Principal's Message

Dear Parents

This has to be the strangest end of term I have ever experienced; no bells or children to farewell. The teachers have spent the last few days looking at their computer screen learning about new apps and how to use the MS Teams platform to fully launch our remote learning at St Monica's. During the last two weeks, many families have provided feedback that included the need for the children to be able to see/connect with their teacher/s and class peers. This will occur through MS Teams via the video conferencing facilities. MS Teams will also allow for the teachers to prepare short instructional videos to be shared with the children. Attached to this week's newsletter are the proposed timetables for each grade which reflects how the teachers will allocate their time to prepare and engage with the children and parents. More information will follow just prior to the end of the holidays and when the next learning pack can be collected for Term 2.

From the commencement of Term 2 St Monica's will be running a remote learning program for the children at home and those children whose families require their child to attend school. The children at school will be supervised, monitored and supported by various staff as there as several teachers who have requested a work from home arrangement either full or part-time.

Unlike the ACT Government Schools, St Monica's is open for students where children cannot be kept at home because parents are essential workers. You are encouraged by the Australian Government to keep children at home if you can - however, if you cannot, we are open for students in Term 2 for parents who are essential workers and need supervision of their students. To help with our organisation all families are required to send an email to the school indicating their intentions. If you have not done so already please do, as soon as possible. Thank you to the parents who have responded. Please feel free to contact me by email if you have any questions.

Additional Pupil Free Day

To support teacher preparation for the remote learning program our school will have a pupil free day on Tuesday 28 April. This is in line with all other Catholic Schoolsl in the ACT. No remote learning program will be offered on this day.

Supervised learning and remote learning programs will recommence on Wednesday 29 April.

Subject to further government advice or direction, our school will be open to all students who need to attend school for the duration of Term 2.

Please email me if you require your child to attend school on Tuesday 28 April, so that I can arrange supervision. Please also advise our SMOOSH care team if you require before and/or after school on that day as well.

ARCHBISHOP’S EASTER MESSAGE 2020: CORONA (CROWN) OF THORNS

Just a few months ago, none of us had heard of CORONAVIRUS. Now it is our uninvited Easter guest.

It seems the whole world has become sick due to its global presence.

We cannot get away from it. It has turned our world upside down. We are anxious and fearful. Even in supermarkets we appear to be suspicious of each other.

We are trying our best in our home isolation. The experience so far is one of mixed blessings. New routines are not easy to navigate on our own. Now whole families and others are to negotiate a new way of daily life for the next few months.

“Corona” is a Latin word meaning “crown”. This pandemic has become a crown of thorns for us all.

In the hours before his death, Jesus too knew of a crown of thorns. It became one of his terrible sufferings before his death on the Cross of Calvary.

Jesus suffers with us in our sufferings. This is the meaning of the keyword compassion.

The Easter message is clear: by suffering with the suffering Jesus we enter by Grace into the hope of Resurrection in Him.

Doing this is not something of mere human initiative. We surrender to the Grace invitation of Jesus. The Risen Lord awaits our YES coming from our deepest selves. We do this as Church through, with and in Jesus. Mary and all the saints participate in this saving encounter. We are never alone.

This Easter will be celebrated in unprecedented circumstances. All our Churches are closed. Many, but not all, can participate via online platforms. It will be so new to us. Yet, this pandemic will eventually be contained. Hope insists on this.

We want, however, from the quasi-Monastic anchorage of our homes, to encounter Jesus more than ever. Our lives are in flux. Only Jesus remains forever. Alleluia!

Our new found Easter faith insists that it be expressed in practical charity. We do all we can to help those struggling. We thank the medical professionals, cleaners and volunteers, emergency forces, priests and religious, lay faithful and all who give us particular leadership in our time of real need of human closeness and the caress of the Lord who rises in our midst.

Happy Easter and every blessing to you all!

Archbishop Christopher Prowse

Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese

Enrolment Period

The Catholic schools formal 2021 enrolment period is between Monday 4 May and Friday 22 May. Please let family and friends know of this enrolment period and share your positive experiences of the school with others. Your feedback is still the defining advertisement for St Monica's Primary School and the main reason new families tell me they want their child to attend. Our school is truly about ‘community’ and ‘a quality education’.

Enrolment application forms for Archdiocesan primary and secondary schools will be available early next term. Spaces cannot be guaranteed, even for siblings, if the applications are not submitted by the end of the enrolment period. Please pass this information on to anyone you know who may be considering enrolling their child in an ACT Catholic school.

Information for parents regarding payment of fees

Catholic Education is committed to providing financial assistance to support families who have lost their economic livelihood as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The position of Catholic education is that no child will be denied a Catholic education because of financial circumstances.

Initial support to assist all families includes:

A refund (for amounts paid) on charges for excursions, sporting events or activities that were due to occur in Terms 1 and 2 and have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fee statements for Term 2 will be delayed to week 4 of Term 2.

Where families are experiencing financial stress due to job loss, being stood down, reduction in work hours, business downturn or closure resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The following is available through a confidential discussion with the school:

Suspension of follow up activity on outstanding fees at the end of Term 1 until 31 July 2020.

Full or partial fee remission or deferral. You are asked to indicate the level of assistance you feel you need at this time by completing a one-page fee assistance form (COVID-19 Fee Assistance Request Form) attached. Your level of fee support will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Families may apply for immediate deferral of Term 2 fee payments by completing the COVID-19 Fee Request to Defer Fees form, also attached.

Families whose employment situation has not been affected by COVID-19 can support the school by continuing to pay school fees as they fall due. This will support our school to continue providing quality learning in a connected community that nurtures and cares for each other.

Your family is an important part of our school community. Your financial circumstances will not compromise the place of your children at our school. If you are experiencing any difficulties, I will confidentially ensure your child is not disadvantaged at this time.

COVID_19_Condensed_Fee_Assistance_Form.pdf

2020_COVID19_Request_to_Defer_Payment_of_School_Fees.pdf

Winter Uniform

Term 2 marks a change in uniform. For families who will be sending their child/ren to school and require items, they can be ordered via Qrk. The new price list will be available after Easter with orders filled prior to the term commencing.

Fete Raffle Winners

1st Prize - $1,000 Cash - Vicki McAlister

2nd Prize - Holiday at Narooma - Jane Hocking

3rd Prize - Sporting Equipment and Scooter - Sophie S (4MF)

News from Year 3

Last week Year 3 was asked to watch a BTN clip and submit a few sentences about what they had learnt from the episode. Sienna R from 3GB found out six interesting facts.

Facts I have learnt about Corona Virus -

Italy has lost so many people this year.
So many schools in the district have been closed.
Covid 19 is the first major pandemic since the Spanish flu (the Spanish Flu occurred globally from January 1918 until December 1920, it reached Australia in 1919).
A virus originally is gooey slime or toxic acid.
Cats was named the worst picture movie.
Bacteria is related to the coronavirus.

Thank you for all your ongoing encouragement, patience and the positive comments regarding the current online program and the support being offered by the teachers. It has been a challenging time as we flip our education approach. They are a very dedicated and committed team, it is a privilege to lead such a wonderful team.

Wishing everyone a quiet Easter break.

Stay safe and healthy.

Carmel Maguire

Principal