Dear Parents and Carers,

Friday 30th October 2020 is World Teachers Day.  A huge thank you to all staff at St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse for all that they do for the members of our community.  We are very fortunate to have such a hard working and dedicated staff caring for and supporting the children and families in our school.

Congratulations to Miss Julie McKenzie on her recent engagement to her fiance Greg.  We wish Miss McKenzie a future full of happiness.

Thursday 26th November is Mufti Day where children are permitted to wear sensible mufti clothes to school and to provide a gold coin donation to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal.  Thank you in anticipation of your support.

This week a parent survey was sent home via Compass.  It should only take you a couple of minutes to complete.  The survey provides data for the School’s Annual Report.  

End of Year Events 2020
Please find a list of events that our school will be engaged in during the coming weeks.  As you are aware we are bound by rules and regulations in regards to what is permitted and not permitted with our school events.  I wish to acknowledge the disappointment of many parents and adults in your non attendance at many of the upcoming events.  We have to abide by the restrictions.  However, we are totally committed to providing a memorable experience for all the children as they complete the 2020 school year.  

With some of the planned events, technology will help us to include you.  For example, the Christmas Concert and End of Year Liturgies and Awards will be shared with you via Youtube Link.  Youtube Link will be shared with all parents in the St Thomas More community who will then have the ability to share with relatives and friends.  The link will only be sent to people connected with the St Thomas More community.

I acknowledge the wonderful staff of our school who are working extremely hard to ensure that these events continue in this format and that the children do not miss out on these experiences during this very challenging year.

Term 4 2020 Calendar 

Classes 2021
Term 4 is the time when we complete the 2020 school year as well as prepare for 2021.  One of the major tasks this term is to prepare classes for 2021.  Teachers and staff members utilise their professional expertise in making decisions, seeking to create equitable class groupings considering all students.  All classes/grades will be regrouped for 2021.  

Optimising the learning environment is the prime focus when forming new class groups for 2021, not forming friendship groups.  The aim is to provide classes in which each child is able to continue to develop to their full potential.  

If there is a particular issue regarding your child’s optium learning for 2021, please write to Mr Barrington, via email, stating your concerns and requests.  You are invited to be proactive rather than reactive.  Please note that this is not an opportunity to request individual teachers, but an opportunity to state a particular issue that might impact on your child’s learning in 2021.  All requests will be considered but NOT NECESSARILY GUARANTEED.  Please send your email requests to info@stmdow.catholic.edu.au marked to the attention of Mr Barrington by Friday 13th November 2020.  Further requests regarding class placement will not take place after this date.  Please note that because we are committed to the belief that each child begins each school year anew, we do not retain information regarding these requests from previous years.  

This is the time to raise any issues regarding your child’s optium learning for 2021.  After all requests have been considered the school will make the final decision regarding all placements.  

If your child is not returning to St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse in 2021, could you please notify the School Office as soon as possible.   There is a ‘School Leavers’ form that needs to be completed. 

Parents and Friends Association
All parents and carers of St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School are invited to the Annual General Meeting of the St Thomas More Parents and Friends Association for 2020.  This year the AGM will occur via Zoom as the current restrictions present us from meeting face to face.  At the AGM you will hear various reports about the life of our school during 2020 and all positions on the P&F Executive will be declared vacant and a voting process will occur. 

We are now calling for nominations for the election of Office Bearers of the P&F Executive 2021. There is a nomination form that you will need to use to nominate prior to the AGM.  See below link for a nomination form.  Paper copies of the nomination form are also available from the School Office. Self nominations are also being accepted. Please note due to this meeting being via Zoom no nominations can be accepted during the AGM meeting - they need to be made prior to the meeting and sent to the School Office.  Nominations will close Friday 6th November 2020.  Once nominations have been received, voting will occur electronically via a Survey Monkey during the AGM meeting.

St Thomas More Parents And Friends Association
2020 AGM
Monday 9th November 2020
Via Zoom
7.00pm 
All parents and carers are welcome to attend
A Zoom link for this meeting will be sent out via Compass on Monday 9th November to all parents.

Philip Barrington 
PRINCIPAL