Dear Families,

We’ve had a great two weeks at Thomas More College.  We find ourselves approaching the final week of the Term.  I would like to thank our staff and students for the excellent approach towards the end of the term. We challenge and support our students to work until the last day of school, and to set up themselves for success as we look to finish this term and start a new one. This is a amidst a full few weeks at the school.

Easter Liturgical Season
Next week we move into Holy Week, the most significant time in the Christian Calendar. We enter into Jesus' Passion - the period before his death - and then Resurrection next week.

We will hold Liturgies to focus both on Palm Sunday and Jesus’ Passion story through Stations of the Cross. It's significant in our Christian History and also in a contemporary meaning, with a beautiful yet tragic contrast of events. Palm Sunday signifies what was Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem; people celebrated as he entered into this holy city amidst a sea of hope and popularity. Less than a week later, he was rejected by most of those who had earlier celebrated his arrival. Those committed and faithful few who maintained a belief in goodness, kindness and seeing the best in people, as he was crucified, often referred to as the ‘the Passion’, which we learn about through the Stations of the Cross. Then, the intense sadness is contrasted again with immense happiness with the story of the Resurrection. It’s worth noting the significant period for us in a Catholic School which justifies our focus.

As part of the Easter story, so much of Lent is about ‘giving up something’; we understand the story of Jesus in the desert, of the 40 days of Lent, as a time when he was at his weakest, and he was challenged. The connection for us is that, when we are at our weakest, either physically, emotionally or spiritually, it is easy to take a quick step which can often lead to a poor choice. The Lenten period allows us to critically examine these choices by a Lenten promise that either asks us to go without, or to make a conscious effort to take up something, like more acts of kindness, to remind us of the importance of making good decisions. At the heart of the Catholic ethos is being a good person; sometimes this sounds easier than it actually is! TMC continuously reminds us, and has so many examples of, being good people.

Inaugural 6R Leadership Program
Two weeks ago I was fortunate to spend time with 25 experienced principals in the inaugural 6R Leadership Program by The Brown Collective. Curated by Dr Stephen Brown, the program focused on topics such as leading with presence, thriving in chaotic environments, and trauma-informed student engagement. Guest speakers included Maggie Farrar, Grace Langton, Dr Stephanie MacMahon, and Matthew Esterman. The key takeaway was the importance of being a good human to be a good leader. There is more to come in this program, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to enhance my leadership of our school.

Student Success
Year 10 SRC students Akash Acharya and Rayeed Haseen have been selected for the SA SRC. They shared their reflections on the recent summit, highlighting their involvement in the Seeing Ourselves campaign, which focuses on improving diversity and inclusivity in schools. They expressed their excitement about future plans and the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers and leaders, including the South Australian Commissioner of Youth, Helen Connolly. Their experiences reflect our 2025 College Theme of Transforming Perspectives, Expanding Futures.

Learner Profile Engagement Evening
The recent Learner Profile Engagement Evening was a great success, thanks to the efforts of everyone involved. Students and parents shared positive feedback about the connection between Thomas More College and families. The early preparations by students made the conversations valuable and reflective. A big thank you to everyone who contributed to the preparation and facilitation of the evening.

Take care,

Corey Tavella
Principal

Thomas More College is home to over 60 different cultural backgrounds, we speak over 63 different languages and practice 24 different religions, so it’s no wonder Harmony Week is such a special celebration here! This year students had the opportunity to join events and experience culture over the week. 

An Amazing Race had students “travelling” across 5 different countries and competing in traditional cultural games or activities. We had students from years 7-12 participate. Congrats to our winning team on the day! Staff also shared their own culture through a shared staff morning tea, with food that lasted us over two days! 

Thanks to Mr Mazzarelli for seranding us with songs sung in Italian, while we were serving Vietnamese street food. An odd mix on the day, but we were able to celebrate the cultures of both our languages studied at TMC.

Friday was the main event, with three Stage 1 RE classes selling cultural food in our courtyard celebration. We had David Booth return to cook damper and students had the opportunity to receive Aboriginal body paint. We also had Adi’s Henna Art producing some beautiful henna tattoos on staff and students as well as Sun of Africa Sun and Dance Ensemble with an amazing performance at lunch as well as a drumming masterclass with Mr Simmonds Year 8 Music class. 

A busy, but wonderful week celebrating diversity and belonging here at TMC. Special thanks to Ms Taylor, Mr Hewson, Mr Ligouro and Mr Mazzarelli, as well as the Maintenance and Front Office teams for all your support! 

Emma Cannon
Mission & Wellbeing Support Officer

Uniform Shop Opening Hours
Mondays:  2:00pm - 4:00pm
Thursdays: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Fridays: 8:00am - 10:00am

The Uniform Shop will be open on Monday 28 April (Student Free Day) from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.

Over the last three weeks, students from the Year 7 Life Skills class have been engaging in cultural awareness activity in connection to Harmony Week. Students were tasked with researching games from cultural backgrounds, then designing and constructing these games in pairs. Therefore, students were required to negotiate game choice and plan for collaborative creation before the build!

Once completed, students were invited to play the games, discussing the skills required to engage in fair and respectful play, before recounting their experience.

Well done to all students for your active participation and engagement throughout this unit, and celebrating the cultural diversity of our community!

Kate Onofrio
Wellbeing Innovation Leader

Our Year 10 Economics and Business students attended their first Making money work workshop, where they discussed different ways to make money and learned some practical skills for navigating the world of work. Helping them prepare for their own work outside school.

Thank you so much to Talk Money for coming out to run this workshop and help build up financial literacy for our students. 

Lauren Swan
Economics and Business Teacher

Monday 24 March was an opportunity to bring together school captains, student leaders and Principals/Deputy Principals from 22 schools across the public school system, independent schools, and Catholic Education sector at Ghan Kebab House, Kilburn - all united in the spirit of leadership, inclusion, and shared values. Together, we celebrated leadership, diversity, and the shared values that bring Australians closer - across communities, cultures, and generations.

As a College, we were fortunate enough to attend and be involved in an experience to learn and connect with others. The engagement, energy, and presence of so many impressive young leaders provide us all hope and pride for the future!

We were fortunate to hear great speakers and be entertained though the evening by:

• The Zoe Bettison MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs & Tourism, who presented the keynote address with inspiring words of hope for our future with the young leaders in the room,
• Guest Speakers, Prof. Mehmet Ozalp, ISRA Academy & Charles Sturt University with a message of unity for all present, and Mr Dale Atkinson communicating words of commitment and support for the Department of Education, and
• Performances from Mr Fahad Farooque (Singer & Performer) and Armin Taheriasnaashari (Guitarist) a student from Norwood International High School that added joy to the event.

This event could not have occurred if it was not for the sponsorship of the University of Adelaide, the Department for Education, and the planning and organisation from the leadership staff and students from Pinnacle College.

Shannon Bertram
Deputy Principal

The Year 10 and Year 12 Outdoor Education classes participated in an exciting Canoe Skills Day excursion. This event was designed to enhance the students' canoeing abilities and prepare them for future outdoor adventures.

The Year 10 students had a fantastic time learning the basics of canoeing. They were introduced to essential safety protocols, paddling techniques, and the fundamentals of manoeuvring a canoe. Meanwhile, the Year 12 students took their canoeing skills to the next level. They focused on refining their techniques. This session was crucial in preparing them for their upcoming canoe camp next term.

Both days finished with the students testing their capabilities by plunging into the water to practice their capsizing rescue. Overall, the Canoe Skills Day was a success. Both year groups gained valuable experience and knowledge. Go TMC OE!!

Jack Cooke
Outdoor Ed Leader

On 1 April, the Year 7 students hosted a fantastic Cultural Food Day, bringing in dishes from their cultural backgrounds to share. The event was a hit, with a wide variety of foods like cold rolls, fried rice, noodles, lamingtons and many other delicious dishes. Each dish came with a description, teaching everyone about its cultural significance.

The Year 12 buddies were also invited, creating a wonderful opportunity for older and younger students to bond over food. The day was filled with lots of delicious food, celebrating the diverse cultures within our school.

One Year 12 student summed it up perfectly: "Trying new foods and learning about different cultures was amazing. It made me appreciate our school's diversity even more."

The Cultural Food Day was a great success, highlighting the power of food to bring people together and celebrate our unique backgrounds.

We would like to thank all the Year 7 students and families for their participation and the Year 7 Wellbeing mentors for teaching students about different cultures and for encouraging students to take part.

Esme Rivas
Year 7 Leader

We were thrilled to welcome the Adelaide Youth Orchestra's Junior Wind Ensemble for an interactive performance that captivated a group of our Year 7 music classes and after-school ensemble students. Ranging in age from 9 to 21, these talented young musicians presented a diverse program, including delightful medleys from Frozen and Up.

Our students not only enjoyed the music but also had the opportunity to learn about the different instruments in the ensemble from their conductor Jessica Manning. They discovered fascinating facts about how each instrument produces its unique sound, it was truly inspiring for our young musicians here at Thomas More!

Georgia Dunn
Performing Arts Leader

In Week 8, the Year 8 cohort embarked on a trek to Woodhouse to take part in their Challenge Day. The day comprised of four rotations designed to challenge students in a range of ways, providing an authentic opportunity to develop their personal resilience whilst building stronger connections with their Wellbeing Class.

Students weaved their way through the Labyrinth, boulders around Cameron’s climb, navigated the disc golf course with ease, enjoyed the ride down the tube slide and overcame the many obstacles needed to conquer Challenge Hill.

Students took risks, overcame fears and put themselves out of their comfort zones, which we know is where the magic of learning and growth happens! A wonderful day spent with courageous Wellbeing Mentors, food and fun in the sun! Thank you to all for your fantastic participation.

Kate Onofrio
Wellbeing Innovation Leader

On Thursday, in light of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, my Year 10 Religious Education class organised a successful fundraiser to support Caritas's earthquake appeal. With many of our students having a personal connection to Myanmar, this initiative was particularly meaningful.

Demonstrating remarkable student agency and community spirit, the students planned and cooked a variety of delicious Burmese dishes, which they served to their fellow students. This initiative not only showcased their culinary skills but also highlighted the principles of Catholic Social Teaching in action. The students' dedication to helping those in need and their ability to work together effectively is a testament to their commitment to social justice and community service.

A huge thank you to all the students involved, and the staff whom supported us in aspiring to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by the earthquake in Myanmar. The students have raised more than $500.

Lauren Swan
RE Teacher

Academicus is excited to offer the following workshops:

The Mathematics of Creativity 
Date: 24 April
Time: 12:15pm-2:30pm

Is Modern Art… Ancient? 
Date: 24 April
Time: 9:30am-11:45am

The Science of How We Read 
Date: 25 April
Time: 12:15pm-2:30pm

Pivotal Moments in Medicine 
Date: 25 April
Time: 12:15pm-2:30pm

Each workshop costs $57.

For more information, click here https://registration.brainways.com.au/adelaide-academicus/.

If you are interested in participating, please email Ms Harvey by Thursday, 10 April.