Dear St Monica’s families and friends,

It’s nearly the end of Week 3 and I hope that families are settling back into the groove and routines of the school term. Getting into these routines will no doubt be testing your patience! I thank you for your patience as I get to know the routines and day to day operations of our school. I thank you for your patience as you wait to pick your child/ren up from carline, up on the blacktop and as we continue to observe COVID safe practices.

I’m sure we have had to exercise a little patience on a number of other occasions as well. Here’s a little story that may resonate with many of you…

A man observed a woman in the grocery store with a three-year-old girl in her trolley. As they passed through the biscuit aisle, the little girl asked for biscuits and her mother told her no.

The little girl immediately began to whine and fuss.  The mother said quietly, “Now Monica, we just have half of the aisles left to go through; don’t be upset. It won’t be long.”

Soon they came to the lolly aisle, and the little girl began to shout for lollies. And when told she couldn't have any, began to cry. The mother said, “There, there, Monica, only two more aisles to go, and then we’ll be heading to the check out.”

When they got to the check-out, the little girl immediately began to clamour for chocolate and burst into a terrible tantrum upon discovering there would be no chocolate bar purchased. The mother patiently said, “Monica, we’ll be through the check-out in 5 minutes and then you can go home and have a nice nap.”

The man followed them out to the parking lot and stopped the woman to compliment her. “I couldn't help noticing how patient you were with little Monica,” he said. Whereupon the mother said, “I’m Monica . . . my little girl’s name is Tammy.” 

Get-to-know-you” meetings Week 4

We are looking forward to the Get to Know you Meetings, held next Tuesday and Wednesday via MS TEAMS. If you have not booked a time with your child’s teacher, you can do so via the Conference Booking Sheet on Compass. These online meetings are strictly 10mins and will be time for you to talk to your child’s teacher about their strengths, what they find challenging and how you want them to grow this year. Teams links for these meetings will be sent to you on Monday. On these days, you are also welcome to make a booking with Maggie Lloyd or myself. Times for Maggie and I will go live tomorrow afternoon. 

Please fill in the “All about my child form” which is attached to this newsletter and will also be sent home in bags on Friday afternoon. This may assist the discussion at these meetings. 

School Council News

At our first meeting for this year, we welcomed new and existing members to the School Council. I am pleased to confirm the following parent representatives in 2022: Alicia Prest, Cecilia Willis, Erin Gilligan, Fiona Steinberg, John Alston-Campbell, Kate Carey, Katherine O'Sullivan, Noel Chan, Sarah Clark. After an election process, I am very pleased to announce the following Council Members have been elected to the Officer Bearer roles in 2022:

Chairperson: Alicia Prest

Deputy Chair: Fiona Steinberg

Secretary: Cecelia Willis

Treasurer: Kate Carey

Congratulations Year 6 leaders!

I present to the St Monica’s School Community, the Year 6 Leadership Groups for 2022. 

Sports Leaders: Lachlan B, Willem A-C, Mia D, Vsevolod K, Jack G, Annalene L, Dallas M, Luca S, Mitchell B, Millie H, Mya L, Brock S, Grace B, Drew G, Marquez P, Jaryd S.

Peer Support Leaders: Sophie B, Jaiden B, Isaac B, Violet P, Sophie C, Emilia H, Alaina S, Amelia B, Mason N, Sarah D-H.	Social Justice Leaders:  Lachlan B, Tyler B, Eamon F, Joel M, Anna V, Marley B, Lorenzo S, Zavier T, Jess M, Gabe J.
Arts Leaders: Evie K and Indiana H	Technology Leaders: Oliver V, Lucas S, Jack P, Patrick S, Alex A, Lachlan T
Service Leaders: Talija M, Faith K, Logan F, Grace R, Will Mc, Jack R, Christiano M, Cody M, Nathan M	Stewardship Leaders: Maddison C, Cameron H, Zachary H, Sophie S

A media presentation of the Year 6 Leadership Ceremony, is in the process of being put together for the Y6 parents. This gives you the opportunity to see your child receive their badge.

Warm wishes and blessing on your families,

Lisa

Happy Birthday to the following students  celebrating a Birthday this week 

Lachlan B, Abby P, Kane O, Mason N, Atilio R, Tony R, Sophie S, Fatmata K, Freddie O

Our St Monica’s Way will continue to be a big focus for our school community. This year we are going to explore the St Monica’s Way and how, when we live our footsteps, we come to know Jesus.

As a Catholic Community we journey in faith in the footsteps of St Monica.

RESPECT. RESILIENCE, ENAGAGEMENT, GROWTH

For myself, others and our surroundings,

So that we come to know Jesus.

To do this, our theme this year is ‘Who do you say I am?’. This is taken from the Gospel of Mark. Jesus asks this question of Peter and the disciples. They reply with a variety of answers. Jesus is asking us all this question and with the help of our St Monica’s way, we will be able to connect more deeply with our faith to come to know Jesus more fully.

Through our footsteps, drawing on the charism of St Monica, we will continue to explore our footsteps each term:

Term 1: Respect

Term 2: Resilience

Term 3: Engagement

Term 4: Growth

Coming to know Jesus – Who do you say I am?

This week Mrs Stonham shares her current image of Jesus and a little about her relationship with Jesus.

Mrs Stonham, who do you say Jesus is?

This is a great question to think about and I have enjoyed reflecting on who Jesus is for me in my life at the moment. I like to think that Jesus is right beside me, protecting me. I know that he has my back – I just need to be still and trust in Him. So, the word that comes to my mind is protector and friend.

Do you have an image of Jesus you can share with us?

My image of Jesus changes from time to time. But recently I came across the following image. I liked that there is an element of the Holy Trinity in this and that Jesus is standing strong with his arms and hands out, palms facing outward, like he is saying, “here I am, I am with you.”

Thank you, Mrs Stonham, for sharing with us this week! Stay tuned to find out who will be sharing their thoughts on ‘Coming to Know Jesus – Who do you say I am?’

Sacramental Program 2022

If you have a child in Years  3, 4, or 6 in 2022 this will be a Sacramental year.

This also applies if your child is in Year 5 and he/she has previously missed the Sacraments of Reconciliation and/or First Eucharist.

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE FROM A FACE-TO-FACE MEETING TO ZOOM

A Parish Sacramental Program Information Evening will be held tonight at 6pm via zoom for the families of students in Years 3-6 in 2022. You are very welcome to zoom into the information session where all the relevant information will be available.

The zoom address is  https://cgcatholic.zoom.us/j/67225195932

First Eucharist will be celebrated in Term 2, 2022.

Confirmation will be celebrated in Term 3, 2022.

Reconciliation will be celebrated in Term 4, 2022.

For further Information – please contact the Sacramental Program Coordinator at sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au or check the parish website for updates at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth

The first issue for Book Club was sent home last week and orders are due on Monday 21 February.

Thank you to those who have made purchases. A percentage of the orders goes towards books for the library.

The Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge starts on Monday 14 February. Students need to read 30 books of their choice by Friday 19 August. If you would like your child/children to participate please email Ms Melville, so they can be included in the school registration. Students will be given a reading record to complete.

Chess lessons at lunchtime have started. The Sydney Chess Academy runs lessons on Monday from 1.30pm to 2.15pm for students from Year 1 to Year 6.  For this term the lessons are going to be under the verandah at the east end of the the school building. If you would like your child to participate in these lessons please complete the attached enrolment form. Please let me know via email if you have enrolled your child in lessons as I will then be able to collect your child each week for the lesson - veronica.melville@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Supporting children’s return to school during COVID-19

The start of the school year can be a time of excitement, it is also natural for children, parents/caregivers and families to feel a heightened sense of anxiety especially during these uncertain times.

Parents/caregivers can play an important role in helping children manage the feelings that come during times of uncertainty and reduce future risk of mental health concerns.

How you feel matters. Children use the people around them to judge how safe situations are – when you feel safe and calm, so do your children. Being a calm presence in uncertain times is hard, but understanding your emotions and how they might be seen by your child is a great first step. If you are calm, you are showing your child you are there for them; they can rely on you to listen and to help them understand their emotions, thoughts and behaviour. If you are struggling, please seek information and support.

Let’s talk. Talking to children in a calm, considered, honest and matter of fact way, and providing them with information that they can understand, is helpful. Reassure your child it’s okay (in fact, it’s normal) to feel worried or ‘different’ during these times. Naming your child’s experience can help them to understand and process their emotions – even if their language skills are still developing. Take time to notice and describe the thoughts, feelings and sensations you think they may be experiencing, based on your observations.

‘It’s okay to feel nervous about the first day of school.’

‘I can see that you are disappointed. I know that you were really looking forward to seeing your friends.’

 ‘It sounds like you have mixed feelings about going back to school. That’s very normal – there will be many kids who feel both worried and excited, just like you.’

Remind children of times when they have managed difficult experiences/transitions in

the past – times when they have used their strengths, skills and knowledge to help them.

‘Remember last year, when we were doing school from home? It took us quite a while to settle into that because it was new and we weren’t expecting it, but we figured it out after a little while and it worked out okay, didn’t it?’

‘Remember when you started preschool? At first, you weren’t sure about leaving Mummy, but then the teacher helped you and you made some great friends on your own. You’re really great at making friends.’

Involve children in problem-solving. Having conversations with children and inviting them

to come up with ideas to solve problems is empowering. For example, if children are feeling nervous about their first day of school, ask what they think will help them to feel OK.

‘Who do you think you could ask if you are not sure about where something is at school?’

‘If you aren’t feeling okay at school – let’s think of three people you could go to for help.’

Celebrate transitions. Taking time to celebrate significant transitions and successes, big or small can help families focus on positives amid the enormous challenges of an ongoing pandemic. Having an element of fun can support everyone’s wellbeing.

Reach out to teachers. If you are worried about your child during uncertain times, reach out to their teachers to let them know about your concerns, and organise a time to talk and make a support plan together.

Foster new and old relationships. Friendships with peers can go a long way to help children

during transitions and times of uncertainty. Supportive relationships with other parents can

also support children’s wellbeing.

Be prepared for vaccination conversations. The topic of vaccinations is likely to come up in children’s conversations at school. The conversations about vaccination are an opportunity to provide information which can reassure children, and to answer any questions or concerns they have before they’re raised with peers. It’s also an opportunity to provide children with the facts around COVID-19 vaccines and health risks, to help protect them against any misinformation or disinformation they may come across.

Plan for times that children cannot attend school unexpectedly and at short notice.

This can help both parents and children to feel prepared and therefore calm and in control, which can in turn impact positively on children when unexpected events disrupt their routines. Being prepared can also include having realistic expectations of yourself at times where you’re confined to your home spaces with children.

If you are concerned about how your child is going you are welcome to make contact in the first instance with your child’s teacher or school. They can provide some support and guidance and will let you know if School Counselling is recommended for your child. Alternately you can contact the Counsellor via email at ryoko.koyasu@catholiccare.cg.org.au and I will get in touch.