Term 1 Week 11

In the most recent post on Facebook by Catholic School Parents of SA, they summarised Term 1 as follows: At Week 5 we said that it felt like Week 10. At Week 7 the term countdown began. At Week 9 we forgot what week it was. At Week 11 – we made it. This is the longest term of the school year but from my perspective it has gone in the blink of an eye. I clearly remember welcoming students and their families back on 29 January and here we are ready for a term break. I would like to acknowledge all the students of St Monica’s for the persistence, perseverance and the resilience that they have demonstrated in their learning journey this term. Each child I have spoken to in the last few weeks has very proudly shared with me some goal they had achieved or a piece of work that they are very proud of, especially after it had come after a lot of hard work, mistakes and frustrations. We strive to build young people who are courageous, grateful, strive to be authentic in their work and relationships and have faith in their God and themselves.

Since the last newsletter we have had more exciting experiences that the students have been involved in. We had a team of enthusiastic swimmers attend the Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival. For many of our younger students it was their first swimming carnival and they did an awesome job. We are so proud of their ‘try my best’ approach. We also sent a group of students ranging from Year 1 – 6 to a critical and creative thinking event for the Eureka Gateways expo. Their enthusiasm and positive approach to problem solving and experimental experiences was wonderful. They learnt about the different blood types and what makes each one unique and spent time engaging with the periodic table. I remember doing this in Year 10! Thank you to all staff and volunteers who supported the students at both events.

As a community we gathered as a whole school to welcome Aboriginal artist Pat Caruso back to our community to launch our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Mural. Story is hugely important to Pat and this comes from his own personal story of family and connection. “Pat’s family background is of an Eastern Arrernte person whose connection to country and community was disrupted by his mother’s removal in Alice Springs in the mid-1950s. Despite this event, he strongly identifies as both a person of Eastern Arrernte background and the Sultan family.” www.wecreateprintdeliver.com.au/people/pat-caruso/

Pat worked with our aboriginal students and our RAP committee to develop this art work. He spent time listening deeply to these groups about what they like about St Monica’s and what was important to our community. He also asked us what our hopes and dreams for the future were. From these conversations, he created our mural which stands proudly at the front entrance to our community now and for many years in the future. Pat and I have a special connection as I taught him when he was in Year 7 at Holy Family. Connection is a wonderful thing!

When you return next term, you will notice that the council will have changed the signs for parking in the “Kiss and Drop” spaces. The time limit of 2 minutes will be added. We try to make the after school pick up as seamless as possible, but we must also be mindful of our neighbours and their right to be able to access their driveways at any time. If your child is not ready for collection, please park further up the street or do a lap of the block and most times they will then be ready for collection. I thank you for your support in this matter.

I hope that the term break provides many days of wearing PJs for the whole day and resting and going ‘slow’ for a few days. I am travelling with my family interstate, so I hope that if you are travelling you have safe journeys.

God’s blessings,

Emily Sayer

He has Risen!

On Easter Tuesday we came together as a whole school to celebrate the Resurrection. We had an Easter Liturgy hosted by our 3/4V class and led by Deacon Andrew. It was a nice opportunity for us all to reflect on the week before and the Easter break and take time to think about Jesus and the sacrifices he made for us.

Many classes reflected a lot on Jesus and the Resurrection. Classes spent time learning about the story and how special it is to our Catholic faith.

3/4V created beautiful pieces of artwork depicting the Resurrection. They learnt how roads represent the journey of life and the different paths you can take in your journey. Jesus encourages us to make good decisions and stay on the right path. The road reminds us that we need God’s guidance on life’s journey and God’s son Jesus came to show us the way.

Sacramental Program 2023/24

Last weekend many of our families whose child is celebrating the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist attended the Children’s Liturgy on Saturday night at St Monica’s Church or Sunday morning at St Martin’s Church. It was great that so many of our children have committed to celebrate these Sacraments this year and continue their faith journey. I look forward to spending time with all families preparing each child for their Sacraments which will be celebrated later in the year.

We look forwarded to our first Confirmation session after the Children’s liturgy on the 5 May, where we will work with the families and their child and start preparing them for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Upcoming Dates – St Monica’s Parish School

Friday, 3 May          9am               Mother’s Day Mass

Saturday 4 May      6pm               Children’s Liturgy – 1st Confirmation preparation session

Sunday 5 May        9:30am         

Please remember that the winter uniform should be worn when we return to school on Tuesday 30 April. We do have a two week ‘change over’ period in case some days are still sunny and warm but by the start of Week 3, all students should be in their correct winter uniform. Hats are not required to be worn in Term 2.

This year's swimming carnival was competitive but fun. Overall, we came 6th out of 8 schools. Our newest swimmers did amazingly well considering it was their first year, especially those who won a ribbon in their events. A special well done to all our year 3 and 4 relay teams who won a ribbon for this event. Well done to all people who trialled especially those who made the team. It isn’t always easy making it to trials that early in the morning.  The team did amazingly well considering we are one of the smaller schools in the competition . Some students competed in multiple events, so we applaud those people for having the energy to do the events.  We hope all people who made the team feel incredibly proud of this amazing achievement. We all felt proud to represent the school and good luck to everyone for next year.

By Lina  and Charlotte: Yr 6

The parent community has established a private group on Facebook that facilitates the trading of second-hand uniform items.

Please visit www.facebook.com/groups/stmonicasbuyswapsell and request to join the group if you are interested.

The page is ideal for selling items in good condition that your child has outgrown, or to sell items if your child is moving on. Simply post images and your contact details. Alternatively, you can join the group to take advantage of the pre-loved items that become available.

For those of you who are not on Facebook, please contact the P&F pandf.stmonicas@gmail.com and they will assist you with the sale of items.

Please note the sale of old-style uniform items is not allowed. St Monica's Parish School does not manage this page and takes no responsibility for any private sales.

We acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the land upon which St Monica’s learn, work and play.

May we walk gently on this land acknowledging the Kaurna people's deep spiritual connection with their country.

We pay our respects to Kaurna elders past and present and commit to the ongoing journey of Reconciliation.