Filter Content
- School Theme Term 2
- Principal's Message
- RE News - Haley Stonham
- Youth Ministry - Monica Culas
- Parish News
- Canteen Survey and Remote Learning Review - Share your thoughs
- Protective Behaviours - Luke Donnelly
- What is Mindfulness? - Emma Russell
- Library News - Veronica Melville
- Updated public transport timetables from 18 July 2020
- Happy Birthday
- Community Council News - Evelyn David-Hoole
- School Counsellor
- SMOOSH Care Vacation Program - July
- Working With Vulnerable People Card
- Holiday Happenings
- Canberra Cricket Academy
Dear Parents
Kinder 2021 Interviews
Due to the earlier restrictions around visitors in schools, our Kinder 2021 interviews will be delayed for those children who already have a sibling attending St Monica's until next term. Over the next two weeks, I will be interviewing new families to the school who have lodged an application. At this stage, we have registered 40 applications for 2021.
Drive-Thru is much improved - Go Team!
Thank you so much for your help over the last two days with the drive-thru. We have managed to avoid the bottleneck that caused concern on Copland Drive on Monday.
Social distancing is still critical for adults around the school and your help is essential both before and after school. Our mornings appear to run smoothly with families dropping off at the steps on the blacktop/basketball courts or in the hall carpark. Despite the chilly mornings, it is a very enjoyable duty greeting all the children as they walk across the crossing near the office.
As I advised on Tuesday morning, via email and the SZapp, to reduce the number of families requiring pickup via the drive-thru we will only be calling children in Kinder and Year 1 including their siblings for pick up from 3.05pm. Family name cards must be clearly displayed on the passenger sun visor. We need to claim back learning time so all other children will be dismissed at 3.10pm. Teachers are on duty until 3.30pm every day so a delayed arrival is highly recommended.
Families can elect to park on the blacktop/basketball courts and walk to the top of the steps, noting social distancing rules. Please hold up your family name card so the teachers on duty can call your child/ren. For the safety of staff and the children it is essential you do not call your child across the crossing. It is very easy for the children to be distracted and suddenly run out in front of a car.
Working together we can make it work. Thank you so much for your help, it is very much appreciated.
Late Arrivals - Did you know???
Children arriving late to school MUST BE signed in by a parent/carer at the Front Office. Do not just drop them off. A reminder that school commences at 8.55am and all students should be arriving before this time.
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
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.
Carmel Maguire
Principal
St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal
This week we are launching our St Vinnies Winter Appeal as part of our focus on growing together as a faith community. Every year St Vincent de Paul help thousands of Australians during the cold winter months by providing warm clothing and food items to those in need. This year is a year like no other. Many of those in our community have been greatly affected by the recent bushfires, hailstorms and the current pandemic situation. More of those around us need our help and support.
As we explore how our faith guides us as a community who is growing together, we look to Jesus. What does Jesus teach us about giving to those in need? We only need to look at the Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31-46) – Jesus says, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
What can you and your family do?
We will be collecting all new donations between 19 June (Week 8) – 1 July (Week 10). We are asking for donations that include beanies, gloves, socks and scarves. Due to the current pandemic St Vinnies is asking that all donations be new. Your child can bring them in and give them to their teacher. In Week 10 we will have a ‘thank you’ celebration where children can wear their favourite winter warming clothes to school – more information to come.
OLPH Youth Ministry
Gospel Video Series
Fr. Loi and I have begun posting a video series based on each Sunday's Gospel. These can be found in our parish Facebook page, under a playlist titled "Gospel Video Series". It includes Fr Loi's special Homily meant for primary school children. The video also has myself (Youth Minister Monica) closing with a Christian child- friendly song. We hope that the videos will prove to be entertaining and educational. This series will run for the current primary school term. Feel free to share the videos. You can find the videos on our Facebook page. Check out our latest video on Corpus Christi Sunday's (14th June) Gospel at the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/OLoPHNBelco/videos/630935104186039/
Gospel worksheet activities
Using a template provided for the Youth Ministers, OLPH Parish creates worksheets surrounding the coming Sunday's Gospel. This is meant for primary age children. They usually contain an opening prayer, the Sunday's Gospel reading, an activity, and reflection. The purpose of these activities are to instil in children the importance of the Bible and also to help ignite an interest within children for our faith so that they learn to understand and appreciate it in time to come.
Attached is a copy of the worksheet activity for this coming Sunday, 21st June (12th Sunday in Ordinary Time). Please feel free to download/print/share this resource with anyone.
While reflecting through the past Sundays, 
I found how they each linked well. The purpose of this activity sheet (right) is to reiterate the Gospel messages and also how each of the Gospels are linked to the other. Furthermore, it is an opportunity for families to read the Bible more together at home. Can you draw or write about what each Sunday Gospel means to you?
With the easing of restrictions in place from Friday 19 June for 100 people, we are moving forward with commencing Weekend Masses starting this coming weekend (20 and 21 June).In order to follow the strict observance of the 1.5m or 4 square metres distancing, St Michael's Church can hold 75 people and St Monica's Church can hold 90 people.
A TryBooking system has been set up and the links will be on the Parish website, Facebook and Instagram accounts from Friday midday. They will also be shared on the school’s newsletter and social media accounts.
To ensure as many people can attend Church as possible, two additional Masses will start. The times and locations are as follows;
St Michael's Church
Saturday 6.00pm (additional)
Sunday 8.00am & 5.30pm
St Monica's Church
Saturday 6.00pm
Sunday 10.00am
Sunday 5.30pm (additional)
If you are in a position to help with Church cleaning, reading etc. please contact the Parish Office.
We look forward to welcoming everyone who would like to back to Church to pray and worship as a Community.
It is time to hear from you. Earlier this week I circulated two surveys to be completed. In case you missed the opportunity I am providing the links in this weeks newsletter
St Monica's Canteen Survey
We are keen to hear from the St Monica's community regarding the future and use of our canteen. We are planning to reopen in Term 3 on Fridays. This will increase depending on the demand for the service and ensuring we balance our income and expenditure.
Please take a few minutes to respond to our canteen survey. Thank you for your support.
https://forms.gle/pm2bXhpSCHrNo8ZW9
St Monica's Remote Learning Review
We have now completed all learning intentions in the unit on Protective Behaviours that we commenced during remote learning. The remaining two lessons involve the students working with their buddies and completing an assessment task.
We would continue to encourage you to view the book and decide if you feel your child would benefit from previewing it before it is read in class next term.
| Kinder | Years 1 - 4 | Years 5 and 6 |
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What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity and without judgement. Start practising mindfulness today to help:
- Reduce worries, anxiety and distress
- Create a sense of calm
- Learn how to relax and regulate emotions
- Improve concentration and increased productivity
- Develop a sense of empathy and connectedness
- Enjoy better health and sleep
Practising mindfulness can benefit adults and children alike.
Find out more about mindfulness at the following link with Smiling Mind https://www.smilingmind.com.au/mindfulness
Learn about the science behind mindfulness at https://youtu.be/IsXxvPWd_k4
From Saturday 18 July 2020, Transport Canberra will be updating timetables for bus services.
These changes will help make public transport in Canberra easier to use by providing more services and increased frequency, to ensure that people have greater opportunity to spread out their travel across the day as we recover from COVID-19.
Transport Canberra has worked closely with the school community and we are providing increased frequency and additional services for school students across Canberra.
As a new timetable is being introduced, there will be minor changes for all students travelling to and from school on public transport across Canberra from the first day of Term 3, 2020 (Monday 20 July 2020). In most cases, this will mean that students will catch the same service from the same stop, but the times that services arrive and leave may change.
In addition, Transport Canberra has made the following changes:
Bus stop re-opened at St Monica’s Primary - Our very exciting news!
- From the beginning of Term 3, 2020, a bus stop on Moynihan St, Evatt will be reopened. This stop is adjacent to St Monica’s Primary School.
- This will address an issue raised by the school about the safety of students walking to stop further away from the school.
- In the morning, students will be able to catch one route 41 service to this bus stop. While most route 41 services will no longer travel down Moynihan St, one bus each morning will divert to provide a service from St Monica’s Primary and Miles Franklin Primary to Flynn and Melba.
- In the afternoon, students will be able to use a new school special (school route 1068) to make the return journey, leaving from the same bus stop.
- Students catching other buses stopping at the school (Rapid 3 and route 43) will be able to continue to use bus stops adjacent to the school on Copland Drive. Students crossing Copland Drive at these stops can use the pedestrian underpass.
- There will be no changes to services in Term 2, 2020.
All schools, parents and students can find out more about the specific changes by:
- checking the information packs for each school, which are online at transport.act.gov.au
- checking timetables for each route (including school specials), which are online at transport.act.gov.au
- calling 13 17 10.
Happy Birthday to the following students
Milla F, Aiden S, Christian M, Lauren F, Gabriella F, Lexie S
If you have any ideas or concerns please email them through to our Secretary Fiona Steinberg at council.stmonicas@cg.catholic.edu.au
Parents and carers are welcome to contact the school to make an appointment with our School Counsellor if you have any questions and/or concerns about your child’s emotional wellbeing. Please contact your child's teacher or Carmel Maguire for a referral form for your child. Our counsellor works every Tuesday and for a morning every second Wednesday.
Our SMOOSH care is taking enrolments for the July Vacation Program
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.
Canberra Cricket Academy (CCA) is an award-winning cricket coaching centre in Canberra. CCA assists children with domestic violence and refugee background as well as players with financially insolvent parents. CCA will run a 10 Weeks winter program from July to September and a two-day school holiday program in July 2020.