St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse eNewsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week is Holy Week, where Christians worldwide remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. During Holy Week, Christians recall the events leading up to Jesus’ death by crucifixion and his Resurrection. The week includes special days of significance. The first is Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus’ humble entry on a donkey into Jerusalem to observe Passover. Jesus was greeted by crowds of people who spread their cloaks and laid palm leaves in his path and proclaimed him the Son of David. In many Christian churches Palm Sunday is celebrated with a blessing and procession of palms. Maundy Thursday marks Jesus’ institution at the Last Supper of the Eucharist, thereafter a central element of Christian worship. In our Roman Catholic tradition, Maundy Thursday is accompanied by the washing of the feet, in imitation of Jesus’ washing of the feet of his twelve disciples at the Last Supper. Good Friday commemorates Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross; it is traditionally a day of sorrow, penance, and fasting. Easter Sunday is the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection, on the third day after his crucifixion.

We too, at St Thomas More Catholic Primary School have been reflecting and praying about these events. All parents and carers are invited to our ‘Stations of the Cross’ prayer sessions occurring tomorrow, Thursday 28/3/24.

Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday):
The sixth Sunday of Lent honours the welcoming of Jesus into Jerusalem. He rode into the city on a donkey. The crowds that gathered waved palm branches and said, "Hosanna! Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord." Jesus riding on a donkey represents His humility.

Holy Thursday:
This day commemorates Jesus' Last Supper with His twelve disciples. The first Holy Communion was celebrated. Jesus said “Do this in memory of me”.

Good Friday:
This day of sorrow commemorates the arrest, trial, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus Christ, Son of God. He suffered and died on the cross to redeem all sinners.

Holy Saturday:
On the seventh and final day of Holy Week, Jesus rested in the tomb. It is a quiet day of meditation. The Vigil service reflects on the retelling of the salvation story from Genesis to Jesus. This is traditionally a day for baptism.

Easter Sunday:
This is the day of rejoicing because Jesus rose from the dead and conquered death once and

for all. On this day we celebrate the joy and hope Easter morning represents to Christians all over the world when we proclaim: “Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!”

May the peace of the risen Lord be with all families of the St Thomas More community during this Easter season.

Continuous Catholic School Improvement
Each year our school sets annual goals to which we make our focus for the year. These were shared at our first P&F meeting for the year.

Goal 1: Students will demonstrate improvement in understanding how numbers are represented. Hopefully your children are now sharing with you some great learning in regards to using and working with numbers. All children across Kindergarten to Year 6 are currently engaging in assessment tasks focused on representing numbers.

Goal 2: Students will feel safe, supported and respected in the classroom and on the playground. Those who attend our regular weekly morning assembly will notice greater emphasis and focus on playground behaviours and rewards as well as challenging children to act in accordance with the school rules. We are also encouraging all parents and carers to engage in conversation with children in regards to the schools ‘Open Parachute’ program. This school wide program was introduced last year and continues in 2024 and is focused on student wellbeing and addresses topics such as resilience, bullying, safety and mental health.

Review of Student Mental Health Services to Schools
Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong Wellbeing and Student Support Team has engaged with an external company to complete a review of CEDoW student mental health services to schools. This process involves a review of all system policies, procedures, frameworks and ways of working to address student mental health needs in the wellbeing space. Part of this review involves obtaining feedback from key stakeholders including school leadership, teachers, parents and students. This will be undertaken via a survey to be administered in all schools from Tuesday 2 April to Friday 12 April 2024. This survey will be sent out in the coming week via Compass. Feedback provided by parents will benefit the mental health and wellbeing of all children and young people.

Enrolling now for 2025
St Thomas More School is enrolling now for 2025. If you have a child who is to start Kindergarten in 2025, please access and complete the electronic enrolment form which is located on our school website. The enrolment period closes on Friday 12th April and interviews will be conducted early in Term 2. Please spread the word about our great school.

I am taking Long Service Leave for the next two weeks, Weeks 10 - 11 Term 1. Mr Astill will be the acting principal in my absence. May all families have a joyous Easter and a restful two week break at the end of the term. See you all in Term 2.

Philip Barrington
PRINCIPAL

Meet_the_2024_Staff_of_STM_Wk_9.pdf

Date	Event	Time / Information
Monday 25th March	P&F General Meeting	7.00pm Library
Thursday 28th March	Stations of the Cross	Kinder - 9.00am Years 1 and 2 - 9.15am Years 3 and 4 - 9.30am Years 5 and 6 - 9.45am
Thursday 28th March	Easter Raffle draw	2.15pm Undercover Playground
Friday 29th March	Good Friday	Public Holiday
Monday 1st April	Easter Monday	Public Holiday
Tuesday 2nd April	Normal school day
Thursday 4th April	Easter Liturgy followed by weekly school assembly	8.30am
Friday 12th April	Last day of Term 1
Monday 29th April	Staff Development Day	Pupil Free Day
Tuesday 30th April	Students return Term 2
Friday 7th June	Staff Development Day	Pupil Free Day
Tuesday 2nd July	Semester 1 Parent/Teacher Interviews	3.10pm-7.30pm
Friday 5th July	Last day of Term 2