News from Term 4, Week 7
Take a look over the last fortnight of news from St Thomas More School:
An End of Year Concert to Remember
We all enjoyed our End of Year Concert of Friday evening last week. A big thank you to all our student performers, and the Staff and volunteers that helped to make it such a success. Here are some happy snaps from the evening…
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Year 6 Graduation | Important Dates
Please take note of the following important dates celebrating our Year 6 Graduates:
- Graduation Assembly: Wednesday, 4 December at 9am
Please join us in Jubilee Hall for a special Year 6 Assembly. Family and friends are welcome to come along.
- Graduation Dinner: Thursday, 5 December at 6.30pm
Graduation Dinner will be held at Midway Tavern at 6.30pm.
- Graduation Liturgy: Monday, 9 December at 7pm
Family and friends of our Year 6 Graduates are encouraged to attend to share in this special celebration. Please join us in Jubilee Hall at 7pm.
New Reception Transitions
These last few weeks, we gave our T1, 2025 Receptions their first taste of school-life at their Transition Visits. The little ones enjoyed themselves in their new classrooms, with only a few tears here and there. We hope you will join us in welcoming them to St Thomas More School in Term 1 next year.
Cooking Class Update
Our Cooking Elective has been going ‘smashingly’ well. This week we embodied the Christmas Spirit and made some pretty special Gingerbread Houses… but we think more fun was had smashing them to pieces and eating them up! Well done, STM Cooking Class.
All Year Levels | Important Dates for the End of Term 4
As we quickly approach the end of Term 4, there are a few important dates to take note of:
- School Reports: Reports will be sent home with students on Monday, 9 December. As was done last year, students will also receive notification of their class and teacher with their reports.
- Whole School Transition: All students will participate in a transition period on Tuesday, 10 December from 10am – 11am. This aims to help prepare them for what’s to come in 2025.
- End of Year Thanksgiving Mass: Join us on Friday, 6 December at 12pm in Jubilee Hall to give thanks for another wonderful school year.
Last Day of School is Wednesday, 11 December:
- Whole School Assembly at 9am in Jubilee Hall
- Farwell to our Principal Chris Platten at a special morning tea after Assembly.
- Normal dismissal time.
Pupil Free Days
- Thursday, 12 December
- Friday, 13 December
- If you require OSHC for these days, please ensure a booking is made in advance.
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Volunteer Morning Tea
To celebrate International Volunteer Day we would like to thank our volunteers for their support and efforts this year. We hope to see you there.
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December – January Vacation Care Bookings are open
Please note, our Vacation Care schedule has now been finalised. If you would like to book your child in to our St Thomas More School Vacation Care Program, please download the booklet here and complete the necessary forms.
Once again, Cheryl and her team have put in a lot of work to make sure the children who attend Vacation Care over the Christmas holidays have a really fun time! Well done!
Vacation Care Schedule December 2024 – January 2025
Vacation Care Information and Permission Forms
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Understanding PBIS
We are excited to share an important initiative being implemented at our school: Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports (PBIS). This whole-school approach is designed to promote positive behaviour in both the classroom and during break times, creating a supportive and engaging learning environment for all students.
What is PBIS?
PBIS is rooted in behavioural science and provides a framework for improving student behaviour. Rather than treating behavior as an isolated issue, PBIS allows us to approach it systematically. Here’s how it works:
- Organized Approach to Behaviour: PBIS treats behaviour like a subject we can teach. We assess students’ behaviour, plan interventions, teach expected behaviours, and then assess again to measure our success.
- Research-Validated Practices: PBIS is not just a single program or model; it is a compilation of effective strategies backed by research. We incorporate validated practices and interventions that have been shown to work in various school settings.
- Systems Change Strategy: The implementation of PBIS involves ongoing changes to our systems, ensuring that all students benefit from a structured environment that promotes positive behaviours.
What are the benefits of PBIS?
- Consistent Expectations: By establishing clear expectations for behaviour, PBIS helps students understand what is expected of them, both in the classroom and during break times.
- Improved School Climate: A positive school environment fosters better relationships among students and staff, leading to increased engagement and academic success.
- Focus on Prevention: PBIS emphasizes proactive measures, addressing potential behavioural issues before they escalate, which creates a safer and more respectful school atmosphere.
What can families do to support PBIS program?
As partners in this initiative, we encourage you to reinforce the principles of PBIS at home. Here are a few ways you can help:
- Model Positive Behaviour: Show your child how to use kind words and treat others with respect.
- Discuss Expectations: Talk about the importance of following school rules and expectations, emphasizing how these behaviours contribute to a positive environment.
- Encourage Reflection: After school, ask your child about their day and how they demonstrated positive behaviour or interacted with their peers.
We believe that with the support of our entire school community, PBIS will help our students thrive both academically and socially. Thank you for your partnership as we work together to create a positive learning environment for all our children.
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Refer a Friend and WIN!
Want to win $100 of your school fees? Start spreading the word about our awesome school to your family and friends, and you could win $100 off for every eligible* referral. There’s no limit to how much you can win! So start spreading the word about our super awesome school today.
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Shaping our future together
St Thomas More School, Elizabeth Park
