Dear St Monica's families and friends,

It is my absolute pleasure and privilege to welcome every single student, mum, dad, grandparent, parishoner and staff member to the St Monica's community for the 2022 school year. Whether you are beginning or continuing your journey at St Monica's, I join you in great excitement as I begin my first year as your Principal. I look forward to finding creative ways to meet as many of you as possible, to listen to your stories and to learn more about you and your families.

I sincerely hope, you had an enjoyable summer break and that it included the perfect balance of rest, relaxation and family time. The highlights of my week was watching the smiles and laughter on the faces of the students as they reconnected with their friends on the first day back and the conversations between parents over a cuppa at the coffee van! 

In 2022 we welcome to St Monica's:   

• a total of 377 students
• 170 families
• 57 Kindergarten children
• 41 staff members 

I have been around to every single classroom and I am in awe of how beautiful the classrooms look (thank you teachers!) and how settled the students are. On my visit this week, I shared some important messages to all students...

• All we ask, is that you try your best
• That is is okay to make mistakes and that we learn from these
• To look after their teachers, their classmates and themselves.

Your child/ren may have also told you the following news and I would like to confirm:

Students are able to wear plain clothes on their birthday!!!

If you child celebrated their birthday in January they are welcome to wear plain clothes any day this week. If you child's birthday falls on a weekend, they may choose to wear plain clothes on the Friday or the Monday. If you child's birthday falls in the school holidays, they may wear plain clothes in either Week 10 of the preceding term or Week 1 of the next term

I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank the St Monica's staff; teaching, support, admin and grounds for their dedication and preparation for a start to the school year like no other. Rest assured the staff are deeply invested in the teaching, learning and nurturing of your children.

Thank you everyone, for your warm welcome of me and for taking the time to reach out and say hello. I can't wait to navigate 2022 and beyond with you all.

Warm wishes,

Lisa 

A few photos of Day 1...