Newsletter 21st June 2023
St Monica's Choir 2023
From the APRE
Toowoomba Catholic Schools Arts Fest
The Toowoomba Catholic Schools Arts Fest: Belief in the Arts, commenced this week featuring nearly 1,000 student performers. It is an opportunity for students to perform on a professional stage in front of a large audience and enjoy the fun and excitement of learning new skills and collaborating with students from other schools across our Diocese. Congratulations to the students in verse speaking group, choir and selected visual artists who represented St Monica’s at this event. A big thank you also to Mrs Chris Conneely for her work with the visual art students and Mrs Kate Hughes for her work with choir and verse speaking.
New Specialist Lessons for Semester Two
Beginning next term, Miss Kaylene Keleher will be teaching Digital Technology as a specialist subject to all students from Prep to Year 6. Kaylene has a great passion and interest in STEM and digital technologies and experience teaching this subject area. Mrs Kate Hughes will be teaching Year 6 on Thursdays when these lessons are taking place. This means that next semester’s five specialist lessons will be:
Music: Mrs Kate Hughes
Drama/Dance: Mrs Rebecca McGregor
Digital Technologies: Miss Kaylene Keleher
Library: Mrs Mandie Tindall
Physical Education: Mr Luke Barrett
Report Cards
Over the last few weeks, our teachers have been finalising student report cards. When teachers make a judgement about a child’s progress, they use a variety of methods including; work samples, observations, questioning, and discussions.
Report cards provide an opportunity for parents and children to reflect on the learning growth that has been achieved over the semester. A reminder that a ‘C’ Grade on the report card means your child is demonstrating the necessary skills and understandings for that part of the curriculum. As well as considering the grades attained, parents are also encouraged to look for personal progress both academic and behaviourally, and recognise the importance of effort and improvement.
These reports will be uploaded to the Parent Portal by Thursday 22 June. If you have any trouble accessing the parent portal, please make contact with the front office for assistance. A reminder that if, at any time, you would like to discuss your child’s progress, please email your child’s teacher and arrange a meeting.
St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal – last call for donations
A big thank you to all who have already donated to the St Vincent de Paul Winter appeal. Any further donations of non-perishable food, warm blankets, gloves, beanies or socks (new) can be brought into classrooms or the front office tomorrow. On Friday’s assembly, St Vinnie’s Education Officer, Julie Inskip, will attend assembly to accept our baskets and donations.
I-CAS Testing Dates
Thank you to all parents who have registered their children for the Term 3 I-CAS competitions. Below are the scheduled testing dates.
Monday 7th August: Digital Technologies
Wednesday 9th August: Writing
Monday 14th August: English
Wednesday 23rd August: Spelling and Science
Monday 28th August: Maths
Thank you and happy holidays
A big thank you to all the students, staff, parents and volunteers for making this term another wonderful term at St Monica’s. Next term we welcome back our Principal Mr Luke Barrett, and look forward to celebrating together special events and great journeys in learning. Enjoy a restful and safe break, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Tuesday the 11th of July, noting that Monday the 10th is a student free day.
Term 3 Key Dates
Monday July 10 – Student Free Day (no school)
Friday July 14th – Catholic Schools Athletics Carnival
Tuesday July 18th – 100 Days of Prep Celebration
Wednesday 19th July – Fromelles Day
Thursday 20th July - Inner Downs Athletics Carnival
Monday 24th of July – Catholic Education Week Mass and BBQ
Tuesday 25th July - St Vincent de Paul Student Workshops
Wednesday 26th July – Grandparents Day
Thursday 27th July – Catholic Schools Netball and Touch Football Gala Day
Friday 28th July – Bishop’s Inservice Day/Student Free Day (no school)
Monday 31st July – Kokoda Day
Wednesday 2nd August - Pie Drive Orders Due to Office
Sunday 13th August – 8am Family Mass
Friday 18th August – Under 8s Day
Thursday 24th August – Book Week Parade
Friday 25th August – St Monica’s Feast Day Mass and St Monica’s Got Talent Competition
Thursday 31st August – Father’s Day Liturgy and P&F Father’s Day Stall
Friday 1st September – Consistency of Teacher Judgement (CTJ) Day/Student Free Day (no school)
Monday 4th September – School Renewal and Improvement Process (SRIP) begins.
Thursday 14th of September – End of Term Thanksgiving Mass and R U OK? Day
From the Classrooms
Prep
Hip Hip Hooray! You have reached halfway! Congratulations!
The students' growth has impressed me so far this year. From the early days when they knew their name but not how to spell it, to now being able to write their name as well as write sentences. Wow! This doesn’t happen when students sit idle in their chair, this happens when students strive to achieve their best and I can safely say that each and every Preppy has shown great commitment and effort towards their learning. I am looking forward to working with all the students next semester and seeing what they can achieve – the sky is the limit!
I hope all families have a safe, wonderful, and well-deserved holiday break. I look forward to seeing all your beautiful smiles when we return.
Year 1
It's hard to believe we're in week 10 of Term Two! What a fabulous term of learning we've had in the Year One classroom. Thank you, parents, for your endless support and help with getting homework done and completing the extra tasks that are sent home. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday, and I look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks for another fantastic term!
Year 2
Year Two have been finalising their last pieces of assessment and learning across the different curriculum areas. The poems written as part of our English unit have been published into a class book. The students have been enjoying reading them and sharing positive feedback with each other.
I hope all families enjoy a well-deserved and safe break and I look forward to another great term after the Winter break.
Year 3
Students have worked very hard this term and are ready for a well-earned holiday. Regular lessons will continue until the last day of the term. Congratulations to Flossie for her creative art piece depicting the Good Samaritan story being selected to be represented as a mural.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a relaxing, happy, and safe holiday. I look forward to catching up with you all for Term 3.
Year 4/5 AQ
I can't believe we are at the end of another term and finishing off our first semester.
I have been incredibly impressed with the dedication and effort displayed by each and every student. Their eagerness to learn, ask questions, and embrace new challenges has been truly inspiring. It has been a joy to witness their growth and progress throughout the term.
Looking ahead, I am already excited about the next term and the wonderful opportunities it will bring. I cannot wait to welcome all our students back to continue their educational journey next semester.
Once again, thank you for your ongoing support and I wish you and your families a safe, joyful, and restful break.
Year 4/5 B
Well, here we are at the end of Term 2 - how the time has flown by. This week draws to the end an extremely busy and action-packed term. Well done to a number of our students who participated in the Verse Speaking, Visual Arts and Choir at Arts Fest this week. Congratulations also to our choir members for your awesome results at the Dalby Eisteddfod, as well as our great 4/5B athletes who shone brightly at our recent Athletics Carnival. We conclude the term this Friday with our Assembly presentation. We hope you will be able to join us on this special occasion.
Year 4/5 M
Well, here we are - Week 10!
This has been a fast and furious term, and we have had so many successes. Firstly, I must congratulate the class on their flexibility and reliability in working beautifully during the last two weeks while I have been in the office. Each time I walked past, their heads were down and they were working hard. I also had so much positive feedback from the relief teachers that taught them. So well done to them! In the classroom, book reviews have been written, maths escape rooms solved and butterflies camouflaged around the room. Congratulations also to those students involved in the Verse Speaking in Toowoomba this week. Thank you all for your ongoing support during the term. I look forward to continuing these partnerships next term. Working in the best classroom in the school is really a pleasure.
Have a safe and wonderful holiday.
Year 6
It is hard to believe we are already halfway through the year! The Year 6 students have been commended on their fantastic efforts throughout this semester and their dedication to extending their knowledge in all subject areas. It has been wonderful to see them developing confidence and independence towards their learning as they begin to prepare for high school next year.
I hope you all have a safe and relaxed holiday break and I look forward to another great term of learning and fun in Term 3.
From the Library
From Music and Lote
S.M.G.T is back in 2023!
The school holidays are a fantastic time to start preparing for the St Monica's Got Talent show which is held in August each year on St Monica's Feast Day.
Do you have a child who has a talent to share? Perhaps doing a magic trick, telling jokes or presenting a mime?
Auditions will be held in July during Music lesson time. Students will be judged on:
- Performance Quality
- Confidence
- Audience appeal
Nomination forms for auditions will be made available at the start of next term. We can't wait to see what our community has to offer this year!
Mini Monnie's Playgroup
Be Well at St Monica's
Make it a Wellbeing Holiday
As we come to the end of Term 2, it is nearly time to head off for the holidays. Everyone is no doubt in need of a break and the opportunity to recharge their batteries. There are many activities that families can participate in these holidays that promote wellbeing. Why not try some of these:
- Go for a picnic – pack the picnic basket and camping chairs, head to the park and enjoy some much-needed fresh air.
- Have a family movie night – there are plenty of great movies to choose from – grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy your favourite flick together.
- Be active for at least an hour a day – go for a bushwalk or a bike ride, have a dance party, play a game of backyard cricket or soccer – the opportunities are endless.
- Read a good book – enjoy one of your own books or head to the Oakey Library to make a selection.
- Play a Board Game – Board Games are great for getting the brain buzzing, boosting language skills and sharpening your focus, so get out the Monopoly, Chess, Yahtzee (or whatever you enjoy) and have a game together.
- Have a craft-a-noon – the whole family can get creative and craft together. Why not get an older family member to teach the kids a new skill.
- Let kids be bored – you don’t have to amuse your kids every minute of the holidays. Experiencing boredom helps kids learn to entertain themselves by become more creative
- Write a gratitude letter – encourage all members of the family to write a letter of gratitude to someone who deserves their thanks.
- Donate unwanted goods – have a big clean out and donate unwanted items to a charity, eg. St Vincent de Paul or Lifeline. This is a win, win situation – you get to declutter while helping those less fortunate.
- Get kids in the kitchen – teaching kids to cook is a way to encourage healthy eating, whilst building confidence and independence.
- Get talking – put down the phones, turn off the devices and just talk. Discuss a particular topic eg. your next family holiday or encourage everyone to talk about their hopes and dreams and set some goals together.
- Visit the beach – the sounds and smells of the ocean put us in a mild meditative state which is good for both the mind and body.
Happy Holidays!!
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)
The uniform including the special school hat is available locally at Oakey Craft and Saddlery. If you are buying parts of the uniform elsewhere, please check that you are buying the correct style, colour, and material. 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
P & F Meetings
Thank to everyone who came to the monthly P & F meeting last month, it was a wonderful turn out!
The next P & F meeting is Week 1 of Term 3, 13 July 2023 @ 7pm in the Library. As always, a warm welcome is extended to all of our school community who wish to join.
There will be a special P & F presentation by the Catholic Schools P & F Association Body (PENN) on Week 4 of Term 3, Thursday 3rd August 2023 at 7pm in the School Library. More advertising around this will happen closer to the evening.
Pie Drive
Our Term 3 fundraiser is our annual Pie Drive. The order forms well be sent home today.
Please gather all your family and friends to buy the goodies from Great Country Pies for a quick and easy dinner in this cooler weather!
Orders and money will need to be returned to the school office by Wednesday the 2nd August.
Tuckshop
Special lunch for the last day of Term 2.
The special lunch will include: Sausage in Bread, Popper & Freddo for $5, Extra Sausage $2.50.
The P & F would like to thank the following volunteers for their time in the tuckshop
- Week 9: Elisha Park and Jen, Elisha's Mum who kindly volunteered at the last minute!
- Week 10: Marcie Green, Leah Chicken & Amanda Scheuerle
2023 St Monica’s P&F Race Day
As mentioned in the last newsletter, it is with great excitement that we can announce further details to our school community about the 2023 St Monica’s P&F Race Day. The committee welcomes any sponsorship enquiries at this stage, Meg 0423690197 or email oakpandf@twb.catholic.edu.au
- Race Day Event Saturday 7th October 4-11pm, Clifford Park Race Course Twmba
- General ticket sales will open Term 3, dates TBA
- Tickets sales will be advertised to the St Monica’s Community first
- Limited tickets available
- More info to follow
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 happ to package up orders and leave them in the school office.
Please only text Tricia, as she has work commitments.
Outside School Hours Care
