Dear Parents and Carers,

As this is the last newsletter for 2020 and the year draws to a close it is timely to say “thank you” to many members of the St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse community:

• To the parents and carers for all your support of the school in many ways.  We have had a very different year with many changes and restrictions to the way we do things, however your constant support of all that we did was very much appreciated.  Thank you for helping us to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all in our community throughout 2020. 
• To our priest, Fr Michael who has guided us and supported us through 2020.  We say thank you for his spiritual guidance, support and assistance in many ways as he is always only ever a phone call away.
• To the students for their hard work, friendliness and their eagerness to learn.  Our school community is fortunate to work with children who love to learn but who are also appreciative of all the hard work that goes into assisting them.  The students were especially amazing this year with the way in which they coped with ‘Home Learning’ and the many constant changes that occurred to routines throughout the year.
• To the 2020 P&F Association for their hard work and support.   Although many of the plans of the P&F were greatly affected by COVID-19 restrictions the P&F were able to support the school through some much needed funds which were used to maintain the classroom air conditioners and to support families in need.  
• To the wonderful staff of St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School.  Their professionalism and dedication to the community is inspirational.  Throughout 2020 our staff committed many extra hours to ensure that the students continued to learn and that all wellbeing needs were being addressed during some very unusual times.  Our staff were able to adapt their teaching practice to an online world at the last minute and were extremely devoted to ensuring that the students did not miss out on too much due to the restrictions.  
• To the parishioners of St Thomas More Ruse for their prayers and support, particularly with the sacramental programs for 2020.  We are truly blessed and fortunate to have a team who were able to ensure that all sacraments went ahead, adhering to the restrictions that were placed upon them, particularly at the last minute.
• To everyone who did anything to assist and support our great school community in 2020, we say thank you.

We will say goodbye at the end of the year to the following staff members who will not be returning to St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School in 2021:

• Mrs Julie Spiteri who is retiring from her School Support Officer role.  Julie has been connected with the St Thomas More community for 26 years as a parent and staff member.
• Miss Jennifer Ihlein who is moving to another position at St Paul’s Catholic Parish Primary School Camden.   Miss Ihlein has been connected with St Thomas More Parish School for 15 years.
• Miss Allira Figueiras who has a classroom teaching position at St Francis Catholic College Edmondson Park.
• Mrs Mikala Fielding who has a classroom teaching position at Mount Annan Christian College
• Miss Libby Small who is taking 12 months leave from her role. We hope to see her in 2022.
• Mrs Cassie Miranda who has a new role at Holy Family Catholic Parish Primary School Ingleburn.
• Mrs Alicia Snushall who may return to us as a relieving classroom teacher.
• Mrs Patricia Liew who has a School Support Officer role at St Justin’s Catholic Parish Primary School Oran Park.
• Mrs Chris O’Brien who retired two years ago but was enticed back to assist us in a variety of roles has decided to not return in 2021.
• Mrs Rosalie Quinlan who will continue supporting students in schools.

In 2021 we welcome to our staff:  Mrs Leah Skinner, Mrs Samantha Ollerton, Ms Kate Demasi, Mrs Elizabeth Jensen, and Ms Lana Turner.  All 2021 staffing positions will be printed in our last News Bulletin for the year.  Children will be introduced to their 2021 classroom teacher on ‘Promotions Afternoon’ on Monday 14th December.

Next Wednesday 16th December, we will say goodbye and farewell to all of the Year 6 children and some children in other grades.  Goodbye and thank you to the following families who leave St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse:  Arnold, Ashcroft, Browne, Charlton-Nelson, Crawford, Dacich (Eliza), Dacich (Jack), Davies, Edwards, Gatsos, Hicks (Frances), Hicks (Geoffrey), Isakka, Kendall, Kovac, Lane, Littlewood, Mifsud, Okonkwo, Sharma (Raman), Souvanthong, Thomsen, Vella and Volcic families. 

The traditional ‘STM Guard of Honour’ will take a different format this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.  This year the Guard of Honour will commence at 1.00pm with school dismissal occurring at 1.15pm.  K-5 students will line up around school.  Year 6 will 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 will be permitted on the school grounds.  Relatives can wait outside the school boundary fence.  All K-6 parents can wait for dismissal at 1.15pm.  Any student who cannot be picked up at this time will be supervised until the usual 2.40pm dismissal time.  

Your child’s Semester 2 Report will be available through Compass.  Paper copies of student reports ARE NOT being sent home.  Kindergarten to Year 6 reports will be made available for you to access through Compass on Friday 11/12/20.  To access your child’s report:  1. Login to Compass. 2. Click on your child’s portfolio.  3.  Click on the Reports Tab 4. Click on Semester 2 2020.

The St Thomas More Christmas Concert will be uploaded to Youtube TONIGHT at 6.00pm.  The link will be sent to you via Compass.  Due to restrictions our Christmas Concert has been filmed for you to watch.  Make your own sausage sizzle this year and gather the family to watch the 2020 STM Christmas Concert.  Thanks to the P&F for providing each child with a lollipop this year - traditionally these are given out at the Concert.  

Best wishes for a joyful and peaceful Christmas.  May it be a special time for being with family and provide you with many opportunities to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Wash Hands

Social Distancing

Stay Safe

Philip Barrington 
PRINCIPAL