Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
Father’s Day
This weekend we wish all dads, fathers, uncles, step-dads, grandfathers and male figures a Happy Father's Day for Sunday. The students will be able to purchase gifts from the Father’s Day Stall on Thursday (tomorrow) 31st August. Thanks to Mrs Tabone and Mrs Kemps and their helpers for organising this for the students. Parents and carers are then invited to our Father’s Day Breakfast on Friday morning 1st September, which will be followed by a whole school prayer liturgy at 8.30am in honour of Father’s Day.
Care For Creation
Next Monday we will acknowledge the World Day of Prayer for the Care of all Creation. This world day of prayer was instigated a few years ago by Pope Francis. Pope Francis is asking us to remember the importance of caring for creation and every person living on our planet is challenged to take care of our common home. We are all asked to take up this challenge in our homes, schools and communities. How are you caring for the environment?
Child Protection Week
Next week is Child Protection Week across Australia. This year National Child Protection Week will continue to share their message ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’. This message aims to promote a safe and supported life for every child, now and into the future. In 2023 this message is supported by the theme ‘Where we start matters’. The purpose of National Child Protection Week is to engage, educate and empower Australians to understand the complexities of child abuse and neglectand work together to prevent it. Please see further in this newsletter an opportunity for a parent information session being provided by CatholicCare.
Summer Uniform
As we approach Spring and are beginning to experience some warmer days parents may decide as to which uniform to send their child to school - Winter or Summer. This choice will remain until the end of Term 3 then from the start of Term 4 all children will be in their Summer uniform.
Wakakirri
Congratulations to our 2023 Wakakirri Team who are now performing again at the upcoming Wakakirri State Showcase. Our performance ‘Virtual Reality - A timeless invention’ is in the running for a State Award. The next performance is being held on Friday 8th September at NIDA. Parents wishing to attend the performance are asked to purchase tickets through Ticketek. We thank the parents and carers for their continued support of our school's participation in 2023 Wakakirri.
Jersey Day
Each year St Thomas More School recognises and raises awareness of the importance of organ donation through participation in Jersey Day. We are going to celebrate Jersey Day with our Father’s Day celebrations. Children are permitted to wear a jersey and mufti clothes to school on Friday 1st September. Children who do not own a jersey may wear mufti clothes in the colours of their favourite teams. No money donation will be collected as this is an awareness raising day.
Parents and Friends Association
Deja Brew Coffee will be present in the turning circle outside the school office from 8.00am on Monday 4th September. All are reminded that the next Parents and and Friends Association meeting will be held on Monday 11th September at 7.00pm in the School Library. Mrs Catherine Garrett-Jones, the Executive Director of the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT will be our special guest at this meeting and she will present information to the Parents and Friends Association. Any items for the agenda can be emailed through to info@stmdow.catholic.edu.au
We are currently planning for 2024. If your child is not returning to St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse in 2024, could you please notify the School Office as soon as possible. This does not include Year 6 2023 going into high school. There is a ‘School Leavers’ form that needs to be completed if you are not returning in 2024.
Best wishes for the coming week,
Philip Barrington
PRINCIPAL