Dear St Monica’s families and friends,

This week we have welcomed all families into the school for Parent-Teacher interviews. It has been a joy and a privilege to catch up with many of you as you have arrived or departed from meeting with your child’s classroom teacher.  I have been delighted to hear of the successes and progress your child has made in the first six months of the school year. Held in June each year, Parent-Teacher interviews afford you the opportunity to:

• learn more about your child’s academic, emotional and social development.
• meet with and get to know your child’s teacher.
• develop and strengthen the educational partnership between teachers and parents.
• help the teacher understand more about your child.
• make plans with the teacher about how you can both support your child.

If you don’t have any particular concerns about your child’s learning, you might have wondered whether it was worth making an interview time. Simply coming along this week is one way you have shown your child that you’re interested in their learning and what’s happening for them at school. In the event that you missed an opportunity to speak with your child’s teacher, please contact your child's teacher to make a mutually convenient time.

First Eucharist - Congratulations to the 77 young parishioners, who made their First Eucharist last weekend. What a beautiful celebration it was and I sincerely thank my year 4 Teaching team for their support and guidance of the candidates over the past few weeks.

Open School Council Meeting - Next Tuesday at 6.30pm we will be hosting an Open Forum Council Meeting. This meeting is open to all members of our school community. Come along and find out how the council works in partnership with the school, in offering the best possible opportunities for your children.

Lunchtime Clubs! We offer a variety of activities for the children to engage in at lunchtime and we have had several new Student Led initiatives on offer this term. I am in awe of the creative and genuine ideas the students are coming up with and it is my pleasure to support them. This term we have started:

Lunchtime Prayer Club, led by Lucy and Greta (Year 3). This club was made known to and acknowledged by Archbishop Christopher Prowse who wrote a letter of support and blessings for it’s success.

Lunchtime Comic Book Creations, led by Atticus and Liam (Year 4). This club gives students an opportunity to draw comic book characters and superheroes. Atticus and Liam have a love of drawing and would like to help others to learn to draw.

Lunchtime Drama Club, led by Ellie (Year 3). Come and meet under the trees at lunchtime for your chance to perform and act with like-minded people. Sometimes it is scripted, other times it’s simply improvisation!

Lunchtime Scrabble Club, led by John from TeamKids!

And just today, I have received another idea from Chelsea, Ilina, Emerson and Sierra (Year 4) to start up a Lunchtime Craft Club. They wish to meet with me next week to discuss their idea further.

Illnesses - As the weather takes a turn, it is the time when cold and flu symptoms present and students and staff become unwell. If your child is unwell please keep them home from school until they are well enough to return. There have been a number of children coming to school who are not well enough to be at school. If a child is sent home from school due to vomiting they are to stay away from school for the next 24 hours. Please encourage your children to remember good hygiene practice - washing hands, covering mouh when coughing and sneezing into a tissue.  

WWVP Cards - For parents who are volunteering in the school please ensure your WWVP card is up to date and a copy of card is held in the Front Office. Many thanks for keeping the safety of our students a priority.