Principal's Message

Dear Parents

Annual Survey-Reminder

An annual satisfaction survey of parents, students and staff are currently being conducted on behalf of all Catholic schools in the Diocese. The surveys are designed to gather feedback from parents, staff and students about our school and will be used to inform school improvement. Responses are confidential and individuals can not be identified.

The surveys were launched via email on Friday 7 August 2020 using the email addresses supplied to the school. If you do not receive an email with a link to the survey, please contact the Front Office directly.

A message from our new guitar teacher

Hey I’m Jordan! I’ve been enjoying playing the guitar since 2009 and wish to impart that passion on to others keen to discover how to create their own music. My musical journey, like a lot of people, has been very broad as I’ve been intrigued and influenced with/by so many different genres; metal being what got me into guitar and started me on my journey to ballads, jazz, soul, hip-hop, and anything else I can sink my teeth into. My own goal in teaching guitar is not to impose my style onto anyone, but to find what makes a person want to pursue music at any level and help them to foster their skills and love of music to allow them to flourish in whichever direction they hear calling them. I remember what it was like looking at guitarists that I looked up to and aspired to, and I want to show people that the journey to getting to where they want does not have to be a difficult one, moreover, it is something to be enjoyed and cherished as you find your voice and discover things about yourself that you may not have been able to see before. I thoroughly look forward to working with anyone that is keen to go down this journey for no-one else but themselves.

I look forward to welcoming Jordan Houston Robey as our new guitar teacher to replace Geromy Houghton. Once again St Monica's can offer the opportunity for parents to access private lessons during the school day. This is a private arrangement with the school providing a space, all payments will go directly to the guitar teacher. Jordan currently works in other local schools offering lessons.

Families who were previously accessing guitar lessons will be provided Jordan's details initially. Should places be available I will then publish Jordan's details to the general community.

Parent-Teacher Interviews, Student Goals Setting and Personal Plan Review Meetings

To keep parents informed of their child's progress we will be conducting parent-teacher interviews in the coming weeks. Booking information will be circulated early next week. Over the next few days, Jacinda Vaughan will also be arranging interviews with a number of families and the class teachers to review individual student personal plans and the achievement of targeted goals. It will not be necessary for parents attending a personal plan meeting to book in for a parent-teacher interview.

Families Leaving

This week we say farewell to the Keizer family - Morgan (KCH). We wish the family all the best.

To help with class planning for 2021 please advise the school in writing if you do not intend returning to St Monica's in 2021.

Delayed events

A number of National events have been transferred to Term 4, in the hope that the current restrictions will allow for community events to occur later in the year. The events currently on hold include Book Week and NAIDOC Week. Unfortunately, at our recent St Monica's Council meeting, it was decided to make a call and cancel our fete for 2020. While very disappointing we will endeavour to bring the community together later in the year, should restrictions allow us. The safety of our community and the children is a must, we are doing so well in Canberra - let's rally and keep Canberra safe.

Continue to stay safe and healthy.

Carmel Maguire

Principal