Term 2 - Week 5 - Newsletter

Prayer of the Week

Image retrieved from https://garmentsofsplendor.com/prayers-for-mothers/ 

From the Principal’s Desk…

Each year I often get asked the question, “What would be the best secondary school for my child?” The old debates over single sex and co-educational schools, and non-government versus government schools reignite around this time. There are always experts that quote certain research that will support any argument they want to pursue.

I am very conscious of the amount of time and effort parents put into making a choice around schooling for their children - even some sleepless nights! The thing is, you as parents know your child better than anyone. One good question to ask yourselves, “what are the characteristics of a school you want for your child?” If that matches with the school of your first choice, that’s great. If not, there are many other excellent choices. We are blessed with the number of very good secondary schools in the diocese.

If you are still stuck, then common sense questions need to be asked, such as affordability, location, transport etc. and by a process of elimination, you will come to decision. It may not be your first option which may have been clouded by flavour of the month gossip and bells & whistles advertising, but as I said, we are blessed with so many excellent secondary schools, you will not be disappointed with your decision.

However, back to the debate over whether children do better in co-ed or single sex environments. My simple reasoning was that schools are an integral part of society, yet in today’s society we don’t segregate males & females anywhere else apart from schools.  My schooling was very normal, co-educational from Grade 1-7 and boys only from Years 8 -12.  I had great experiences in both settings and could not fault either one.

Now however, I have a different view. I now have a very strong conviction that single sex or co-education, as a contributor of ‘how well’ a child will do academically, is hugely outweighed by the quality of relationship that exists within a school between a student and his or her teachers and wider school personnel. Much more important questions to ask of a school than whether boys and girls are taught together or separate are:

• ”Is this a school where individuals are treated with respect?”
• “Is this a school where young people are challenged to do their best?”
• “Is this a school where the boundaries are clear and everyone; students and teachers are accountable?”
• And perhaps most importantly, “Do the teachers in this school really enjoy teaching and do they do that little bit extra at times to create opportunities and to help young people?”

Some people will also argue that boys and girls learn ‘differently’.  Yes, there is some truth in that. However, more importantly I believe that it is true that ‘people’ learn differently. As teachers today, we are much more aware of the different learning styles among all students than we were when I was at school or even when I first started teaching. It is no longer a case of ‘one size fits all’. Not all girls learn the same way nor do all boys learn the same way. Teachers have to work much harder today to accommodate as many different styles as there are students in a room.

So, I don’t think either is intrinsically better or worse for boys or girls. Schools are about kids. Young people need to be in a good environment, they need to feel happy and safe and the need significant adults who know them, believe in them and enjoy sharing their journey.

After that, it’s only bells and whistles.

For your benefit, the Winter Uniform transition is now completed.  This means all children from Years 1 – 6 will are now required to wear the Formal Winter Uniform.

Please be reminded, the Winter Uniform requirements are as follows:

• Check tunic, white blouse, long navy socks/tights and black shoes
• Long Sleeved royal blue shirt, long grey trousers, grey socks and black shoes

Please also be aware, children will be required to wear their Winter uniform for School Photos on Wednesday 17^th May.

God Bless,

Duane Wann

Principal

Student Protection Contacts

From our APRE

It is hard to believe that we are already in Week 5! I hope all our STM families had a lovely Mother's Day over the weekend! A big thank you to Mrs Wright and 1 Red for leading the whole school so beautifully in our Mother's Day Prayer last week. Your hard work certainly paid off! 

2023 School Photos

As you may have seen in our School Calendar, our 2023 School Photo Day is on Wednesday, May 17. Students from Year 1 - Year 6 are expected to be in their full WINTER FORMAL UNIFORM for school photos this year. 

Please be reminded, the Formal Winter Uniform requirements are as follows:

• Check tunic, white blouse, long navy socks/tights and black shoes
• Long Sleeved royal blue shirt, long grey trousers, grey socks and black shoes

Details regarding sibling photos will be sent home early this week.

Walk Safely to School Day

This year, STM will join with schools across the country acknowledging Walk Safely to School Day on Friday, May 19th. If you are able to, we urge families to ditch the car for part of the journey and join with staff walking to school from Thoms Park (1D Garde Street, Centenary Heights). A map is provided below if you are unsure of where Thoms Park is. 

National Walk Safely to School Day is an annual event aimed at primary school kids and their parents and carers, to promote both the health and environmental benefits of walking, whilst encouraging safe pedestrian behaviour.

If your child/ren would like to participate in Walk Safely to School Day this year, please complete the form below. All necessary details are included in the form. 

Under 8s Day 2023

This year, we will be celebrating the early years of schooling with our Under 8s Day on Monday, May 22nd. Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 will have the opportunity to celebrate the early years of schooling with a fun session, complete with lots of exciting activities planned by the teachers. Parent helpers are most welcome (and very much needed), so if you think you can help out please contact your classroom teacher. 

Term 2 Family Mass

This term, we join with the St Thomas More's Parish to celebrate Family Mass on Saturday, June 3rd at 6:00 pm. If you are coming along to this Mass and your child is interested in taking on extra responsibility during the Mass (such as reading, singing or carrying forward a symbol), please contact me via email. Please note that not everyone who volunteers will be given an additional responsibility but all families are most welcome to come along and share the experience! 

God Bless.

Miss Kristin Byrne

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Thinking STM for Prep in 2024 ...

Miss Byrne's Important Dates to Remember for Term 2

From Our LOTE Desk

Hi and Konnichiwa!

In Japanese this Term, we have begun talking about various greetings and celebrations. Now it is Spring in Japan, so some classes made origami Sakura (cherry blossoms). We created a beautiful Sakura tree in the classroom. May 5^th is Kodomo no hi (Children’s Day) in Japan. This is where people fly Koi no bori (carp fish flags), make Kabuto (samurai helmets) and have picnics. So to celebrate, some classes made an origami kabuto, origami koi fish and coloured a Children’s Day character.

We have also learned a song exploring some greetings like Ohayou (good morning), Konnichiwa (hello), Sayounara (good bye) and Matane (see you soon). 

We will be looking at more greetings, starting to read and write some hiragana and Japanese numbers in the coming weeks.

Sayounara,

Maddie Bermingham

LOTE Japanese Teacher

From Our Library

Step into Stories Author/Illustrator Visits

Having an author and illustrator visit the school is a very special event.  It is a wonderful way to inspire and motivate children to love reading, writing and creating art.  This year as part of the Step into Stories program, STM had four visiting authors - two in person and two virtual visits. Sami Bayly amazed the Year 3 and 4 students with incredible stories of some very strange animals.  Lucinda Gifford helped the Year 5s and Year 5/6 class to create their very own mixed up imaginary creature. Gus Gordon drew a very cute sloth for the Year 1 and 2 students and James Foley was very informative giving the Year 6 students a fantastic insight into the process of writing and illustrating a book.  I know the books by these authors and illustrators will be very popular in the library in the weeks to come!

From Service Club

Don't forget we have our Service Club Buddies Group on Thursday at Second Break. Children in Prep - Year 3 can come along to Miss Byrne's Room at Second Break playtime and do some fun games and activities with Service Club.

This term, St Thomas More's will be supporting the Vinnies Winter Appeal. We will drop baskets into classrooms and you can start sending in your donations from Week 7. We will share some ideas on what you can donate in the coming weeks. 

This term, we will be having a Free Dress Crazy Hair Day to support Camp Quality. For a gold coin donation, you can come to school on Thursday, June 15th in free dress AND with crazy hair! 

Have a great week.

God bless,

Mckenzie, Emma and Anakha from the Service Club

IT Newsletter

Knitting Group

Week 4 Awards

Well done to our Week 4 award recipients. 

Classroom Newsletters

From our P & F

From our Tuckshop

Tuckshop Menu

Open every Thursday & Friday.  Please place your childs order through FlexiSchools by 1pm Wednesday for Thursdays & 1pm Thursday for Friday. 

From our Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop Trading Hours.

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.

Need 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 OSHC

Welcome to OSHC

Welcome to week five , term Two! The OSHC have had an awesome start to the term after a busy vacation care. After we wrapped up our Summer themed vacation care program, we jumped into the term to explore Sustainability and the Environment. The children are very interested in starting their own vegie gardens. We had a discussion about what they would like to grow, and some children wanted ‘ Mango Tress’. We explained that Mango trees can take up to 8 years to grow and fruit, and most of the children would not be at ST Thomas Mores in 8 years!  This was a bit of a shock to them. We then decided on Tomatoes, carrots and beans. We have been waiting for our tools from Bunnings before we start on our garden.

Staff Updates

We have a few new faces at St Thomas Mores . I would like to introduce Halle and  Hannah  to the team. Please come and say ‘hello’ . The ladies are very excited to meet you.  

Hannah 

Halle

We have also introduced ‘Student of the Week’ and below are our latest recipients. Congratulations Hugo and Nicholas.

How to enrol

If you are interested in joining the St Thomas Mores OSHC family, you can enrol through our website at www.tckc.qld.edu.au or reach out to our team to discuss any questions and our friendly team will assist you.

 Contact Information

Phone: 0429297592

Email: STMCare@tckc.qld.edu.au

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Miss Debbie, Miss Fran, Miss Drew, Miss Hayley, Miss Hannah, Miss Halle, Miss Charlotte, Miss Jannali

From the St Thomas More's Parish

Please find attached the bulletin for this week. 

Parish Information

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!

A huge thank you to Meat Cellar for their continued support for our school events.

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