Welcome back to the first official weeks of face to face learning at St Thomas More School.  Kindergarten and Year 1 officially returned onsite and staff and students and parents were all so excited that this day finally arrived after 12 weeks of remote learning.  We now all eagerly await the return of the entire school community next week when Years 2-6 walk through our gates next Monday morning.  A huge THANK YOU to the Years 2-6 families who were able to keep older siblings at home this week, leaving the school to manage remote learning in the Hall for the students of essential workers.  As you are aware remote learning officially ceases at the end of this week with face to face learning and teaching returning to all of our classrooms. 

At this stage the school is focussed on and committed to creating a positive experience for all as we return to school life. Unfortunately at this moment, there are no school assemblies and gatherings; children are separated into their stage groups and we are making a conscious effort to restrict movements across the school.  Staff will continue to wear masks while indoors in adherence with the current Public Health Orders.  Thanks to our Kindergarten and Year 1 students and families who have adapted very well to the staggered finish to our school day.  The staggered finish is again in adherence with the Public Health Orders.  At 2.35pm children whose surname commences with A-K are to be collected from the Carlines.  Children whose surnames commences with L-Z are picked up from 2.50pm.  L-Z children are not brought to the Carlines until 2.50pm. If you are early for your staggered time, please park in the car park and join the pick up  line at the correct time.

If at any time parents and carers need to enter the School Office, please wear a mask and sign in via the QR code.  

Mrs Loomes has been permitted to open our School Canteen and it will be open as usual for Lunch 1 and Lunch 2.  We encourage children to pre-order their food and this can be done for Lunch 1 and Lunch 2.  This prevents children having to wait in lines and enables the students from various stages to be separated.  All children are asked to bring a drink bottle to school every day as the school bubblers are not to be used.

We have many plans in place for our regular end of school year celebrations.  However nothing can be confirmed at this stage until Public Health Orders permit parents and community members to engage with the school.  We are planning a Year 6 Graduation for Monday 13th December but we are unsure as to what this will look like.  We hope that we can celebrate Mass and a meal with Year 6 students and their parents.  We will confirm all details once permitted to do so.  It looks as though our end of year concert will be another virtual event but again please stay tuned for the details.  Similarly with our end of year assembly and end of year Mass; we don't know what we are permitted to do at this stage.

Our after school care provider ‘Little Green Frogs’ will be back onsite from Monday 25th October.  Parents collecting children from Little Green Frogs in the afternoon are the only parents allowed on the school playground.  When collecting your child please do not stay long and do not stop to chat.

Last night Tuesday 19th October a Parent Information Night was held for parents and carers of Kindergarten 2022.  Our meeting was held via Zoom and we welcomed 59 students into our St Thomas More School community.  We look forward to meeting our new Kindergarten friends in the future.  

Congratulations to Mr Lachlan Carter who will be leaving St Thomas More School at the end of the year as he has obtained a teaching position at St Fancis Xavier’s  Catholic Primary School Lurnea.  Also, Mrs Daniella Thompson has obtained a teaching position at Holy Family Catholic Parish Primary School Ingleburn for 2022.  We will officially thank them and say goodbye at the end of the year.  All staffing announcements for 2022 will be made  later this term.  

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. 

Wash Hands

Social Distancing

Stay Safe

Philip Barrington 
PRINCIPAL