Newsletter 28 May 2025
From the Acting Principal
Be a Preppie for a Morning
This week, we are welcoming children who are eligible for Prep in 2026 and 2027 for our fun and exciting ‘Be a Prep for a Morning’ sessions. Our last ‘Be a Prep for a Morning’ session is tomorrow, Thursday the 29th of May from 9am to 10:30am in the Prep classroom and playground. If you know anyone considering enrolling their child at St Monica’s next year, please encourage them to come along, visit our website or call the front office to communicate their interest.
National Reconciliation Week
Yesterday, Tuesday the 27th of May, marked the start of National Reconciliation Week. The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2025, is Bridging Now to Next, which reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. Bridging Now to Next calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.
In the #NRW2025 theme artwork created by Kalkadoon woman Bree Buttenshaw − native plants which are known for regenerating after fire and thriving through adversity − symbolise our collective strength and the possibilities of renewal. This is a time for growth, reflection, and commitment to walking together. This week students will participate in activities around this theme including creating class art installations.
Sacramental Program 2025 & Term 2 Family Mass.
On Friday night, thirteen students made their Confirmation with Bishop Ken Howell. It was a lovely celebration and we congratulate all these students on this important milestone in their spiritual journey. This Saturday night, the 31st of May, these students will also receive their First Holy Communion at Family Mass. We hope that many of our families can attend and be part of this special celebration.
Berry Street Education
Last week, a number of staff attended professional development on The Berry Street Education Model. Shaped by 140 years of experience, decades of research and thousands of dedicated teachers, the Berry Street Education Model helps educators gain new perspectives, strategies and skills to build safer, healthier and more engaging classrooms for all students. This is the fourth year that staff have attended these extremely important sessions, ensuring all staff understand the approaches to trauma-informed learning and the science of wellbeing. Some of the concepts explored in this professional development include:
- School-wide strategies on the physical and emotional regulation of the stress response and de-escalation in school and classroom contexts.
- Increasing relational capacities in staff and students through attachment and attunement principles.
- Creating a culture of independence for academic tasks by nurturing resilience and emotional intelligence.
- Employing engagement strategies that build willingness in struggling students.
Before School Arrival
A reminder that morning school supervision begins at 8:25am, 15minutes before school starts at 8:40am. If students arrive before this time, for their safety, they must remain seated in the quad area. No students should be on the school grounds before 8am.
Winter Uniform Reminders
As the weather gets cooler, students are encouraged to wear their school jumpers to school. If the students own a school windcheater, this is only to be worn over the school jumper as needed.
Social Media Protection & Cyber Safety
In today’s digital world, it is more important than ever to ensure our children are safe online. I remind parents that major social media platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, require users to be at least 13 years of age. This is because social media platforms do present some risks for young people including online bullying and harassment, exposure to misinformation and inappropriate content, grooming, privacy breaches and excessive use. Studies show clear links between social media and poor mental health and low self-esteem in young people.
With this in mind I encourage families to have open conversations about responsible social media use, privacy settings, and the importance of respectful online interactions. Some key tips from the eSafety Commissioner include:
Be engaged, open and supportive.
- Get involved with your child’s online activities as a family. Play games together. Talk about favourite apps, games or websites.
- Keep lines of communication open. Ask about their online experiences, who they are talking to and whether they are having any issues.
- Reassure your child they can always come to you, no matter what. Your child may not communicate openly about things that worry them online if they fear being in trouble if they tell you.
- If you notice a change in your child’s behaviour or mood, talk with them about it. If you are concerned, consider seeking professional help – from your GP, a psychologist or school counsellor.
Set Some Rules
- Set rules for devices and online access. As they grow in online skills and maturity you can review your rules together. Remember to support the laws that are in place.
- Model behaviour that you would like to see. Children will be more likely to follow rules if they see you doing the same.
- Consider creating a family tech agreement. This is a set of rules about how devices are used in your home as well as what acceptable online behaviour looks like. This may include how to look after and share devices, where, when and for how long they can be used, acting respectfully on-line, checking with parents before clicking on pop ups, not sharing passwords or giving out personal information, and what to do if you see something worrying,
Use safety features and settings
- Get to know the devices you and your children use and set them up for privacy and online safety. Take advantage of parental controls to monitor and control screen time and access to content, based on your child’s age and experience. See our guide to parental controls.
- Choose apps and games carefully and visit the App Store or Google Play for age ratings and consumer advice.
- Refer to our advice about screen time and online gaming if these are of concern.
- The eSafety Guide provides valuable information about the latest games, apps and social media, including how to protect your personal information and report harmful content.
From the Classrooms
Prep
We are now more than halfway through the term, and the assessment and reporting phase is in full swing. Our reading testing is almost complete, and we appreciate your support in ensuring that children are doing their home reading and learning their sight words. This practice is crucial for them to become confident readers.
Our buddy program continues to be a highlight of the week! On Wednesday afternoons, our buddies are teaching us a song with accompanying actions, and we love spending this time together.
Prep CS is also preparing for their assembly on Pentecost, which will take place on the 6th of June.
In conjunction with our HASS unit on Connection to Place, Mrs Tyrie spoke to the children about connection to Place from an Indigenous perspective. We learnt some Indigenous symbols and we enjoyed practising these symbols together.
As we move forward through the term, we have noticed that some of the children are beginning to tire. Please ensure they receive plenty of rest to help them stay refreshed and ready for learning.
Year 1
We have been very busy in the Year One classroom! The students have finished writing their Listening Walks, and we have now moved on to our next text type: procedural writing. We watched a Mr Maker video, which showed us how to make a Pasta Person, and discussed the materials and steps we saw. Using what we have learned, we will now write a procedure and then follow it to create our very own Pasta People. Everyone is very excited!
In Maths, we have been participating in numerous hands-on activities involving 3D objects to learn about their attributes. We then used various methods of data collection and representation to sort 3D objects based on their attributes.
In Science this week, we created Clay Creatures using different materials. We then discussed the types of changes made to the materials to alter their appearance and create the creatures. The Clay Creatures are now on display in the classroom. I'm sure your child would love to show you their creation and share with you what they have learned about manipulating materials!
Year 2
The last fortnight in Year Two has been a busy but amazing time. We have been working so hard to try and complete assessment.
In English, we have been focusing on lots of different things. We are in the middle of reading testing currently and the Year Two’s have absolutely blown me away with their progress. We have also completed our first writing assessment for the term. We read the story “I’m Australian Too” and then wrote about where we live and why we love it.
In Maths, we have been continuing to focus on our 3-digit number knowledge. We have been doing lots of hands-on learning and partner work during this time.
In Science, we are learning all about materials and how they mix together. Last week we explored playdough and how the different ingredients combine. It was so much fun!
Year 3
We can't believe we're over halfway through Term 2. On a Thursday with Ms Barsby, we have been investigating Symmetry in the Environment where we used tracing paper to create perfectly symmetrical natural objects.
In Science, we conducted The Butter on a Spoon Experiment and discovered that heat will transfer to metal quickly because it's a good conductor and found out that wood is an effective insulator. We continue to look at how to develop our Growth Mindset during.
In Health lessons we have learnt that Persistence is a key to success.
Year 4
We are halfway through Term Two, and as we are getting into assessment at school, it is important to remember to have plenty of rest and healthy food choices. It can be difficult to complete tasks successfully if our bodies are not well rested and don’t have the fuel we need.
This term, we have been focusing on building perseverance, resilience and the importance of having a go – even if you get it wrong. Mistakes are an important part of learning; they lead to personal growth by providing us with opportunities to learn and improve. Mistakes challenge our thinking, push us out of our comfort zones, and help us develop new skills and abilities.
God Bless and have a great week.
Year 5M
It has been a busy and exciting few weeks in 5M! We have created a new class motto: "A small class with a big heart." We have been focusing on what it means to have a big heart—showing respect, empathy, and kindness to others.
In Religion, we have been exploring how the Bible describes the Holy Spirit and creating visual art pieces to represent what the Holy Spirit means to us personally. In English and Humanities, we’ve made cross-curricular connections; students have been drafting letters from the perspective of a miner during the 1850s Australian Gold Rush, persuading the governor to abolish the gold license. In Mathematics, we’ve been learning how to calculate perimeter and area and applying these skills to real-world problems—like figuring out how much fencing is needed for a vegetable garden. In Science, we’ve been conducting experiments to explore the different states of matter. It’s fascinating to learn about the basic building blocks of our planet!
This week, 5M has been working hard to prepare for our assembly on the Ascension of Jesus. Please remember to submit the camp rules signed forms if you have not already.
Year 5R
5R Values - Goal Setting; Friendship; Collaboration.
Year 6
Past the half way mark!
As it so often happens, this term is racing along! Now that we are past the halfway mark in the term, Year 6 has picked up the pace ensuring that assessments are completed in time for report cards which are quickly approaching. As our class nears the end of our class novel, 'Boy Overboard', students have begun reflecting on the text by creating a 'bloom ball'. We can't wait to see how they turn out! They are also creating a character description of their favourite character.
In Science, students enjoyed making Goop during Tuesday's lesson with Mrs Booth. This is a non-Newtonian fluid that is neither a solid or a liquid. Students always enjoy applying their knowledge to these hands on activities. Next week, Year 6 will welcome a special visitor to lead us in our science learnings - stay tuned to hear how it goes!
From Music
Members of our school choir have been busily preparing for their performance at Dalby Eisteddfod on Thursday 12th June at 9:30am. Parents are welcome to attend as audience members. A permission note will be sent home in the near future.
Library
Sports News
Be Well at St Monica's
From the P&F
Now is your chance to stock up on some delicious bakery treats for winter! Pie drive order forms have been sent home with your student and need to be returned by next Wednesday, 4th June. Extra forms can be collected from the school office, or you can print your own to distribute to friends and family. Pie collection will be at the St Monica’s School Tuck-shop on Thursday 12th June from 2-4pm.
Next P & F meeting
We extend a warm welcome to all those interested in attending our next meeting to be held on Tuesday, 3rd June at 6pm in the school library. We hope to see you all there!
Uniforms
School uniforms are now available at School Locker online theschoollocker.com.au
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, Wednesday & 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 - Tuesday 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, Wednesday & 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 - Tuesday & 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.
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