Term 1 Week 7 2023

I hope that the long weekend gave each family a chance to relax and refresh. I loved being able to turn the alarm off on Friday night!

This week, our Year 3 and 5 students participated in the NAPLAN tests which assess students’ Literacy and Numeracy capabilities. We endeavour to keep it as low key as possible so to make our children feel confident and comfortable. Whilst the data we collect from a variety of sources informs decision making at school, system and government level, we also know there is so much more to a child. Knowing each child’s story and who they are as a person and learner is one of the great strengths of our staff and community. We complete the testing schedule on Monday with Numeracy. Congratulations to all students who participated and strived to do their very best.

We would like to share a proud moment that involved three of our Year 3 students, Jasmine, Annabel and Ava. These students approached Bronwyn and myself to lead an outreach activity that would raise money to support the work of Caritas in Turkey and Syria following the recent earthquakes. For one of these students, it was a personal connection that led her to approach us as her family’s background is from Turkey. A simple activity of Guess the Number of Lollies was co-ordinated by these students with our support. It was inspiring to see to see young people live out Mary MacKillop’s vision “never see a need without doing something about it”. 

Calling all volunteers!

Are you a registered volunteer who is able to spend an hour in the morning to hear reading with our youngest students or to assist with the borrowing and returning of books in the library? Even if you are only able to help once a week, that would be wonderful. It doesn’t matter if your children aren’t in the early years’ classes. Anyone can hear a little person read and help develop their confidence in reading and love of books. Training is provided and we will even make you a nice cup of coffee. If you are able to help out, please let Annette Giacomelli in the school office know.

Community Service Announcement

St Monica’s has recently purchased a portable defibrillator. It can be accessed in the kitchen of the OSHC. During school hours staff will be able to assist if required. On weekends the parish will also be able to access this easily.

Following my section of the newsletter is some further important information about Child Protection and its priority in our schools, parishes and system. Please take some time to read the information included and click on the included links for further information.

I hope that you have a gentle week ahead.

Emily Sayer

Principal

South Australian Catholic schools place the highest priority on the care, well-being and protection of children and young people.  In South Australia, Child Protection policy and practices support a proactive role in the care, well-being and protection of children and young people, the provision of child-safe environments and intervention procedures for responding to abuse and neglect.

Every child has the right to be safe and free from all kinds of abuse, including bullying and harassment, and neglect.

Schools are mandated child safe environments with legal, policy and procedural requirements for staff and volunteers.

The South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS) requires its schools to implement child safety policies and practices, including child safety education.

Please explore the links below to see Child Protection policies and associated materials: They are also available on the CESA website:  Safe Environments for All | Catholic Education South Australia (cesa.catholic.edu.au)

· Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy (Archdiocese of Adelaide)

· National Principles for Child Safe Organisations

· Reporting Harm of Children and Young People Procedure

· Protective practices information for parents and caregivers

· Charter for Staff in Catholic Schools South Australia

· Code of Conduct

· Duty of Care Policy

· Duty of Care Procedure

· Responding to problem sexual behaviour in children and young people

If you child is enrolled in the 2022/23 Sacramental Program the Confirmation and Eucharist Enrolment Masses are this weekend, Saturday 18 6pm or Sunday 19 March 9.30 am.

These are the students who celebrated Reconciliation at the end of last year. 

These enrollment forms would have been sent to you by the parish. 

Please bring your completed form to one of these weekend masses and present them to Deacon Andrew when invited forward. 

Dear Parents/Caregivers of students at St Martin’s school,

Our Parish, which comprises the churches of St Martin’s and St Monica’s, will be conducting an Alpha Program commencing May this year.

In the spirit of developing the relationship between School and Parish, we are inviting parents to consider being part of this program.

Our Alpha will comprise one evening, 7 to 9 pm over 9 weeks. It is a very fun and relaxed environment where we gather in groups of 10 or so. We enjoy a provided meal, watch a video that explores important life issues and then share our thoughts on the video topic.

The outcome of attending Alpha can be amazing. It promotes friendship and importantly increases our relationship with Jesus.

We are mindful that it is often the Catholic School that nurtures the love of Jesus within our children and feel the inclusion of parents in our Alpha will be fruitful.

For further information, please contact Reg Nye 0417 892 339 or Rebecca at the Parish office 8267 6200 ( Monday, Wednesday and Thursday). Bronwyn Ridley (APRIM) also has experience with the program and is happy to share her insights with you.

Today we celebrated the feast day of St Joseph. A faithful man who willinging put his trust in God to parent Jesus with Mary. At Mass, celebrated by Deacon Andrew and Fr Tony, we were reminded how important the role of families are for our formation and how families are the first places were we experience love. Deacon Andrew also taught us thet Saints help us to be closer to God, as they provide us a guide of how we can live our lives modled on the virtues of the saints.

May St Joseph teach us to listen to the voice of God in our lives and to always welcome His love into our hearts. Amen

This term the Year 6 class have been investigating how and why food can be produced sustainably to ensure care and kindness to our earth. They also looked at how products travel from the paddock to our plates. The students were given an opportunity to consider food nutrition, safety and sustainability when designing and producing a healthy recipe using ingredients that had minimal processing and environmentally friendly packaging. Each group created a unique recipe using some of their favourite foods. The students were also tasked with taking a creative photo that highlighted their individual delicious dish. Everyone agreed that we should definitely do cooking together again!
 

Enrolments for Children's University are closing soon. Please ask your child to collect a form from their class office box or the front office if they wish to participate. 

This year we are pleased to offer a school approved beanie that can be worn to and from school and at break times. Each beanie is made from high quality materials and just looks wonderful on all students. The beanies have been selling well, but we still do have some avaliable. The cost is $25 each and can be purchased from the front office or you can make a payment on Qkr and send a copy of the receipt to Annette or Louise.

2023 marks 20 years of the Premier’s Reading Challenge in South Australia!

To celebrate this momentous occasion, our students are being given the opportunity to receive a special, 20th Anniversary certificate in addition to their usual PRC award this year.

To qualify for this certificate, students need to read 20 books in 2023, and fill out the “20 Years, 20 Books” student reading record instead of the usual 12 book record. The reading limits for Reception to year 6 are 8 books from the PRC book list, and 12 free choice titles

Students who complete the 20-book challenge will have also completed the 12 book challenge hence will receive the usual award as well.

The 20-book challenge is intended to be a voluntary, enjoyable, extension of reading for pleasure for those students who choose this option.

St Monica’s acknowledge the Kaurna People as the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live, learn and work. We acknowledge the continued deep spiritual connection and relationship of Aboriginal peoples to this country and commit to the ongoing journey of Reconciliation.