2024 Term 4 - Week 10 - Newsletter

Prayer of the Week

From our Principal

It's that time of year again. December is almost upon us, and with it all the joys of Christmas. But what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, seafood and chicken feasts with family and friends, cricket in the backyard, hanging out at the beach, and shouts of "Merry Christmas" to those who pass us in the streets? Is this really Christmas?  

For many people, Christmas is a time of sorrow. They don't have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. Many are saddened at Christmas time when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons. Turkey dinners may be only a wish and not a reality for some.  

Here is a beautiful story that typifies the ‘Real Message of Christmas’: 

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out next to the fireplace.  

"What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement . . .  

"TEACH THE CHILDREN!"

I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said,  

"TEACH THE CHILDREN!"  

Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten. "Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle.  "Teach the children that the pure green colour of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven." 

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Saviour for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfilment of His promise."  

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolises that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolises the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection." 

He then pulled from his bag an ORNAMENT of himself. "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolise the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Saviour. The red holly berries represent the blood shed by Him. 

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave his begotten son." Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. 

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Saviour's birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."  

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolises guidance and return.  

Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said,  "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the centre, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship him, our LORD, our GOD." 

http://raisingflowersandskids.com/2011/12/teach-the-children-the-true-meaning-of-christmas/ 

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the school community:  Staff, Parents, School Advisory Council, P&F, Parish Members and most importantly, the students for the very successful 2024 school year.  I wish everyone a very safe, relaxing and enjoyable Christmas and holiday break, and look forward to seeing you all back for a bigger and better 2025. 

Thanks for reading. 

God Bless,

Duane Wann

Principal

2025 Staffing

As they say, “every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end” and we farewell staff who will depart at the conclusion of the year:

Russell Fechner: transitioning to retirement

Lynda Rowling: transitioning to retirement

Kris Byrne: has accepted a position as the APRE at St Kevin’s Primary School, Geebung, commencing in 2025

Charmaine Tancred: has accepted a position as Teacher at St Anthony’s Primary School, Toowoomba commencing in 2025

Tess Colemen: has accepted a position at Our Lady of Lourdes commencing in 2025

Catherine McAleer: Margy Heuschele returning from Long Service Leave

Jayne Farquharson: accessing Long Service Leave for Term One

David Anderson: accessing 12 months leave to ‘Act’ in APRE position within Brisbane Catholic Education for 1 year.

We would like to thank these individuals for the significant contribution to St Thomas More’s in recent years through enriching and empowering both staff, children and parents.  Thank you so much for making our school a better place!

Principal: Duane Wann

Assistant Principal Mission & Identity: Donna Barlow

Middle Leader: Trish Wardle

Learning Support Teacher: Belinda Phillips (4 days per week)

Administration Secretary: Eileen McKay

Finance Secretary: Jodie Ramage

Information Technology Support: Chad Kolukonda

Workplace Health & Safety: TBA

Grounds: John Dalziel

Prep: Katie Hargrave & Bec Nystrom (4 days)/Dom Haddin (1 day)

Year 1: Carmel Weier & Hayley Walker

Year 2: Deena Jones & Joy Wright

Year 3: Erin McVeigh & Annette Grimshaw

Year 4: Anita Roberts & Matt Barnes

Year 5: Emily Candale (3 days)/Shae Sore (2 days) & Clare Wilson

Year 6: Lisa Souter & Leah Pulsford

Early Years Intervention: Jordeigh Standfield (3 days per week)

Guidance Counsellor: Nadine Luhrs (2 days per week)

HPE & Health: Stacey Hancock

LOTE (Japanese):  Maddie Bermingham

The Arts: Emily Candale

Teacher Librarian: Margy Heuschele

School Officers: To be announced prior to the conclusion of the week.

2025 Step Up Transition Afternoon: Wednesday 4th December

In preparation for the 2025 school year, children will engage in a Step-Up Transition Afternoon on Wednesday 4^th December from 1:45pm – 2:45pm.  The purpose of this afternoon is for children to engage with and spend the afternoon with their allocated teacher for next year prior to the commencement of the 2025 school year.

Time Change for End of Year Whole School Mass & Amendment to Final Day of Term Arrangement: Friday 6th December

Parents/Guardians are invited to the End of Year Whole School Mass on Friday 6^th December.  Please be aware, the time of the Mass has been changed from 9am (as shared in the School Calendar) to 11:30am.  At the conclusion of the Mass, parent/guardians are invited to collect children.  For children remaining at school, supervision will be provided.

Student Protection

From our APMI

A bonus newsletter to finish the year! I shared my farewell last week but I will follow it up by saying a final thank you to the St Thomas More’s School and Parish Community for your warm welcome all those years ago and your continued support and friendship since.

I wish all our departing students and families all the best for their future endeavours, and I am sure our paths will cross again one day.

To our departing staff this year …

Russell Fechner

Russ told me earlier this week he had been here at STM since 2004. I didn’t have the heart to tell him I was in Year 12 in 2004 and not even on my teaching journey yet! With 20 years here at STM, it really is the end of an era. Thank you, Russ, for everything you have brought to our school community – you are our go to guy and you will be terribly missed next year. Thanks for always being so calm, cool and collected and for making such a profound impact on the lives of all those you meet. All the best for your transition to retirement!

Lynda Rowling

Another end of an era! Lynda has been a much-loved staff member of STM for many years. As a fellow Early Childhood Educator, I have admired Lynda’s passion and dedication for the early years since my arrival at STM. Lynda, you are our quiet achiever, always working hard in the background to support students and staff alike. Your steady and calm presence will be greatly missed next year. Thank you for everything you have brought to our STM School Community. All the best for your transition to retirement.

Charmaine Tancred

Charmaine … my fellow bright lipstick lover! I hope I can find another lipstick buddy just as fabulous when I head to Geebung next year! While Charmaine has not been at STM for as long as Russ or Lynda, she too has had a profound impact on the students, staff and families she has worked with during her time here. Charmaine, I have always admired your ability to see the best in every situation and your commitment to knowing your students and families inside out. You will be greatly missed in 2025, and I wish you all the best for your new position at St Anthony’s!

Tess Coleman

While a lot of our families may not know Tess, you would absolutely be familiar with her work! Tess is our extraordinary Workplace Health and Safety Officer, and she has done an outstanding job in this space over the past few years. Tess, thank you for always putting the safety of our students, staff and families first and foremost. I personally have learnt a lot working with you over the years and know you will be sorely missed next year. All the best for your new role at Our Lady of Lourdes.

Catherine McAleer

I first met Catherine in 2020 at a Just Leadership Day I took Service Club along to. Catherine was running the day, and I remember being so in awe of how she was able to interact with students and staff she’d never met so openly and so vulnerably. Catherine, all those years ago your love of God and your passion for teaching shone through … and nothing has changed since! Thank you for all you have done to keep our STM Library running this semester and for continuing to nurture a love of reading and literature in our students. All the very best for the adventures that 2025 will bring!

David Anderson

I’ve only known David for a very short time but all you need is a short time knowing David to see his passion for teaching and for student engagement. David, your ability to connect with students, staff and families is admirable and I know it will hold you in good stead as you take on an Acting APRE Role with BCE in 2025. All the best for your new adventure!

A shout out to the amazing Ms Jayne as well (our School Guidance Counsellor) – while Jayne is not leaving STM, she will be accessing some leave early in 2025. All the best for the start of 2025 Jayne. I know you will be welcomed back with open arms and big smiles in Term 2!

Vinnies Christmas Appeal Reminder

Don't forget to keep those donations coming in. Donations can come in until Friday, December 6. 

Semester Two Academic Reports

Our Semester Two Report Cards this year will be distributed in the last week of this term via the Sentral for Parents App. Over the course of this semester, teachers have been gathering evidence of learning for each learning area for each of our students. This process involves gathering, analysing and reflecting on multiple sources of evidence to make an informed judgment about what students know, understand, and can do.   

Assessment in the classroom can come in many forms. It can either be …  

• Diagnostic (assessing prior learning) - pre-tests and work samples.  

• Formative (assessing for learning) - observations, group work, individual conferencing, ongoing work samples.  
• Summative (assessing of learning) - tasks, assignments, presentations. 

In Week 10, families will receive Semester Two Report Cards for students from Prep to Year 6. This Report Card is a culmination of your child’s academic achievement throughout the semester, as well as a snapshot of their spiritual and social development. It is just one way of communicating information about student achievement, effort, and behaviour.   

The Australian Curriculum is written in such a way that there is an ‘Achievement Standard’ for each year level for each subject area. It is this Achievement Standard that we report against. The standards are written as a statement of what a student is aiming to achieve by the end of the school year for their year level. A student receiving a ‘C’ standard indicates that they have met this standard, that is, that their work demonstrates a conceptual understanding of the concepts covered and that they can apply this knowledge and skill in familiar situations. Simply speaking, a ‘C’ standard indicates that your child is able to do what is expected of them for their year level.  

To move beyond a ‘C’ standard, a student must demonstrate that they are developing a sophistication of conceptual understanding, with a strong application of skills, and that they are beginning to transfer their knowledge and skills to new situations.

Similarly, a ‘D’ standard does not constitute a failure, but indicates that a student is continuing to develop their understanding of the expected curriculum and may be able to demonstrate some of the elements within it, whether with support or inconsistently. A rough outline of these standards is provided below.   

In each KLA, students also receive an effort achievement level. This level is derived by the level of application and study habits during that particular KLA. Students who receive ‘C’ for effort are demonstrating the expected level of effort and engagement during learning time. Please see the table below for the effort achievement scale. 

Academic Reports will be shared via the Sentral for Parents App in Week 10. If you have not already downloaded this app, please do so as soon as possible. 

If you have any questions about Semester 2 Academic Reports, please feel free to make contact with your classroom teacher.  

This time it really is for the last time …

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 Sports Dept

Swimming Carnival Results 

Congratulations to everyone on a fantastic swimming carnival last week. Well done to the children who received age champion and runners up awards.  

12 Years Girls 

Age Champion – Mya S 

Runner Up – Zoe R 

12 Years Boys  

Age Champion – Flynn T  

Runner Up – Jordan D  

11 Years Girls  

Age Champion – Makayla W  

Runner Up – Alexandria W  

11 Years Boys  

Age Champion – Jonathon W 

Runner Up – Hartley J  

10 Years Girls  

Age Champion – Ruby H  

Runner Up – Penny T 

10 Years Boys  

Age Champion – Levi M  

Runner Up – James O  

9 Years Girls  

Age Champion – Ellie R 

Runner Up – Flo T  

9 Years Boys  

Age Champion – Tyrell W  

Runner Up – Max Mc & Nicholas C  

8 Years Girls  

Age Champion – Eve T  

Runner Up – Payton S  

8 Years Boys  

Age Champion – Taj M  

Runner Up – Vincent C  
 

Encouragement Award – Amelie F  

House Points  

1st – MacKillop 512 points 

2nd - Finbarr 378 points  

3rd  -Leonard 282 points

Stacey Hancock

Health and PE Teacher

Library News

A big thank you to the volunteers who helped us in the library, with our recycling program or with the gardening and worm care jobs.

Anita Roberts, Jessica Mack, Naomi Radke, Rebecca Reardon, Beth May, Catherine Brodie, Kate Palacin Johnson, Courtney Nutter, Jo Plank and Zara Dean.  

Your assistance is greatly appreciated!

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

Sign up for 2025.