Dear Parents and Carers,

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week is celebrated each year from 27th May to 3rd June. It is a time to celebrate and build on positive and respectful relationships and connections between Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Reconciliation involves building positive, respectful relationships between all Australians and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It helps to create a positive change and to help Australians learn about their shared

histories, cultures and achievements. Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders have faced many challenges and inequality over the years. These things have prevented them from reaching their potential. Being able to reconcile with them will lead to respect and better relationships and partnerships.

Almighty and loving God,

you who created all people in your image,

Lead us to seek your compassion as we

listen to the stories of our past.

You gave your only Son, Jesus, who died and

rose again so that sins will be forgiven.

We place before you the pain and anguish of

dispossession of land, language, lore, culture

and family kinship that Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced.

We live in faith that all people will rise from

the depths of despair and hopelessness.

Touch the hearts of the broken, homeless and inflicted and heal their spirits.

In your mercy and compassion walk with us as we continue our journey of healing to

create a future that is just and equal.

Lord, you are our hope.  Amen

During Week 10, Semester 1 parent/teacher interviews will be conducted.  You will soon be able to book online a time with your child’s teacher for the interview. All children in Years 1-6 are encouraged to attend the interview with their parents, making it a parent/child/teacher interview.  This provides an opportunity for an open conversation between parents, child and teacher in regards to the learning achievements and needs of the student.  We understand that all students may not be able to attend the interview for a variety of reasons, but their attendance is highly encouraged. Semester 1 reports will be sent home on Friday 28th June.  

Thursday 4th July (Week 10) St Thomas More School will be celebrating Grandparents Day.  All grandparents and carers are invited to our celebrations.

12.00pm - 1.05pm Open Classrooms - come along and see the children in their learning environment
1.05pm - 1.45pm Picnic Lunch in the school grounds
1.45pm Liturgy in the School Hall

Let us continue to pray for the 52 students from St Thomas More School and Parish who are currently preparing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.

Best wishes for the coming week,

Philip Barrington

PRINCIPAL

Wakakirri
An email was sent out to all Wakakirri families earlier today with the first newsletter attached. We are going to send all Wakakirri correspondence via email this year, so if you would rather a different email address or you did not receive the email, please let the office know.

There was important information in the newsletter about tickets, so please take the time to have a thorough read.

Earn and Learn
Classes are busily collect stickers and the students are enjoying sticking them on the posters.
Please keep the stickers coming.

Winter Sport Uniform
As the weather begins to cool, just a reminder that gym type pants are not part of our sports uniform and neither are blue jackets or jumpers form other local sporting clubs. Track suit pants are available for the Uniform Pool.

Last Wednesday, 14 students and Mr Harrison and Mrs Wells attended the annual Sorry Day Mass at the Indigenous Mass Centre at Minto. We all had a very good time connecting with the elders and other indigenous students in our area. Thank you to Mrs Wells for helping us to have a good time, Mr Oldfield for making our gift, Mrs Loomes for making sandwiches to share and Mr Harrison for driving us there. It is a very important and significant event that St Thomas More School is proud to be part of.

St Thomas More Parish is holding a parish working bee on 16th June.  Also on 7th July there is a Parish Ladies High Tea. Parents are invited to both events.  Please see the Parish Bulletin for more details.