Starting School
Starting school is a significant and exciting time for children and you, their family.
We feel privileged to be entrusted with the academic, social, physical, religious and emotional education of your child and look forward to working in partnership with you in supporting your child through their primary school journey, encouraging them to be the best version of themselves.
Preparing for the first day of school
In preparation of your child’s commencement of Reception, St Thomas More School invites them to join us for three Transition Visits. These visits will help to familiarise themselves with the school grounds, their classroom as well as meet their teacher in anticipation of starting ‘big school’.
When should my child begin school?
All Catholic schools in Australia offer two intakes for Reception students during the school year, in Term 1 and Term 3.
Children who turn 5 years of age by April 30
Children who turn 5 years of age by April 30 are eligible to begin Reception in Term 1 of that year. Children who begin at the start of the year will complete four terms of Reception before moving on to
year 1.
Children who turn 5 years of age after October 31
Children who turn 5 years of age after October 31 are eligible to begin Reception in our Mid-Year Intake – that is in Term 3 of that year. These children will complete 6 terms of Reception before moving on to year 1.
Children who turn 5 years of age between 1 November and 31 December will commence Reception the following year.
Enrol Now
Our Transition Program
Transition Programs are a good way to familiarise yourself with our school grounds and your child’s classroom and teacher. Developing an initial connection with teachers, leaders and peers at the school can help in beginning to form a sense of belonging to our school community.
St Thomas More School offer three Transition Visits in the lead up to starting school. During these visits teachers and leadership have an opportunity to get to know your child’s interests, talents as well as sooner identify learning areas which may require early intervention.
Kindy / Childcare Visits
Our Reception teacher will schedule a time to visit your child at their Kindy or Childcare in the lead up to the Transition visits. These visits can give our teacher an opportunity to discover more about the child’s learning and social needs, and have a brief discussion about them with their current educator.
For more information about Starting School please contact our Enrolments Officer on 7285 1500 or email enrol@sttmore.catholic.edu.au
Healthy Lunchbox Ideas
Healthy lunches give kids the steady energy to focus, learn and play all day. A good lunchbox doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs a mix of foods that keep little tummies full and minds switched on.
Build a Balanced Lunchbox
Try to pack something from each of these groups:
🥪 A filling main: a sandwich, wrap, roll or pasta salad
🥒 Veggies: carrot sticks, cucumber, cherry tomatoes or capsicum strips
🍎 Fruit: an apple, mandarin, banana or a small tub of berries
🧀 Something extra: cheese, yoghurt or a boiled egg
💧 Water: the best drink to keep kids hydrated
Sandwich Fillers Kids Love
🧀 Cheese & Vegemite: a classic Vegemite sanger with tasty cheddar to balance the salty bite
🥑 Chicken, Cheese & Avocado: shredded BBQ chicken, mashed avocado and cheddar
🥚 Mashed Egg & Mayo: hard-boiled egg mashed with mayo and a pinch of chives
🐖 Ham & Cheese: wafer-thin ham with sliced or grated tasty cheese
🍗 Chicken, Lettuce & Mayo: leftover roast chicken, whole-egg mayo and crisp iceberg
Veggie-Packed Favourites
🌈 Rainbow Hummus: plain hummus topped with grated carrot and red capsicum strips
🥒 Chicken, Avocado & Qukes: shredded chicken, mayo, mashed avocado and sliced Qukes
🍎 Cheesy Apple Slaw: grated cheddar and apple with lemon juice and mayo on wholemeal bread
Top Tips for Parents and Carers
- Get kids involved. Children are more likely to eat a lunch they helped pick and pack.
- Keep it cool. Use an insulated bag with an ice brick to keep food fresh and safe.
- Make it easy to eat. Cut fruit and veggies into bite-sized pieces and pack lids kids can open themselves.
- Prep ahead. Chop veggies and portion snacks on the weekend to save time on busy mornings.
- Start small. Swap one packaged snack for a piece of fruit or some veggie sticks and build from there.
A Note on Allergies
Some students at our school have food allergies. Please check our school’s food allergy guidelines before packing items such as nuts or nut-based spreads.
A great lunchbox is a little note of care you can eat. 🥪