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Dear St Monica’s families and friends,
After 40 years of outstanding service to St Monica’s Primary School, Mrs Anne Hodgkin has announced that she will be retiring from teaching at the end of this term.
I know that many of you will join me congratulating Anne on her dedication and service as an educator. A vocation that has been lived out with care, respect and interest in all the families involved within a number of ACT Catholic Primary School communities. We warmly invite all families, former students, former colleagues and Anne’s family to her farewell celebration next Thursday 29 June at 3.45pm.
Please share this invite far and wide, to give Anne a most memorable send off into retirement.
Rostrum Finalist - Congratulations to Lily H (6 Blue) who represented St Monica’s in one of last night’s ACT Rostrum quarter finals. Lily presented her speech ‘Going Backwards’ with great confidence and humour and whilst she will not be progressing to the Semi-Finals, feedback given to Lily was that she was definitely an audience favourite! Lily will present her speech at tomorrow morning's Star Awards Assembly.
Semester 1 reports - Tomorrow afternoon you will be receiving your child’s Semester One report. When sitting with your child to reflect or review their report it is important to create a supportive and encouraging environment.
If you wish to go through your child’s report with them you may like to:
- Choose a comfortable and calm setting, a quiet place you can sit together without distractions. This will allow you to focus on your child’s learning and have a meaningful conversation.
- Ensure you have a positive mindset, express your interest and excitement in reviewing their report with them. Emphasise the report explains how they are going and how they can be supported with their learning.
- Celebrate achievements, begin by acknowledging your child’s accomplishments. Highlight those areas where they have excelled and praise their efforts and hard work.
- Gently address areas for improvement and focus on constructive comments rather than criticism. Encourage your child to reflect on their performance and consider strategies to overcome challenges. Assure them they have yours and their teacher’s support and assistance where needed.
- Work with your child to set some realistic goals. What did they think they did really well in at school this semester, what would they like to get better at next term? Review the goals regularly to help your child stay motivated and focused on their progress at school.
- Communicate with your child’s teacher if you have any concerns or questions about the report. Maintaining open lines of communication between home and school will help to address any issues and provide additional guidance.
- Use words of praise and encouragement throughout the discussion with your child! Remind them that their report is just one measure of their progress and their efforts and personal growth are equally as important.
- Finally, tell them that you love them, you are here for them and you are a partner in their learning. As long as they are truly working their hardest and trying their best that is all that we can ask of them!
Welcome - A very warm welcome to following families who have joined the St Monica's community. Wishing Alfonso's and Litchfield's a long and happy associated with our community!
Peace and blessings to all families,
Alexandra S, Eva B, Emmanuel S, Brando B, Lewis C, Joseph F, Freya S, Tewa Y.
Whole School Prayer Time
Week 8 - Eucharist
Thank you to Year 4 for your beautiful prayer liturgy last Friday. It was a lovely way to renew our thinking about Eucharist and to pray for the candidates who made First Communion last weekend.
First Holy Communion
Last weekend saw our Year 4 candidates celebrate their First Holy Communion. All four Masses were absolutely beautiful and we extend special thanks to Fr Mick for making the ceremonies so personal for each child. Congratulations to:
Sophie, Donato, Harriett, Lola, Lucas, Lucas, Zara, Mitchell, Eliana, Phoebe, Joseph, Milla, Elsie, Alec, Edward, Luciarna, Saskia, Isabella, Andreas, Ana, Niko, Nicholas, Ruby, Maddie, Lachlan, Nellie, Beau, Ryan, Joshua, Imogen, Max and Aya.Our Lady of Perpetual Help
This coming Tuesday is the feast for our parish patron saint, Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Students from both parish schools, St Monica’s and St Michael’s, will come together to celebrate this special day. Students from St Monica’s K-2 will travel to St Michael’s for the morning's liturgy and activities. Students at St Monica’s in Years 3-6 will host the St Michael’s Years 3-6 students. Each school is hosting a liturgy celebrating Our Lady of Perpetual Help in their respective churches. The Liturgy for K-2 will be in St Michael’s Church at 10.15am and the 3-6 one will be in St Monica’s Church at 12.15pm. All families are invited to join us at either/both of these prayer celebrations. Lunch will be back at St Monica’s for all of our students.
Sacrament of Confirmation
Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on:
Tuesday 5 September 2023 at 6.00pm in St Michael’s Church, Kaleen;
Wednesday 6 September 2023 at 6.00pm in St Monica’s Church, Evatt; and
Thursday 7 September 2023at 6.00pm in St Monica’s Church, Evatt.
Important - please talk to your child and decide on the ‘Saint’s Name’ and their ‘Sponsor’, as these are requirements on the registration form. The sponsor should be an adult baptised catholic and not a parent. The role of the sponsor should be someone who has an influence in the child’s life and can fill in the gaps where the parent is unable to.
Registrations open on Monday 26 June and will close by Friday 21 July 2023.
Registration for the Sacrament must be made via the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Qkr! App (NOT the school app). If you are registering more than 1 child you will need to fully complete and pay for each separate registration.
No late registrations will be accepted after the closing date.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated in Term 1, 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/belconnennorth
| Class | Student | Focus |
| K Blue | Tobi A | Others |
| K Blue | Francisco D | Myself |
| K Maroon | Hugo E | Myself |
| K Maroon | Emmanuel S | Myself |
| 1 Blue | Sehajnoor K | Myself |
| 1 Blue | Jack R | Myself |
| 1 Maroon | Ethan S | Myself |
| 1 Maroon | Nahum Y | Myself |
| 1 White | Ethan E | Myself |
| 1 White | Marlie H | Myself |
| 2 Blue | Flynn C | Myself |
| 2 Blue | Leila M | Myself |
| 2 Maroon | Aleer A | Myself |
| 2 Maroon | Oliver C | Myself |
| 3 Blue | Sebastian B | Myself |
| 3 Blue | Billy B | Myself |
| 3 Maroon | Quinn A | Myself |
| 3 Maroon | Angelo R | Myself |
| 3 White | Jack B | Myself |
| 3 White | Daniela S | Myself |
| 4 Blue | Fatmata K | Myself |
| 4 White | Maddie N-H | Myself |
| 4 White | Joshua R | Myself |
| 5 Blue | Suvi O-C | Myself |
| 5 Blue | Jesse S | Others |
| 5 White | Evie L | Myself |
| 5 White | Pasquale A | Myself |
| 6 Blue | Brando B | Myself |
| 6 Blue | Lily H | Myself |
| 6 Maroon | Ater A | Myself |
| 6 Maroon | Esther L | Others |
| 6 White | Pat H | Myself |
| 6 White | Marianna R | Myself |
Congratulations to the following children who have been acknowledged by their teachers for displaying Resilience throughout the term. Great effort!
|
Class |
Term 2 |
| K Blue | Liam C |
| K Blue | Harper E |
| K Maroon | Thomas F |
| K Maroon | Conor G |
| 1 Maroon | Abby P |
| 1 Maroon | Annelise S |
| 1 White | Grace O |
| 1 White | Kashvi R |
| 1 Blue | Lyndon H |
| 1 Blue | Guneet T |
| 2 Blue | James B |
| 2 Blue | Ashlee H |
| 2 Maroon | Caleb C |
| 2 Maroon | Edward D |
| 3 Maroon | Alexa I |
| 3 Maroon | Charlotte T |
| 3 White | Geeza J |
| 3 White | Liam N |
| 3 Blue | Elijah G |
| 3 Blue | Sonny S |
| 4 White | Elian D |
| 4 White | Lucas W |
| 4 Blue | Hannah A |
| 4 Blue | Harriett B |
| 5 White | Lachlan P |
| 5 White | Zander R |
| 5 Blue | Ado A |
| 5 Blue | Chloe W |
| 6 Maroon | Grace E |
| 6 Maroon | Aiden Mc |
| 6 White | Hamish C |
| 6 White | Mitchell C |
| 6 Blue | Sarah R |
| 6 Blue | Sienna R |
Pride Badge Awards for Week 10 will be given out at Assembly on Friday 30 June at 9.10am in the School Hall
Lamont Book Fair
This morning our Lamont Book Fair opened with students purchasing some great reads for the holidays. This is a Melbourne-based company that will provide us with a different selection of books from previous book fairs. All sales at the book fair support the purchase of new books for the library collection. We have extended opening hours from 8am - 9am and 3.15pm - 5pm each day. The fair runs from today through until Wednesday 28 June. Lamont also has an online portal where you can pay and we will be notified and deliver the books to your child. We look forward to seeing you in the library getting some great holiday reads.
CBCA Shadow Judging
St Monica’s is participating in the Children's Book Council of Australia Shadow Judging Project. This is a CBCA initiative to engage children in the judging process.
A group of 9 Year 4 students will join groups across Australia, to dive deeply into the Shortlisted books and express their opinions and share their responses as judges “shadowing” the CBCA Judges. The group will use the same criteria to reflect on literary values and to champion their choices. Within the group they will collaborate and develop their own creative response to books and share this with the community. The group will be looking at the Early Childhood Book category.
Last Thursday the St Monica's CBCA Shadow Judging Group had a wonderful afternoon with other Shadow Judging groups listening to local author Amelia McInerney talk about writing books and her creative responses to the books.
Book Launch
2023 ACT Primary Schools Girls Chess Championship
On Friday 16 June Sian, Tobie, Elizabeth, Zarah and Audrey were among 102 students at Rosary Primary School for the 2023 ACT Primary Schools Girls Chess Championship. The girls played 7 games across the day. Their team score for the top 4 players was 17 out of possible 28. Well done girls.
2023 ACT Primary Schools Chess Championship – Belconnen Zone
On Monday 18 students were among 66 students at Macgregor Primary school for the 2023 ACT Primary Schools Chess Championship – Belconnen Zone. Team 1 of Jett, Kobe, Brando and Emanuel came 3rd with a score of 20 from a possible 28. They along with Team 2 will progress to the ACT Primary Schools Chess Championship at Trinity School in late Term 3. It was the first time for many of the students competing in a chess tournament and they all showed skills, focus, resilience and good sportsmanship. They can be proud of their efforts.
Thank you to Verdelle from Bunnings, Belconnen, for running our Sustainability Workshop. The children made terrariums and planted herbs in our new planter boxes.
Kids Winter Workshops being held at Craft + Design Canberra during the July School Holidays.
Bookings can be made here https://craftanddesigncanberra.org/blogs/news/craft-design-canberra-kids-clay-snow-animals-school-holiday-workshop
