Dear St Monica's families and friends,

Welcome to Term 4, one of the busiest, one of the best and the one where suddenly every child in the school has grown taller! There are several Year 5 and Year 6 students who are already taller than me, that’s not that difficult though I am only 5’2”, and there a few Year 4s catching up to me. Did you know that a male child will never be shorter than his mother?

I’ve heard stories about Floriade, sleepovers, movies that were seen, playdates, trips to the coast, camping, Sydney trips and more. Whatever you got up to, it’s nice to see everyone back at school.

We welcome the following families who have joined our community recently: Chophel Family, Irwin Family, Gowty Family, Hyslop Family, Swann Family and Dojcinoska Family. We wish you a long and very happy association with St Monica’s.

We welcome Mr Jack Harris who has been appointed classroom teacher of 5M for the remainder of 2022. Mr Harris completed his final university placement at St Monica’s and is already familiar with the staff and students across the school.

We have also welcomed several Classroom Support Assistants and SMOOSH staff to St Monica’s recently. Natalie Tarry, Linda Baird, Anna Moore, Jackie Broch and Cate Brewer. Recruitment is currently underway to appoint more CSA staff for the remainder of this year.

Miss Clare Battye has accepted a teacher transfer to St Vincent’s Primary School Aranda. Clare has been with the St Monica’s community as a teacher and pre-service teacher since 2014. I know that Clare has touched the lives of many families and she will be missed. We wish her all the best at St Vincent’s.

Mrs Haley Stonham has been appointed Curriculum Coordinator of St Bede’s Primary School Red Hill. Haley has served as REC at St Monica’s since 2017, a role that she has exhibited great passion for and dedication to. Haley will do great things in her new role and we wish her all the best at her new school. We are currently recruiting for a replacement REC.

Mrs Jacinda Vaughan is stepping down from her role as Classroom Support Teacher and will be going back into the classroom. Jacinda’s tireless efforts to support all students at St Monica’s, especially the students on Personalised Plans, has been exemplary. Thank you, Jacinda, for working with students, families and teachers to ensure the needs of our students have been suitably addressed.

We will welcome the following new staff members in 2023:

• Ms Laura Frogley - Laura is coming across to us on a transfer from St Michael’s Primary School Kaleen. Laura will be our new Classroom Support Teacher.
• Mr Hamish Meagher – Hamish is coming across to us on transfer from St Vincent’s Primary School Aranda.

Details about Classroom Teachers for 2023 will be communicated to families later this term.

COVID Update – I am very pleased to advise that all restrictions in relation to COVID19 in the ACT have now been lifted. Parents are welcome to attend all school events without the need to RSVP. This includes awards assemblies, whole school prayer celebrations and Masses, end of year gatherings, Council Meetings and of course our Grandparents / Mission Week celebrations. Please continue to be COVID risk averse, by maintaining social distancing, using hand-sanitiser and staying home when unwell.

Camp – We wish the Years 5 and 6 students, and their teachers, a wonderful time away on Camp next week. We look forward to hearing all the stories when you come back! The school will be very quiet without you all.