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Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to all staff, students and families to Term 2 2020. As you are aware, this new term of learning has commenced in the way in which we finished in Term 1. School is open for supervision however all students in our school are accessing their learning remotely. We thank all parents and carers for supporting and assisting in this mode of learning. Our staff are again to be congratulated for all of their hard work in providing daily learning and lessons to your children. The St Thomas More Home Learning Site is hopefully providing you with all of the information that you require each day. By all accounts the majority of students are accessing their work each day, trying hard with their work and are communicating with their class teacher each morning in the class Zoom session. Through recent correspondence that was provided to you, you would be aware that the Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wollongong is in constant communication with health and government authorities in regards to the operation of our school. Please be assured that we are working hard to keep you updated with the latest even when processes and rules seem to change rapidly overnight. For now, our remote online learning is continuing for Weeks 1 and 2. Please regularly check Compass for communication regarding learning for Week 3 and beyond. Congratulations to all children of St Thomas More School for all of their efforts with their work. A highlight for me this week has been visiting the different Zoom class sessions and saying hello to all of the children. We all look forward to the day when life returns to some type of normal and that we can all see each other face to face.
At this moment in our lives, our prayers and thoughts are with all those in our community and across our world who we know who are not coping at this time for a variety of reasons. We particularly pray for all those whose health has been affected in any way by the virus. We pray and give thanks for all those in our community who are essential workers and are managing and juggling work and remote learning at the same time. We pray for those who no longer have work and are suffering financial hardship at this time. During this season of Easter we pray that the risen Lord will guide and protect us during these unsettling times.
Our heavenly Father, we come before you with contrite hearts, yearning for your comfort and your grace. In the midst of COVID-19 spreading across the globe, we ask in your mercy that you would stop this plague and restore harmony and health to the nations, and especially Australia.
We thank you for all those who have dedicated their lives to serving our community, for health workers, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and especially those who labour In laboratories seeking a vaccine for the Coronavirus. Give them wisdom, skill and patience in their work, and by your grace, give them success in their endeavours.
We also pray for those who govern us, for our Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers, for their courageous leadership and national cooperation across States and Territories. Grant them wisdom in their decisions as they navigate the threats to lives and livelihoods. We also pray for our police force, our emergency services and defence force personnel as they seek to maintain order in our country. May all Australians respect their work, accept the limitations on our freedoms and seek the welfare of others, for the good of all.
And we pray for ourselves and our families, especially those who have lost loved ones to this disease, or those suffering from its effects. May we know the peace that passes understanding, as we place our trust in Jesus, in whose powerful name we pray. Amen.
As per government recommendations, parents and caregivers are not permitted on the school property other than to drop off or pick up their children. If parents and caregivers are walking their children to and from school, they should not come past the last gate into the school. A teacher is on Carlines duty from 8.00am each morning for you to drop your child off and everyone is encouraged to use the pick up zone in the afternoon. As more students gradually return to school we will inform you of any new procedures that may be needed to coordinate the pick up in the afternoon.
We are currently in a transition phase between our Summer and Winter uniform. At the moment it does not matter as to which uniform your child is wearing when they attend school. Let us aim to be all in Winter uniform from Monday 25th May (Week 5). Our Second Hand Uniform Shop has some stock. If you need to purchase some clothing please email Mrs Sue Cameron (suemcam@hotmail.com) and she can hopefully fill your order. The uniform can then be collected from the School Office. All items cost $7.00.
Term 2 is always the time in which schools conduct enrolment interviews. This year due to the current pandemic Mrs MacFetters and I will be conducting the Kindergarten interviews via a teleconference. We hope later in the term to meet all prospective enrolments face to face. All families who have younger siblings and are yet to obtain an enrolment application, now is the time to do so. Also if you know of any children interested in enrolling in our great school please spread the word.
Wash Hands
Social Distancing
Stay Safe
St Thomas More, pray for us
Philip Barrington
PRINCIPAL
cholastic Book Club has a virtual catalogue this term for those students who wish to purchase books. Please access the catalogue via the link. You order and pay for your books and they will deliver them to school where you can collect them. All orders are due by the 18th May 2020.
