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- School Theme Term 3
- Principal's Message
- RE News - Haley Stonham
- Parish Sacramental News
- Maggie Dent Resources for Parents - Emma Russell
- St Monica's Wellbeing Fun Day
- Life Education - Year 2
- Cyber Safety for our Families
- K/1 Literacy Support for Parents
- The Assessment Waterfall @ St Monica's - Luke Donnelly
- Sport News - Ryan Matchett
- Library News - Veronica Melville
- COVID-19 Updates
- Parent Corner
- School Counsellor
- Cool Kids Programs - CatholicCare
- Happy Birthday
- Community Council News - Evelyn David-Hoole
- NRL Touch Football
- Passion & Purple Dance Academy
- Holiday Happenings
- Working With Vulnerable People Card
Dear Parents
I hope everyone is enjoying their SABBATH Week and making the most of the beautiful Spring afternoons. This week we received the results of the Annual Survey. I am looking forward to analysing the results and providing feedback to the community of our strengths and areas for continued growth. This year 143 parents responded to the survey.
Unfortunately with the current restrictions in place we have postpones our walkathon until next term. In its place, we will be holding another Wellbeing Day on Friday 11 September. The day will be filled with fun and games with a very special highlight to end the day. We are going to hold a mini colour run on the oval where the children will be sprayed with fine coloured powder. As it can be a little messy the children are to wear old casual clothes. To avoid the powder spreading everywhere the children are to bring a towel to wrap around themselves to travel home via car or bus. Children going to SMOOSH will need to bring a change of clothes. More detail later in the newsletter.
2021 Sacramental Program Update
Sacrament of First Eucharist (Catch Up - 2020 Year 4 students)
Thursday 3 December 2020 - Parent Information Night
Thursday 11 February - Retreat Day
Thursday 11 February - Parent & Child Formation Night (6pm)
Sacrament of First Eucharist - Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 February (Parish Masses)
Sacrament of First Eucharist (2021 Year 4 students)
Thursday 29 April - Parent Information Night (6pm)
Thursday 20 May - Retreat Day
Thursday 20 May - Parent & Child Formation Night (6pm)
Sacrament of First Eucharist - Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 June (Parish Masses)
Sacrament of Confirmation (2021 Year 6 students)
Thursday 22 July - Parent Information Night (6pm)
Thursday 19 August - Retreat Day (TBC - SFX or alternative venue)
Thursday 19 August - Parent & Child Formation Night (6pm)
Confirmation - Tuesday 7 (St Michael's), Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 September (St Monica's) - (6pm)
Sacrament of First Reconciliation (2021 Year 3 students)
Thursday 7 October - Parent Information Night (6pm)
Thursday 4 November - Retreat Day
Thursday 4 November - Parent & Child Formation Night (6pm)
Reconciliation - Tuesday 9 (St Michael's), Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 November (St Monica's) - (6pm)
Water Safety and Swim Program cancelled for Term 4
This year we have elected to cancel our Year K - 2 Water Safety and Swim program. Due to ongoing uncertainty around sporting events schools will and will not be able to offer in Term 4, I feel it is in our best interest to cancel our program for 2020. I trust you will support this decision in the interest of your child's health and safety and the cost to families at a difficult time for many.
Continue to stay safe and healthy.
Carmel Maguire
Principal
Year 3 Reconciliation
Last week Year 3 participated in their Reconciliation Retreat session. They explored the 3 Worlds of the text to better understand the Parable of the Sower, then role-played and created a beautiful artwork to be displayed in the Church. It was a wonderful way to connect in preparation for the Sacrament next week.
Please continue to pray for our Candidates as the ready themselves to receive God’s forgiving grace.
SAVE THE DATE!
The Sacrament of Confirmation Registration
Registration for the Sacrament of Confirmation will begin on the 1 September. Please go to the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Website to register and pay via QkR! Please contact the Parish Sacramental Coordinator, Sue Collins, should you have any questions via email: sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au
St Monica’s Feast Day Art and Craft Competition
As part of our St Monica’s Feast celebrations last week, the Year 6 Social Justice Team held an art and craft competition with the theme ‘Growing Together the St Monica’s Way’. Each class created amazing artworks depicting what it means to be growing together following the example of St Monica. I would like to congratulate all of the students – we have some very talented artists!
The Social Justice Team came together to select a winner for each class. Congratulation to the following students!
- Kinder: Billy and Liam
- Year 1: Aya and Milla
- Year 2: Charlie and Chloe
- Year 3: Emma, Isabella and Laura
- Year 4: Violet and Patrick
- Year 5: Makenna, Leila, Amour
- Year 6: Remi, Isabella and Gabby
First Reconciliation 2020
Home Preparation books should now be completed and handed into the school.
Fr Loi will sign the ‘Parents’ Discernment of Readiness’ (last page of the book) and the books will be handed back to students when they make their Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated on:
Tuesday 8 September in St Michael’s Church
Wednesday 9 September in St Monica’s Church
Thursday 10 September in St Monica’s Church
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is not available in 2020 for the School of Religion due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Confirmation 2020
Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on:
Tuesday 10 November in St Michael’s Church
Wednesday 11 November in St Monica’s Church
Thursday 12 November in St Monica’s Church
Tuesday 17 November in St Monica’s Church
Confirmation registration is to be completed and payment made by 25 September via the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Qkr! Account.
Commonly known as the “queen of common sense”, Maggie Dent has become one of Australia’s favourite parenting authors and educators, with a strong interest in the early years, adolescence and resilience.
Maggie’s experience includes teaching, counselling, and working in palliative care/funeral services and suicide prevention. Maggie is an advocate for the healthy, common-sense raising of children in order to strengthen families and communities. She is a passionate, positive voice for children of all ages.
When you visit her website, you will find access to online courses, webinars, publications and podcasts. There are many links to information on topics such as: anxiety, calming children, building resilience, bullying, death and loss, to name a few. To find out more go to https://www.maggiedent.com/
Life Education – Year 2
Year 2 were so excited to be visiting the Life Education Van in Week 6. The excitement and anticipation were palpable as we walked the steps to go inside! We discussed and learned about many topics including: how to be a good friend, looking after our bodies, keeping ourselves safe, healthy food and good nutrition. The children participated in interactive activities, viewed slide shows, had discussions, danced and of course got to see Harold The Giraffe. It was a wonderful hour of learning and fun for all the children. - Mrs Russell and 2RR
Peer and Self Assessment
The next stage of the Assessment Waterfall is Peer and Self Assessment this is where students use the Learning Intention and Success Criteria to determine how successful they are as a learner or how successful one of their peers is. They are then in a position to give Descriptive Feedback to others.
In-School Sport Competition
In Term 4 we will be running an in-school Sport Competition. COVID has impacted on school and regional sport in many ways and this is a way of getting our students active while also participating in some friendly competition. Please see the note attached for more information, permission notes and competition rules. Please contact me directly if you have any questions.
Children's Book Council of Australia Reader's Cup
This year the Children's Book Council of Australia ACT Branch will be running Reader's Cup. We have 3 teams competing. On Monday they commence reading 5 books. They will then compete with 17 other school teams to answer quiz questions from the books on Thursday 15 October. Readers Cup competitions challenge students to read widely, work collaboratively in a team and continue developing a love of reading.
Happy Reading and good luck to Laura, Sam, Darcy, Max, Scarlett, Paige, Mary Charlize, Angelino, Fletcher, Rohan, Dylan, Archie and Josephine.
This week Issue 6 of Scholastic Book Club was sent home with the eldest member of each family. Orders need to be place by Monday 14 September. The books can only ordered through the Loop at www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP . Please do not send in orders and cash to school. The orders will be delivered to classes on arrival. It is fantastic way to grow your child’s love of reading. If you have any questions please contact me.
Help kids tap into their inner resources
My first parenting mentor, Maurice Balson, author of Becoming Better Parents constantly reminded parents, “If you want your child to be resourceful you need to put them in positions to develop their resources.”
Balson’s resourcefulness message is just as apt today. Coping with change, dealing with small losses, handling rejection and overcoming disappointment are the types of experiences that build a child’s or young person’s inner resources.
Developing resourcefulness is the appropriate approach to take when considering the disruptive impact that coronavirus is having on kids’ lives. A child who is struggling to come to grips with the changes brought about by the pandemic initially needs an emphatic, supportive approach. They also need encouragement to tap into their inner resources to help them manage the hard times. The following strategies will help develop your child or young person’s inner resources.
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 (odd weeks).
Happy Birthday to the following students
Felix R, Lachlan T, Lewis G, James G, Chloe D, Indiana H, Harry C
If you have any ideas or concerns please email them through to our Secretary Fiona Steinberg at council.stmonicas@cg.catholic.edu.au
Passion & Purpose Academy is Canberra’s fastest growing dance school with the most affordable hip hop classes for 3 - 17 year olds. To arrange a free trial at our Melba Copland Secondary School studio, please enrol online at www.passionandpurpose.com.au
Details below for upcoming Holiday 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.