Term 2 Week 1 2025

Welcome to Term 2! I hope that you really did get a chance to go a bit slower and spend a bit more time relaxing together as a family over the holiday period. This time of the year would have to be one of my favourites with the beautiful autumn colours present in our local streets and backyards. I love watching the children gather the fallen leaves into a big pile and then just jump into it. This simple act brings such joy and delight.

Last week we had two representatives from St Monica’s student leadership join me at the Walkerville RSL ANZAC Day Dawn Service. Jack and Matthew were wonderful ambassadors for us as they lay a wreath on the memorial for all service people who paid the ultimate price for peace in our world. Thank you to Matthew, Jack and their families for their time and attendance at this significant commemorative service.

As mentioned in the last newsletter of Term 1, I was very pleased to share with you that Natalie Bampton won the substantive role of our school’s APRIM. Natalie and her family are preparing for the imminent birth of baby number 5, so she won’t be back with us until next year. I am now very pleased to share that we will have Rachel De Tulio as our Acting APRIM for the remainder of this year. Rachel will be working at our school on Thursdays and Fridays and spend the rest of the week in her role at St Brigid’s, Kilburn. We welcome Rachel to our community, and I am confident that she will love connecting with the students and families of St Monica’s. Rachel has ‘introduced’ herself in the APRIM section below.

I look forward to seeing many of you special ladies for our Mother ‘s Day Breakfast and Liturgy, Friday 9 May commencing at 8.15am in the library

God’s blessings,

Emily Sayer

We have received the wonderful news that baby Harvey Eli has arrived safely to Nat and Steve Bampton and their family. Nat was our APRIM in Term 1 and will rejoin us in 2026. Harvey was born at 12.26pm on the 1 May, weighing in at 3.47kg and is 50cm long. I know you will join with us in sending our best wishes, love and blessings to Harvey and his family.

I am excited to introduce myself as the Acting APRIM for the remainder of the year. My name is Rachel De Tulio and I will be working with the leadership team and staff on Thursdays and Fridays, and I can’t wait to begin this next chapter at St. Monica’s. 

I have over 10 years of experience teaching in Catholic schools across Adelaide and country South Australia. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of holding a variety of leadership roles, including Leader of Heart Learning, ATSI Key Teacher, and Key MITIOG Teacher. I’m also an accredited Godly Play storyteller, and I am deeply passionate about teaching authentic Religious Education. I strive to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences that help students connect with the Word of the Text and understand their faith on a deeper level. 

I have extensive knowledge and experience working with the Crossways curriculum and using assessment strategies to enhance student learning. My vision is to work together to create a nurturing and inspiring environment that cherishes our Catholic identity. 

I’m truly looking forward to working with the wonderful staff and families at St. Monica’s, and I’m excited to be a part of your children’s spiritual and educational journey. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if there’s anything I can do to support your child’s learning in Religious Education. 

Thank you for the warm welcome, and I look forward to getting to know you all better in the coming months. 

An Easter Prayer

Lord, at this time of Easter rejoicing,
open our eyes that we may see You in others,
especially in the poor and suffering.
Open our hearts that we may love You in others,
especially in those who need our forgiveness.
Open our spirits that we may share You with others,
especially with those who feel far from You. 

Amen 

The Easter Season

As we celebrate the season of Easter, we are reminded of the profound joy and promise that this season brings. Easter is a celebration of new beginnings, symbolised by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which offers us a powerful message of love, redemption, and eternal life. It is a time to reflect on our faith, renew our spirits, and embrace the opportunities for growth and transformation in our lives. Let us carry the light of Easter into our daily actions, spreading kindness, compassion, and hope to those around us. 

Vale Pope Francis- The People's Pope 

During this time of renewal and hope, we honour the life and legacy of Pope Francis—a shepherd who walked humbly with his people and led with compassion, courage, and conviction. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and as a son of immigrants, he brought to his service the humility of a man formed by the streets of his city and the stories of ordinary people. As Pope, he chose simplicity over grandeur, love over judgment, and mercy over division. He was a tireless advocate for our common home through Laudato Si', challenging us all to care for the earth and one another, reminding the world that creation is a gift entrusted to us. Pope Francis gave a voice to the poor, the marginalised, and the voiceless, insisting that justice for the planet must go hand in hand with justice for its people. He reminded us that greatness lies in service and that faith must always be lived with tenderness and truth. May we honour his memory not only in words but by continuing the work he so faithfully began. 

Premier’s Be Active Challenge 2025

Congratulations to all the students who have already completed the 2025 Premier’s Be Active. Completed forms can be returned to the Library at any time. Further information about the Be Active Challenge can be found at https://pbac.sa.edu.au

Premier’s Reading Challenge 2025

This term would be a good opportunity for all our students to complete the Premier’s Reading Challenge which consists of reading 12 books, 8 from the Premier’s Reading List and 4 of their own choice. Further information about the Reading Challenge can be found at www.prc.sa.edu                            

Overdue Library Books and Readers

Could you please check at home and in school bags and return any books found as soon as possible.  Thank you.

Book Club Issue 3 – Orders close Thursday 16^th May 2025

The Book Club Issue 3 pamphlets will go home next week. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Book Club which helps provide additional resources for the students.

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) takes place at St Monica’s on Wednesday 21^st May

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). It aims to promote the value of reading and literacy in libraries, classrooms, and communities around the country.  Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.

The NSS book for 2025 is The Truck Cat, written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell. This is a heartwarming story about cats and humans, immigration and identity, and homes lost and found.

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.