Newsletter 11th October 2023
Western Safari Camp 2023
Year 5/6 camp departs this Sunday 15th October, students must arrive at school at 6:00am.
We then need to pack the bus for a 6:30am sharp departure!
Please be on time as we have a full days travel ahead of us with no time to spare.
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back for Term 4. I hope that you all had an enjoyable break. We have another great term ahead of us and I’m looking forward to finishing off what has been an excellent year at St Monica’s.
Over the break, I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to visit the Holy Land as part of the first Toowoomba Catholic Schools Holy Land Pilgrimage. The Holy Land has always been a fascinating place to me and to have the opportunity to walk in the places where Jesus walked and to be in the places - make connections to the biblical stories - that I have heard many times, was a very special experience. We visited many historical and Holy sites from the Old and New Testaments across Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories. This pilgrimage was a very reflective, and spiritual experience as I was able to attend Masses in some of the Holiest places for the Catholic faith such as The Church of the Nativity – where Jesus was born, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - where Jesus was crucified and later buried.
In a wonderful connection to our school, I was able to visit the ancient road that goes from Jerusalem to Jericho that features in the Parable of the Good Samaritan – an essential element of our school charism.
On the final day, I was also able to take a small group down to the Australian War Cemetery at Beersheba, which is the site of the 4th Australian Light Horse Charge in World War 1, which occurred on the 31st October 1917. We held a brief Remembrance Liturgy and had a guided tour through the Memorial Centre.
I look forward to sharing more of this experience with you all over the term.
On the weekend, the P&F held their St Monica’s P&F Race Day, which was a tremendous success. A massive congratulations and thank you goes to the Race Day committee for all their dedication and efforts in organising the event. Such wonderful feedback received about the event s a testament to all your hard work. A big thank you also goes to all the sponsors, and those who attended. A wonderful sense of community spirit was felt by all.
We have commenced our staffing plans for 2024 and over the coming weeks, I’m aiming to have all classes and teachers assigned to their 2024 classes. At this stage we are looking at having an enrolment profile sitting between 185 to 190, which means we will be looking to employ a 9th classroom teacher. If you, or someone you know is looking to attend St Monica’s next year, please come in and speak with a member of the administration team or give us a call.
Photos from Israel
From the APRE
Loud Shirt Day
On Friday, October 20, students are encouraged to wear their loudest shirts to school to raise awareness for the thousands of children across Australia with hearing loss. The slogan is ‘Wear loud for kids with hearing loss’. To mark the day, Year 1 will be presenting a special assembly on how we can raise awareness and support for our family and friends with hearing loss. A reminder that students will still need to wear their sports uniform bottoms (skorts or shorts) and bring their school hat.
Socktober
October is World Mission month, a time to focus on the missionary work that supports people from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds by responding to needs in a variety of countries. Socktober 2023 will contribute vital funds to projects around the world, including Timor-Leste, where a medical clinic and a children's home are providing hope for generations of young people. As a school we will be participating in ‘Socktober’ on Children’s Mission Day, which is on Wednesday October 25. Students are invited to wear their craziest socks and to offer a gold coin donation which will be sent to Catholic Missions.
Day for Daniel
On Friday, October 27, all students will be participating in ‘Day for Daniel’. Held annually, this day honours the memory of Daniel Morcombe, and on this special day, all Australians are asked to "wear Red, Educate and Donate". On this day, Year 4/5 AQ will be leading the school in a special assembly highlighting the importance of child safety and protection. This includes the 3 ‘Rs’ – React. Respond. Report!
Children are invited to wear red clothes to school on this day and bring a gold coin donation which will go to the Daniel Morecombe Foundation. Students will also participate in a fun run which is being designed by our Year 6 students. All students will need to bring their togs, sun shirt and a towel for the slip and slide part of the fun run.
World Teachers Day
Friday, October 27, is also World Teachers Day. The theme this year is ‘Hats off to Teachers’, aimed to celebrate the skilled work of of teachers in educating, inspiring and supporting students. On this day we celebrate and say a special thank you to the incredible talanted and dedicated teachers we have here at St Monica’s School. Year 2 will lead a special presentation as part of the assembly on this day.
Term 4 Class Masses
Please note below the class Masses for Term 4. All friends and family are welcome to attend.
- Prep – Year 3, Week 4 – Thursday October 26.
- Years 4-6, week 5 – Tuesday October 31
- Whole School – Week 9 – Wednesday November 29 – Year 6 Graduation Mass
Christmas Concert
A reminder that the 2023 Christmas concert will be on Thursday the 30th of November, beginning at 6:00pm. Like last year, there will be a bbq beforehand.
Term 4 Key Dates
Week 3
- Sunday, Oct 15 – Friday, Oct 20: Year 5/6 Western Safari camp
- Friday, Oct 20 – Loud Shirt Day for Hearing Impairment Awareness Day
Week 4
- Wednesday, Oct 25: Socktober Celebration for Children’s Mission Day
- Friday, Oct 27: Day for Daniel (Wear Red)
- Friday, Oct 27: World Teachers Day
Week 5
- Friday, Nov 3: Year 4 Sleepover
Week 6
- Tuesday, Nov 7 – Melbourne Cup Hat Parade
- Wednesday, Nov 8: St Monica’s Annual Spelling Bee
- Thursday, Nov 9: Prep Transition Day 1
- Friday, Nov 10: Remembrance Day Liturgy
- Sunday, Nov 12: Family Mass
Week 7
- Wednesday, Nov 15 – Friday, November 17: Swimming Lessons
- Thursday, Nov 16: Prep Transition Day 2
Week 8
- Thursday, Nov 17: School Step Up Day and Prep Transition Day 3
- Friday, Nov 24: Swimming Carnival
Week 9
- Monday, Nov 27: Year 6 End of Year retreat
- Tuesday, Nov 28: Ball Games Carnival
- Wednesday, Nov 29: Graduation Mass
- Thursday, Nov 30: Christmas Concert
- Friday Dec 1: Final liturgy (Prep Nativity) and End of Year Awards assembly (11am).
School lessons finish at 12noon.
From the Classrooms
Prep
Welcome to our final term of Prep, I can’t quite believe we are here!
This term, our English focus is on fiction and non-fiction texts. To explore this concept, we are looking at Australian animals. We are also continuing to develop our reading and writing skills.
In Mathmatics we are exploring number formation, connecting number names, numerals, and quantities and currently we are learning all about addition and subtraction.
Just a reminder to check the front page of homework to see when it's due back at school.
Looking forward to a productive term 4.
Year 1
What an exciting couple of weeks in the Year One classroom!
We jumped straight into our new English unit last week. We read our focus text, 'Handa's Hen', and discussed text-to-self connections. It's been lovely hearing about the students' experiences as we've read our text. In Maths, we've been exploring the language of chance when describing the likelihood of events, and this week, we have been working with Australian coins.
Year 2
Welcome to Term Four. In Science lessons, Year Two have been exploring the different items and professions that use water. After building our knowledge base, we will be investigating the different areas and items that use water at school, before learning about the benefits and need for using water responsibly.
In Mathematics, students have been using two-dimensional shapes to learn that objects can be moved, but changing positions does not alter an object’s size or features. From this, students will apply their knowledge to reproduce patterns based around half and quarter turns of a shape.
Year 3
Welcome back! I hope everyone had a relaxing, safe and happy break. What a busy term we have coming up with many of the students participating in our major art project for the community. This term students will develop their understanding of rhythm and rhyme that are used to create different effects in texts. Mathematics will see students revisiting concepts and enhancing their speed and accuracy when working with numbers. We are learning about melting and freezing with our Science unit ‘Melting Moments’. During Religion lessons students will explore who Jesus is in the lead up to Christmas.
Year 4/5 AQ
It's hard to believe that we've reached the final term of the year already! Term 4 is notorious for being a whirlwind of activity, and a reminder to check the school Facebook page, newletters and Sentral portal for important dates, announcements, and information.
Next week, our Year 5 & 6 students will embark on their Outback Safari camp, and we couldn't be more excited for them. Please remember that students need to be at school with their packed bags at 6 am sharp on Sunday morning. We can't wait to hear their incredible stories when they return!
A quick reminder that our library borrowing day has moved to Wednesdays for this term. This means that students should return their books every Wednesday until library borrowing finishes up for the year.
Wishing you all a fantastic week ahead!
Year 4/5 B
Welcome to Week 2. It is great to see the students start the term in such a positive way. Term 4 will certainly be action-packed and exciting. The Year 5 students are very excited about heading off on our Western Safari on Sunday. They need to have all items listed on the packing list and please ensure everything is named. I am sure everyone will have an amazing time - keep an eye out for our updates on Facebook. A reminder students are to be at school at 6 am. The Year 4s are looking forward to working with Mrs Ah Quay, Mrs Malone and the other Year 4s and they will no doubt have a very enjoyable week together.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Year 4/5 M
Welcome to Week 2!
I hope that you all had a refreshing holiday. We started back with a bang! A lot is happening in the next couple of weeks. We are holding our Assembly on Friday, so please come along and watch if you can. Year 5 will be on their camp adventure next week, so Year 4 will really be King's of the Castle - a good chance to try out those leadership skills.
We have been learning all about light in science and similes and metaphors in poetry. We have also been learning about 'neologisms' - words that are put together for a new meaning. Some of the examples from the class are - persaliens (alien people), phombies (phone zombies), prubber (pencil and rubber), bennis (basketball tennis). See if you can come up with some of your own!
Year 6
Welcome back to Term 4!
Last week a note was sent home with important information regarding the term including important dates for the end of year events. More information regarding these dates will be sent home closer to the date.
It’s not long now until we head off on our Year 5/6 camp. Please ensure you have read through the final information note that was sent home on Wednesday. This information was also emailed to all 5/6 parents. Students are expected to arrive at school at 6:00am on Sunday morning ready for departure.
We are looking forward to an incredible week ahead!
From the Library
Book Club Orders for Issue 5 are due Friday 20th October.
From Music
Save the date:
Our Choir and Ukulele Club have been invited to sing/play at the Oakey Christmas Carols on Saturday 25th November. This event will be at the Oakey Historical Museum.
More details to come closer to the event.
Mini Monnie's Playgroup
Be Well at St Monica's
Hike for Homeless
On Saturday, 28 October, the annual Hike for Homeless will take place in Toowoomba’s Jubilee Park where participants can complete a 5km, 10km or 20km hike. This event is organised by BASE Services inc., a Toowoomba-based, not for profit, community development organisation, that works with individuals and families in need in the Toowoomba region This includes men and women of all ages from diverse cultural backgrounds who are homeless or at high risk of homelessness, ex-service people, people with health issues, people with addictions, people with behavioural issues or trauma as a result of abuse, family violence, separation, grief or loss.
Hike for Homeless is aimed at raising awareness of homelessness in the Toowoomba region, along with much needed funds to ensure the Basement Soup Kitchen can continue to provide lunch time meals, blankets, clothing and essential services to people who are homeless or at high risk of homelessness.
Participating in these types of fundraising events that include physical activity really are a win-win situation for all involved, positively impacting the participants along with the beneficiaries. Some of our St Monica’s staff are participating in this event. If you and your family would like to join us, please register here at St Monica's Oakey (mycause.com.au)
and join the St Monica’s team. Alternatively, if you would like to contribute to our fundraising efforts, donations can also be made through this link.
In challenging times, help is just a phone call away! Who can you call 24/7?
Lifeline 131114, Kids Help Line 1800 551800, Beyond Blue 1300 224636
Uniforms
Research has shown that one of the real advantages of an education at a Catholic School is that a special and unique pride is developed. One significant way to foster such pride is the enforcement of strict uniform guidelines. All children are expected to wear the school uniform as listed below:
School Uniform - Years 1 to 6
Girls – Formal - Monday, Tuesday & Thursday
- St Monica’s School Dress Uniform
- Dress: Pattern, Sutton no 346(B)
- Dress: Fabric, Check 8021
- Collar: Cesarella 1301, Zip: Birch 265 Bottle Green
- St Monica’s School green school hat
- Short white socks – (no ankle socks)
- All black shoes – may be leather or jogger.
Girls – Sports - Wednesday and Friday
- St Monica’s School Sports Shirt Yr.1 to Yr.5
- St Monica’s School Leader Shirt Year 6
- St Monica’s School Navy Blue Skort
- St Monica’s School green school hat
- Short white socks
- White sandshoes/joggers
Winter Variation
- As Above
- St Monica’s School Bottle Green Fleecy Pullover with embroidered crest
- Green fleecy track pants with sports uniform only.
- Navy Blue Tights (optional)
- School track top with embroidered crest (optional)
Boys – Formal - Monday, Tuesday & Thursday
- St Monica’s School Dress Shirt with tartan collar
- Shirt: Pattern, Simplicity 5581
- Fabric: Bottle Green Poplin 8021
- Shorts: Navy Blue Long Shorts (Ruggers)
- St Monica’s School green school hat (Slouch hat style)
- Short navy-blue socks – (no ankle socks)
- All black shoes – May be leather or jogger.
Boys – Sports - Wednesday & Friday
- St Monica’s School Sports Shirt Yr. 1 to Yr. 5
- St Monica’s School Leader Shirt Year 6
- St Monica’s School Navy Blue Shorts (Stubbies)
- St Monica’s School Green School Hat
- Short white socks
- White sandshoes/joggers
Winter Variation
As Above
- St Monica’s school Bottle Green Fleecy pullover with embroidered crest
- Green fleecy track pants with sports uniform only.
- Long navy-blue pants - Ruggers – Formal uniform (optional)
- School Track top with embroidered crest (optional)
It is expected that the correct and clean school uniform will be worn at all times. A school uniform can help instil in the students a sense of pride and identity. It also signifies unity and equality.
Prep students wear the sports uniform 5 days per week – Monday to Friday
All Students
Hair: Collar length hair or longer must be tied back with a green band or green ribbon. Natural hair colour is expected. Rat’s tails and tracks are not permitted.
Earrings: Girls: Sleepers and plain studs are the only acceptable earrings.
Boys: No earrings.
Other: Clearly mark all clothing with your child’s name.
NB: The school fleecy pullover must be worn first. The spray jacket may only be worn over the top of the pullover.
From the P&F
Tuck-shop
Thank you to our past Week 1 helpers: Olesia Bach & Amy Phillips.
And a big thank you to this fortnight's helpers
- Week 2: Amanda Scheuerle & Gemma Roberts
- Week 3: Mel Harper & Meg Bullock
Race Day
The St Monica's Race Day was on the weekend just gone, Saturday 7th. Thank you to everyone who came, those who helped out and everyone who bought raffle tickets along the way.
A special mention to our amazing Race Day Subcommittee: Sarah Halter, Clohee Morrow, Nicole Langton, Kate Johns, Teagan Ale, Jemma Benson & Meg Bullock. This day was 9 months in the planning, and we thank each and every one of you for your time and effort in this fundraising venture.
Although invoices and monies raising are still being processed, thus no exact fundraising figures just yet, the following are some points from the evening
- 255 people attended the evening
- A total of 11 Items were auctioned: Pearl Bracelet (Hogans Family Jeweler), Brass Money Fridge (Bi-Rite Oakey, Langton Family), Esky & Cast Iron Set (QLD Cotton), 2x Darls Lister Original Paintings (Darls Lister), Jillaroo Framed Jersey (Shenae Ciesiolka), 1x Original Artwork from Katie Bryne, Booze Barrow (Bernbrough Hardware & The Grand Hotel Oakey, Fire Pit (McCormack's Family), 2x Meat Cartoons (Mort & Co + Stockyard/Kerwee Feedlot)
- Raffle Prize Winners
- 1st- Sue Edwards, winning 3-night accommodation at Beach on Sixth + $200 Restuarant Voucher (Bullock Family) & Fruit Tray (Westridge Fruit & Veg)
- 2nd- Ben Johns, winning Season pass to the Oakey Pool (Belgravia) + Fruit Tray (Westridge Fruit & Veg)
- 3rd- Olesia Bach, winning $100 Copper Bench Voucher (Morrow Family) & The Barn gift pack (The Barn Oakey)
- A big thank you to our Sponsors
- Gold- Bullock Earthmoving & Edwards Livestock
- Silver- Allround Diesel, Nutrien Farming, Mullins Mechanical, Twmba Grain & Storage
- Bronze- J Benson Holdings, Kantara Farming, Pengelly's Trucks, Black Toyota, NQ Horse Transport
- Mrs Nicole Hoffman was our wonderful Fashions on the Field Judge, a big thank you to Hannas Department Store and the Hanna's Family (Nicole Hoffman) for their generous donation for the winners,
- Female- $200 Hanna's gift voucher + Moet
- Male- $200 Hanna's gift voucher
The purpose of the Race Day was to raise $40,000 for the installation of industrial fans in the multipurpose hall at St Monica's. Updates of this goal will be added to the newsletter.
If you would like to get involved in the P & F, please accept this as a warm invitation and welcome. If you have any questions please get in touch with Meg Bullock on the P & F email or see Lyndell in the office. oakpandf@twb.catholic.edu.au
Race Day Photos
Clothing Pool
Please send Tricia Brownsey a text on 0408 675 945 and she will be able to let you know if what you require is available. Tricia is also happy to package up orders and leave them in the school office.
Please only text Tricia, as she has work commitments.
Outside School Hours Care
Community Announcements
