St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse eNewsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

Remembrance Day
Today as a school community we remembered and prayed for all those who have fought in wars in places all over the world. We continue to pray for peace in our own lives, our community and world. Remembrance Day will always be a special day for our world when we all stop and remember and give thanks for those who gave their lives for our freedom—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.

NAIDOC Week
This week our nation celebrates NAIDOC Week. The theme of NAIDOC Week this year is Always Was, Always Will Be. This theme recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are spiritually and culturally connected to this country. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first artists.

Stage 3 Camps
Congratulations to Year 6 on their exceptionally good behaviour while attending the overnight camp to Teen Ranch Cobbitty last week. By all accounts everyone had a very active time participating in all of the activities, even forming new friendships along the way. A huge thank you to the Year 6 teachers for their organisation of the camp so as to ensure that the children did not miss out on this experience. Best wishes to our year students and teachers who are attending an overnight camp this week at Wedderburn Christian Campsite. In such a challenging year we are grateful that these camps were able to go ahead.

Semester 2 Reports
Your child’s Semester 2 report will be sent to you via Compass on Friday 11th December 2020 (Week 9). 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. Should you wish to discuss your child’s report with the class teacher you will need to contact the School Office to arrange a time to meet with the teacher during Week 10.

Mufti Day
Thursday 26th November is Mufti Day where children are permitted to wear sensible mufti clothes to school and to provide a gold coin donation to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. Thank you in anticipation of your support.

2021 Classes
If your child is not returning to St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse in 2021, could you please notify the School Office as soon as possible. There is a ‘School Leavers’ form that needs to be completed.

Parents and Friends Association
As notified earlier this week that the P&F AGM has been postponed to Monday 15th February 2021. This will hopefully allow us to conduct the meeting face to face and include new families to our school.

St Thomas More Parents And Friends Association
2020 AGM
Monday 15th February 2021
School Hall
7.00pm
All parents and carers are welcome to attend

Wash Hands
Social Distancing
Stay Safe

Philip Barrington
PRINCIPAL

Carline Pick Up
We have a lot of cars who are using the Carline pick up in the afternoon, who are not displaying a family name. This is making the pick up very difficult for staff as they cannot ensure the correct students are at the gate ready for the car and this holds the whole process up.

If you would like to use the carline pick up, you must have a family name displayed on the back of the passenger side sun visor (please do not put it on the dashboard, as many of these cannot be seen).

If you do not have a name tag, there are two options. You can ring the office and one will be made for you, or you could make your own at home.

If another family member is picking up your child, please ensure they also have a name tag, correctly displayed.

If your car does not have a name tag, please park the car and walk over to collect the student.

Ways_to_Communicate.pdf

Ways_to_Communicate _pdf 47.97 KB

During COVID appointments MUST be made to visit the shop and make purchases otherwise you are welcome to place your order at the office. This will be filled and sent home.

Please contact the school office 4625 6561 to make an appointment to visit the uniform shop.

Thank you to Sue Cameron for her continues to generously give her time to run this shop for our families.

Date	Event / Time	Information
Thursday 12th November - Friday 13th November	Year 5 Overnight Camp	Wedderburn Christian Campsite
Tuesday 17th November and Thursday 19th November	Kindergarten 2021 Orientation 9.00am-10.15am	Parents sign their child in and take them to the Hall. Parents leave the school property
Saturday 21st November	Confirmation at St Thomas More Parish Church	Please refer to all communication from the St Thomas More Parish Ruse
Monday 23rd November	Kindergarten 2021 Parent Night 7.00pm via Zoom	Zoom Link to be sent on morning of 23/11/20
Thursday 26th November	Year 6 ACTIVATE Day	Year 6 students across the Wollongong diocese participate in ACTIVATE. Prayer reflection day and activities. Held at school
Thursday 26th November	Mufti Day - Vinnies Christmas Appeal	Gold coin donation for wearing mufti clothes to school.
Friday 27th November 2020	STM Swimming Carnival	Only capable swimmers attending from Years 2-6. All Year 6 attending as competitors and helpers. Parents are not permitted to attend.
Tuesday 8th December	Movie Day Whole School	Final details still to be confirmed. School in communication with Dumaresq St Cinemas regarding safety plans K-6 travels by bus to Dumaresq St Cinemas for the annual end of year treat.
Wednesday 9th December	2020 Christmas Concert 6.00pm Youtube Link	Recorded during school time during Term 4 Recorded concert will be accessed by parents via Youtube Link at 6.00pm
Friday 11th December	Year 6 Graduation: Mass 10.30am in the Church followed by a Meal (lunch) at the Catholic Club	Parents are not permitted to attend either the Mass or Luncheon (due to restrictions) Year 6 teachers, plus 2-3 staff members to attend Children to catch bus Year 6 End of Year Awards to be presented at the Catholic Club Mass and lunch recorded to be shared with parents via Youtube Link
Monday 14th December	Year 6 Fun Day	Year 6 Fun Day = all day. Details soon.
Monday 14th December	Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 End of Year Liturgy and End of Year Awards School Hall 9.00am	Parents are not permitted to attend Liturgy and Awards are recorded to be shared with parents via Youtube Link
Monday 14th December	Year 3 and Year 4 End of Year Liturgy and End of Year Awards School Hall 11.30am	Parents are not permitted to attend Liturgy and Awards are recorded to be shared with parents via Youtube Link
Monday 14th December	Promotions Session to 2021 classes 1.45pm - 2.25pm	Students meet their 2021 class teacher
Tuesday 15th December	End of Year Mass 11.15am Year 5 attend and 10x Year 6 2020 student leaders	Parents are not permitted to attend 2021 Student Leaders announced at the end of Mass Year 5 End of Year Awards announced Mass, Awards and Announcements are recorded to be shared with parents via Youtube Link
Wednesday 16th December	Last day for students Guard of Honour 1.00pm	K-5 students line up around school. Year 6 to walk through line and meet only Year 6 parents (socially distanced) in the area behind Year 6 inside the school boundaries. No grandparents or older siblings permitted on the school grounds = parents only. Relatives can wait outside the school boundary fence. All K-5 parents wait for the usual dismissal procedure at 1.15pm or 2.40pm. Year 6 leave with parents or wait until usual dismissal.