Welcome back to Term 4. While not the start we had hoped for, the teachers thoroughly enjoyed connecting with the children and were very impressed with how everyone managed to get into their class meetings. For the next three weeks the teachers have planned more short small-group sessions. This was in response to our Remote Learning survey, held at the end of last term, and will allow for more directed teaching during the week. I hope everyone from Kinder to Year 5 received their learning pack in the mail. Please contact the office if the pack has not turned up so that a replacement can be arranged.

Thank you to the families who completed our return to school survey. It made for a smooth start to the term and assisted with planning for the next three weeks. A new survey will be sent out at the beginning of Week 3 to assist our planning as grades start to return from Week 4. This will give parents time to determining their work commitments and how they are feeling regarding the return to school. 

It was great to hear that most of the children dusted off their sport t-shirt and wore it for their first meeting. Let's start a trend during Term 4 Remote Learning - the children are to wear their sport t-shirt every Monday to start the week and Friday to end the week. Year 6 you can wear your leadership shirts. 

Parents wishing to place a uniform order for the return to school in Week 4 -  K, 1, 2 & 6 and Week 5 -  Years 3, 4 & 5  can place an order via Qkr. Our wonderful Uniform Team will be in on Friday 22 October to fill orders that will be available for collection from 1.00pm that day or during the following week. For now, our uniform shop will only be offering online ordering. 

During remote learning, our school will continue to remain open for children who need to attend school. Those students will be supervised as they access the same remote learning program as their classmates.

Please remember the most important thing you can do is support your child’s wellbeing. Keep in mind that children can express their feelings in many ways. I encourage you to speak openly with your children about how they are feeling.

If your child requires extra help and assistance, counselling is available through CatholicCare. To access the service, a booking request may be made by contacting (02) 6162 6100.

You can keep up to date with the latest health information and advice on the ACT’s COVID-19 website www.covid19.act.gov.au

It is that time of year when I am required to submit our expected enrolment numbers for 2022 to Catholic Education. If you are aware your child will not be returning to St Monica's in 2022, please advise via email as soon as possible. 

In the coming weeks planning for the 2022 class groups will commence. Please take some time to discuss with your child the four learning friends they would consider nominating once school returns this term. As always we endeavour to provide a child with at least one close friend in their new class group.  

NAPLAN results are being poster home to all Years 3 & 5 parents by the end of this week. Remember it represents a snapshot in time, in May, of your child's ability.