Principal's Message

Dear Parents

Staffing

Each year teachers are provided with the opportunity to apply for a twelve-month exchange to another school as a form of professional learning and growth. This year Katarina Markovic requested an exchange to Good Shepherd, Amaroo. As part of this exchange arrangement, Kirsty Price and Sarah Chapman will transfer from Good Shepherd to join the St Monica's staff as a shared partnership.

Following a recent round of interviews, I am delighted to announce the appointment of the following staff for a further twelve month at St Monica's - Kathy Moir, June Edwards, Brendan Hague and Alissa Pearson. The positions are temporary appointments due to full-time staff either extending their current leave or accessing part-time work via flexible working arrangements.

Families Leaving at End of 2019

As planning for 2020 has commenced please advise in writing, as soon as possible, if your child/children will not be returning next year.

Class Groups for 2020 -

Much care and deliberation occurs when forming our class groups. Teachers are highly professional and have the main responsibility for placing their current students in the most appropriate class for next year. Over the next two weeks, the teachers will be observing friendships to assist with class groupings.

While forming class groups we aim for an equal spread of both positive and challenging characteristics when forming a class group. Every care will be taken to ensure that your child is placed in the best situation to enhance learning and social development.

Confidential concerns should be brought to my attention in writing, by Friday 8 November, even if raised in previous years. Please email directly to carmel.maguire@cg.catholic.edu.au. General concerns should be raised with your child's teacher. Parent concerns will be considered during the process. It must be clearly understood, however, that no definite guarantees can be given regarding parental concerns. As Principal, I will make the final decision on all class placements. Late requests are very difficult to consider once groups are finalised.

The Just Like You Team are currently visiting St Monica's. Just Like You is a disability awareness program designed to build understanding, acceptance and inclusion. Through celebrating differences, developing empathy and creating inclusion, students learn that people with a disability are the same as everyone else – they are ‘Just Like You’.

Just Like You workshops are lively, interactive and compelling, where students are engaged to reflect on their own roles and actions as a citizen in their school and community. Please take the time to talk to your children about the workshops.

Next Thursday between 9.00 am and 11.00 am we welcome back our preschoolers for another kinder Orientation session. We are looking forward to their visit.

Just over one hundred years ago the guns of the Western Front fell silent after four years of continuous warfare. In the four years of the war more than 330,000 Australians had served overseas, and more than 60,000 of them had died. The social effects of these losses cast a long shadow over the post-war decades. Each year on the 11 November Australians observe one minute’s silence at 11am, in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts. St Monica’s will mark Remembrance Day with a ceremony, led by 6E which will be held in the Church on Monday 11 November at 10.40 am.

May God's blessing be with you

Carmel Maguire

Principal