Term 2 Week 3 2025

Mother’s Day

I hope that each mum, grandma, aunty or special lady had a wonderful day on last Sunday. It was certainly beautiful weather to be outside and have some relaxing time with the family on Mother’s Day. It was wonderful to have so many of these special ladies attend our breakfast and liturgy. This event would have to be one of the highlights for our school community each year.

Educational Support Officer Recognition Day

Today is Educational Support Officer (ESO) Recognition Day. At St Monica’s we are blessed to have many wonderful ESOs who support the students of St Monica’s. From the administration ESOs in the front office, to the curriculum ESOs who work to support the learning in the classrooms, to our amazing ESOs in OSHC – we want to say thank you for all that you do. That beautiful quote that says it takes a village to raise a child is certainly apt for our ESO and their work at St Monica’s. Here are some photos of just some of our amazing ESOs. 

Celebrating Mother’s Day at St Monica’s

Mother’s Day was a beautiful and heartfelt celebration at St Monica’s, as our school community came together to honour the mothers, caregivers and special women who play such an important role in our lives. The day began with a wonderful Mother’s Day breakfast, where families gathered to share food, conversation and a strong sense of community.

Following the breakfast, the school came together for a special liturgy led by Class 4/5M and presided over by Deacon Andrew. The liturgy was a moving tribute to the love and dedication of mothers and culminated in a touching slideshow and a whole-school performance of the song “Isn’t She Lovely.”

Throughout the week, our prayer focus was on Mary, the mother of Jesus, who we honour as a mother to us all. Students were invited to reflect on the love, care and devotion they receive from their own mothers and caregivers, drawing inspiration from Mary’s example of faith, compassion and selflessness.

It was a joyful and meaningful celebration that reminded us all of the incredible women who guide, support and nurture us each day.

A New Chapter in the Church: Welcoming Pope Leo XIV

This week marks a significant moment in Church history with the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. He is the first Pope to come from the United States and brings with him a rich cultural background, with Spanish and Franco-Italian heritage. A member of the Augustinian order, Pope Leo XIV has dedicated much of his life to missionary work, particularly in South America, where he became a Peruvian national.

In 2023, he was appointed by Pope Francis to lead the Vatican department responsible for overseeing bishops. While he has kept a low profile, his influence has been quietly powerful—particularly in supporting one of Pope Francis’s most significant reforms: including women in the voting group that helps decide which bishop nominations go forward to the Pope.

Pope Leo XIV is well known for his commitment to marginalised communities and for his good humour. His choice of name is especially meaningful—it recalls Pope Leo XIII, whose 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum remains a foundational document in Catholic social teaching. The principles of see, judge, act, which underpin Catholic social justice education, are rooted in this important work and may hint at the focus of this new pontificate.

Pope Leo XIV’s first words as Pope were, “Peace be with you all.”
Let us keep him in our prayers and join in his hope for a peaceful and compassionate world.

Celebrating Catholic Education Week: Shine With Open Hearts

Catholic Education Week is a special time to recognise and celebrate the rich teaching and learning that happens every day in Catholic schools across the country. This year, it was celebrated from 12–16 May, and marked a particularly significant occasion—180 years of Catholic Education in South Australia, coinciding with our Jubilee Year of Hope.

The theme for Catholic Education Week 2025 is Shine With Open Hearts. At St Monica’s, we embraced this message through a whole-school campaign that invited every student to reflect on how they bring light to the world through kindness, compassion and hope.

Each student decorated a star in response to one of the following prompts:

How do you shine with an open heart?
How does your school help you shine?
What are your hopes and dreams?

These stars came together to form a colourful and inspiring mural, proudly displayed at school. This collaborative artwork is a powerful reminder of the unique gifts each student brings and the shared sense of hope that unites our community.

Catholic Education Week was a joyful celebration of faith, learning and community spirit at St Monica’s.

Emotional Regulation and Resilience – Parent Education Evening

We have recently applied for a Parents in Education (PIE) grant through Catholic School Parents Association.  We have booked Madhvi Nawana Parker, Director of Positive Minds Australia and Wellbeing author, to run a Parent Workshop on Wednesday 11th June, 6-7:30pm, on the topic of ‘Emotional Regulation and Resilience’. 

‘We all want our children to grow up with healthy levels of confidence, resilience and wellbeing. While no one is confident or resilient all the time, being able to respond to life’s challenges with confidence, resilience and a growth mindset will help your child throughout their lives. Madhavi will explain what confidence, resilience and wellbeing are (and aren’t) and take you through practical tools including how to problem solve, manage emotions, set goals, be grateful and much more. Madhavi’s tools are easy to implement, evidence-based and delivered in a highly engaging way.’

Director, Madhavi Nawana Parker is one of Australia’s leading experts on Mental Health and Wellbeing. She brings her studies in Psychology, Counselling and over two decades of professional work in schools and organisations. Her evidence-based programs are implemented throughout Australia and overseas, providing over two decades of contribution to her field, positively impacting thousands of young, disconnected and vulnerable young people.

As a widely published Author, Madhavi’s expertise is highly sought after by Schools, Allied Health Care Organisations and the Corporate Sector. Madhavi contributes regularly to Parenting and Education magazines, is an enthusiastic Podcast and Radio guest and advises on topics including Mental Health and Wellbeing, Parenting, and Education.

Library News – Book an Adventure

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) takes place at St Monica’s this Wednesday 21st 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.

Premier’s Reading Challenge 2025 / Premier’s Be Active Challenge 2025

Completed PRC Reading Records and Premier’s Be Active Challenge forms can be returned to the library at any time. Congratulations to Flynn Drawwater the first student to return his completed Premier’s Reading Challenge Record. Further information about the Be Active Challenge can be found at https://pbac.sa.edu.au and the  Reading Challenge 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.

Occasionally books from other libraries are returned to the School Library by mistake. When this occurs, they will be returned to the appropriate Library.

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.