Term 1 Week 5

Shrove Tuesday/Ash Wednesday

“Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart” Joel 2:12

On Wednesday we began the season of Lent. For forty days we are challenged to pause, take a breath and consider how we can live a life that is our best. How can we help others in a simple way that may make a significant change to another person? What could I go without so I can make someone else’s life easier or better? When will I give myself time to stop and be present with my God or higher power? These are tricky questions that challenge us to do better, be better. Currently, we are witnessing a world that is at the brink of life and world changing times. Let us spend some time being still and listen to our inner heart about what we can do to be supportive and bring about change.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for all the donations for ingredients for our pancakes for Shrove Tuesday and the donations that were made to Caritas Australia to support the work that they undertake. In total we $270.15 a superb effort. I would also like to acknowledge our Liturgy Leaders who helped make the batter and then assisted with serving the other students. Their assistance was invaluable.

Talking to kids about the conflict in Ukraine

Now it is very hard to not be watching, hearing, witnessing the tragic events that are occurring in Ukraine at the moment. As adults it is easy for us to forget that our young people are hearing and seeing the same information but struggle to understand or process what they are witnessing. Limiting their exposure to the news and images on devices is highly recommended by child wellbeing experts. One person who I have a lot of respect for in child psychology and wellbeing is Justin Coulson. I have included a link to his facebook page and videos about how you can speak to your children about their feelings or questions they may have now. https://www.facebook.com/happyfamilies.au/videos/1281909375641936

As a community we offer our prayers and stand in solidarity with the people in Ukraine. We hope that they know the love and support being offered by their brothers and sisters around the world.

Staffing News

I would like to share with the community some staffing changes that will come into effect this week. Maddalena Eden, our talented Italian teacher and Year 4 PE class teacher on Fridays, is taking leave for the remainder of the term. Maddalena is taking time to seek treatment for her knee but also to be her husband Peter’s carer as he battles cancer. I know that we will all keep this special couple in our prayers and thoughts at this time.

We welcome Donna Harrison to our community as our Italian teacher for all classes for the remainder of the term and Leonie Pitt will be teaching on Fridays in the Year 4 PE.

Pupil Free Day Reminder

A reminder that St Monica’s is having a pupil free day on Friday 11 March and this leads into the March long weekend. We hope that families can use this time to have an extra sleep in and special time together. OSHC will be open so please make a booking with Jodie or Annette.

On this day, staff will be spending time looking at data and its importance in developing learning intentions and success criteria for assessment tasks. Another important aspect of this how we can include the students’ voice in this process. We know when students have agency in the process of learning it leads to higher engagement and makes learning meaningful.

Brunswick Tce and Child Safety

I write this with a deep sense of concern and frustration. As parents/carers we are the greatest role models and teachers for our children. This covers many life lessons from saving money, taking personal responsibility and safe road use.

In the time that we have been back at school, I have witnessed some amazingly unsafe practices from our families. Please model to your child practices that will keep them safe such as crossing at the designated crossing.

We have two kiss and drop positions straight outside the school gate. These are the only two places where we want children to get into the car safely. Please be directed by the teacher on yard duty and they will have your child come out as quickly as possible. We have wonderful relationships with our neighbours, but this is tested when they are unable to enter their driveways because our families are parked or standing in their way.

A teacher is on duty until 3.20pm and if we have children still with us, then we will look after them and make contact with you to check that all is ok and you are on your way. No child will ever be left alone. Be patient, delay your arrival if you can until the congestion has eased. I thank you in advance for your support in this matter.

God’s blessings,

Emily Sayer

Principal

Students and Staff participated in Clean Up Australia Day by walking to the Torrens River Linier Park Trail and picking up rubbish.

Kids’ Day for readers aged 2-11 Saturday 5^thMarch

Middle Grade & YA Readers’ Day Sunday 6^th March

Adelaide Writers’ Week – 5^th-10^th March 2022

Adelaide Writer’s Week 2022 takes place from 5-10 March and includes six days of free panel sessions that are presented live in the gardens and made available online via podcast.  The program also features a series of ticketed special events through the year, and the popular free Kids’ Weekend which attracts families for fun and engaging literary adventures.

 Where – Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden – Kaurna Country - The main entrance of the Garden is located on King William Road between the Torrens Parade Ground and the rear of Government House in Adelaide's CBD. There are also entrances at the corner of Victoria Drive and King William Road and at the Kintore Avenue side of the Gardens between the Drill Hall and the rear of Government House. There will be signage at the venue and volunteers can assist with directions if required.

Kids’ Day for readers aged 2-11 – Saturday 5 March 9.10am-3pm -          Torrens Tent - Kids’ Day features an all-Australian line-up of some of the brightest names in children’s literature. Be part of a magical day of stories and more as writers, illustrators and performers take over the Torrens Tent to enliven and excite our young book lovers. Don’t miss Story Trove’s inventive world of storytelling through live performance and creative play. 

Torrens Tent Program
9.10am  Welcome with MC Sam McMahon
9.20am  My Favourite Story with Kevin Rudd
9.40am  Story Trove: Tomorrow is a Brand New Day by Davina Bell & Alison Colpoys
10.00am Patricia Piccinini: Skywhales: Every Heart Sings
10.30am BREAK
11.00am My Favourite Story with Mem Fox
11.20am Remy Lai
11.50am Real Pigeons series by Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood (illus.)
12.30pm Story Trove: Littlelight by Kelly Canby
1.00pm BREAK
2.00pm Felice Arena
2.45pm Story Trove: Tomorrow is a Brand New Day by Davina Bell & Alison Colpoys
3.00pm END                                                                        

Participants

Felice Arena is the author and creator of many popular and award-winning children's books for all ages, including the acclaimed historical adventures The Boy and the Spy, Fearless Frederic and The Great Escape, the bestselling Specky Magee books and the popular Andy Roid and Sporty Kids series.

Mem Fox has written more than forty books for children, including the bestselling and much-loved picture books Possum Magic and Where is the Green Sheep? She has been presented with numerous book awards and was awarded an AM for services to the cultural life of Australia.

Remy Lai writes and draws for kids. She was born in Indonesia, grew up in Singapore, and currently lives in Brisbane. She is the author-illustrator of Pie in the Sky, Fly on the Wall, and Pawcasso.

Andrew McDonald is the author of the bestselling Real Pigeons series. His books have been shortlisted for the Readings Children’s Book Prize and the Australian Book Industry Awards. Andrew lives in Melbourne and loves writing stories that make kids laugh, wonder and leap into the air with surprise.

Patricia Piccinini is one of Australia’s most successful contemporary artists. The creator of the famous skywhales, Patricia’s practice explores the relationship with our natural and artificial worlds. Her new children’s book is Every Heart Sings.

Kevin Rudd is a former Foreign Minister and Prime Minister of Australia. Since leaving office in 2013, he has served as a Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School and President of the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York. He also serves as Chair of the International Peace Institute, Sanitation and Water for All, and the National Apology Foundation.

Ben Wood is the illustrator of the bestselling Real Pigeons junior fiction series by Andrew McDonald, being adapted into a film and television series by Nickelodeon. He has illustrated over thirty books for children

Middle Grade & YA Readers’ Day – Sunday 6^th March 10am-3pm –          Torrens Tent - The big names of the Australian Middle Grade and YA scene are in Adelaide this year with all-time favourites John Flanagan (Ranger’s Apprentice series), Katrina Nannestad (We are Wolves), Matt Okine (Being Black 'n Chicken, and Chips) and debut South Australian YA writer Lyndall Clipstone (Lakesedge) on the bill. Rounding out the Middle Grade & YA Day are performances from Australia's best Spoken Word poets on the Plane Tree Stage with the return of Hear Me Roar! Teens and tweens can relax and enjoy author conversations, panels and spoken word when the bright stars of contemporary literature light up the stage. Torrens Tent Program

10am: History's Inspiration with Katrina Nannestad 
11am: Being Black 'N Chicken, & Chips with Matt Okine 
12pm: The Master of Two Worlds with John Flanagan
1pm: The Darkness Within with Lyndall Clipstone & CS Pascat
2pm: Heroes, Rebels and Innovators with Karen Wyld
3pm: Introducing Hometown Haunts with Sarah Epstein, Poppy Nwosu, Jared Thomas & Vikki Wakefield

The Kids’ Day and Middle & YA Readers’ Day activities are free and there is no need to register or purchase tickets. COVID-Safe Check-in required. Further information regarding Adelaide Writers’ Week can be found at adelaidefestival.com.au

Parents and Friends

The P&F committee invites parents, grandparents and carers to join the P&F for 2022. Help us organise events for the students and school throughout the year, look for fundraising opportunities and foster our beautiful community. Examples of past events are the school disco, twilight bowling, Mother's/Father's Day stalls, end-of-year raffle and more. Meetings are every few months as needed, and usually held at 2pm on a Friday. 

Please note: The P&F fully supports casual attendees – you are not expected to attend every meeting or event, but we appreciate the help when it's available! 

If you are interested, please email agiacomelli@stmonica.catholic.edu.au and you will be invited to the next meeting. We hope to see you there.