Textiles Club

Students have been enthusiastically continuing to build their skills in both loom knitting and sewing taking on increasingly creative and challenging projects. Our sewing members have completed beautifully crafted bookmarks and head warmers. Loom knitters have been equally busy producing a wide range of cozy toques in various sizes.

A hallmark of our club continues to be the spirit of generosity displayed by our students. All of the toques and head warmers they create are donated to support community needs. This Christmas, these items will be shared with the Good Shepherd Ministry. We are deeply proud of the kindness and care our students put into their work.

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the generous donors who gifted our club with two sewing machines. This contribution that has significantly expanded what students are able to make and learn. Additionally, we warmly thank all of the parents and families who donated yarn this year; your support keeps our knitting projects thriving.

If you would like to support our ongoing efforts, we continue to gratefully accept donations of yarn (gauges 4, 5, or 6), thread, fabric, and other sewing notions. Every contribution makes a meaningful difference.

LRC Work Opportunity

Students from the LRC are looking for work experience opportunities within the community. A staff member will be with them the whole time. If anyone has a company or knows of opportunities for us to explore, please reach out to STMC.

Blessed Edmund Rice Peace Week

This month, our STMC community will be focusing on the Catholic Social Teaching of Peace, one of the core values that shaped the life and mission of Blessed Edmund Rice. As we enter this special week, we are invited to reflect on how we can become instruments of peace—in our school, our homes, and our wider community.

Throughout the week, students and staff will participate in a variety of simple but meaningful activities designed to help us practice peace daily. These include our Peace Intention Tree in the front foyer, school-wide reconciliation at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, student rosary in the chapel, a fun and encouraging Peace/Kindness Bingo challenge, and Friday’s Peace Stations, where students create cards for prison ministry, Good Shepherd Ministry, and other community outreach programs.

We encourage all students to take part and to look for small opportunities each day to show compassion, kindness, and forgiveness. Together, may we continue to build a community where the spirit of peace—rooted in Christ and inspired by Blessed Edmund Rice—can flourish.

School-Wide Advent Confessions

School-Wide Confessions at Our Lady of Mercy Parish

As we continue our Advent journey, St. Thomas More Collegiate will be holding school-wide confessions at Our Lady of Mercy Parish on:

• Tuesday, December 2nd: Grade 8 – C Block, Grade 9 – D Block
• Wednesday, December 3rd: Grade 10 – G Block, Grade 11 – H Block

Grade 12s will attend confession during their religion block over the two days

All students will attend during their scheduled block times.

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to prepare their hearts for Christmas through reflection, prayer, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Sleep-Out for Homelessness

The ACTION Team will be organizing our second Sleep-out for Homelessness campaign on December 7 from 7pm to 7am. This event is open to all grade 11 and 12 students. The evening will have some educational aspects as well as some activities that will support local charities that help those experiencing homelessness. Registration is on the CLE Google Classroom.

Registration Deadline: December 4!

Christmas Toy Drive

Tuesday, December 16th
7:00–8:30 AM • STMC Front Foyer

As we enter this season of giving, we invite our entire St. Thomas More Collegiate community to come together in support of our Annual Christmas Toy Drive on Tuesday, December 16th. This special tradition was started years ago by STMC alumnus Miguel Ramos, who, while only in Grade 10, felt called to make a meaningful difference for children in our local community. His initiative continues today as one of our most impactful acts of service.

On the morning of December 16th, we ask each member of our STMC family to consider donating a new, unwrapped toy. In appreciation, students who donate will receive a pancake breakfast and contribute valuable House Team points—all while helping spread Christmas joy to children who need it most. This will be a festive morning with the band playing in the foyer, fun activities, games, pictures with Santa and a Christmas movie in the Cafeteria.

All donated toys will support the Salvation Army and also delivered by STMC students to local families in need in Burnaby. Your generosity will directly brighten the Christmas season for many children across our community.

If you are able, we encourage you to consider donating items below but not limited to:

• Jewelry
• Makeup
• Nail kits
• Lotions
• Bath baskets
• Art supplies
• Perfume

• Hair and bath accessories
• Curling iron or straightener
• Gift cards
• Games
• Books
• Bikes
• Toys

• Gift cards
• Cameras
• Clothing
• Basketballs / soccer balls
• Camping supplies
• Remote-control cars
• Video games
• Headphones

Every donation—small or large—makes a difference. Together, let us continue the tradition: sharing hope, joy, and the spirit of Christmas with those who need it most.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
We look forward to seeing you on the Tuesday morning!

Music

Band-a-Palooza

Band-a-Palooza took place on October 17. We welcomed guest teachers on all of our instruments and enjoyed an evening full of music and fun.

Christmas Music Knight

Christmas Music Knight was held on November 28, followed by Elementary Music Morning on November 29. Congratulations to all of our student musicians on beautiful performances! Thanks to our Music Parents Committee for their hard work in supporting the event.

Swim Team Season End

The swim team wrapped up its season this November. The team consisted of 27 students who practiced weekly at Edmonds pool. The team was able to attend a friendly meet in North Vancouver and participated in the Fraser North Zone Meet in late October.

Hayley Tang was chosen as our Swim Team All Star at Zones as she was able to earn 26 points toward our team total. The season ended with a house-games tournament at our last practice. The students learned new swimming skills and were supported by our student-athlete coaches: Tia Butzelaar, Hayley Tang, and Desiree Wai.

A special shout out to Tia and her sister, Ava, who became student coaches for the team when they were in grade 9. Tia will be graduating this year and we wish her all the best! Thank you so much to the team, managers and student coaches!

Cross Country Provincial

This year, Cross Country Provincials were held in Nanoose Bay on November 1. As a result of their consistent effort during the season, our Junior Boys, Senior Girls and Senior Boys all qualified to compete at the Provincial level as “teams”. In addition, two Junior Girls qualified as independent athletes. (The Junior Girls’ team just missed qualifying as a team).

As coaches, we were so proud of each athlete as they faced mud, torrential rain and hundreds of competitors. All 22 athletes ran with determination, perseverance and grit. A special mention goes to Ava Butzelaar who placed 18th and ran her 5km in 21:16!

A huge thank you to all the parents who travelled to Nanaimo to cheer and support the team.

Gr.8 Volleyball Champions

Congratulations to our Grade 8 girls volleyball team for being 2025 Girls Volleyball Champions!

This caps a dominant season as league, zone, and BC Catholics championships for this squad.

Special mentions go out to Kayla Leung and Cayleigh Ko for being named to the All-Star team and to Lexa Maver for being named Tournament MVP!

Open House

Join us for STMC’s Open House on December 9th, from 6-8pm! We’re excited to welcome prospective students for grades 8-12 to explore our campus and experience what it means to be an STMC Knight. Learn about our academic programs, meet our dedicated faculty, and discover the vibrant community that makes STMC a leader in education.

During the Open House, you’ll have the chance to tour our facilities, attend insightful presentations, and connect with current students and staff. Whether your interests lie in the arts, athletics, or STEM, you’ll find a wealth of opportunities at St. Thomas More Collegiate. Becoming part of the STMC family is an experience that extends far beyond the classroom.

Please plan to arrive a little early, as parking is limited.

Parent Volunteers Needed – Open House

We’re excited to welcome prospective students for grades 8-12 to explore our campus and experience what it means to be an STMC Knight.

Parent Volunteers are needed to help us show our guests how warm and welcoming the STMC community is!

The Parents Association will be hosting a lovely reception for visitors in the school cafeteria, so we are looking for a few PARENTS to help us out with the food and beverage preparation, hosting and cleanup duties.  In addition, we are looking for donations of baked goods that our guests can enjoy.

Please sign up to volunteer using the links below – your help and support is greatly appreciated!

Open House Parent Volunteer Sign Up: https://volunteersignup.org/HJDBL

Open House Baked Goods Donation Sign Up: https://volunteersignup.org/CYXET

Thank you!

Jake Rogalski: Meeting Lech Wałęsa

On October 30, 2025, I attended an evening with Lech Wałęsa in Vancouver. For many, he is a famous name from history. For me, he represents courage, faith, and peace. I am the child of Polish immigrants who escaped communist Poland in the late 1960s, first to Sweden (where I was born) and then to Canada in 1973. My parents carried stories of fear and hope. They taught me that freedom is never guaranteed—it has to be protected and valued.

Listening to Wałęsa speak felt like hearing my parents’ stories come to life. He talked about the Solidarity movement, how in 1980 shipyard workers in Gdańsk stood up for fair wages and respect. What started as a strike became a peaceful movement that changed Poland and inspired freedom across Eastern Europe.

Wałęsa’s accomplishments are well known: he founded Solidarity, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, and became Poland’s first democratically elected president in 1990. But what stood out that night wasn’t his success… it was his humility. He gave credit to Pope John Paul II, saying, “The Pope organized us for prayer, not for the fight, but prayer became the force that united a nation.”

For Wałęsa, faith wasn’t just about religion. It was his strength and a way to act for peace. He said that “God never created borders, people did,” and he truly believes we are all one family. He joked that his main goal was never to become president but simply “to get the Polish people to the station called Freedom.” After that, he said with a smile, “I hoped others, smarter than me, would take the train and continue the journey.” His humor showed that freedom, once achieved, needs to be carried forward by others.

He also warned that today’s world faces new problems—new divisions, misinformation, and a loss of trust. “People no longer believe in democracy because it no longer defends the people,” he said. His message was simple: we need to rediscover solidarity, not as a slogan but as a way to live—with honesty, compassion, and respect for one another.

After his talk, I waited in line to have my copy of Lech Wałęsa and Solidarity 1980–1990 signed. When I sat down, he noticed the Solidarność pin on my jacket—a small white button with the red Solidarity logo from the 1980s. Wałęsa, wearing a white shirt with the same emblem on one pocket and an image of Our Lady of Częstochowa on the other, smiled warmly. He reached out his hand in a friendly gesture of solidarity.

In Polish, I told him, “Dziękuję Panu za wszystko, co Pan zrobił dla ludzkości i dla Polaków” — “Thank you for all you have done for humanity and for the Polish people.” He smiled widely for the camera, and the photo captured that moment perfectly. For me, it wasn’t about meeting a famous person (I’ve met many). It was about thanking someone whose faith and courage helped shape the freedom my family now enjoys.

As a teacher at St. Thomas More, where I have the privilege of teaching both Social Studies and Religion, this experience moved me deeply. It reminded me why we study history—not just to learn dates and names, but to understand the power of faith, justice, and human dignity in shaping our world. Wałęsa’s story bridges both subjects: it shows how belief can inspire peaceful change and how ordinary people can make extraordinary differences when guided by conscience. His words renewed my hope that education can help young people see freedom not as something distant, but as something they help build every day through kindness, truth, and courage.

As I left the hall, I felt a quiet sense of peace. Wałęsa’s life reminds us that real freedom and peace come from courage, faith, and perseverance—not from power or politics. His story is about more than Poland. It’s about the human spirit’s ability to stand for what’s right and to keep moving forward, even in hard times.

Looking at the photo later, I felt grateful not just for that brief meeting, but for what it represented. The spirit of Solidarność still lives on: in faith, in truth, and in the simple belief that peace begins when we choose to stand together.

Ms. MacLellan named a Yamaha Canada True North Master Educator

Ms. MacLellan has been named a Yamaha Canada True North Master Educator, joining a roster of highly regarded music educators from across Canada. Through this program, teachers and students can receive mentorship, advice, and guidance in support of their music programs.

Read more about the program here: https://ca.yamaha.com/en/about_yamaha/true-north-master-educator/index.html