Term 3 - Week 6 - Newsletter
- Prayer of the Week
- From our APRE
- Matilda Update
- From our Student Representatives
- Learning Support News
- Spelling Bee
- From our Counsellor
- From our Sport Desk
- STM Family Event
- From our Librarian
- Instrumental Music
- Classroom Newsletters
- Awards
- From our Tuckshop
- Have you filled out your enrolment forms?
- From our Uniform Shop
- From our P&F
- Thank you!
- Important Dates to Remember for Term 3
- Parish News
- News from our Community
Prayer of the Week
Image retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/410601691006086147/
From our APRE
Thank you to Father Michael for coming along last week and sharing Mass with the whole school to celebrate the Feast Day of St Mary MacKillop. It was a great chance to reflect on the life of Mary MacKillop and how her life and teachings can still impact and influence us today. Children would have also had the opportunity during the week to learn about Mary MacKillop in class. As you may know, our school was founded by the Sisters of St Joseph, an order of nuns of which Mary MacKillop was co-founder. Mary MacKillop, and her life and teachings, are very important to STM and can be seen reflected in our school vision, mission and values. Our Prep classes had a great time learning all about Mary and even created some of their own Mary MacKillop portraits. Check out the work of our budding artists!
Mary MacKillop by Prep Gold
With Matilda rehearsals ramping up over the next few weeks there may end up being some interruptions to our usual weekday groups, but we will try our best to minimise interruptions. our two standing groups this term are ...
Worship Choir - Monday at first break
Service Club - Wednesday at first break
A Few date changes ...
Please note we have a few date/time changes for a few elements of the Religious Life of the School this term from what is published in the official school calendar.
Year 1 are attending Parish Mass this week - Friday, August 19th
Year 4 are attending Parish Mass next week - Friday, August 26th
2 Red's Prayer Celebration is on Friday, August 26th in the STM Church at 11:30 am.
1 Red's Prayer Celebration (Father's Day) will be on Thursday, September 1st from 8:40am
These dates have been published over the past few weeks in the Important Dates to Remember section of the newsletter, so hopefully won't come as too much of a surprise!
Father's Day at STM
STM will gather together to celebrate Father's Day on Thursday, September 1st with a Prayer Celebration led by 1 Red. Students from Prep to Year 6 will attend and all STM families are most welcome. This celebration will be first up in the morning from 8:40 am, so pop over to the Sportscentre after you have enjoyed your coffee and muffin and join us in prayer.
This year as part of our celebration, we will be sharing a photo story of our amazing STM fathers and those who are like fathers to us. All STM families are invited to send in a maximum of two photos to be included in this photo story. All photos must be sent in to Miss Byrne via email (Kristin.Byrne@twb.catholic.edu.au) by Wednesday, August 31st at 3:00 pm. Late photos may not make the photo story, so start getting them in ASAP!
God Bless.
Miss Kristin Byrne
Assistant Principal: Religious Education
Matilda Update
How amazing is it to think that both of our Matilda casts have now had the chance to perform nearly the whole show! I can't stress enough how amazing the children have been doing in these rehearsals and how excited we are to share Matilda Jnr with our school community later this term. A big shout out again this week to our Stage Crew, who were operating without their adult leader last week. Thank you to Darcy for stepping up and coordinating your stage crew team! You did a great job!
Tickets for our STM production of Matilda Jnr are on sale now, with only a handful of tickets still available. Our sincere apologies for the confusion regarding ticketing for our STM students for Matilda Jnr. Please see below ticketing options for the Lower School and Upper School students ...
Lower School
Prep – Year 3 student participation in the performances of the school musical is optional. Students will have the opportunity to join in the final number of the show if they wish. They have been learning this song in class time with Miss Byrne. If Prep – Year 3 children are attending the show with their families, they will be invited to come forward and perform the last number at the end of the show. This means children from Prep – Year 3 who are attending either evening performance will need to have a free ticket ‘purchased’ for them. They can wear whatever clothes they would like.
Upper School
Children in Year 4 – Year 6 will be in at least two numbers during the show and therefore will be supervised by school staff during the show. They will not need tickets purchased for them. Costume details for students in Year 4 – Year 6 have been shared in the newsletter. Our preference is that children in Year 4 – Year 6 attend both evening performances, however we do understand this may not be possible for all families. If families are not attending the show, students in Year 4 – Year 6 can be dropped off at school before the show starts and collected when the show is over.
I hope this clears up any confusion around the ticketing for our STM students. If anyone has any further questions around Matilda Jnr, please feel free to contact the school office or Miss Byrne.
You can purchase tickets from trybooking using the link below. Tickets are selling fast, so get in now so you don't miss out!
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/934206
Week 6 Rehearsal Schedule
Week starting August 15th
Please note there is a change to the times for the after-school sessions with Mrs Skinner and Mrs Weier this week. Mrs Skinner and Mrs Weier would like to work with all the Wednesday and Thursday singers for the whole hour after school on these days if possible. If you cannot accommodate this additional time, please be sure to let Mrs Skinner (Elizabeth.Skinner@twb.catholic.edu.au) or Mrs Weier (Carmel.Weier@twb.catholic.edu.au) know.
M | Before School 8:10 – 8:30
| CAST A – Scene 11, Scene 13 and Scene 14 | APRE Room with Miss Byrne and Mrs Deb | Oliver, Makayla, Aidan, Olivia, Jaxson, Abigail, Emilia, Braith, Maria, Aimee **Child |
T | 1st Break 10:30 – 11:00
| CAST A – Scene 11, Scene 13 and Scene 14 | APRE Room with Miss Byrne, Mrs Wardle and Mrs Deb | Flynn, Isla, Aidan, Ava, Jaxson, Mya, Scarlet, Ayaan, Emma, Aimee **Child |
W | After School
| Solo Singing 3:00 – 4:00: Mrs Trunchbull (Mya and Abigail) , Miss Honey (Scarlet and Emilia) , Matilda (Isla and Makayla) | Music Room with Mrs Skinner and Mrs Weier | Scarlet, Emilia, Mya, Abigail, Isla and Makayla |
T | Before School 8:10 – 8:30 | CAST A – Scene 15 and Epilogue | APRE Room with Miss Byrne and Mrs Deb | Abigail, Emilia, Aimee, Arianna, Maria, Sam W, Lucy, Makayla Makenzie Oliver, Olivia, Aidan, Allen, Lachlan |
| 1st Break 10:30 – 11:00 | CAST B – Scene 15 and Epilogue | APRE Room with Miss Byrne, Mrs Wardle and Mrs Deb | Mya, Scarlet, Aimee, Pippa, Emma, Sam W, Esther, Isla Indi Flynn, Ava, Aidan, Allen, Lachlan |
| After School | Solo Singing 3:00 – 4:00: Erica, Tommy, Hortensia, Alice, Lavender, Amanda, Bruce, Nigel | Music Room with Mrs Skinner and Mrs Weier | Aimee, Slate Arianna, Pippa, Penny, Lucy, Maria, Emma, Ruby, Esther Ayaan, Braith, Sam W |
F | 1st Break 10:30 – 11:00 | Choreography with Mrs Weier | APRE room with Mrs Weier | A message will be posted on Teams by Wednesday detailing who is needed. |
Thank you to the children for all your hard work with Matilda preparations. I burst with pride each week when I work with you! A big thank you to all our classroom teachers as well. I appreciate your flexibility and generosity with your time.
From our Student Representatives
Our Student Representatives are super excited to roll out their House Cup challenge this term. See details below of the Term 3 House Cup competitions.
Learning Support News
In last week’s Newsletter, Information was provided regarding the support available by our Toowoomba Catholic Education Speech Pathologists. As part of TCEO, we also have access to an Occupational Therapist. There is one occupational therapy position within the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office which is currently filled by two part-time employees. This position covers all schools in the Diocese.
Our Occupational Therapists provide support to school staff and students by utilizing an educational therapy model with a priority focus on building staff capacity. The premise of the input is to inform teacher practice to support student learning outcomes as defined by the Australian Curriculum and/or support the student in accessing the school environment. Learning Support Teachers (LSTs), Class Teachers and Education Officers (EOs) are the primary clients of our Occupational Therapists. The OT will support the LST/class teacher by providing educationally relevant strategies to support students. Individual therapy support is not able to be provided. Parents are encouraged to access external occupational therapy providers for intensive intervention.
For any students accessing external Occupational Therapy providers, it is recommended that parents inform teachers of this and, with consent, our TCSO OTs can liaise with the external providers and unpack their recommendations to support the student and the class teacher in the educational environment. If your child is currently seeing a private Occupational Therapist and you wish for this liaison to occur between your private OT and our OT, please email me at Patricia.warlde@twb.catholic.edu.au so we can arrange for the necessary paperwork to be completed.
Prep Vision Screening Program
Good vision is important for a child’s educational, physical and social development. Vision screening checks for common eye conditions that may impact your child’s ability to see and therefore impact their learning and development.
A Registered Nurse will be visiting the school on the 30th August to conduct vision screening for children in their prep year. If you wish to have your prep child participate in this free vision screening program, please complete an online consent form by the 28th of August. The online consent link was emailed to all Prep parents on the 31st of July. Alternatively, forms can be collected from the school office.
Hope you all have a wonderful week.
Patricia Wardle
Middle Leader/Learning Support Teacher
Spelling Bee
From our Counsellor
Fear-Less Triple P & Brave Online Programs
Anxiety problems are one of the most common health problems experienced by children and adolescents. Anxiety and stress are normal and experienced by everyone but sometimes it can interfere with our everyday life and can stop us from fully engaging in our life experiences. There are some great online resources now to help your child to develop skills to manage anxiety and become more emotionally resilient. Two very effective programs currently available are the Fear-less Triple P program and the Brave program. Both programs are free and proven to be effective.
The Fear-less Triple P online program helps the whole family, not just one child but their siblings too. The program helps families to learn how to talk about feelings and teaches strategies and tools to help deal with stressful situations. It teaches families to consider how they are currently responding to the issue and suggests ways to problem solve and make plans to face areas of concern.
The Brave Program is a fun online program that will help you learn ways coping better with worries. The program is designed for children aged 8-12 years and provides a parent program, which parents can do at the same time as their child.
Consider using either of these programs if you want to:
- Get a better understanding of anxiety and fear and what can be done about it.
- Get a whole range of tools and strategies based on proven principles.
- Know what to do when your child is anxious or upset.
For more information click on the links below:
Fear-Less Triple P – Learn more here
The Brave Program – Learn more here
Wishing you and your family well,
Jayne Farquharson
School Counsellor
From our Sport Desk
Swimming Lessons – Term 3 – Years 4-6
Just a reminder that if you feel like there is a problem with your child’s lessons, please speak to their class teacher and they will deal with the concern. Please avoid contacting the pool directly.
Week Beginning | Tuesday |
Week 6 15th August | 11:15 – 12:00 Yr 4 Gold & Yr 4 Blue 12:00 – 12:45 Yr 5 Gold & Yr 4 Red 12:45 – 1:30 Yr 5/6 Red & Yr 5 Blue 1:30 – 2:15 Yr 6 Blue & Yr 6 Gold
|
Week 7 22nd August | 11:15 – 12:00 Yr 4 Gold & Yr 4 Blue 12:00 – 12:45 Yr 5 Gold & Yr 4 Red 12:45 – 1:30 Yr 5/6 Red & Yr 5 Blue 1:30 – 2:15 Yr 6 Blue & Yr 6 Gold
|
Week 8 29th August | 11:15 – 12:00 Yr 4 Gold & Yr 4 Blue 12:00 – 12:45 Yr 5 Gold & Yr 4 Red 12:45 – 1:30 Yr 5/6 Red & Yr 5 Blue 1:30 – 2:15 Yr 6 Blue & Yr 6 Gold
|
Week 9 5th September | 11:15 – 12:00 Yr 4 Gold & Yr 4 Blue 12:00 – 12:45 Yr 5 Gold & Yr 4 Red 12:45 – 1:30 Yr 5/6 Red & Yr 5 Blue 1:30 – 2:15 Yr 6 Blue & Yr 6 Gold
|
Interschool Sport Term 3 – Year 5 & 6 - Week 6 – Friday 19th August
Just a reminder that ALL students require a hat and a water bottle for interschool sport. We had several students last week that didn’t have these items.
Soccer Draw
Snr A Boys - @ Anderson Park vs Toowoomba Christian College (1:35pm)
Snr B Boys – @ Anderson Park vs Toowoomba Christian College (12:50pm)
Jnr A Boys - @ Anderson Park vs Toowoomba Christian College (12:50pm)
Jnr B Boys - @ Anderson Park vs Toowoomba Christian College (1:35pm)
Jnr A Girls - @ Nell E Robinson vs Rangeville (1:35pm)
Netball Draw
Snr A Girls - @ Nell E Robinson vs TAS (1:35pm)
Snr B Girls - @ Nell E Robinson vs Concordia Red (12:50pm)
Jnr A Girls - @ Nell E Robinson vs BYE – possibly playing St Saviour’s Snr A (12:50pm)
Jnr B Girls - @ Nell E Robinson vs OLOL (1:35pm)
Rugby League Draw
Snr B Boys @ TAS (senior field) vs Wilsonton & East – 3 teams 26min games (12:50pm)
Central Zone Athletics
Congratulations to the 48 students who represented St Thomas More’s at the Central Zone Athletics Carnival last Wednesday. We were once again blessed with beautiful weather and all children should be congratulated on their behaviour and performance at the carnival. Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to attend the Darling Downs Athletics Trials on Wednesday 24th August at Harristown SHS.
Selected in the Central Zone Athletics Team
Etycas – 100m & 200m
Jordan – High Jump & Shot Put
Amelia – 100m
Overall Results
Amelia – 4th 100m,
Audrey – 8th 100m, 6th 200m, 9th 800m
Etycas – 4th 100m, 2nd 200m,
Harrison – 6th 100m, 5th 200m, 2nd Discus
Jordan – 8th 100m, 1st High Jump, 2nd Shot Put
Jonathan – 6th 100m, 5th 200m
Gloria – 6th 200m, 7th 800m, 2nd Shot Put
Frankie – 4th 200m, 10th 800m
Izabella – 4th 800m
Arianna – 4th 800m
Slate – 2nd 800m
Samuel – 4th 800m
Gabriel – 7th 800m, 3rd Shot Put
Hamish – 4th 800m
Seth – 2nd Long Jump
Remeeka – 10th Long Jump
Jorja – 13th Shot put
Paul – 2nd Shot Put
Reyaaz – 4th Shot Put
Nate – 3rd Shot Put
Koby – 4th Shot Put
Scarlett – 4th Discus
Grace – 4th Discus
Cinta – 5th Discus
Ayaan – 1st Discus
God bless,
Stacey Hancock
HPE Teacher
STM Family Event
Come join the fun. Lets do it together.
From our Librarian
Step into Stories Author Visits
In week 4 every student in the school had the incredible opportunity to listen to an author and/or illustrator share their passion for writing and drawing. Preps and Year 1 students were dazzled by Cori Brooke who wore a different hat with each book she read. Year 2, worked together with Lian Tanner, to build a story. Year 3 and 4 had the privilege of listening to Mark Wilson online talking about how he uses his writing and illustrating for social change. The Year 5 and 6 students were mesmerised by Sue deGennaro as she talked about the important links between the words and pictures in picture books and guided the students through drawing some fun pictures.
Bees's Knees
Issue 2 of the Bee's Knees is out! Click here to read some fabulous stories, reviews, recipes and articles written by students in our school.
As part of your school's Partnership in The Children's Health Program, you receive a FREE Gold Online Family Membership, valued at $60 per year. Details of the event: Boost Sleep, Reduce Bedtime Antics & Improve Learning Date: Wednesday 17th August 2022 Time: 8pm AEST Registration required to access the room: https://therootcause.com.au/go/gfm-pe22t3/ The event will cover the following: · How much sleep is ideal to support growth, concentration and learning. · 5 Food Hacks To Boost Sleep and improve behaviour, learning and family connection. · 3 Nightly Rituals to reduce bedtime antics. |
There will also be time for Q&A at the end.
Book Week Theme Heads Up
This year the Book Week theme is “Dreaming with Eyes Open”. So, for our Book Week dress up day, students can come dressed as something they dream of doing or would like to be. Some examples include:
- Playing netball for Australia
- Flying to the moon
- Climbing Mount Everest
- Becoming a doctor, painter, mechanic, chef.
- Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef.
The students will also need a book to accompany their outfit so it might be a non-fiction book the moon, netball or the Great Barrier Reef.
Thanks
Margy Heuschele
Librarian
Instrumental Music
Is your child interested in learning a musical instrument?
The Instrumental Music Program is recommencing this semester in Week 5. We will be welcoming Niamh Stevens as a private music tutor to St Thomas More’s. Niamh teaches piano, violin, guitar and percussion. Niamh has just completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts, majoring in Music. Niamh has experience teaching a range of musical styles and can guide students through the AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board) syllabus.
Learning a musical instrument has many benefits in the areas of maths and language skills, memory, attention, concentration, self-discipline and enjoyment of music. Please see the link for more information on the benefits. https://www.learningpotential.gov.au/articles/musical-benefits
Parents and children will need to commit to daily practice on their instrument, and attendance at weekly lessons. Students will also require music tutor books as selected by the teacher. Fees are set and paid directly to the music tutor. The school has a number of violins available for hire.
If you are interested in your child learning an instrument, please complete an Expression of Interest form (see link below or contact the office) and return to the school by Wednesday, 3rd August.
Classroom Newsletters
Awards
Wonderful work from our Week 5 award recipients! Keep up the great work.
| Prep Gold | Beatrix |
| Prep Red | Michele |
| 1 Blue | Sophia |
| 1 Red | Eric |
| 2 Blue | Wyatt |
| 2 Gold | Lauren |
| 2 Red | Paige |
| 3 Blue | Bryce |
| 3 Gold | Porscha |
| 3 Red | Kendall |
| 4 Blue | Thomas |
| 4 Gold | Jarrell |
| 4 Red | Pippa |
| 5 Blue | Navya |
| 5 Gold | Isaac |
| 5/6 Red | Erin |
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.
Have you filled out your enrolment forms?
From our Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop will be back to normal hours this term.
Monday 8.00am – 8.30am
Wednesday afternoon – By Appointment
Friday 8.00am – 8.30am
If these times don’t work for you please email your order through to THOuniform@twb.catholic.edu.au and the orders will be at the office for collection at your convenience.
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
All parents, carers and teachers are invited to our next P&F meeting - Next Monday night, 8th August at 7pm. Doors open 6.45pm. 👨
Children are welcome too - a movie can be put on in the next room.
We will be discussing Father’s Day plans and more.
If you can’t make it in person, join us via zoom ➡️
Topic: August P&F Meeting
Time: Aug 8, 2022 07:00 PM Brisbane
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
https://twbcatholic.zoom.us/j/61037708722
Join from SIP/H.323 room system:
SIP: 61037708722@zmau.us
H.323: 202.177.207.158 (meeting ID: 610 3770 8722)
Join from telephone (meeting ID: 610 3770 8722):
(02) 8015 2088 (Sydney)
(07) 3053 8570 (Brisbane)
(08) 7150 1149 (Adelaide)
(03) 8375 9112 (Melbourne)
International numbers available: https://twbcatholic.zoom.us/u/eeFQ6Ae16L
Join from Skype for Business (Lync):
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!
Important Dates to Remember for Term 3
| Friday, August 19th | Year 1 Parish Mass 9:00 am at the STM Church Families welcome |
| Friday, August 26th | Year 4 Parish Mass 9:00 am at the STM Church Families welcome Year 2 Red Prayer Celebration at the STM Church at 11:30am Prep - Year 2 to attend Families welcome |
| Wednesday, August 30th | Father's Day Stall |
| Wednesday, August 30th and Thursday, September 1st | Year 5 Camp Emu Gully |
| Thursday, September 1st | Father's Day Prayer Celebration led by 1 Red 8:45am in the Sportscentre Prep - Year 6 to attend Families welcome |
| Friday, September 2nd | PUPIL FREE DAY CTJ Day |
| Friday, September 8th | Prep Parish Mass 9:00 am at the STM Church Families welcome |
| Wednesday, September 14th | Matilda Evening Performance #1 Tickets available via Trybooking later this week! |
| Thursday, September 15th | Matilda Evening Performance #2 Tickets available via Trybooking later this week! |
| Friday, September 16th | Last day of Term 3 Year 3 Parish Mass 9:00 am at the STM Church Families welcome |
Parish News
News from our Community
