Achieve - all that you can

He said therefore

‘What is the Kingdom of God like?  And to what shall I compare it?  It is like the mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches’.    

Luke 13: 18-20

The school is definitely buzzing as we get ready for our Annual Fete. This is a wonderful time when the community comes together to eat, have fun, be entertained and soak up the atmosphere of the day. Everyone is working hard behind the scene to make it a great day. Lots has been organised so you feel like you are going to a Country Fair!

Today we celebrated Harmony Day. Orange was the flavour of the day with the children very much aware of the meaning and purpose of the day. This is such an important day, especially this year in light of recent events in New Zealand. Harmony Day is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism. Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world; we need to celebrate this and work to maintain it. Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united in a common love and compassion for all. 

Last week our Year 5 and 6 students attended a three day outdoor education camp at Cooba. The children all returned safely with may tales to tell. A huge thank you to the staff who attended - Elizabeth Mahoney, Amanda Winne, Kathy Moir, Christopher Evans, Michael McFadden, Bob Fletcher, Jacinda Vaughan and Luke Donnelly. I'm not sure who had more fun the children or the teachers! Adventure stories to following in the coming weeks.

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday.

God bless

Carmel Maguire

Compassion is understanding how another person feels. Compassion is caring about others. Compassion is showing concern through kind thoughts, words and actions. Compassion is helping and giving. Compassion is listening and being patient.

St Patrick and St Joseph

The Catholic Church celebrated two pillars of our faith this week. For those of us with some Irish in the blood- St Patrick’s Feast Day is March 17. I heard Archbishop Prowse preach on Sunday and he spoke about the seeds of faith that Patrick cast upon the ground ( like in the parables Jesus told) and our own theme this year- Luke 13:18-20 “What is the Kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like the mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree…” . Like Patrick we cannot know the fate of those seeds but in looking back we can see how they have grown.

St Patrick

• Patrick wasn't Irish, and he wasn't born in Ireland. Patrick's parents were Roman citizens living in modern-day England, or more precisely in Scotland or Wales. He was born in 385 AD.
• Patrick was a slave. At the age of 16, Patrick had the misfortune of being kidnapped by Irish raiders who took him away and sold him as a slave. He spent several years in Ireland herding sheep and learning about the people there.
• Patrick is said to have used the shamrock to preach about the trinity. Many claim the shamrock represents faith, hope, and love, or any number of other things but it was actually used by Patrick to teach the mystery of the Holy Trinity, and how three things, the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit could be separate entities, yet one in the same.
• There are more people with Irish ancestry living outside Ireland than in Ireland itself! The Irish convicts and early settlers brought their faith to Australia.

 St Joseph

• Everything we know about the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus comes from Scripture and that has seemed too little for those who made up legends about him.

We know

• he was a carpenter, a working man (Matthew 13:55).
• He wasn't rich, for when he took Jesus to the Temple to be circumcised and Mary to be purified he offered the sacrifice of two turtledoves or a pair of pigeons, allowed only for those who could not afford a lamb (Luke 2:24).
• Joseph came from a royal lineage. Joseph is descended from David, the greatest king of Israel (Matthew 1:1-16 and Luke 3:23-38).
• Joseph was a compassionate, caring man.
• He was a refugee, fleeing to a foreign place with his young wife and the baby. (Matthew 2:13-23).
  

Year 3 and 5 students in ACT schools will participate in NAPLAN Online testing in May 2021. Our school will be conducting the tests between 17 - 21 May.

All students participating in NAPLAN Online 2021 are expected to have done a practice/familiarisation test prior to the May NAPLAN tests. The practice test does not assess student performance and has been developed to replace one of the familiarisation activities that schools have traditionally undertaken. St Monica's is planning to do our practice test next Friday 26 March. 

As a parent, you can become familiar with NAPLAN Online tests by visiting the public demonstration site, http://bit.ly/naplanonline. The purpose of the site is to familiarise students with the type of items they will see on NAPLAN Online and related functionalities. This level of familiarisation is worthwhile to help students understand and be comfortable with the format of the test.

NAPLAN Parent Checklist

• Read the NAPLAN letter from Carmel Maguire
  Letter_to_parents_from_principal_re_NAPLAN_online_version.pdf

  Letter_to_parents_from_principal_re_NAPLAN_online_version _pdf 142.32 KB

• Read the parent information brochure
  naplan_online_information_brochure_for_parents_and_carers.pdf

  naplan_online_information_brochure_for_parents_and_carers _pdf 182.86 KB

• Ensure the NAP Locked down browser app is installed on your child's BYOD device. N.B. Students without their own device will be issued one by the school.
• Visit the NAPLAN Demonstration Site to familiarise your child with the online platform.
• Contact Luke Donnelly if you are considering withdrawing your child from one or all of the tests.

     

“When all of us, and not only a few of us, have more opportunities at school, at work and in our communities, then we’ll truly have reasons to celebrate."

Today the school was alive with a touch of orange as the students arrived to celebrate Harmony Day. Harmony Day is an Australian Government initiative created on the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and is aimed at celebrating our cultural diversity. The theme of Harmony Day is 'Everyone Belongs', which relates beautifully to another UN endorsed day on March 21, World Down Syndrome Day.

The theme for World Down Syndrome Day 2019 is 'Leave no one behind'.The UN reminds us all that people with Down syndrome must have opportunities to live fulfilling lives, included on a full and equal basis with others, in all aspects of society. The 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, a global plan of action for people, planet and prosperity, pledges that “no one will be left behind”.

It is wonderful that we are able to celebrate each others culture through Harmony Day, it is encouraging that we are able to promote awareness for our treatment of one another; but what would the world look like if we included all people to ensure that no one was left behind?

We would encourage you to watch the video for World Down Syndrome Day and consider how you in your home, your workplace and our community can ensure everyone is included. 

The four beautiful house shields painted by Wendy Rix as part of her two weeks spent at St Monica's, earlier this term. All the children had the opportunity to place their thumb print on their house shield. The names of our sporting houses are aboriginal words representing various animals.

       

Class Winner for last week was 3M who have brought in 683 books.

Last minute Fete news – 23 March 2019 from 10am until 2pm - The fete team and their volunteer stall holders are busy working behind the scenes to prepare for this Saturday’s annual fete. Come along between 10am and 2pm for lots of fun, rides, delicious food, performances and demonstrations, our famous White Elephant, pony rides, petting zoo, mechanical bull, our fabulous cake stall, Devonshire tea and lots of other fun for the whole family. We’re asking all our stall holders to dress up for this year’s theme: ‘Country Fair’.

Raffle Tickets and Value Tickets - Sold and unsold raffle books are now to be returned to school. For legal reasons, these must be accounted for. If you haven’t already purchased your raffle tickets, you can do so via Qkr. Value tickets are still for sale and can be purchased from our fete committee under the blacktop after school on Thursday and Friday this week. Our fete checklist has a comprehensive list of all the things we need to make the day a success and can be found in the Skoolbag app.

Volunteers - We are still in desperate need for volunteers for some of our stalls and attractions. If you can spare an hour or two on Saturday, please email: stmfete@gmail.com

Calling all bakers - Whip out your aprons and get your baking on for our cake stall and Devonshire tea. Baked goodies, treats and jams can be delivered to the school on Friday afternoon or to the cake stall on Saturday morning. Scones can be delivered to school on Friday afternoon or to the Devonshire Tea stall on Saturday morning.

Cupcake competition - Kids, don’t forget to enter our cupcake competition. Children wishing to enter should decorate four cupcakes and deliver to the cake stall by 11:00am on Saturday with a completed form. The forms are available in the Skoolbag app or at the office.

Sponsors - Thank you to all the amazing sponsors who have come on board. Our Chocolate Wheel is loaded with prizes.

Thank you - We extend a big thank you in advance to our school families and community who always give so much to bring our fete together. We know we ask a lot of our school families, but as this is our biggest annual event and raises more money for the school than any other annual fundraiser it is well worth the effort everyone puts in to making the day a success.

Chocolate Wheel Prizes

Trampoline – 13 Foot Action Trampoline from Big W Gungahlin

Travel Voucher - $2000 Travel Makers travel voucher for overseas or cruise travel 

Gymnastics Pack – One Term at Canberra City Gymnastics – Term 2, 2019 Only, $20 McDonalds Food & Discount Vouchers, Drink bottles from Hogs Breath Café

Wills Package – Campbell and Co Lawyers, Husband and Wife/Couple Wills and Enduring Powers of Attorney Valued at $990

Lake George Winery Pack – 3 Course lunch for two including a glass of wine on arrival $150, 2 x Dendy Cinema Vouchers, The Social Chef children’s book

Prize Pack 1 – 2 x Dendy Cinema Tickets, $25 Athletes Foot Vouchers, $25 Lowes Voucher, 2 x $10 Coffee Guru (Crace) vouchers, Wine Glassware, Bottle of wine

Prize Pack 2 - $50 Westfield voucher, $25 Athletes Foot Voucher, $25 Book Passion Voucher, Florey Hair Design Voucher,  $10 Coffee Guru (Crace), Earrings, Wine Glassware, Bottle of wine

Prize Pack 3 – Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Electric Toothbrush valued $279, Canberra Rex “The Howling Moon” gift certificate with a reserved table and complimentary platter to share, 2 x $10 Coffee Guru Vouchers (Crace), Bottle of Wine, Earrings.

 Prize Pack 4 - Kings Swim $50 Voucher plus towel, goggles, swimwear, drink bottle, skim ball, sun cream and swim cap. Tyler Floor Lamp from Project lighting, $50 Bright Star kids voucher, 2 x day passes to YMCA pools, $40 McDonalds & discount vouchers, 4 x Flip Out Discount Vouchers.

 Prize Pack 5 – $25 Book Passion vouchers, Florey Hair Design Voucher, Jellybug Treasures goody bag, Candle Holder from Evatt Pharmacy, Bottle of wine, Easter Basket from Bendigo Bank in Jamison & Wine Glassware

 Sydney Escape – Captain Cook Sydney “Harbour Story” cruise for 2 adults, 2 tickets to Taronga Zoo, Earrings and Wine Glassware.

 FitBit Pack – FitBit Charge 3 Donated by Peter Blackshaw Belconnen (Florey). $25 Athletes Foot Voucher, $50 McDonalds food vouchers, 2 x Palace Cinema Movie Club Vouchers.

 Aquatots Pack 1 – One term of swim lessons at Aquatots swim centres, $25 Athletes Foot voucher, Family pass to YMCA Pools, $20 McDonalds Food Vouchers, 4 x $12 Flip out discounted passes

 Aquatots Pack 2 - One term of swim lessons at Aquatots swim centres, $25 Athletes Foot voucher, 2 x Free Day passes to YMCA Pools, $25 Lowes Voucher, 3 x $12 Flip out discounted passes, McDonalds Restaurant Promotional Bag

Ruby’s Café, Hellenic Club & Palace Pack - $50 Gift Voucher at Rubys Café in Evatt, The Social Chef children’s book, $50 Hellenic Club Meal voucher, 2 x Palace Movie Club Vouchers, Wine Glassware, Bottle of Wine

School Holiday Pack 1 – 16 week swim lessons at Club Swim, Cockington Green Family Pass, Inflatable World passes for 4, Questacon Family Pass, Dinosaur Museum Family Pass, Family Visit to YMCA Pools, McDonalds Food Vouchers, Flipout Free 1 hour pass, Flipout discounted entry passes, FlipOut Little Ninja Class Voucher, Zone Bowling Family Pass, Athletes Foot Voucher $25. Value $725

 School Holiday Pack 2 – Indoor Rock Climbing Family Pass, Zone 3 laser tag game for 10, Cockington Green Family Pass, Inflatable World passes for 4, Telstra Tower Family Pass, Dinosaur Museum Family Pass, Free Family Visit to YMCA Pools, McDonalds Food Vouchers $30, Free 1 hour FlipOut Pass, Flip Out $12 passes x 2, Flip Out Little Ninja Class Voucher, Zone Bowling Family Pass, Athletes Foot $25 Voucher.

 Ladies Race Day Pamper Pack for Two – 2 x Tickets to Melbourne Cup Race Day at Thoroughbred Park Canberra $50, 2 x $50 Gift Cards to the Bleach Bar Hairdressers, 2 x Pro-Skin60 Facials at InSkin Evatt Beauty Salon, Assorted Hair Care products from Janez Hair at Evatt Shops,    2 x Earrings, Bottle of wine and glassware set.

 Soccer Fan Pack – Official Christiano Ronald Memorabilia Frame, Belnorth Soccer Ball, Drink bottle, Belnorth Shorts and Socks, Nike Socks, Nike Soccer Socks

 Raiders Game – 4 x Gold Grandstand Tickets to a Raiders Game of your choice and $35 McDonalds Food Vouchers

Man Pack 1 - $50 Bunnings Voucher, $25 Lowes Voucher, 2 x $25 Athletes Foot vouchers, $50 Canberra Labor Club Voucher. Assorted Jameson & Jacobs Creek Glassware and Merchandise. Canberra Workwear merchandise and Assorted McDonalds food vouchers.

 Man Pack 2 - $60 Good Guy Voucher, $25 Lowes Voucher, 2 x $25 Athletes Foot vouchers, $50 Canberra Labor Club Voucher. Assorted Jameson & Jacobs Creek Glassware and Merchandise. Canberra Workwear merchandise and Assorted McDonalds food vouchers

Congratulations to Walga who were the winning House on Swimming Carnival Day.

Congratulations to Mugga who won the House Spirit Award on the day.

Good luck to the following children selected to represent St Monica's at School Sport ACT Belconnen Swimming on Thursday 28 March - Annabelle F, Annie R, Claire H, Paige H, Sophia M, Ben B, Ava P, Drew G, Zak D, Archie E, Laura R, Fletcher B, Lachlan M, Harry P, Annalene L, Isabella P, Gus O, Brian H, Emma T, Tulli H, Alexandra O.

Happy Birthday to the following students - 

Zara C, Ivana P, Tessa S, Conner H, Holly F, Alissa H, Isreal O

Canteen Roster  - Term 1, Week 8

Monday - June Manning

Tuesday - Evelyn David-Hoole

Wednesday - Rachele Pentes, Alyson Barnes

Thursday - June Manning

Friday - Jenny Fulivai, June Manning, Wilma Hird, Wendy Regan

Samantha Manning - Canteen Manager - 62584687

The St Monica's school community herb garden is available to all in our parish and school community to pick and take home – the basil, parsley and thyme are growing well this season!  It is situated near the blacktop pickup area and the demountable classrooms.

Why not pick some basil, grab some pasta  and use it with the wonderful tomatoes available this season to make this roasted tomato sauce recipe from the "River Cottage-  Veg" recipe book: http://camel-csa.org.uk/2014/09/28/seasonal-local-food-recipe-no-hughs-roasted-tomato-sauce/

Ideas and help always welcome with the St Monica's School Garden Team - contact Caroline Weller on 0415 628 857.