Dear Parents and Carers,

On Monday, Remembrance Day, we stopped with the rest of the world to remember and pray for all those who have fought in wars in places all over the world.  We prayed for peace in our own lives, our community and world. I was also fortunate to attend the City of Campbelltown RSL Sub-Branch Remembrance Day Service at Mawson Park with Isabella-Grace, Ryan, Laura and Serafim from Year 6.  The students laid two wreaths in Mawson Park as a sign of our school’s acknowledgement and thanks for all who have given their lives in service for our country and places around our world. Lest We Forget.

God, our Father, you have given us a wonderful, rich land to take care of.  
People have come from different countries all over the world for over 200 years to be Australians 
and to give some of their special gifts to our country.  
Help us to respect and care for every Australian equally, 
from the oldest Australians – our Aboriginal people – to our newest arrivals from overseas.  
Bless our country with peace for years to come.

Thank you to the parents who were able to be present at the 2019 Parents and Friends Annual General Meeting.  At the AGM the 2019 committee were thanked for all of their hard work and efforts, acknowledging everyone’s commitment in working hard to provide the best for the students of St Thomas More School Ruse during 2019.

Congratulations to the parents who volunteered, were nominated or were voted into the following positions.

2020 St Thomas More Parents & Friends Association
President and Parish Council Delegate: Mr Adrian Dowdell
Vice President: Mrs Kylie Hayes
Secretary: Mrs Joanne Cowen
Treasurer: To Be Confirmed
2020 Fete Coordinators: Mrs Nea Minter, Mrs Peta Charlton, Mrs Tracey Rowe-Tucker, Mrs Sue Kendall, Mrs Rhiannon Wragg, Mr Ben Keegan
Uniform Pool:  Mrs Sue Cameron
Mother’s Club:  Mrs Sarah Ellis-Donai and Mrs Louise Labib

A reminder that Monday 18th November is Swimming Carnival Day (Years 3-6) and Water Fun Day (K-2).  We are looking forward to fine weather and an opportunity to display some of our new skills as a result of the swimming program.  Please refer to all notes that have been sent home regarding clothing and expectations for the day depending on which school event your child will be attending.

For the very first time for St Thomas More School your child’s Semester 2 report will be sent to you via Compass.  Reports will no longer be printed for you due to the ‘electronic online world’ in which we all use. You will be notified as to when the reports will ‘go live’’ for you to access.  This more than likely will be late in Week 9 (Thursday 12/12/19 or 13/12/19). We have been advised by ‘Compass’ to stagger the release of the reports across two days so as to cope with the large amounts of data that will need to be downloaded by our school.  More details about accessing your child’s report will be provided to you at a later date. However, please note that there will be no formal parent/teacher interview time this semester, however if parents wish to meet with their class teacher to discuss the report, that they will need to contact the School Office to arrange a time to meet with the teacher during Week 10.

If your child is not returning to St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse in 2020, could you please notify the School Office as soon as possible.   There is a ‘School Leavers’ form that needs to be completed. 

Best wishes for the coming week ,

Philip Barrington 
PRINCIPAL

A reminder to all families that ALL FEES should be finalised by Friday, 13th December at the latest, this will include payments for tuition, SEDSO, resource fees along with camps and swim program. You can pay via EFTPOS, BPAY (details on your fee statement), direct debit, cash or cheque. Monthly statements have been distributed during the year.

Fee statements were issued today by CEO Wollongong which are to the end of October 2019 and won't include any November payments.

Please be aware all accounts will be audited by Catholic Education Office Wollongong to ensure payments are finalised and the Catholic Education Office Wollongong will now manage these accounts daily with our new system. Should an account not be finalised before the year end without an explanation, it may result in the account being passed onto collections. 

Should you be experiencing genuine financial hardship, then please contact our office to discuss confidentially with Mr Barrington. A fee concession may be granted with the completion of appropriate paperwork.

A reminder for regular payments being paid via direct debit that this will continue during the school holiday period unless you have specified otherwise by completing a form to send to the bank. 

Thank you to the families who have finalised their accounts for the year.

Do you need to purchase some books in time for Christmas?  A book makes a great present.  

St Thomas More School is holding a Book Fair just to cater for your shopping and reading needs.  There is a special offer this year with BUY ONE and GET ONE FREE (to the same or lesser value).

There is no re-ordering so it is first in, first served.

Our Book Fair will be open for the purchase of books from Monday 18th November to Tuesday 26th November.  

Students/Parents may purchase books before school at lunch time or after school.  (8.15am - 3.30pm).

Books may also be purchased online.  (More details will be sent home soon.)