Newsletter 11 September 2024

From the Principal

As we finish off this term, I would like to take the time to commend our students on all of their work. It has been a busy term, full of many extra-curricular and important events. You have all done an amazing job at being focused on your learning and aiming for success every day.  The entire staff are constantly impressed with your dedication towards your learning and the persistence you show in growing as learners. 

I would like to thank our amazing staff for their work in helping our students achieve this daily success. You have all put in a magnificent effort this term and you should be proud of what your students have achieved. I am very blessed to work alongside such a fantastic group of people. 

I look forward to seeing everyone back ready to work in our final term of the year. These final 10 weeks will go fast, particularly when we have events such as Year 5 & 6 Camp, swimming lessons and our end of year events but there will also be plenty of opportunities for our students to build on their learning from this term and to finish off the year on a high. 

From the APRE

R U OK Day? This Friday  

On Friday we will be recognising R U OK? Day. R U OK? is a public health promotion charity that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives.

The organisation focuses on building the motivation, confidence and skills of people to have meaningful conversations with someone who is struggling with life. They encourage people to invest more time in their personal relationships and build the capacity of informal support networks – friends, family and colleagues - to be alert to those around them, have a conversation if they identify signs of distress or difficulty and connect someone to appropriate support, long before they're in crisis.

Our school was founded by the Good Samaritan Sister who were guided by the rule of St Benedict. St Benedict is known for his saying “Listen with the Ear of the Heart”. But what does this mean? Jesus listened with his whole heart. In listening to people, he comforted, rejoiced and challenged them. Sometimes in listening to others, Jesus became saddened, when people only listened with their external ears and not with the ears of their heart.  Jesus said, “You will listen again and again, but not understand…for the heart of this nation has grown coarse, their ears are dull of hearing. But if you listen with the ear of the heart, you will truly understand and healed by me” (Mt. 13: 14:15).

There may be a time in your life when you get a feeling that someone you know or care about isn’t behaving as they normally would. Perhaps they seem out of sorts? More agitated or withdrawn? Or they’re just not themselves. Trust that gut instinct and act on it. By starting a conversation and commenting on the changes you’ve noticed, you could help that family member or friend open up. If they say they are not OK, you can follow our conversation steps to show them they’re supported and help them find strategies to better manage the load. If they are OK, that person will know you’re someone who cares enough to ask.

There are 4 steps of an R U OK conversation.

Step 1. Ask Are you ok?

Step 2. Listen with compassion, empathy and an open mind

Step 3. Encourage action and offer support

Step 4. Check in.

For more information, got to https://www.ruok.org.au/

Save the Dates, Term 4, 2024

Week 1

• Monday, Sep 30, First Day of Term 4

Week 2

• Monday, Oct 7, King’s Birthday Public Holiday
• Saturday, Oct 12, P&F Trivia Night

Week 3

• Wednesday, Oct 16, Maths Olympics, 9am in the hall.
• Friday, Oct 18 – Loud Shirt Day for Hearing Impairment Awareness Day

Week 4

• Monday Oct 21, Socktober Celebration for Children’s Mission Day – Wear your crazy socks.
• Tuesday Oct 22 – Friday October 25, Year 5 & 6 Camp at Burleigh.
• Friday, Oct 25, Day for Daniel (Wear Red)
• Friday, Oct 25, World Teachers Day.

Week 5

• Friday, Nov 1, All Saints Day
• Saturday, Nov 2, Parish/Family Mass

Week 6

• Tuesday, Nov 5, Melbourne Cup Hat Parade

Week 7

• Monday, Nov 11, Remembrance Day
• Wednesday, Nov 13, Swimming Lessons
• Thursday, Nov 14, Prep Transition Day 1
• Friday, Nov 15, Swimming Lessons

Week 8

• Monday, Nov 18, Swimming Lessons
• Wednesday, Nov 20, Spelling Bee in the Hall
• Thursday, Nov 21, Prep Transition Day 2
• Friday, Nov 22, Swimming Carnival

Week 9

• Wednesday, Nov 27, CWA visit for Choir and Ukelele Club
• Thursday, Nov 28, Prep Transition Day 3 and Step Up Day

Week 10

• Monday, Dec 2, Year 6 End of Year Retreat
• Tuesday, Dec 3, Ball Games Carnival
• Wednesday, Dec 4, 9am Graduation Mass & Morning Tea
• Thursday, Dec 5, Christmas Concert & P&F BBQ
• Friday, Dec 1, Final Liturgy (Prep Nativity) and End of Year Awards assembly.

Prayer for the holidays

What a wonderful Term Three we have had. Together, we have all achieved so much. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and peaceful Spring break, and special time with family and friends.

The Hope of Spring

Dear God, thank you for Spring and the hope of warmer, longer, brighter days.

Thank you for all the things that are coming awake in the world.

Thank you for the gift of new life. 

We remember, that on the last day of creation, you rested and told us to do the same.

Give us rest from our routine during this Spring Break.

Fill us with joy. Keep us safe and be with us, as we play together and enjoy the gifts of creation.

With faith, hope, love and peace we pray.

Amen.

From the Classrooms

Prep

Welcome to Week 10, Term 3!

We have had an amazing term filled with lots of fun and learning.  What better way to finish the term than with our very own Fairytale Banquet.  We all had a wonderful time.  

Thank you to all of the amazing parents and carers who provided the food and the wonderful costumes.  

Have a happy and safe holiday, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone in Term 4. 

Year 1

Assessment has been the main focus lately in the Year 1 room. The students thoroughly enjoyed planning and constructing a habitat for their minibeast. They put a lot of thought into them and the results were pleasing.

Writing our information reports took some time but once again, the end result was worth it. I was really impressed with their efforts. We have also been assessing concepts taught in maths and have a good starting point for Term 4, with the assessment tasks pinpointing areas which require consolidation before the end of the year.

During H.A.S.S lessons, Year 1s have been fascinated with some information about Waste Management such as:

• Recycle garbage trucks contain a camera when our wheelie bins are emptied into them to check for contamination
• Each tonne of paper recycled saves 13 trees
• Recycling one aluminium can, could save enough energy to power a TV for 3 hours

Students have been asked to bring in CLEAN, RECYCLED CONTAINERS to re-use for recycled craft creations this FRIDAY.  Please send these to the Year 1 classroom.  Thanks.

The students have worked very hard all term and are looking forward to a break from the school routine. We wish you all a happy and safe holiday break and look forward to seeing everyone back rested and ready to begin the final term of year one.

Jenny Shellshear & Kate Hughes

Year 2

Wow! I can’t believe we are at the end of Term 3 already! Time flies when you are having fun and that is certainly what we have had in Year 2 this term!

Last week in English, we had the chance to use computers to type up our description and persuasive paragraph of the “best toy ever”. We then had the chance to make posters. We had so much fun during this whole English unit and have learnt lots about being persuasive!

In Maths we have been doing some testing on the concepts we learnt throughout the term. We have learnt so many new concepts, but our biggest one was multiplication. We have loved learning how to multiply numbers and make groups, arrays, number sentences and more.

In HASS, we have been learning about the past. We are so excited to go on our excursion on Friday to the Oakey Historical Museum, The Australian Army Flying Museum and a walk down the main street of Oakey.

I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday!

Until next time,

Lauren Grant

Year 3

Thank you to those parents who came to interviews to discuss their child’s progress. These meetings are very important, and I enjoy catching up as well!

Students have worked very hard this term and are nearly ready for a well-earned holiday.   Regular lessons and small group activities have continued this week as students have been working on consolidating concepts in both English and Mathematics. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday and I look forward to seeing you all next term.

Year 4A

As this term wraps up, I would like to congratulate the Year 4A students for all their hard work throughout the term. It has been great to see them develop, and their confidence grow, as they mastered new learning. I look forward to working together in Term Four.

Our excursion to St Helena Island last Friday was a fabulous experience and the Year 4 students displayed fabulous behaviour. It connected brilliantly to our unit about the First Fleet this term. The Year 4 sleepover was a great way to finish off the day.

We have been presenting our convict letters to the judge as orals this week - the judges have been quite tough, and many have been sent to New Holland for hard labour! Our assessment items are almost complete as we head into a well-deserved holiday! I hope that you enjoy the 2 weeks away from the regular school routine.

God Bless

Mrs Cheryl Anderson

Year 4M

Welcome to the final week of Term 3!

Can you believe we are here already! What an action-packed couple of weeks we have had in Year 4. Our excursion to St Helena Island last Friday was amazing. It is always such a pleasure to take students from St Monica's out in public. Their behaviour was excellent, and their engagement with the speakers was great. It was a wonderful way to finish off our unit about the First Fleet this term. This was followed by our Year 4 sleepover. The students had a really successful night away from home and there were so many students who were beaming with pride on Saturday morning that they had actually stayed away from home for the first time.

We have been presenting our convict letters to the judge as orals this week - the judges have been quite tough, and many have been sent to New Holland for hard labour! We have completed most of our assessment and are now winding down and preparing for a well-deserved holiday! I hope that you have time to relax and spend quality time with your amazing children!

See you next term!

Year 5B

Welcome to Week 10!  

This week on Friday the 5B students will be presenting on assembly for R U OK? Day.  We would love to see as many parents there as possible!

After a very busy term, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for a safe and enjoyable holiday break. I look forward to welcoming the students back for Term 4, which will be chockablock full of exciting activities including the Year 5/6 camp to the Gold Coast, the swimming and ballgames carnivals, as well as our end of year Christmas Concert.

Year 5R

In Year 5 Science this term we have been focusing on the theme "Repurposing for a better World Climate".  How amazing are some of the creations!

Year 6

It's hard to believe the end of Term 3 is already upon us. The students have had a fantastic term of learning particularly researching countries within Asia, studying Australian author Jackie French and learning about different sources of electricity within Science. 

As we start to prepare for Term 4 with the Year 5/6 camp approaching, please ensure you are beginning to look at the packing list to make sure your child will be well prepared. This can be accessed through the Parent Portal. 

Have a safe and restful break!

From the Library

From Music & LOTE

St Monica's Got Talent

Congratulations to all those students who performed at the grand finals of St Monica's Got Talent!  Congratulations to the Runners Up - Nate, Brock, Gabe & Jack M who performed an entertaining version of The Duck Song. 

Congratulations to the overall winners - Sophie & Holly Scheuerle who entertained the audience with The Incredible Enlarging Machine!

Thank you to all parents and grandparents who formed the audience that day, your support is greatly appreciated.  

Choir/Ukulele Excursion

Last Thursday afternoon, our Choir and Ukulele group visited the CWA house.  It was a lovely opportunity to perform and then interact with the elderly residents.  Mrs Malone, Mrs Booth & Mrs Hughes were impressed and proud of the way the students represented the school.  

A reminder that Ukulele Club is each Tuesday at lunchtime.  All welcome.  

Students in Year 3-6 are welcome to join Choir on Thursdays at lunchtime.  

Mini Monnie's Playgroup

Be Well at St Monica's

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

As this term comes to a close, we would once again like the thank the St Monica’s community for your ongoing support.  We wish all our families a safe, happy and enjoyable holiday. 

Coming up next term...Save the date on Saturday 12th October for the prestigious St Monica’s Trivia Night!  Spread the word and get your teams of 8 organised for a night of laughs and fierce competition. Tables of 8 are $480 ($60 per head).  This price includes entry, charcuterie box, canapes and dessert.  For bookings or more information, please see Lyndell in the school office. 

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

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