Book Week 2024
Thank you to everyone in the St Thomas More School community for their support and participation in our recent Book Week activities.  Many wonderful and interesting characters were present in our playground for a special parade.  We thank the parents and carers for providing many wonderful costumes and presenting their children for the parade.   Thank you to Mrs Santa Maria and all staff for leading our community in the celebration of books and reading.  Reading is Magic!

Visit from Ally and James 91.3FM
Last Wednesday Ally and James and the Morning Crew from 91.3FM Macarthur Radio visited St Thomas More School.  They visited the students in Year 4.  Congratulations to Year 4 students for asking some wonderful questions about being on the radio and for being so interested in what was being presented to them.  Ally and James encouraged the Year 4 students to strive for their goals and that they can be whatever they want to be as long as they put their mind and effort into whatever they are trying to achieve.  

Public Speaking Stage 3
Congratulations to the students in Year 5 and Year 6 for their efforts and participation in our school’s Public Speaking competition.  Five Year 5 students and Four Year 6 students then presented their speeches in front of Stage 3 students and parents.  Congratulations to Indianna, Ivy, Anastasia, Matilda, Samantha and Indianna, Xavier, Katie and Emily for their wonderful speeches.  We wish Matilda and Emily the best of luck as they now will represent St Thomas More School at the Stage 3 interschool competition.  

Parents and Friends Association
All parents and friends are reminded that the next Parents and and Friends Association meeting will be held on Monday 16th September at 7.00pm in the School Library.  Come along and hear the feedback about our recent Fete.  Any items for the agenda can be emailed through to info@stmdow.catholic.edu.au  

Father’s Day Celebrations
Thank you to the P&F Association for their coordination of the recent Father’s Day Stall.  Thank you to the parent helpers who organised and purchased the gifts and then sold the gifts to the students.  Thank you to the parents of the P&F who then came to school early on Friday morning to cook and provide bacon and egg rolls for the community.  We hope that all dads, parents, father figures and carers had a wonderful day last Sunday.  

School Disco -  Second Disco for 2024
We say thank you in anticipation as the P&F Association organise a second School Disco for 2024 - Friday 20th September.  As in the past please read the notes and information sent out through Compass regarding the Disco.  Some rule reminders for students and parents to ensure the safety of everyone who is accessing our school during the time of the school disco.

• STM students are only permitted to attend the disco.
• Only staff and registered parent volunteers will be permitted in the Hall.  
• All children will remain in the Hall for the entire disco. The students will use the toilets inside the Hall.
• Mobile phones are not permitted at this school event.  If a student needs to bring a phone with them they must hand it in at the beginning of the disco and then collect it at the end.
• Parents and younger and older siblings are not permitted to wait in the school playground.  Why not bring your child to the Hall and go and have a child free hour or so and then return to collect your child at the end of the disco?

Reminders:

• Term 3  Golden Assembly is being held tomorrow Thursday 5th September 2024 in the School Hall, commencing at 8.30am.  Everyone is welcome.
• Friday 6th September is a Pupil Free Day.  The staff will be working offsite, participating in their annual Spirituality Day.  The staff will explore “Who is Saint Thomas More?”

Summer Uniform
As we have now commenced 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.

Planning for 2025
We are currently planning for 2025.  If your child is not returning to St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse in 2025, could you please notify the School Office as soon as possible.   This does not include Year 6 2024 going into high school.  There is a ‘School Leavers’ form that needs to be completed if you are not returning in 2025. 

Best wishes for the coming week,

Philip Barrington 
PRINCIPAL