Achieve - all that you can

Jesus said therefore

‘What is the Kingdom of God like?  And to what shall I compare it?  It is like the mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches’.    

Luke 13: 18-20

St Monica - A Model of Perseverance

Family - Responsibility, Perseverance & Inclusion

Dear Parents,

Save the date!

The Year 5-6 performance of 'Many Dreams, One Land' will be held on Thursday 4 July. Matinee 12pm, evening performance 6pm. Tickets will go on sale shortly. ​

New Arrival

Staffing 

I would like to congratulate Amanda Winne on her appointment as Acting Coordinator, until the end of term, while Ryan Matchett is on leave. Amanda will be supporting the teachers in Years 3 and 4. Mrs Jodie May will be providing release in 5W on a Tuesday so Amanda can carry out her designated executive responsibilities. 

Bob Fletcher will be away for the last two weeks of this term. Michael McFadden will be taking the class full-time while Bob is away. Next term Susan Carwell and Monika Richards will be accessing leave to for the first few weeks of the term. I am currently in the process of organising their replacements. 

Leaving St Monica's

A final reminder to those who are yet to lodge their online enrolment application for St Monica's Primary School. Your enrolment applications are over-due.

Those who think they may not be at St Monica's next year (Year 6 exempt) are also asked to let me know your intentions, via writing. My estimates regarding predicted numbers for St Monica's in 2020 must be submitted to the Catholic Education Office soon. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Families Taking Leave for 10 Days or More

Where children are accompanying family members for an extended holiday, for 10 or more school days, parents are now required to complete an Application for Extended Leave –Travel form. This is available on our school app or it can be collected from the office. Thank you for your assistance.

A reminder that when a child is away the school must be notified. This can be done via an email, SZapp or a written note. All notes are kept on file as schools are regularly audited. 

God bless and stay warm

Carmel Maguire 

Today all the students enrolled in the ‘Our Lady of Perpetual Help’ First Eucharist program, have gathered at St Michael’s for their retreat day. They will attend Mass, practice receiving communion, and participate in a variety of activities designed to focus attention on the very special occasion that is rapidly approaching. We are looking forward to the day and of course to Our First Communion Holy Communion.  St Monica’s School would like to extend our thanks to St Michael’s for hosting us today. It must feel a little like an invasion!

Just a reminder that the $30 for the program can be paid via QkR!

Grandparent’s Day

Wow! What an amazing day! So many visitors, so much love! A massive thank you to all grandparents and special visitors who came to school last week. It was a wonderful occasion that I know your grandchild/special friends truly appreciated. I know the atmosphere in my classroom was delightful and the children I meet walking around the school were just beaming with happiness.

I would like to extend my thanks to all the many helpers who cooked, set out cups, filled urns, guided people around the school, transported guests, hosted morning tea. All your efforts help to make this day so special. Thanks Mr Donnelly for your recording and interviewing skills.

I hope all your bulbs have found a small corner of your garden so that you can see “From little things big things grow.”

Our Home Learning Parent Workshop will be taking place this coming Monday 17 June from 6-7pm. 

We look forward to engaging with the community to go over the results of the data and make informed decisions about the implementation of Home Learning from Semester 2.

Last week we looked at the different purposes for reading at home. We gave strategies for developing a lifelong love of literature in children. This week we look to the other component of home reading, Learning to Read. Learning to read involves children reading 'good fit books' to improve the strategies and skills learnt in class and therefore improve in their reading fluency, expression, comprehension and much more.

Below is a PDF from the Australian Literacy Educators Association outlining how you can make a difference to your child's reading.

Focus 1 - Deepen the Charism and Catholic Identity of St Monica’s in order to support wellbeing and relationships within the school community

This year with so many new staff we are focusing on the person of St Monica and how her life shapes and influences the community we are today.  Over the course of the year, we will be providing a range of opportunities for the staff, children and community to grow in understanding and awareness of St Monica. To achieve our goal we have identified the following areas to work on  

1. Develop an understanding of the charism of St Monica explored through the focus - "St Monica Achieved"

2. Explore values relating to St Monica - Term 1 Prayer, Term 2 Perseverance, Term 3 Patience and Term 4 Praise.

3. Further development of ‘achieve’ through the Parable of the Mustard Seed. 

4. Develop an understanding of the newly developed Religious Education Framework for teaching RE to enable for implementation, unit development and an effective teaching approach

Change and loss affect all of us at some stage in our lives. At St Monica’s we recognise that when changes occur in families through death, separation, divorce or related circumstances, young people benefit from learning how to manage these changes effectively. Seasons for Growth  is an Australian program that provides opportunities for students in Years 1-6 to integrate the appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes to understand and cope with change, loss and grief, using the symbolism of the four seasons.

Beginning early in Term 3 we will be offering the Seasons for Growth program. Mr Bob Fletcher, a trained ‘Companion’, will spend time with small groups of students who are dealing with some aspect of change, separation, loss or grief. The sessions do not provide counselling or therapy and are not designed to prepare children for imminent grief or loss. Instead, the program aims to specifically assist children who have had a change in their lives through death, separation or divorce. It does this through encouraging the expression of thoughts and emotions, educating about the grief process, developing a peer support network and drawing on extensive research in developing a sound educative response to loss and grief.

Seasons for Growth is an eight session program and will be conducted during school hours with children being withdrawn from class. It is recommended that at least six months passes after the loss, as children are then in a better position to cope with the program.

If this is the first time your child/children will be participating in the program, it is essential that you have this information in order to ascertain if the program will meet the needs of your child/children. Please indicate on the return slip if you would like to personally discuss the program or require more information in print.

Please contact Bob Fletcher, our program co-ordinator if you would like more information.

The following table provides an overview of the way in which Season for Growth integrates the grief tasks with the program contact.

 Overview of Program and Content Topics

St Monica’s has been involved with the KidsMatter mental health and wellbeing framework for over five years. KidsMatter has recently been updated to the Be You framework.  Be You promotes mental health and wellbeing, from the early years to 18, and offers educators and learning communities evidence-based online professional learning, complemented by a range of tools and resources to turn learning into action. Be You empowers educators, helping them to develop valuable mental health skills and knowledge, while also providing an effective model for implementing a whole-learning community approach to mental health and wellbeing.

The staff of St Monica’s are excited to be a part of this updated learning tool, so that we assist our students to achieve their best possible mental health.

Please take the time to watch this clip explaining the vision of Be You.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW2BwRFynyc

Term 2 School Fees have been invoiced and full payment of school fees is now due.

If you have a Direct Debit arrangement in place no additional payment is required. However, please ensure you have sufficient funds in your account for the debits to take place successfully. In the event one of your debits is refused, you are required to make a separate payment to cover the missed payment.

As always, please contact the School Finance Officer should you need to discuss your school fees account.

Happy Birthday to the following students -

Luciarna G, Charlie D, Jessica Mc, Sarah D-H, Yianni K, Isabelle J, Milla F, Yaroslava K, Aiden S, Christian M

Canteen Roster  - Term 2, Week 8

Monday -

Tuesday - Evelyn David-Hoole

Wednesday - Alyson Barnes, Rachele Pentes

Thursday - June Manning

Friday - Jenny Fulivai, Wilma Hird, June Manning, Wendy Regan

Samantha Manning - Canteen Manager - 62584687

 If you have any ideas or concerns please email them through to our Secretary Fiona Steinberg at Council.StMonicas@cg.catholic.edu.au  

As part of Merici College’s 60^th Anniversary celebrations, a very special concert and fundraiser will be held on Friday 9 August and Saturday 10 August

 in the College Auditorium, Wise Street Braddon. The concert starts at 7.00pm (arrival and seating at 6.30pm) on both nights. Walk down memory lane as each decade is revisited through dance, music, drama performances, Alumni reflections and current students highlighting life at Merici College. Tickets and refreshment packages available at www.trybooking.com/BCWAY. All funds raised will be used to improve indoor and outdoor learning spaces for students.

Capital Football ALDI MiniRoos Holiday Clinics

We believe the best way to learn football is by playing football and our curriculum is designed to cater to all skill levels. Our qualified coaches are there to guide players through fun and football relevant activities and games, which are stimulating and challenging for all involved.
Ages: 4 - 11 year olds, Dates: 15 - 17 July, Times - 9am – 12pm, Venue -Hawker Football Centre, Walhallow St, Hawker, Cost is $150. For further information and to register please visit https://capitalfootball.com.au/game-development/holiday-clinics/

Larissa Dann - PARENT EFFECTIVENESS TRAINING (P.E.T) - Supported by Parentline ACT

 Tired of yelling? Looking to find a way to get out the door on time, while still liking each other? Learn respectful communication skills for a peaceful, gentle approach to parenting, without the use of punishment or reward. P.E.T helps children and parents develop resilience, emotional intelligence, confidence and consideration. The course is powerful, proven and practical, and will help you put peace back into your parenting. 

For more information visit our Parent Skills website; join the Parent Skills Facebook community; and read P.E.T. on a Page.

 The 24 hour course consists of three-hour sessions, once per week, for eight weeks.  Booking is essential.

 Investment includes a workbook and textbook. Course begins: Monday, 29^tJuly, 2019 (minimum number of participants required); Time: 6.30 pm to 9.45 pm; Place: Weston, ACT. Enjoy P.E.T. with Larissa, accredited P.E. T. instructor. info@parentskills.com.au

Woolworths Earn & Learn is back for 2019.  Please collect your Earn & Learn Stickers and send them into the Front Office. There are many exciting prizes available this year for our school to earn ranging from musical instruments to maths equipment, and from sporting gear to science kits.  This year there is also a Bin located at Woolworths Belconnen Store for St Monica's School.