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Dear Parents and Carers,
Did you know that yesterday 16th November was International Day for Tolerance? International Day for Tolerance generates awareness of the dangers of intolerance. Since the inception of this day, it has been a goal of the United Nations to strengthen tolerance by fostering mutual understanding among cultures and peoples.
A day recognising ‘tolerance’ is a great opportunity for you to think back and recall the last time you had a different perspective than one of your friends. When’s the last time you’ve had to learn something about someone else’s culture? It probably wasn’t that long ago. A day for ‘tolerance’ celebrates open-mindedness and listening. Although we should be tolerant every day, it’s always good to have one occasion to remind us just how important tolerance is. Topics such as Culture, Climate Change, Covid-19, the greatest sportsperson, the best team to support and the like, all provide us with possible differences of opinion. Let's listen and respect others' opinions and make our world a better place for all by being more tolerant of each other's views.
Tomorrow we say farewell to Mrs Danielle Quick as she commences her parental leave and waits for the arrival of Baby Quick. We wish Danielle and her husband all the best for the future, filled with many happy times.
As mentioned in previous newsletters at the end of 2021 we will say farewell to Mr Carter and Mrs Thompson. Also, we will say good bye to Miss Ana Kristo who is moving to St Paul’s Catholic Primary School Camden for 2022 and goodbye to Mrs Samantha Ollerton who is moving to Buxton Public School. St Thomas More School will miss all of these teachers and we will officially say goodbye to them in the last week of school. STM School is currently finalising all staff for 2022 and all announcements will be shared with you before the end of the year.
The class teachers are currently working on the Semester 2 reports which will be made available to you through Compass on Friday 11th December. As you would understand due to the recent twelve to fourteen week Lockdown that we all experienced, learning for much of Semester 2 was very different. As a result the Semester 2 reports across all Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong schools is going to look different to past years reports. Students will receive an indication of their participation in learning for Religious Education, English and Mathematics plus statements about their learning during Semester 2. Teachers will also write a General Comment. In following the directives of NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) A-E reports are not being provided for Semester 2 2021.
A reminder that Friday 19th November is Mufti Day. Children are permitted to wear casual clothes to school and are asked to make a gold coin donation to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas appeal.
Congratulations to Sullivan O’Dwyer (6 Gold) for recently being recognised at the 24th Annual Catholic Development Fund (CDF) Diocesan Sports Awards. Sullivan was successful in being selected for the NSW PSSA AFL merit team and was rewarded with a Wollongong Sports Red Medallion. Congratulations also for their efforts in 2021 to Nathaniel Leal (6 Gold) for Wollongong Rugby League and Sienna Harley (6 Gold) and Alanna Shipley (6 Blue) for Wollongong Netball.
Thanks again for everyone’s patience with the dismissal procedures. We truly appreciate your support as we implement safe procedures for the benefit of all in our community. You may have noticed a week ago while dismissal was occurring that we had a visit from Campbelltown Council parking rangers. They arrived at a perfect time when everyone was behaving! A reminder to all parents and carers that it is illegal to stop on St Johns Road and to stop in the roundabout. If the internal road is full of cars, please continue to drive along St Johns Road and turn around at a roundabout and enter the internal road when it is clear to do so.
Parents are reminded that supervision does not commence until 8.00am. Children will be allowed into the school grounds at 8.00am through the Carline gate. The children know that they are then to go to their designated playground as we continue to keep children separated in their stage groups as per the Public Health orders.
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.
School fees need to be finalised for 2021. Please ensure you check your balance owing for the 2021 year and make payment before Friday 3rd December 2021. A parent/carer experiencing genuine financial hardship and who is unable to pay school fees is urged to approach the school and request an application for a fee concession form. On receipt of an application the school will respond to the situation with care and sensitivity. Early communication with the school regarding a family's financial situation is essential. Please be assured that your situation will be treated with absolute discretion and confidentiality and an appropriate fee concession arrangement may be made with you.
Wash Hands
Social Distancing
Stay Safe
Philip Barrington
PRINCIPAL
PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES BY INSTALMENT
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITH INSTALMENTS
If you are currently paying by instalments there is no need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment as your request carries over from year to year unless you wish to amend the frequency of your payments eg Weeky to Fortnightly, etc.
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITHOUT INSTALMENTS
If you would like to pay school fees by instalments in 2022 and have previously not taken up this option for payment, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on the school’s website or from the school’s administration office. On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the school office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2022 school fees. Your school fee statement will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date depending on the frequency you have chosen eg Fortnightly, Monthly, etc.
IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment. The instalment request carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment eg Weekly, fortnightly, etc.