Dear Families,

Welcome back to Term 2! We are very excited to have the children back at school and look forward to a productive and positive term ahead.

Uniform Reminder
As we move into the cooler months, a reminder that all children should be dressed in their full winter uniform. Please ensure that long hair is tied back neatly. We have noticed an increase in students wearing large hoop earrings — these can be hazardous as they may get caught on other items. For safety reasons, only small sleepers or studs are permitted.

Staffing Update
I would like to inform you that Melanie Langtry will be finishing earlier than expected due to some challenges with her pregnancy. Her final day at STM will be Friday 9 May. Melanie has served as Acting Deputy Principal for over a year and has been an incredible support to both myself and the staff. She has also made a significant impact in her role as Wellbeing Leader, supporting many families and students. We wish her all the very best for the safe arrival of her baby and look forward to welcoming her back in Term 2, 2026.

Staffing Changes (Effective Monday 12 May):

• Michelle Rinaldi will step into the role of Acting Deputy Principal & English Leader

• Jessica Eyar will support Michelle as Acting English Leader / Intervention

• Clara Privitera will take on the role of Acting Wellbeing Leader, in addition to her current responsibilities as Religious Education Leader

I appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we transition through these changes. Please be assured that each decision has been made with careful thought to ensure continued support for our students, families and staff.

Welcome to New Staff
We warmly welcome Anthony Montesano (Year 1) and Ellen Kennedy (Year 6) to STM. We hope your time with us is filled with joy and success!

Mother’s Day Morning – Monday 5 May
We are looking forward to celebrating Mother’s Day with a special morning event on Monday 5 May.
Breakfast sessions will be held at the following times:

8:00am – 8:30am
8:30am – 9:00am
9:00am – 9:30am

Parents with more than one child are welcome to enjoy activities in one child’s classroom. All mothers and mother figures are invited to join their child/ren in classrooms between 8:30am – 9:30am for special activities.
Secure your spot by booking via CDF Pay: https://pancakesontherun.com.au

Mother’s Day Stall – Thursday 8 May
Students will have the opportunity to purchase a gift for their mum or special person from our Mother’s Day Stall on Thursday 8 May.

Student-Free Day – Friday 23 May
Please note that Friday 23 May will be a student-free day as all staff will be involved in important Professional Learning in preparation for our MACS School Review, scheduled to take place in Term 3.

The MACS School Review is an essential process that takes place every four years in all Catholic schools under Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). It provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on our school’s strengths, identify areas for growth, and set clear goals for the future.

As part of the review, feedback is gathered from students, staff, and families, and an external panel evaluates our school’s teaching and learning practices, leadership, and overall culture. On 23 May, our staff will work collaboratively to assess our progress, align our practices, and ensure we continue to provide the best possible learning environment for every student.

We thank you for your support and understanding.

Kindergarten Visits
I am proud of our Year 4 and 5 students who have begun their visits to HE Kane Uniting Kindergarten. This initiative fosters strong community connections and provides our students with meaningful leadership experiences.

2026 Foundation Enrolments
We have begun welcoming families of our 2026 Foundation students. If you have a child due to start school next year and have not yet enrolled, please do so as soon as possible so we can plan effectively.

Family Faith Nights – Year 2 & 3
Tonight, we host our Family Faith Nights for our Year 2 and 3 families. Thank you to Clara Privitera and the classroom teachers for leading these evenings. A reminder to please park in the Staff Car Park as the Church Car Park will be locked. We look forward to sharing this special evening with you as we journey in faith together.

Dogs Onsite
I would like to kindly remind our school community that dogs are not permitted on school grounds at any time, including drop-off and pick-up periods.

While we understand that many families have much-loved pets, this rule is in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students, staff, and families. Even the most well-behaved dog can become unpredictable in a busy and unfamiliar environment.

We appreciate your support in helping us maintain a safe and comfortable space for all. If you are walking to school with your dog, we ask that you remain outside the school gates and ensure your dog is securely restrained.

Warm regards,

David Hurn
Principal

MACS School Advisory Council Chairs Dinner

Last month, I was honoured to represent St Thomas More Primary School at the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) School Advisory Council Chairs Dinner — a joyous evening that celebrated the vital role parents and community leaders play in the life of our Catholic schools.

The evening was hosted as part of Catholic Education Week, a time to reflect on and celebrate the mission and impact of Catholic education across Victoria. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet and mingle with fellow School Advisory Council Chairs, Principals and MACS leaders, all united by a shared commitment to nurturing faith, learning and service within our school communities.

The evening began with a true highlight — the incredible MACS Creative Arts Exhibition. The talent and creativity on display from students across the Archdiocese was inspiring, setting a joyful and uplifting tone for the night. This was followed by a beautiful musical performance by Zoe Desmier, a talented student from Bethany Catholic Primary School in Werribee North, whose vocals wowed and moved the audience.

After the celebrations, we shifted our focus to the important work we all share. MACS Executive Director, Dr Edward Simons, spoke passionately about the essential role of parents and school leaders in shaping the future of Catholic education. He expressed his deep gratitude for the wisdom, passion, and commitment shown by School Advisory Councils in helping Catholic schools live out their mission in today's world.

A particularly memorable part of the evening was hearing from the newly appointed Auxiliary Bishop, Thinh Nguyen. Bishop Thinh shared his extraordinary story of emigrating from Vietnam to Australia as a young boy alongside his 12 siblings. His heartfelt message encouraged all of us to always extend a spirit of welcome and compassion to others — a call that echoes the Gospel values we strive to instill in our schools every day.

Evenings like this are a powerful reminder of the strength, passion, and unity within our Catholic education community. I left the event feeling uplifted, grateful, and proud to be part of such a vibrant network, and excited for what we can continue to achieve together at St Thomas More Primary School. 

Anthony Grima Chair, School Advisory Council St Thomas More Primary School.

Dear Parents,

Just a reminder to explore the Parent Hub, which offers valuable resources for you to access at home: https://theresilienceproject.com.au/2025-parent-carer-hub-inspire-3/
We know that parents and carers often prioritise the health and wellbeing of others before their own. It’s really important to practise regular self-care, The Resilience Project hub offers positive mental health strategies, applicable to people of all ages. You can play a big role in supporting the development of positive wellbeing habits at home by checking out the site!

I also want to express my sincere gratitude for your ongoing support as I prepare to begin my maternity leave. I look forward to reconnecting with you all next year!

Kind Regards, 

Melanie Langtry
Student Wellbeing Leader

Welcome back to Term Two 

This is a wonderful chance to visit with your child and choose some books that they will enjoy. All purchases also give us rewards to put towards buying new and exciting books for our beautiful library.  

Lou Eveston

Librarian

Awards will be published in the next newsletter.