Dear St Monica’s families and friends,

As the 2023 school year draws to a close there is much to be thankful for and much to celebrate. In my conversations with current 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.

The two biggest highlights of 2023 would have to be the return of the St Monica’s Fete and a very successful School Registration process. Alongside these two major highlights we have had many student achievements, in a variety of different areas across the school.  Our teachers, our parents, and our school as a whole has had many successes too. Congratulations everyone for a very successful 2023 school year - bring on 2024!

Reports - Your child’s Semester 2 report will be distributed tomorrow. I have read every single report and they are a real celebration of your child’s learning. I hope that you find your child’s Semester 2 report beneficial in providing information related to their learning and progress at school. Thank you for working in partnership to support your child’s education and thank you also to my staff who have spent hours and hours writing reports over the past few weeks. They are an incredibly committed and dedicated group of people.

To access your child’s report please go to the Compass app, click on the image of your child in the top left-hand corner, select the Reports tab in the top right-hand corner and then select 2023 - Semester Two to view their report.

You are most welcome to make time to meet with your child’s teacher, if you have any queries following the report. Please contact your child’s teacher directly if you would like to make an appointment.

Families: 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 and we appreciate all that you have done for our school community.

Goodbye and good luck to the following families - Diep, Larsen, Faisal, Beaven, Bonelli, Broch, Day, Hird, Howlett, Ivers, Johnston, Jojy, Lawrence, O'Sullivan, Roccisano, Rolleston, Solari, Thatcher, Herbert, Hodgekiss, Koam, McPhillips, Mirenda, Newman, Peric, Rabbets, Stephens, Allen, Beswick, Gale, Hinds, Johnston, Lena, Martin, Orbell, Watson and Wrenford.

Staff: We also bid farewell to the following staff members, as they embark on new professional journeys!

• Meaghan Younger has been successfully appointed as REC at St Thomas Aquinas Primary School West Belconnen
• Steve Green is stepping down from full-time classroom teaching and will be available for contract and casual work.

Thank you for everything you have done to enrich the lives of our students each and every day they are at school!

Staffing and Classes for 2024 - Class lists for 2024 are now finalised and I have had the final say about the placement of children into classes. Under no circumstances will any changes to these lists be made. As outlined in previous newsletters, this is a carefully considered process and a great deal of time has gone into balancing the classes for next year. I am very conscious of interest groupings, friendships, academic and behavioural needs of every child and this has been taken into account when forming the lists.

The ‘Meet your 2024 Teacher’ session is next Wednesday, 13 December from 9.30am – 10.15am. All students, including the Kindergarten students, will meet their 2024 classroom teacher on that morning. Confirmation of the 2024 staffing will be distributed next Wednesday afternoon.

If your child is leaving St Monica’s at the end of 2023 (except Year 6) please remember to notify the office.

Community Events - We look forward to welcoming you to several end of year community events:

Tonight!!! Community Carols Evening, 6.00pm on the School oval. We can’t wait to see families at this fun family event. Please bring along picnic rugs, camp chairs, supper and snacks and… your best singing voices! The canteen will be open on the evening for light refreshments.  

Tomorrow!!! 

• Year 6 Graduation and Awards Ceremony, 12.00pm in the Church. Our Year 6 cohort will graduate from Primary School. In celebration of this important milestone the students will be treated to a special lunch. Thank you to the Year 5 parents for coordinating the celebration lunch for them.
• Semester Two reports available on Compass – 3.30pm

Monday 11 December

• Passing of the Light, Candle Ceremony 9.15am in the Church.

Wednesday 13 December:

• wear Christmas clothes,
• 2024 Teacher Meet & Greet session – 9.30am

Thursday 14 December

• Final Awards and Pride Badges Assembly 9.30am in the Hall

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.

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

Advent blessings to all,