Filter Content
- The St Monica's Way
- Weekly Happenings
- Principal's Message
- Drop Off & Pick Up - Update
- School Fees
- Year 5 & 6 Camp Payments
- Parish Sacramental News - First Eucharist
- Maths News - Ryan Matchett - Numeracy Coordinator
- Beyond Blue - Emma Russell
- You Can Do It!
- Student Supplies & Sport Days
- What apps will my child need for school?
- Sport News - Ryan Matchett
- COVID-19 Updates
- Happy Birthday
- Canteen News - Wendy Regan
- Community Council News - Evelyn David-Hoole
- Tennis News - Ryan Matchett
- Mushrooms - Community Message ACT
- Chess Lessons 2021
In 2021 we are pleased to launch 'The St Monica's Way'. The St Monica's Way was developed in 2020 following a process of school renewal to align all that we do. This encompasses our school motto, mission, vision, Catholic identity, student welfare, school expectations and much more. This week the students have been learning about the St Monica's Way and how to draw it as a representation. The students have then been invited to take their drawing home to share with their parents and compare them with their siblings. Here are a few images that depict the St Monica's Way around our school.
| Thursday 4 February |
Tennis Year 6 - Melba Courts - Sessions covered by the Curriculum Levy |
| Friday 5 February |
Opening School Mass in Hall - 9.30am Children only |
| Tuesday 9 February |
Gym - Years 1-3 - 9am Short 10min parent/teacher chat sessions |
| Wednesday 10 February |
Kinder Rest Day Short 10min parent/teacher chat sessions |
| Thursday 11 February |
Tennis Year 6 Parent/Child Formation Evening viz zoom Short 10min parent/teacher chat sessions |
Dear Parents
It has been really lovely seeing all the children returning to school so settled, focused on their learning, reconnecting with friends and welcoming the many new children who have joined our community. Everyone is most welcome.
On Friday the children and staff will come together for an opening school Mass. Unfortunately due to current COVID restriction parents are not permitted to join us. While disappointing this will be the first time the school has gathered in the church for almost 12 months.
School Counsellor
Our new CatholicCare counsellor commences next week. St Monica's have been allocated 3 days a fortnight. With the increase in the time provided by Catholic Education, we have had a change to our counsellor. Next week we will welcome Ryoko Garner who will be available every Thursday and alternate Wednesdays. Families wishing to make an appointment with the counsellor can ring the school or email carmel.maguire@cg.catholic.edu.au. Parents are then provided with a form to complete that is provided to the Counsellor. I am just waiting to confirm that our current booking form meets new protocols. It is a CatholicCare requirement that parents sign the request form. Where parents are separated it is a requirement that both parents give formal consent.
Silence is Deadly Workshop for Year 5 & 6 Boys
Next Wednesday the boys in Years 5 & 6 will engage in a 50 minutes presentation titled Silence is Deadly. The presentation is for young males and focuses on the importance of seeking help when times get 'tough' and not trying to do it alone. Silence is Deadly aligns with the Australian Curriculum’s Personal and Social Capability learning outcomes that encourage students to recognise and regulate emotions, develop empathy for others, make responsible decisions and handle challenging situations. The presentation is offered to schools within the ACT and surrounding area at no charge. Silence is Deadly is delivered by Menslink staff. During the discussion portion of the session, presenters illustrate the importance of seeking advice and how to look after one’s friends through the sharing of personal stories and experiences. Presenters will give advice on how participants can develop their mental fitness now, as a way to prepare themselves to better deal with future problems. Should you have any question or concerns regarding the presentation please contact Luke Donnelly.
Please check the school has an updated medical plan if your child suffers from asthma or requires an EpiPen. All medication should be current. Please contact Mrs Flynn on Monday should you need to update your plan or provide a new EpiPen.
Nut and Egg Free School
We have a number of children who are highly allergic to nuts (various types) and eggs. Please avoid packing sandwiches or snacks that contain nuts and eggs. We have a no sharing protocol at St Monica’s, please remind your child.
Lollies
Several years ago the School Council supported the proposal of no lollies or chocolate at school particularly as a birthday treat to be shared with other children. Parents may elect to pack a small treat for morning tea or lunch as long as it is not shared with other children.
BYODD Year 4 – 6
The children are not required to bring in their iPads for the first week. The children will be required to review their technology contacts with their class teacher/s before they can use a device at school. Parents will be required to discuss the contact and sign as well. Information regarding the apps required by the school can be found later in their newsletter. Forms will come home on Thursday for parents to discuss and sign.
Parent Meetings and Goal Setting
I am very aware that parents like to connect with their child's teacher early in the year to develop open communication regarding a child's learning. This year we are offering parents a short 10-minute interview next week to replace the parent workshops we have offered in the past. This will allow parents to share any concerns and to identify a key learning goal for the coming weeks. We are offering either zoom or a face to face session to accommodate your needs. Bookings open today and booking instructions are attached below.
Media Update Permission
An increasing number of organisations are now using various forms of Social Media to promote events or their businesses. This is also a practice encouraged by Catholic Education for schools. With the use of various communication programs and apps, including the St Monica’s Facebook page, parents and carers are once again asked to confirm the permissions you want the school to apply regarding the use of your child’s image in photos, videos and the use of their work.
It is prohibited to publish or transmit student or staff work or images, which may or may not include identifying material, without permission from the staff member concerned or the person with parental responsibility for the student. When publishing student information only the first names will be used (unless authorised by the parent/carer to publish surname). In general, images of children, where it is not possible to identify the individual, ie their face is not seen, are considered acceptable.
Throughout the school year St Monica’s Primary School and various media organisations eg. Canberra Times, Catholic Education Media Division, The Catholic Voice, Television stations etc. will report on special happenings or events. As part of the story coverage, a child/children may be interviewed and/or photographed working at school or participating in an activity while on a school excursion. In giving permission you are authorising the photos to appear on any form of electronic media – television, the internet (Social Media), journals, radio etc.
Before we can permit anyone to photograph your child or record their voice, we require your consent. Should an existing family like to change their current arrangements please print off the note or ask your child to collect a note from the office.
Kinder Assessment Arrangements Planned – the first 3 weeks
Kinder children attend full days except for Wednesdays for the first three weeks. The Wednesdays are designated as rest/assessment days for the Kinder children. No care is provided by the school or our SMOOSH care program on the Wednesdays. Should this be a major issue please advise me as soon as possible.
Parents will be required to nominate, on a schedule that will be available on the first day of school, a 50-minute time slot when they can bring their child for their assessment on Wednesday 3, 10 or 15 February.
On the Wednesdays, the teachers will conduct the assessment in their classrooms. Please enter the school via the office and sign in as a visitor. COVID protocols must be followed – if unwell do not enter the school, use hand sanitiser as you enter the school, physical distance others by 1.5m. Parents will be permitted to wait outside their child’s internal classroom door prior to their appointment time. Parents are not to remain in the classroom or the library during the assessment. Tea and coffee will be available for parents in the staffroom, while you wait for the assessment to be conducted. Feedback will be provided later in the term once all assessment is completed.
Piano, Guitar, Musicorp and Chess
All private lessons will comment next week. Any parents interested in their child participating should contact the school office for contact details.
Punctuality to School
It is vital that parents ensure children are at school on time each day. Late arrivals are a distraction and delay the start of the morning session. Children arriving after 8.55 must enter via the front office to collect a pass to be given to their teacher
WORKING WITH VULNERABLE PEOPLE Cards
Individuals working or volunteering in 'Activities or Services for Children' must hold a Working with Vulnerable People Card. All volunteers considering helping in our classrooms and around the school in any way ie our classroom helpers, canteen helpers, those coming in to help with art or craft, those parents/grandparents/carers who help out at our sports carnivals must register. All helpers should view the Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) card like holding a licence to drive. All volunteers are required, under the Act, to carry their WWVP card when working with children. Have you checked your card is current?
Continue to stay safe and healthy and may God's blessings be with everyone.
Carmel Maguire
Principal
Morning Arrangement until further notice
Years K – 6
Children commence at 8.55am. First bell at 8.50am. As a general rule parents will not be permitted into the school building unless authorised by a staff member. Children line up in their designated areas on the first bell.
No Morning Drive-Thru
Parent and carers are not permitted to drive through the staff carpark of a morning to drop off their child/ren. Children can be dropped off at the drop off zone on the basketball courts and the children walk down the ramp and across our school crossing. Please consider where you are parking on the basketball courts so we can ensure a flow of traffic in the mornings.
Kinder parents are permitted to walk their child to lines each morning. Remember to not linger for too long. Thanks so much for your cooperation during Week 1.
Years 1 & 2 parents may walk their child to the class line however they must leave immediately. Physical distancing of 1.5m must be observed so be patient and stand back if there is a cue near your child’s classroom door.
Years 3 to 6 children to make their way to the classroom when dropped off. The teachers on duty will assist the children if they are unable to remember their classroom.
Afternoon Arrangements
Kinder Children
To assist with the afternoon pick up the children can be collected from their classroom door from 3.10pm. Physical distancing of 1.5m is required while standing in the Kinder area. Once you have collected your child, parents should return to their car for the general afternoon pick up of older siblings.
Drive-Thru
We have elected to continue the 3.10pm afternoon drive-thru for the first few weeks to review the process. For new families, this is the only time parents are permitted to drive through the staff car park; entering from Moynihan Street and exiting via Montagu Place. Priority for drive-thru is for families with children in Kinder & Year 1 and their siblings or parents who are happy to wait until 3.20pm to collect their child. Supervision of the drive-thru is between 3.10 and 3.30pm. Remember to display your family name on the left-hand side sun visor. We are making new labels for our new families
Other Pickup Areas
Blacktop/Basketball Courts/Hall & Gym Car park
Children collected from these areas assemble towards the end of the school driveway with a teacher. Parents are asked to wait by the black fence to collect their child. No child will be permitted to cross the crossing unless they can see their parent. Safety in the car park is critical and children should hold an adult’s hand as they walk between cars.
Chomley Carpark 3.10pm – 3.20pm
Parents may elect to pick up their child from a car park we call Chomley car park, located at the back of the school. This car park area became very popular toward the end of 2020. Teacher supervision will conclude at 3.20pm each afternoon. Parents who know they will be late should be directing their child to wait at the front of the school to be collected as part of the drive-thru.
Underpass and Bus
Several parents park in the school carpark at Copland College. While the college has been happy to accommodate this arrangement, parents must follow their car parking signs. Please note this is not a supervised duty as we just do not have the staff to cover all areas around the school. A staff member does monitor children catching the bus on Copland Drive and the hall.
Information related to school fees is available in our school app, under Forms & Documents. You can access the 2021 fee schedule, Direct Debit forms remission application forms and other fee-related information.
Term 1 school fees will be invoiced to all families in Week 2 (next week). The school still has fees outstanding from last year. If you have not settled your fees from 2020 please do so urgently. If you need to discuss your school fees account please contact the School Finance Officer, Allison Walsh.
Full payment of school fees is required by Week 4 each term, except for families who have a formal Direct Debit arrangement in place. Fee concession may be available to families experiencing genuine financial hardship. A remission application form and supporting information will need to be submitted. The application form may be downloaded from our Schoolzine app - under Forms & Documents. Applications for fee concessions are treated in the strictest of confidence.
Apology - It has been brought to our attention that a number of families (with Direct Debits) did not receive notice of their 2021 debit amount during January. This information was posted to families in mid-January however many have not been received. It was not possible to email this information to parents due to the high number of families with Direct Debit arrangements.
We have re-printed this information and it is to be posted again this afternoon. Please allow a week or so for it to arrive, and if not received please contact Allison Walsh.
A friendly reminder to families that the final instalment payment of $200 for camp is due by Friday 26 February. Payment must be received in full prior to departure for camp. Please contact the office if you are not sure of your balance.
FYI, the first instalment of $140 was due on 4 December 2020, total cost is $340.
Sacramental Program 2021 – First Eucharist for catch-up students Year 4 from 2020
The Sacrament of First Eucharist for the students from Year 4 in 2020 will be celebrated in term 1 of 2021 on the following dates:
- Tuesday 23 February at 6pm in St Michael’s Church
- Wednesday 24 February at 6pm in St Monica’s Church
- Thursday 25 February at 6pm in St Monica’s Church
Please keep the candidates for First Eucharist in your prayers.
Parent/Child Formation Night for First Eucharist – Term 1 (catch-up students from Year 4 2020)
The parent/child formation night is compulsory and will be held on Thursday 11 February 2021 via zoom at https://cgcatholic.zoom.us/j/98091975011
Home Booklets
The home booklets should be completed ready for the parent/child formation night on 11 February 2021. The completed booklets are then to be returned to the school no later than Monday 15 February 2021 with the ‘Parents’ Discernment of Readiness’ (the last page of the booklet) completed and signed ready for Fr Loi to also sign. The booklets will be returned to the candidates on the night of the Sacrament along with their certificates.
There will be a further celebration for First Eucharist in Term 2, 2021 for students in Year 4 in 2021. More information will be available in the school and church bulletins and also on the parish website at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth
For further information please contact the Sacramental Program coordinator at sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au
Maths @ St Monica's 2021
During our Professional Learning last week teachers engaged in a whole day of learning around the Australian Mathematics Curriculum. Jamie Kemp from Catholic Education led staff in a workshop in mapping our curriculum across all Year levels and deepening our understanding of content and achievement standards. This year, as part of Catholic Education's Catalyst Project, we will be focusing on Mathematics across the school.
Teachers will be provided with regular professional development and support with Mathematics in the classroom. We look forward to sharing with you our journey through the year as we strive to improve mathematical outcomes for all students.
If there is anything I can do to assist your child or family with mathematics or you have any general questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me on 6258 5105 or ryan.matchett@cg.catholic.edu.au
St Monica’s Primary School is a registered Be You Learning Community
With the support of Be You we strive to be a learning community that is positive, inclusive and resilient – a place where every child, young person, educator and family can achieve their best positive mental health. Be You provides the staff at St Monica’s with knowledge, resources and strategies to assist all students. The staff have recently participated in professional development on the topic of LEARNING RESILENCE.
Resilience is very important for children’s mental health
Resilience helps children deal with the ups and downs of childhood. It also provides a foundation for them to deal with adversities during adolescence and adulthood. Children with greater levels of resilience are better able to manage stress. This is especially important because severe and ongoing stress is a risk factor for mental health conditions.
To find out more visit this link What Is Be You?
See the attached document Resilience and Mental Health
YCDI! EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS
Resilience | Confidence | Persistence | Organisation | Getting Along
The Founder of You Can Do It! Education is Professor Michael Bernard, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, an international leader in the field of social-emotional learning (SEL). YCDI! Education is the only SEL program that teaches confidence, persistence, organisation, getting along and resilience
This year we will be introducing the YCDI program from Kinder to Year 6 and launching a valuable parent resource linked to the program.
The Program contains lessons that teach attitudes, values/character strengths and social-emotional skills for success, relationships and wellbeing as well as for overcoming social-emotional blockers.
Lessons have been created based on the following framework.
Each social-emotional learning lesson addresses one or more aspects of the ACARA national curriculum's Personal and Social Capabilities. As we begin the program we will provide further information through our newsletter.
As part of the YCDI! program there is a parent subscription which the school has paid for all parents. The logon details will be sent home on Friday as it cannot be published to the wider community via our newsletter.
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Kinder Packet of hand and surface antibacterial wipes Box of tissues per semester and roll of paper towel at the beginning of the year only Library Bag, Painting Shirt Sport Days – Tuesday and Friday |
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Year 1 Packet of hand and surface antibacterial wipes Box of tissues per semester and roll of paper towel at the beginning of the year only Library Bag, Painting Shirt and packet of textas for optional use Sports Days – Tuesday and Friday |
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Year 2 Packet of hand and surface antibacterial wipes Box of tissues– per semester and roll of paper towels at the beginning of the year only Library Bag, paint shirt if not already at school, a packet of textas for optional use Sports Days – Tuesday and Friday |
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Year 3 Packet of hand and surface antibacterial wipes Box of tissues and paper towels – per semester Library bag Headphones - if the previous set needs replacing, not earbuds Sports Days – Tuesday and Thursday |
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Year 4 Packet of hand and surface antibacterial wipes Box of tissues & roll of paper towels – per semester Library bag, Pencil case Headphones - if the previous set needs replacing, not earbuds Yr 4 iPad – BYODD Sports Days from Week 2 – Monday and Wednesday |
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Year 5 Packet of hand and surface antibacterial wipes Box of tissues and paper towels – per semester Library bag, Pencil case Headphones – if the previous set needs replacing, not earbuds iPad – BYODD Zip closing pencil case that can be kept on the student’s desk. Avoid oversized storage pencil cases Sports days from Week 2 – Tuesday & Thursday |
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Year 6 Packet of hand and surface antibacterial wipes Box of tissues and paper towels – per semester Library bag, Pencil case Headphones – if the previous set needs replacing, not earplugs iPad – BYODD Zip closing pencil case that can be kept on the student’s desk. Avoid oversized storage pencil cases Sports days from Week 2 – Monday & Thursday |
Years 4 - 6 BYODD Program
The school does not provide apps for BYODD devices. Parents will need to download school required apps at home. This will mean the app is licenced to the child and not the school. The list below outlines the current apps that we use regularly at school. Please note this list will change as more apps are added throughout the year. Students are also permitted to use apps outside of this list if they assist with completing educational tasks. We try to use only free apps. At this point, the teachers have only identified three apps that will need to be purchased.
Literacy - Reading Eggs, Dictionary.com, SnapType, Platform by Wheelers
Numeracy - Calculator, Geoboard
Collaboration- Google Classroom, Google Docs, Google Slides, Plickers, Kahoot
Information Organisers - Popplet Lite, Inkflow Visual Notebook, Cardflow Index and Flashcards, Keynote, Pages
Coding - Scratch Jr, Hopscotch, mBlockly for mBot, Makeblock, Cargobot
Japanese - Japanese-hiragana, Match AIUEO, Zukan
Other - Cybersafe, Cyberwise Monster Family, Smiling Mind, NAP Lockdown Browser (Year 3 and 5 only)
Creativity - Book Creator (Paid $4.49), Stop Motion Studio, iMotion, Pic Collage for Kids (Paid $2.99), iMovie, Green Screen by Do Ink (Paid $7.99), Tayasui Sketches School
If you have issues finding any of the apps, try searching for them in google and clicking the link to the app store. Please note that students are not allowed to use personal apps or social media at school. They are learning devices when they are at school.
As your child brings their iPad to school, it will connect to our BYOD device Wi-Fi network. If you have any further queries, please email monika.richards@cg.catholic.edu.au
What are the technical requirements of BYODD at St Monica’s?
Minimum Specifications if purchasing
We are asking students to bring Apple iPad devices only. If purchasing, we are recommending the10.2inch iPad OS 14 WI-FI 32GB Retina display. This is the newest and most affordable model however other iPad models will be compatible. The iPad must have a durable cover, preferably with a keyboard. Earlier iOS will work but may limit the effectiveness of some apps. The current view is that technology only lasts for three years. A policy the CE is applying for all our current hardware across the school, especially teacher laptops.
Sport @ St Monica's in 2021
As we enter a new year, unfortunately COVID-19 is ensuring the uncertainty and various changes around some of our school, regional and state sporting events. Please see below correspondence from Liz Yuen, Executive Officer-School Sport ACT in regards to the current situation.
SSACT has been compliant with all ACT Govt and Education Directorate (ED) COVID-19 safety restrictions throughout 2020 and this will continue into 2021. We are still operating from the ED Road Map of December 2020, which outlines a maximum of 500 people attending school excursions. This includes event officials, teachers and students.
Due to the AIS being unavailable for community meet bookings until the end of March due to Tokyo Olympics preparations, SSACT Regional events will be conducted at the new Stromlo Leisure Centre (SLC). SLC is also required to comply with current restrictions, so they are only permitted to have 500 people maximum across the entire pool deck.
With consideration to the traditional number of entries per event, it has become apparent that some of the Primary Regional events will exceed the 500 people requirement. Accordingly School Sport ACT and our Swimming ACT Liaison have been required to implement the following conditions to ensure we are compliant.
Regional and ACT Carnivals
For the 2021 Primary Regional Carnivals and 12&U ACT Championship events the turning 8 and 9-year-old events will be removed from the program. The 8 and 9-year-olds are not eligible for State Team selection. Other options were explored and this is deemed the fairest entry restriction mechanism across all schools.
- Parents/Spectators will not be permitted to attend any events nor enter the pool deck area.
- Further conditions may be applied if the number of entries exceeds the total 500 people maximum.
- Note: If restrictions are eased at the next ACT Government Checkpoint scheduled for 12 February and allow more people to attend the 8 and 9-year-olds will be able to compete, and the attendance of spectators will be reviewed.
With these restrictions and protocols in place and the uncertainty of when changes could occur, I am sure you can appreciate the difficult decisions that we as a school will have to make with school sporting events and gala days. Students who are turning 10,11 or 12 this year and who are COMPETITIVE or COMPETENT swimmers will be allowed to attend the school swimming carnival.
Decisions around attendance at gala days, cross country, athletics and representative opportunities will be communicated throughout the year as information comes to hand. We may also consider another In School Sport Competition, similar to the one held in Term 4 last year.
If you have any questions or concerns around anything to do with Sport at St Monica's, please do not hesitate to contact me at school on 6258 5105 or ryan.matchett@cg.catholic.edu.au
Swimming Carnival - Monday 22 February - Save the Date
Information about arrangements for our carnival will be circulated to the children tomorrow. The carnival will only be for competitive swimmers. This year we will also be trialling the new pool at Stromlo. Parent volunteers will be required. Permission note attached for parent reference.
Happy Birthday to the following students celebrating a Birthday this week
Isabella H, Alaina S, Jett S, Sophia R, Samantha S, Luca C
The canteen is back on Thursdays and Fridays in 2021. Thank you to all our wonderful families for your patronage in 2020. A special thanks to my wonderful volunteer team in 2020, I wouldn't have been able to run the canteen without you.
In the coming weeks, I will be releasing a printable version of our menu. We have a few home-style food options, hot dogs and toasties, plus fish pieces on Thursdays. This year I am hoping to build on our success from 2020 and provide some more options.
Please place orders via Qkr. All items available are displayed on the app. Slips are printed off by the canteen manager each morning for over the counter items and distributed to the children. Items can them be collected from the canteen at either morning tea and/or lunch.
VOLUNTEERS - WE NEED YOU! The canteen is very busy on both Thursdays and Fridays. I could not serve the large amount of orders of recesses, lunches and ice blocks without my amazing volunteers. They are a dedicated, hard-working and fun bunch of mums, dads and grandparents. I would love to welcome new volunteers to join my team. If you would like to volunteer in the canteen, please feel free to send me an email Wendy.Regan@cg.catholic.edu.au and I will get back to you in the next few weeks. No experience is necessary, but volunteers must hold a current WWVP card. We continue to operate under the CE strict COVID guidelines to keep our community safe, so all volunteers must sign in at the front office and come at their scheduled times. We can no longer welcome in younger children due to the strict hygiene standards, restrictions of numbers and the busyness of the canteen space. At this time, the canteen in the only place in the school where volunteers are allowed. Please come and join my team: it feels wonderful to give service; be part of a group of hard-working and like-minded parents; see the excitement of the children when their loved one is here AND you get a free lunch! Even a few hours of your time can make a big difference! Volunteers must hold a current WWVP card and should not attend if unwell.
If you have any ideas or concerns please email them through to our Secretary Fiona Steinberg at council.stmonicas@cg.catholic.edu.au
