2024 Term 4 - Week 5 - Newsletter

Prayer of the Week

Image retrieved from https://x.com/Parish_Giving/status/1191770603474374656?mx=2 

From our Principal

To some of you this next anecdote may be well known but it still has an important message as we head towards the middle of a very busy term, knowing that we still have ‘a lot on our plates’ until the end of the term.

Once upon a time, there lived a very strong, young man named Jack who lived on the edge of a great forest. At the edge of the forest was a timber mill where men brought trees they had cut down to be sawn and shaped into timber suitable to make houses and furniture. Jack knew this was a profitable job, so when he turned 17, he went to see the timber merchant. The merchant, Mr Puffinger, was very impressed with Jack: he was young, strong, motivated and obviously committed to doing his best.

Mr Puffinger handed Jack an axe and said, “You begin work tomorrow morning at dawn.”

Jack was so excited. The next day with his new axe in hand, he worked tremendously hard and with pride returned to the timber mill at sunset with his horse dragging 18 fine logs.

“Congratulations,'' said Mr Puffinger, “you have worked very well.”

Jack was puffed up with pride and was determined to do even better the next day. But to his surprise at sunset the next day, he had only managed to cut down 15 trees.

“Don’t worry,” said Mr Puffinger, “I know you are doing your best.”

However on the third day, despite his best efforts, Jack only carted 10 logs to the timber mill. Day after day, Jack chopped trees down and each day the number of logs he brought in decreased. By the 8^th day, Jack was really disheartened, only 3 trees to tow to the mill.

“I’m so sorry Mr Puffinger, I am trying harder every day, I don’t rest, I chop through lunch and yet I still can’t seem to chop down 18 trees. I must be getting weaker.”

Mr Puffinger leant down and picked up Jack’s axe.

“Son,” he said, “the problem is simply solved. You need to sit down more, take a rest, eat your lunch and while you do it sharpen that axe.”

So what’s the message?

The message is that successful people have balance in their lives. They don’t just work and work, they make time to have pauses in their lives, to sharpen their axes. Maybe we can liken the sharpening of the axe to someone who prioritises what is important in their lives.

As busy parents, I bet you wonder where the weeks and months and years disappear to? Where have my Saturdays gone, as we taxi children to play dates, sport and part-time jobs? How can that chubby baby boy now be heading for high school?

We are encouraged to learn from Jack after he learnt to sharpen his axe – to be organised, determined to do your best but also to weigh up the priorities in your life, not over-spending too much time on any one endeavour. To take time to pause every now and then on the meaning of your life – a time for rest, a time for meditation, a time for prayer.

 Toowoomba Catholic Schools Leadership Forum: Mr Wann Away

Please be advised, I will be attending the TCS Leadership Forum from Monday 28^th October to return Friday 1^st November.  Miss Kris Byrne will be acting Principal in my absence.  Should you have any questions or concerns during this time, please be encouraged to contact Miss Byrne.

Thanks for reading. 

God Bless,

Duane Wann

Principal

Things to remember...

Grooming Expectations

Please be mindful, hairstyles which draw attention to the individual, including but are not limited to: mullet, scullett, mohawks, tracks, tails, hair colouring etc. are not permitted.

Before School Supervision

Before school duty commences at 8:15am.  Children who arrive at school before 8:15am are kindly asked to sit in the ‘Quad Area’ until teacher supervision commences at 8:15am.

School Lunch

We are asking families to have conversations with children regarding eating requirements when at school to ensure enough lunch is packed to see out the school day.

Communication

We believe that good communication is the key to success for your child. If there is something worrying you about your child’s learning or well-being or if there has been changes at home which may be affecting your child, please ensure you contact your child’s teacher or myself to discuss this. Even if you feel it is a small issue, please let us know.

Communication Protocols

St Thomas More’s Primary School recognises and respects the right of employees to disconnect from work and not respond to work-related electronic communications outside of designated hours.  St Thomas More’s Primary School staff will reply to electronic communication within the hours of 8.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday. 

Where contact is made outside of this span of hours, employees will respond within two working days of the employee’s next designated working day considering weekends, leave, other non-working days, vacation periods and holidays. 

Guidelines

• No jewellery, rings, body piercings or nail polish are to be worn. One earring in each ear only, stud or sleeper.
• Hairstyles which draw attention to the individual, including but are not limited to: mullet, scullett, mohawks, tracks, tails, hair colouring etc. are not permitted. 
• Shoulder length hair or longer to be tied back, both boys and girls. Hairstyles and hair accessory colours to be sensible. Hair bands to be royal blue, navy, black or gold.
• Watches are allowed, but no liability or responsibility is accepted by the school.
• A confidential chat is the appropriate response to students not wearing the correct uniform.
• Boys' formal shirts are to be tucked in.

Technology

• Mobile phones are to be signed in at the office each morning and collected at the end of the day after the final bell.
• Student are not permitted to text or make phone calls from smart watches during the school day.

General

• Students are not permitted to bring toys, trading cards or sports equipment from home.

Student Protection

From our APMI

Welcome to Week 5! This week marks the halfway point of our final school term for 2024! We’ve had a busy few weeks since our last newsletter and an even busier few weeks ahead!

World Teachers’ Day

Last week, we joined with schools across Queensland celebrating World Teachers’ Day. At STM, we are very fortunate to have a team of passionate, dedicated and simply outstanding staff. I hope all our STM teachers and staff had a wonderful World Teachers’ Day on Friday. Thank you for all your do for our school community.

Thank you to Mrs Melican and 5 Red for leading the whole school in prayer to commemorate this special day last week as well. I enjoyed working with you and learning about what you love about our teachers at STM. Although I missed your Prayer Celebration, I have no doubt you led with reverence and respect.

Hike for Homeless

On Saturday, October 19, a very bright-eyed group of students, parents and staff joined the annual Hike for Homeless. Thank you to our wonderful Service Club for championing this worthy cause, to our community for your financial support and to our hikers for your enthusiasm and commitment! This year, our mighty STM Team raised over $1000 for Base Services, who support the homeless in our local community. Great job team!

Family Mass

On Saturday, October 19, we also celebrated our final Family Mass for the term. Thank you to all the families who came along to pray with us. It was wonderful to see so many STM families in attendance. A special thank you to our Service Club Mission Ambassadors who gave the Mission Sunday address during Mass and to our wonderful choir who helped lead the singing during the service.

Socktober at STM

One of our main fundraisers each year is Socktober, which raises money for Catholic Mission. This year, the Socktober Campaign raised funds specifically for Mongolia and the very new Catholic community there. Thank you to all students and staff who joined in our Crazy Sock Day and Socktober Kick-Off last week. A special thank you to Service Club, Mrs Wardle, Year 6 and Mr and Mrs McGovern for supporting our Kick-Off1 Service Club will be able to share specifics of how much we raised later this term.

Day for Daniel

Last week, we joined with schools and workplaces around Australia commemorating the annual Day for Daniel. Later this term, students from Prep – Year 6 will access the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum which focuses on child safety using three key messages … recognise, react and report. I will share more information about this program in the coming weeks. Our participation in both the Day for Daniel and the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum are just some of the ways we work to keep kids safe at STM. Thank you to students and staff for wearing a splash of red on Friday and showing your support and commitment to keeping our kids safe.

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Our major fundraiser for this term is the Vinnies Christmas Appeal. Over the past few years, we have worked closely with our local Vinnies Chapter to support families in our area over Christmas doing it tough. This year we will continue this wonderful tradition. In the coming weeks, your classroom teacher will share details of the family each class is supporting this year. Donations can be dropped into the classroom Vinnies Appeal Tub from Week 8 through to the end of the term. Thank you in advance for your support of this appeal. The generosity of our community always makes my heart smile at this time of year.

All Saints’ Day

This Friday, the Catholic Church celebrates All Saints’ Day. All Saints’ Day is a Christian festival which falls each year on November 1. ​ It is a time when Christians remember all of the saints who have died and the wonderful things they have done.​ Saints are good men and women who followed God and have now died. Some of the saints could heal, some could work miracles and others had the ability to be in two places at once.​ This week, students will have the opportunity to learn about some of these saints and consider the amazing things they achieved in their lives.

If you want to know more about saints, check out the links below.

All Souls’ Day

This week, the Catholic Church also celebrates All Souls’ Day. All Souls’ Day is a day to remember the souls of all who have died.  Having a feast such as this may sound scary or morbid, but should be a special day to fondly remember loved ones who are no longer with us.​

Introduction of the new APMI (Assistant Principal Mission and Identity) Title

In the past few weeks, you may have noticed a new job title on our website, in written correspondence and on our Facebook page. In our ever-changing world, it is essential for us to continually reflect on how we bring our Catholic identity and mission to life within our St Thomas More's school community. This reflection has led all Toowoomba Catholic Schools to collaboratively review the vital role of religious leadership.

As a result, the position of Assistant Principal Religious Education (APRE) has been revitalised with a new
focus and title of Assistant Principal Mission and Identity (APMI). At St Thomas More's, our APMI plays a pivotal role in guiding Catholic pedagogy, overseeing the religion curriculum, and nurturing the religious life of our school. This work is at the very heart of everything we do.

The role of the APMI is essential in ensuring that our Catholic school remains a living witness to Christ’s message as expressed in the Gospels. From Term 4, I will now have the new role title of APMI and our new APMI will assume this title in 2025. 

Early next year, our new APMI will write more about her role and her aspirations and hopes for this role at our school, and how this will shape this next chapter of our continuing Catholic faith journey.

Upcoming Prayer Celebrations …

3 Gold Faith Prayer Celebration – Friday November 8 from 11:20 am in the STM Church.

6 Red Remembrance Day Prayer Celebration – Monday November 11 from 10:45 am in the STM School Sportscentre

This term is shaping up to be a busy one, so please continue to check SENTRAL for Parents for updates and messages and keep an eye on our social media platforms for updates.

God Bless

Kris Byrne

Assistant Principal Mission and Identity

Thank you to our Lion King Jr Sponsors who made our 2024 Production so wonderful! 

Thanks to our Lion King Jr Platinum Sponsor ...

Miss Byrne's Term 4 Important Dates

Not returning in 2025?

From Our Library

Borrowing 

This week is the final week for students to borrow from the library.  Please ensure your child’s books are returned no later than Week 7. 

The Toowoomba Regional Library is a wonderful place to keep up students’ reading excitement as well as with summer reading.  It is easy to join if you are not a member.  They have a large range of audio and e-books, as well as hard copy books available for loan.  You might like to keep an eye out for their school holiday activities across the different libraries, throughout the region. 

Nature Book Week 

In the library we celebrated Nature Book Week by reading stories that focus around the natural world, playing games using natural materials, building towers and houses out of boxes without using glue or tape, nature mandalas and nature craft.  It was wonderful to see the student’s ideas come to life. 

Nature Week Photos

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Competitions 

The winners of the reading challenge for Years 3 to 6 are: 

Scarlett – 3 Red 

Charlie – 4 Gold 

Addison – 4 Red 

Eva – 6 Blue 

In the previous newsletter I mentioned that we would have a natural art competition.  Unfortunately, due to the library stocktake, this will not be taking place. 

We are Winners 

Recently the school was entered in a competition to win some graphic novels and we won!  The book was written by two young boys aged 7 and 8. This is their story. 

Thank you to Kylie Haywood for entering the competition on our behalf. 

We are currently seeking volunteers to assist us with covering books. In a few weeks, we will be receiving a large quantity of books and aim to process them efficiently. We will provide high-quality contact rolls for covering the books, and if necessary, we will also offer training. If you are interested in helping us, please contact   Anna.Toye@twb.catholic.edu.au

Catherine McAleer 

Teacher Librarian

From our Sports Dept

Term 4 Swimming Lessons 

Below is the timetable of swimming lessons for Prep – Year 2. This year we will be using the Glennie Aquatic Centre for our school swimming lessons. Children will be bused to and from their lessons. 

Monday 28th October  

Tuesday 29th October  

Monday 25th November 

Thursday 28th November  

Year 1 – 9:30am-10:15am 

Year 2 – 10:15am-11:00am 

Prep – 11:00am- 11:45am  

Please ensure your child has their swimming costume, towel, and goggles for their lessons and anything else you feel they may require. The Glennie Aquatic Centre will provide swimming caps on your child’s first visit. Teachers will collect swimming caps at the end of each session and will be given back out at the beginning of each lesson. These different coloured swimming caps are vital to the smooth running of the lessons as the different colours will indicate which group your child is in for easy organisation.  

Children will get changed before and after their lesson at the pool.  

Swimwear Guidelines: 

To ensure safety and comfort during the lessons, we request that all students adhere to the following swimwear guidelines: 

• Children should not wear rash shirts or oversized clothes. 

• If wearing leggings or full-body coverings for cultural reasons, they must be skin-tight. 

• No scuba masks are allowed (any goggles brought must not cover the nose). 

• We do not supply loan goggles, so if a child wishes to wear goggles, they must bring their own. 

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.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact myself or your child’s classroom teacher.  

2024 Swimming Carnivals – Save the dates 

Senior Swimming Carnival – Tuesday 26th November at the Glennie Aquatic Centre  

Junior Swimming Carnival – Tuesday 3rd December at the TAS Pool.  

The 2024 senior swimming carnival will be held on Tuesday 26th November at The Glennie Aquatic Centre. This year the swimming carnival will be open to all students born 2012-2016. Year 2 students are already participating in the junior swimming carnival, however children who are turning 8, are capable and can confidently swim 25m or 50m are more than welcome to participate in the senior swimming carnival as well. 

To assist with the planning of the carnival, please complete this form for each child. Please reflect on your child's capability and only nominate them in events that they can actually swim confidently. The Glennie Aquatic Centre staff have assessed all children at their swimming lessons this year. If nominations are not similar to their assessment, events will be changed to ensure the safety of all children. 

 
Once the program is finalised, children will be unable to change events prior to the carnival and at the carnival. This is to ensure that the child's capability has been crossed checked with their assessments. 

Nominations will be closed on Tuesday 19th November.  

https://forms.office.com/r/LFp... 

DD Aquathon 

Congratulations to Makayla on competing at the Daring Downs Aquathon last Friday and receiving 1st place in her event. Makayla has secured a position in the Darling Downs Aquathlon team to compete at the State Championships early next year. Well done Makayla!  

Student Awards

Week 4

Amazing work from our Week 4 award recipients. 

From our Uniform Shop

P & F News

Tuckshop News

Opening Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Order via Flexischools App.  If you need help to navigate the App, please feel free to pop into the tuckshop and chat to Jemma or email on jemma@archerscateringandevents.com.au 

Cut off of Online orders...
Order before 3pm Tuesday (for Wednesday), 3pm Wednesday (for Thursday) & 1pm Thursday (for Friday).

NEW Tuckshop Menu

REMINDER - IF YOU CHILD IS SICK, PLEASE CONTACT THE TUCKSHOP BEFORE 9AM TO POSTPONE YOUR ORDER TO THE NEXT DAY!

From the OSHC

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

Tennis Coaching