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Dear St Monica’s families and friends,
Fiona Dyball - (Musician, teacher, composer, conductor, writer, consultant and liturgist)
Last week I was blessed to attend the annual Principal’s Retreat. We were privileged to listen to Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP, Master of the Order of Preachers 1992 – 2001 and awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Oxford University in 2003.
Just like the prayer above, Fr Tim proposed, “through the chaos, God brings order. This happens in ordinary ways.” We were invited to think about times in our personal and professional lives where things were spinning out of control and what we needed to do to, to bring order out of the chaos. I reflected on some of the difficult decisions or impactful moments I have experienced in my role as Principal. I thought back to what made me feel more at peace and what helped me to gain more clarity about the position I was in. For me, a quick visit to the Kindergarten classrooms, some time with Monty, a conversation with a trusted colleague, some fresh air outside; was all I needed to bring peace and calm to the situation. I believe these ordinary things are the ways that God is accompanying me in life’s challenges.
NAPLAN – This week, students in Years 3 and 5 are completing their NAPLAN tests. All students have brought an “I’ve got this!” attitude to school each day, we are so proud of this growth mindset attitude. At St Monica’s, we treat these days as ordinary school days and we know, NAPLAN is merely a snapshot of one week in the learning life of the students in years 3, 5, 7, and 9.
School Photos – Next Tuesday is school photo day! All students are to come dressed in full summer uniform please. Ordering of school photos is available on the Compass Parent Portal, with family photos also available for purchase.
Dates for your diaries:
- Tuesday 19 March: School Photo Day
- Thursday 21 March: Harmony Day
- Friday 29 March – Monday 1 April: Easter Long Weekend
- Saturday 6April: St Monica’s School Fete
- Wednesday 10 April: School Athletics Carnival
Peace and blessings to all families,
Prayer and Worship
Tomorrow we will gather as a whole school in St Monica’s church for our Whole School Prayer led by 4 Blue on Respect for God. All are invited to join us.
During the season of Lent we have been challenged to lengthen our prayers, our acts of kindness and give up the things that do not show others that we follow Jesus. How are you going? What change could you start with this week?
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Term 1 Liturgical Life of St Monica’s Primary School |
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Whole School Prayer |
Grade Masses |
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Week 8 |
Whole School Prayer Focus: Palm Sunday led by 1 White Friday 9.15am |
Grade Mass Wednesday 9.30am: Year 3
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Week 9 |
Whole School Liturgy Focus: Holy Thursday, Thursday 9.15am
Good Friday led by Year 6 throughout the day Thursday |
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Week 10 |
Whole School Liturgy Focus: Easter Tuesday 9.15am |
Grade Mass Wednesday 9.30am: Year 1 and K |
Social Action and Justice
Fourth Week of Lent
St Monica’s, we have raised an outstanding $626 for Project Compassion, and we are only 4 weeks in. We still have another 2 weeks of our fundraising period and if you have capacity your donations are valued. Each week our Year 6 Faith and Justice students go into each class to lead a Lenten reflection and share the stories of those our funds are helping. A common theme across all the stories we are hearing is the power education has to change lives.
Memory is 26 years old and lives in rural Malawi. As the eldest child in a low-income farming family, Memory had to take on many household chores and farming activities to support her parents. They struggled to pay for Memory’s school fees and school supplies, and Memory often had to walk to school barefooted.
With the support of Caritas Australia and its partner the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM), Memory was able to enrol at a technical college where she learnt technical skills in carpentry. She undertook a three-year carpentry course, with CADECOM supporting part of her tuition and boarding fees.
Memory became the first female carpenter from her village. Today, she works as a carpenter at one of Malawi’s largest hydroelectric power stations. With the income from her job, she can provide financial support to her family and inspire other young women in her community so that they may have the opportunity to succeed in a male-dominated industry.
Watch Memory’s Story
Please donate to Project Compassion.
Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow, for all future generations.
You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes, online by visiting caritas.org.au/project-compassion or by calling 1800 024 413.
Photo: Tim Lam/Caritas Australia
2024 Parish Sacramental Program – for students who are baptised and in Years 4-6 in 2024.
Sacraments to be celebrated in 2024
Sacrament of Reconciliation – will be celebrated during Term 1 on:
Tuesday 2 April in St Michael’s Church, Kaleen;
Wednesday 3 April in St Monica’s Church, Evatt; and
Thursday 4 April in St Monica’s Church, Evatt.
Registrations are now closed and no late registrations can be accepted.
Trybooking – to book a 5 minute spot for your child to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The Trybooking links will open on Monday 18 March and the links will be on the Parish website at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth
Commitment Masses – Sacrament of Reconciliation - LAST WEEKEND
Students and parents must attend one of the weekend Masses at either St Monica’s Church (6pm Saturday or 10am Sunday) or St Michael’s Church (8am or 5.30pm Sunday) on one of the dates listed below to make their commitment for the Sacrament.
Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 March
There will be no additional commitment masses beyond this date.
Sacrament of First Communion - will be celebrated across the four Sunday Parish Masses on the weekend of 15 and 16 June.
Sacrament of Confirmation – will be celebrated on 17, 18, and 19 September.
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
Update from the Fete Committee
White Elephant
Don’t miss out on our first White Elephant pre-loved goods drop off session. Clean out your closets, cupboards, kitchens and garages, and bring your gently used items to the school hall on Sunday 17 March between 2-4pm. Remember, items must be clean and in good condition. We cannot accept broken goods.
Volunteering
We are looking for volunteers for our 1-2pm and 2-3pm slots. Click the link here to sign up or get in touch with the fete team if you have any questions.
Garden Stall
We are looking to make our garden stall bloom with life! If you have any extra plants you would like to contribute we’d love to accept your donations.
Books and Class Raffle Baskets/Goods
Children are encouraged to bring in pre-loved books to be sold at our book stall. The class who collectively donates the most books each week receives a prize!!!
We can’t wait for our class raffle. Each grade has been given a theme and a basket. The themes of the baskets are below. Last day for contribution is Friday 24 March.
Kindergarten – Arts and Craft (make writing and drawing fun with gel pens, pencils, notebooks, post-it’s, glitter, glue and feathers)
Year 1 – Boredom Buster (think ultimate rainy-day fun – puzzles, books, games, stickers, colouring books, cards etc.)
Year 2 – Cookin’ up a Storm (all things kitchen, baking and cooking ready for holiday baking days)
Year 3 – Arts & Craft (make writing and drawing fun with gel pens, pencils, notebooks, post-it’s, glitter, glue and feathers)
Year 4 – Boredom Buster (think ultimate rainy-day fun – puzzles, books, games, stickers, colouring books, cards etc.)
Year 5 –Gardening – Gloves, seeds, small pots, small shovels etc.
Year 6 –Cookin’ up a Storm (all things kitchen, baking and cooking ready for holiday baking days)
Bake Stall
The cake stall is looking for bakers/cooks to create delicious goodies. Last year we sold out in two hours so we’re looking for additional donations this year.
The following items are popular but we encourage bakers/cooks to also consider this year’s fete theme celebrating our diversity and consider cooking international delicacies (biscotti, baklava, pretzels, burfi):
- cakes, slices and biscuits
- savoury muffins, cheese biscuits
- snacks (e.g. toffees, fudge, meringues, honey joys, marshmallows etc) and
- jams, pickles, preserves and chutneys.
Please see the attached note for more information on how to contribute. You can also contact the Cake Stall Coordinator Evelyn David-Hoole on 0411 062 160.
Raffle and Value Tickets
Please get in touch if you haven’t received your raffle and value tickets.
Want to contact us?
Please get in touch – we’d love to hear your ideas and happy to answer any questions. You can reach us via stmfete@gmail.com.
Keep an eye on our Facebook page and the newsletter for regular Fete Committee updates.
Well done to the Year 4 students who participated in last week’s Netball Gala Day at Lyneham Netball Centre. St Monica’s was represented by nine enthusiastic girls. The team experienced some great wins throughout the day, but more importantly, they represented our St Monica’s community beautifully. The highlight of the day has to be when the coach of an opposing team approached us to congratulate the girls on their sportsmanship and positive attitude, when playing a team that was less experienced than us.
A huge thank you must go to our wonderful Year 9 coaches and umpires, who gave up their own time to support the girls. Thank you to Lucy, Jade, Sienna and Boitne – we would not have been able to attend without your support. Thank you for bringing your energy, commitment and enthusiasm!
And most importantly, a huge congratulations to our Year 4 players. Girls, you did an amazing job of representing St Monica’s. Thank you for bringing your best and playing so well as a team.
Another wonderful day exploring insects and all the colours around us. We roller painted, used our fine motor skills to build and explored insects in their natural habitats. Many books recommendations were shared amongst the adults and there will be some interesting reading ahead for them!
Harmony Day is on 21 March. Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. We’re proud of our diversity with a wide variety of countries from across the world represented in our staff and student body.
The theme for 2024 is “Celebrating Harmony”. Students are welcome to dress in the colours or clothing that represent their cultural heritage. Not sure what to wear but still want to be part of the fun? Simply wear a splash of orange. Each class will engage with a picture book that explores diversity and respect for everyone.
Issue 2 of Book Club closes Monday 25 March
When volunteering to help out at the school you need to have a WWVP card. Please ensure that your card is current and that the office has a copy on file.
If you don't have one please follow the link. You can complete the paperwork online in 15 minutes and take the documentation to your closest Access Canberra. There is no fee for volunteers.
MERICI COLLEGE ENROLLING NOW CAMPAIGN
A wonderful opportunity for prospective families to see the College in action, meet our students and attend the Principal’s Address, Year 7 and 11 Information Evenings and lots more.
We are enrolling now for 2025 and beyond!
Please visit www.merici.college for all dates and information for our Open Day, Be a Merici Girl Days and Talk and Tours. Register online now!
Open Day, Principal’s Address and Year 7 2025 Information Night: Wednesday 8 May, Be a Merici Girl Days: 3, 6, 13 May, Talk and Tours: 11 May
