Further in this newsletter are the dates and times outlining our school’s prayer liturgies during Week 11, Holy Week.  Similar to the Stations of the Cross we will pray and remember events such as Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday (Last Supper, Washing of the Feet, Praying in the Garden), Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  Parents and Carers are invited to join us for these prayers in our school grounds.  Please arrive at 12.15pm for a 12.30pm start of these liturgies.

As we are still currently in the season of Lent we are asking that no Easter eggs or Easter gifts be distributed among the children before Easter.  Easter Eggs are a symbol of new life which is what we share and give each other at the time of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday.  As Easter falls in the school holiday, any such gifts will be sent home after Easter Sunday, at the beginning of Term 2.  

LTW 23+
Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong recently launched its Strategy Map.  This map outlines how we will bring our mission to life in 2023 and beyond.  Please take time to access the link and read how our school and all Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wllonong will operate.  

Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong mission is:
We exist to create vibrant Catholic school communities where every student finds meaning and purpose in their life through experiencing continual growth in faith and improvement in learning.

Term 2 uniform
Students return to school in Term 2 in their Summer uniform.  School Photo Day is being held on Friday 5th May 2023 (Week 2) in which each child needs to be in their Summer uniform on this day.  No sports uniform on Photo Day.  If and when the weather turns cool, parents may decide as to which uniform to send their child to school, whether it be Winter uniform or Summer uniform during the early weeks of Term 2.  From Monday 15th May (Week 4) all children will be expected to be in their Winter uniform.

Enrolling now for 2024
The enrolment period for 2024 has opened.  If you have a child who is to start Kindergarten in 2024, please collect an enrolment form from the School Office or download a form from the St Thomas More School website https://www.stmdow.catholic.edu.au/  We ask everyone in our community to promote our school.  Families enrolling in our school assist us to maintain our enrolment numbers so as to operate each day as a two stream school (two classes in every grade).  We have so much to offer.  Please spread the word about our great school.  Siblings are also required to collect and submit a complete enrolment form.  The enrolment period for Kindergarten closes on Thursday 6th April and interviews will be conducted early in Term 2.

Clothing Pool
Will be open on Friday 24/3/23 instead of Wednesday 22/3/23.  Wednesday 29/3/23 will be the last day the Clothing Pool will open for Term 1.  SALE ON ALL ITEMS FOR THE REST OF THE TERM 1: $5.00

Best wishes for the coming week,
Philip Barrington 
PRINCIPAL

 

Well-being -  Zones of Regulation 
Each day classes participate in check-ins to monitor the emotional well-being of students. We are continuing to explicitly teach this throughout the year. The Zones of Regulation incorporates concepts and numerous visuals to teach students to: 
- identify their own feelings/level of alertness and triggers
- understand how their behaviour impacts those around them
- provide strategies they can use to manage their feelings and states.

Over the course of the year, strategies and examples will be provided through the newsletter. 

Just a reminder that HATS are an important part of the school uniform and are also needed to ensure students are sun-safe when outside the classroom. Please ensure that your child has their hat each day and that it is labelled with their name.