Dear Parents and Carers,

ANZAC Day 25th April
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served". Observed on 25 April each year, Anzac Day was originally devised to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served in the Gallipoli Campaign, their first engagement in the First World War (1914–1918).  On ANZAC DAY, let us remember all men and women who have served their country.  Let us pray for peace in our world at this time.  

Gracious and loving God, 
the cross of Christ is the sign 
of your desire for justice and peace for all. 
Open our minds to your vision 
as we remember all who suffered 
through Australia and New Zealand’s involvement 
in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. 
Grant all servicepersons 
who sacrificed health and life for the good of all, 
the gift of your deep peace. 
May we who inherit the freedom for which they fought 
become instruments of your peace 
in our homes, workplaces and world. 
We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord.

Welcome Back
Welcome to Term 2 for all students and families of St Thomas More School.  A special welcome to our acting Assistant Principal for Term 2, Mrs Samantha McGarrity.  Mrs Joanne MacFetters continues to recuperate from her surgery earlier in the year.  We hope that Mrs MacFetters can return to us in Term 3.  Term 2 promises to be a busy time for all in our community.  We will be involved in events such as the Confirmation sacramental program, NAPLAN, Photo Day, Mother’s Day Stall, School athletics carnival, St Thomas More Feast Day and Semester 1 reports and interviews.  Please continue to access the school calendar and notes through Compass for information about school events.

As previously notified, we congratulate Ms Julie McKenzie on the early arrival of baby James.  As a result Mrs Sepple and Mrs Quick are currently teaching Year 4 Gold until later in the term, when we welcome back Mrs Daniella Thompson who will teach Year 4 Gold for the remainder of the year.

Photos 
Next Monday 26th April is school photo day.  All students are asked to be in their Summer uniform.  All students will have a class photo and individual photo taken.

INDIVIDUAL STUDENT ORDER CODE

SIBLING ORDER CODE (orders close Sunday 25 April 2021)

Kindergarten 2022 Enrolment Interviews
Over the next few weeks members of the school Leadership Team will be conducting interviews for Kindergarten 2022.  If you are aware of any families in our community who are looking for a great Catholic School please advise them to complete an application as soon as possible.

Afternoon Dismissal
Thank you to those who are adhering to our schools rules regarding afternoon dismissal.  A reminder that it is important for everyone’s safety and for the flow of traffic to park in the designated car park or on the left hand side of the internal road (when exiting the school).  So as to be fair to those parents who wait in line and as well to clear cars from the property, parents will not be able to collect their child from the bus line gate until the gate near Year 6 has been closed.  This is not usually until approximately 2.50pm.  Parents are reminded to have their family name displayed in the car so that the children can be called and are ready for collection.

Sports Days Term 2

Kindergarten	Tuesday	Friday
Year 1	Wednesday	Friday
Year 2	Thursday	Friday
Year 3	Tuesday and Wednesday   Apologies for the mixed messages	Friday
Year 4	Tuesday	Friday
Year 5	Thursday	Friday
Year 6	Wednesday	Friday

Term 2 uniform
Students return to school in their Summer uniform.  School Photo Day is being held on Monday 26th April (Week2) in which each child needs to be in their Summer uniform on this day.  If and when the weather turns cool, parents may decide as to which uniform to send their child to school.  From Monday 10th May (Week 4) all children will be expected to be in their Winter uniform.

Wash Hands
Social Distancing
Stay Safe

Philip Barrington 

PRINCIPAL

It was wonderful to see all of the students return to school this week with smiling faces and boundless energy, ready for another term full of quality learning and teaching. Thank you to the St Thomas More Community for welcoming me into the fold. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with your children and the wonderful staff. Over the years I have had connections to the school with two of my nephews who attended during the 2000s. My husband is also an ex-student who has fond memories of primary school life at STM. I look forward to meeting you all and working with you over the coming weeks, continuing to nurture the home-school partnership that is so evident within this community.

Mrs Samantha McGarrity

Australian Dental Health NSW – School Dental Initiative

The Dental Health Van will be visiting St Thomas More to provide free dental check-ups and service for students. This service is bulk billed with Medicare for eligible students under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule

For your child to be seen, you will need to fill in the Dental Consent Forms and return it to the school signed by as soon as possible. The form will be sent home with each student today.