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Dear Parents and Carers,
On Friday 21st June we will celebrate the feast of Saint Thomas More, the wonderful saint of which our school and parish is named. We will celebrate Mass as a community in our Parish Church. After Mass, once we have returned to school, each child will receive a donut during Lunch 2. This is a tradition that the STM P&F provides this free donut for each child - thank you P&F. Throughout the day, classes will spend some learning time engaged in activities focused on the life of Saint Thomas More. We will then finish off our special day with the school disco which is also run by the P&F. Happy Feast Day St Thomas More School and Parish.
Some facts about Saint Thomas More...
- Thomas More was born in London on February 7, 1478.
- It is likely that Thomas was positively influenced from a young age by his mother and siblings.
- Thomas More entered Oxford in 1492, where he would learn Latin, Greek and prepared for his future studies. In 1494, he left Oxford to become a lawyer and he trained in London until 1502 when he was finally approved to begin practice.
- Thomas More married his first wife, Jane Colt in 1505. They would have four children together before her death in 1511. Their marriage was reportedly happy and Thomas often tutored her in music and literature.
- Thomas was considered a doting father, and he often wrote letters to his children when he was away on work. He also insisted that his daughters receive the same education as his son. His daughters were well known for their academic accomplishments.
- More used his skills as a theologian and a writer. Among his most famous works is "Utopia," about a fictional, idealistic island society.
- From 1517 on, Henry VIII took a liking to Thomas More, and gave him posts of ever increasing responsibility.
- Thomas More was immediately effective, working with speed and precision that is admired today. He was likely one of Henry VIII's most effective servants, and was fiercely loyal to the king.
- During his tenure as Lord Chancellor, Thomas More prosecuted those accused of heresy and worked tirelessly to defend the Catholic faith in England. However, in 1530, as Henry worked to obtain an annulment from his wife, Catherine, More refused to sign a letter to the Pope, requesting an annulment. This was More's first time crossing Henry.
- The relationship between Thomas More and Henry VIII became strained again when seeking to isolate Thomas More, Henry VIII purged many of the clergy who supported the Pope. It became clear to all that Henry VIII was prepared to break away from the Church in Rome, something Thomas More knew he could not condone
- In 1532, Thomas More found himself unable to work for Henry VIII, whom he felt had lost his way as a Catholic.
- Thomas More accepted Henry's marriage to Anne, but refused to acknowledge Henry as head of the church, or his annulment from Catherine. This led to his arrest and imprisonment. He was locked away in the Tower of London.
- The court sentenced him to be hanged, drawn, and quartered, which was the traditional punishment for treason. As a final act of mercy, Henry VIII commuted Thomas More's punishment to mere decapitation.
- Thomas More has been widely remembered as a man of tremendous integrity, and he has since been described as a martyr and canonized a saint.
- Thomas More was beatified in 1886, and he was canonized on May 19, 1935.
- His feast day is June 22.
- He is the patron saint of adopted children, lawyers, civil servants, politicians, and difficult marriages.
Adapted from https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=324
Our school crest/badge reflects our dedication to our patron, Saint Thomas More.
St Thomas Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse School Badge
STM St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School
Round Shield with Studs From the family crest of St Thomas More, our patron
Gold Cross Christian symbol
Star Mary – the Mother of God and of us
Olive Branch Peace – the fruit of living according to our motto “Live in Truth and Love”
School Colours Blue and Gold
St Thomas More Feast Day Mass
All parents, friends and parishioners are invited to celebrate
the feast of Saint Thomas More
Friday 21st June 2024
11.30am Mass
St Thomas More Parish Church
STM School Athletics Carnival
Thank you to all in the STM community who were involved in our wonderful School Athletics Carnival today. Although a little chilly to begin the day, we were blessed with perfect weather. Congratulations to all children for their efforts and fine display of sports-personship. Everyone tried their best and true St Thomas More spirit was shown. Congratulations to all winners, particularly to those who broke school records. A huge thank you to the parent helpers, C&M Sports and to all the STM staff for their efforts throughout the day which ensured a very successful day for everyone. A special thanks to Mr Farrant and Mrs Augustine for their fine organisation and coordination of the day. We will announce final points and winners at tomorrow morning’s school assembly. Age Champions for 2024 will be announced at our Golden Assembly on Friday morning. Congratulations to all of the 2024 winners.
Mufti Day for STM Fete
Students may wear mufti clothes to school tomorrow, Thursday 13th June and bring to school a monetary donation for the STM Fete.
Late Arrivals
There is quite a large number of students in our school who are regularly late to school each day. Parents and carers are reminded that school officially starts at 8.30am each morning. It is understandable that on the odd occasion something may occur to prevent you from being at school on time, however a regular late arrival is very disruptive to the learning of all classes. We aim to get the children into class as soon as possible each morning after the 8.30am bell has sounded so that learning may commence. Thank you to the students and families who are always at school and on time to commence their learning each and every day, 5 days a week.
Semester 1 Parent / Teacher Interviews
During Week 10, Tuesday 2nd July, Semester 1 parent/teacher interviews will be conducted. You will soon be able to book through Compass a time with your child’s teacher for the interview. All children 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 out via Compass on Friday 28th June.
Golden Assembly
On Friday 14th June at 8.30am in the School Hall we will celebrate our Term 2 Golden Assembly. There are a couple of students who will receive their Gold Award at this special assembly. Parents and carers are welcome to attend.
St Thomas More School Award System
Celebration of Learning
Thank you to the parents and carers who were able to attend the Stage 2 Liturgy and Celebration of Learning last week. A large number of parents, carers and grandparents gathered with the students to pray and then spent time in Year 3 and Year 4 classrooms. The Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 Celebration of Learning will occur on Thursday 27th June 8.30am-9.30am.
Afternoon Dismissal
Thanks to those parents and carers who are abiding by the road rules and not blocking St Johns Road during afternoon pick up. We seem to have some good days and not so good days. Police and Council Rangers are constantly monitoring this area. We encourage all families to stagger their pick up time between 2.40pm and 3.00pm. Your children are safe in the care of teachers until you arrive to collect them. A reminder to all parents and carers who collect their child from the Undercover Area to please walk into the school playground to the Undercover Area to collect your child. Children are not permitted to leave the Undercover Area when called to the gate by parents. A huge thank you to the staff of our school for their hard work and care of the children each afternoon.
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.
Best wishes for the coming week,
Philip Barrington
PRINCIPAL
|
Date |
Event |
Time / Information |
|
Wednesday 12th June |
School Athletics Carnival |
Campbelltown Sports Stadium |
|
Thursday 13th June |
Mufti Day |
Students wear mufti and bring in a donation (gold coin or foldable) that will assist with the 2024 STM Fete. |
|
Friday 14thJune |
Golden Assembly |
8.30am School Hall Whole School Assembly |
|
Friday 14th June |
Year 6 Graduation Photo |
|
|
Friday 21st June |
Feast of St Thomas More (22nd June) Whole School Mass |
11.00am STM Parish Church |
|
Friday 21st June |
School Disco |
More details soon |
|
Tuesday 2nd July |
Semester 1 Parent/Teacher Interviews |
3.10pm-7.30pm |
|
Friday 5th July |
Last day of Term 2 |
|
|
Monday 22nd July |
Pupil Free Day / Staff Development Day |
|
|
Tuesday 23rd July |
Students return Term 3 |
|
|
Sunday 4th August |
STM FETE |
|
|
Friday 6th September |
Pupil Free Day / Staff Development Day |
|
|
Friday 27th September |
Last day Term 3 |
|
|
Monday 14th October |
Students return Term 4 |
|
|
Wednesday 18th December |
Last day for students |