STM NEWS | Term 1, Week 7, 2026

Dear Families,

As we reach the halfway point of the term, our students have been busy engaging in a variety of learning experiences and school events. It has been wonderful to see students enthusiastically participating in activities such as choir and brass band rehearsals, swimming trials, and soccer clinics.

There is also much more to look forward to in the coming weeks. Our school community will celebrate important occasions including the Feast Days of St Patrick and St Joseph, Harmony Day, and our Holy Week events leading up to Easter. Students are also eagerly anticipating our upcoming Sports Day which will be held on Friday 10 April (last day of term).

It continues to be a vibrant and exciting term, and we thank our staff, students and families for their ongoing support and involvement in the many opportunities our school offers.

NAPLAN

During Weeks 7 and 8, our Year 3 and Year 5 students will take part in the NAPLAN assessments. At St Thomas More School, we are committed to preparing students for these assessments while recognising that they are just one of many tools we use to understand and support each child’s learning journey.To help students feel comfortable and confident, a practice test was conducted previously allowing students to become familiar with the format and expectations of the assessments. If you have any questions or concerns about NAPLAN, or if you would like to discuss your child’s participation and support, please contact our Leader of Learning, Michael Clifford. We are always happy to assist.

Student Wellbeing|Classroom Pulse Check-In

Over the past fortnight, students across Catholic Education SA schools have participated in the termly Classroom Pulse Check-In. This survey provides valuable insight into how students are feeling about their experiences at school. At our school, every student matters. Supporting students’ identity, sense of belonging, relationships and learning opportunities is central to their wellbeing and success. The information gathered from the survey helps us better understand how our students are progressing and allows us to identify areas where additional support may be needed. By reviewing the responses, we can continue to strengthen our practices and ensure our students are supported to thrive.

AGM

Our School Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Wednesday 18 March at 5:45pm in the Learning Hub. All families are warmly invited to attend. The AGM is an important opportunity for our school community to come together to reflect on and celebrate the successes and achievements of the 2025 school year. During the meeting, we will share highlights from across the school, acknowledge the contributions of staff, students and families, and provide an overview of the school’s progress and initiatives. We encourage families to attend and be part of this valuable opportunity to stay informed and connected with our school community. We look forward to seeing you there.

Sad News

We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to our Principal, Belinda, on the recent loss of a member of her family. On behalf of our school community, we send our sincere condolences to Belinda and her loved ones during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Belinda and her family. May they find comfort, strength, and support from those around them in the days ahead.

Road Safety Reminder for Families

We would like to remind all families of the importance of following road rules and helping keep our school community safe.
Please take extra care to observe the parking signs around the school. For the safety of all students, do not stop on yellow lines to drop off or pick up your children, and please avoid stopping across the school crossing. We also ask that families do not park in the disabled access spaces unless they have the appropriate permit. These spaces are required for those who rely on them and using them without authorisation is both unsafe and against the law. Unsafe parking and stopping can place children in danger, particularly when they are trying to cross the very busy Yorktown and Shillabeer Roads. Thank you for your cooperation in helping keep our students safe.

Shaping our future together,
STM Leadership Team

Faith in Action | A Word from our APRIM

Gospel Reflection for the 4^th Sunday in Lent – John 9:1–41

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus meets a man who has been blind since birth. Instead of walking past him, Jesus stops, shows compassion, and heals him. The man can suddenly see the world for the very first time! But not everyone is happy about the miracle. Some people complain and argue. They focus on rules, not on the kindness Jesus has shown.The healed man, however, is joyful and brave—he tells everyone that it was Jesus who opened his eyes. This story reminds us that Jesus brings light wherever he goes. He helps us see with our hearts—helping us notice kindness, goodness, and the people around us who need our help. We are invited to be like Jesus by bringing light to others through our actions, our words, and our care.

Wonderings

I wonder what it felt like for the man to see light and colour for the very first time.
I wonder how we can help bring Jesus’ light to someone who might be feeling sad or lonely this week.
I wonder what helps ussee the goodness in others, even when it’s not obvious at first.

Dialogue Week

During Dialogue Week, students from Reception to Year 2 eagerly shared what they enjoy about praying together at school, speaking about the sense of calm, togetherness, and joy it brings. They also offered thoughtful ideas about how prayer could be even more special, showing a growing awareness of their own spiritual experiences. Students in Years 3 to 6 engaged deeply with Archbishop Patrick’s question about walking in the footsteps of Jesus, reflecting on how kindness, fairness, and helping others can make the world more loving and just. Across all year levels, their openness, and willingness to think about faith in action created a rich and meaningful week of dialogue.

Staff and school board members also engaged in thoughtful reflection using the time to listen deeply and dialogue together.

Project Compassion 2026 | Unite Against Poverty

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising appeal – one of the largest in the country. For over 60 years, it has brought together schools, parishes, communities and individuals to reflect, pray and take action, helping to create a more just world for all.

This Lent, you’re invited to join thousands across the country as we stand together in hope and take action for a more just world. Your support through Project Compassion helps transform lives – bringing clean water, education, healthcare and opportunities to communities facing poverty and injustice.

As we focus on supporting CARITAS Australia, we will hold a ‘Loose Change for Big Change’ challenge. We are calling on you to help us by looking around your homes, or even the car for any loose coins you can spare. Each day, your child / ren can drop the coins into the Project Compassion box on the prayer space in their classroom and watch the total grow.

Together, your small contributions can help create big, positive changes for people in need.

Easter Raffle

As part of our Project Compassion fundraiser and in celebration of Easter, we will be running an Easter raffle from Week 8 to Week 10. Tickets will be available for purchase from our student ambassadors before and after school starting in Week 8. Each family will also receive one raffle book to sell to family and friends.

The Season of Lent

In a Catholic school, Lent is more than a season on the Church calendar, it is a shared journey of prayer, conversion, and renewed commitment to our mission as educators.

Lent began on Ash Wednesday and will last for 40 days, leading us to the celebration of Easter. It invites us into the traditional practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. In a school community, these practices take on special meaning because we are not only living them personally, but we are also modelling them for our students.

During Lent, we are invited to reflect on how our daily work participates in the Church’s mission. Prayer reminds us that our work is grounded in Christ. Taking time for staff prayer, quiet reflection, or attending Mass strengthens us not only individually but also our school culture. Fasting can go beyond food. It might mean fasting from impatience, negativity, gossip, or overwork. In a busy school environment, choosing restraint and gentleness can be a powerful witness. Almsgiving encourages us to look outward. Supporting school charity initiatives, reaching out to families in need, or offering extra care to a struggling student are concrete ways we live this call.

'Be You' Day

Our school will soon celebrate a special “Be You” Day, inspired by Project Compassion’s theme Unite Against Poverty. Led by our enthusiastic Year 5/6 students, the day will invite all learners from Reception to Year 6 to take part in a series of hands‑on activity rotations designed to spark creativity, teamwork, and empathy. Together, students will explore what it means to embrace their individuality while contributing to a shared mission of supporting others and making a positive difference in our world.

This launch will invite students and us as staff into an experience of what it means to ’be’ during Lent: be present, be still, be aware, be compassionate, be hopeful…and we want to take action!

Sacrament Program 2026

The Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist form the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. If your child is 8 years of age (or older) and you would like them to be involved in the program for 2026, please contact Melissa Musolino or Edna Dumbrell at the Elizabeth Catholic Parish.

An Information Session will be held on Friday March 20 at 6pm at St. Thomas More Church for anyone who is interested in finding out more about the program.