Newsletter 31st January 2024

From the Principal

Welcome to St Monica’s for 2024. I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all, from our very new families and students to our final year families. I hope that you all have a wonderful year at St Monica’s. We start the year with 191 students, consisting of 27 Prep students and 17 new families. We welcome you all and look forward to the year ahead. 

2024 will be another big year here at St Monica’s, with a number of wonderful learning opportunities and events planned for our students. Following on from our successful school review, we will be busy putting together our strategic plans and goals which will shape the direction of our school community for the next four years.  

As always, our overall focus for the year will continue to be on providing the best learning environment for our students, where they have the opportunity to experience success along their learning journey. As part of developing a positive and productive learning environment for all, our students have been introduced to our new community learning and behaviour statements. These statements outline how we all (students, parents and staff) can achieve success and develop positive relationships within our school community.  The statements focus on four key messages around six learning and behaviour dispositions: Confidence, Curious, Getting Along, Organised, Persistent and Resilient. These are up on display in each classroom and within the school quad area. These have also been sent home to families last week. We will continue to talk through these statements with our students each week.  

As we commence another wonderful year at St Monica’s I would like to finish with a regular feature that I put into our newsletter. I always find it helpful to reshare it each year. 

With the beginning of each new school year, our students can experience a mix of emotions as they become familiar with their new class. From our newest Preps and new students to our experienced Year 6s, all students will take time to adjust to the change in classroom routines, teachers and social groups. Change is necessary part of life and cannot be avoided. Change should be embraced as an opportunity to grow as a person and the school is one environment in which students can learn to deal with change by developing their coping skills. Adapting and working with change is a lifelong skill that everyone needs. If your child is experiencing difficulties in settling into the new routines, be proactive and take some time to work with your child’s teacher during these initial weeks until routines and school life becomes familiar. Please ensure that if you have any questions or queries in regard to your child, please contact your teacher as soon as possible. The staff of St Monica’s are here to work in partnership with all our families for the benefit of your child/children.  

 A few reminder to parents for our before and after school routine.  

Parents are reminded that it is essential that you are using the supervised crossing on Lorrimer Street. With the increase in families at the school, there is also an increase in the number of vehicles in the mornings and afternoons. The school crossing shouldn’t be seen as an extra trip or long delay to get to your vehicle but an essential trip for you and your children’s safety.  

In the afternoons, school students should not be using the playground equipment in Prep area. If students are waiting for pick up, they are to be seated under the Prep area tree.  

Our first supervised duty of the school day is at 8:25am. Before this time students are to be seated in the quad area. Students are not to arrive at school before 8:00am as they are unsupervised at this time. If you need to drop your child off before 8:00am, you are encouraged to make use of our Before School Care. This will ensure that your child is being cared for safely.  

From the APRE

Welcome Back

A warm welcome back to the 2024 school year. I trust that you all enjoyed a blessed Christmas season and peaceful break with family and friends. It is wonderful to see classrooms buzzing with excitement as they set up classroom routines and expectations and begin their adventures in learning.

Prayer For the New School Year

Lord Jesus, we ask for Your help as we begin this new school year. 

Allow us to experience Your presence in the many blessings You put before us. 

Open our eyes to the new challenges and exciting opportunities that this new school year brings. 

Open our hearts and minds to new friendships. 

Give us a generous spirit to be enthusiastic, and courage to accept new opportunities. 

Help us to be attentive to one another and live the Good Samaritan values each and every day. 

 Jesus, inspire us to do our best this year. 

Amen.

Staff Professional Development Week

During the week before school resumed, the St Monica’s staff engaged in a week of professional development. Included in this week was:

• First Aid Training
• Student Protection Training
• The creation of the school’s 2024 Annual Action plan and strategic plan utilising last year’s SRIP review and current data.
• Introduction to the 2024 Diocesan Approach to Reading, aligned with the Australian Curriculum English, Version 9.
• Mathematics professional learning day - designing the school scope and sequence for the Australian Curriculum Mathematics Version 9.

On the Friday, the St Monica’s staff joined with staff from Our Lady of Lourdes Toowoomba and St Stephen’s School, Pittsworth as we begin out TCSO Illuminate Journey, which is a professional learning project in Religious Education and the Religious Life of the School.

Special Assembly – Presentation of leadership shirts and ministries

Today, the Year 6 students were presented with their leadership shirts and ministry badges. The year 6 leadership ministries are:

• The Stewards of Creation Ministry
• The Liturgy Ministry
• The Good Samaritan Ministry
• The Health and Wellness Ministry

Each term the Year 6 students carryout the responsibilities of one of these ministries. Our Year 6 students are already doing a wonderful job leading our school and being role models to the younger students.

Friday Prayer Assemblies

Each week at assembly, one year level takes responsibility for sharing prayer with the whole school community.  Parents and other members of the wider community are always welcome to join us for assembly.  Assembly is held in the John Bede Polding Hall (big sports hall) on Fridays at 8:40am.  The first of these prayer assemblies will begin this Friday with the 4A class presenting.

Good Sams Day

This Friday, the 2^nd of February, we celebrate ‘Good Sams Day’, which marks the Foundation of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, who began our school in 1921. On this day we celebrate their inspiring work and the parable and values on which their order is based. We will celebrate with a prayer on assembly and a colouring competition.

Shrove Tuesday

On Tuesday of Week 4 (Tuesday the 13th of February) students will participate in a variety of events to recognise Shrove Tuesday. Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, was a day when people would use up the ingredients in the house that were not to be consumed during the Lenten season, such as butter, sugar and eggs. These were of course the perfect list of ingredients for pancakes! Students will be involved in pancake races, a pancake flip competition and of course, eating pancakes. Students are asked to bring a 50c donation for their pancakes, with all proceeds going to Caritas Australia’s 2024 Project Compassion.

From the Classrooms

Prep

Welcome Prep families to what I’m sure will be a year filled with fun, growth, and excitement. 

This week in Prep we have been learning all about school routines, rules, and expectations.  We have been taking the time to get to know one another and have been discussing all the things that make school special. 

We look forward to another fun filled fortnight in Prep!

Year 1

What a wonderful couple of weeks in the Year One classroom! We are so excited to sit at our desks and show how responsible we can be by keeping our pencil cases organised. This week, we have been learning about rhyming words by exploring some of our favourite nursery rhymes in English. We have been practising counting to 100 and looking for patterns using our 100s chart in maths. Please remember to complete your parent survey and return it if you still need to do so. Thank you.

Year 2

What an amazing start we have had in Year Two! Last week we spent some time looking at our class rules! We also learnt all about our new whole school learning dispositions. We really enjoyed Mrs McGregor visiting our room and teaching us all about them.

Just a reminder to fill out the parent survey and return it asap if you haven’t already.

Year 3

Welcome back to another year and a very special welcome to my Year 3 students and their families! I hope you all had a fantastic break and are ready for the incredible year ahead. I've already had the most amazing time getting to know each student in our class and can't wait to continue our journey together this term. 

Just a friendly reminder to parents to please return any outstanding parent surveys, please let me know if you would like another one and I will send one home with your child. 

This year, Homework and Library Bags are due back on Thursdays, with new homework being sent home on the Friday. 

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to shoot me an email or pop in for a chat. Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead! 

Year 4A

We have had a busy start to the year! The students have worked together to brainstorm class rules, that will help us effectively work as a team. Everyone has settled in well and has been using our St Monica’s Learning Dispositions to support each other in the classroom.

We have begun to explore the concept of community is both HaSS and Religion and will continue this throughout the term.

Homework will be sent home for the first time THIS FRIDAY, it is due back at school each Thursday. It is being sent home over the weekend for those families that are busy with other commitments throughout the week. Year 4 students are encouraged to complete 80 minutes of homework per week.

God Bless.

Year 4M

Welcome to Week 2

What a great start to the term!  4M have transitioned beautifully into the new school year, and it doesn't feel like a new class at all!  I am looking forward to a wonderful term full of growth and fun! This week, we are consolidating our class rules.  This is a very important part of the start of term, to establish rules and expectations.  To continue our partnership, I wanted to share them with you.  In our class, we have the 5Ps.  Be Polite, Positive, Prepared, Productive and Prompt.  The 5Ps tie in well with the new St Monica's Learner Statements. Please take some time to discuss these with your children and ask them to show you the moves that go with each statement! We are beginning to ease into our learning this week and will start some of the new activities that we will be continuing throughout the year. Don't forget that we are performing at assembly this Friday at 8:40. I look forward to seeing you there.

Have a great week! 

Year 5B

Welcome to Week 2! What a great start the Year 5B students have had to the 2024 school year. I have been impressed with how well they have slotted back into the routines of school life. Last week, we worked together to determine our classroom expectations and this week we have identified what the You Can Do It keys to success – Persistence, Organisation, Resilience, Confidence and Getting Along - look like, sound like and feel like. This week is the first week the students are participating in their full range of specialist lessons, and they have been enjoying these opportunities. I recently emailed information regarding curriculum focus areas for Term 1 and general reminders, along with a parent survey. Could you please complete and return the parent survey as soon as possible as it provides me with valuable information about your child and their learning. 

Have a fabulous week! 

Year 5R

I hope this newsletter finds you all in good spirits and thriving as we embrace the exciting learning journey in 2024! I am thrilled to be part of the St. Monica's community as a new Year 5 teacher. The warm welcome I've received from staff, parents and students has made settling into the St. Monica's family an absolute delight.

In these first weeks, I have enjoyed getting to know the wonderful students of St. Monica's. Each child brings a unique spark to our classroom, making every day an adventure in learning and discovery. It's truly heartwarming to witness their enthusiasm and eagerness to explore new ideas.

Let me express my heartfelt gratitude for the warm reception and support I have received from the St. Monica's community. I look forward to a year filled with growth, joy, and memorable moments as we learn and thrive together.

Year 6

Welcome back for another action-packed start to the year! The Year 6 students have had a very busy start as they began learning about the importance of their roles as school leaders. We have been discussing the qualities that make a good leader and how they can demonstrate these within our school community. 

This Wednesday, the leaders were officially welcomed into their leadership ministries at assembly where they were presented with badges and received their leader shirts.

This Friday they are all very excited to be heading off to Emu Gully where they will undertake a variety of activities where they will learn about the importance of working and communicating effectively as a team.

From the Library

From Music

It's great to see many students enthusiastic about Ukulele Club (Tuesdays at lunchtime) and Choir (Thursdays at lunchtime) for 2024.  

Choir members this year are in for a treat with the amazing bi-annual event Sing Out happening early in June at the Empire Theatre.  More information to come shortly.

Students in all classes were off to a great start in L.O.T.E (Languages Other Than English) this week.  It's wonderful to see many students recalling some of the phrases learnt in the previous two years and building on their knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia.    Did you know that  learning a language   'improves memory and brain function. Learning a language strengthens the area of the brain which is responsible for memory, speech and sensory perception.' (Department of Education WA)

Mini Monnie's Playgroup

Be Well at St Monica's

Food For Thought

Food for Thought!

As we begin the school year at St Monica’s, it is an important time to consider the benefit of a nutritious lunch and the impact this has on your child and their learning.

🔐 How Food Affects The Brain: Unlocking the Potential
We all know that the food we eat can influence our overall health, but did you know it plays a crucial role in brain function, especially for learning and memory?

Deakin University's Food & Mood Centre has conducted groundbreaking research revealing the profound impact of food quality on the hippocampus—the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory retention.

🧠 Professor Felice Jacka, the world's foremost researcher on food and mood, emphasises, "What you eat has a really important influence on your hippocampal volume and function, which could affect your learning, your memory, mental health, appetite regulation."

For more information on the impact of food for your child and their learning, go to https://therootcause.com.au/about/

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

School uniforms are now available at School Locker online theschoollocker.com.au  or Intersport in Ruthven St Toowoomba.

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 bucket 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 bucket 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)
  

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 bucket hat
  
• 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 bucket 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)
  

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.

From the P&F

The St Monica's P&F welcomes our school community back a fantastic 2024! 

AGM- 06/02/2024 @ 7pm RSL

The St Monica's P&F AGM will be held on Tuesday 06/02/2024, week 3 of Term 1, 7.00pm at the Oakey RSL. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else, please send all nominations through to the P&F email account, oakpandf@twb.catholic.edu.au. As usual, all positions are open, and we look forward to seeing everyone and meeting new people at the AGM.

Tuckshop

If you would like to get involved and help out in tuckshop, please see Kylie McCormack or Lyndell in the office. All helpers are placed on a roster, of your choice of date (where applicable).

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 the P&F email or see Lyndell in the office. oakpandf@twb.catholic.edu.au

The 2023 P&F Executive Committee would just like to take this opportunity to thank all our wonderful school community, volunteers, school staff and wider community for your help to make 2023 such a successful year. We all look forward to taking a step back in 2024 and having the next group of parent and carers take over, while still being a part of the P&F.

Clothing Pool

The clothing pool is currently located in the OSHC, if you require anything please contact the school office or see Lauren in OSHC room near the Prep Classroom.

Outside School Hours Care

Community News

Joey Scouts are boys and girls 5 - 8 years old.

Life as a Joey Scout is full of discovery and excitement! We participate in a variety of activities from cooking and craft, to paddling, climbing and day-hiking in the great outdoors.

Joey Scouts commence for 2024 on Tuesday 22 January at the den in Stanley Street 5-6pm.  

Come along and meet the Joey Scout Leader and start the year hopping!