a community spirit - with a Christian ethos
- Support and work in partnership with Principal and staff
- Participate in decision making
- Promote interaction between home and school, parents and teachers
- Encourage parent participation in teaching and learning activities and school life
- Assist parents to appreciate teaching and learning programs
- Promote the School in the wider community
- Attention to faith education activities
- Create a forum for discussion
- Assist in providing resources to the school when necessary
- Planning and organising of functions approved by a P & F Meeting and the Principal
- Work with parish and school board in pursuit of common goals – harmony
Many thanks to our P&F Executive:
President: Kylie Haywood
Vice President: Shontelle Petrie
Treasurer: Jacinta Mah Yen
Secretary: Jacqui Milligan
Over the July holidays, our amazing P&F funded the newly completed ‘Peace Garden’, featuring a labyrinth and outdoor prayer space. The ‘Peace Garden’ is a beautiful space for children, staff and parents to relax, reflect and contemplate life. An outdoor prayer space is one that embraces the natural environment as its setting and draws on nature for its prayer activities.
On behalf of the St Thomas More’s School Community, I would like to thank the P&F for their collaboration, dedication and willingness to finance such a significant project. Thank you for making our school a better place!
God Bless,
Duane Wann
Principal
Student Protection Contacts
From our APRE
BREAKFAST CLUB is an initiative that our parish will be starting on Tuesday mornings from 7:15am -8:15am, as of the 18th July, during the school term. It is a place where students can come to have breakfast before school and be safe and warm before the school supervision starts. We are setting up a pantry and looking for donations of breakfast items, if you are doing a grocery shop, please consider buying something extra for our breakfast club. If you would like to volunteer please email parishleader@stthomasmores.org.au
God Bless.
Miss Kristin Byrne
Assistant Principal: Religious Education
Thinking STM for Prep in 2024 ...
From Our Sports Desk
Interschool Sport – Friday 21st July
Interschool sport will recommence this Friday 21st July for Years 5 & 6 children. If your child has chosen to play soccer, they will be required to have/wear shin guards. If your child has chosen to play rugby league, they will be required to wear a mouth guard and wear school-coloured footy shorts and socks.
Netball
1:45pm Senior A vs Glenvale court 5
1:00pm Senior B vs Mater Dei court 7
1:00pm Junior A vs Toowoomba East White court 11
1:45pm Junior B vs Our Lady of Lourdes Blue court 10
Soccer – Anderson Park
1:45pm Senior A Boys vs Rangeville
1:00pm Junior A Boys vs Rangeville
1:00pm Junior A Girls vs Rangeville
Toowoomba Sports Ground
1:00pm Senior A vs St Saviours & Toowoomba East
Catholic Netball & Touch Carnivals
All children in Year 5 & 6 will be participating in the annual Catholic Netball & Touch Carnivals on Thursday 27th July.
Venues: Kearney’s Spring Reserve & Nell E Robinson
Starting Time: Teams Arrive 8:30am, Official Opening 9:00am
Finishing Time: 2:30pm (approx.)
Please check Sentral to indicate if your child requires the use of the bus.
We are chasing parent helpers for both netball and touch. If you are able to help out for the day, please send Mrs H an email (Stacey.Hancock@twb.catholic.edu). Helpers would be required to help with coaching and refereeing/umpiring games.
Term 3 Swimming Lessons
Years 4-6 will participate in swimming lessons in Term 3. Due to renovation works happening at the Centenary Pool, we will be busing our students over to the Harristown High Pool. The swimming lessons will still be conducted by Darren Lange Swimming Academy. Below are the dates and times that the lessons will be held.
Please ensure your child has their swimming costume, towel, cap and goggles for their lessons and anything else you feel they may require. They do not need sun shirts as they are inside for lessons. Swimming caps are encouraged for both swimming lessons.
If there is a problem with your child’s lessons, please speak to their class teacher and they will deal with the concern. Please do not contact the pool directly.
Dates for lessons
Tuesday 18th July
Tuesday 25th July
Tuesday 1st August
Tuesday 15th August
Tuesday 22nd August
Lesson Times – 45min
11:45am – 12:30pm Year 4 Gold & Blue
12:30pm – 1:15pm Year 5 Blue, Gold 5/6 Red
1:15pm – 2:00pm Year 6 Blue & Gold
God Bless,
Stacey Hancock
HPE Teacher
Classroom Newsletters
From our P & F
If you would like to join us but can't make it to the meeting you can link in via Zoom. A link will be released a week prior to the meeting date.
From OSHC
Good Morning St Thomas, Mores Families,
I hope you had a relaxing break, as we move into term 3.
During vacation care we had some great activities , and excursions happening. The older children also asked for a tech day as that wasn’t on the program, and we agreed on a day so they could bring in their phones and ipads etc.
I won’t go through each day but will highlight the most popular days.
On Monday ( week 1) we had the Young Engineers Incursion. At each table we had a tablet with step by step instructions on how to build Ferris wheels. It was a great activity to see the children put their minds to work, as some of the mechanics was tricky. The two gentlemen were on hand to give us a hand if needed. The excitement was contagious when the Ferris Wheels operated like a real Ferris Wheel. ( Pictures attached)
Wednesday we all caught a bus to The Strand and watched the movie ‘ Elemental’. The children all got popcorn and a drink and some special treats. The children always love going to the movies, it is a staple to the program.
In the afternoon we walked to Lake Annand after lunch where the children played on the equipment and walked back over the bridge on the way bac. Whilst walking over the bridge a big gust of wind blew off someone’s hat into the pond and Miss Drew came to the rescue with a big stick to fish it out.
Thursday was Super hero day, and we had a fun day drawing our super heros, and also watching Super hero movies.
Friday was the Cubby House competition. We painted a large fridge box, cut out windows, and made some curtains. We then made pebble stones to the entrance. It even had a sensor light and door bell. We videoed this for the competition and sent it in. Haven’t heard how we went yet. Whilst this was happening, we had another child bring his own boxes in as he and his mother had moved house and had excess boxes. He and another child built their own fort/cubby house. Other children also used blankets and chairs and made their own forts to. It was an activity that went for some time. ( pictures attached)
Week 2
Monday we cooked Spaghetti Bolognaise for lunch with garlic Bread. We used the excess boxes we had to make cars, and all kinds of wonderful items.
Naidoc Week - Tuesday and Wednesday we played indigenous games and also completed some indigenous pictures for our competition the TCKC were running. We went up to the hall and played a game where the children hunt kangaroos. The children who were the hunters had very small soft balls, and the children who were the kangaroos had to hop down the middle and see if they can get to the other end without being hit by the hunters. The children absolutely loved this game and we played for such a long time. We had also had Kangaroo kebabs for lunch one day. One child ate 6 of them. I was a bit surprised that the children loved them so much . One child said she would not eat kangaroo , and that was ok too.
Thursday we went on another excursion to Sunset Superbowl. This was the highlight for all the children. I unfortunately I told my group that I was ‘really good’ at Ten Pin Bowling. At the end, I came last . The children in my group felt sorry for me and asked me if I wanted them to bowl for me. We had lunch after the game and caught the bus back to the service. In the afternoon we had to move all of our furniture out of the room as the carpet men were coming to clean the carpet. The children were so helpful and helped us move everything into the Music Room.
We have some great ideas for next vacation care time in September. If you have any ideas, please feel free to send them to me, and I will endeavour to include them, where possible into the program.
Monday this week, was a pupil free day, and we played outdoor games, for example T-Ball ( which is a new resource ) and the children love it. I am trying to get a cricket set, as this has been asked for by the older boys.
The rest of the week was for science experiments and ‘how and why’ questions were asked.
Just a reminder about the 28th July which is also a Pupil Free Day as this is recognised as Bishops Day. We will be open on this day. Please go ahead and book your child in using the App.
Thank you to the families who responded to the family Satisfaction Survey. We have taken your comments, and concerns on board, and have also introduced Homework Day and this is Wednesday after Afternoon Tea.
It is Miss Drews last day today for 5 weeks, as she is on 5 week Prac. She will be missed by the team and the children.
Until next week, have a great weekend, and please come see me if you have any concerns, or queries.
Enjoy the pictures below.
Kind Regards
Debbie and the team.
From our Tuckshop
Tuckshop is back to our normal Thursday & Fridays this week. Please make sure your orders are done by 1pm Wednesady via flexischools.
Tuckshop Menu
Open every Thursday & Friday. Please place your childs order through FlexiSchools by 1pm Wednesday for Thursdays & 1pm Thursday for Friday.
From our Uniform Shop
From the St Thomas More's Parish
Please find attached the bulletin for this week.
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!
A huge thank you to Meat Cellar for their continued support for our school events.
