Term 1 – We did it together!
After two years of having COVID-19 in our lives, we think we have come to working in a new normal and that we will be fine. When I first started teaching, the school year was actually divided into three school terms. I know many of you are far too young to remember this. They certainly seemed long then, especially Term 2 with thirteen or fourteen weeks of teaching to be offered. This was usually the term when students and teachers would struggle with attendance the most. I also remember with great fondness that my first three classes consisted of 34 students minimum.
This term has felt just like the old Term 2. I know that the calendar tells us it was only eleven weeks in length but it certainly did feel longer. But we got through these extraordinary times together. Since the start of the year we have had 60 students and 14 staff (teachers, ESOs and OSHC staff) who have either tested positive or were deemed as close contacts and were required to isolate. In fact as I write this newsletter, I am sitting in isolation due to testing positive myself. I am disappointed that I could not be there on the last day to farewell the students and wish them the best for the holidays.
What I do know is that we have done this together and my gratitude and admiration for St Monica’s staff is significant. When we would have a staff member need to leave at short notice, other staff would jump in to ensure that learning programs continued with integrity and the offers to help with extra yard duties or to assist in OSHC were bountiful. If you get the chance to connect with your child’s teacher or one of amazing ESOs or the OSHC staff, a quick word of gratitude would be wonderful. This term has certainly taken its toll but the love and care of the staff for all students is clearly evident. I would also like to acknowledge the support of the families of St Monica’s during these extraordinary times. Thank you for supporting the whole community by keeping your child home as required.
We look forward to returning on Tuesday 3 May to a predictable school experience.
St Monica’s Old Scholar Sandi McDonald
In previous newsletters I have asked if anyone is aware of any old scholars of St Monica’s that we could reconnect with. Last newsletter we had two such people recognised. In this newsletter I share with you an article from The Advertiser’s SA Weekend magazine (2 April 2022) about Sandi McDonald who has just be appointed as a Supreme Court Justice. Sandi spent the latter years of her primary education at St Monica’s. I hope you find it as interesting as I did
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/sa-weekend/sa-weekend-new-supreme-court-justice-sandi-mcdonalds-long-road-to-the-top-of-her-profession/news-story/e93eb806b34894849814cc38b493aacc
If you do know of any other old scholars, no matter their field of expertise, we would love to connect and hear their story and memories from their time at St Monica’s.
I would also like to congratulate Zavier Murdoch in Year 6 for jointly winning a literacy prize in the Living Landscapes Writing Competition. A fantastic achievement Zavier!
Term 2 Uniform
Families are asked to remember that when the students return to school on 3 May that the winter uniform should be worn. We do have the two week “grace” period for the change over, but summer uniform should only be worn if the temperature is 30C or above. I thank you for your support in ensuring that your child/ren are wearing the uniform correctly.
As we end the term during Holy Week and then we move into the season of Easter, I wish each student and all families the most blessed time together. I hope that you all have a chance to take a moment to be still and reflect on why we have these days. That the life of a simple but extraordinary man who lived over 2000 years ago still has such a significant impact in our world today is important to reflect on. Jesus shared his new commandment with his community – “Love one another as I have loved you.” May we all try to live this simple but very challenging statement out with our loved ones and those who are on the margins of our society.
God’s blessings and peace,
Emily Sayer
Principal
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