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STM NEWS | Term 3, Week 4, 2026

Dear Families,

It has certainly been an eventful term so far, with our students, staff and families already embracing a wide range of learning experiences, activities and opportunities. As we look ahead, there is still much to look forward to, with a full calendar of exciting events and celebrations planned for our school community.

Among the many highlights coming up are Book Week, the Year 5/6 Camp, the Catholic Schools Music Festival, our various Sports Carnivals, and many other events that will provide our students with opportunities to learn, connect, perform and celebrate their achievements. We look forward to sharing these experiences with our students and families throughout the term.

We are also pleased to welcome Linda Caldinez, who will be joining us as Acting Head of School while Vicki Rubino is on leave. Linda joined us this week for a comprehensive handover with Vicki and has been spending time familiarising herself with our students, families and staff, as well as our school procedures and routines. We are delighted to have Linda supporting our school community during this time and look forward to working with her over the coming weeks.

With so much still to come, we look forward to a wonderful and memorable term ahead!

Shaping our future together,
STM Leadership Team

Mercy Values at Our School

Throughout August, our whole-school Mercy Value focus is Respect. Respect is at the heart of positive relationships and a supportive learning environment. It calls us to recognise the dignity and worth of every person, value our differences, and treat others, ourselves, and our environment with care and consideration.

As a Mercy school, we demonstrate respect through our words, actions, attitudes, and relationships. Respect means listening attentively, speaking kindly, acting fairly, and valuing the ideas and experiences of others. By modelling respect each day, we help our students develop empathy, responsibility, and a strong sense of belonging. This focus aligns closely with our PBIS expectations and supports our shared commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and positive school community.

Reflection Questions

Families might like to discuss:

  • What does respect look like, sound like, and feel like?
  • Do my words and actions help others feel valued and included?
  • How can I be a positive role model for respectful behaviour?
  • How can I listen respectfully to ideas and perspectives that are different from my own?

Together, we can continue to build a school community where everyone feels valued, supported, and included.

Bullying No Way Week 2026 | We say “Yes” to friendship, empathy and inclusion.

Bullying No Way Week is next week from 17–21 August 2026, with the theme “Small Acts, Big Impact.”

Throughout the week, our classes will continue to focus on promoting kindness, respect and inclusion, reminding us that everyone deserves to feel safe, valued and supported. Students will be encouraged to celebrate friendship, stand up for others and speak up when they see unfair or unkind behaviour. It is also a wonderful opportunity to appreciate our differences and celebrate what makes each person unique.

Together, we can create a school community where everyone feels welcome and belongs. Remember, even a small act of kindness, a smile, a helping hand or a kind word can make a big difference.

Book your Learning Conversations!

Learning Conversations are coming up this term in week 7, providing a valuable opportunity for parents and carers to meet with their child’s teacher, review their Semester 1 Report, celebrate progress and set meaningful goals for the term ahead.

We strongly encourage all parents and carers to attend. These conversations are an important part of building a strong partnership between home and school. Meeting with your child’s teacher allows you to gain a deeper understanding of their progress, discuss areas for growth and work together to support their learning, wellbeing and continued success.

Learning Conversation dates and times are as follows:

  • Monday, 31 August: 3.15pm–5.00pm
  • Tuesday, 1 September: 3.15pm–5.00pm
  • Wednesday, 2 September: 3.15pm–7.00pm

Your attendance and involvement make a real difference to your child’s learning journey. We look forward to continuing to work together to support your child’s continued growth and success. You can access the booking platform by clicking the button below – if you need assistance with making a booking, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our staff, we’re here to help!

BOOK LEARNING CONVERSATIONS

Catholic Schools Music Festival

We are excited to share that this year’s Catholic Schools Music Festival will take place on Thursday, 24 September at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

This event is always a highlight on the calendar, bringing together students from Catholic schools across the state to celebrate music, creativity, and community.

Our school choir has been working tirelessly in preparation for their performance. Their commitment, teamwork, and enthusiasm have been evident during rehearsals, and we are incredibly proud of the effort they are putting in. The festival provides a wonderful opportunity for our students to shine on a professional stage and experience the joy of performing as part of a large ensemble.

We look forward to seeing many of our staff and families there to support our talented young performers and share in this memorable evening. For ticket information, please click the button below.

TICKET INFORMATION

CoLoUr FuN rUn

Colour Fun Run: Friday, 18 September

This term we are bringing the excitement with a Monty the Monstar Fun Run, all while raising funds for Adelaide Day Centre for Homeless Persons and Catherine House. Getting involved is super easy, just click on the button below to find out how to set up a profile and share it with family and friends for online donations. Kids can earn awesome prizes and collect Monty Coins as they go! Raise just $10 to unlock your first prize – and the more you raise, the more prizes you can mix, match and choose!

REGISTER FOR COLOUR FUN RUN

Celebrating Father's Day at STM

🎶 CBCA Children's Book Week 2026 | "Symphony of Stories" 🎶

This year’s theme celebrates the magic that happens when characters, voices, and story elements come together in perfect harmony…just like instruments in an orchestra! Get ready for a week filled with imagination, creativity, and the joy of storytelling.

Join us as we bring the magic to life at our annual Book Week Parade:

📅 Wednesday, 2 September @ 9:15am
📍 Jubilee Hall, St Thomas More School

We can’t wait to celebrate this special occasion together with our wonderful students, staff, and families. Start planning those costumes… we can’t wait to see your favourite characters come to life! ✨📚

📣 SHARE YOUR STORY!

If you have had a great experience with our school, we’d love to hear from you! We’re collecting testimonials and video stories for our website and social media to promote our school to more lovely families, and we want to feature real voices from our community! Whether you’ve been with us for years or just joined this term, if St Thomas More School has made a difference for you or your child, we’d love for you to share it. It won’t take much of your time, but it could mean a lot to families considering our school. Thank you for being part of our school family 💙

Keen to be involved? Click here to complete the form!

Are you happy for us to use your written testimonial to promote the school?
Can we use your name?
Can we contact you to take your photo or video of your testimonial?
If you select, Yes, we will contact you to make a time to take your photo and/or record your testimonial - this will be used on social media.

Upcoming Events at STM

WEEK 5

  • Pupil Free Day | Monday, 17 August OSHC Available
  • Mass Year 3-6 | Tuesday, 18 August at 12pm in the Hub (All Welcome)

WEEK 6

  • Year 5/6 Camp | Monday, 24 – Wednesday, 26 August
  • Assembly RB | Friday, 28 August at 9am All Welcome!
  • Winter Market | School Fundraiser! | Saturday, 29 August! All Welcome!

WEEK 7

  • Learning Conversations | Monday, 31 Aug – Wed 2 September (BOOK ONLINE)
  • Book Week Parade | Wednesday, 2 September at 9am
  • Father’s Day Stall | Thursday, 3 September
  • Father’s Day Brekky and Liturgy | Friday, 4 September All Welcome!

WEEK 8

  • RUOk? Day | Thursday, 10 September
  • Liturgy Year 3-6 | Friday, 11 September 9am in the Hub All Welcome!

WEEK 9

  • Learning Conversation Catch Up | Monday, 14 September
  • T-Ball Carnival | Wednesday, 16 September
  • Assembly 1/2M | Thursday, 17 September at 9am (All Welcome!)
  • Mercy Day and Colour Fun Run | Friday, 18 September

WEEK 10

  • Liturgy R-2 | Tuesday, 22 September at 12pm in the Hub (All Welcome!)
  • Catholic School’s Music Festival | Tuesday, 15 September (Buy Tickets)
  • Final Day of Term 3 | Thursday, 24 September
  • Pupil Free Day (Staff Berry Street Training) | Friday, 25 September

BOOK DONATIONS WANTED! 📕 📗 📘 📙

📚 We’re collecting book donations for our very own STM book stall! If you have any gently-loved books at home that your family has outgrown, we’d love to give them a new home. Simply drop them off at the front office ahead of the market. Every book donated helps raise funds for our school. 🧡

Faith in Action

Connecting with the Sunday Gospel Reading | Matthew 15:21-28

In this week’s Gospel, we meet a woman who comes to Jesus seeking help for her daughter. Although she faces challenges and is initially ignored, she does not give up. She trusts that Jesus will listen to her and continues to ask for his help with courage and humility. Jesus recognises her great faith and grants her request, healing her daughter.

This Gospel reminds us that faith means trusting in God, even when things are difficult or when answers do not come straight away. Like the Canaanite woman, we are encouraged to bring our worries, hopes and prayers to Jesus, believing that he hears us and cares for us. Her persistence teaches us the importance of never giving up on prayer and always trusting in God’s love and mercy.

This Gospel invites us to reflect on how we can show faith, perseverance and compassion in our daily lives. It reminds us that God’s love is for everyone and that we are called to welcome and care for all people with kindness and respect.

Wonderings | Matthew 15:21-28

  • I wonder when I have had to keep trying, even when something was difficult
  • I wonder how I can show trust in God when my prayers are not answered in the way I expect
  • I wonder who might need my kindness, encouragement or support this week

Joining us for Prayer, Liturgy, and the Celebration of Mass

Prayer, liturgy and the celebration of Mass are at the heart of life in a Catholic school, nurturing the spiritual growth of our students and strengthening our community in faith. Through daily prayer and shared liturgical experiences, students are invited to develop a personal relationship with God, reflect on Gospel values, and grow in compassion, gratitude and service. The celebration of Mass brings us together as one body in Christ, reminding us of the presence of Jesus in our lives and guiding us to live out our faith in meaningful ways.

We warmly invite all families to join us for these sacred celebrations, as your presence enriches our community and strengthens the partnership between home, school and parish in fostering a living faith.

Dates for Celebrations in Term 3

Week 5 | Tuesday August 18 – 12noon | Year 3-6 Mass with Fr. Santosh

Week 7 | Friday August 4 – 9am | Whole School Father’s Day and Special Persons Liturgy in the Hall

Week 8 | Friday August 11 – 9am | Year 3-6 Liturgy in the Hub – Celebrating the Feast of Frederic Ozanam

Week 9 | Friday September 18 – 9am | Whole School Mercy Day Liturgy in the Jubilee Hall

Week 10 | September 22 – 12noon | R-2 Liturgy of the Word with Fr. Santosh in the Hub

Celebrating the Feast of the Assumption of Mary

On 15 August, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the most significant feasts in the Catholic calendar.

This special day commemorates our belief that Mary, having completed her earthly life, was taken body and soul into heavenly glory. The Assumption reminds us of Mary’s unwavering faith, her trust in God’s plan, and her wholehearted “yes” to God’s call. Throughout her life, Mary modelled courage, humility and love, inspiring generations of Christians to follow Christ with the same commitment. For us as a faith-filled school community, the Assumption is a celebration of hope. Mary’s Assumption points to the promise of eternal life and reminds us that God calls each of us to holiness and a deep relationship with Him. It encourages us to live with faith, compassion and service to others, knowing that God’s love accompanies us on our journey.

As we celebrate this feast, may we take time to reflect on Mary’s example and ask for her intercession. May we, like Mary, be open to God’s call in our daily lives and strive to bring Christ’s love and hope to those around us. May the Feast of the Assumption be a blessing for all members of our school community.

Living Mercy at STM

This term we will have a ‘Mercy Value of the Month’.

This month we will focus on Hospitality. Hospitality is one of our cherished Mercy values and calls us to create welcoming, inclusive, and caring communities wherever we are.

Hospitality means noticing others, making people feel valued, and ensuring everyone has a place where they belong. In the classroom, this might look like including others in activities, listening respectfully, and encouraging classmates who need support. In the schoolyard, hospitality can be shown by inviting someone to join a game, using kind words, and looking out for those who may feel lonely. At home, hospitality is demonstrated through helping family members, showing gratitude, and creating a loving environment where everyone feels respected and cared for. In our wider community, we live out hospitality by welcoming newcomers, showing compassion to those in need, and treating every person with dignity.

As a Mercy community, we are called to follow the example of Jesus by opening our hearts to others and making hospitality a part of our daily actions.

Sacrament Program 2026

We are looking forward to an important and enriching time ahead in our Sacramental Program as our children and families prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Over the coming weeks, families will participate in our Reconciliation Workshop, providing an opportunity to deepen their understanding of God’s unconditional love, mercy and forgiveness. Through prayer, reflection and learning, our children will be supported in recognising the loving presence of God in their lives and the importance of seeking forgiveness and reconciliation. These experiences will help prepare them to celebrate this special sacrament with confidence and faith.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a significant milestone in the faith journey of our children, inviting them to encounter God’s mercy in a personal and meaningful way. We keep all our candidates and their families in our prayers as they prepare to receive this sacrament and continue to grow in their relationship with God and our parish community.

Elizabeth Catholic Parish

Please click on the link to access the parish bulletin to find out about events happening within the Elizabeth Catholic Parish | Bulletin – Elizabeth Catholic Parish

Mercy Day Celebrates with a Colour Fun Run!

As a school founded in the Mercy tradition, Mercy Day is a special opportunity for us to celebrate the life and legacy of Catherine McAuley, who inspired a mission of compassion, service, justice, hospitality, respect and courage.

Each year, we come together to reflect on the Mercy values that shape our school community and encourage us to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Through prayer, learning, acts of kindness and fundraising, Mercy Day reminds us that we are called to be people of mercy, bringing hope, love and care to those around us.

We are excited to announce that our Colour Fun Run will be held at the end of this term – Friday September 18. We look forward to a fun-filled event for our students, with lots of colour, laughter and school spirit.

Don’t forget to create your online fundraising profile page. The class with the most online profiles by the end of week 5 will receive a Zooper Dooper Party!

Families are encouraged to keep an eye on Seesaw and EdSmart over the coming weeks, as important information about the event, including what students will need and any parent information, will be shared through these platforms. We look forward to a colourful and memorable celebration together!

Class Update | 1/2F "Only one you!"

Our 1/2F class has been learning about how God made everyone unique and special. After reading only one you, we made our own fish, and as you can see from their work above, each fish is different… just like each one of our students. The group of different fish show us that while we may look different, have different talents, and enjoy different things, we are all wonderfully made by God and belong together.

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