Dear Parents

I am very much aware that there are lots of conversations and reports in the media regarding a return to school in the ACT. I can confirm that for next week (Week 3) St Monica's will continue to offer a Remote Learning program as currently experienced this week. All children whether at home or school will be invited to join daily class connect video conference sessions and engage in a small group session during the week.  The Week 3 Learning Plan will be pushed out via our St Monica's  Remote Learning Website on Friday afternoon to help with planning next week. 

https://sites.google.com/cg.catholic.edu.au/stmonicasonlinelearning/home  

I can advise that we are currently planning for a transitional return to face to face learning in the near future, which will be based on health and government advice and we expect the timetable for this will be clear very soon. I am hoping to have further information to you later this week or early next week. I know how frustrating and difficult it is for families trying to plan ahead, however, I must wait for a directive from Catholic Education.

Thank you for your patience and the words of encouragement you have shared with the teachers and emailed to me. We understand how difficult the current situation is for many families, particularly those trying to juggle work and the supervision of schoolwork. Please reach and ask for help. 

This email made my Friday night after three very busy days last week. We really do have a fabulous community.

As My husband and I sit down and enjoy a Friday night movie with our children (as is always our tradition), I wanted to write a short note to let you know how grateful we are to be a part of the St Monica’s community.

Our child has had a very busy week and I have watched him enjoy connecting with his friends over MS Teams each morning with a huge smile on his face. The world may have flipped on its head right now, but it is a testament to our amazing teachers (and families) that our kids don’t feel that craziness. As much as home life right now is a crazy juggle between work, school and younger children, we are grateful to be together, in our home, our happy place.

We have watched with amazement at all the things that St Monica’s has done to continue to build a strong sense of community. How thankful we are to have such wonderful educators in our community who have continued to give their all to be there for their students as much as is possible in these times.

In case you haven’t been told lately, thank you.

Kindergarten Health Checks

Due to the redeployment of Registered Nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic response and the closure of schools, the 2020 physical component of the Kindergarten Health Check has been cancelled. The Academic Unit of General Practice questionnaire data, completed by parents at the beginning of the 2020 school year, has been collected as usual. The results of the questionnaire will be sent to the GP if consent has been given to do so. If parents have concerns regarding the physical check we recommend they see their GP for assessment. For more information please contact the School Health Team on 5124 1585.

Uniform Shop

Our Uniform Shop is only processing orders via Qkr due to the need to reduce physical contact within the community. Should you have a problem please do not hesitate to contact our Uniform Team via this email address stmonsuniform@gmail.com. They are more than happy to answer your questions. All orders processed by a Thursday evening will be filled on a Friday, ready for collection from the office after 11.00am. 

Afternoon Pick up

A reminder to families that we are only supervising afternoon pick up from the blacktop/basketball courts and school courtyard. Please remember social distancing when waiting for a child. If collecting from the blacktop please walk down the ramp and exit via the steps. This will help to maintain social distancing on the stairs. 

School Access

For the safety of the children and staff we have had to restrict parents from entering the school. Parents and visitors must enter via the front office and not any of the other external doors around the school. I realise that this is inconvenient but it is a necessary health and safety requirement due to COVID- 19.  

Baby News

Congratulations to the Roache family - Axel (3CD) and Ezra (KB) on the arrival of their new baby brother Icarus.

Sports Uniform 

Please follow the Term 1 timetable for the days your child should wear their sports uniform. Once we are all back I can confirm if there will be any changes.

Wishing all our Mums a very special day on Sunday. 

Continue to stay safe and healthy. 

Principal  

May – A month to celebrate Mary, Jesus’ mother and our own Mothers!

In May Catholics all around the world dedicate their prayers and thoughts to Mary, Jesus’ Mother. Devotion to Mary is an important part of our Catholic identity. As our mother she is an example of a committed “Yes” to God. Because of the devotion to her, many people ask her for help in the most difficult moments of their life as any child does with their mother.

The most common prayer that is prayed is the Hail Mary. There is a copy of this prayer in your family prayer bags.

Many parishes hold prayer vigils to pray the Rosary this month. You can at home too. Visit our Remote Learning Website and click on the tab ‘Praying the Rosary’.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day! A great opportunity for us to celebrate the wonderful Mother’s in our life. Keep an eye out for some special little messages from the children at St Monica’s on the weekend.

Family Prayer Bags

I hope you all have enjoyed praying together as a family this week. It would be wonderful to see how your family is using the prayer bags at home. If you would like to share with the community, please send your pictures to haley.stonham@cg.catholic.edu.au

Next week, encourage your child to share how your family is praying with Mary this Month with their class.

Remember, as we continue to pray together with Mary – we are growing together (even when we are apart). We are all in this together!

Haley Stonham

As we continue to be at home more often, we felt it was an opportune time for families to engage in conversations and learning around child protection. Child protection is essential in ensuring the safety and welfare of all of our children.

Attached is an overview of the program that will be taught during Term Three, however, we are encouraging families to engage in the lessons each week whilst we continue remote learning. Each grade will have the same learning intention and teachers will use the appropriate book and lessons to teach their class at their level.

There is a wealth of literacy resources and engaging literacy activities to be found on the Oxford Owl Facebook Group. https://www.facebook.com/oxfordowl/

Write a story using The Isadora Moon Guide!

In the guide, Isadora Moon author Harriet Muncaster shares some of the things she thinks about when she starts writing a new story, using examples from the Isadora Moon books.

All your child needs to get started is some paper and a pen or pencil. Even the best and most famous writers all started out as children with pencils and paper practising their stories!

Here are Harriet’s top 3 writing tips to inspire your child to get writing:

1. Write lots – the more you practice, the better you’ll get!
2. Read lots – you’ll pick up new techniques and skills by seeing how other writers do it.
3. Write what you want to read – don’t worry what other people might think of your story.

Download the guide:  http://ow.ly/NZuM50zmonR

There are many more wonderful inspirations for kids at Harriet Muncaster’s Website

https://harrietmuncaster.co.uk/

When it comes to math, there are many different strategies that we use to solve problems. Below are two posters on some addition and subtraction strategies to assist you in helping your child/children. 

Some Coding Fun Online!

Do your kids enjoy coding or like the thought of creating their own app or game?

Code.org is a great place to start! It has free coding courses for kids that are hands-on and really simple to follow. If you go to the Project tab there are plenty of projects to choose from. If you don’t want to make a free account there are projects you can learn about without creating a profile.

Codemoji.com is another great website if your child wants to learn more about different coding languages like Java and HTML.

   

Scholastic Book Club

Scholastic has provided a virtual catalogue so that students can continue to have access to some great reads. Below is a link to the catalogue. Books can be ordered through Loop by clicking on the shopping cart. Orders close on Monday 18 May. Books will be delivered to the school and I will contact parents to organise pick up of orders.

https://scholastic.com.au/book-club/virtual-catalogue-1/  

Children’s Book Council of Australia NSW Branch Lunchtime Storytime live!

The NSW Branch of the Children’s Book Council has started Lunchtime Storytime Live! Monday to Friday at noon. The sessions can be accessed through their website or Facebook page. They have organised different Australian children’s authors to read one of their books and do an activity. The sessions go for about 30 minutes and if you can’t join at noon they are available on the website to be viewed at another time. This is a fantastic opportunity for children to get to know authors and see some great stories being read. Check out these great authors and their stories   Lunchtime, Storytime, Live!

Looking out for your Wellbeing

 Learning happens in so many different ways! These might be some stress busting activities you can do this week.

Happy Birthday to the following students

Karlin O, Logan F, Sienna R, Clancy P, Marley B, Lilli P, Tyler S, Charlie C, Maddie R

SECRET KIDS BUSINESS - NOT TO BE SEEN BY MUMS

Hey kids (and Dads)

This year we are doing our school Mother’s Day stall online (just like everything else!!)

We have made awesome gift packs for you to buy for your lovely mum, nanna, granny, aunt or special person in your life.

Take a look through our Mother’s Day catalogue, and when you are ready to order get Dad (or someone??)  to log in to QKR!  Find the Mother’s Day stall section and choose your gift pack. EASY!!!

We will have a drive through collection service on Thursday 7 May, 1pm to 3pm. Please drive through the staff carpark with the surname in the car window to collect your order.

Please note that products in gift bags may not be identical to those in the pictures. Colours and wording will differ between the gift packs. Please appreciate that this was the simplest way to be able to bring you a virtual Mother’s Day stall.

We wish all our lovely mums and special people in our community a happy and healthy Mother’s Day filled with love and laughter.

Please contact Michelle Bowman if required (0416162543)

Pack A - $30  Stoneware Mug, Snowglobe, Inspirational Cards, Mints, Family Photo Frame, Baking Set, Scented Diffuser. Note - colours and captions will vary from the picture.

Pack B - $25 Mums Wine Glass, Nature Design Necklace, Mini Chalkboard, Mirror, Cute Jigsaw Puzzle. Note - colours and captions will vary from the picture.

Pack C - $20 Head Massager, Mug and Fluffy Socks, Scented Candle Pot, Calendar. Note - colours and captions will vary from the picture.

Pack D - $20 Fairy Lights in Jar, Soap Petal Rose, Glitter Bangle, Colour Changing Mug. Note - colours and captions will vary from the picture.

Pack E - $15 Light Up Star Box, Magnetic Notepad, Special Mum Pen, Key Ring - "20 Reasons I Love You". Note - colours and captions will vary from the picture.

Pack F - $10 Mug and Fluffy Socks, Snowglobe, Soap Petal Rose. Note - colours and captions will vary from the picture.

Pack G - $10 Mirror, Soap Petal Rose, Snowglobe. Note - colours and captions will vary from the picture.

Pack H - $10 Family Photo Frame, Scented Candle Pot, Snowglobe. Note - colours and captions will vary from the picture.

Pack I - $15 Fairy Lights In Jar, Baking Set, Head Massager, Keyring - "20 Reasons I Love You". Note - colours and captions will vary from the picture.

Pack J - $20 Mums Wine Glass, Mini Chalkboard, Calendar, Keyring - "20 Reasons I Love You". Note - colours and captions will vary from the picture.

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.