Dear Parents

Annual Survey-Reminder

An annual satisfaction survey of parents, students and staff are currently being conducted on behalf of all Catholic schools in the Diocese. The surveys are designed to gather feedback from parents, staff and students about our school and will be used to inform school improvement. Responses are confidential and individuals can not be identified. 

The surveys were launched via email on Friday 7 August 2020 using the email addresses supplied to the school. If you do not receive an email with a link to the survey, please contact the Front Office directly. 

A message from our new guitar teacher

Hey I’m Jordan!  I’ve been enjoying playing the guitar since 2009 and wish to impart that passion on to others keen to discover how to create their own music.  My musical journey, like a lot of people, has been very broad as I’ve been intrigued and influenced with/by so many different genres; metal being what got me into guitar and started me on my journey to ballads, jazz, soul, hip-hop, and anything else I can sink my teeth into.  My own goal in teaching guitar is not to impose my style onto anyone, but to find what makes a person want to pursue music at any level and help them to foster their skills and love of music to allow them to flourish in whichever direction they hear calling them.  I remember what it was like looking at guitarists that I looked up to and aspired to, and I want to show people that the journey to getting to where they want does not have to be a difficult one, moreover, it is something to be enjoyed and cherished as you find your voice and discover things about yourself that you may not have been able to see before.  I thoroughly look forward to working with anyone that is keen to go down this journey for no-one else but themselves.

I look forward to welcoming Jordan Houston Robey as our new guitar teacher to replace Geromy Houghton. Once again St Monica's can offer the opportunity for parents to access private lessons during the school day. This is a private arrangement with the school providing a space, all payments will go directly to the guitar teacher. Jordan currently works in other local schools offering lessons.

Families who were previously accessing guitar lessons will be provided Jordan's details initially. Should places be available I will then publish Jordan's details to the general community. 

Parent-Teacher Interviews, Student Goals Setting and Personal Plan Review Meetings

To keep parents informed of their child's progress we will be conducting parent-teacher interviews in the coming weeks. Booking information will be circulated early next week. Over the next few days, Jacinda Vaughan will also be arranging interviews with a number of families and the class teachers to review individual student personal plans and the achievement of targeted goals. It will not be necessary for parents attending a personal plan meeting to book in for a parent-teacher interview. 

Families Leaving 

This week we say farewell to the Keizer family - Morgan (KCH). We wish the family all the best.

To help with class planning for 2021 please advise the school in writing if you do not intend returning to St Monica's in 2021.

Continue to stay safe and healthy. 

Principal  

St Monica’s Learning and Social Behaviours Focus

Over the past 2 weeks our Student Representative Council (SRC) thought about and discussed what our focus should be. They collectively decided that ACCETPANCE and FORGIVENESS should be our next two areas of focus.

Today 5SM discussed what acceptance means and what acceptance looks like. This is what they decided:

Acceptance means:

• Loving yourself for who you are – we are all special!
• Including others in games
• Being friends with someone for who they are and not wanting to change them
• Taking responsibility for your actions and your learning
• Forgiving friends and moving forward

I would love to hear from your family - Over the next week consider having a family discussion about how your family shows acceptance. What does acceptance look like, sound like and feel like for your family? Then send this to me in an email - I would love to share with our community how we are growing together by sharing our stories of acceptance.

My email is: haley.stonham@cg.catholic.edu.au

We hope you enjoyed hearing about the Assessment Waterfall from our budding news presenters last week. We've kept the video in today's article just in case you missed it.

The first section of the Assessment Waterwall is Learning Intentions. Learning Intentions are taken from the curriculum and worded in statements that tell the students what they can achieve such as 'I can solve problems using efficient strategies for addition' or 'I can identify individuals in the past who have influence in the present'. Teachers then work with students to break the Learning Intention into what students are being asked to do and what content or concept knowledge they need to achieve it.

Without Learning Intentions, our children would have no way of knowing what they are learning. They are vital in supporting students in focusing on the learning at hand.

To celebrate National Science Week we will be having a Science Show for all students next Wednesday 19 August. Our K-2 students will see the Balloon Science show and our 3/4 and 5/6 students will learn about chemistry! Unfortunately due to COVID restrictions, we will be unable to invite parents to the show but you can look forward to hearing stories from your children and seeing some of the action in next weeks newsletter and on Facebook! The cost of this incursion is covered by the Curriculum Levy.

On Monday in Week 6 the staff and students will be treated to a virtual music performance presented by the Musica Viva in schools program. The group performing for us, Rhythm Works, are a dynamic percussion duo who show students how to create visual images through music- with lizards, waterfalls, road trains and carnivals. 

Traditionally, a performance of this nature would take place in our school hall. However, due to the current pandemic, the performance will take place online, yet still in an interactive way. Every class has been working with Mrs Pearson on some of the musical concepts that will be explored during the performance with a focus on rhythm. Students are welcome to access some of the activities at home via the Musica Viva in Schools webpage, with the class code "rhythm". Why not try some at home with your kids and test your improvisation skills? Or find out what a chameleon suit is! Participation in this program is covered by the Curriculum Levy.

Sports Update Term 3

With all the restrictions and precautions being taken with COVID-19, sport is still slightly on the back burner at this stage. Some carnivals are beginning to go ahead with very limited numbers of participants and no spectators allowed. At this stage there may be further restrictions lifted later in the term which would allow carnivals to possibly go ahead. I am attending a regional sport meeting next week so I will be able to provide further details in due course.

Unfortunately, the Boorowa Touch and Netball Carnival has been cancelled for 2020. The organisers have made the decisions early due to the uncertainty around COVID-19 restrictions and the potential danger it could cause with up to 10,000 people attending. 

On to some more exciting news... This year as part of our Walkathon we will be holding a Colour Run component. Stay tuned in the weeks ahead for more details. 

St Monica's and Catholic Education continue to take advice from health authorities in relation to COVID-19. The Catholic Education Office has a team that is actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation as it develops, paying particular attention to local hotspots and organising support for schools where required. St Monica's is practising all safe hygiene practices in line with government advice. We understand that the situation is fairly fluid and we will communicate directly with you should there be any important changes in relation to our school operations in the coming weeks. We remind all families: 

·       If your child is unwell, they should not attend school.

·       Please ensure that anyone who presents with COVID-19 symptoms in your family is tested.

·       Parents should avoid routinely entering the school where possible but can attend scheduled school events and meetings with teachers where required (physical distancing and hygiene measures still apply).

Should you have any questions in relation to our school and COVID-19, please feel free to contact our office.

Catholic Education COVID-19 Website - Click to open web updates

Our canteen is now open every Friday with some delicious new homemade meals cooked from scratch by our canteen manager, Wendy Regan.

Penne bolognese

The pennè bolognese is a delicious homemade pasta served with the perfect serving size.

Chicken Salsa

The chicken salsa is one of the highly recommended meals on the menu because of its amazing flavour! Served with corn chips.

Tuna Mornay

Our tuna mornay has a rich and creamy sauce with tuna and a perfect sprinkle of cheese on top.

Hotdogs

Try our new and improved hotdogs with fresh soft bread rolls.

Plus some bonus snacks - fruit bars and popcorn. Try them all now!! Order via Qkr! before 9am Friday.

By Ava S and Emma T,

Year 6 Community Leaders

Happy Birthday to the following students 

Emerson P, Adriano M, Olivia B, Quinn A, Liam W, Nathan M, Aidan H, Stacey L, Amelia H,

Community Council Meeting

The Community Council had an open meeting on Thursday 30 July. Thank you to everyone who attended via zoom. We shared news about the application for the purchase of some additional land around the boundaries of the school which we hope will expand the space our students are able to utilise. We also discussed results from the canteen survey, results from remote learning survey, discussed school funding (more on that soon) and had an explanation of our school’s improvement plan.

 Annual Parent Survey

We would strongly encourage you to partake in the school’s parent survey for 2020.  This survey combines with student surveys and staff surveys to provide invaluable insights on areas that the school, community council and catholic education office should focus on.

As always we’d love to hear from you – If you have any ideas or concerns please email them through to our Secretary Fiona Steinberg at council.stmonicas@cg.catholic.edu.au

Rhee Taekwon-Do - Martial Arts Lessons

Rhee Tae Kwon-Do is an effective affordable martial art for all ages. 

You improve personal confidence, fitness, discipline, self-control, co-ordination and respect.

Classes held at St Monica’s Primary School, Moynihan Street, Evatt on  Monday and Wednesday nights

Monday - 6:30 – 7:30pm, Wednesday - 6:30 – 7:30pm

For more information contact Lee on 0412 406 359 visit: http://rheeact.com.au/classes/evatt

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.