Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Here we are at the end of another term with so much to celebrate at St Thomas More Primary School.

Last week 30 students represented STM at the District Athletics meet. Congratulations to Krista, Lyam, Chloe and Tiffany who after success in their events have now moved onto Regionals - what a great achievement!

Congratulations to the Grade 4 students who received their First Holy Communion last Sunday. May the Lord guide and bless you today and everyday. Sincere thanks also to the teaching staff for all their hard work in preparing the children for this important sacrament and to the families for their continued love, care and support of the children on their faith journey.

Thank you to the large number of parents and familiy members who attended our celebrations of learning this week. We are all so happy to see parents coming back into the classrooms and share the great learning of our students.

COVID Update

• The School Operations Guide has been updated to reflect the reduction in the required period of isolation following a confirmed case of COVID-19 from seven to five days.

• With the end of winter, face mask guidance has also changed. Face masks are now recommended in indoor settings, or outside where physical distancing is not possible.

• As an additional risk mitigation, it is strongly recommended by the Department of Health that anyone leaving isolation on day 6 or 7 wears a face mask indoors away from home, and outdoors where they cannot physically distance. For those leaving isolation on day 6, wear a mask for five days, but particularly the first two days. For those leaving isolation on day 7, wear a mask for four days, but particularly the first two days.

• The Victorian Government will provide up to three deliveries of rapid antigen tests (RATs) to schools in Term 4, 2022.

As I complete my role as acting Principal here at St Thomas More I would like to thank all members of this community for your friendship and support during my time here. It has been a joy to learn with the dedicated staff of STM and I have loved getting to know and spend time with the students. The transition to a new Principal has been completed and David Hurn looks forward to beginning as Principal of STM at the start of term 4. I know you will support David and continue to work with him in the spirit of cooperation.

Hopefully the holidays will provide time for us all to rest and enjoy some spring sunshine before we begin the final term for 2022. Please note that carpark works will resut in some changed traffic conditions at the Angus Street entrance from the beginning of Term 4.

Please take some time to note the important dates for Term 4 below. A reminder that Term 4 begins on Monday October 3rd.

Thank you for working in cooperation with us this term.

Geraldine & Leadership Team

The STM staff would like to formally thank Ms Geraldine Dalton for her time with us as Acting Principal.

We sincerely thank Geraldine for her calm and kind support for our whole school community in the lead-up to the appointment of our new principal David Hurn. Her leadership and guidance this year have been truly appreciated and we wish her all the best with her future endeavours as she moves on from STM.

Thank you Geraldine from all of us at STM.

TERM 4 Dates/Events***

• Monday 3rd Oct - 1st day back at school

• Thursday 13th Oct - Art Festival - 5.30-7.30pm

• Monday 31st Oct - Report writing day (no students at school)

• Tuesday 01st Nov - Melbourne Cup public holiday

• Monday 28th Nov - Compulsory swimming sessions commence

• Friday 02nd Dec - Curriculum Day - student free day

• Tuesday 06th Dec - Carols night @5.30pm

• Friday 16th Dec - Last day of school for 2022,12.00pm finish

Helping children grow into their best selves

During a recent radio interview, the presenter asked “What’s the job of a parent?”

I replied, “The main task for parents is to help their children grow into the best version of themselves.”

This response can be challenging for parents who want to raise their kids in their own image. Sure, parents want to share the best parts of themselves with their children but that doesn’t mean they should raise them in our own image.

If excellence is a strong value, then in all probability this is a value you may like your child to share. That makes sense. However, if sport is your strength and your child doesn’t share that interest it’s wise to assist your child to develop their own strengths and interests rather than push them down a path of your making.

The following ideas will guide you to help your child grow into the best version of themselves both socially and academically.

Encourage exploration

Young children are great explorers of territory, ideas and behaviour. Their curiosity shows no bounds and can lead them into trouble. The socialisation process that we undertake as parents is designed to keep kids social and safe. But that shouldn’t mean that we discourage the curious spirit that children possess.

As kids move through primary school into the identity formation years of adolescence, stimulate their curiosity and exploratory activities and interests, discuss a variety of ideas and topics and form relationships with different children and diverse generations.

Require self-control

Does your child react or respond to a difficult situation? Can your child wait a few minutes with food in front of them until others join them or do they eat immediately because they are hungry? Does your child spend all their pocket-money on themself or are they encouraged to save some of their allowance for later? Lack of emotional control and an inability to delay gratification until later will generally hold most kids back from reaching their full potential. Self-control is like a muscle that gets stronger with practice, so encourage your child or young person to take a breath when angry, be patient and wait, and look forward to receiving gifts at special times of the year rather than getting them on demand.

Model empathy

The ability for children to empathise with others in difficult circumstances is an underestimated skill. Sensitive children generally have empathy in spades, while bullies lack the ability or willingness to put themselves in the shoes of others. Parents, grandparents and carers are well placed to model empathy. When a child comes to you with a problem or worry, validate their concerns with a response such as, “Ah, I see you’re really worried by this.” Such a response teaches a child the empathetic language they can use when siblings and peers experience difficulty.

Convey compassion

Compassion and caring are encouraged in education and parenting circles as prime values to instil in children and young people. Perhaps this comes as a result of greater community awareness as a response to COVID-19. By developing compassion and caring in kids we lay the foundation for not only a strong sense of community but also for individual happiness that comes from contributing to something bigger than the individual.

Embed wellbeing

If there is a lasting legacy that schools are making to the current generation, it’s their recent focus on children’s wellbeing practices and principles. As a community we are just coming to grips with the fact that good mental health and wellbeing is central to a person’s long-term happiness, work and relationship success. You can assist by embedding wellbeing habits of healthy eating, exercise, sleep, relaxation techniques, regular time in nature, gratitude and mindfulness into family-life.

In closing

Helping kids grow into the best versions of themselves requires parents to focus on character development, capacity building and personal wellbeing. A broad focus with a solid understanding of what it takes to look after their mental health will help kids become productive and community-minded young people.

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