A huge thank you to everyone for reading and responding to all of the recent notes and letters about the new school year with the aim of keeping everyone safe.  It is anticipated by the end of this week that your child will bring home the next instalment of RATs for the next two weeks.  A reminder that you need to notify the school should your child return a positive result from the RAT.  We are encouraging all children to use a RAT before attending school at the beginning of the week and again on Wednesday morning.  When we have a positive result within the school, you will be notified accordingly.

At the end of 2021 the staff list for 2022 was published for you.  Over the recent holidays some changes occurred to our staffing.  We said farewell to Sr Niesha Allport.  Sr Niesha has been asked to carry out other roles and duties for the Sisters of St Joseph.  We thank  Sr Niesha for all that she has done for the St Thomas More community over the past four years.  Mrs Belinda Wiliams was seconded by the Catholic Education Office for six months to support a number of schools in the area of Diverse Learning.  As result there has been some shuffling of some staff roles while Mrs Williams is away from St Thomas More School.  Also we welcome Mrs Marcia Sepple to our staff team.  A full staff list is included in this newsletter.

Clothing Pool
Our second hand uniform shop will open for Parents/Carers to access each Wednesday morning 8:00am to 9:30am with social distancing in place. You will be required to scan the Service NSW QR code upon entry into the shop. Parents are permitted to enter the uniform shop only.

Preloved uniforms are available from $7 per item. Cash or EFTPOS will be accepted.

Orders can still be taken over the phone, please send the money with your child and the items will be sent home.

We are always happy to take donations of school uniforms which your family no longer requires.

Thank you to Mrs Cameron (Grandparent in our school community) who continues to operate the Clothing Pool for St Thomas More School.

PB4L
This year St Thomas More School has implemented a new Merit Awards process for all students from Kindergarten to Year 6.  It is anticipated that the new Merit Awards system will be fairer for all students and easier to understand for all in our community.  The Merit Awards system is a major part of our ‘Positive Behaviours For Learning’ processes.  We no longer wish to hear students talking about “I received a minor or a major '' but we wish to hear students stating that their behaviour was a low level behaviour or high level behaviour and what they have learnt about making choices with their behaviour. We wish to focus very much on positive behaviours and also learn from the mistakes.  With the introduction of the new Merit Award system all students in Year 5 and Year 6 were recently presented with a school badge and medallion as an achievement and acknowledgment of all their positive behaviours under the ‘old system’. We now look forward very positively to regularly acknowledging all the great achievements and behaviours that all St Thomas More School children exhibit each day.. 

Meet and Greet Interviews

This year the ‘Meet and Greet’ interviews for Kindergarten to Year 6 will be held on Wednesday 23rd February 2022 from 3.20pm-7.00pm.  All interviews will be held via Zoom due to the current restrictions.  These meetings this year will be optional for parents/carers to participate in.  More details will be sent to you in the coming days regarding how to book a ‘Meet and Greet’ Interview.  The purpose of the interview is for parents/carers to inform the class teacher as to how their child best learns and if there are any specifics the teacher needs to be notified about.  A Student Form will be sent home to you for you to complete prior to the meeting so as to guide the conversation.    

School Day

A reminder that our school day commences at 8.30am and that all children should be at school by this time to commence their day.  Similarly no child should be dropped off at school before 8.00am as there is no teacher on supervision until 8.00am.  This year a school morning assembly will only occur on Monday mornings where we will pray, acknowledge country, sing the anthem and acknowledge birthdays as a community.  Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings the children will line up and when the bell sounds they will go directly to class with their teachers.  At this stage parents are not permitted to attend these assemblies.  

Student Leaders 2022

Congratulations to the 2022 Student Leaders:

School Captains: Isabella Wragg-Leighton and Isaiah Nakasenh

School Vice Captains: Advika Saravanan and Christian Baker

Chisholm House Captains: Livina McAteer and Myra McCann

Polding House Captains: Simran Singh and Max Cowie

Marcellin House Captains: Chloe Forester and Aarav Dhakal

MacKillop House Captains: Olivia Bird and Jake Singleton

These children will receive their leadership badges at our opening of the year school Mass.  Details are still being finalised as to how we will celebrate the opening of the school year. Stay tuned for details.

School Uniform Policy

At St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School we believe that wearing the full and correct school uniform is an extremely important and integral feature of the school community.  The uniform symbolises identity and unites all children equally.  It instils a sense of pride and belonging to St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School.  Wearing the correct and full school uniform assists in developing self-respect, self-discipline and care in oneself.  It also reflects the values and attitudes held within the school community and provides structure and routine in attending school. The uniform also reflects an image of the school in the public forum.

When parents and carers enrol their child at St Thomas More Catholic Parish Primary School, they agree to abide by the rules and procedures of our school.  Adhering to the school’s uniform policy is, therefore, a parental responsibility taken on as part of acceptance as a member of the school community. 

 Guidelines

1. The full and correct school uniform is to be worn on specific school days. Mixing of uniforms is not acceptable. 
2. School hats are compulsory: “No Hat No Play”. The school hat is to be in good condition and worn before school, at Lunch 1 and Lunch 2 and at PE/Sport times. 
3. School shirts are to be tucked in at appropriate times. 
4. Nail polish is not to be worn.
5. School jackets are to be worn before parkas are worn. The outer jackets are to be removed in class. 
6. Joggers are to be predominantly white. Skate/fashion shoes are not acceptable. 
7. School shoes should be black leather.  For safety reasons girls’ heels should be as flat as possible. 
8. Scarves, beanies and gloves in dark blue shades may be worn in winter months.
9. Where financial difficulties hamper a student in fully meeting all uniform requirements, the Principal may supply items of uniform at the school’s expense.
10. If students need to be out of uniform in any way, parents need to supply a note to their classroom teacher.

Hair Styles

• Hair should be styled in a manner that attracts positive comments only, with an emphasis on a neat  and tidy appearance.  No extreme haircuts or styles.
• Minimal products (e.g. hairspray, gel) may be used to tame or control hair, but not to style hair (e.g.spike).  Hair must not be bleached or dyed in any way, this includes the addition of hair extensions, hair pieces or cloured braids.
• Hair, including fringes, must not fall on a child’s face, covering their eyes.
• Students’ hair cannot be unevenly shaved, including having any lines shaved into their head.  Hair should not be shaved less than a number 2.
• Hair that is collar length or longer must be tied back.
• School coloured hair accessories (blue and gold) can only be used; ribbons, scrunchies, thin headbands or clips to hold the hair back.
• Hair should be cut in an evenly cut manner.  Hair should not have extreme difference in length, but rather be of a blended appearance.

Jewellery 

Jewellery is not to be worn to school (except a watch, signet ring or a religious medal). Students with pierced ears may wear a small stud or sleeper in each ear.  If parents wish their children to wear a chain with a cross, or holy medal, it is to be worn under the clothing.  

Sports Uniform Days 2022

2022 Sport clothes are worn:

Wash Hands

Social Distancing

Stay Safe

Philip Barrington 

PRINCIPAL