Filter Content
- School Theme Term 1
- Weekly Happenings
- Principal's Message
- RE News - Haley Stonham
- Harmony Day - Friday 20 February
- COVID-19 (Coronavirus) update
- eSafety Commissioner COVID-19 Online Safety Kit
- NAPLAN Practice Test
- Sports News - Ryan Matchett
- Be You - Beyond Blue
- Tips for Home Learning
- School Banking
- School Fees - Term 1
- Community Council News - Evelyn David-Hoole
- Jams and Sauces for Sale
- Happy Birthday
- Lunchtime Clubs Term One
- Extra Curricular Activities
- St Monica's Community General Volunteering
- General Community News
- College Enrolment Information
- Working With Vulnerable People Card
| Friday 20 March |
School Prayer - 1pm - over PA System |
| Thursday 26 March |
Year 6 Tennis |
Dear Parents
There is significant concern and debate regarding whether schools should be closed in Australia to minimise the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The Prime Minister announced yesterday that at this stage, the current advice from Government and health authorities is for all Australian schools to stay open and operational. In saying that, we do have many families who have chosen to keep their children at home.
The priority for St Monica's - and for all Catholic schools, is the health and safety of our students and staff, and as such, the Catholic Education Office is monitoring and responding quickly to the advice of federal, state and territory governments and medical authorities as the situation develops.
In the unlikely event that it becomes necessary for schools to close, St Monica's will follow this advice and seek to minimise the impact on student learning as much as possible. As a community, we team together to support one another. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or concerns.
We were notified yesterday that the Sacraments of First Penance (Reconciliation), First Eucharist and Confirmation are suspended until further notice. As a Parish, we are still to unpack and work out a plan forward for our families. For now, we can say that the Sacrament of First Eucharist will not go ahead for Term 2. This also includes the formation nights and the retreat day for First Eucharist. We will keep you informed as to whether there will be another opportunity this year or whether we will be doing two groups of students next year. I understand the families need to know what is happening in this space, however, we do not have the answers at this stage or know how long these Sacraments will be suspended for. We appreciate your understanding with regard to this. The full letter from the Archdiocese is attached which also goes in detail regarding Mass attendance and protocols.
Tombola Day Cancelled for Monday
Prayers
Please keep the Stiller family in your prayers - Brock (4MF) as his grandmother passed away last weekend.
Wishing God’s blessing on you and your families.
Carmel Maguire
Principal
What Would Jesus Do? #WWJD?
As we continue to grow together as a whole school community, we will be focusing on JESUS during Weeks 7, 8, and 9. Originally when planning our focuses for this term, the focus of ‘Jesus’ fit nicely with Lent as we follow Jesus’ journey and our own to Easter. But sometimes the Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways, we only need to be open to seeing how. During this week our school and schools across Australia and the world have entered into unchartered territory in handling how we respond and prepare to the current pandemic. But here at St Monica’s we have been exploring how the choices we make during this time are important and how they affect those around us. Looking to Jesus has helped us to think about how to love others by following his example in the Gospels.
We will be looking at this acronym - #WWJD? Which is What Would Jesus Do? And explore what Jesus would do if there was an issue on the playground with a friend, or what would Jesus do in the classroom during learning time and looking at Jesus’ example of prayer – what did he do when he prayed.
This acronym has helped Year 5 unpack what they are seeing, hearing and experiencing at the moment. Fr. Loi came to talk with Year 5 yesterday and one student asked, “what would Jesus do if he was here now with the coronavirus?” Fr Loi explained to us that Jesus would show love, love for us and for others. That love looks like washing hands and trying to help not spread germs. It looks like looking after those in our community who are most vulnerable. Do they have access to what they need to be safe during this time?
So, as we prepare for continuing protocols, at home, here at school and in our community, ask yourself – What Would Jesus Do? #WWJD?
Did you know?
- Over the last 70 years more than seven and a half million migrants have made Australia their home.
- Nearly half of Australians were born overseas or have a parent who was.
- People from over 200 countries make up our Australian community and over 300 languages are spoken in our homes.
- Apart from English the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi.
As a school community we will gather together for prayer at 1pm lead by the Year 1 and 2 teachers, complete activities in our classrooms and students are invited to wear a piece of orange clothing (scrunchie, ribbon, socks) etc) to promote Harmony and Cultural awareness.
Key Message
Good hygiene remains the best protective measure against the spread of any virus.
The advice from ACT Health is that schools should be very strong on sending home staff and students who have the slightest sign of illness. This is not a time for soldiering on with coughs and colds. Please do not send your child to school if they are unwell.
The eSafety Commissioner recently launched an online safety kit for parents and carers to have a reputable source to stay up to date with the unfolding situation and with practical advice for supporting children at this time.
We would encourage all families to engage with this online safety kit. A link for this has also been placed on our St Monica's Online Learning website.
https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/blog/covid-19-online-safety-kit-parents-and-carers
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy – important skills that each child needs to succeed in school and life. The NAPLAN tests are designed to help us make sure students are on track with their literacy and numeracy development. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in NAPLAN tests for reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
Parents have the option to withdraw their child from NAPLAN if they wish to do so. If you would like to withdraw your child please contact Luke Donnelly by the end of next week or before Monday if you would prefer that they do not participate in the practice test.
Next Monday 23 march at 12:00pm our school will participate in the NAPLAN Practice Test which is designed to give students, teachers, and systems an opportunity to practice administering and participating in the online testing environment. The practice tests consist of a Writing Test for Year 5 and an Omnibus Test (a combination of reading, conventions of language and numeracy) for Years 3 & 5. As this is intended to practice participation, the questions are not equivalent to NAPLAN testing in May, and no results are available from the Practice Tests.
To see the types of interactive features of NAPLAN Online, visit the public demonstration site.
If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact your child’s teacher.
For more info:
Sporting Cancellations
Netball Gala Days scheduled for Friday 20 March and Wednesday 1 April have been cancelled.
Belconnen Swimming Carnival on Thursday 26 March has been cancelled.
Our Cross Country Carnival on Monday 30 April has been cancelled.
ACT School Sport
The new ACT School Sport website is up and running (link below). Please use this site to keep up to date with upcoming sport trials and further information. There is also a link on the homepage for parents to sign up and register their child. From their you will receive further instructions. You must use this portal to register your child for trials. Please contact me if you require any assistance or have any questions.
Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak
Beyond Blue recognises and understands the feelings of anxiety, distress and concern many people may be experiencing in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and offers the following wellbeing advice.
Try to maintain perspective
While it is reasonable for people to be concerned about the outbreak of coronavirus, try to remember that medical, scientific and public health experts around the world are working hard to contain the virus, treat those affected and develop a vaccine as quickly as possible.
Find a healthy balance in relation to media coverage
Being exposed to large volumes of negative information can heighten feelings of anxiety. While it’s important to stay informed, you may find it useful to limit your media intake if it is upsetting you or your family.
Conversations with children and young people
Families and caregivers of children and young people should discuss news of the virus with those in their care in an open and honest way. Try to relate the facts without causing alarm, and in a way that is appropriate for their age and temperament. It is important to listen to any questions they may have, to let them know that they are safe and that it’s normal to feel concerned. If the media or the news is getting too much for them, encourage them to limit their exposure.
Beyond Blue has fact sheets about anxiety and offers other practical advice and resources at beyondblue.org.au.
Please note that tomorrow, Friday 20 March will be the last school banking day for this term. We have received the following notice from the Head of Commonwealth School Banking -
“The health, safety and wellbeing of our communities and our people is our first priority. Due to the rapidly developing situation with coronavirus, School Banking has been temporarily paused from 20 March 2020 until the start of Term 2. Please don’t bring your deposit book with your weekly banking into school and we will notify you when banking will recommence. “
Friendly Reminder: Term 1 school fees are due Friday 20 March 2020.
Families with a Direct Debit arrangement in place can ignore this reminder, no extra payment is required. Please don't hesitate to contact the School Finance Officer, Allison Walsh should you need to discuss your school fees.
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.
If you have any ideas or concerns please email them through to our Secretary Fiona Steinberg at council.stmonicas@cg.catholic.edu.au
Gemma Hansen has made a range of jams and sauces to sell at the St Monica’s Fete which has now been cancelled. Given that we have no clear date for when the Fete will go ahead, she has made these products available to the school community to purchase. All proceeds will go to the school.
Contact Gemma for items and she can arrange to have them delivered to the Front Office for you to pay and collect or you can liaise with her directly on 0414 616 696 or gemmalhansen@gmail.com
Tomato sauce - - 3 bottles approx. 375ml - $3 a bottle, 7 bottles approx. 750ml - $5 a bottle.
Ingredients: Tomatoes, Sugar, Salt, Pepper, Mustard powder, Malt Vinegar, Onions, Curry Powder, Paprika, Garlic, Apple
Apricot Jam - 7 jars approx. 200g - $3 a jar, 14 jars approx. 300g - $5 a jar.
Ingredients: Apricots, Sugar, Lemon Juice
Plum Jam - 2 jars approx. 200g - $3 a jar, 18 jars approx. 300g - $5 a jar.
Ingredients: Plums, Sugar, Lemon Juice
Berry Jam - 19 jars approx. 125g - $2.50 a jar.
Ingredients: Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Sugar, Lemon Juice
Capsicum Chilli Sauce – Medium heat 8 jars approx. 300g - $4 a jar.
Ingredients: Capsicum, Chilli, Vinegar, Sugar, Garlic, Ginger, Sultanas
DANCECORE - Dance classes are held on Wednesdays 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 Mondays at lunchtime. Forms are available by contacting Sydney Academy of Chess (02) 9745 1170.
GUITAR - Guitar lessons with Geromy are on Thursdays. Please contact Front Office for Geromy's contact.
PIANO - Piano lessons with Lis O'Daly. Pease contact Front Office for Lis' contact.
Instruments- Small group intstrumental lessons for Years 2 - 6 available on Tuesdays throughout the day. Enrolment fliers can be collected from the Front Office.
School Choir & Japanese Choir - Children self nominate to attend choir led by St Monica's teaching staff.
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.
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.