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.

Thank you to the parents and carers who were able to attend ‘Coffee and Conversations’ last week.  At this meeting it was proposed and supported that St Thomas More School should try and re-establish the St Thomas More Parents and Friends Association for 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 2022.  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 and hospitality.  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
2022 AGM
Tuesday 22nd November 2022
School Hall
7.30pm 
All parents and carers are welcome to attend

Today we held the St Thomas More Kindergarten Orientation morning for the 2023 Kindergarten children and families.  Our new Kindergarten children have now completed the Transition Playgroup sessions and Orientation and are now all excited and prepared to commence ‘big school’ in 2023.    Important dates for you in regards to the new school year in 2023 are listed here:

2023 School Year

Friday 27th January 2023: Staff returns
Tuesday 31st January 2023:  Year 1 to Year 6 return
Tuesday 7th February 2023:  Kindergarten first day at BIG school.  Kindergarten begins full days.
Tuesday 31st January to Monday 6th February = ‘Best Start Program’ for Kindergarten (a one hour appointment for your child at some time during this week).

A date for your diary:

St Thomas More Christmas Variety Concert
Tuesday 13th December 2022
7.00pm 
Mary Sheil Centre
St Patrick’s College Hall

It is suggested that you arrange an early dinner so as to have your children at St Patrick’s College by 6.30pm.

More details in the coming weeks will be communicated with you, particularly in regards to what the children will need to wear.  The last two years our Christmas Concert has been done virtually (online) and so we are excited to be able to ‘celebrate live’ with our community this year..  

If your child is not returning to St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse in 2023, could you please notify the School Office as soon as possible.   There is a ‘School Leavers’ form that needs to be completed.

Best wishes for the coming week,
Philip Barrington 
PRINCIPAL