Dear Families,

I hope you are well and enjoying the term. It’s been a busy and exciting time here at STM, and I wanted to share some recent highlights and important updates with you.

Congratulations to our Year 6 students for their impressive effort in the Divisional football competition. They played exceptionally well on Tuesday, showcasing great teamwork and sportsmanship, but unfortunately, they didn't make it to the next stage of the competition. We are incredibly proud of their determination and spirit.

Well done to our Hoop Team for advancing to the next round of the basketball competition. This is an amazing achievement and a testament to their hard work and dedication. Keep up the fantastic work!

A big thank you to Rita Marcon, who was able to pick up an Olympic torch from Moira Kelly this week. Moira Kelly, an Australian woman, founded the Children First Foundation, which helps children in developing countries who have serious health problems. The Olympic torch was gifted to Moira’s son, Ahmed, a skilled swimmer and Paralympian. You may remember Ahmed visiting STM a few years ago with his brother, Emmanuel. Both were born with a severe growth disability and were rescued by Moira from a Baghdad orphanage when they were seven. Ahmed is competing for Australia this year in the Paris Paralympics, and we wish him the best of luck. Rita Marcon has been very busy visiting classes with this torch explaining its significance. Thank you Rita! 

We have our Inaugural STM Math Olympics tomorrow. Children will have the opportunity to earn valuable House points for their House Colour. Similar to Athletics Day, students are welcome to come dressed in a t-shirt of their house colour along with their usual sports attire. This information was sent out to families last week, and we are looking forward to a day filled with fun and learning.

This week and next, we have our second-hand uniform sales. Thank you to families who have donated to this initiative. Your generosity helps support our school community and ensures that all students have access to the necessary school attire.

We are excited to welcome Rebecca Russo to our Wellbeing Team. Additionally, AnneMarie Rustom will be working in Year 4 on Fridays for the remainder of 2024, bringing her expertise and enthusiasm to our students.

Last week, we celebrated our preps' 100 days at school. This milestone is a significant achievement, and we are very proud of our youngest students for their growth and accomplishments.

Book Week is coming up from 19-23 August. The Book Week Parade will kick off the week on Monday, 19 August, at 9:00am. Choc chip cookies will be for sale at the canteen throughout the week for $2.00, with all proceeds being donated to The Indigenous Literacy Foundation. We encourage everyone to participate and support this worthy cause.

Last week I sent out an email to families regarding the growing number of uniform items in lost property, many of which lack identification. To ensure these items can be returned or claimed, please label your child's uniform with their name. This small step will help us reduce unclaimed belongings and will encourage responsibility among students. We recommend using permanent markers or durable name tags. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as our lost property is becoming overwhelming.

Lastly, I want to revisit the acceptable use of mobile devices by students. Phones should be handed in to Mary at the main office before school and can be collected at the end of the day. This policy helps ensure a focused and respectful learning environment for all students.

Please scroll down for more news happening around STM. 

Warm regards,
David Hurn

SEASONS- Grief and Loss Program

 In Term 4 we are very pleased to be commencing the SEASONS program. Seasons is a grief and loss program for children who experience change in their lives due to the separation and divorce of parents or serious illness or death of a loved one. Seasons is a peer support program that provides an opportunity for young people to express, acknowledge, normalise and integrate their grief. A teacher is trained to guide the process. SEASONS is based on the seasons of the year as an image of the movement through grief to new life’. If you are interested in your child/ children participating in the program or would like more information please contact Mel Langtry (mlangtry@stmhadfield.catholic.edu.au or Bec Russo (rrusso@stmhadfield.catholic.edu.au) The program will by run by Mel and Bec for 45 minutes on a Friday during school time for 8 sessions. 

BULLYING NO WAY 

The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence has a new name—Bullying No Way: National week of action. Bullying No Way Week, 12 to 16 August 2024, is Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative and connects schools and communities to find workable solutions to prevent bullying. Student will be completing activities to learn more about Bullying in their classrooms. When we all feel like we belong, bullying struggles to find a place. It's about embracing who we are, respecting everyone's differences and standing up together against unkindness.

Belonging means we all have a role in preventing bullying. We're encouraged to speak up and create a safe place where everyone feels supported and respected, and our voices are heard and valued.
To find out more information please visit: https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/preventing-bullying/national-week-of-action

Kind Regards,

Melanie Langtry
Acting Deputy Principal

Student Wellbeing Leader

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

This week St Thomas More is home to an Olympic torch from the 2012 London Olympics. This torch is on loan to the school from Australian humanitarian Moira Kelly. Moira was nominated to carry the flame due to her commitment to helping disadvantaged children from all over the world. Moira also set up the Children First Foundation. 

Moira and her children have visited St Thomas More several times in appreciation of the funds donated by the St Thomas More families and friends. If you remember we met Moira twins Krishna and Trishna and Emanuael and Ahmed. Ahmed is a skilled swimmer and a ParaOlympian. Ahmed is competing for Australia this year in the Paris ParaOlympics and we wish him the best of luck!

The torch will be on display at STM, and it will be brought round to each classroom for all children to see and hold. Some lucky children will also get to carry this torch around the oval when we hold our own Olympics Day this Friday. 

Let the games begin!!!

Please find the TERM 3 CURRICULUM OVERVIEWS BELOW:

• Prep

• One

• Two

• Three

• Four

• Five

• Six

Kind Regards,

Sonia Mazzei
Acting Learning and Teaching Leader