Dear Parents and Carers,

On Monday 22nd June we will celebrate the feast of Saint Thomas More, the wonderful saint of which our school and parish is named.  Usually as a school and parish we celebrate as a community with Mass followed by a special treat to mark the occasion.  This year, due to all rules associated with the Coronavirus, our celebrations will take on a slightly different format.   We will pray together as a community.  This special liturgy will be shared utilising our technology so that each class can participate in the prayers via Zoom.  Following this the children will receive a donut during Lunch 1.  This a tradition that the P&F provides this free donut for each child - thank you P&F.  The classes will then spend some learning time engaged in activities focused on the life of Saint Thomas More.  At Lunch 2 the school is then going to provide free pizzas for the children.  More details will be sent home regarding the pizza lunch in the coming days.  Due to the restrictions regarding the Coronavirus, parents are unable to join us on this day. 

Some facts about Saint Thomas More...

• Thomas More was born in London on February 7, 1478. 

• It is likely that Thomas was positively influenced from a young age by his mother and siblings. 

• Thomas More entered Oxford in 1492, where he would learn Latin, Greek and prepared for his future studies. In 1494, he left Oxford to become a lawyer and he trained in London until 1502 when he was finally approved to begin practice.

• Thomas More married his first wife, Jane Colt in 1505. They would have four children together before her death in 1511. Their marriage was reportedly happy and Thomas often tutored her in music and literature.

• Thomas was considered a doting father, and he often wrote letters to his children when he was away on work. He also insisted that his daughters receive the same education as his son. His daughters were well known for their academic accomplishments.

• In 1504, More was elected to Parliament.  During his service to the people of London, he earned a reputation as being honest and effective.

• More used his skills as a theologian and a writer. Among his most famous works is "Utopia," about a fictional, idealistic island society. 

• From 1517 on, Henry VIII took a liking to Thomas More, and gave him posts of ever increasing responsibility. 

• More was immediately effective, working with speed and precision that is admired today. He was likely one of Henry VIII's most effective servants, and was fiercely loyal to the king.

• During his tenure as Lord Chancellor, More prosecuted those accused of heresy and worked tirelessly to defend the Catholic faith in England. However, in 1530, as Henry worked to obtain an annulment from his wife, Catherine, More refused to sign a letter to the Pope, requesting an annulment. This was More's first time crossing Henry.

• The relationship between More and Henry became strained again when seeking to isolate More, Henry purged many of the clergy who supported the Pope. It became clear to all that Henry was prepared to break away from the Church in Rome, something More knew he could not condone

• In 1532, More found himself unable to work for Henry VIII, whom he felt had lost his way as a Catholic.

• More accepted Henry's marriage to Anne, but refused to acknowledge Henry as head of the church, or his annulment from Catherine. This led to his arrest and imprisonment. He was locked away in the Tower of London.

• The court sentenced him to be hanged, drawn, and quartered, which was the traditional punishment for treason.  As a final act of mercy, Henry commuted More's punishment to mere decapitation. 

• Thomas More has been widely remembered as a man of tremendous integrity, and he has since been described as a martyr and canonized a saint

• Thomas More was beatified in 1886, and he was canonized on May 19, 1935.

• His feast day is June 22.

• He is the patron saint of adopted children lawyers, civil servants, politicians, and difficult marriages.

 Adapted from https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=324

Our school crest/badge reflects our dedication to our patron, Saint Thomas More.

St Thomas Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse School Badge

Thank you to all parents and carers who when their child or children are displaying flu-like symptoms are keeping them at home.  Any child who is feeling ill at school will be sent home immediately, again in the name of safety for our community.  It is great to note the majority of students in our school understand and practice social distancing with each other.  

Thank you to everyone for your patience and assistance with the new dismissal procedures.  We highly recommend the car pick up line that commences at 3.00pm.  Thank you to all drivers who have their family name displayed in the front windscreen enabling the staff to have your child and children ready for you to pick up.  At this stage the school back gate must remain closed so as to ensure the safety of all.

Please read the letter included in this newsletter regarding the Semester 1 Student Interim Reports.  In the coming days you will be sent an alert through Compass regarding the opportunity to book a teleconference with your class teacher to discuss the Semester 1 Report.  The telephone interview will occur at different times and days for all classes throughout Weeks 9 and 10.  Please note that Kindergarten will not receive a Semester 1 Report but are encouraged to participate in a teleconference.  The bookings for a teleconference will open on Friday 12th June through Compass.

Wash Hands
Social Distancing
Stay Safe

St Thomas More, pray for us
Philip Barrington 
PRINCIPAL