Term 2 Week 7 2023

I hope that you all had some time over the wonderful long weekend to just sit and be. I was aiming to find a balance between follow ups with work emails and spending time doing something simple and relaxing. I ended up spending time with my family walking along an old rail line that has been converted to a walking trail. What I loved most about this experience was walking with my family and spending time chatting and recollecting favourite memories of ‘adventures’ we would go on when they were younger. Our children are now 23 and 26, so these chances do not present themselves very often. I hope you might have had a chance to create a special memory that will be reminisced upon in years to come. 

Last Friday we welcomed our fifteen very excited and energetic new Reception students and their new teacher Ms Julie Jurkovic. Her warm and welcoming smile and nature made everyone feel welcome and comfortable. There were very few tears as they said goodbye for a short time to their mums and dads as they enjoyed their time transitioning to St Monica’s discovering new play and learning spaces, meeting adults who will be part of their journey over the next seven years. What I especially loved was watching them playing at recess time with all the ‘older’ students saying hello and taking extra care with them in the playground. Fun fact - of the fifteen new Receptions, ten of these students already have siblings here at school. Welcome to each child and their family. We are so excited that you are a part of our St Monica’s family. 

Currently the teachers are all working diligently on writing the comments for the upcoming end of Semester 1 reports. A letter was sent out to all families last week to explain that our report formatting would be different this semester and ongoing. Each child will receive a grade for their academic achievement and a descriptor for their approach to learning. There will be a general comment about your child as a learner and this is informed by the Key Capabilities of Catholic Education of South Australia. 

Our work is always focussed on the child, who we see as being a thriving and flourishing student, a capable learner and a leader in the world God desires. I have included the graphic that we use in our learning spaces and with our students in recognising their unique gifts, talents and capabilities. This is a lot different to when I went to school, and we were just told what to learn by rote or memory and that asking questions and sharing your wonderings was not welcome. I love that the students have a voice in their learning and ask questions about possibilities that I would not have even considered. May their voices continue to be strong and confident as they learn and grow. 

Reports will be sent home on Wednesday 5 July with your child. If you have any questions about the new reporting format, please connect with me and I would be happy to go through it with you. 

May the week ahead be kind and gentle,

Emily Sayer

ICAS is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills. St Monica’s will be offering supervision of: English, Mathematics, Science and Writing for any Year 4-6 students wanting to participate. 

How to participate in ICAS   

If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:   

Read about ICAS subjects and prices here: (icasassessments.com/products-icas)   
Read the terms and conditions here: (icasassessments.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2023-ICAS-Assessments-Parents-PPS-TsCs_final.pdf)  
Go to Parent Portal to purchase tests here: (shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps)   
Enter our school’s access code –  YQB948 
Enter your child’s details, select the tests you would like to purchase, then proceed to payment.   

After payment is made via the Parent Payment System, you will receive an order confirmation email, please keep this for your records.   

Test Dates: 

Writing: Thursday 10th August, 9am 

English: Thursday 17th August, 9am 

Science: Thursday 24th August, 9am 

Mathematics: Thursday 31st August, 9am 

Closing date for parent portal: 28th July, 2023 
 

Regards

Sarah Morris

Premier’s Reading Challenge 2023 / Premier’s Be Active Challenge 2023

Congratulations to those students who have already completed this year’s Challenges. Completed PRC Reading Records and Premier’s Be Active Challenge forms can be returned to the Library at any time. Books in the Library which are on the PRC List are easily identifiable with the appropriate level stickers on the spine.

Further information about the Premier’s Reading Challenge can be found at www.prc.sa.edu.au

Scholastic Book Club 

Please note that orders close on Monday 19th June.  Your support of the Book Club has enabled us to purchase new phonics readers and resources for the library. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Over Due Books

Our Library Shelves are looking a little bare because there are many overdue Library books and Readers. Could you please check at home and in school bags and return any found as soon as possible.  Overdue notices will go home next week. 

2023 Book Week

The CBCA Children’s Book Week takes place annually in August with the Winner and Honour Books announced on 18 August 2023. This year’s theme is Read, Grow, Inspire.

Last night our students celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation with other students from our parish. The sacrament was led by our Vicar General Father Dean Marin with the support of Deacon Andrew and Fr David Thoroughgood. Confirmed with the gifts of the Holy Spirt they received at their Baptism these students will now go on to prepare for their First Holy Communion. 

IS YOUR CHILD WANTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CATHOLIC FAITH OR ASKING TO BE BAPTISED or later in the year, be part of the Parish Sacramental program?

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED TO KNOW THAT DURING 3rd school term - beginning on 24th July a 10 weeks program will be offered for children from Yr 3 – to Yr 7. 

Some sessions will be after school on Tuesdays between 3.30 - 4.30 pm in St Martin’s Community Centre, while others will be on weekends at either Parish Churches when we have Children’s Liturgy.

If you are interested, to help us gauge the response and plan appropriately, please contact the Parish Office on 82616200 or emailing Sr Rita on rruzzene@gwparish.org.au by 10th July 2023

The parent community has established a private group on Facebook that facilitates the trading of second-hand uniform items.

Please visit www.facebook.com/groups/stmonicasbuyswapsell and request to join the group if you are interested.

The page is ideal for selling items in good condition that your child has outgrown, or to sell items if your child is moving on. Simply post images and your contact details. Alternatively, you can join the group to take advantage of the pre-loved items that become available.

For those of you who are not on Facebook, please contact the P&F pandf.stmonicas@gmail.com and they will assist you with the sale of items.

Please note the sale of old-style uniform items is not allowed. St Monica's Parish School does not manage this page and takes no responsibility for any private sales.

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We acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the land upon which St Monica’s learn, work and play.

May we walk gently on this land acknowledging the Kaurna people's deep spiritual connection with their country.

We pay our respects to Kaurna elders past and present and commit to the ongoing journey of Reconciliation.