God, our Father, you have given us a wonderful, rich land to take care of.  
People have come from different countries all over the world for over 
200 years to be Australians and to give some of their special gifts to 
our country.  Help us to respect and care for every Australian equally, 
from the oldest Australians – our Aboriginal people – to our newest 
arrivals from overseas.  Bless our country with peace for years to come.

NAIDOC Week
This week our nation celebrates NAIDOC Week.  The theme of NAIDOC Week this year is Always Was, Always Will Be.  This theme recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are spiritually and culturally connected to this country.  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first  engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first  artists.  

Stage 3 Camps
Congratulations to Year 6 on their exceptionally good behaviour while attending the overnight camp to Teen Ranch Cobbitty last week.  By all accounts everyone had a very active time participating in all of the activities, even forming new friendships along the way.  A huge thank you to the Year 6 teachers for their organisation of the camp so as to ensure that the children did not miss out on this experience.  Best wishes to our year students and teachers who are attending an overnight camp this week at Wedderburn Christian Campsite.  In such a challenging year we are grateful that these camps were able to go ahead.

Semester 2 Reports
Your child’s Semester 2 report will be sent to you via Compass on Friday 11th December 2020 (Week 9).  Reports will no longer be printed for you due to the ‘electronic online world’ in which we all use.  You will be notified as to when the reports will ‘go live’’ for you to access.   Should you wish to discuss your child’s report with the class teacher you will need to contact the School Office to arrange a time to meet with the teacher during Week 10.

Mufti Day
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.

2021 Classes
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
As notified earlier this week that the P&F AGM has been postponed to Monday 15th February 2021.  This will hopefully allow us to conduct the meeting face to face and include new families to our school.

St Thomas More Parents And Friends Association
2020 AGM
Monday 15th February 2021
School Hall
7.00pm 
All parents and carers are welcome to attend

Wash Hands
Social Distancing
Stay Safe

Philip Barrington 
PRINCIPAL