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Dear St Monica's families and friends,
We will continue to break open our 2025 school theme ‘Listening to the Holy Spirit’ with the Footstep focus this term of ‘Resilience’ for myself, others, God and the environment. Being resilient is a necessary skill for working through life’s obstacles. When we are resilient we are able to approach new situations, people or experiences with confidence and a positive mindset. We do this at St Monica’s in a safe and supportive environment and by celebrating progress not just success!
The pupil free day on Monday afforded St Monica’s staff an opportunity to enrich their Faith Formation. They undertook a specialised activity to discern their Charisms. A Charism is a Gift from God, given to you at Baptism, which you gift to others. It is always deeply connected with our faith and is an expression of our relationship with God. In this way it differs from a natural or learned ability. It was no surprise to find out that so many staff members have the Charisms of: Service, Leadership, Giving, Mercy, Teaching, Hospitality, Faith, Knowledge and Creativity.
We also engaged in a session with Nutritionist, Dietician and Well-being expert Lisa Donaldson. Lisa's food philosophy is quite simple. She believes in eating close to nature, but that doesn't mean you cannot enjoy the occasional treat. It's about 'making a date' with the decadent and never feeling guilty about food. After all, food is as much about pleasure as it is about nutrition! Visit her website: www.feedinc.net The afternoon gave grade level teams time to fine-tune their programming and planning for the term ahead.
ENROLMENT PERIOD FOR 2026 - The Catholic Schools Enrolment period is now open and will close on Friday 30 May. St Monica’s will be hosting two Open Days and an Information Evening on Tuesday 6 May and Thursday 8 May. We are currently putting together information packs for prospective families and I am seeking assistance from current families to do some letterbox drops and some advertising around the community at local cafes, childcare centres and workplaces. If you are able to distribute some flyers please come and see Steph at the Front Office. If you know of someone from the suburbs of Evatt, Melba, Spence or McKellar who is interested in finding out more about our amazing school please invite them to our Open Days and encourage them to like and follow us on our Social Media pages too!
Federal Election information - Catholic schools are critical to Australia’s education system. Catholic Education is a cost-effective and important educational partner for government schools which requires ongoing confidence in policy decisions and funding certainty to sustain and enhance outcomes that benefits all Australians. Every family and student deserves access to quality education and mechanisms that address their needs, regardless of their background. As Australia’s support for non-government schooling grows, so too must our investment in its delivery. Catholic Education remains a vital part of Australia’s social and economic success, but requires strong investment today to prepare and empower future generations.
When casting your vote, please consider candidates that will:
✓ Ensure Affordability and Choice
✓ Address hardship, wellbeing and disadvantage
✓ Build and innovate for the future
Mothers' Day Celebrations - Next Sunday, 11 May, we celebrate the amazing women in our lives: mums, grandmothers, nans, neighbours, aunts, sisters, colleagues and friends. May you be blessed with a sleep-in, warm cups of tea or coffee, snuggles and hugs, breakfast in bed and perhaps a couple of delightful treats from the Mothers' Day Stall.
In celebration of the important women in our lives, join us for a Danish & Cuppa in the Courtyard from 8:15am onwards. Classrooms will be open for visits from 8:30am – 9:15am. Throughout the day students will have an opportunity to visit the Mother’s Day Stall up in the Hall. If you have capacity to assist Sarah Clarke with the set-up or the running of the stall please contact the Front Office and we can pass your details on to Sarah. It would be great if there were a couple of dads who are available to assist ?
Autumn blessings,
Happy Birthday to the following students celebrating their birthday this week
Religious Life of St Monica's
Welcome to Term 2. With Easter falling during the middle of our school holidays this year it might feel like we have moved on from celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus. As a school community, we journeyed through Holy Week in the last week of Term 1, finishing with the Crucifixion. We started Term 2 by completing our Holy Week journey with the Resurrection of Jesus. Alleluia! Alleluia! He is Risen! Alleluia! Did you know that Easter is a season that continues for 50 days? The season of Easter continues until Pentecost Sunday, seven full weeks after Easter Sunday!
Holy Week this year will be forever linked to the passing of Pope Francis. Pope Francis’ passing has been felt deeply worldwide, and his impact is immeasurable. For myself personally, Pope Francis was the living, breathing witness of God’s love and Jesus’ saving grace. Mercy and the dignity of all were at the core of Pope Francis’ mission and ministry, and these were reflected in both what he said and did. Pope Francis’ vision for the Catholic Church was that it should not be a museum showcasing the good people have done, but a hospital where all can come to be saved.
Pope Francis regularly asked us to pray for him. I cannot imagine anyone being able to fill Pope Francis’ shoes, but as the preparations for the upcoming conclave on 7 May are underway, I ask you to join us in praying for Pope Francis and for the Holy Spirit to guide our leaders in electing a Pope who will lead our Catholic Church with compassion and mercy.
This term, our focus is on Opening our Hearts to the Holy Spirit to live out our Footstep of Resilience to flourish in our relationships with ourselves, others, God, and our surroundings. Tomorrow, 5 Purple will lead us for our Whole School Prayer on Opening our Hearts to the Holy Spirit to use the Footstep of Resilience to focus on ourselves. You are warmly invited to join our community in St Monica’s Church at 9.10am.
Sacraments at St Monica’s are parish based, family centered, and school supported. Tonight we begin the formation for First Eucharist for many of our students in Year 4 and older at St Michael’s Church in Kaleen at 6.00pm. While the Sacramental program is run by the parish our school staff are here to support the children and their families on their faith journey. I ask you to keep these children and their families in your prayers as they prepare to receive Jesus’ body for the first time in the Eucharist.
Opening Our Hearts to the Holy Spirit
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Term 2 Liturgical Life of St Monica’s Primary School |
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Whole School Prayer |
Grade Masses |
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Week 1 |
Whole School Prayer Focus: Come Holy Spirit Resilience Self Friday 9.10am Led by: 5P
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Week 2 |
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Buddy Mass Wednesday 9.30am: 2W and 5M
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Week 3 |
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Buddy Mass Wednesday 9.30am: 2M and 5W
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Week 4 |
Whole School Prayer Focus: Come Holy Spirit Resilience Others Friday 9.10am Led by: 4W |
Buddy Mass Wednesday 9.30am: 1M and 5B
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Week 5 |
Whole School Prayer Focus: Come Holy Spirit Resilience God Friday 9.10am Led by: 5M |
Buddy Mass Wednesday 9.30am: 1W and 5P
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Week 6 |
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Buddy Mass Wednesday 9.30am: KW and 6W
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Week 7 |
Whole School Prayer Focus: Come Holy Spirit Resilience Surroundings Friday 9.10am Led by: 6W |
Buddy Mass Wednesday 9.30am: KM and 6M |
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Week 8 |
Whole School Prayer Focus: Come Holy Spirit Friday 9.10am Led by: 3B |
Buddy Mass Wednesday 9.30am: Year 4, and Year 3
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Week 9 |
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Our Lady of Perpetual Help Feast Day TBC
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Week 10 |
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2025 Sacramental Program – for students who are baptised and will be in Years 4-6 in 2025.
Sacrament of First Communion will be celebrated this term. An Information Evening will be held tonight at St Michael's Church in Kaleen at 6.00pm. Retreat Day and Parent Prayer Night will be held on 12 June 2025. Sacrament will be celebrated on 22 June 2025 (Corpus Christi).
Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated in Term 3, 2025. Information Evening will be held on 31 July 2025. Retreat Day and Parent Prayer Night will be held on 4 September 2025. Sacrament will be celebrated on 10 and 11 September 2025.
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