2025 Term 3 - Week 10 - Newsletter
A Prayer for the Week
From our Principal
Welcome to our last newsletter for this term. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our St Thomas More’s families a safe and somewhat restful break. It’s always refreshing to have a reprieve from the routine of school. We look forward to hitting the ground running for an action packed Term 4 on Tuesday, 7th October.
Next Thursday, I begin a period of Professional Renewal Leave where I will be joining Bishop Ken Howell, Dr Pat Coughlan, our Toowoomba Catholic Schools executive Director and a number of other colleagues to embark on the Great Saints of Italy Pilgrimage where we visit such places as Venice, Assisi, Padua, Florence, Pompei and culminating with a private audience with the pope in Rome and I look forward to sharing my thoughts and insights upon my return to school on Monday, 13th October. Donna Barlow will be deputising in my absence.
Australian Catholic Education Conference 2025:
A Journey of Hope Anchored in Faith
“Hope means you’ll persevere through the hard times. A visionary faith-based hope means we can see real progress in our three strategic priorities of Faith, Access and Excellence.”
— Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP
A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of joining educational leaders from across the country at the Australian Catholic Education Conference held in tropical Cairns. The theme, “Hope, anchored in faith,” set the tone for a deeply inspiring and strategically focused gathering that explored the future of Catholic education in Australia.
The conference centred around three key pillars: Faith, Excellence, and Access. These themes were woven throughout a rich tapestry of keynote addresses, presentations, and workshops that offered both spiritual nourishment and practical insights. Topics ranged from Catholic identity, mission, and formation to learning and teaching, leadership and governance, parent and parish engagement, resourcing and infrastructure, and advocacy and marketing.
The event opened with a moving mass, presided over by Bishop Joe Caddy, alongside Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP and our own Bishop of Toowoomba, Bishop Ken Howell. Over 1,100 students participated, including a 400-voice choir, creating a vibrant and prayerful atmosphere. In his homily, Bishop Caddy reminded us as educators,
“As we form minds, we should also be forming hearts, respecting human dignity and building a more just and peaceful future.”
One of the most powerful voices at the conference was Sr Nathalie Becquart XMCJ, the most senior woman in the Vatican and a global leader in synodality. She shared:
“We are at a special moment in Catholic education because we are called to implement synodality. Schools have an opportunity to foster a culture of encounter, to issue an invitation to everyone to journey together to find unity in diversity in an exchange of gifts.”
Sr Nathalie urged Catholic educators to embrace five essential qualities: humility, listening, patience, forgiveness, and service, and reminded us:
“Children don’t want institutions; they want authentic relationships. That’s why we must listen and build relationships.”
A highlight of the plenary program for me was the session with Federal Education Minister Jason Clare MP and Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP.
Minister Clare affirmed the vocation of teaching, saying:
“The work everyone here does is the most important in the world. What you are doing as teachers for the next generations of Australians will live on forever.”
The conference was a powerful reminder that listening leads to transformation, and that hope is not passive—it is active, relational, and anchored in faith. I returned from Cairns with renewed energy and a deeper sense of purpose, ready to continue our journey of leading with hope, grounded in faith.
Blue Card Changes
Changes are coming to the blue card system to strengthen safeguards for children in Queensland. These changes will come into effect from 20 September 2025.
- Volunteer Parent Exemption
From 20 September 2025, parents volunteering for an activity their child directly participates in generally will not need a blue card. This exemption will be standardised across all child-related employment activities and allows parents to continue to participate in activities with their children.
However, from 20 September 2025 this exemption will not apply to parents volunteering for activities
- not involving their own child
- overnight excursions or camps
- if their volunteering includes close personal contact with another child, or
- if the parent is a restricted person.
Parents who have been relying on the volunteer parent exemption for any activities listed above, must obtain a blue card that is linked to their organisation by 20 September 2025. If they do not, they will need to stop volunteering immediately and cannot resume until they do.
Please let us know for any clarification sought around these changes.
Year 6 Camp Meeting
Ms Berry, Ms Souter and I are very much looking forward to touching base with Year 6 parents regarding our upcoming Year 6 camp from 17 – 19 November at Tallebudgera. It is essential that at least one parent or caregiver attend this meeting to share important information regarding the camp and behaviour expectations of Year 6 students prior to and during camp.
Morning and Afternoon Routine
Just a reminder that learning commences in classrooms each day following our 8.28am morning bell and learning concludes at 3.00pm. It is important that our students know the arrangements for their afternoon pick up, whether this be on Ramsay or South Street or attending TCKC. Please ensure to pick up your child/ren as close to 3.00pm as possible so the supervising staff can attend to other school or personal commitments.
Until after the holidays……God Bless!
Louise Pfingst
Principal
From our APMI
Representing Our School at the Diocesan Mass
On September 1st, our School Representatives and Service Club Leaders proudly represented St Thomas More’s School at the Diocesan Mass held at St Patrick’s Cathedral.
After the Mass, we had the opportunity to reconnect with Bishop Ken, who shared with us the special symbols of his role as Bishop, including his crozier, which resembles a shepherd’s crook—a symbol of guidance and care.
Each school was gifted a word by Bishop Ken, and our word was “patience.” This word invites us to reflect on the importance of waiting with grace, showing understanding in times of challenge, and trusting in the journey ahead. It’s a beautiful reminder for our community to embrace calm and compassion in our daily lives.
Father’s Day Celebrations at St Thomas More’s
We hope everyone enjoyed the Father’s Day P&F Breakfast last week! A big thank you to Rosies for once again doing a fantastic job with the catering, and to our P&F team for organising both the breakfast and the Father’s Day Stall, giving students the opportunity to purchase something special for their dads and father figures.
We’ve received lovely feedback about the tables and chairs on the oval and the location of the breakfast—thank you to those who shared their thoughts. If you have any further suggestions, we’d love to hear them!
Following the breakfast, 1 Blue led a beautiful Father’s Day liturgy, honouring dads, father figures, and our wider school community. Thank you to everyone who contributed photos for the Father’s Day photo montage—we received around 180 photos, which made for a truly heartwarming tribute.
Farewell to Breakfast Club – A Message from the Parish
As per a letter shared with our families last week, on behalf of the Parish we inform families that Wednesday, 10th September marked the final morning of the Parish Breakfast Club for 2025. St Thomas More’s Parish, shared with us that due to a shortage of volunteers, they will be unable to continue offering this free service in Term 4.
While this news may be disappointing, we are deeply grateful to the Parish volunteers who have generously given their time and energy to create such a welcoming space for our students each Wednesday morning. Their commitment has truly enriched our school community.
On behalf of St Thomas More’s School, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the Parish for their support and service.
God Bless
Donna Barlow
Assistant Principal Mission & Identity
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 after 8:00am are asked to pop their hat on and head up to the Top Oval for supervised play.
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. 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.
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.
If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact any of our Student Protection Officers...
Katie Hargrave : katie.hargrave@twb.catholic.edu.au
Trish Wardle : patricia.wardle@twb.catholic.edu.au
Clare Wilson : clare.wilson@twb.catholic.edu.au
Jayne Farquharson : jayne.farquharson@twb.catholic.edu.au
Louise Pfingst : louise.pfingst@twb.catholic.edu.au
From the Sports Dept
Athletics
Congratulations to Louie T and Abbie M on being selected in the Darling Downs Track and Field team to compete at the State Championships in Townsville. We wish you all the best!
Louie – 1500m and 800m
Abbie – Long Jump
Term 4 Swimming Lessons Prep-Year 2
Below is the timetable of swimming lessons for Prep-Year 2. This year we will be using the Glennie Aquatic Centre for our school swimming lessons. Children will be bused to and from their lessons.
Monday 13th October
Tuesday 14th October
Monday 20th October
Tuesday 21st October
11:15am-12:00pm Year 2 Classes
12:00pm-12:45pm Year 1 Classes
12:45pm-1:30pm Prep Classes
Please ensure your child has their swimming costume, towel, and goggles for their lessons and anything else you feel they may require. The Glennie Aquatic Centre will provide swimming caps on your child’s first visit. Teachers will collect swimming caps at the end of each session and will be given back out at the beginning of each lesson. These different coloured swimming caps are vital to the smooth running of the lessons as the different colours will indicate which group your child is in for easy organisation. Children will get changed before and after their lesson at school. Please pack a pair of thongs/crocs/slide on shoes for travelling to and from the pool.
Swimwear Guidelines:
To ensure safety and comfort during the lessons, we request that all students adhere to the following swimwear guidelines:
- Children should not wear rash shirts or oversized clothes.
- If wearing leggings or full-body coverings for cultural reasons, they must be skin-tight.
- No scuba masks are allowed (any goggles brought must not cover the nose).
- We do not supply loan goggles, so if a child wishes to wear goggles, they must bring their own.
If there is a problem with your child’s lessons, please speak to their class teacher and they will deal with the concern. Please do not contact the pool directly. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact myself or your child’s classroom teacher.
Stacey Hancock
HPE Teacher
From our Uniform Shop
P & F News
Outside School Hours Care - Vacation Care Program
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!
