Welcome.... On Tuesday, we welcomed some of the newest members to our school community at our Kindergarten Orientation Day. The Kinder class of 2024 met with their teachers and completed some fun activities, whilst the parents headed up to the hall for an information session.

I highlighted to our families the importance of, engaging with their child’s learning and working in collaboration and partnership with the school. I asked the parents to turn and take a close look at the people they were sat next to, I said to them, “the people you are surrounded by in this room, are your village for the next 7 years. They are the people who will travel on the same path as you and help you out on WhatsApp when you need to check if you’ve met the due date for that excursion permission note or what uniform your child is supposed to be wearing”!

You too, have your village and support networks here at the school. Thank you for always making our new families feel welcome and Thank you for always walking the St Monica’s Way.

End of Year activities: Did you know there is only 20 school days left this year? We give thanks for the days and weeks that have preceded us and look forward to the many exciting events in the coming weeks! As such, I want to take this opportunity to remind you of some important dates. Take a moment, if you haven’t already, to note down these important dates on your calendars. There is lots on for everyone! Hoping you can make it to as many of these events as you can.

Last Day of Term 4 – Friday 15 December is a Pupil Free Day. As such, Thursday 14 December is the last day of Term 4 for all students. TeamKids OSHC is available on the Friday for any families who need this service.

Thursday 23 November: Year 6 Production - Many Dreams ~ One Land…

• Matinee Performance: 12:00pm
• Evening Performance:  6:00pm
• Where: School Hall

Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 November: Family Portraits Fundraiser

Wednesday 6 December: St Vincent De Paul Giving Mass – 9:30am

Thursday 7 December: Community Carols Evening – 6:00pm

Friday 8 December:

• Y6 Graduation & Awards Ceremony – 12:00pm
• Semester Two reports available on Compass – 3:30pm

Monday 11 December: Passing of the Light, Candle Ceremony – 9:15am

Wednesday 13 December:

• Wear Christmas clothes
• 2024 Teacher Meet & Greet session – 9:30am

I am very pleased to announce the following staffing news for 2024.....

Following a successful recruitment process, Mrs Meaghan Younger has been appointed to the position of REC at St Thomas Aquinas Primary School, West Belconnen. Meaghan has been our Acting REC at St Monica’s this year and we are immensely grateful to her for the contributions she has made to our school and wider community. We wish her well in her new community from next year.

Mr Steve Green is stepping down from his role as a full-time classroom teacher. Steve has taught Year 6, Year 3 and in a casual capacity at St Monica’s over the past 2 years. We wish him well for his future plans, which includes serving our community as a relief teacher when he can!

Mrs Viviana Dawe has been working as a classroom teacher in a part-time temporary capacity for the past two years. I am pleased to announce that she has secured part-time permanency at St Monica’s from the 2024 school year.

Mr Jacob Burridge joined us in Term 2, to replace Mrs Anne Hodgkin as our Japanese Teacher. I am pleased to announce that Jacob will continue as Japanese teacher in a permanent capacity, two days a week next year.

Mr Ethan Mass will continue in his role as Youth Ministry Officer at the school and will also be available to work within the Classroom Support Team in a casual capacity.

Mrs Melanie Stratford, has been appointed REC at St Monica’s from the 2024 school year. Melanie is the current REC at St Joseph’s Primary School in O’Connor. Melanie brings her enthusiasm for the role of REC as well as a passion for quality classroom instruction. Melanie will be joining us in Week 10, for the Teacher Meet & Greet session.

All of our amazing Classroom Support Assistants have been offered permanent hours at St Monica’s from next year. This wonderful team works tirelessly across the school running small intervention groups, delivering 1:1 support for students as required, assisting our classroom teachers to break down tasks into small steps. We love them, we appreciate them and we are so thankful for the support they provide our students each and every day.

At this time, I am in the process of finalising the staffing and classroom teachers for next year. I can, however, let you know that Mrs Kirsty Godschalx and Mrs Yvette Rosenfeld have been appointed as the Kindergarten teachers for 2024.

Class Placement Considerations for 2024 –Teachers are beginning to consider class groupings for next year. Please trust that we know your children well and have a very good understanding of their academic, social and emotional needs. We endeavour to balance classes in a variety of ways and any parent requests, regarding placement of children for 2024, must be sent to me, in writing, by 5.00pm on Monday 21 November. It is important to note, requests from previous years will not be carried over or considered for 2024.

Peace and Blessings to all,