Monday 26th January - Australia Day

Tuesday 27th January - Staff Only

Wednesday 28th January - Staff Only

Thursday 29th January - Testing day by appointment only - duration 30min (booking information will be sent out later this term)

Friday 30th January - Testing day by appointment only - duration 30min (booking information will be sent out later this term)

Monday 02nd February - All students commence school on this day in their summer uniform

• Testing is only required for one of the days, either Thursday 29th or Friday 30th January 2026

• 2026 Preps have Wednesdays off in the month of February

• 2026 Preps will be required to book an additional testing day/time on a Wednesday in February (booking information will be sent out later this term)

School Photos are scheduled for Tuesday 17th March 2026

Dear Families,

Welcome back to school, everyone! It’s wonderful to see our students return full of energy and enthusiasm for what will be a very busy and exciting term. As we move into the warmer months, please remember that all children are required to wear their school hats when outside for any reason during the day. Our school follows a strict SunSmart policy — no hat, no play in the sun. Families are reminded that sunscreen should be applied at home before school, as staff are not permitted to apply it.

First Eucharist
Last Sunday, our Year 4 students celebrated their First Eucharist. The Mass was a beautiful occasion, well attended by families and friends. All the students looked wonderful in their outfits, and it was heartwarming to see them receive communion for the first time. Congratulations to all the children on this significant milestone in their faith journey. A special thank you to the Year 4 team for preparing the students so well, and to Clara Privitera for her organisation of the formation and the Mass itself.

Curriculum Overviews
Curriculum Overviews have been emailed to families this week. These documents provide valuable insight into your child’s learning journey for the term. Please take the time to review them and keep them handy for reference.

Athletics Day at Coburg Track
Tomorrow, we look forward to our Athletics Day at Coburg Track. Please ensure your child has a packed lunch, snack and water bottle for the day.

Learning Showcases
A huge thank you to all the families who attended our Learning Showcases this week. It’s always a valuable opportunity for parents and carers to experience firsthand the wonderful learning taking place in classrooms and to celebrate the achievements of our students. We greatly appreciate your ongoing support and engagement in your child’s learning.

More Learning sessions
We are also excited to welcome back our 2026 Prep students for their More Learning sessions. Thomas’ Tales continues to run on Tuesdays and Fridays, and it’s been wonderful to see so many future STM students engaging in these experiences.

Official Opening
Next Thursday, 23 October, we will celebrate the Official Opening of our refurbished building, which has been named the Dominican Building in honour of the Dominican Sisters who came from Malta to lead and support our school from 1969. We are delighted to welcome Fr Giang (Parish Priest), Dr Edward Simons (MACS Executive Director) and representatives, Kathleen Matthews-Ward MP, Tracey Krift (Principal of Penola Catholic College), and Anthony Grima (Chair of the School Advisory Council) to join us for this special event at 9:30am.

Maths Day
Looking ahead to next Friday, we will be celebrating Maths Day at STM! This is always a fun and engaging day for our students as they explore mathematical thinking through games, challenges, and hands-on activities. There is more information about this event later in the newsletter—be sure to take a look and see how you can support your child’s participation.

Looking forward to 2026
For your forward planning, we have included the commencement agenda for 2026 in this week’s communication. Information about booking times for testing will be shared later in the term.

As we look ahead to the end of the year, it’s time to begin the process of forming class lists for 2026. This is always a task we approach with great care and thought. Our top priority is ensuring that every student’s educational and emotional wellbeing is considered. We know how important class placement is for families and students, and we take this responsibility very seriously.

Our staff work collaboratively to build balanced class groups, considering a range of factors:

• Academic needs: We aim to create classes with a balance of abilities, ensuring all students are appropriately supported and challenged.

• Social dynamics: We carefully consider friendships and social interactions to promote positive relationships and a strong sense of community.

• Teacher expertise: We match students with teachers whose strengths and styles best support their learning.

If you have a specific request regarding your child’s placement, please contact me directly at dhurn@stmhadfield.catholic.edu.au. While we give every request thoughtful consideration, it’s important to understand that we may not be able to meet all individual preferences due to the need for balanced and equitable class groupings. Our goal, always, is to create the best possible learning environments for every child.

Additionally, if your child will not be returning to STM in 2026, please let me know as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly.

Hoop Time basketball
Finally, congratulations to our Year 6 Hoop Time basketball teams competing today! Best of luck—I hope you enjoy a fantastic day of teamwork, sportsmanship, and success on the court.

Looking forward to a wonderful term ahead!

Warm regards,
David Hurn
Principal

During Term 3, 133 students from Grades 3 to 6 proudly represented St Thomas More in the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee.

We are thrilled to announce that three of our students advanced to the State Finals, demonstrating outstanding spelling skills and accuracy under time pressure.

State Finalists:

• Grade 4: Sebastian N and Amelia M
  
  

• Grade 6: Connor C

Congratulations to all students who participated and to our finalists for their remarkable achievement!

Below are the students who participated in the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee. Thank you to all students for their enthusiasm and effort!

Grade 3:
Aria G, George K, Hugo I, Isla M, Jeram W, Jordan F, Leah L, Matthew G, Megan P, Mia H, Micah N, Mikaela T, Monique L, Noah M, Oneli J, Senon A, Sophia E, Zion D

Grade 4:
Alessia D, Aurelia K, Dante P, Eva C, Massimo T, Matilda E, Oliver J, Roma W, Sebastian P, Sidney M, Sophia F, Xander C, Aidan Q, Anton H, Charlotte J, Hudson V, Jai P, Lily C, Nakita H, Nicolette A, Orlando G, Aaliyah H, Aira B, Evan B, Juliana L, Julietta S, Marco S, Rebecca P, Rishav G, Rosabelle T, Ruby I, Sofia C, Talia K, Thomas S

Grade 5:
Alannah C, Aleah M, Allegra S, Alyssa M, Anthony T, Diya P, Ethan L, Francesco T, Gabriel D, Hugo F, Isla L, Jacob S, Jamie V, Jessica N, Ned M, Zane H, Zarar C, Aimelie G, Amelia W, Audrey C, Bryan T, Christian C, Ellysse G, Enzo M, Landon F, Mason L, Nick K, Poppy W

Grade 6:
Alessia C, Anika H, Emilia G, Emma P, Ethan W, Ivonne T, Jack M, Jack S, Maya C, Nina O, Noah N, Ollie M, Alessandra P, Alexia S, Aras G, Ava S, Eleanor K, John G, Mariah T, Max G, Nicholas L, Noah L, Oakley P, Sophia D, Alexander G, Charlotte K, Elisa A, Emaly W, Grace D, Gracie H, Izabela G, Kamelia D, Liam P

Jessica Eyar and Michelle Rinaldi

Literacy Leaders 

Celebrating Maths at St Thomas More

24th October 2025.

Students are invited to dress in house colours! 

Vanessa Cutajar
Numeracy Leader

Dear Families,

Please see the links below for the Term 4 Curriclum Overviews:

• PREP

• ONE

• TWO

• THREE

• FOUR

• FIVE

• SIX

We look forward to a wonderful term.

Regards,
Sonia Mazzei - Learning & Teaching Leader 

SECOND HAND UNIFORMS: Our second-hand uniforms are available for purchase throughout the year!

Every item is $5. You'll find a full list of what's currently available here.

To place an order, email Lisa: lsalemme@stmhadfield.catholic.edu.au with the items you would like to purchase

We also gratefully accept donations of any clean, good-condition uniforms that your children have outgrown.

Art - Lilah S - for using her knowledge of paper techniques to create an amazing full scale paper portrait.

Drama - Indie D - she rose to the challenge in Drama, and showed resilience by performing solo when her partner couldn't participate

Music - Aiden B - engaging and enthusiastically participating in Music lessons. Your knowledge of rhythm notation is fantastic!

Pysical Education - for demonstrating excellent dribbling skills while playing basketball. Well done Winnie!

Italian: Julietta S - for extending herslef by learning Italian at home and sharing her knowledge with confidence

STEAM: Leonardo D - working with his partner whilst learning to code their mTiny robot