Dear Parents

This week has tested everyone; as parents juggled working at home with children, teachers as they adjusted to a new style of lesson delivery and the children coping with the expectations of everyone around them. Go gently is my best advice at this point in time to everyone. We will get through this together.

Thank you for all your positive comments and the suggestions provided to the teachers in response to their phone calls. We are lost without the children and the corridors are very very quiet. Remember we are still here for our families so please do not hesitate to call or email. The daily Government announcements regarding restrictions concerning social interactions and what we can and cannot do have been very stressful for parents and staff, we just do not know what is in store, if only we all had a crystal ball.  

This week we had planned to video conference with the children to connect them with their teacher and classmates. With the CE making a System decision to rollout MS Teams, a platform to support Remote Learning, we held off. We thought it would create further confusion for families at a time when we are currently deploying new apps for the children to use. As per the Director's letter, next week has been dedicated to the training of all staff across our schools to effectively use and implement MS Teams. 

To assist families with the preparation of Remote Learning we are offering the use of school iPads to families who may need a device at home. Please contact the school if you require an iPad so we can prepare the necessary documentation before you call in. Once we determine all families have a device we may be able to provide a second device, to eliminate the sharing of a device in the home. 

Next week the teacher will be preparing a new pack of school supplies in readiness for Term 2. We will advise when parents will be able to pick them up during the first week of Term 2. There are still a number of books to be collected in the office. Class teachers have advised parents via SeeSaw or Google Classrooms if there are additional books to be collected.

(Mrs Brown has asked me to remind all the children in the 3/4 Maths Challenge Groups to use the code they have been sent through their Google Classrooms to join her enrichment class)

IMPORTANT NOTICE !!. 
Next week will be pupil free days at St Monica’s due to staff engaging in Professional Learning for Remote Learning.

The following care arrangements will be in place at St Monica’s during next week for parents who must attend work and who have no other option for care for your child/ren.

SMOOSH will be running care from 7.30am - 6:00pm for those families who need to send their child/ren to school due to work requirements.
Monday 6 April – Thursday 8 April.   Friday 9 April is a public holiday

To assist families Catholic Education has kindly offered to cover the cost of this essential care next week.

St Monica's families requiring this service must email Carmel Maguire by 9.00am  Friday morning (tomorrow) so we can book the necessary care staff.  carmel.maguire@cg.catholic.edu.au

Holy Week 

Every year at this time we hold Holy Week and Easter liturgies aligned with the sequence of events of Holy Week.  We are certainly missing this opportunity to reflect on Palm Sunday (this Sunday), the Last Supper and Jesus’ death on the cross at Calvary with the children. Then we conclude with the triumph of the Risen Christ on Easter Sunday.  Over the coming days, we will post out via SeeSaw and Google Classroom family activities to share to recall the events of Holy Week.

3. Try to log on again.

Take good care of yourself and stay safe and well.

Carmel Maguire

Principal  

Today’s Gospel reading (John 8:51-59) reminds us that Jesus is here and is ready to be what we need in this time of great confusion and stress. As a school community, we are learning how to live and navigate this new world. Our home and school lives have changed, and with this brings challenges that we must face. But we are not alone.

The Gospel reflection reminds us to take the time to listen to Jesus’ voice – strong, constant, unfaltering – as it cuts through the dense atmosphere, piercing our hearts and drawing us forth into truth:

I AM beauty.

I AM faithfulness.

I AM light that illuminates your way.

I AM new life.

I AM wisdom to see differently.

I AM your defender and protector from all evil.

I AM redeemer.

I AM your freedom.

I AM hope in times of despair.

I AM your reassuring presence.

I AM healer and divine physician.

I AM truth when confusion overwhelms.

I AM unity when division is rife.

I AM here.

I AM…

As we prepare for what may happen in the coming weeks and months, let’s not forget to stay connected with each other and with Jesus. We are still a vibrant community who will continue to grow together, even if we have to do it virtually!

Sending blessings to you all

CBCA Shortlisted Book of the Year 2020 Announcement 

On Tuesday the Children’s Book Council of Australia made an online announcement of the shortlisted books for 2020.  These books have been read by a panel of judges from across Australia. They have judged the books to be the best Australian books published in 2019 for children. I encourage you to watch the announcement and check out the books @ CBCA and write your reading list for the holidays. I now have my reading list for the holidays.

Happy Reading!!

A few weeks ago, Years 5/6 were lucky enough to still go to Camp. All the children and teachers had lots of fun! The students then had to reflect on their time at camp. The Year 6 students had to reflect not only on their experience but how they showed resilience, as it is part of our conceptual inquiry unit. Here are some of our reflections:

At camp I showed resilience by telling myself I can do it. For example, on the big swing I knew I could go to the top because I have done harder things in my life and it's a once in a life time opportunity. I also showed resilience by not worrying about anything, I had a great night sleep and great fun with my cabin and day group.

By Sarah

I showed resilience by pushing myself as hard as I could. I pushed my team as hard as they could go and told them to give it their all. I showed resilience by being on the hill climbers’ team during Team Manoeuvres and climbing almost 5 kms! I gave it my all on the Gladiator course, completing it first in my team and coming second overall. I also showed resilience by getting dirty.

By AJ

Now for some light-hearted photography care of Mr Mac!

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

Happy Birthday to the following students

Lucia Mc, Elizabeth D-H, Bethanie G, Willem A-C, Mia M, Nethan W, Giselle S, Zak D

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 - 6 jars approx. 200g - $3 a jar, 3 jars approx. 300g - $5 a jar. 

Ingredients: Apricots, Sugar, Lemon Juice

Plum Jam - 2 jars approx. 200g - $3 a jar, 7 jars approx. 300g - $5 a jar.  

Ingredients:  Plums, Sugar, Lemon Juice

Berry Jam - 1 jars approx. 125g - $2.50 a jar. 

Ingredients: Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Sugar, Lemon Juice

Capsicum Chilli Sauce – Medium heat 6 jars approx. 300g - $4 a jar.  

Ingredients: Capsicum, Chilli, Vinegar, Sugar, Garlic, Ginger, Sultanas

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.