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

Staffing 

Families Leaving at End of 2019

As planning for 2020 has commenced please advise in writing, as soon as possible, if your child/children will not be returning next year. 

Class Groups for 2020 - 

Much care and deliberation occurs when forming our class groups. Teachers are highly professional and have the main responsibility for placing their current students in the most appropriate class for next year. Over the next two weeks, the teachers will be observing friendships to assist with class groupings.  

While forming class groups we aim for an equal spread of both positive and challenging characteristics when forming a class group. Every care will be taken to ensure that your child is placed in the best situation to enhance learning and social development.

Confidential concerns should be brought to my attention in writing, by Friday 8 November, even if raised in previous years.  Please email directly to carmel.maguire@cg.catholic.edu.au. General concerns should be raised with your child's teacher. Parent concerns will be considered during the process. It must be clearly understood, however, that no definite guarantees can be given regarding parental concerns. As Principal, I will make the final decision on all class placements. Late requests are very difficult to consider once groups are finalised.

The Just Like You Team are currently visiting St Monica's. Just Like You is a disability awareness program designed to build understanding, acceptance and inclusion. Through celebrating differences, developing empathy and creating inclusion, students learn that people with a disability are the same as everyone else – they are ‘Just Like You’.

Just Like You workshops are lively, interactive and compelling, where students are engaged to reflect on their own roles and actions as a citizen in their school and community. Please take the time to talk to your children about the workshops. 

Next Thursday between 9.00 am and 11.00 am we welcome back our preschoolers for another kinder Orientation session. We are looking forward to their visit. 

Just over one hundred years ago the guns of the Western Front fell silent after four years of continuous warfare. In the four years of the war more than 330,000 Australians had served overseas, and more than 60,000 of them had died. The social effects of these losses cast a long shadow over the post-war decades. Each year on the 11 November Australians observe one minute’s silence at 11am, in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts. St Monica’s will mark Remembrance Day with a ceremony, led by 6E which will be held in the Church on Monday 11 November at 10.40 am.

May God's blessing be with you 

Carmel Maguire

Principal

The following students will be sharing a Pride Badge Lunch with Ms Maguire on Monday 25 November - Willem A-C ((3L), Giselle S (5MF), Geordie T (5MF), Nethan W (5MF), Ella K (5MF), Charlize S (5W), Sophie S (5W), Isabella C (5W), James Mc (5F), Aiden S (3/4C), Natalie R (2R), Layla R (5F), Caitlin M (5W), Tyler S (5MF), Angelino S (5F), Violet P (3M), Freya S (2R), Amelia H (3L), Madison R (3/4C), Anneliese L (3L) and Riley Mc (5F).

Children are allowed to wear casual clothes and runners on the day.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is rapidly approaching. Please keep the following students and their families in your prayers as they continue the journey towards this special occasion: Alessandro A, Willem A-C, Sophie, B, Amelia B, Grace B, Lachlan B, Mitchell B, Tyler B, Sophie C, Luca C, Sarah D, Domenic D, Angelo D, Mia D, Zak D, Eamon F, Logan F, Drew G, Jack G, Emilia H, Cameron, H, Zachary H, Van I, Evie K, Vsevolod K, Mya L, Christian M, Joel M, William Mc, Jessica Mc, Talija M, Nathan M, Marquez P, Jack P, Violet P, Aiden R, Jack R, Grace R, Justin R, Lorenzo S, Alaina S, Patrick S, Sophie S, Luca S, Brock S, Lachlan T, Molly T, Samuel T, Zavier T, Annaliese V, Amelia W.

 It is not too late to attend Mass this week if you have not already done so. The $30 payment covers the cost of printing, paper and materials, hire of the stoles and wooden holding heart(memento of occasion). This payment can be made via Qkr! or cash-(enclosed in an envelope with your child’s name and Sacrament of Reconciliation on it.) Receipts will be issued upon payment.

Please notify me ASAP (if you have not already done so) if your child will be making their reconciliation at St Michael’s on Tuesday 12 November so we can arrange certificates.

 St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

Each year St Monica’s School participates in the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. The local conference of the Society packs and distributes over 50 hampers to families in our parish just prior to Christmas. Over the years, the generosity of the St Monica’s School community has filled many hampers. The Appeal will launch again shortly. St Monica’s School will collect items up until Monday 16 December. This year classes have been allocated a food group to collect. Donations are not limited to the listed items but providing these will enable the Conference to provide a Christmas dinner to their clients.

6E -Minced pies and fruit tarts

6M - Long life custard and packets of jelly crystals     

5MF -  Sweet and savoury biscuits

5W  - Packets of muesli bars/fruit bars

5F - Tinned vegetables beetroot, potatoes

4M -Tinned vegetables – carrots, peas, corn,

4H -  Tinned fruit – pineapple, peaches, pears

3/4C -  Packets of pasta

3M - Packets of chips/pretzels/etc

3L -  Packets of coloured popcorn

2RD - Boxes/packets of chocolates (without nuts)

2D - Christmas Bon-Bons

2R – Drinks – Fruit juice 1 litre

1E -  Drinks Cordial – 1 litre

1B – Tin salmon

KRC - Sponge jam rolls – check expiry date is after Christmas

KGH - Packet of sweet biscuits

Many thanks for your generosity.

Our K-2 Swimming Program commences next Tuesday and will run for 2 weeks from Tuesday to Friday. This year we have 150 students attending the program with 10 students who will remain at school. The letter below was sent home yesterday and is also available via the school app.

Our Online Safety Guide for this week comes from another popular game, Minecraft. Many students play Minecraft and have merchandise, clothing and other memorabilia of the game. Have you made yourself fully aware of the ins and outs of the game? If not, please download this useful resource to ensure you are informed. 

To see the full list of guides head to https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/wake-up-wednesday/ 

Term 4 School Fees

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.

Book Fair  

The Redgum Book Fair has a wonderful assortment of fabulous books. Prices range from $5-$12. Students are writing their wish lists during library lessons this week.  The Book Fair will be held in the Library from Monday 11 November until Friday 15 November from 8.30am to 9am and 3.10pm to 4pm.  EFTPOS is available.  Students with the correct cash may bring their money in with their wish list on Friday 8 November.

We've officially opened the 2020 Illustration Challenge for school-aged children! Can I Sleep Tomorrow? is waiting for some talented young illustrators to bring it to life.

This is now the fourth Illustration Challenge we've run here, giving children the chance to be published illustrators. Previous winners have brought you the wonderful works of Zoo Ball, Yay! It's Library Day and coming out in early 2020, Around Australia in 30 Places. We can't wait to see the illustration spreads for Can I Sleep Tomorrow?

Hop on to the website for more information, or join the Facebook group for regular updates. Entries close November 2020. So there is plenty of time to make your art a masterpiece. Good luck!

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.

Happy Birthday to the following students -

Tyler B, Cooper W, William C, Niko M, Katie R, Diego C, Jasper M

Canteen Roster - Term 4, Week 5

Monday - Special Lunch Helpers needed

Tuesday - June Manning

Wednesday - Vacancy

Thursday - June Manning

Friday - Jane Rabbets, Tracy D'Ambrosio, Samantha Cox, Wendy Regan

Samantha Manning - Canteen Manager - 6258 4687

Summer is coming and our gardens have come to life!

With a hot summer predicted, we desperately need volunteers to help with watering over the holiday period. The more volunteers we have, the more we can spread the load. If you are able to spend some time watering at the school in December/January, please contact Caroline Weller (email:  c.weller@internode.on.net), indicating what dates you are available. We will draw up a roster before the end of the year. Families can pick and take home any ripe produce available when they water – what a bargain!

So, what’s been happening in the gardens?

Currently, in the veggie patch, we have beans, carrots, tomatoes and garlic all growing happily. By the beginning of the next term, we should have some great produce to eat and share. The community herb garden (near the blacktop pick up point) has also had a makeover and fresh basil will be going in soon. Families are always welcome to pick and take home the herbs.

The cherry trees flowered beautifully this Spring and looked stunning. The area has now been weeded and some catmint has been planted underneath to stop erosion and suppress the weeds.

The ‘sustainability garden’ (terraced) is also growing well with a little TLC, with several plants blooming.  This garden will provide food and habitat for small birds and native stingless bees.

Last week, some of the Year 6s had a mini working bee and planted up over 30 tomato seedlings. The plants were a free gift from nature - they popped up after our compost was worked through the beds. Once they have grown a bit more, the helpers will be able to take them home to plant in their garden.

Finally, we will be installing the bird nest box and sting-less bee hotel in the next few weeks, down by the paperbark tree area. Thanks to Dementia Australia’s Mens Shed for this kind donation. Keep a lookout for any guests!

The Gardening Team

Helpers welcome at any time!!

Congratulations to Annabelle F (4H),  Maeve J (4H), Bella P (4M), Isabella M (5W), Violet P (3M) and Sienna R (2R) who competed at The Royal Street Calisthenics Competition in Ballarat. Their team was awarded the overall 2019 Sub Junior winner. Congratulations girls!!! What a wonderful achievement.