Term 2 - Week 7 - Newsletter - Update

Prayer of the Week

Image retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/410601691006086147/ 

From our Principal

We sometimes receive enquiries regarding the school’s position on food allergies & anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that is potentially life-threatening. The most common causes of anaphylaxis in schools are food and insect allergies. The only way to prevent allergic reactions is to avoid being exposed to the allergen.

Food allergy is common in school aged children. Children can be allergic to any food, and it is not possible to completely remove all foods from our school. To help manage food allergies, our school is following the National Allergy Strategy Best Practice Guidelines (2021) which do not recommend banning foods as this is difficult to enforce and can bring a false sense of safety. Instead, we have chosen not to stock nuts and nut products in our canteen as these foods are not staple foods in the diet. We request that parents also consider not sending nuts to school, especially for younger students.

Our school is supporting students at risk of anaphylaxis in the following ways:

• training staff,
• encouraging good hygiene practices,
• encouraging students not to share food with friends.

It is important that the school is kept updated with regard to any students who may have allergies in order to facilitate an appropriate response if there has been exposure to an allergen. It is also important that parents are aware of any allergies in a class before sending any food in for birthdays or other occasions.

We ask you to support the school’s risk minimisation strategies outlined so that we can increase safety and provide an environment that meets the needs of all our students.

God Bless.

Mr Michael Cash

Principal

From our APRE

Happy Week 7! We are now moving into the pointy end of the semester! Just a gentle reminder that Report Cards will be sent home at the end of this term via the Parent Portal. If you do not have access to the portal yet, it is imperative that you get this sorted ASAP. We will not be printing any hardcopy reports this year. Jodie and Tammy in the front office are more than happy to assist families in setting up the portal if you need some help.

Vinnies Winter Appeal

One of the many highlights of each and every week for me would have to be touching base with our Service Club leaders. This group of dedicated and passionate Year 6 children are so driven and motivated to help where they can both within our school community and the broader Toowoomba Community. One of the things we spoke about last week was the fundraising activity they wanted to lead the school in this term. Traditionally, STM takes up a collection for the Vinnies Winter Appeal, which Service Club is keen to continue this year. They will share more details about this later this week. We got to talking about why STM has chosen to support this specific charity for so long. This was not something I ever stopped to consider. When I threw the question back at the children, their responses really showcased the Josephite charism alive and well in our school! We choose to support causes like the Vinnies Winter Appeal because when STM sees someone in need, we help them! Our community is always so generous in their donations for our Vinnies appeals and I encourage families to give what they can again this year. Keep your eyes on the Parent Portal this week for more information about how you can support our Vinnies Winter Appeal this year.

Thank you

Each week I have a team of mostly Year 6 helpers who are a great support in setting up the Sportscentre for assembly. I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank these students. We could not have assembly run as smoothly as it does without these children giving up their social and playtime each Friday morning to set everything up. A special mention to Ava and Mya who do a superb job of setting up the technology each week. Super work girls! Here is a quick snap of most of the helpers from Week 6. 

Matilda Jnr Update

Last week I shared details of the costumes for both of Year 4 - 6 classes and our main cast. With the exception of a few main cast costumes which still need to be confirmed, these will not change now. Please remember if you don't have the items needed at home, please let Mrs Deb or myself know before going and buying anything new as we may have things here you can borrow.  Please note that students can wear parts of their STM uniform as their costume. 

Please see the rehearsal schedule for Week 7 and Week 8 below. We have had a few Year 6 children forgetting their rehearsal times, so please make sure the children know when they are expected. I will not be chasing them up in the playground. Rehearsal schedules are sent home in paper form, shared to the Matilda Jnr Team and posted outside my door each week.

Week 7 Rehearsal Schedule 

Week beginning May 30th  

Week 8 Rehearsal Schedule

Week beginning June 6th  

Just a reminder that if children cannot make their singing sessions after school, with Mrs Skinner, Mrs Skinner needs to be contacted directly to arrange an alternative time.
You can reach her by email at Elizabeth.Skinner@twb.catholic.edu.au 

God Bless.

Miss Kristin Byrne

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

From our Sport Desk

2022 Athletics Carnival  

This year our athletics carnival is being held on Tuesday 14th June at O’Quinn Street Oval. Students will be participating in sprints, relays, field events and/or modified activities.    

Students can be dropped off at O’Quinn Street by 8:30am by private transport or they can take advantage of a free bus from school. There will be no canteen available therefore children will need to bring a normal morning tea and lunch with them. Students are encouraged to come dressed in their house colours for the carnival. 

Children in Prep-Yr 3 (born 2014) should be finished their events/activities by approximately 12:00pm - 12:30pm. The school is providing a free bus to bring your child back to school at the conclusion of their events/activities. You are most welcome to take your child home or keep your child at the carnival for the remainder of the day, however they will be under the direct supervision of a parent. Teachers in Prep – Year 3 will be travelling back with the bus.   

Children who are in Year 3 and are 9 years old this year (born 2013) will need to remain at the carnival for the entire day to participate in further events. Children in Years 4-6 will also need to remain at the carnival for the entire day. Your child/ren should be finished their events by approximately 2:30pm. The school is providing a free bus to bring your child back to school at the conclusion of the day. However, you are most welcome to pick your child up from O’Quinn Street at 2:30pm. 

To assist with the planning of the day and the booking of buses could you please use the link below to indicate how your child/ren will be transported to/from the carnival. Please ensure you have completed information for all your children.    

Please complete by Monday 30th May.   

https://forms.office.com/r/0uxbXPUYKk 

Darling Downs Cross Country Trials  

Well done and congratulations to the five students who represented St Thomas More’s at the DD Cross Country last week. It was a tough course, and the weather wasn’t in their favour. But they all put in an amazing effort!  

Jorja  – 23rd  

Namiya – 21st  

Slate – 52nd  

Tamsyn – 28th  

Sam – 21st  

God bless,

Stacey Hancock

HPE Teacher 

Parent Engagement Day

From our Library

Cooking Demonstration – Rainbow Kebabs

Last week, with the help of Zoe and Akech, we demonstrated how to make rainbow kebabs.  Each student who came to watch was able to choose their own selection for a mini kebab.  The students had lots of fun mixing and matching their chosen fruit.  This simple idea could be a great addition to lunch boxes and party treats with children making their own.

This week - Popcorn!

God bless, 

Dr Margy Heuschele

Teacher Librarian

From our Service Club

Service Club had a great time visiting the Kindy Room at Creative Gardens last week. As part of their community outreach, Service Club will visit the kindy children once a fortnight for the rest of this term. 

Service Club will be out and about in the eating areas again this week to do another rubbish audit. I wonder which classes have worked the hardest to help the environment and ensure their eating areas are rubbish free? Who will little Olive be coming and visiting first? 

From our Tuckshop

Open every Friday.  Please place your childs order through FlexiSchools by 12pm Thursdays and please supply a Paper Bag for your childs order.

Awards

Great work from our Week 6 award recipients! 

Enroll Now for 2023

From our Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop will be back to normal hours this term.

Monday: 8:15am - 8:45am

Wednesday: 2:45pm - 3:15pm

Friday: 8:15am - 8:45am

Email orders are encouraged. You can email your orders through to thouniform@twb.catholic.edu.au

Needs 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

If you can't make it in person, you can attend via Zoom. Links will be provided closer to the date.

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!

Parish News

Click on the links below for the latest news from the Parish.

Important Dates to Remember for Term 2

Looking for a Part Time Job?

There is always someone there to help.