Dear Parents 

We all loved Fri-Yay!

Absentee Notes - Skoolzine App

Over the next three weeks, St Monica's is moving to a new school attendance application. It will be essential that parents notify the school when a child is away, via the school app or email by 9.15 am each day. This will ensure our school records accurately record the reason for your child's absence. As you are aware the school attendance roll is a legal document and a child's absence must be reflected accurately. Your help and assistance would be appreciated, so let's get into good habits now. 

Sabbath Week

Next week is Sabbath Week for the children and staff. This is a time for the children to engage in afternoon home activities with their families. Considering the wellbeing of the staff I have asked that, unless urgent, they do not hold any parent meeting so they can also enjoy some family time.  

School Fees

A friendly reminder to families that full payment of fees is due on Friday 12 June. Please contact the School Finance Officer should you need to discuss your fees account.

Enrolling Now

Enrolment applications can be submitted online, please share this information with neighbours and friends. This year, due to social distancing restrictions, I will be conducting virtual tours, via Zoom, to share all the wonderful qualities St Monica's has to offer with new families. Spread the word! https://www.stmonicas.act.edu.au/enrolments

Changed Drop Off and Pick Up Arrangements -

Multipurpose Wipes

We still have lots of small packs of wipes for the children to purchase for $1.00 at the front office. No change will be given as we need to reduce the handling of cash. 

Continue to stay safe and healthy. 

Principal  

School Focus Weeks 7-9: FAITH

Next week begins our next whole school focus: FAITH. All classes will be exploring what faith means and how faith helps to shape who we are and what we do as members of a Catholic community. We often turn to those in our lives or in history who have shown great faith, often during times of challenge. I think of my Nan, Hazel. Not only is she a woman of great faith, but she lived her faith whole heartedly. I think of the times when I was younger when we would all be gathered as a family – my dad has 6 brothers and sisters – so our gatherings are quite big. My nan and pop always gave their time, and everyone felt loved and part of our big family. Spending most of my school holidays as a young child with them, I quickly learned that to have faith was to believe in something and to trust that it was enough to get you through.

Where did my nan’s faith come from? Looking back on those days, I really believe that her faith came from our Sunday tradition. We would wake up, get dressed, have breaky and walk to the little church in Adelong, St Joseph’s, for Sunday mass. Nan would give me 10c to give in the collection and Pop would prepare to read the readings of the day. Nan would listen to the word of God and would talk to me and my sister about it afterwards.

As a parent I try to make our family tradition as special for my children. I want them to learn about their faith and to trust in where it will take them. They come to mass with me, they fidget and fuss at times, but they are questioning. When they question – they are listening! We discuss their questions and in turn, develop their understanding of their faith.

Over the next couple of weeks, ask your child if they have any questions about your family’s faith. Go to mass or tune in via the live link over the weekend and listen to the messages that God has for you. Sometimes, its like God knows what you needed to hear to tackle the week ahead.

The next learning intention for protective behaviours unit for students to understand where their private parts are and that there is safe and unsafe touching. 

You may like to use these books to discuss the learning intention with your child/ren. 

Kinder	Years 1 - 4	Years 5 and 6

Across the school last Friday there were many wonderful activities happening to celebrate our return to school. It was lovely to see children having the chance to relax, socialise, collaborate and be creative with one another. Some of the activities that occurred included: art and craft, board games, movies, dancing and mindful colouring. Year 2 enjoyed a visit from our school chaplain Mr Fletcher. He talked about Resiliency, Making Good Choices and Learning from Our Mistakes.

Throughout the last week, we have been celebrating Reconciliation Week across the school. Students have completed various activities to reflect on what Reconciliation Week is and this years theme, 'In This Together'. 

- Year 5 completed hand dot paintings.

- Year 4 completed posters to reflect on this years theme and played some traditional Indigenous games.

- Year 1 reflected on what they love about Australia.

- All Year levels took part in a class/year level liturgy.

Happy Birthday to the following students

Ana L, Sian S, Lucas C, Mitchell R, Max W, Joshua Mc, Grayson A, Sophie A, Elliot S

If you have any ideas or concerns please email them through to our Secretary Fiona Steinberg at council.stmonicas@cg.catholic.edu.au

Archdiocesan Protocols regading Covid-19 as of 15 May 2020

Churches may now be open but will be restricted to no more than 10 people in the building at any time. Mass may be celebrated for no ore than 10 people, excluding those conducting the service. Funerals celebrated inside the church building are restricted to 20 people, excluding those conducting the service. Funerals celebrated outside the church building are restricted to 30 people, excluding those conducting the service. Weddings may now be celebrated with 10 people, excluding those conducting the ceremony. Parishes and communities are to keep an accurate register of people who come for public and private prayer. Frequently touched surfaces are to be regularly cleaned. These gatherings are permitted with the physical distancing rule of 1.5 metres. No physical sign of peace is permitted and the current protocols for Holy Communion remain in place.

Visit the parish website for the full Archidocesan Protocols - www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth 

Parish Protocols regarding Covid-19 as of 15 May 2020

The Celebration of the Eucharist

Due to the restriction of a maximum of ten people, (excluding the celebrant), being permitted to gather in the church, Masses in our parish will not recommence until the next stage of the Covid-19 recovery plan. 

Prayers and Devotions in the Church

Groups of up to ten people who already possess a key to the church, may gather for prayers or devotions, observing the social distancing rule of 1.5 metres. For individuals who would like to pray privately in the church, please contact the parish office to arrange a time for the church to be opened.

Attendance Register

In accordance with the Archidocesan protocols and as requested by the Australian Government for the Covid-19 recovery plan, all those who use the church for public or private prayer must record the details in a register. Upon entering the church, please write your details in the register which has been placed on the small table in the church foyer. Please record the reason for using the church, the date, your name and contact number.

Hygiene in the Church

Upon entering the church, please make use of the antibacterial handwash which has been placed at the entrance.

Live Streamed Parish Mass

This is via the parish Facebook account, every Saturday at 6.00pm. Search for Our Lady of Perpetual Help-North Belconnen or enter @OLoPHNBelco in the Facebook search field. Mass is live streamed on Saturday at 6pm. The recording can be viewed anytime afterwards.

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.