Welcome back to all members of the St Thomas More community to Term 4.  We trust that you have had a restful two week break and are enjoying this glorious spring weather.  As we continue to travel through this very unusual and challenging time, we are not exactly sure of what Term 4 holds for us.  As restrictions ease over the coming weeks, we anticipate the following to occur:

As we slowly return to school for face to face learning, the school will ensure that all Public Health directives are being followed.  One of the main directives when back at school is to restrict the mingling of different stage groups.  That means for example, Years 5 and 6 should not be interacting with Years 3 and 4.  We are so fortunate to have such wonderful space and grounds in our school that we are able to organise specific playgrounds and areas for the children to play each day.  The staff will regularly remind children as to where they should be during the school day.

Unfortunately at this time, parents, carers and visitors are not permitted onsite while we are under Level 3+ restrictions.  When your child returns to school and to reduce the number of parents on the school property we are asking that all times that parents remain in their cars.  This especially means at the morning drop off and afternoon pick up.  For now, all children will enter and exit the school grounds via the Carlines gate located in the turning circle.  All parents are asked to drive down into the circle and drop off/collect their child from the path.  To hopefully ease traffic congestion in the afternoon, pick up will commence at 2.35pm for all families whose surname commences with the letter A-K.  At 2.50pm children whose surname commences with L-Z will join the pick up line as well.  Parents are asked to commit to these different times.  If your child is not ready or you are early for the pick up, you may park in the car park but please do not leave your car.  At the designated time please join the car pick up line.  A-K children will be brought to lines first at 2.35pm and then at 2.50pm L-Z children will join the lines.  This enables the school to manage the children and to restrict their mingling between different stages.  Each family will be supplied with a family name which is to be displayed on the left hand side of your vehicle (on the viser or dashboard).  This will enable staff to organise your child to be ready to be picked up.  Please remember that when in the drop off and pick up line to give way to buses at all times.   There will be many staff members on duty ensuring the safety of all at all times.  If by chance you need to enter the school office, a mask is required and you need to scan into the school using the NSW Services app on your phone.  

We are unfortunately still predicting as to what our end of year school celebrations may also look like.  Once decisions have been made these will be communicated with you.  Learning and teaching will continue throughout the term and we assure you that we will communicate all changes to you.

Parents are asked to not be too concerned about purchasing new or the correct school uniform.   Commonsense will be used to support families who may not have a current Summer uniform that fits their child.  We don't want parents purchasing new uniforms at this stage, particularly when the summer holidays will soon be upon us.  The current thinking is that children who do not have a uniform that fits them will be allowed to wear their sports uniform.   

Classes 2022

Term 4 is the time when we complete the 2021 school year as well as prepare for 2022.  One of the major tasks this term is to prepare classes for 2022.  Teachers and staff members utilise their professional expertise in making decisions, seeking to create equitable class groupings considering all students.  All classes/grades will be regrouped for 2022.  

Optimising the learning environment is the prime focus when forming new class groups for 2022, not forming friendship groups.  The aim is to provide classes in which each child is able to continue to develop to their full potential.  

If there is a particular issue regarding your child’s optium learning for 2022, please write to Mr Barrington, via email, stating your concerns and requests.  You are invited to be proactive rather than reactive.  Please note that this is not an opportunity to request individual teachers, but an opportunity to state a particular issue that might impact on your child’s learning in 2022.  All requests will be considered but NOT NECESSARILY GUARANTEED.  Please send your email requests to info@stmdow.catholic.edu.au marked to the attention of Mr Barrington by Friday 12th November 2021.  Further requests regarding class placement will not take place after this date.  Please note that because we are committed to the belief that each child begins each school year anew, we do not retain information regarding these requests from previous years.  

This is the time to raise any issues regarding your child’s optium learning for 2022.  After all requests have been considered the school will make the final decision regarding all placements.  

If your child is not returning to St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School Ruse in 2022, could you please notify the School Office as soon as possible.   There is a ‘School Leavers’ form that needs to be completed. 

Some Dates for Term 4.  

• Wednesday 6th October at 2.00pm and repeated again at 7.00pm = Parent Information Session via Zoom about the BYODD (Bring Your Own Designated Device) iPad program for Year 4 2022.  Please check Compass for the Zoom links that were sent out Tuesday 5th October.
• Tuesday 19th October at 7.00pm via Zoom = Kindergarten 2022 Parent Information Night. 
• Last day of Term 4 for students Wednesday 15th December 2021.

As we commence this new term we ask God to bless us all and our families and ask him to keep us all healthy and well as we continue to grow and live in truth and love.

Wash Hands

Social Distancing

Stay Safe

Philip Barrington 

PRINCIPAL