Message from the President

Over the course of the next year, we would like to examine more deeply (and much more intentionally) what it actually means for each of us to “Live Jesus in Our Hearts.” We finish every prayer pledging that we will live Him in our hearts forever. But what does that actually look and feel like for each one of us? Do our words and actions reflect the Gospel values we have been called to profess and live out? How do we recognize the divine that dwells in each one of us? Ultimately, if we are true believers in the mission and vision of Jesus, are the things we are doing ensuring that we are walking/living the talk?

Our commissioning Mass on January 23, 2025, helped us formally launch this work. Fittingly, Fr. Ray Smith from Sacred Heart Parish, Vancouver, was our celebrant. Fr. Ray and the Claretian Missionaries replaced the Oblate order at Sacred Heart. Their religious order specifically focuses on supporting many of the Catholic charities in the Downtown Eastside (DTES).

I’m not ashamed to let people know that it was likely the first time I had ever considered that Jesus was literally in my heart – pumping through my veins and in my blood – after receiving the Holy Eucharist. I completely understood things from an emotive, metaphorical, and even metaphysical sense. In many cultures and traditions, including our own, the heart was long considered the source of emotions, wisdom, and passion. But until Fr. Ray’s homily, I had honestly never considered the physiological manifestation of Jesus living in my heart as a direct result of the metabolic breakdown of the sacred food for our soul to glucose and other nutrients – the necessary sources of energy to help spur our bodies to take action and live the life we’ve been called to do.

We are excited by the journey that we are embarking on and look forward to seeing where it will take us. In the end, this may be the greatest endeavour we undertake as a Catholic school community.

Wish us well!

Live Jesus in our Hearts… Forever!

Steve Garland
President – STMC

STMC Students in Action

Serving at NightShift Ministries

On Wednesday, January 29, students, staff, and parents from St. Thomas More Collegiate came together to serve the community through NightShift Ministries in Whalley, Surrey. As part of our school’s ongoing commitment to service, students involved in Pursuit Kitchen prepared 120 meals for those in need, which were then distributed by our volunteers that evening.

Commissioning Mass

On January 23rd the STMC community gathered for our Commissioning Mass, celebrating this year’s theme: “Living Jesus in Our Hearts Forever.” This special Mass served as a reminder of our call to embody Christ’s love in our daily lives, both within our school and in the wider community.

We extend our gratitude to Father Ray Smith from Sacred Heart, who presided over the service. His homily brought a unique flair, inspiring students and staff alike to reflect on how we can truly live out our faith each day.

A special thank you to the BERT Team for their work with the Mass. A few members of the BERT team are in the photo with Father Ray. The BERT Team looks forward to furthering this mission by serving alongside Father Ray at The Door is Open in the near future.

Learning Commons

I recently came across an excellent book by Jonathan Haidt: “The Anxious Generation”. In his book, he states that “This book is not just for parents, teachers, and others who care for or about children. It is for anyone who wants to understand how the most rapid rewiring of human relationships and consciousness in human history has made it harder for all of us to think, focus, forget ourselves enough to care about others, and build close relationships.

The Anxious Generation is a book about how to reclaim human life for human beings in all generations.” In addition, he describes The Four Foundational Harms of constant immersion in the virtual worlds of their phones. These Four Foundational Harms include:

• Social Deprivation
• Sleep Deprivation
• Attention Fragmentation
• Addition

More and more research supports the integration of Phone-Free zones. The STMC Learning Commons is working to create a No-Phone Zone where students are encouraged to socialize without technology, improve social skills and take a screen brain-break.

Mrs. DeWith
Teacher-Librarian

Career Life

ICBC SPEAKER: MARKITA KAULIUS
On Jan. 29, we were privileged to welcome Markita Kaulius from ICBC to speak with all our grade 11 & 12 students during Career Life class.

Markita’s 22 year-old daughter, Kassandra, was coming home from coaching a softball game in Surrey when she was t-boned by an impaired driver and killed in 2011. The impaired driver had been celebrating hockey playoffs and ended up spending 16 months in jail.

She shares her experience with students to show what a family and community goes through when a loved one is killed by an impaired driver. These tragedies could be avoided if the driver had made a different choice.

Markita is the founder of Families for Justice Society, a non-profit support group for parents who have lost a child or loved one to an impaired driver.
In honor of Sally Gribble and her son’s memory (STM alumni) and the importance of her cause, STMC created an essay assignment on the subject of impaired driving and driving safety for all members of the grade 12 level. The selected essay will be awarded a $500 scholarship towards post-secondary studies.

In honor of Sally Gribble and her son’s memory (STM alumni) and the importance of her cause, STMC created an essay assignment on the subject of impaired driving and driving safety for all members of the grade 12 level. The selected essay will be awarded a $500 scholarship towards post-secondary studies.

LITERATURE CIRCLES
It has been a busy month in the Learning Commons as the grade 8 and 9 students cycled through a series of lessons as part of a Literature Circle Unit. Depending on the class, students are either reading an independent choice novel or a novel from a selection of “group” picks. Each week, students participate in a mini lesson on an element of the novel (setting, characters, plot…) and a group discussion based on their novel. Literature Circle goals include fostering a love of reading, encouraging thoughtful connections and discussions about a novel, building analytical and comprehension skills, and reviewing the elements of a story. If you have a child in grade 8 or 9, engage them in conversation about the novel they are reading!

These questions might stimulate some conversation over dinner or while in the commute to/from school:

• How has the main character changed and developed throughout the story?
• What were some of your favorite scenes from the book? Why did they stand out to you?
• How, if at all, did this book relate to your own life? Did it evoke any memories or create any connections for you?
• How relevant or relatable are the themes or messages of the book to your own life, or to society today?
• What was the most memorable or shocking scene or twist in the story and why?

Band

Jazz A visited Vancouver College for our annual Jazz Day. We participated in joint workshops with guest jazz educators, performed for one another, and shared the music we are currently working on.

It was a great opportunity to connect with fellow jazz enthusiasts and gain inspiration from their performances.

The Junior Concert Band enjoyed a retreat at Camp Stillwood with valuable time for rehearsals and culture-building as well as an epic winter campfire.

Soccer

Please scan the QR code and fill out the form to register for the GIRLS SOCCER team grades 8-12 at STMC.

Once you have registered, please listen to daily school announcements or check google classroom for when and where our next informational meeting will take place. More information to come about tryouts!

Looking forward to the season!

Ms. Soares & Ms. Walker

Ultimate Team Tryouts

Tryouts for our Ultimate teams (grade 8, junior and senior) will start in the next few weeks. Anyone interested in playing should join the Ultimate Google Classroom (code: cubiqqr).

Please see Mr. Muise if you have any questions.

Wrestling

In January, the Knights Wrestling team had a packed competition schedule, taking part in the Duke’s Cup, the Westies’ Cup, and the Seaforth Cup, as well as the Western Canadian Age Class. The team put on an impressive performance, showcasing skill, determination, and hard work.

Our wrestlers continued to improve with each match, gaining valuable experience along the way. Up next, we are preparing for the North Fraser Zones on Friday, February 7, where we hope to build on our success. Go Knights!

Chess Tournament

STMC’s FIRST school-wide Chess Tournament hosted by STMC’s very own Chess Club will be taking place this Friday.

When: Friday, February 7, 2025
Time: 3:15pm-6:15pm (Time may vary depending on number of participants)
Where: Room 220

Event Details
Prize Pool: $50
Time Control: 10 minutes

Free pizza will also be provided to all participants!

Young Alumni Knight

Join us at Steel & Oak on Thursday, February 6th at 7pm. Enjoy one complimentary S&O beverage on us as we get together as an opportunity to catch up, network, and mingle.

This event is open to STMC graduates from the Classes of 2010 until 2022. Just a simple way for us to connect and celebrate as proud alumni of STMC. Feel free to share to all your fellow grads!

Alumni Basketball Tournament

Join us for our 26th Annual Alumni Basketball Tournament on Friday and Saturday, February 7th-8th. Friday night is our Alumni social in the multipurpose room. Call your Alum crew and come connect while enjoying a wide range of basketball. Drinks and pizza will be available. Saturday is family day! We will have a bouncy castle, refreshments, food, basketball hoops for kids, and more setup in the multipurpose room. Bring your kids and spouse to make this day a fun one for the entire family!

The 26th Alumni Basketball Tournament now has three divisions!

1. Competitive Division: You come to play, have fun, and want good competition with all the rules.
2. Recreational Division: For those who used to play or that still do. It’s somewhat competitive and fun.
3. Spirit Division: Maybe you have touched a basketball this year, or last was at high school PE class. You are encouraged to dress-up, have fun, and meet new friends!

Walkathon

🌟 Calling all STM parents! 🌟

We’re gearing up for the Walkathon on April 30th, and we need your creativity, ideas, and support to make this event unforgettable! Whether you’re full of ideas or just eager to help, we’d love for you to join the planning team.

Questions? Reach out to Aliyah Walji (Social Events for STMCPA) at .

Let’s come together to make this Walkathon a success!

A Knight to Remember Gala

We’re thrilled to announce that St. Thomas More Collegiate’s “A Knight to Remember” Gala will take place on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Burnaby Delta Hotels and Conference Centre at the Grand Villa Casino.

This unforgettable evening will feature:
• A buffet dinner
• Performances by the talented Redeem Dance Team and Alumni Choir
• Exciting games with chances to win amazing prizes
• A Live and Silent Auction

This event is not just a night to celebrate our incredible community but proceeds of our auction support the Knights Annual Fund, benefiting our students and programs.

We Need Your Help!
To ensure the Gala’s success, we are seeking support from our current parents, past parents, alumni, and our community. There are several ways to get involved:

1. Join the Gala Committee
   Be part of the team that brings this memorable event to life. From planning to execution, your input and creativity will make a difference. Our first meeting will be January 22nd @ 7pm in the McCarthy Learning Commons (Library).
2. Volunteer for Set-Up, Take-Down, or During the Gala
   Help us create a magical atmosphere by assisting with event preparation, smooth operations, or wrapping up at the end of the night.
3. Donate a Live or Silent Auction Item
   Contribute unique experiences, items, or opportunities to our auctions—your generosity will directly impact the success of our fundraiser.
4. Become a Sponsor
   Showcase your business while supporting a great cause. Sponsorship opportunities offer valuable exposure and demonstrate your commitment to our school community.

How to Get Involved
If you’re interested in contributing in any of these ways, please contact Kyle O’Genski at or 604-790-0677.

Thank you for considering how you can help make this year’s Gala a success. Together, we can create an incredible evening that showcases the strength and spirit of the STMC community.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Yvonne DeWith

Professional growth as a Teacher-Librarian and as an Educator continues to be an integral part of my career. I am so grateful for STMC’s support towards ongoing professional development. Recently, I attended the Ontario Library Association’s Superconference in Toronto. This annual event brings together close to 1000 school librarians, public librarians, post-secondary librarians, publishers, authors and vendors from across Canada. As the only teacher-librarian in my school, the opportunity to network, share ideas and learn from others is so valuable!

Throughout the week, I toured Penguin Random House Publishers, attended excellent workshops on topic such as ‘Digital Media Literacy Skills in the Age of AI’, ‘Book Making’, ‘Creative Ideas for Library Promotion’, ‘New Books Coming this Year’, spoke with vendors about products that would support students and staff at STMC, met many authors and picked up many complimentary new books. I am excited to bring all I have learned back to STMC!