Dear Parents

Congratulations to all involved in our Annual Competitive Swimming Carnival. The children were amazing and the carnival ran very smoothly. A big thank you to Liz Foster for her coordination and all the parents and teachers who assisted on the day. Ribbons will be presented at our Monday morning assembly on 2 March. All the children who remained at school had a fun day engaging in a variety of fitness activities. 

Throughout 2019 time was spent analysing and reflecting on the data collected from the children, parents and teachers to help in the development of our Strategic Plan. After much thought and refinement, the following three goals have been agreed upon by the staff. Further explanation will be provided over the next few weeks, as part of the sharing of our Annual Improvement Plan for 2020. 

Leadership and St Monica's Star Presentation

Tomorrow the Year 6 will be presented with their leadership badges at a special ceremony commencing at 1.00pm in the St Monica's Church. Our first group of St Monica's Stars will also be issued around our first focus of 'Respect'. 

School Photos

School Photo Day is Monday 24 February 2020. All children are to wear their full Summer Uniform. Envelopes with money are due back to school by tomorrow.

Family Photos 

As a fundraising opportunity, families can request a group photo with siblings to be taken on photo day. This is completely separate from individual student photos. The cost is $15 per photo. Please enclose this money in a separate envelope marked Family Photo with your family name clearly displayed. Alternatively, payment may be made using our Qkr! App. If using Qkr please send in a note to confirm your request and method of payment.

Please DO NOT include money for family photos inside your Portrait Gallery photo envelope.

Kindergarten Health Checks

Kindergarten Health Check forms have been sent home today. Please complete the Questionnaire and return to school by Thursday 5 March 2020. Kindergarten Health Checks will take place at the end of Term 2 - Thursday 2 July and Friday 3 July.

Carmel Maguire

Principal  

Next week marks the beginning of the season of Lent. The 2020 theme for Lent is “Renewed by the Spirit"– taken from Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, Gaudete et Exultate – Rejoice and Exult. To begin our Lenten journey as a community who prays together, we will be gathering as a school and parish in our Church for Ash Wednesday mass at 930am. Parents, Carers and friends of St Monica’s are most welcome to join us.

Ash Wednesday begins the Church liturgical season of Lent and is a time of great reflection and preparation. We are called to reflect upon how we listen to God’s word and how we are applying His message to our lives. Our Scripture focus this year is the Parable of the Sower, which also asks us to reflect upon how ready our hearts are when we receive the word of God – What kind of soil are you?

With this question in mind, we are encouraged to take the 40 days and 40 nights of Lent to reassess how we are receiving and living the word of God. We often make Lenten promises. These promises need to inspire our hearts as we prepare for new life that is given to us through Jesus death and resurrection at Easter.

I encourage families to take a moment between now at next Wednesday to discuss Lenten promises that could inspire hearts. Our children often hear the words prayer, fasting and giving to the poor. But what does this actually mean for them? This year, as my children are now in Year 3 and Year 4, we will talk about what we can do as a family that will help us to hear God’s message more clearly. We are going to make a time to pray together as a family, offering up our hearts to God; we are going to make a commitment to ‘switch off’ from technology and use that time to do something together and this year and giving to the poor is about seeing the need to help those in our community who need it the most.

As your family prepares for this season of Lent, please don’t hesitate to contact me at school for support, resources or a chat!

Looking forward to praying and reflecting with you at our Ash Wednesday mass next week,

Allergies 

Please be reminded that we have a number of students at the school with allergies.  Some of these are severe, and if a reaction occurs, they require the use of an EpiPen.  The severe allergies some of our students have are to are nuts and seeds, wheat, eggs and dairy.  Please be mindful of these allergies around our student community when packing lunch for your child.  No nut products are to be brought to school.

School Times

Our session and break times are as follows:

8:50am - Bell sounds. Morning line-up and announcements.     8.55am - Learning time.

11:00am - Recess.  Supervised eating time.   11:10am - Recess. Playtime.

11.25am - Bell rings    11:30am - Learning time.

1:30pm - Lunch.  Supervised eating time.    1:45pm - Lunch. Playtime.

2.15pm - Bell rings      2.20pm - Learning time.

3:10pm - End of school day.

Important - Please note that school officially commences at 8:50am.  Your child's teacher can mark the roll at any time after 9.00am, and if a student is absent when the roll is marked, they are considered late to school.  A parent/carer must accompany their child to the front office to sign them is as late.  This is a legal requirement.

If a student leaves school early, a parent/carer must have previously notified their teacher via email, and must visit the front office to sign their child out, before collecting them from the classroom. 

Supervision

Teacher supervision commences at 8.25am and no student should be at school before 8.25am. Students arriving before 8.25am are unsupervised  and must sit in the courtyard, unless they are enrolled in SMOOSH. Teacher supervision concluded at 3.30 pm. All supervising teachers wear a bright orange vest to be easily identified while on duty. Parents who pick up children regularly after 3.30pm will be asked to enrol their child/ren into SMOOSH. 

Outside school hours (8.25am – 3.30pm), the school grounds are not formally supervised and no responsibility will be taken by the school for any consequences of the activities of pupils outside these hours. Special arrangements will be made in relation to authorised school activities which require attendance of pupils at the school outside these hours.

SunSmart

A reminder that all students should be wearing a school hat during playtimes. Hats can be purchased from the Front Office. It is great to see that many students are coming to school with sunscreen already applied. We have sunscreen available for students to reapply throughout the day. Any issue children should bring their own sunscreen.

School Uniform

The correct uniform is to be worn at all times. While we have relaxed the rule relating to sport shoes children are not permitted to wear the bright fluoro styles to school. Clarification regarding girls socks – white socks with the summer uniform. White or navy socks with navy shorts. Please note – blue skorts are not an approved part of the girls’ summer school uniform. I have noticed a trend occurring, particularly occurring within the senior students.

Hair Length

If a student’s hair is longer than shoulder length, it must be tied back in an appropriate school coloured band. Hair should be of natural colour and cut in an appropriate style for school. Zigzag designs are not appropriate for school.

No jewellery

Jewellery should not be worn to school. Only plain studs and watches are acceptable. Small sleepers are permitted with Principal approval.  No bracelets, bangles, sparkly earrings, nail polish, make up, etc is allowed.

Mobile Phone, Ipods and Phone Watches

Students with phones and iPods are required to send the device to the office via the classroom note bag each day. Phone will be confiscated if seen or heard during the day.

Phone watches should be turned to a mode that does not permit children ringing or texting during the day.

All communication by a parent to a child between 8.45am and 3.15pm should be directed through the office. Children will be permitted to contact a parent via the office should there be a problem. 

Term 1 school fees have been sent home today. We have successfully emailed statements to families with an email address entered against their account. For those who don't, statements will be in the children's note bags tomorrow. Please check your email (and junk folder), and your child's bag tomorrow. Please let the office know if you do not receive your school fees statement.

Generally, statements are not sent to families with a formal Direct Debit Arrangement in place as it causes some confusion as to whether we are asking you to make an additional payment. If you would prefer to receive a statement when fees are invoiced please let the office know.

The school runs 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.

Full payment of school fees is due by Friday 20 March 2020, except for families with a Direct Debit arrangement in place. Please don't hesitate to contact the School Finance Officer, Allison Walsh should you need to discuss your school fees.

Thank you

The first issue of Scholastic Book Club was sent home with the eldest member of each family yesterday. Orders need to be placed by next Wednesday, 26 February. The books can be ordered through the Loop at www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP and orders will be delivered to classes on arrival. This is a fantastic way to grow your child’s love of reading. This will be the only issue for this term. If you have any questions please contact me.

BRAVE – Online

Helping young people overcome anxiety

What is Brave?

Brave is an interactive, online and evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program for the prevention of anxiety for children and teenagers, with complimentary programs for their parents. Young people and their parents can complete the program either on their own or with the guidance of an ‘online therapist’, who assists them where necessary.

 What kids say about the Program

• “I liked that basically no one knew about me doing it”
• “I liked the way it taught me the skills to overcome my fears”
• “I liked the bright colours, pictures and sounds”
• “It was easy to understand”
• “I liked the stories about other kids having a similar problem to me and solving them”
• “It helped me to get to sleep easier

What parents say about the Program

• “The format is really easy to understand”
• “User friendly!”
• “It was good for my son to know that he wasn’t the only child feeling anxious”
• “Great practical solutions”
• “The simple way it could be accessed in our own time over the internet”

Find out more information go to https://www.brave-online.com

Congratulation to Sarah R (6FH) on her design for this year's Years 6 leadership shirt. A talented young lady.

         

Netball Gala Day

Please return all expression of interest notes for the North Side Netball Gala day by Monday 24 February. This gala day is open for students in Years 3-6 who play regular competition or play representative Netball. Please keep in mind we need parents and community members to help with coaching and umpiring teams. Please find an expression of interest note attached if your child(ren) would like to participate. 

ACT School Sport

As mentioned in last weeks newsletter ACT School Sport are updating their website. As I write this piece, the website is not live as of yet. However, during the meeting I attended yesterday I was assured that the process has not changed a great deal. I will get information out to families ASAP.

A massive congratulations to all of the students who participated in our school swimming carnival. A special thank you to the Year 5 and 6 teachers for the organisation of the day and for all of the parents and families who assisted with jobs and supporting our students.

Meet our new Canteen Manager - Mrs Wendy Regan

Welcome to the team!

Thank you to the St Monica's community for the warm welcome that I have received upon joining the team as the new Canteen Manager.  I have big shoes to fill and thank Sam Manning for her support.

There are lots of eager children awaiting the reopening of the canteen.  I have volunteered at the school canteen for many years,  but have found that I have much to learn in my new role.  I appreciate all of your patience thus far and into the rest of this term as I get everything up and running. 

Qkr will be back up on Tuesday afternoon for people to place orders for lunches.  Utilising Qkr is time-saving and a great way for me to report data on ordering history so that I can ensure we have foods that are enjoyed by our children.

VOLUNTEERS - I would love to have your help, whether you are experienced or not, many hands make light work, feel free to call by and see me or drop me an email (wendy.regan@cg.catholic.edu.au).  Over the coming weeks, I am hoping to have a volunteers app available for rostering.  Watch this space.

I am excited to reveal that I have been working with Mrs Stonham on a delicious first special lunch for the year, helping us to focus on the meaning of Lent.  Save the date - Friday 3 April 2020 for FISH AND FRIES FRIDAY!

Lastly, thank you to Evelyn David-Hoole, Michelle Bowman, Angela Hose and Esme Rolleston for being my first canteen volunteers. My quote of the week is inspired by you ladies "volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart." - Elizabeth Andrew

Happy Birthday to the following students - 

Mason N, Atilio R, Tony R, Sophie S, Fatmata K, Lane D, Billy B, Jack G, Lachlan B, William Mc, Remy D

Meet Your Council Members for 2020

Here at St Monica's we are fortunate to have a great community of students, teachers and families who provide a caring, enthusiastic and positive place for our children to learn, grow and shine. We invite you to get involved in our community!

We understand that families have busy lives at work, at home and with other communities that they are part of. As such, we have a varied number of opportunities for involvement with differing levels of time commitment - we value them all. We also take this opportunity to give a heartfelt thanks to all our current and past volunteers who help make this community function and thrive - THANK YOU!

Please consider this an invitation. If you are looking to connect, improve your sense of wellbeing and your child/ren's happiness, we invite you to consider volunteering and complete the form below. Spending a little time volunteering at St Monica's may be your best-spent time yet!

Please don't hesitate to contact us via email if you have further queries or ideas. Council.StMonicas@cg.catholic.edu.au

We would love to hear from parents/carers, grandparents and older siblings. We encourage existing volunteers to list the activities they are already involved in.

DANCECORE -  Dance classes are held on Wednesday’s at lunchtime in the school hall, forms are available at the Front Office. Contact Cassie 0417 442 750

CHESS -  Chess classes are held in the library on Monday's at lunchtime, forms are available by contacting Sydney Academy of Chess (02) 9745 1170

GUITAR - Guitar lessons with Geromy on Thursday's, please contact Front Office for Geromy's contact.

PIANO - Piano lessons with Lis O'Daly, please contact Front Office for Lis' contact.

Instruments- Small group intstrumental lessons for Year 2 - 6 available on Tuesdays throughout the day. Enrolment fliers can be collected from the school office.

School Choir & Japanese Choir - Children self nominate to attend choir led by St Monica's teaching staff. 

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.

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 2021 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 and Year 7 2021 Information Night: 7 May

Be a Merici Girl Days: 30 April, 4, 5, 12 May

Talk and Tours: 22 February, 4 April,  9 May, 15 August, 24 October