Dear Parents and Carers,

Many schools across our country will be celebrating Book Week over the next few weeks.  Although in 2019 we have not planned a big celebration for Book Week (due to our involvement and commitment to Wakakirri) our school recognises and celebrates the importance of reading and books.  We do this through our learning and teaching programs on a daily basis. We encourage all students to read each and every night as part of their homework and each class has the opportunity to borrow and read a book from our school library each week.  

Why is reading important?

1. Reading is fundamental to functioning in today’s society.
2. Reading is a vital skill in performing in the workplace.
3. Reading develops the mind.
4. Reading is how we discover new things.
5. Reading develops the imagination.
6. Reading is fundamental in developing a good self image.
7. Good reading skills improves good spelling skills.
8. Words - spoken and written - are the building blocks of life.

Reading is such an important life long skill, which we should all never take for granted.  St Thomas More School staff are committed to providing quality teaching and learning opportunities to teach and build each student’s abilities and skills in reading.

Let’s celebrate books and read and read and read!

Best wishes and good luck to the 100 students who are representing our school at Wakakirri 2019.  Wakakirri is Australia’s largest Performing Arts event for schools. A huge thank you to the students and parents for their hard work and time devoted to our school’s performance.  Many thanks to the hard working staff, particularly the Wakakirri team for their extra work in preparing, organising and practising the children. The Wakakirri students are performing next Wednesday evening 28/8/19 at the Parramatta Riverside theatre.

This week I have the privilege of accompanying the Year 6 students and teachers on their overnight excursion to Canberra.  The students from our school will participate in an educational tour of the national capital. Students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government contributed funding of $20 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate will be paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

Our school is participating in Mufti/Jersey/Footy Colours Day on Friday 13 September 2019 to raise awareness for Organ and Tissue donation.  This is an extraordinary mufti day, not to raise money donations but to raise our awareness of this worthy cause.  This cause is close to the St Thomas More community as it affects some families in our school.   All children are asked to wear their favourite mufti/jersey/footy colours so that we can raise awareness about the importance of organ donation.

Best wishes for the coming week,

Philip Barrington 
PRINCIPAL