2025 Term 1 - Week 5 - Newsletter

Prayer of the Week

From our Principal

Over the holidays, my family became infatuated with and competitive about the latest craze, ‘Wordle’, an online 5-letter word game.

Each day a word is released and players have six attempts to guess it. During the guesses, tiles change colour to help players get the word. A grey letter means it isn’t in today’s word, a yellow letter signals it is in the word but in the wrong position. A green letter means it’s in the word and in the right place. Players select letters, enter them into the five blank tiles and submit their guess. This then checks the word and lets you know if your word or some of the letters are correct. If it’s right, the full 5 letters turn green.

Most people love a puzzle and we know that an active brain can be one of the ways to help stave off dementia. For young children ‘brain games’ or any strategy that encourages critical thinking directly impacts on their learning and, by default their results.

Research now clearly shows that we need to treat our brains like a muscle, practice makes it more efficient, even more intelligent (Carole Dweck). Some people mistakenly believe that IQ is something that is fixed at birth. In fact, the brain is highly malleable and there are steps that you can take in order to increase your IQ. At the very least, you can improve the functioning of your brain, and you can adopt learning strategies that will improve your ability to acquire, retain, and apply knowledge.

At St Thomas More’s, it is wonderful to walk around our classrooms and observe our teachers encouraging their students to do such ‘brain-stretching’. I once had the pleasure of hearing the world-renowned Dr Edward De Bono; he invented the phrase lateral thinking and invented the 6 Thinking Hats technique. He was an entertaining and informative speaker who encouraged teachers to explicitly teach the subject of ‘Thinking’ in our schools.

In addition to giving us strategies for the classroom, as a consultant, he has influenced many organisations and businesses. His methods are used by the United Nations to help solve dilemmas and his left field suggestions have reaped millions for various industries. It was his idea to the company Shell in the 1970s to create oil wells that could turn a corner (increasing production by 6%). Although not an engineer, he suggested adding a second set of small upside down movable wings to aircraft (negative wings that can create instant list).  In the United States, six states insist that juries are taught De Bono techniques so that the 12 selected citizens can make a non-biased, fair decision – to think in a manner without ‘fixed ideas’.

As parents, conversations with your child/children can be key to brain development. In fact, parents are more influential than school on how a child’s thinking skills develop. The ability to question and ponder, to research, to find an answer, are really important to young children. Helping them develop their general knowledge can also be supported from home.  Tired of the same Disney movie on a loop? - instead watch some documentaries or play cards or a board game (great for strategies). Working as a parent-school team, our children could be unstoppable.

Just one more puzzle to finish off… Three friends contribute $10 each towards a $25 pizza. They give the delivery driver a $2 tip and get $1 change each. But something weird has happened. Each friend contributed $10 totalling $30. They received $1 change each so really paid $9 totalling $27. The driver has $2 bringing the total to $29. Where is the missing dollar?

Thanks for reading…

Toowoomba Catholic Schools Leadership Forum: Mr Wann Away

Please be advised, I will be attending the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Leadership Forum from Monday 24^th February to return Thursday 27^th February. Ms Barlow will be Acting Principal in my absence.  Should you have any questions or concerns during this time, please be encouraged to contact Ms Barlow.

Thanks for reading. 

God Bless,

Duane Wann

Principal

2025 School Priorities

At the commencement of every school year, the teaching staff gather to consider and develop priorities for the year. For 2025, the focus of our practices will centre on the following:

2025 Theme:

2025 School Goals:

Before School Supervision

Before school duty commences at 8:00am. Children who arrive at school before 8:00am are kindly asked to sit in the ‘Quad Area’ until teacher supervision commences at 8:00am.

Process for Late Arrival, Early Departure and Collection Areas:

This is a valuable opportunity to remind families of the requirements pertaining to late arrival to school and early departure from school. Our aim is to safely account for all students while minimising disruption to teaching for the staff and learning for the students.

Late Arrival

• a student is considered to have arrived late any time after the 8.30am bell on a school day
• all students arriving late must sign be signed in by a parent, family member or themselves. Children then transition to the classroom by themselves.

Early Departure

• a student is considered to have departed early any time before 2.55pm on a school day
• Parent/Guardian to call, email or present to the School Administration Office to inform School Administration Staff their child/children will be departing early and offer the reason for the early departure
• the School Administration Staff will contact and advise the Class Teacher of an early departure and request for the child/children to present to the School Administration Office at a prescribed time
• Parent/Guardian to collect child from School Administration Office and sign child out
• Parents/Guardians are not permitted to attend the classrooms and withdraw children directly
• Parents/Guardians are not permitted to visit the classrooms between the hours of 8:30am and 2:55pm unless invited to do so. This is to avoid disruption to teaching and learning. Should there be a need to visit a classroom or drop something off to a child/children, this can be arranged through the School Administration Office.

Collection Areas for Families (End of School Day)

As part of the afternoon end of school day collection of children, parents/guardians are always invited and encouraged to collect children within the confines of the school in places that do not disrupt teaching and learning.  In doing so, we respectfully ask families to wait in the following areas:

• Drop Off/Pick Up Area on South Street (outside the Prep collection area)
• The Quad Area (the collection of children in Years 1, 3 – 6)
• The seats outside of the Year 2 classrooms (Year 2 children).

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.

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.

Student Phones:

Student mobile phones are to be signed in at the School Administration Office each morning and collected at the end of the school day.  Children are not permitted to text or make calls from phones or smart watches during the school day.

From our APMI

Preparing for Lent: Traditions and Celebrations

As we approach the sacred season of Lent, our community is gearing up with meaningful traditions and events. Lent is a time of reflection, repentance, and preparation for Easter, spanning 40 days and beginning with Ash Wednesday. This year, Ash Wednesday falls on March 5, and we will mark the start of Lent with a special prayer celebration at 2pm in the Sportscentre.

Shrove Tuesday: Why Pancakes?

One of our favourite traditions is celebrating Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, on March 4. But why pancakes? Historically, Shrove Tuesday was the last opportunity to use up rich ingredients like eggs, butter, and sugar before the fasting season of Lent began. Pancakes became a delicious way to use these ingredients, and the tradition has continued for centuries.

We are inviting our community to support us in this tradition once again this year and are seeking donations of pancake mix shakers and assorted condiments. If you are able to support us, please bring in your donation and pop it into the donation box in your child's classroom.

We will be selling pancakes from 8am on Tuesday, March 4th, for just 50 cents each. All proceeds will go to Caritas' Project Compassion, supporting their efforts to combat poverty and promote justice worldwide.

School Calendar Information

To view our school calendar, please download the Sentral for Parents App to receive up-to-date information about upcoming school events. You can download the Sentral for Parents App from the App Store or Google Play. If you have any questions regarding the Parent Portal, please contact the School Office.

From our Middle Leader

Dear parents of students in Year 3 and Year 5. 

NAPLAN 2025: for students in Years 3 and 5, NAPLAN will begin in Week 7 of this term. Our test schedule is as follows:

Wednesday 12th Writing

Thursday 13th Reading

Monday 17th Conventions

Tuesday 18th Numeracy. 

NAPLAN Tests must be completed in the order shown above. If a student is absent on one of the test days, they will be required to sit the missed test on the day they return and may do a second test on the same day so they have then caught up with the test schedule. Students will complete tests as soon as possible on their return to school to allow ample time within the test window to complete all testing.

As part of our preparation for NAPLAN, families may be contacted to discuss adjustments that can be provided to support children. Students will also engage in online practice tests in the lead-up to the NAPLAN test dates. Parents can also have students complete practice tests at home by heading to https://nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site

 Please click on the button below for more information regarding the NAPLAN assessments for 2025.

NAPLAN Information for parents and carers.pdf

If you have any questions, please contact Patricia Wardle - patricia.wardle@twb.catholic.edu.au

Regards,

Trish Wardle

Middle Leader

Real Talk Education – School Community Access for Parent & Caregivers

As part of Toowoomba Catholics Schools, our school has access to the classroom and parent resources of Real Talk Education.  

Real Talk is a global leader in providing Catholic values-based materials on the human person, relationships, and the digital world. Real Talk gets to the heart of topics, challenging unhealthy behaviours, whilst bringing hope for the future, and a compass for living life to the full. 

Real Talk’s online resources and presentations (for students, staff, and parents), enables young people in primary and secondary schools to be formed in healthy relationships, cultivate resilience, pursue meaningful change, and improve their mental health. 

As part of our school’s subscription to Real Talk Education, the Real Talk team have given our school community FREE basic access to their Real Talk Parents site. 

The site includes quick reference guides, conversation starters, printable resources, videos and curated links for parenting on the tough topics to do with relationships and eSafety. 

The Real Talk for Parent Short Video Series currently provides short accessible videos on keeping your kids safe online, family tech agreements and phone access. The Primary and Secondary Aged Resources Portal provided links to a range of useful sites, guides and video links to further explore issues of relationships and online safety.  

We invite you to explore the available content as we partner in forming respectful young people that understand their dignity and worth.  

Sign up here: www.realtalkeducation.org/parents 

From the Library

Book prize:

Week 3 

Jacob 6 gold

Kendall 6 gold

Week 4 

Scarlett 4 gold

Poppy 6 blue

Treasure box prize: 

Week 3 

Kelsey 2 gold 

Isabel 4 gold

Steven 3 blue

Taj 4 gold

Kendall 6 gold 

Week 4 

Evie 1 blue

Kelsey 2 gold

Eric 4 gold

Ella 4 gold

Rosalie 3 blue

Student Protection

From our Sports Dept

Cross Country 2025 

Our annual Cross Country will be held on Tuesday 25th March at Anderson Park. All children from Prep-Year 6 will participate in this carnival.  

All students will require a water bottle, sunscreen and hat. Children can come dressed in their house colours.  

Hall – Blue 

MacKillop – Yellow 

Finbarr – Green  

Leonard – Red   

Before school Cross Country, training will commence this Friday 28th Feb. Please keep an eye on the portal for further information. 

Representative Swimming Carnivals 

Congratulations to Tyrell W, James O, Elliemay R, Ellie R, Penny T, Ruby H, Jonathan W 

Results : 

James – 2nd 50m Breaststroke 

Ruby H – 3rd 50m Butterfly  

Tyrell – 1st 50m Backstroke, 1st 50m Breaststroke, 1st 50m Butterfly, 1st 50m Freestyle, 1st 100m Breaststroke 

Tyrell has now been selected in all the events he won in the Central Zone team where he will trial at the Darling Downs trials in a few weeks. Well done Tyrell!  

Interschool Sport – Years 5 & 6  

Interschool sport for all Year 5 & 6 children will commence on Friday 14th February. This will be held every Friday afternoon for six weeks. Sports/teams will be organised in Week 1 and information will be provided to families around the requirements/equipment that will need to be organised prior to the commencement of interschool sport.  

General information:  

• Buses will depart STM at 12:40pm and return by 2:45pm. 

• Children will be provided with a playing shirt to wear for interschool sport. These will be handed out in Week 2.  

• Children are required to wear their sports uniform to school and get changed into their playing uniform before departing.  

• Hats, water, and sunscreen are essential.  

REPRESENTATIVE SPORT INFORMATION 2025 

Throughout the year Toowoomba Primary School Sport and Darling Downs School Sport run trials in a variety of sports to choose representative teams.  In most cases students are required to participate in a Toowoomba Trial to be eligible for a Darling Downs Trial. These teams will then travel away to Regional and State Championships.   

For a student to be eligible for nomination they must meet the following criteria: 

1. Be turning 10, 11 or 12 in the current calendar year. i.e. born in 2015, 2014 or 2013. 

2. Have had a reasonable amount of experience in their chosen sport. 

3. Have a high level of skill and had success in their chosen sport.  

In some cases, like touch football, where there are a number of interested candidates, the school will conduct in-house trials to choose players to be nominated for these trials.  This is important because; 1) the players that the school nominates need to meet the required selection criteria, 2) be of a suitable standard to trial and 3) schools are limited to a certain number of students at these trials.   

Except for Netball and Boys Rugby League, all teams chosen are 12-year old sides.  While 10 and 11-year old’s are eligible, they must be of a very high standard.  Most teams chosen will consist predominantly of 12-year old’s. 10-year old’s are NOT eligible for Girls Rugby League or Rugby Union. 

It is also important to note, that only students who are available to attend both the Regional and State Championships, will be eligible for nomination.   All nominations for these trials need to go through the school, and decisions on which students are nominated is at the sole discretion of the school.     

If your child would like to be considered for Zone, Toowoomba, or Darling Downs Team selection, please check your availability for ALL the trial dates and complete the NOMINATION FORM : 

     *Please note that the dates below are subject to change. 

Stacey Hancock

Health and PE Teacher

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 or to adjust your order, please feel free to pop into the tuckshop and chat to Jemma or email jemma@archerscateringandevents.com.au 

Cut off of Online orders...
Order before 7am for Wednesday and Thursday orders.  For Friday orders, please order by 1pm Thursdays.

Tuckshop Email:  jemma@archerscateringandevents.com.au 

NEW Tuckshop Menu

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

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

Tennis Coaching will not be available for Term 1 2025.

Could you use an extra $500 for education costs?

What is Saver Plus?

Saver Plus is a program for people on lower incomes. It’s about bolstering their financial skills, so they can develop (and keep) good savings habits.  Since 2003, Saver Plus has supported more than 62,000 people to start saving.

It’s helped overcome the barriers around education expenses. And it’s set them up for a brighter future.

What are the eligible savings goals?

Eligible savings goals are education related products or services that:​

• Assist a primary or secondary school student’s education; laptops, tablets, books, uniforms, sports fees and gear, music tuition, camps and excursion

I have attached some flyers that you might like to put into your school newsletter and or send directly to families (PDF file). We also have a new Social Media video that you may like to use also on your schools Facebook page.

If you would like to know more about how the program works or how to promote it to your school community, please feel free to contact me on the details below.

Warm Regards,

Peta Bergan
Community Liaison, Saver Plus | The Smith Family

Darkinjung Country
Mobile: 0466 474 584