Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to Term 3 2024.  We trust that you have had an opportunity for a rest and relaxation over the past holiday break and are now ready for a busy term ahead.  This term the events that will keep us busy include:  2024 STM School Fete, Sacrament of First Holy Communion, Book Week, Soccer Gala Day, some class excursions, Jersey Day, Father’s Day, masses, liturgies and many learning and teaching opportunities.  Included in this newsletter is a calendar of major events.  Please continue to check your Compass notifications regularly for updates for all that is occurring at STM School.  We are thankful for all the opportunities that this new term will bring to the St Thomas More community. 

St Thomas More School Fete
Sunday 4th August 2024 is fast approaching, with only 11 days until the 2024 STM Fete.  Thank you to the Fete Stall Coordinators who attended the meeting last night and are now prepared and ready for Fete Day.  Thank you to those who are still donating to the Fete - we are still gratefully accepting all donations.  Everything that the community is doing is very much appreciated.  However, we still require many more volunteers to assist on Fete Day.  If you have a spare hour (or two) and would like to work on a stall, please either call Amelia 0400668825 or Katherine 0421990027 or email stmrusefete@gmail.com Please also refer to the Fete News that was sent out via Compass this week as this provides a lot of information about Fete Day.  The success of our Fete relies on the wonderful contribution of time and effort from our community.  

NAPLAN
Year 3 and Year 5 students and families have received their 2024 NAPLAN results today.  Please check your child’s school bag as the individual letters were sent home today.  

Who We Are - Diocese Of Wollongong
The Diocese of Wollongong has recently updated its Who We Are: Bearers of Christ’s Love statistics and a mid-season report.  Please also click the following link to view the latest from Bishop Brian. "It's Who We Are" video

Sparking Life is a non-profit organisation promoting organ and tissue donation awareness and education and encouraging people to register to become organ and tissue donors. The mission of Sparking Life is to create an understanding of the real need many people face daily to maintain their health and how each of us can help.

Sparking Life has now also affiliated with Lifeblood. Together we are reaching out to encourage people to think seriously about becoming blood or plasma donors.
Recently, the St Thomas More staff listened to a presentation from Sparking Life. The aim of this presentation was to encourage staff members to register with Lifeblood and make an appointment to become a donor of either blood or plasma. The staff came to realise that there are many people in need of donated blood and blood products each and every day and assisting these individuals via a personal donation was a wonderful way to show genuine service to others. Each person who donates has the life-giving ability to save up to three lives.

Sparking Life is looking forward to a seeing a generous response as the number of donors and donations grow for the St Thomas More team. I’d like to sincerely thank Mr Barrington and the staff for their support of Sparking Life. It has been wonderful hear about the commitment of staff members to become donors and therefore witness such acts of kindness by all assisting those in need.

Sparking Life is also extending the same invitation to parents and friends to participate in this initiative. Parents are warmly welcome to join with the staff in rolling up their sleeves for such a worthy cause. All you need to do is register on the Lifeblood website, book an appointment and choose either blood or plasma to donate.

When you attend your appointment, you just need to say:
Can I join The Sparking Life St Thomas More Ruse Team

and you’ll be part of a growing number of people who are doing

something very special for those who need our help.
The gift of you time gives the gift of hope and ultimately the gift of life.