Wakakirri
CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU to all who were involved in our 2023 Wakakirri performance. Last Friday our St Thomas More School team travelled to NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Arts) in Sydney to participate in the 2023 State Showcase for Wakakirri.  Wakakirri is a National Story - Dance Festival in which all schools across Australia can participate in.  Friday was the second time the students performed as the regional event was held at the Riverside Theatres Parramatta earlier in August.  On Friday night STM Ruse received a Certificate of Excellence with the World History Story State Award.  We then received a 2023 National Award Nominee. We now await to hear whether we are national winners in the coming months.

Our school's performance was titled Virtual Reality - A Timeless Invention.  Dinosaurs once roamed the Earth until extinction.  Through the evolution of human invention and revolutionary technology, the resurgence of the Jurassic giant is possible.  Virtual Reality is a timeless invention.

66 students from Year 2 to Year 6 and many staff from STM Ruse were involved in Wakakirri 2023.  STM Ruse thanks the parents for the ongoing support with practices and performances.  For more photos and information please visit the St Thomas More Facebook page.

Year 6 Canberra Excursion
Students from our school  have recently undertaken an education tour of the national capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $30 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. 

Father’s Day
Thank you to all who were involved in our Father’s Day celebrations last week.  To all of the dads, stepdads, grandads and parents who were able to join us we hope you enjoyed your breakfast and the gifts purchased for you by your children.  Thank you to Kelly Tabone, Tamara Kemps and Judi Dowdell and their helpers for organising the Father’s Day Stall.  Thank you to those who cooked and organised the breakfast - Adrian Dowdell, Kellie Diamond, Tim Diamond, Chanelle Haywood, Simon Kazmar and Mrs Wells. Thanks to Carolina Gomez for organising the Father's Day balloon display.  A huge thank you to the Kindergarten students for leading our community in prayer.

Summer Uniform
As we approach Spring and are beginning to experience some warmer days parents may decide as to which uniform to send their child to school - Winter or Summer.  This choice will remain until the end of Term 3 then from the start of Term 4 all children will be in their Summer uniform.

Swimming Program
The Kindergarten to Year 4 swimming program is being held each Wednesday in Term 4 during Weeks 1-8.  Details may be found on Compass.  Also Years 5 and Year 6 will be participating in a Beach education Day.  Again all details will be found in Compass. All details will be sent home in the coming week.

Good Luck
Best wishes to all students in Year 12 who are busily preparing for their final days of school and for their HSC exams.  Our prayers are especially with all of the big brothers and sisters and ex-students of St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse.  

Planning for 2024
We are currently planning for 2024.  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.   This does not include Year 6 2023 going into high school.  There is a ‘School Leavers’ form that needs to be completed if you are not returning in 2024. 

Have a great two week break when it arrives,

Philip Barrington 
PRINCIPAL