Newsletter 19 February 2025
From the Principal
It is an exciting time for St Monica's, as off Monday we have reached 200 students! This achievement is the culmination of the hard work and dedication of our teaching and support staff, and you, our wonderful St Monica's families. It is timely that I remind those current families, who have siblings commencing Prep in 2026 (and 2027), please complete your enrolment paperwork as soon as possible. We aim to prioritise and accommodate the siblings of our existing students, however without completed enrolment forms this will be difficult. Online enrolment forms are available on our website.
In week 7 & 8 of this term, our Year 3 & 5 students will sit the annual NAPLAN tests. Classes have been building their familiarity with NAPLAN Online Testing platform and the test layouts. The online testing window will run from 12th March until 21st March. It is important that students are in attendance during these testing weeks. The Public Demonstration site has useful information that parents can access, including examples to build familiarity with types of questions. Public Demonstration Site - NAP - Public demonstration site
The final testing schedule is below. If parents require any additional information in relation to the testing program, please come in and see me.
On the 4th of March, we will commence our Prep enrolment interviews for 2026 for our current and new families to our school. Our official enrolment drive has commenced, so I encourage families who are looking to attend St Monica’s in 2026 to get their applications in as soon as they can.
Our first Enrolment Information event is coming up on Saturday 22nd March. This is an opportunity for current Kindy students to “Come and Try” a morning of Prep, where they can participate in a morning of wonderful learning opportunities and Prep based activities. A flyer has been sent out to the local kindys, however if any current families are interested in attending, please register your interest at the school Office.
IMPORTANT NEW DOCUMENT - PLEASE READ:
The new document, the Toowoomba Catholic Schools (TCS) Parent Code of Conduct is a companion document to our existing TCS Parent Engagement Charter.
The TCS Parent Engagement Charter affirms the relationship between parents and staff which, as we know, works best when it is based on mutual respect and acknowledgement of the unique contribution that each party makes to the education experience of students. Positive, healthy relationships are a feature of a distinctively Catholic community.
Links to both documents are included below for your information and convenience.
From the APM&I
Welcome and Leadership Mass
Tomorrow, we celebrate Mass together as a whole school community to welcome our Prep students to the wider St Monica’s Community and induct our Yr 6 students into their leadership positions. Year 6 parents are warmly invited to attend.
School Photos
On Wednesday the 26th of February we will be holding our school photos. Please make sure that your child is in their best ironed uniform with hair neatly done.
Clean Up Schools Day
On Friday the 28th of February, the students will participate in Clean Up Schools Day, which is part of the annual Clean Up Australia Day event. At assembly, Year 6 will lead the school in a special assembly on the importance of being stewards of creation and caring for our world. In the afternoon, each class will be assigned a section of the school to clean up. Each student will be provided with gloves and rubbish bags. This act of service helps to ensure students understand the importance of caring for creation.
Parish Family Mass
Our first Parish Family Mass of the Year will be on Saturday the 1st 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 pizza, poppers, ice-blocks and games. A note has gone home requesting numbers for catering purposes. We hope to see many of you there.
Shrove Tuesday (4th March)
In Week 6, on Tuesday the 4th of March, students will participate in 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 pancake, with all proceeds going to Caritas Australia’s 2025 Project Compassion.
St Monica’s Parish Sacramental Program
Preparation for children wishing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Eucharist at St Monica’s Parish in 2025 will take place in Term 2. To be eligible to receive this Sacrament, candidates must already have been baptised and made their first reconciliation. A note has already gone home to all students in Sacramental program last year. For further information please contact the front office.
NAPLAN Dates 2025
This year, NAPLAN will take place in Term 1 for students in Years 3 and 5 from Wednesday the 12th of March to Friday the 21st 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 Meet and Greet
On Tuesday the 11th of March, The P&F will be holding a Meet and Greet evening at 6pm in the school quad. This is an opportunity to get to know other parents and work together to brainstorm fundraising ideas to support our wonderful school. Drinks and supper will be provided. Hope to see many of you there.
P&F Welcome Disco
On Friday the 14th of March, the P&F will be holding a Welcome Hawaiian Beah Themed Disco. The BBQ will begin at 5:30pm, with the DJ beginning at the same time. Entry is free. BBQ presale tickets can be purchased at the school front office from Wednesday 12th March.
From the Classrooms
Prep
The students have been developing their gross motor skills through climbing and balancing activities by completing the obstacle course daily.
During Maths lessons, we have been representing numbers in a variety of ways from zero to ten. They have been introduced to the tens frames and practiced writing numerals on whiteboards. They have been consolidating the concepts using hands - on activities, which they have enjoyed.
Our Literacy Block has begun in earnest now that we have completed the letters s, a, t, p, i & n and the children will be practicing these sounds when they complete their homework activities. Homework shall be sent home on Friday and needs to be returned every Thursday, along with their library books. Students who bring their completed homework in every Thursday for the whole term, shall become our Homework Heroes and as such, shall receive a reward at the end of the term for all their hard work.
Year 1
We've had a busy couple of weeks in the Year One classroom.
We have been exploring numbers during maths. We have learned about odd and even and represented numbers using concrete materials, with a focus on representing tens and ones.
In English, we have been reading our focus text, 'The Cow Tripped Over the Moon,' working together to sequence the story and discuss the characters and events.
We are getting ready for our assembly on Friday, learning our dance moves and practising our lines. A reminder to please encourage your child to practice their lines at home.
Year 2
What a crazy fortnight we have had in Year 2 full of amazing learning adventures!
In English, we have started our unit which is focusing on narratives. We have been thinking about lots of fairy tales and looking at the structure of how they are written. This week we read an incredible story called “Uno’s Garden” to support our learning. I am so excited to start writing our own stories soon!
In Maths, we have been learning so much about numbers! Last week we learnt a new addition strategy called ‘think 10’. The year 2’s loved using counters and tens frames to share their learning. This week we are focusing all on reading, writing and making 3-digit numbers.
In HASS and science, we are learning all about sustainability and earth resources. To support our learning, we have been invited to visit the Bullock family’s farm to watch them harvest sorghum and see some crops growing. We are so excited for this adventure as this will be the first time many of us have seen a harvest. Please remember to return permission slips by Thursday so your child doesn’t miss out!
Until next time,
Lauren Grant
Year 3
In HASS this term, the Year 3 students have been exploring the concept of community. They discussed what community means and brainstormed all of the different community groups that they are involved in. In the coming weeks, we will be investigating how our local community has changed over time and making connections to the Giablal and Jarowair people while doing so.
A reminder that school photos are next Wednesday and notes were sent home this week about family mass which is on next Saturday night.
Year 4
In English we are investigating the adjectives used to describe the characters in Roald Dahls ‘The Twits’. The students had the opportunity to draw a picture of what they thought Mr Twit might look like, based on the descriptions used in Chapter Three – ‘Dirty Beards.’
Here is their artwork! Great job Year 4!
Year 5M
Wow, what an action-packed couple of weeks in 5M! 🚀
In science, we've been exploring the vast wonders of our Solar System, discovering planets, moons, and more. 🌌 Meanwhile, in HASS, we've taken a fascinating journey back in time to learn about the beginnings of the Austrian Colony. 🏛️
English has been a blast as we've dived into the thrilling world of science fiction with "The Wild Robot." 🤖 We've even started crafting our own sci-fi stories, letting our imaginations run wild! ✍️
In religion, we've had meaningful discussions about the importance of a strong value system, guided by the Benedictine values. 🙏 And in health, we've been having some great conversations about persistence and the importance of getting along with others. 💪🤝
It's been a whirlwind of learning and fun! 🌟
Year 5R
Year 6
Welcome to Week 4!
It's hard to believe we are here already! We have had a great couple of weeks in Year 6. Emu Gully was a fantastic day for our up-and-coming leaders to step up and demonstrate their leadership skills and teamwork. The students have received their Leadership shirts and will receive their Leadership badges this Thursday at the Leader Induction Mass. Please come along if you can and support them in their first big roles as leaders. Some of the students participated in the Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival last week, a big congratulations to them all for their efforts. The Year 6 class will be performing our assembly item at next week's assembly and we are looking forward to seeing many of you there. Notes went home today about Family Mass on the 1st March. Please return the note if you are attending so that we can ensure there is enough pizza for the pizza party after Mass. Included in this week's newsletter are some photos of the students engaging in our School Charism Religion unit where we have been delving into the meaning behind our Charism.
From the Library
Library News
As we begin the school year, students in Year 4-6 will continue to develop skills in using our database, Accessit, and year 3 will begin their learning of this. Through this, we gain our access to Encyclopedia Britannica and to our streaming service, Clickview. Please bookmark these links on your home computer, so students are able to fully use these resources at home.
Accessit can be found St Monica's Schoolhttps://au.accessit.online/HLY07/.
Clickview can also be accessed online Primary Videos, Resources & Worksheets | ClickView.
Students may be offered to sign in using their SSO (which will be easy!) or they will have to log in using their OAKusername@twb.catholic.edu.au. Please have them insert their own username before the @sign. They will then need their school password. If you have any trouble with this or questions, please email me at mandie.tindall@twb.catholic.edu.au
The lower years spend time this term developing routines for the library, learning about our collections and how to use them, as well as listening to lots of fun read-alouds.
From Music
Ukulele Club is off to a great start for the year! Ukulele Club is held each Wednesday at Big Lunch in the Music Room. If students have their own ukulele, please bring it to school on Wednesdays. Mrs Hughes is happy to tune it before school. If not, students are welcome to use the school ukuleles.
We have over 20 students who are committed to being part of the St Monica's School Choir this year. Choir is held every Thursday in the Music Room with Mrs Hughes & Mrs Malone. Hopefully some Choir members will be able to lead the singing at the Parish Mass on Saturday 1st March at 6pm.
Sports News
Be Well at St Monica's
From 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.
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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