Dear St Monica’s families and friends,

Welcome to Term 3!! We are now halfway through the school year. This term our key focus is around the Footstep of Engagement. We are looking for learners who are active in their learning, eager to participate, willing to stretch and challenge themselves, are motivated and inspired to do better.

You are Unique!

This week, as I have walked around the school, the playground and visited classrooms, I have taken the opportunity to catchup with as many students as possible. It has made me appreciate the uniqueness of each child we have here at St Monica’s. Excerpt taken from: Principal’s Digest (2024) 30:33

Each and every one of you is truly extraordinary. Think about it! Throughout history, countless people have walked this Earth. Yet, not a single one of them is exactly like you. No one has the same combination of talents, friends, experiences, and dreams.

Look at your own hands. The way your fingerprints swirl, the way your hair falls – these are all tiny details that make you uniquely you. Even the jokes you share with your family, the way you pray, and the love you receive – all completely one-of-a-kind.

This uniqueness isn't something to hide. You weren't meant to be a copy of someone else. Embrace the things that make you different, the quirks that make you smile.

Right now, inside each of you is a whole universe of thoughts, feelings, and experiences. No one else will ever have that exact same perspective. If you weren't here, there would be a gap in the world, a voice missing from the chorus.

So, treasure your individuality! It's a gift waiting to be shared.

Think about the way you comfort a friend, the way you make someone laugh, or the way your smile brightens a room. These are all expressions of your unique self, and the world needs them.

Let your personality shine through with your family, friends, and everyone you meet. Share your laughter, your talents, and your kindness. The world is a richer place because you're here.

Remember, you are absolutely irreplaceable. Embrace that – and go out there and share your amazing light with the world!   

Max Lucado, in his book “You are Special” expands on this theme. If you’d like to read the book, I have a copy in my office!

School Events Term 3 - There is much to look forward to this term, including but not limited to:

• 100 days of Kindergarten
• Science Week – Jollybops Science Show
• OzTag Gala days
• Disco
• Book Week and Author visits
• Visit by CECG Director Ross Fox
• St Monica’s Feast Day and Walk-a-thon
• Father’s Day Celebration
• 3 – 6 Musical: ‘Somewhere between here, there and everywhere’
• Sacrament of Confirmation

NAIDOC WEEK: 6 White are going to lead us through the rich history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, throughout Whole School Prayer time tomorrow morning, in acknowledgement of NAIDOC Week. Mrs Pearson and I will accompany several of our students at the ACT Archdiocesan NAIDOC Mass at St Christopher’s Cathedral tomorrow morning.

Special Prayers - Please keep the following members of our community in your prayers:

• Lorraine Coleman - Lorraine passed away this week. Lorraine was the treasured Nan of previous students Tamika, Tyler, Tessa, Ethan and Aria and a valued volunteer in our community. 
• Lennie Blinksell - Lennie's treasured sister, Margaret, passed away during the holidays. 
• Maxine - Maxine, one of our regular library volunteers, who is very unwell at this time.

Peace and blessings,

2024 Parish Sacramental Program – for students who are baptised and in Years 4-6 in 2024.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on 

Tuesday 17 September at 6.00pm in St Michael’s Church, Kaleen;

Wednesday 18 September at 6.00pm in St Monica’s Church, Evatt; and

Thursday 19 September at 6.00pm in St Monica’s Church, Evatt.

Registrations are open via the parish Qkr! app.

Registrations close tomorrow Friday 26 July 2024.

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 in that candidate’s name.

ALSO – Please discuss with your child their Saint’s name and Sponsor as this is a requirement on the registration form.

No late registrations will be accepted after the closing date.

Commitment Masses – Sacrament of Confirmation

Students and parents must attend one of the weekend Masses at either St Monica’s Church (5.00pm Saturday or 10.00am Sunday) or St Michael’s Church (8.00am or 5.30pm Sunday) on one of the dates listed below to make their commitment for the Sacrament -

Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July and Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August.

There will be no additional commitment masses beyond this date.

Parent Formation Evening

Parent Formation Evening will be held tonight at 6.00pm in St Michael’s Church, Kaleen.

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

Lamont Book Fair Thank You 

Thank you to all families who visited the book fair and purchased books. We will be purchasing lots of books with the commission that we received from Lamont for sales from the Book Fair. 

We will be holding a Book Cow Book Fair in Week 6 of Term 4 in time for Christmas shopping. 

Scholastic Book Club

Issue 5 Book Club Catalogue has been sent home today. Orders from the catalogue help develop your child/children’s love of reading, build their personal library and assist with the purchase of books for the library. The closing date for ordering books from this issue is Monday 12 August.  Issue 6 will be sent out later in the term. 

Author Visits

This Term St Monica's will be having 2 authors visit. Sue Whiting will be visiting on Monday 12 August and working with Years 4 -6 and on Friday 30 August Aura Parker will be visiting and working with K -3. The Book Cow has copies of their books and you are able to order the books online. The books will be signed by the author and delivered to the school in time for the author visit.  Students make special connections with books when they meet the author and purchasing the book is a great way to celebrate and remember the connection.

We are so excited to be holding the upcoming St Monica’s school disco.  It will be a wonderful opportunity for our students to come together, enjoy music, dance, and create lasting memories.    

Volunteer opportunities for "2024 St Monica's Disco - Friday 16 August" are now open.

Please click on the following web link (or copy it into your web browser if clicking doesn't work) to go to the signup sheet:

volunteersignup.org/4WAA9

To sign up, just follow the instructions on the page. It only takes a few seconds to do.

Thank you for volunteering!

Angalea Turnbull
tob-ang@hotmail.com

Additional Information

Time:

Infants-6.00pm -7:15pm

Seniors-7.30pm -8.45pm

Student Drop Off and Pick Up

Parents not volunteering will be asked to drop their children off at the glass sliding doors at the side doors of the hall and pick up will be at the back of the hall (door facing the carpark). Please be assured there will be adequate supervision and you will be notified if your child needs to be picked up early.

Value Ticket Information

Value tickets can be purchased on Qkr! Standard entry is $4.00. Cost of  Value Ticket is $6.00. children will have the opportunity to purchase extra glow sticks on the night.

Food

A canteen will be available on the night (no dinner is provided). However the value ticket comes with a juice box/water and a packet of chips. Available for purchase will also be icecreams, lollies (zappos or a lolly bag), chips and drinks.

Mobile Phones and Behaviour Expectations

To ensure a safe and respectful environment we kindly request your cooperation in adhering to the following guidelines: 

No Phones at the School Disco: Students are not bring their phones to the school disco. This measure is taken to encourage face-to-face interactions, enhance the overall experience, and prevent distractions during the event. 

Encouraging Social Interaction: The school disco is a fantastic opportunity for your children to engage in face-to-face interactions with their peers. Dancing and socialising in a real-world setting can help build confidence, communication skills, and lasting friendships.

Parents please drop your child off and be punctual for pick up. We ask that only volunteers remain in the hall throughout the disco times. Restricting access to school grounds helps maintain a secure environment for students and staff and ensures that only authorised personnel are present. 

By adhering to these guidelines we aim to create a positive and enjoyable atmosphere for all attendees. We appreciate your understanding and support in helping us maintain a safe and respectful environment. Please discuss with your children the St Monica’s behaviour expectations. 

Thank you for your cooperation. We look forward to a fantastic school disco! 

Many children face emotional hurts and challenges daily, such as adapting to a new classroom, new teacher, receiving hurtful words from peers or fights with siblings. 

Although being resilient does not mean that children won’t experience difficulty or distress, building resilience—the ability to adapt well to adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or even significant sources of stress—can help our children manage stress and feelings of anxiety and uncertainty.

10 tips for building resilience in children and teens

1. Make connections: Teach your child the importance of engaging and connecting with their peers, including the skill of empathy and listening to others. It’s important to build a strong family network. Be a model by sharing your experiences, feelings and thoughts.
2. Help your child by having them help others: Children can feel empowered by helping others. Engage your child in age-appropriate volunteer work or ask for assistance yourself with tasks that they can master.
3. Maintain a daily routine: Sticking to a routine can be comforting to children, especially younger children who crave structure in their lives. Work with your child to develop a routine and highlight times that are for schoolwork and play.
4. Explore thoughts and feelings: Help your child identify and validate their feelings. Teach your child how to focus on something that they can control or can act on. Help by challenging unrealistic thinking by asking them to examine the chances of the worst case scenario and what they might tell a friend who has those worries. Remind your child that no feeling is final.
5. Teach your child self-care: Teach your child the importance of basic self-care and be respectful to themselves such as making time to eat properly, exercise, and get sufficient sleep. Make sure your child has time to have fun and participate in activities they enjoy. Taking a break from news or overheard conversations will also help.
6. Move toward your goals: Teach your child to set reasonable goals and help them to move toward them one step at a time. Establishing goals will help children focus on a specific task and can help build the resilience to move forward in the face of challenges.
7. Nurture a positive self-view: Help your child remember ways they have successfully handled hardships in the past and help them understand that these past challenges help build the strength to handle future challenges. Help your child learn to trust themselves to solve problems and make appropriate decisions.
8. Keep things in perspective and maintain a hopeful outlook: Even when your child is facing very painful events, help them look at the situation in a broader context and keep a long-term perspective. Although your child may be too young to consider a long-term look on their own, help them see that there is a future beyond the current situation and that the future can be good.
9. Look for opportunities for self-discovery: Tough times are often when children learn the most about themselves. Help your child take a look at how whatever they’re facing can teach them “what am I made of.”
10. Accept change: Changes often can be scary for children and teens. Help your child see that change is part of life and new goals can replace goals that have become unattainable. It is important to examine what is going well, and to have a plan of action for what is not going well.

Read more:

https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience/guide-parents-teachers

https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/behaviour/understanding-behaviour/resilience-how-to-build-it-in-children-3-8-years