Achieve - all that you can

Jesus said therefore

‘What is the Kingdom of God like?  And to what shall I compare it?  It is like the mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches’.    

Luke 13: 18-20

St Monica - A Model of Praise

School - Forgiveness, Service & Thanksgiving

Dear Parents

My overseas trip was magical with so many experiences, foods, smells and opportunities to grow my personal faith. The pilgrimage through Greece, following the footsteps of St Paul, has given me a deep appreciation of the challenges and distances travelled by Paul to share his faith and Christianity. The architecture, art and stories explored were amazing. Our Australian history is so short compared to other places in the world. I am so grateful for the opportunity to travel. I had a fabulous team looking after St Monica's. Thank you to Luke Donnelly and Elizabeth Foster for their leadership during my absence.

Congratulations to the staff on all the amazing events that occurred while I was away - the Walkathon, the Greatest Showcase, Joe Maths fundraiser, Disco, Year 6 Confirmation, the Big Sing and many more.

Staffing

Congratulations to Hannah Dewey who has secured a permanent teaching position at St Clare of Assisi commencing in 2020. Hannah has been a valued staff member but is very excited to have gained permanency.  

Our CE education system offers staff the opportunity to experience a transfer for twelve months in another school.  Where positions become available a staff member can secure an ongoing position in that school. This year both Ted Dunstan (Mt Carmel, Yass)  and Sarah Anderson (St Michael's, Kaleen) have confirmed that they have formally accepted positions in their new schools following their twelve-month appointment.  I congratulate both staff on their appointed positions.

I am delighted to confirm Natalie Currie's ongoing appointment at St Monica's from 2020, arranged through the transfer arrangement. Natalie worked at St Vincent's, Aranda, prior to joining our staff this year. 

Baby News

Congratulations to the Agnello family - Alex (3L) and Ado (1E) on the arrival of their little sister Alessia born on the last day of Term 3! Mum and Bub are doing well.

Special Prayers

Please keep the Oliver family in your prayers - Alexandra (6M) as her grandfather passed away through the holidays.

God Bless

Carmel Maguire

Principal

Below are the Term Overviews for this term. The overview gives insight into the teaching and learning taking place in your child's class over the next 10 weeks and can be used as conversation starters when asking about your child's day or for passion projects if your child is wanting to complete Home Learning beyond the set tasks. 

Being forgiven is giving someone another chance after they have done something wrong, knowing that everyone makes mistakes. It is making amends instead of taking revenge. It is important to forgive yourself too. Forgiving yourself means to stop punishing yourself or feeling hopeless because of a mistake. Forgiveness is moving ahead, ready to act differently, with compassion for yourself and faith that you can change.

Thank you to all of the members of our community for contributing donations to Joe Math's Day on the last day of term. Our efforts raised $617 for our Global School Partners, Joe Maths in Kenya.

A video of the sports activities will be put on Facebook soon. Here are some photos of the action!

Term 4 School Fees

Term 4 School Fees will be posted to families next week. Unfortunately, we are still experiencing technical issues so cannot directly email statements. Please keep an eye out for your statement in the post next week and contact the office if you do not receive it. A reminder to ensure your address details are up to date with the office.

Full payment of fees is due within four weeks each term, except for families on Direct Debit payment arrangements.

The school is running on an extremely tight budget, every cent of fees income is expended on students curriculum, resources and school running costs. 

A reminder to families that

Enrolment of children at a Catholic diocesan school in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn carries with it the undertaking by parents/guardians to accept the obligation to pay all school fees. It is, however, a matter of Catholic Education Commission policy that inability (not unwillingness) to pay school fees should never exclude any child from a Catholic school.

Please contact the School Finance Officer, or Principal should you be experiencing genuine hardship and will not be able to pay your fees in full by the due date.

Redgum Book Fair

We will be holding a Redgum Book Fair during Week 5 - Monday 11 November to Friday 15 November.  The Book Fair will be held in the Library and will be open from 8.30am until 9.00am Monday to Friday and Monday to Friday from 3.10pm until 4.00pm. 

If you are able to help with setting up/packing up the book fair, assisting shoppers at the fair or at the checkout, please let me know.  

If you have any ideas or concerns please email them through to our Secretary Fiona Steinberg at Council.StMonicas@cg.catholic.edu.au

All parents volunteering at our school must have a current WWVP card.  When your card is due for renewal please ensure you have your updated card copied at the Front Office.

Catholic Schools Netball Carnival 

We wish our 5 netball team competing at the Catholic Schools Netball Carnival on Saturday the best of luck. Thank you to our parents and community members who have volunteered to coach and umpire. Please refer to the draw and information pack sent home for all that you need to know about the day. 

A reminder that the Boorowa Touch and Netball Carnival is on next Friday, 25 October. Draws and carnival information will be sent out early next week. 

Happy Birthday to the following students -

Amber M, Cooper B, Nicholas M, Amelia W, Chloe W, Hamish C, Saskia H, Jye L, Nicola B, Lucas C, Alexandra B, Bailey D-C, Harry B

Canteen Roster - Term 4, Week 2

Monday - Vacancy

Tuesday - June Manning

Wednesday - Alyson Barnes, Rachele Pentes

Thursday - June Manning

Friday - Wilma Hird, Jenny Fulivai, June Manning, Wendy Regan

Samantha Manning - Canteen Manager - 6258 4687

Dancecore lessons will commence in Week 2 for 9 weeks.  Cost for 9 week program is $90. Kinder-Year 2 will attend Wednesday lunchtime and Years 3-6 will attend Thursday lunchtime. Dancecore registration cards were sent home yesterday with students.

Learn to be a chess champion! Coaching for students at St Monica's is held on Mondays from 1.30pm to 2.15pm.

Learning and playing chess helps children develop their logical thinking and problem solving skills, improve their concentration and focus, while also being a great source of enjoyment. Activities include group lessons on a demonstration chess board or interactive whiteboard, puzzle solving and fun practice games.

Students earn merit awards by making checkmates, or by displaying skills and positive qualities, which all good chess players strive to develop.

If your child is interested in taking part, you can collect an enrolment form from the school office, or email enrol@sydneyacademyofchess.com.au

For all enquiries please contact Sydney Academy of Chess on (02) 9745 1170.

Every few years we offer our beautiful St Monica's Community the opportunity to have a professional family portrait taken as a school fundraiser (see attached flyer).  

This year the sittings will be held at the School Hall on SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2019. Bookings can be made through the following link 

www.trybooking.com/558649  

For the nominal fee of $20 you can receive a 10"x13" gorgeous professional family portrait (other portraits can be purchased at exceptionally good prices). 

All funds raised will go back to the school and be put towards Robots and Materials for the Information and Communications Technologies Unit. After the resounding success of our team at the Robocup ACT Rescue Competition, this will be a terrific investment for our children.

Book early to get your preferred sitting time and feel free to pass this email onto other members of your families and the community.

 Any queries in relation to this event, please contact Emma Howlett on 0413 660 585 or emmahowlett73@gmail.com