Term 2 Week 9 2025

We are shortly coming to the end of another busy term. The coming holidays will hopefully give everyone a chance to rest and go a bit slower for a couple of weeks. During this term, our community has been hit hard with illnesses. I would like to acknowledge the students and staff who have had to respond to changes to learning programs at short notice. They did so with understanding, resilience and a growth mindset.

Last Friday night we had another amazing community event, the annual school disco and Pizza and Wine night. It was a great success, and the children enjoyed dancing the night away to the groovy music being played by Magic Mike and the parents were able to enjoy some quiet time connecting with each other in the library with delicious pizzas from Paulie’s Pizza and wine from Virgara to enjoy. These events only happen because people are prepared to help organise it. On behalf of everyone who enjoyed the night, I would like to sincerely thank the P and F members who over saw the co-ordination with a special mention to Kathryn, Carolyn, Leanne and Mymy and to Vanessa S who created the best disco space for the children to enjoy. If you have any feedback for us about the night, please email me. We would also love to welcome any parent to join the P and F group. You may only have time to help with one event through the year or may be able to assist at a couple, but many hands do make the task easier. The next meeting is being held on Monday 28 July at 6.00pm in the library. I look forward to seeing some new faces.

Today was our Term 3 Reception students' last transition visit. We are so excited to welcome each precious little person and their families to our community.

We welcome Samantha, Marlie, Zahli, Lukas, Xavier, Tashalie, Antonella, Mikayla, William, Olivija, Banksy, Thomas, Mitchell, Yasma, Milena, Aubrey, Ana, Georgia, Leokadiusz and Esha!   

May your time here be filled with fun, learning and love.             

We are beginning to finalise our enrolments for 2026 in Reception. A child can commence in Term 1 2026 if they turn 5 on or before 30 April. To commence school in Term 3, a child must have turned 5 on or before 31 October. If there are still any younger siblings who have not been enrolled to start in 2026, I would highly encourage you to do this soon. Please contact Annette Reynolds in the front office if you have any queries or would help with this process.

Second Hand Uniform Sale

Next Wednesday 2 July at 2.45pm, we will be having a second-hand uniform stall in the school library. We have a lot of stock currently from items donated from old families and thought we would give current families a chance to grab a bargain. All items will be $5 in cost. A list of what is available will be sent home later this week via Direct Message on SEQTA Engage.

Building Update

If you have been onsite recently, you will have seen that the building works are well and truly underway. During the holidays, Stage 1 (behind the Early Years classrooms) will be completed and be handed back to the school for use. The students and teachers have been very excited (and very patient) watching the process of demolition and construction that is being undertaken in this space. Stage 2 of the construction (back entrance to the school) will be completed by the end of Term 3 and ready for use when the children return in Term 4. The final stage will be the new Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA) where the lawn is currently. This will be an amazing asset for us to be able to use for sport, break times and community events. I look forward to sharing more progress with you soon. I would also like to thank you for your patience during the changes that we have had to put in place at the moment.

One of our school’s biggest community gatherings is our annual school sports day. We are going back to St Alban’s Reserve; Clearview and it will be held on Friday 26 September. I ask families to note this date in their calendar as per previous years, OSHC (before and after school care) will not be open on this day. Further details about the date and times will be sent home to families next term.

I hope the week ahead is a warm and dry one for you all,

God’s blessings,

Emily Sayer

In our last newsletter we highlighted some of the key points from Madhavi Nawana-Parkers’s Parent Information Evening on ‘Supporting emotional regulation and resilience’.

Top tip:  The 90 Second Rule

Neuroscience researcher (Dr Jill Bolte Taylor) has proven that anger for external circumstances only lasts for 90 seconds. If you can delay your reaction to these behaviours for 90 seconds, your response will be in a calmer manner that helps your child to regulate.  The same rule applies to children – when they are angry, given them some space for 90+ seconds before having a conversation about their behaviour.

 If you were unable to attend or looking for some more information, Fullarton Community Centre regularly runs free Parent Workshops.  Further information and bookings can be made through:

https://www.unley.sa.gov.au/Events-programs-facilities/Facilities-venues/Community-Centres/Fullarton-Park/FPCC-Children-Families

What does Behaviour and Misbehaviour tell us?

Understanding and respecting our children’s emotional needs

Monday 18th August, 2025, 7-8:30pm

Presenter: Mark Le Messurier

Pro-Social Relationships

Learn how to support your child or teenager with tricky friendships and bullying

Monday 8th September, 2025, 7-8:30pm

Presenter: Madhavi Nawana-Parker

Back to Basics

Everyday things we can do to support our children’s mental health

Monday 27th October, 2025 – 7:00-8:30pm

Presenter: Mark Le Messurier

Sarah Morris

Hot Chocolate, Muffin and PJ Day - Friday 4 July 2025

As part of our school’s commitment to the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal, we are excited about our annual Hot Chocolate, Muffin & PJ Day! This special event will take place on Friday, 4th July 2025. Students are warmly invited to come to school dressed in pyjamas, dressing gowns, Oodies, beanies, or gloves for the day. (Please note: for safety reasons, slippers and Ugg boots are not to be worn – regular P.E. sneakers are the appropriate footwear.)

Orders should have been placed by now but we will take the last orders on Monday 30 June. 

In addition to this event, and in the true spirit of giving, we encourage families to show further support by donating an article of winter clothing. Please see the image for more details about what to donate.

All donations and proceeds from the day will go directly to the St Vincent de Paul Society, helping support families in need. Your generosity will assist vulnerable members of our community, including those facing or experiencing homelessness, and offer comfort during the colder months.

Thank you in advance for your kind support of this important cause – together, we can make a real difference.

We have been having a lot of fun in OSHC  - building and making  with blocks, boxes and puzzles.  We have even had a very special helper!

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.