As this is the last newsletter for 2022 and the year draws to a close it is timely to say “thank you” to many members of the St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse community:

• To the parents and carers for all your support of the school in many ways.  We have had a challenging year due to sickness, extreme weather and teacher shortages, however your constant support of all that we did was very much appreciated.  Thank you for supporting us, helping us and working with us in all areas, particularly the areas focussed on learning, wellbeing and safety.  We consistently worked hard in partnership with all of our families for the benefit of all children in our school.  
• To our priest, Fr Michael who has guided us and supported us through 2022.  We say thank you for his spiritual guidance, support and assistance in many ways as he is always there whenever he was needed.
• To the students for their hard work and resilience. Throughout 2022, the students have constantly amazed us all with their willingness to learn and ability to adapt particularly when plans changed at the last minute.    Our school community is fortunate to work with children who love to learn and love to come to school every day.  Thank you students.
• To the wonderful staff of St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School.  Their professionalism and dedication to the community is inspirational.  Their commitment to the learning and teaching agenda, even when faced with last minute daily changes to routines, they never lost sight of their roles. All of our staff have ensured that the children in our care were safe and equipped to cope with all that was being asked of them. Thank you STM staff.
• Thank you to the parishioners of St Thomas More Ruse for their prayers and support, particularly with the sacramental programs for 2022.  We appreciate their ability and cooperation with events and providing us with their constant support.   
• To everyone who did anything to assist and support our great school community in 2022, we say thank you.
  

We will say goodbye at the end of the year to the following staff members who will not be returning to St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School in 2023:

• Mr Jason Harrison who has a classroom teaching position at Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School Fairy Meadow.  Mr Harrison aims to return to STM Ruse in 2024.
• Mrs Leah Skinner who has a classroom teaching position at St John the Evangelist Catholic Parish Primary School Campbelltown.
• Miss Maeghan Robinson who is studying  and teaching in 2023.  We hope to see Miss Robinson doing some relief teaching at St Thomas More School in the future.
• Mrs Samantha McGarrity who is returning to her role as an Education Officer at the Catholic Education Office  as part of the School Improvement Specialist Support team. 

In 2023 we welcome to our staff:  Mr Andrew Astill (acting Assistant Principal), Mrs Laila Crowe, Mr Michael Dahler and Mr Aidan Farrant.  Mrs Belinda Willimas also returns to STM School in 2023.  All 2023 staffing positions will be communicated with you next week after the children are introduced to their 2023 classroom teacher on Thursday 15th December.

Congratulations to Miss Kirsty Pannu who will return to school in the new years as Mrs Aiken.  Miss Pannu is getting married in January holidays.     

On Friday 16th December 2022, we will say goodbye and farewell to all of the Year 6 children and some children in other grades.  Goodbye and thank you to the following families who leave St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse:  Alcantara, Allen (Jacob), Archer, Byrnes, Correia, Cowie, Dhakal, Ellis-Donai, George, Go Sy,  Greenup, Holmes, Inkster, Labib, Larner, Lillie, McCann, Nau, Neilson, Osorio, Pickering, Saravanan, Scibilia, Solomon, Stephenson, Webster and White families.

The traditional ‘STM Guard of Honour’ will occur on Friday 16/12/22 at 2.00pm.  Parents will be permitted to enter the school playground to be part of this event.  Kindergarten to Year 5 students will line up around school.  Year 6 will walk through the line and meet their parents and then are allowed to leave the school.   Kindergarten to Year 5 will then line up in the Undercover Area for any parents who may wish to collect their children early from school at approximately 2.15pm.  Normal school dismissal will also occur at 2.35pm.   

Your child’s Semester 2 Report will be available through Compass on Friday 9/12/22.  Paper copies of student reports are not being sent home.  Kindergarten to Year 6 reports will be made available for you to access through Compass on Friday 9/12/22.  To access your child’s report:  

1. Login to Compass. 
2. Click on your child’s portfolio.  
3. Click on the Reports Tab 
4. Click on Semester 2 2022.

All parents and carers are invited to our 
Whole school 
End of Year Mass 
at 11.30am

Friday 9th December 2022 

 St Thomas More Parish Church
Immediately following Mass 
we will be holding our 
End of Year Awards assembly

STM Christmas Variety Concert
Tuesday 13th December 2022
Mary Shiel Centre
St Patrick’s College 
7.00pm start
Students arrive at 6.30pm

SAUSAGE SIZZLE in St Thomas More School grounds before the Concert starts
The newly established St Thomas More P&F are organising a sausage sizzle before the Concert.  The sausage sizzle will be held in the grounds of St Thomas More School, on the grassed area, behind the Year 3 and Year 4 classrooms.

• Sausage sandwiches will be on sale from 5.15pm-6.15pm.
• Bring along a picnic rug and have a bite before the Concert.
• Parents must supervise their children at all times within the school grounds and walk their child up to St Patrick's College at 6.30pm.  
• Sausage sandwich = $2.00
• Drinks (soft drink and poppers) = $1.00
• Sausage sandwich and a drink = $2.50
• The P&F are asking for parent volunteers to cook the bbq, serve the families and clean up.  If you are able to assist please contact:
• Kellie Diamond - 0419 633 784
• Elizabeth De Groot - 0404 940 640
• In fairness to the volunteers providing the bbq, some reserved seating will be made available in St Patrick’s College Hall for the volunteers and some family members. 

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).