Dear Parents

This week is a very special week for our Year 3 children who are making their First Reconciliation over the next two evenings. Many thanks to Haley Stonham, our REC, and the Year 3 teachers for their help to support the families in guiding the children's preparation. 

Drop off and Pick Up Reminder

Just a reminder to parents and carers regarding my communication earlier in the week about the procedure for drop off and pick up each day. I require parents to be very vigilant when dropping off and picking up their child/ren. In keeping with ACT Health requirements schools are required to restrict the interaction of grade cohorts as much as possible. To minimise contact between grade levels the following measures will be trialled over the next few days 

Mornings

• On arrival to school, the children will need to sit in their designated lineup areas until the bell rings.
• To reduce the number of children on the playground please drop your child/ren as close to 8.45am as possible. If using the hall car park or basketball drop off zone, parents should avoid getting out of their car as this will help to improve the flow of traffic. 
• If dropping off at Chomley Street, parents can supervise their children from the footpaths on the school boundary line. Parents are not permitted onto the school grounds or into classrooms.

Afternoons
Our afternoons are a little more challenging and require patience from everyone.

• 3.05 (Before the bell) - Drive-thru for Kinder and Year 1 and their siblings.
• 3.15 pickup – Drive-thru for children in Year 2 and their siblings.
• 3.20 pickup – Any other families wishing to access the drive-thru 
• Blacktop/basketball courts – Parents must wait in their cars until the bell. Please refrain from gathering. Once your child reaches the top of the stairs, please move to your car immediately. (I know it is great to catch up, however, your cooperation is very much appreciated at this time)
• Chomley Street – A teacher will walk the children across to the car park. Parents should wait in their cars until the children arrive. Collect your child/ren and move off quickly.

What is critical - Please tell your child where they are to be picked up as this will also prevent a hold up during pick up times.

Thank you to everyone over the last two weeks. We are getting into a good routine, just need to finetune.
Let’s keep our community safe and observe the required COVID-19 requirements. 

School fees 2022

In the coming weeks, all families will receive information regarding the 2022 School Fee Schedule. Currently, I am working with the Community Council to review all fees and ratify the budget and fee schedule. I will publish the School Fee Schedule as soon as possible.

Careful consideration has been taken in reviewing the fees for 2022 to continue to support our school’s requirements whilst keeping increases manageable for families in the current economic environment.

Our school fees combine Tuition fees (Catholic Education Tuition fees) and local school levies. Increases are considered to keep pace with rising salary and other costs and to ensure our school continues to deliver the quality education that you expect for your children.

As always, if fees create financial concern for you, I encourage you to make an appointment with me to discuss how we can help. Any discussion on fees is strictly confidential.

Classroom Support - School Audit 

Unfortunately, our Literacy Support groups, led by Jacinda Vaughan, will not be offered for the remainder of the term. This year St Monica's was selected to be part of a Price Waterhouse Cooper Audit of Learning Adjustments implemented to support our students. This is a critical audit as the information gathered will provide valuable reference data to the government on the work schools need to put into place to support students with additional needs. Jacinda is responsible for leading this audit at St Monica's.

To help in classrooms I have worked to provide additional Classroom Support Assistant time to support students and teachers to provide additional support across the curriculum.

Continue to stay COVID safe and may God's blessing be with everyone.

Principal