I cannot believe it is the end of Term 1. We have had an amazing term filled with learning for both the children and the teachers. Our new staff all feel very much part of the community. Thank you to everyone for your support in making St Monica's a great community. 

Yes it is almost enrolment time, please spread the word. This year enrolments will be able to be submitted online, which is very exciting. The online option will not open until the commencement of next term. Lots of families have offered to deliver our open day fliers. We still have a number of areas not covered; if you are able to help please drop into the school office to collect a bundle. Unfortunately last year we had issues with the company we engaged to deliver the fliers so we are reaching out to our community this year for help. The holidays is a great time to go for a walk with the family and deliver our brochure.

Many thanks to Jodie May for her work in 5F this term. Commencing next term we welcome Miriam Hilton who will work in 5F on Thursdays and Fridays to enable Liz Foster to fulfil her leadership responsibilities.

We continue to move to additional options on on new SZine App. Have you downloaded the app to your phone. Early next term we will commence sending out our alerts through the app and close down our Skoolbag app. The change is due to the Catholic Education Office covering the cost of the subscription,  a saving for the school.

Our solar panel project is well underway. Installation will continue over the holidays with the project to be completed early next term.  

Commencing Monday Term 2 the children are to wear their winter uniform. Our Uniform Shop will be open on Friday morning between 8.45am and 9.15am tomorrow, 12 April. The shop will not be open in the holidays. The shop will reopen in the first week on Monday and Friday mornings.

Recently I expressed my concern regarding the new bus arrangements serving St Monica's, from the commencement of next term. Below is a copy of the response your your reference.

Response received from the School and Community Liaison Officer 

While I understand that you continue to have concerns about the changes to the public transport network, there are no current plans to make changes to services for St Monica’s Primary School. The new public transport network will commence on the first day of Term 2, 29 April 2019.

However, the Government has committed to an annual review of public transport services for schools, and if any issues are identified once the new network has commenced, they could be considered as part of this regular process.

The new bus network together with the commencement of Light Rail represents the most significant investment to public transport in the ACT ever. Customers will also be able to take advantage of the new integrated transport network with a month of free travel when using a MyWay card from Monday 29 April.

If your student catching a bus on Verbrugghen Street is on bus route 41, they will be able to hop on this service from Moynihan Street instead.

Through the Active Streets for Schools program, Transport Canberra and City Services is consulting school communities to support infrastructure improvements around schools to support walking, riding and use of public transport. Improvements will commence in 2019 following the consultation process. I have sent your concerns of not having a school crossing to this area for consideration.

Congratulation to Ryan Matchett who is graduating with a Masters of Education tomorrow. Ryan currently holds a Master in RE. Well done!

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter and may it be a time to stop, pray and reflect with family and friends.

God bless

Carmel Maguire