Kindergarten 2025
Today we held the first of our two St Thomas More Kindergarten Orientation mornings for the 2025 Kindergarten children and families.  Our new Kindergarten children have now completed the Transition Playgroup sessions and are now being prepared to commence ‘big school’ in 2025.    Important dates for you in regards to the new school year in 2025 are listed in this newsletter.

STM Parents and Friends Association
Last Monday 11th November the 2024 Annual General Meeting was held.  Congratulations to the newly elected 2025 St Thomas More Parents & Friends Association Executive.

St Thomas More Parents and Friends Association Executive 2025

President:  Kellie Diamond
Vice President: Adrian Dowdell
Secretary: Chanelle Haywood
Treasurer: Nicole Smith

The school and P&F Association work closely together to fulfil the aims and objectives of the P&F constitution.

Aims and Objectives of the St Thomas More Parents and Friends Association

1. The Association recognises and values the role that parents/carers play in the education of their children and aims to strengthen the partnership between family, school, parish and the wider community for the benefit of their children’s overall development and learning.
2. The Association will endeavour to do this by:
1. promoting the faith-life and educational goals of the school in the context of its particular role within the mission of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Wollongong;
2. fostering effective partnerships involving parents/carers, students, staff, parish, and diocese for the provision of authentic Catholic education within a quality learning environment;
3. providing a parental perspective to assist the Principal in decision making;
4. collaborating at all times in a cooperative manner with the school Principal and consulting with the Principal in matters relating to the educational needs of the school, staff and students;
5. raising funds to provide resources and opportunities for enriching the learning environment of the school, in consultation with the Parish Priest and Principal;
6. supporting parents/carers in their parental responsibilities and involvement in their children’s education at home and at school;
7. providing a forum where matters relating to the education and development of students can be discussed productively; 
8. promoting appropriate social contact among the parents and friends of the school; and
9. providing a means for parents/carers to affiliate with the Diocese of Wollongong Parent Forum.

Results of the 2024 Fete Survey
The results of the recent 2024 Fete Survey were shared at the recent STM Parent and Friends Association Meeting.  47 families responded to the survey.  

A brief summary and analysis of the survey includes: 

• Low number of families responded to survey: 19% of STM School community
• Rides:
• Parents commented on the expense, asked for a greater variety, and some questioned the appropriateness of some of the rides.  Cheaper rides are needed.
• It was evident that the number of willing volunteers has greatly reduced.  There was a reliance on staff in 2024 to operate stalls.
• Considerations needed as stated by parents in the survey:
• Time of year - particularly in relation to other local community events and sports commitments.
• Alternatives - many named a variety of options to consider to assist with fundraising for the school.
• Wakelings raffle: it was surprising to note the number of families who didn’t visit and participate in the free raffle.
• Fete Levy: this was not seen as a popular option by the families that responded to the survey.
• Purchasing food, drink, raffles and being with own children were popular reasons for coming along to the Fete.

 Considerations and Decisions:

• The purpose of the 2023 and 2024 STM Fetes was to engage with parents, family and the local community.  STM School achieved this.  However, what other options could have achieved this community engagement?
• The purpose of the STM Fetes in the past was to raise funds and parent engagement with the school.  2023 and 2024 fell way short of raising funds equal to previous years.
• “Head vs Heart” decision was needed and made.  For the amount of effort, time and interruption to school life, learning and teaching, the current Fete model cannot continue.  The Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong is asking questions of the school.  In the past these questions could be justified regarding time and effort devoted to the Fete when tens of thousands of dollars profit was raised.  Sadly the decision is that the Fete cannot go ahead in 2025.

A new model has been proposed for the STM P&F Executive and P&F Association.  This new model hopefully encourages many more in our community to engage and raise funds for the school.   Parent volunteers will be asked to attend and coordinate school events that encourage engagement in the community throughout 2025.  Parent volunteers will be asked to attend and coordinate fundraising events that will provide a few extra funds for the school throughout 2025.  

In the coming weeks a calendar of possible events will be provided and the P&F Association and STM School will be asking for parent volunteers to assist in these events.  Parents will be asked continuously throughout 2025 to support these events.  In the meantime, if  you have any ideas for fundraising and/or ideas for community engagement or you would like to volunteer in any way please contact the P&F Excective via stmrusepandf@gmail.com

Once the 2025 events and calendar dates have been planned STM School and P&F Association will call again and again for volunteers to come on board.