This month, our whole school is learning about the Joyful Mysteries and the importance of praying the Rosary.

The month of Mary in October reminds us to keep this beautiful prayer close to our hearts. The Rosary helps us reflect on the special moments in Jesus’ and Mary’s lives and reminds us of God’s love and joy in our own.

May we take time to pray, to be still, and to invite Mary to guide us closer to Jesus through the Joyful Mysteries. 

Celebrating the amazing work of our teachers.

World Teachers' Day honours teachers, whose passion and hard work make a real difference to student’s lives every day. In Victoria, we celebrate World Teachers’ Day on Friday 31 October. We encourage you to show your appreciation and say thanks to the teachers who inspire you every day.

Monday 26th January - Australia Day

Tuesday 27th Januaary - 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,

As we head into Week 5 of Term 4, I would like to remind families that hats are compulsory during outdoor play and activities. Please ensure your child is wearing their school hat each day, in line with our SunSmart policy.

Next week is a long weekend, with no school on Monday, 3 November. I hope everyone enjoys the extra day to rest and spend time with family. We look forward to welcoming children back on Wednesday November 5.

World Teachers' Day
Tomorrow we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, a time to acknowledge and thank our teachers for the incredible work they do each and every day.

At STM, we are fortunate to have a team of very capable and dedicated teachers who always have the best interests of our students at heart. Their commitment to nurturing each child’s learning, wellbeing, and personal growth is evident in all they do.

Teaching is more than a profession – it’s an opportunity to inspire, guide, and make a lasting difference. On behalf of our entire school community, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our teachers and support staff for their passion, care, and unwavering dedication.

If you see a teacher tomorrow, please take a moment to say thank you – those few words mean so much.

Looking Ahead - 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, classes for all students will commence on Monday, 2 February 2026. Students will attend testing sessions by appointment on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 January. Bookings for these sessions will be available at the end of term. Please mark these important dates in your calendars.

If your child will not be returning to STM in 2026, we kindly ask that you notify us by emailing dhurn@stmhadfield.catholic.edu.au as soon as possible. This information greatly assists us in planning and preparing for the upcoming school year.

I have begun receiving requests regarding student placements for 2026. This is a process we approach with great care and thought, as we know how important it is to both families and students. Our primary focus is always on each child’s educational and emotional wellbeing. When forming class groups, our staff work collaboratively and consider a range of factors, including:

• Academic needs: Ensuring classes are balanced and that all students are both supported and challenged.

• Social dynamics: Promoting positive relationships and a strong sense of community.

• Teacher expertise: Matching students with teachers whose strengths best support their learning.

If you wish to make a specific placement request, please contact me directly at dhurn@stmhadfield.catholic.edu.au. While all requests are given careful consideration, please note that not all individual preferences can be accommodated. Once classes are finalised, no further changes will be possible. Our priority is to create the best possible learning environment for every child. Any requests must be submitted in writing by Friday, November 7.

Supervision After School
We ask for your support in ensuring that all children are supervised after school, particularly when playing on the adventure playground. While teachers are on duty at the Angus Street and North Street gates to supervise dismissal, there is no teacher supervision on the playground after school.

We have recently received some reports of children throwing items over the fence near the adventure playground at 3:40pm (with video footage and time stamped). To keep everyone safe and respectful of our neighbours, please ensure that you are actively supervising your child during this time. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and positive environment for all members of our school community.

Maths Day
A huge thank you to Vanessa Cutajar and the entire STM team for coordinating our Maths Day last Friday! It was wonderful to see so many students engaged and enjoying the activities. Thank you also to the families who joined us in the morning to support their children — your involvement helps make days like this so special.

School fees and levies for 2026
In the coming weeks, a letter regarding school fees and levies for 2026 will be emailed to families. We understand the importance of transparency and clear communication in financial matters and are committed to providing you with all the necessary information to plan for the year ahead. This letter will also include payment options and contact details for any questions or support you may need.

Hoop Time
Finally, congratulations to our Hoop Time students who have made it through to the State Finals! We are very proud of you and wish you all the very best for the upcoming competition. 

Warm regards,
David Hurn
Principal

STM Maths Day

Last Friday at St Thomas More we spent the day celebrating Maths! A huge thank you to all the families who participated in the morning session. We loved seeing students and parents working together on maths games aimed at strengthening their fluency skills. We encourage you to keep practicing these engaging activities at home. 

The rest of the day was filled with hands-on, curriculum-based activities. Students put their knowledge to the test with everything from scavenger hunts that required keen mapping skills, to building and testing boats for capacity, solving tricky maths puzzles, and participating in competitive maths relays. The level of engagement and enthusiasm across the school was wonderful to see.

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 

Ciao a tutti!

The studenti are wrapping up their unit and are in the midst of our final year's assessment. We will be moving into our final unit in two weeks time with the language focus for each class as follows.

Buon (lungo) weekend!
From the TCL team

Maria Vainieri e Adriana Bonacci

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 - Giselle N - for her innovative digital Aboriginal design, which skillfully integrates traditional symbols.

Drama - Sofia C - for meeting challenges with a mindset shift and moving towards her goals, one step at a time.

Music - Stacey S - for demonstrating resilience by performing her rhythm pattern to the class. Well done Stacey! Please keep up the enthusiasm!

Pysical Education - John K - for his excellent effort in class and for always being willing to help others.

Italian - Evie T - for her growing confidence and quick reposnes with recalling Italian vocabulary.