Dear Parents and Carers,

On Friday 5th August (Pupil Free Day)  the staff gathered at ‘The Hermitage’ in Mittagong for their annual Spirituality Day and participated in Module 2 of ‘Educating With A Mission Lens’ program.  This program is coordinated by the Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wollongong and it provides opportunities to explore what it means to be people of mission.  The staff day was focused on exploring that we are all missionary people and that God’s mission is our school.  For all of us who are part of the St Thomas More community, whether it be as a staff member, a parent, student or parishioner, our actions and responses which are based on the actions of Jesus make us missionary people.  So every time you say a kind word, do something for another person  or respond to someone in love, compassion or respect, you are a missionary person. Throughout the spirituality day, the staff were able to name many, many examples of mission within our school.  Like many organisations, St Thomas More School has a mission and vision statement.  We hope that as a community we can all articulate many examples of how we are true to our school's mission and vision.

Thank you to those parents and carers who were able to join us in our masses and liturgies  in recent weeks.  This week we celebrated and acknowledged the great feast of Mary’s Assumption into Heaven and last week we acknowledged the feast of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop.  During this time let us remember all of our Year 6 students and families who are currently preparing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.

As you are aware, many in our school community are coping with many illnesses and sicknesses as we all try to return to regular school and work environment routines.  Parents and carers are reminded that if your child is sick or displaying flu-like symptoms that they should remain at home.  

Some reminders:

• Children should be bringing their own water bottle /drink bottle to school each day.
• If parents require further RATS we have a small supply at school.  Please contact the school should you require RATs for testing.
• Please encourage good hygiene practices on a daily basis as we try to keep everyone in our community as healthy as possible.
• The wearing of masks is permitted and a personal choice. 

Parents are reminded that when the pick up arrangements change for your child, that a phone call to the office is the best way for the school to ensure that your child is in the right area for dismissal.  A phone call (preferably before 1.00pm) ensures that the office has notified your child's teacher and your child of the change in arrangements.  

Thank you to the hard working staff at our school, who despite coping with many illnesses themselves are providing some great opportunities for the children and our community to celebrate a variety of events.

• Our Year 6 students and families are currently participating in the parish Confirmation program.  The sacrament of Confirmation is being conferred on Thursday 1st September 6.00pm
• Last week, via Compass you were informed about our Character Parade for Book Week.  Tuesday 23rd August at 8.40am in our school grounds.  Parents and carers are welcome to attend.
• Father’s Day Stall and Liturgy at 2.00pm on Friday 2nd September.
• School Disco.  Friday 9th September for STM students only.  More details soon.
• The School Swimming program is being conducted in Term 4.  More details soon.  

Included in this newsletter is a comprehensive list of dates for some major events for our community for Term 3 and Term 4.  Please continue to refer to Compass for updates.

Thank you to the parents, students and teachers who have been supporting and preparing our school's athletics team.  Our school performed admirably at the Western Region Athletics on 5th August and then a small number of students made it through to the regional carnival which was held yesterday on 16th August.  Thanks to Mrs Carran and Mrs Augustine for organising our school’s participation in these events.

Thank you to the parents and carers for your assistance and support in ensuring a safe dismissal every afternoon.  You are reminded to stagger your collection time between 2.40pm and 3.00pm.  Our greatest challenges are always the busy time between 2.30pm and 2.45pm when the majority of our school wishes to be collected as well as the buses are entering the school. Please be assured that your children are safe and well supervised until you collect them.  Parents from all grades are also reminded that you are permitted to park in the top car park if you choose and then walk down the path to collect your child from the Undercover.  If you are doing this please have a conversation with your child so that they know which area they are to be collected - from the Carline or from the Undercover.  If your circumstances change throughout the day please contact the school office and a message will be given to your child. Parents cannot collect children from the Carline gate, if they have parked their car - this slows down the carline procedure.  You will be directed down the school path to the Undercover area. 

Well done to all who are using the new online system in our School Canteen where parents can order their child’s lunch each day.   Orders with cash, written on a paper bag are still accepted.

A huge congratulations to our Year 6 students and teachers for a very successful excursion to Canberra.  While in Canberra, Year 6 visited Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial and other attractions.  The Year 6 students were excellent role models of our school, displaying excellent behaviour throughout the day.  

Have a wonderful week,

Philip Barrington 

PRINCIPAL