Dear St Monica's families and friends,

As the 2022 school year draws to a close there is much to be thankful for and much to celebrate. In my conversations with existing families, new parents and visitors to the school this year, I feel proud to speak so highly about the successes and achievements of St Monica’s. Not only do we have many student achievements in a variety of different areas across the school, our teachers, our parents and the school as a whole have had many successes too. Congratulations everyone for a very successful 2022 school year!

Goodbye Year 6 - I feel privileged to have watched you grow this year, develop and reflect on your understandings about the world and recognise ways to take action to make a difference. Your leadership this year has been excellent and we look forward to the continuation of our leadership program in 2023. I know the students in Year 5 are very excited about their prospective leadership roles!

Farewell - We farewell the following families from St Monica’s, some of whom have been part of our school for a short time and others who have had children attending the school for over 10 years! We sincerely thank you for your contributions no matter how big or small. St Monica’s is certainly better for having you as part of our school family. At the Passing of the Light ceremony on Monday, we will give these families a special blessing; in appreciation of all they have done for our school community.

Goodbye and good luck to the:

Bailey, Baker, Bogaart, Bolitho, Carriage, Douglas M, Douglas Z, Godschalx, Gurn, Hartigan, Hogan, Hose, Jasprizza, Kelleher, Kolie, Marando, McCabe, McPherson, Paz, Pope, Regan, Shadrivov, Singer, Smith A, Smith P, Staltari, Stiller, Sutherland, Thompson L, Towers, Vaughan and Vincent families.

We also bid farewell to the following staff members, as they embark on new professional journeys! Haley Stonham, Clare Battye, Jacinda Vaughan, Erin O’Leary, Sophie Mills, Nic Thomas. Thank you for everything you have done to enrich the lives of our students each and every day they are at school!

TeamKids – I am thrilled to announce the partnership with TeamKids as our new Before, After and Vacation care provider. TeamKids will commence their service on Monday 30 January, 2023. Next Monday, 12 December at 6pm, TeamKids will be holding an online information session to ensure families of our school have all the necessary information to register and join their service in 2023. This webinar will be recorded so that any families who are unable to attend on the day can view it in their own time.

On Thursday 15 December, from 7.30am - 9.30am, all St Monica's families are welcome to a "FREE COFFEE". The coffee van will be located outside the school hall! This will be an opportunity for you to meet with the Regional Manager of TeamKids, Kaylee Wandel, and have all your questions answered.

Christmas and Summer Holidays - I would like to wish all St Monica’s families a very happy and holy Christmas. May there be wonder, joy and peace for you during the exciting waiting period of Advent right up to the big day! 

This summer, I hope you enjoy family time together, ice-blocks and swimming pools, trips to the coast and other places to visit family and friends but most of all I hope that you are able to find time to rest, relax and recuperate. For those who are travelling I wish you safe journeys to and from your destinations, please come back to us safely in 2023.

I look forward to seeing you all at our Community Christmas Carols tonight.

With love and best wishes, at this very festive time,

Lisa