Term 1 Week 3

Already we are at the end of week 3! It was another busy week for us with the significant celebrations of Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. We have now begun the season of Lent. Fr David reminded us at the Ash Wednesday mass that this is a time to challenge ourselves to change, grow and strive to be kind and always loving. I remember growing up and going to my local parish community to pray the Stations of the Cross with my family. As a 10 year old, I could think of many other places that I wanted to be but as I reflect on this ritual and tradition today, I remember it as a time of connectedness with my family. I appreciate these times in the busyness of my life now. I hope during Lent that you and your family can find some time to sit together and create a ritual or tradition that is unique for you.

I do hope that I get to see many of you on Sunday 18/2 at the Family Welcome Picnic. It begins at 1pm at Bennett’s Memorial Reserve on North East Road, Manningham. Bring a blanket or chair, your hat, some sunscreen and a picnic to enjoy. The P & F have worked hard to ensure that the day runs smoothly with exciting games, delicious sausage sizzles, ice blocks and lots of fun. Bring some friends with you too. The more the merrier!

Another invite that I would like to extend is to the school’s AGM on Monday night at 6.30pm in the library. Following straight afterwards is our first board meeting for the year at 7.00pm. The school board would love to have more members on it to contribute to the conversations about the running of the school, policy and budgetary decisions and how to build our community to be even stronger and better. Please consider being a part of this important advisory group. This is a chance for your voice to be included. If you would like to nominate to be a member of the board, please contact Annette Reynolds.

Kildare has also invited our families to a special tour of their facilities on Monday 26 February, starting at 6.00pm. The leadership, staff and students of Kildare will lead us on a personalised tour for any family interested in sending their daughter there in the coming years. If you are wishing for your daughter to go to a Catholic College for their secondary education, it is advisable to start the considerations in Years 3 and 4. I look forward to joining many of you for the tour.

I would like to say a sincere thank you for your patience in activating a new SEQTA Engage account. We do have a number of families who have not activated their new account so you are missing out on important information that is shared with families such as after school activities, Carnevale celebrations and much more. If you are having any issues, please come in and see Annette or myself to help you.

I hope that the week ahead provides you with some moments of stillness and joy.

Emily Sayer

Principal

Shrove Tuesday

Last Tuesday, we celebrated Shrove Tuesday. We were very fortunate to have a number of donations from our students. Thank you to everyone who donated ingredients to make the pancakes and various toppings for the students and staff to share.

On the Monday, The Liturgy Leaders Group made 37 batches of pancake mix! It was a large feat, but the students were amazing, some even confidently doubling and quadrupling the recipe.

On Tuesday morning we set up ready to make over 220 pancakes. Thanks to our volunteers, Vince and Vicki Musolino (Mrs G’s Mum and Dad) and Leanne May, Elaine Stiliano and Danielle Marafioti cooking pancakes and helping students with their pancake toppings. Also thank you to our Liturgy Leaders who also helped our students with their pancake toppings.

It was a great morning with all students enjoying eating their pancake with their friends in the sun.

Ash Wednesday

On Wednesday we participated in a Mass and a couple of Liturgies to reflect on this special day. In the morning the Year 5/6 and 3/4 students attended the Parish Mass celebrated by Fr David. It was a very special time for these students, spending time in reflection with our parishioners. The students amazed us as they showed a beautiful understanding of the solemnity of the day and respectfulness for being in Church.

Our 1/2s came together as a unit to also reflect on this day. They used a special liturgy created by Caritas Australia, that tied in with our Religious Education theme for the term Ubuntu – Compassion in Action.

The Receptions also came together as a unit to attend a liturgy in their class and reflect on this special day. They then went to the Church to receive the ashes from their teachers. This was an important part in the students’ faith journey as learnt how to be reflective when in the Church, but also taught them a good understanding and importance of the day.

Upcoming Dates

Friday, 15th March 9am St Joseph’s Feast Day Mass

Friday, 28th March Good Friday

Monday, 31st March Easter Monday

Tuesday, 1st April 9am Easter Liturgy of the Eucharist

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.

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.