St Monica’s Primary School - Evatt eNewsletter

Dear St Monica’s families and friends,

As the 2023 school year draws to a close there is much to be thankful for and much to celebrate. In my conversations with current families, new parents and visitors to the school this year, I feel proud to speak so highly about the successes and achievements of St Monica’s.

The two biggest highlights of 2023 would have to be the return of the St Monica’s Fete and a very successful School Registration process. Alongside these two major highlights we have had many student achievements, in a variety of different areas across the school. Our teachers, our parents, and our school as a whole has had many successes too. Congratulations everyone for a very successful 2023 school year - bring on 2024!

Reports - Your child’s Semester 2 report will be distributed tomorrow. I have read every single report and they are a real celebration of your child’s learning. I hope that you find your child’s Semester 2 report beneficial in providing information related to their learning and progress at school. Thank you for working in partnership to support your child’s education and thank you also to my staff who have spent hours and hours writing reports over the past few weeks. They are an incredibly committed and dedicated group of people.

To access your child’s report please go to the Compass app, click on the image of your child in the top left-hand corner, select the Reports tab in the top right-hand corner and then select 2023 - Semester Two to view their report.

You are most welcome to make time to meet with your child’s teacher, if you have any queries following the report. Please contact your child’s teacher directly if you would like to make an appointment.

Year 6: Tomorrow, our Year 6 cohort will graduate from Primary School. I feel privileged to have watched you grow this year, develop and reflect on your understandings about the world and recognise ways to take action to make a difference. Your leadership this year has been excellent and we look forward to the continuation of our leadership program in 2024. I know the students in Year 5 are very excited about their prospective leadership roles!

Families: We farewell the following families from St Monica’s, some of whom have been part of our school for a short time and others who have had children attending the school for over 10 years! We sincerely thank you for your contributions no matter how big or small. St Monica’s is certainly better for having you as part of our school family and we appreciate all that you have done for our school community.

Goodbye and good luck to the following families - Diep, Larsen, Faisal, Beaven, Bonelli, Broch, Day, Hird, Howlett, Ivers, Johnston, Jojy, Lawrence, O'Sullivan, Roccisano, Rolleston, Solari, Thatcher, Herbert, Hodgekiss, Koam, McPhillips, Mirenda, Newman, Peric, Rabbets, Stephens, Allen, Beswick, Gale, Hinds, Johnston, Lena, Martin, Orbell, Watson and Wrenford.

Staff: We also bid farewell to the following staff members, as they embark on new professional journeys!

Meaghan Younger has been successfully appointed as REC at St Thomas Aquinas Primary School West Belconnen
Steve Green is stepping down from full-time classroom teaching and will be available for contract and casual work.

Thank you for everything you have done to enrich the lives of our students each and every day they are at school!

Staffing and Classes for 2024 - Class lists for 2024 are now finalised and I have had the final say about the placement of children into classes. Under no circumstances will any changes to these lists be made. As outlined in previous newsletters, this is a carefully considered process and a great deal of time has gone into balancing the classes for next year. I am very conscious of interest groupings, friendships, academic and behavioural needs of every child and this has been taken into account when forming the lists.

The ‘Meet your 2024 Teacher’ session is next Wednesday, 13 December from 9.30am – 10.15am. All students, including the Kindergarten students, will meet their 2024 classroom teacher on that morning. Confirmation of the 2024 staffing will be distributed next Wednesday afternoon.

If your child is leaving St Monica’s at the end of 2023 (except Year 6) please remember to notify the office.

Community Events - We look forward to welcoming you to several end of year community events:

Tonight!!! Community Carols Evening, 6.00pm on the School oval. We can’t wait to see families at this fun family event. Please bring along picnic rugs, camp chairs, supper and snacks and… your best singing voices! The canteen will be open on the evening for light refreshments.

Tomorrow!!!

Year 6 Graduation and Awards Ceremony, 12.00pm in the Church. Our Year 6 cohort will graduate from Primary School. In celebration of this important milestone the students will be treated to a special lunch. Thank you to the Year 5 parents for coordinating the celebration lunch for them.
Semester Two reports available on Compass – 3.30pm

Monday 11 December

Passing of the Light, Candle Ceremony 9.15am in the Church.

Wednesday 13 December:

wear Christmas clothes,
2024 Teacher Meet & Greet session – 9.30am

Thursday 14 December

Final Awards and Pride Badges Assembly 9.30am in the Hall

Last Day of Term 4 – Friday 15 December is a Pupil Free Day. As such, Thursday 14 December is the last day of Term 4 for all students. TeamKids OSHC is available on the Friday for any families who need this service.

I look forward to seeing you all at our Community Christmas Carols tonight.

Advent blessings to all,

Happy Birthday to the following students celebrating a Birthday this week

Ben R, Ethan C, Harley T, Adriano A, Audrey B, Mia M

Religious Education at St Monica’s

Whole School Prayer

First Advent

Congratulations Kindergarten on a fabulous Whole School Prayer celebrating the First Week of Advent. Your beautiful singing and reading helped us all to focus on the importance of preparing well for the coming of Baby Jesus.

Second Advent

Thank you Year 1 for leading us in prayer this morning celebrating the 2^nd week of Advent. It was a truly prayerful start to our morning. We look forward to you leading us again next Thursday morning to open up our 3^rd week of Advent.

Graduation

Tomorrow, Friday 8 December, Year 6 will officially graduate from their Primary School years. Graduation will begin with a liturgy starting at 12.00pm in the St Monica’s Church. All Year 6 families are invited to join us in celebrating the end of one journey and the beginning of the next step for our young leaders. Siblings of Year 6 students are welcome to accompany parents at this special event in the church

Passing of the Light

Next Monday, 11 December, Year 6 will symbolically pass on the leadership to Year 5 as they become leaders of St Monica’s School for 2024. All families are warmly invited to join us in the Church from 9.15am onwards for the Passing of the Light liturgy.

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers

Thank you to the whole community for your generosity with the Christmas Hampers for St Vincent de Paul. At Mass yesterday the Gospel spoke of the miracle of the loaves and fishes and it certainly seemed appropriate when we saw how many overflowing baskets were brought forward for donation. You may have given one or two items but the end result was more than 22 baskets filled with delicious food to help make Christmas special for families doing it tough financially. Thank you St Monica’s Community!

2024 Parish Sacramental Program

For students who are baptised and in Years 4-6 in 2024.

Information Session

An information session for the 2024 Sacramental Program will be held at 6pm on Thursday 8 February 2024 in St Michael’s Church, Kaleen.

If your child is baptised and will be in years 4-6 in 2024 please put this date in your diary.

Sacraments to be celebrated in 2024

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

Sacrament of First Communion - will be celebrated in Term 2, 2024.

Sacrament of Confirmation - will be celebrated in Term 3, 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

Reports and Parent Teacher Interviews

Teachers are well into assessment and compiling your child’s Semester 2 Report. These will be available through Compass tomorrow. This Semester your child’s teacher will be providing grades and a general comment that outlines student success and areas for development. An enormous thanks to our teachers who work tirelessly to prepare these for all students.

Optional parent/teacher interviews will be available should you require a follow up conversation. We ask that you contact your child’s teacher to make a suitable time.

Please ensure that all unexplained absences are updated on COMPASS as this will be reflected in your child’s report.

Year 1- Year 6 Achievement Scale

A Outstanding	The student has extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations.
B High	The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills in most situations.
C At Standard	The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills.
D Partial	The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills.
Limited	The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills.

When a student receives a ‘C’ grade it means they have demonstrated the quality of learning described in the Achievement Standard, based on the content studied in the reporting period. If a student receives a ‘C’ in both semester 1 and 2 reports it indicates that the student has made progress, and learned new knowledge and skills based on the new and more challenging material studied.

Kindergarten Scale of Assessment

Our Kindergarten students will receive an alternative scale to A-E as outlined below.

Engagement with Learning

Consistently	Displays thorough knowledge, understanding and application of the content, processes and skills in this area.
Usually	Displays engagement with learning most of the time.
Developing	Is beginning to display knowledge, understanding and application of the content, processes and skills in this area.
Needs Improvement	Is yet to display knowledge, understanding and application of the content, processes and skills in this area.

Kindergarten Grade Scale

Above Expectations	The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills in most situations.
Meeting Expectations	The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills.
Working Towards expectations	The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills.
Experiencing Difficulty	The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills.

School_Newsletter_Shoe_Information_2024 _pdf 310.95 KB

This year through our St Monica's Stars we will emphasise the ways we live out

Respect, Resilience, Engagement and Growth

through a focus on

Myself - Academic

Others - Social

Our Surroundings - Community

so we come to know Jesus.

Class	Student	Focus
K Maroon	Annabelle K	Others
K Maroon	Eddie R	Others
K White	Riley G	Others
K White	Evie S	Others
1 Maroon	Matilda R	Myself
1 Maroon	Kaihran T	Myself
1 White	Leo A	Myself
1 White	Chloe W	Others
2 Blue	Tilly G	Myself
2 Blue	Oscar S	Myself
2 Maroon	Charlotte C	Others
2 Maroon	Ben R	Our Surroundings
2 White	Dulce G	Myself
2 White	Archer P	Myself
3 Maroon	Archer P	Myself
3 Maroon	Eden T	Myself
3 White	Valentino A	Myself
3 White	Greta H	Myself
4 Blue	Elsa H	Myself
4 Blue	Angelo R	Myself
4 Maroon	Elijah G	Myself
4 Maroon	Daniela S	Myself
4 White	Henry D	Myself
4 White	Pippa J	Myself
5 Maroon	Lucas C	Myself
5 Maroon	Imogen S	Myself
5 White	Sophie A	Myself
5 White	Mason Mc	Myself
6 Blue	Ava N	Others
6 Blue	Lillian W	Others
6 Maroon	Adeline B	Others
6 Maroon	Maggie P	Others
6 White	Eleanor B	Myself
6 White	Ruby S	Myself

Star Awards for Week 3 will be given out at Assembly at 9.00am on Friday 16 February 2024

Congratulations to the following children who have been acknowledged by their teachers for displaying Resilience throughout the term. Great effort!

Class	Term 2
K Maroon	Mason M
K Maroon	Scarlett P
K White	Sam Mc
K White	Theodore P
1 Maroon	Eleanor B
1 Maroon	Taryn G
1 White	Evelyn F
1 White	Oliver Y
2 Blue	Danny I
2 Blue	Abigail P
2 Maroon	Grace O
2 Maroon	Flynn P
2 White	Lucy P
2 White	Guneet T
3 Maroon	James B
3 Maroon	Ellie T
3 White	Faustina A
3 White	Catherine V
4 Blue	Clementine A-C
4 Blue	Liam N
4 Maroon	Ronan G
4 Maroon	Ivy P
4 White	Adele M
4 White	Sonny S
5 Maroon	Scarlett F
5 Maroon	Zak Z
5 White	Hirute B
5 White	Edward F
6 Blue	Saxon H
6 Blue	Lachlan P
6 Maroon	Daniel H
6 Maroon	Nicholas K
6 White	Christian M
6 White	Elyse S

Pride Badge Awards for Week 10 will be given out at Assembly on Friday 5 July at 9.15am in the School Hall

On Sunday 3 December Niko M (4 White) attended the NAS2023 National All Styles Karate Championships in Melbourne with his dojo Shobu Kai HDO. Niko won a gold medal in the points sparring and is now the Australian champion for his age group. Congratualtions Niko. What a wonderful achievement!!!

Week 9 Events

Friday 8 December - Year 6 Graduation and Special Lunch
Friday 8 December - School Reports available on COMPASS

Week 10 Events

Monday 11 December - Passing of the Light Candle Ceremony
Tuesday December 12- Year 6 Big Day Out
Wednesday 13 December - Christmas Clothes Day and Teacher Meet and Greet