Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

I hope and pray that everyone had a blessed Christmas and a wonderful holiday. We as human beings are very much creatures who want to be in the ‘driving seat’ so to speak of our lives. We like to control them and often holidays provide that sort of opportunity to do pretty much what we want to do. After the holidays and we all return to either school or work, we are often confronted by the realities of life. We seem no longer in control of our lives as the circumstances around leave us with a sense of hopelessness and despair. From the news and maybe your own businesses; inflation is increasing while the Rand plummets against major currencies; Profits are dropping and costs rising; Unemployment levels steadily increasing and a frustrate populace.

Where is the hope? The Bible tells us in the above scripture that maybe we should start learning to trust God rather than ourselves because He wants the best from us and the best for us. Maybe we have to start humbling ourselves and asking God for help, which He will readily give. Jesus says to us in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest for your minds. For my yoke easy, and my burden is light”.

In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus will give us the hope, the joy and peace that we all desire and from Proverbs 3:6 the direction we need in life. What freedom is that! God will direct our paths if we let Him. That’s good news for a good new year.

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Welcome back to what I am sure will be another exciting and productive year. I trust that you are all rested and ready for the challenges that lie ahead.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to all those families who join Thomas More College for the first time this year. This is a warm and embracing school and I hope that you will thoroughly enjoy your time with us.

NEW STAFF

High School:

Dave Wiggett: Headmaster

Heidi Breedt: Afrikaans & Life Science

Lisa Bonella: Afrikaans

Vanessa Barnes: English

Senior Primary:

Chantelle Barnard: Afrikaans

Jenna Nolden: AEU Intern

Luke Smith: Intern

Foundation Phase:

Heidi Lloyd Grade 0 (Returns)

Taryn King: Grade 1

Chantelle Barnard: Afrikaans

Tamryn Calitz: Intern

Natalie Ferguson: Intern

Nicole Baptista: Aftercare

Administration:

Lisa Moffat: Catering Manager

Gill Doran: Accounts

On the whole we were delighted with the schools 2015 IEB Matric results. The school achieved 213 subject distinctions from only 103 pupils, at an average of 2,1 A's per pupil. Top candidate, Maia Rawlins got 8 A's, while Gaby Rautenbach, Jeremy King and Jenna Heads got 7A's. A further 7 pupils got 6 distinctions. They were, Dakota Wheeler, Caitlyn Hancock, Jenah McKenzie, Cayla Miller, Liam Moran, Caleb Robinson and Amy Tjasink. 6 pupils, namely Reece Coetzer, Shelden Hartmannsgruber, Olivia Hamilton, Serisha Maharaj, Kelsey Reddan and Shannon Young got 5 distinctions each. 94 of the 103 matriculants were awarded Batchelor Degree passes (previously known as University Exemption). I was particular pleased with the performance when compared to the averages of the 200 IEB schools in the country. "These are top performing private schools and competition is tough. We were ahead of the IEB averages on exemption(91%) pass rate (98%) and on the majority of subject averages. Our average subject average was 68,01% compare to the IEB average of 67,01 for the same basket of subjects.

Unfortunately the Coffee Shoppe will be closed for a revamp for the next few weeks. It has changed ownership and now full under Lisa Moffatt who is our new catering manager. We plan to re-open on Monday 15^th February. I am sure that parents will be delighted with the changes.

The crèche has moved to new premises alongside the Stock Shop. This is a charming new facility. Do pop in if you would like to look around. It will be known as the Thom Teenies. The Thom Tots (now made up only of the grade 000's) now have extra space in the rondawel.

This is a very short term and we break up as early as 18th March. In 2015 it was 27th March. Easter can vary considerably from year to year as it is determined by the first full moon after Equinox. There will not be too much time to settle in and will soon have to be in top gear. The new year is always a time of good intentions.

I am reminded of the saying, "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."

DID YOU KNOW!

This year February has 4 of every day. This happens only once every 823 years.

 

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It is with significant gratitude that I welcome all members of the Thomas More College (High School) family back to school. An especially warm welcome is extended to all new families joining us this year. I have no doubt that your time with us will be punctuated by opportunities for your child(ren) to celebrate their incredible uniqueness.

Albeit brief, my time at TMC has been characterised by a very compelling theme: our school family encourages and celebrates the inherent individuality of every child at our school. While are we indeed committed to empowering our children to excel to the best of their ability in the final National Senior Certificate examinations as offered by the IEB, our staff is unequivocally committed to nurturing every child beyond the realm of academia and mere statistics. We embrace the entire child.

Your child matters, and I am inspired by the energy, passion, commitment and professionalism I have encountered in the High School staff body as the custodians of our school’s relevance and purposefulness in your child’s life. It is abundantly clear that “the individual matters” is not clichéd, cheap marketing trickery at Thomas More College. This excites me; it indicates a sincerity in our efforts to empower your child to be a fulfilled, pro-active value-adder in the future.

I extend my gratitude to Mr Cuthbertson, the staff and the families we have met to date for the graceful welcome that Nicki, Jaime, Kailin and I have received since our arrival from Johannesburg in December. 

 

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A very warm welcome to all new families to the Primary School of Thomas More College! We believe you will soon feel completely at home and welcome in this caring, nurturing family environment. We do strive to have open communication channels, so trust we shall have a good relationship with you as partners in your children’s education. To those already a part of our Thomas More family, welcome back and may we have a productive and happy term.

Our Grade 6 and 7 pupils leave tomorrow, Wednesday 20 January on their educational trips with their Grade Heads, teachers and grade intern – the best way of enabling new pupils to be integrated, and ground rules to be established, while learning more about themselves, the natural environment, leadership and teamwork. It is also an opportunity for friendships to be rekindled, new friends made and for our new pupils to feel they are part of the group and belong.

It is great to have all our Thomas More teachers back with us. In the Primary, we warmly welcome Mrs Chantelle Barnard, as the Grade 2-5 Afrikaans teacher .She has replaced Mrs Liesel Röttcher who retired at the end of last year. Chantelle comes to us with many years teaching experience in both remedial and mainstream classes and has been more recently the Grade 6 teacher in the Hillcrest Rem unit, specializing in Afrikaans teaching. In the SP Aftercare we welcome Mrs Jenna Nolden, taking over the homework sessions from Janine Houston as well as replacing Mrs Louise Dawe in the AEU for remedial lessons. In addition, we welcome a Primary School past pupil, Luke Smith officially as our Grade 4 intern for 2016.

We look forward to sharing more information with you at the parent information evenings next week Wednesday 27 at 18:00 in the Habberton Hall followed by class visits. The evening should be over at about 19:45. We know you will make every endeavour to attend. Please also diarise the Parents’ Council AGM for Wednesday 10 February.

Please note that Senior Primary sport commences next Monday 25 January. We would also really appreciate it if you were able to get your child to school by 07:20 to collect what is needed from their class and get organized for a 07:30 prompt start to their academic day.

Our Outreach Days start again this Wednesday. Please pop an extra wrapped sandwich, or some fruit into your child’s lunch box or anything else that you would like to donate. In addition old clothes and fresh veggies are welcome. A volunteer worker collects them and delivers to the 1000 Hills Community where they are gratefully accepted and eagerly looked forward to each week. With our having been on holiday, we really appeal to you to send something this week in particular-thanks.

Should you have any concerns or misgivings about anything, please consult first directly with the staff member involved, whether it be the class or subject teacher or sports coach or co-ordinator. Subsequent to that, especially with regard to general academic and school matters, consult any of the grade heads, or relevant Heads of Department. However, please avail yourself of the correct channels of communication first before referring matters to them. As the Headmistress of the Primary School, I also practise an “open door” policy, so do avail yourself of this should needs arise, especially after trying the other channels. We also value positive feedback, so would appreciate you contacting us when you are delighted about something and when we wish to celebrate goals realized and progress made. The school e-mail addresses of staff are also on the communicator for your convenience.

All of the Primary School staff and pupils congratulate our High School on the excellent matric results once again. Well done to all staff as such results start from grass roots in our Pre- Primary department and are built on from year to year. We are indeed delighted with what has been accomplished!

We ask God’s grace and blessings on us and look forward to a happy, and fulfilling, albeit short, first term. We ask Him to continue to guide and lead us and our precious charges to fulfill His purpose in all we undertake, while remaining centred on each and every individual child. To a joyful and successful term…

 

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A very warm welcome to all our families, both new and existing. We also extend this welcome to our new staff members:

Chantelle Barnard – Grade 2 to 5 Afrikaans

Tarryn King – Grade 1

Tayla Godbold – Red Group Assistant

Tamryn Calitz – Grade 3 Intern

Natalie Ferguson – Grade 1 Intern

Nicole Baptista – Aftercare

We look forward to meeting all parents at our Foundation Phase (both Pre Primary and Junior Primary) Cocktail party and Information evening on Tuesday 26^th January at 6pm in the Habberton Hall. There is no information evening for the Crèche parents, but we would love to meet you at the Cocktail party.

This term is short and promises to be no less busy than usual. We ask that all pupils commit to one school sport each term and look forward to this with great anticipation.

Wishing you a happy, healthy term.

“The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” Denis Watley 

 

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Weekly Achievers  - Sponsored by Debonairs & Steers – Kloof

To resume on 01 February 2016.

Dancing

Congratulations to the following students for their achievements in the I.S.T.D. Pre-Primary Tap Dance examination : Lauren Bigalke (Merit) ; Alessandro Buccimazza (Distinction) ; Sarah Clark (Distinction) ; Emihle Nonxuba (Distinction) ; Sienna Raath (Distinction) & Tara Saint (Distinction).

Congratulations to the following students for their achievements in the I.S.T.D. Primary Modern Dance examination : Sophie Buccimazza (Merit) ; Sienna Raath (Distinction) & Bella Suttie (Distinction).

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Girls' Indoor Hockey

Girls' 1st Team played in a Tournament hosted by Maris Stella.

1st Team vs Maris Stella 0-0

1st Team vs St. Mary's 0-1

1st Team vs Kloof 1-4

1st Team vs Danville 1-0

Girls' U14A played in a Tournament hosted by St. Mary's.

U14A vs DGHS 0-1

U14A vs Crawford LL 2-1

U14A vs St. Mary's 0-3

U14A vs Crawford NC 4-0

We would like to thank the parents and pupils for their support.

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