Dear St Monica’s families and friends,

What a delight it has been showing prospective parents around our school this week.

The feedback from the visiting families has been positive, particularly the praise we have received for the Y6 leaders who have taken these families for tours. I am so proud of my staff and students, who continually demonstrate excellence in the teaching and learning programs we have initiated at St Monica’s. This excellence is not just whilst we have visitors in the school, it is all the time.

One of the overwhelming accolades we received last week, from out Compliance and School Improvement Review, was the community aspect and strong partnerships that exist at our school. That we are inclusive and demonstrate care and concern for others, and this is because all members of our school community have a strong sense of Pastoral Care. I can confidently say that we emulate the following every day:

Empathy: Understanding and responding to the needs and concerns of others. Using empathetic language has helped us to build trusting relationships with others, which underpins effective pastoral care.

Engaged listening: We give full attention to what others are saying and respond in a way that shows we understand and are taking concerns seriously.

Constructive reinforcement: Encouraging and reinforcing positive behaviour can help to build self-esteem and foster a sense of belonging for students. Using language such as "I'm really impressed with your..." or "You've done a great job at..." or “The rewards for your effort are starting to show…” are potent in reinforcing positive behaviour.

Easy to understand communication: Where possible, we aim to distribute clear and concise communication that is easy to understand. We try to use audience appropriate words and phrases. Feedback and follow up strategies, assist us to confirm everyone is on the same page!

Re-assuring language: We like to use phrases such as “How can I help you” or “What do you need right now?” This type of language is reassuring and helps people feel valued and supported.

Well-mannered language: Effective pastoral care involves treating all (even those who may irritate us) with respect and using language that is polite and non-judgmental. We avoid words or phrases that may be offensive or discriminatory.

Mother’s Day - Last Friday, even with a frosty start to the day, we were blessed to celebrate the important women in our lives. It was lovely to have all our mums, grandmothers, older sisters, aunties, and female teachers join us in the Courtyard for Danishes and a warm cuppa. The Mother’s Day stall was a hit, and we sincerely thank Sarah Clark and her team of helpers for coordinating the wonderful surprises you would have received on Sunday morning!

Peace and blessings to all families,

Happy Birthday to the following students  celebrating a Birthday this week -

Billy S, Lewis H, Katherene J

Sacrament of First Eucharist

This will be celebrated across the four Sunday Parish Masses:

5.00pm - 17 June at St Monica’s Church – Evatt;

8.00am - 18 June at St Michael’s Church – Kaleen;

10.00am – 18 June at St Monica’s Church – Evatt; and

5.30pm – 18 June at St Michael’s Church – Kaleen.

Registrations are now closed and no late registrations can be accepted.

‘Trybooking’ for the Sacrament of First Eucharist 

Fr Mick would like to cap the bookings to a maximum of 15 candidates for each celebration.

Please note when you make your booking please only book 1 place in the name of the candidate celebrating the Sacrament – all families will be allocated a pew in the church (if you have additional guests they can overflow across the aisle).

Please note - Saturday Celebration Mass at 5pm is now fully subscribed.

The ‘trybooking’ is open  and will close this Friday 19 May. The links will be available on the Parish website at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth

Stoles for First Eucharist

Purchased stoles have now been delivered to the schools. If you purchased a stole and you have not yet received it please send me an email at sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au

Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on 5, 6 and 7 September 2023.

Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated in Term 1 in 2024. 

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

Our Semester 1 reports will be available for families on Friday of Week 9 (23June).  As a system our reports have continued to change. This Semester, the usual grading will happen for each of the learning areas, however there will again be no comments. This is in line with the majority of Primary and Secondary schools in our Archdiocese.   

In order to keep you well informed, we will hold Parent Teacher Interviews in Week 8. This will enable parents to have a conversation about how the student is progressing in their learning and to have a real time conversation about growth and development.  

The Parent Teacher Interviews will go live and will be available to you on COMPASS in Week 7.  It will remain open from Monday 5  June until Friday 9June.  Please ensure that you access COMPASS to lock in a meeting time with your child’s teacher.   

I wanted to share some information on Science of Learning and Reading and communicate with you some of the programs we have adopted to ensure our students have the best possible chance of success in their learning.  

At St Monica's our classes have implemented the following programs:  

• K-2: Initialit, which is a systematic synthetics phonics and reading program;  
• 3-6: Spelling Mastery;  
• K-1: Mathematics Scope & Sequence developed by Catholic Education
• 2-6: Maths Mastery; 
• K-6: High Impact Teaching Practices and Engagement Norms 
• MiniLit and MacqLit as our Reading Intervention programs;  

I recently read an article by Brendan Lee, an advocate and supporter of the Science of Learning, which made me realise we are well and truly on a quality teaching and learning journey here at St Monica’s. 

We have made significant progress over the past term in the space of Mathematics. Did you know there is a Science of Mathematics too? CECG has partnered with OCHRE Education and Shaping Minds to develop structured sequential lessons that are grounded in the Science of Mathematics and we have also implemented Maths Mastery in our 2-6 classes for fluency and automaticity of Maths concepts. 

I wanted to take a moment to thank the teachers for their dedication to your child’s learning and their willingness to ensure that the students at St Monica’s have access to the best possible resources and learning available.  

In the coming months we will be holding Parent Information Session about these programs and to share with you, ways you can further support your child and their learning.  In the meantime, if you would like to know more about any of the above, please contact me maggie.lloyd@cg.catholic.edu.au or ... head to these links:  

Cognitive Load Theory in Action - the Book | Ollie Lovell  

Home - Ochre Education  

Shaping Minds - Evidence-Based Teaching  

Catalyst - Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn : Catalyst (cg.catholic.edu.au 

On Tuesday Year 1 travelled to Calthorpe’s House and Mugga Mugga Cottage as part of our History unit called Old World’s and New World’s. We have been exploring how there are similarities and differences in family life that we can see and explore from the past. We enjoyed looking at the simple and cosy structure of Mugga Mugga Cottage built in the 1850’s and created art works from natural materials we found around the cottage. Calthorpe’s House was a treasure trove of original furnishings and appliances from the 1920’s. We played old fashioned games such as hopscotch, marbles, and quoits in the beautiful gardens. It was a fabulous day of learning and fun. These were some of our favourite activities:

I loved doing the art and craft activity at Mugga Mugga Cottage - Harper S

I loved seeing the old houses and walking around to find Dawn’s hidden present - Paige

I liked when we got to play all the games at Calthorpe’s House - Ava F

I liked ringing the bell at Calthorpe’s House and looking at the old tree at Mugga Mugga – Lincoln

Book and Author Events

Book and author events are a wonderful way to foster children's love of reading and connection with books.  Megan Daley in her book "Raising Readers" states " Author and illustrator visits provide unique insights into the process of book creation and bring literature to life for students, giving them a rich understanding of the literary and artistic devices employed by an author or illustrator to construct meaning" (Daley, 2019, p99). We have copies of Megan's books in the library for loan. Last year we had Amelia McInerney and Harry Liang visit and the students had a wonderful time. Their books are favourites amongst the students with them making the connection to the visits when they borrow the books.  We have Sami Bayley and Nat Amoore visiting in Term 3.  We are also lucky to have bookstores here in Canberra who hold children, author and illustrator events. The Book Cow in Kingston is holding an event this weekend.

Year 5/6 Finals Netball Gala Day

Last term one of our Year 5/6 netball teams progressed into the Finals Netball Gala Day that was held on Thursday 11May at the Lyneham Netball Centre. The team had a great day and played seven very competitive matches against schools from across Canberra.

Congratulations to the following students who proudly represented St Monica’s -  Aria G, Taylor H, Patrick H, Claire H, Gus O, Emma O, Sienna R, Natalia S, Tessa S and Jake W. A very special thank you to Dani G for coaching the team. - Emma Russell

Cross Country Carnival

On Thursday 4 May we held our school Cross Country Carnival around the paths of Evatt. We were blessed with the most fabulous weather and all the children are to be congratulated on their enthusiastic participation and cheering throughout the morning. A very big THANK YOU must be extended to all our parent volunteers who assisted on the course, in the marshalling area, and in the canteen. A day like this is only successful when we have the extra help and support. We wish all the children who are competing at the Cross Country Regional Carnival at Stromlo Park on 25 May all the very best. -  Emma Russell

ACT Trials

Congratulations to Jett S (6 Blue) who was recently selected in the ACT Under 12 Primary School Hockey Team. Jett will travel to Hobart later this year to compete in the National Championships. Congratulations also to Nikolas H (5 Blue) who recently trialed at the ACT Under 12 Tennis Champsionships. Nikolas won 3 matches and lost his fourth match in a tight 3 set battle. Great effort Jett and Nikolas!

A reminder to keep an eye on out on my Compass alerts and the ACT School Sport Facebook page for upcoming ACT representative trials. 

Athletics

A reminder that our school Athletics Carnival is on Friday 26 May. Thank you to the many parents who have volunteered their time to assist. We will be in touch soon to advise of roles for the day. Please ensure you have completed the permission note on Compass. Please contact myself or any of the Year ¾ teachers who are convening the carnival.

Gala Days

Many thanks to the teachers and parents who have given up their time to organise, coach and support our students at gala days this term. Matt Giteau Cup this week, Oz Tag and League in a few weeks, and Basketball coming up soon. What a busy term ahead!

Tuesday saw St Monica’s field two teams in the Matt Giteau Cup. On the most glorious Autumn day of the year 3/4 and 5/6 teams competed in 4 games each against Rosary, Mother Teresa (1 & 2) and Palmerston Primary schools. The 3/4 team won one game, drew two games and lost their final but best game of the day. Mostly new to the game, these children played their hearts out all day.

The 5/6 team were undefeated and were champions of the day. The most impressive part of the day was seeing the teams spontaneously congratulate their opponents and thanking the referees at the end of each game. It was lovely to have the 5/6 team singing the school song after their final two games as well.

Special thanks go to Mr McPhillips and Mr Carey for coaching on the day and to our Youth Minister, Mr Ethan Mass, who came to support and cheer the teams on. The 5/6 team will enjoy another day of Rugby Union as they have been invited to compete in the Brumbies Primary Schools’ Championship Gala Day on 2  June 2^nd.  More details will be sent via Compass soon to the 5/6 team.

Thank you so much to my lovely volunteers from last week - Sarah Clark, Angalea Turnbull, Rach Pentes, Katherine O'Sullivan, Esme Rolleston, Jane Rabbets, Bianca Partington and Tim Porter.  Many hands make light work.  

Volunteers keep our canteen in operation.  I cannot do my job without volunteer power.  If you have the capacity to give some time - even half an hour, please sign up.

volunteersignup.org/4DWMQ

You do not need to have any experience.  We have so many little jobs such as putting stickers on lunch order bags, making sandwiches, packing drinks, just to name a few. It is also a fabulous way to meet other parents in our community.

Next week, due to the Athletics Carnival being held on Friday 26 May,  the canteen will only be open on Thursday.

Introducing private lessons provided by the ACT Academy of Music (ACTAM). These lessons will be held at St Monica’s during school hours.

Parents can enrol through the ACTAM website now for PIANO, FLUTE or SAXOPHONE. There are options for other instruments as needed so please let ACTAM know if you are looking for a particular instrument.

More information: 0419 308 918 or www.actam.com.au