Newsletter 14th February 2024

Ash Wednesday 2024

From the Principal

Last Thursday, we celebrated our first School Mass for the year. This Mass was an extra special one, as we took the time to induct our Year 6 students into their leadership roles for the year. At the Mass, our Year 6 leaders received their badge of leadership and shared with us their pledge for the year. This badge ceremony was the final part of our Year 6 leadership induction program which commenced in Week 1.  We have been extremely impressed with the way in which our leaders have already taken to their roles, showing great enthusiasm and initiative. We wish them all the best as they continue to lead our school this year.

Last Tuesday evening, we held our P&F Annual General Meeting. I’d like to thank all the parents who were able to come along and be part of the meeting. I thank the outgoing Executive – Meg Bullock, Sarah Halter, Leah Chicken and Kim Wicks - for all of their wonderful work throughout the 2023 year. You achieved many great things for the school. We recognise and thank the following parents for taking on the Executive roles for the 2024 year – Stephen Martin (President), Amy Phillips (Vice President), Ben Johns (Treasurer) and Lauren Mahoney (Secretary). I would like to encourage all parents to get involved where you can. The meetings are a great opportunity to build connections with other parents and to be part of building and shaping the school community.  We look forward to our first P&F function for the year – The Bush Dance on the 8^th March. Hope to see you all there.

Throughout the week the School Board held their first meeting for the year. At this meeting, we discussed the key priorities for the 2024 year as well as finalising and endorsing the School Homework policy and the School Strategic Plan. The updated Homework policy can be found at the following link - homework_policy.pdf (schoolzineplus.com) and accessed on the school website. The updated Homework policy gives greater clarity and consistency for teachers and parents around homework across the school, as well as outlining our homework expectations. Please take the time to have a read through and if you have any questions, please feel free to make contact with me through the School Office.

The School Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027 is in its final stages of proofing and editing and will soon be shared with our school community. This plan forms an integral part of our future work at St Monica’s, mapping out our key priorities for the next four years.

Below is our annual “Save the Date” flyer. This flyer is the first part of our  marketing for the 2025 school year. The flyer outlines all the key school enrolment and community events occuring this year. I encourage you to share this flyer with members of your family or friends who may be looking to enrol at St Monica’s in the coming years.

Lastly, we have some exciting baby news. Our wonderful Year One teacher, Rebecca Smith, is expecting her first baby on the June/July holidays. We wish Rebecca and Jaedan every happiness as they prepare for their little bundle of joy. Information regarding the Year 1 teacher for Semester Two will go out to Year 1 parents next term. 

From the APRE

Lent

Today, the whole school attended Mass for Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent. During Lent, Christians spend time thinking about our call to be people of God. Marking ourselves with ashes, is a way of reminding us to live as people of peace, love and compassion. Lent ends after 40 days when Jesus rises from the dead at Easter. Lent is a special time when God invites us to go without so that others may have a fair share of the gifts of creation. 

During this season of Lent, may we be mindful of the many gifts that are ours to enjoy and celebrate the great work of Caritas Australia through their Project Compassion Campaign. The theme of Project Compassion is ‘For All Future Generations’. It is an expression of hope and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues. Each week at assembly during Lent, our Year 6 Good Samaritan leaders will share with us a story about the work that Caritas Australia is doing from the donations they receive from schools like ours.

Parish Family Mass

Our first Parish Family Mass of the Year will be on Saturday the 2nd of March at St Monica’s Catholic Church at 6pm. It would be wonderful to see many of our families join our St Monica’s staff and parish community for prayer during the Lenten season. Families are warmly invited to join us afterwards for supper of pizza and poppers. A note will be going home today requesting numbers for catering purposes. We hope to see many of you there.

St Monica’s Parish Sacramental Program

Preparation for children wishing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at St Monica’s Parish in 2024 will take place in Semester 2. To be eligible to receive this Sacrament, candidates must already have been baptised.  At St Monica’s Parish, Sacramental program runs on a two-year cycle, meaning children who receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation this year, will be eligible to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion (Eucharist) next year.  Further information and participation slips will go home at the start of Term 3.

NAPLAN Dates 2023

This year, NAPLAN will take place in Term 1 for students in Years 3 and 5 from Wednesday the 13^th of March to Tuesday the 25^th of March. NAPLAN stands for National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, and tests students’ abilities in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling grammar and punctuation), and numeracy. In the coming weeks, students will complete some practice tests to help them become familiar with the platform and how it works.

P&F Welcome Bush Dance

On Friday the 8^th of March, the P&F will be holding a Welcome Bush Dance. A BBQ will begin at 5pm, the band – The Band-o-Coots, will be performing live from 6pm, and leading the crowd through some wonderful bush dances. Entry is free. BBQ presale tickets can be purchased at the event or at the school  office on Wednesday to Friday the week of the Bush Dance.

From the Classrooms

Prep

What a busy fortnight we’ve had in Prep!

Last Thursday the students participated in their first whole school Mass. They were very excited to walk in with their Grade 6 buddies. I would like to congratulate all the students, they were respectful and reverent throughout the Mass. This was very good practice, as this week we again attended Mass for Ash Wednesday.  We also participated in our first Shrove Tuesday, the students explored the meaning behind this very special time and celebrated with their first official pancake flipping competition. 

This Friday the students will receive their first Prep homework; additional parent information will be sent home with the tasks. 

Looking forward to another wonderful fortnight in Prep!

Year 1

This fortnight in the Year One classroom, we have been learning to write and represent numbers accurately. The students have enjoyed using our Maths manipulatives to represent tens and ones when making numbers. In Science, we have been learning about the patterns of the Sun. Be sure to ask your child about daylight savings and a solar eclipse! 

Year 2

I can’t believe how quickly this term is already flying by!  

In English, we are learning all about narratives and all the parts to them. This week we are focusing on characters and how to describe the interesting characters in our books.  

In Maths, we have been learning all about numbers. Last week we learnt a new addition strategy called “Think 10”. This week we are focusing on 2 and 3 digit place value and how to read and write these numbers.   

In Religion this week, we are learning all about Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. We also made our Lenten Promises this week! Ask your child what promise they made. 

In Science and HASS, we are learning all about sustainability. We were fortunate enough to be able to watch the Lorax by Dr Seuss and learn about the importance of trees in our world and why we need them!  

What an amazing and busy two weeks we have had in Year Two and we are so excited to continue learning each day!  

Year 3

Welcome to Week 4, I cant believe how quickly the term is moving along! Congratulations to the incredible Year 3 students on their outstanding assembly presentation on the importance of getting along! They truly impressed us all with their message. In class, we're deep into narrative writing, developing our writing skills and working towards creating texts with structured paragraphs. Next week marks the start of our persuasive writing unit, get ready to make your arguments shine, Year 3!

Just a reminder that library and homework are due back on Thursdays and homework will come home on Fridays. 

Have a lovely week ahead.

Year 4A

The students in 4A have been working on the Benedictine value of self-discipline in class. This value is a way of focusing energy and attention on what matters most and, allowing others to do the same. The students have decided that the value of self-discipline links very well with our St Monica’s Learning statements.

In Mathematics we have been investigating place value and understanding the place each numeral has in a number determines its value. We have also been learning to read and write decimal numbers.

Please ensure that your child is completing their homework each week. Homework will be collected and marked on Thursday and sent home on a Friday. Mathematics homework is to be done without a calculator unless it is stated in the task. The students are encouraged to come to me with any questions about homework on a Monday or Tuesday morning.

Year 4M

Welcome to Week 4

As we settle in to our routines in 4M I am pleased to observe that the children are beginning to consciously think about and demonstrate the St Monica's Learning Dispositions. There have been many instances of students showing great resilience, persistence and curiosity. This week is an important week with Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday being observed. We are looking forward to the pancake-flipping competition but also reflecting on what we might give up for Lent. We will be making our Lentern promises this week in class.

In Maths we are trying to collect 1000 bottle tops, so if you have some lying around at home, please send them in. Please also remind your child that the homework folders need to come back to school every day so that notes etc can be placed in them. 

Year 5B

Well, here we are in Week 4 - the term is certainly flying by. It has been a busy couple of weeks. Congratulations to Mason, William, Lil and Blair who performed admirably at the Catholic Swimming Carnival. Thank you to the parents who have completed and returned their surveys. I would appreciate it if you could send this in as soon as possible if you are yet to do so. Just a reminder about Library borrowing on Thursdays - please ensure your child has their library bag and books each week. This week, the students have been learning about Lent. They participated in the pancake toss for Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday Mass. This Friday, our class will be presenting at Assembly and we hope you will be able to join us on this special occasion.  

Year 5R

Greetings, Families!

In Year 5R, our journey through literature has led us to captivating adventures with Roz, the curious robot. Inspired by her explorations, we are eager to embark on our own narrative adventures this week.

Moreover, we're sharpening our language and mathematical skills, diving into the depths of punctuation and fractions, now mastering their conversion into percentages.

Most importantly, our classroom is a haven for compassion and curiosity, where compassionate hearts and inquisitive minds thrive, fostering a harmonious environment for learning and growth.

Let's continue this journey together, with excitement and enthusiasm!

Year 6

Last Thursday the Year 6 students were very excited to receive their badges as they made their pledge at our Leadership Induction Mass. It has been wonderful to see the students step into the roles as leaders and wearing their badges with great pride. 

Within the classroom, the Year 6s have been discussing the key events that led to Australia's Federation and, in the coming weeks, will continue to explore the key figures who played an integral role in it. They have also been conducting an experiment in Science to explore what conditions support the growth of microorganisms. 

From the Library

From Music & LOTE

Our School Choir has been asked to lead the singing at Parish Mass on Saturday 2^nd March.  It would be wonderful to have as many Choir members as possible to attend.  Please complete and return the note from Mrs McGregor to indicate if you will be attending. Thanks.

On Tuesday 23^rd April, we will be having an Indonesian Cultural Day. This is the second week back of next term. This is an opportunity for students to do some Indonesian Art/Craft and try some Indonesian food (nasi goreng).  It would be wonderful to have some parent helpers that day if possible to cook fried rice.  If you are interested/available, please email me at kate.hughes@twb.catholic.edu.au.

Terima kasih!  (Thank you!)

Mini Monnie's Playgroup

Be Well at St Monica's

GET MOVING

Get Moving!

Physical activity is crucial for both physical and mental well-being, offering a myriad of benefits. It helps maintain a healthy body weight, reduces the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes, and strengthens bones and muscles. Moreover, exercise boosts mood, reduces stress and anxiety, and improves sleep quality. Engaging in regular physical activity promotes longevity, enhances quality of life, fosters social connections, and supports brain health by improving cognitive function and reducing the risk of age-related cognitive decline.

The Parkrun Phenomenon

In 2004, in England, 13 runners got together to participate in a free timed 5km run and as a result parkrun was born. Fast forward 20 years and parkrun is now the biggest running/walking event in the world.  It takes place every Saturday morning at over 2300 different venues (including 28 prisons), in 23 countries around the world, with over 9 million participants in total. Parkrun aims to create a healthier and happier planet by reaching out to people who wouldn’t normally take part in running events. It empowers communities to walk, jog, run and volunteer together, whilst breaking down barriers.  People of all ages and all ability levels are most welcome!

We are fortunate to have a Parkrun event right here in Oakey. It takes place at Arthur Shooter Park, Stanley Street, each Saturday morning at 7am. Parkrun is free and run by volunteers. Getting out in the great outdoors and enjoying some fresh air is well known to have a positive impact on wellbeing so why not get the family together this weekend and enjoy a walk/jog/run in the park. You might even see Oakey parkrun’s resident koala. Register today (it’s free!) at www.parkrun.com.au.  Whilst you can participate without registering, if you register and take along your barcode you will receive an email after the event notifying you of your results and the event statistics. 

Peak2Park

The Optimise Health Peak2Park challenges you to walk or run a 4km or 10km course. With something for everyone, this fun-filled activity is perfect for all ages and abilities. Join thousands of others who have already experienced the thrill of this event! Not only does it promote health and fitness, but every penny raised goes directly to local charities and community groups. This makes a massive impact on the well-being of the community. Since its inception, Peak2Park has raised over half a million dollars for local Darling Downs charities.

Peak2Park takes place on Sunday 3 March 2024 beginning at Picnic Point and finishing at Lake Annand. For registration and more information go to 2024 — Optimise Health Peak2Park — Race Roster — Registration, Marketing, Fundraising

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

2024 St Monica's School P&F Executive Team

A warm welcome to the 2024 St Monica's School P&F Executive Team.

President -           Steve Martin

Vice President - Amy Phillips

Treasurer -          Ben Johns

Secretary -            Lauren Mahoney

A big thank you also to Kylie McCormack who will continue as Tuckshop Convenor and Trisha Brownsey who will continue as secondhand clothing pool convenor. Thank you as well to Carly Bach who will support in these two roles. 

Lastly, a huge thanks to last year's executive team. Your efforts and tremendous fundraising led to some amazing comunity events and terrific resources for the school, such as the big fans inthe hall. 

Welcome Bush Dance

On Friday the 8th of March, the P&F will be holding a Bush Dance to welcome our new families into the St Monica's communiy. Entry is free. The P&F BBQ will begin at 5pm and the band and bush dancing will commence at 6pm. There will also be a raffle and hundred dollar boards. Food tickets can be purchased on the night or on the week of the bush dance on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from the school office. We look forward to a wonderful evening celebrating community spirit.

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!