STM NEWS | Term 2, Week 4, 2025

Dear Families,

Welcome to Week 4 and what a busy few weeks we have had already celebrating Mother’s Day and Catholic Education Week. It was lovely to have our school share a cuppa on Monday of week 3 with all the wonderful women who support our school community. We give thanks for our Mums, grandma’s, stepmums, foster mums, maternal figures such as sisters, aunties, teachers, mentors and friends who provide guidance and support, we are grateful for the role that they play in all our lives. We pray for those who have been blessed with the wonderful mystery of being a parent or parent figure – you are all doing a great job!

Catholic Education Week

Last week we celebrated Catholic Education Week. The theme this year was “Shine with Open Hearts”. Every day at St Thomas More we witness our staff and students shining. We are grateful for the many talents our students bring to school each and every day. Come through the St Mary’s Building and see our ‘Shooting stars’ display celebrating how we all shine!

This year’s celebration is significant as it marks 180 years of Catholic education in South Australia—a remarkable milestone that aligns with the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year. The 2025 Catholic Education Week theme, #ShineWithOpenHearts, reflects the heart of Catholic schooling—where students are encouraged to shine through kindness, compassion, learning and leadership.

The week also coincides with the Catholic Education Awards South Australia, honouring the outstanding teachers, leaders, staff and volunteers working in our Catholic schools. We give thanks for our incredible and dedicated staff who go above and beyond to help our students be ‘the best versions of themselves”.

Celebrating Our School Ambassadors and Leaders!

We are thrilled to congratulate our 2025 school ambassadors and student leaders! These outstanding students have demonstrated dedication, responsibility, and a commitment to making our school community a welcoming and inspiring place for all.

Their leadership plays a vital role in shaping the culture of our school, fostering inclusivity, and setting a positive example for their peers. Their efforts—whether mentoring younger students, assisting in school events, or advocating for student voices—do not go unnoticed.

At our recent assembly, these exceptional leaders were officially awarded their badges, symbolising their leadership and the trust our school places in them. Wearing these badges with pride, they embark on an exciting journey of leadership, teamwork, and positive influence.

Congratulations once again to our school ambassadors and leaders! We look forward to seeing the incredible contributions you make throughout the year.

House Captains: McAuley | Savannah, Ella, Victoria. Coolock | Zavia, Jenny, Jamon. Barry | Aidan, Isabella, Jewel. McKillop | Victoria, Maelah, Natasha, Aquixia. School Ambassadors: Chika, Molly, Grace, Achok, Hunter.

Student Progress Meetings

What a busy week it was last week as we met for Parent Teacher Interviews. These meetings are a critical part of any child’s education. Thank you for being proactive in booking a time and for meeting with the teacher in such a positive way. Parent-teacher meetings can happen at any time so please continue to reach out if you were unable to book or needed to reschedule your time. Further feedback regarding your child’s learning will come at the end of this term in their school report.

Student Wellbeing and Grow Your Mind Program

This term, all students from Reception to Year Six are taking part in our Grow Your Mind unit on Friendship. Through stories, games, roleplaying scenarios and thoughtful discussions, we’re exploring what it means to be a good friend and how to handle tricky moments with kindness and confidence.

Students are learning how to:

• Be a good friend – by showing empathy, kindness and respect.
• Solve problems and manage conflict – using calm words, listening, and working together.
• Celebrate individual strengths – recognising what makes each of us unique and how our strengths help us be great friends and team members.

It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to build emotional skills that support their wellbeing and relationships both in and out of the classroom.

Child Protection Reminder for Our School Community

At our school, the safety and well-being of all children is our highest priority. We kindly remind families that it is never appropriate to approach, chastise, hug, or touch another person’s child in the yard. If concerns arise, please bring them to a member of the leadership team, who are responsible for addressing any matters in a respectful and professional manner. Every child has the right to feel safe, and we are committed to ensuring that all interactions within our school environment uphold this principle. Thank you for your support in maintaining a secure and respectful space for all students.

Introducing Our 2025 School Board

Following our most recent board meeting, we are pleased to welcome our new board members and introduce our new Board Chair, Amanda. With her deep understanding of education and commitment as a parent, Amanda will bring valuable leadership and insight to our school community.

We also extend our sincere gratitude to our long-standing Board Chair, Alison, whose wisdom and guidance have shaped the school’s direction over several years. Alison’s commitment and steady leadership have been instrumental in ensuring the best outcomes for our students, staff, and families. Thank you for your service and dedication to our school!

Our School Board parent representatives for 2025 are Amanda (Chair), Kirsty (Deputy Chair), Ifeoma (Finance), Darrin, Nathan, Alison, Tracey and Claire. Our Staff representatives are Stav Haros, Vicki Rubino and Melissa Musolino.

Attendance

As a school we continue to monitor and track student attendance. As the cooler weather sets in we acknowledge the arrival of coughs and colds. If your child has flu symptoms or needs a day off due to ill health we completely understand and appreciate your correspondence. Please remember that any extended time off school (2 or more days) requires a medical certificate.

Positive Behaviour Interventions and Support (PBIS)

As part of our PBIS work, we continue to educate our students about the importance of being safe, respectful, and responsible in our toilets. As a school addressing issues as they rise and reteaching expected behaviours is key to longer term change.

As part of our commitment to fostering a safe and hygienic school environment, we encourage students to:

• Use the toilets responsibly respecting others’ privacy, not playing in the toilets, and ensuring the space remains clean for everyone.
• Follow hygiene practices—washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, cleaning up after yourself, leaving the toilets tidy and never eating in the toilets.
• Report any issues—letting a teacher or staff member know if they notice spills, damages, or concerning behaviour.

Your support in reinforcing these expectations at home is invaluable. Helping your child understand how to use the toilets safely and sensibly contributes to a positive and respectful environment for all students.

Finally, Mrs Bennett will be on leave for Week 5. Throughout Week 5 Mrs Musolino, Mr McGinty and Mr Clifford will continue to provide leadership across the school supported by Mr Molyneux, Head of Campus St Mary Magdalene’s.

Shaping our future together,
The Leadership Team