We say thank you to the hardworking staff at St Thomas More School Ruse.  Thank you for all that you do in support of the learning and wellbeing needs of the students in your care.  We are so fortunate to have such a professional group of educators who know their students so well and who work collaboratively for the good of the children.  Happy World Teachers Day on Friday 27th October 2023.

Grandparents / Grandfriends Day at STM

We are looking forward to our celebration of Grandparents and Grandfriends on Thursday 26th October.  Everyone is welcome to come along.  

10.00am Whole School Liturgy in the Hall

10.35am Morning Tea in the school grounds.  Bring a chair or a rug.

11.15am - 12.30pm Open Classrooms

School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI)
To boost education opportunities and narrow the digital divide, the Australian Government, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, is working with NBN Co to provide up to 30,000 families with no internet at home free NBN for 12 months. 

To be eligible, a family must:

• Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school
• Have no active broadband service over the NBN network
• Live in a premise where they can access a standard NBN service
• Not have had an active NBN service during the previous 14 days

See here to find out more and to check your eligibility School Student Broadband Initiative

Disco
Thanks to those who have already purchased tickets for the School Disco on Friday 3rd November 2023.  Please see news items in Compass for the note about the Disco and how to purchase tickets.  Please remember that only parent volunteers will be permitted to stay and attend and that all children will remain in the Hall for the entire Disco.  

Classes 2024
Term 4 is the time when we complete the 2023 school year as well as prepare for 2024.  One of the major tasks this term is to prepare classes for 2024.  Teachers and staff members use their professional expertise in making decisions, seeking to create equitable class groupings considering all students.  All classes/grades will be regrouped for 2024.  

Optimising the learning environment is the prime focus when forming new class groups for 2024, 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 learning for 2023, 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 2024.  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 10th November 2023.  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 learning for 2024.  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 2024, could you please notify the School Office as soon as possible.   There is a ‘School Leavers’ form that needs to be completed.

P&F AGM Meeting 2023
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 2023.  All positions on the P&F Executive are declared vacant and a voting process will occur. We are now calling for nominations for the election of Office Bearers. There are four Executive positions that are required to be filled by parents plus membership in general committees, such as fundraising, hospitality and Fete Committee.  There is a nomination form that you can complete and return to the School Office and as well you may nominate at the AGM. Paper copies of the nomination form are available from the School Office. Self nominations are also being accepted. 

St Thomas More Parents And Friends Association
2023 AGM
Monday 13th November 2023
School Library
7.00pm 
All parents and carers are welcome to attend

Aims and Objectives of the St Thomas More Parents and Friends Association

1. The Association recognises and values the role that parents/carers play in the education of their children and aims to strengthen the partnership between family, school, parish and the wider community for the benefit of their children’s overall development and learning.
2. The Association will endeavour to do this by:
1. promoting the faith-life and educational goals of the school in the context of its particular role within the mission of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Wollongong;
2. fostering effective partnerships involving parents/carers, students, staff, parish, and diocese for the provision of authentic Catholic education within a quality learning environment;
3. providing a parental perspective to assist the Principal in decision making;
4. collaborating at all times in a cooperative manner with the school Principal and consulting with the Principal in matters relating to the educational needs of the school, staff and students;
5. raising funds to provide resources and opportunities for enriching the learning environment of the school, in consultation with the Parish Priest and Principal;
6. supporting parents/carers in their parental responsibilities and involvement in their children’s education at home and at school;
7. providing a forum where matters relating to the education and development of students can be discussed productively; 
8. promoting appropriate social contact among the parents and friends of the school; and
9. providing a means for parents/carers to affiliate with the Diocese of Wollongong Parent Forum.

Have a great week,

Philip Barrington 
PRINCIPAL