This week, I was privileged to attend the National Catholic Education Conference, along with 40 of my colleagues from CECG. The theme of the conference was “The Future is Listening” and we heard repeatedly about the importance of making sure our students are heard, seen and believed.

There are three key takeaways I wish to share with you all:

1. The students in our schools carry the voice of our future and as educators, the biggest thing we can do is allow our students to teach us.
2. Every Catholic School is a Sacrament of Hope - a gift from God, that brings us back to God.
3. Nourishing our students is like making the perfect soufflé! We need to cook them carefully, give them lots of air, combine the right ingredients and let them rise!!

Upon return to our communities we are encouraged to make a commitment to real dialogue, to use our voices to amplify others, to keep listening even when we may feel uncomfortable and to let the Holy Spirit speak through the mouths of the muted… young children, the elderly, those with disabilities, those who feel they don’t have a voice.

Staffing News - I wish to announce the resignation of Year 5 teacher Miss Katarina Markovic from the end of this term. We are very appreciative of Katarina’s time and dedication to her various classroom teaching roles at St Monica’s and I know you will join me, in wishing Katarina every success in her future endeavours. A recruitment process is currently underway to find a replacement classroom teacher.

I am pleased to advise that we will retain our 17 classes next year! I sincerely thank our current families for advocating to prospective families, the opportunities St Monica’s provides our students. I am currently in the process of piecing together our staffing for 2023 and I am meeting with each staff member to discuss their intentions for next year. As you can appreciate, this takes time and I thank you for your patience.

Pupil Free Day - A reminder that tomorrow Friday 9 September is a Pupil Free Day.

Peace and Blessings to all families,