Term 3 Week 3 2023

You can feel that Spring is not too far away especially through some of the beautiful sunny days that we have been having. I hope that you have been able to enjoy some time outside on these days. Springtime means the finals of most sporting codes are just around the corner. Hopefully your team has had a good season and made it to the finals (Go the Power!).

I would like to share with the community about a couple of staff changes that will come into effect on Monday 14 August. Robyn Jolly will be taking some Long Service Leave and will be travelling overseas for 5 weeks. We wish her a safe and relaxing journey and look forward to hearing all about her adventures when she returns. In Robyn’s absence, Vanessa Blacker and Elaine Stiliano will be the educators in this class.

Bronwyn Ridley will also be taking some leave during weeks 4-8, inclusive. Some of this will be Long Service Leave but Bronwyn will also be participating in a study tour of the Leuven University in Belgium. We also wish Bronwyn safe travels and look forward to hearing about her experiences when she returns. In Bronwyn’s absence, Sarah Morris will be taking on a leadership role on Mondays and Tuesdays. Emily Monaghan will be in the Year 6 classroom during this time. Erin Gentile will be our acting REC and I thank both teachers for their flexibility and leadership.

We are still waiting for the front of school redevelopment to commence. I was confident that it would occur on Monday 14 August but have now heard that it will be delayed by a couple of weeks. I apologise for these delays, but they have been beyond my control. The children have been so patient, but I know that they are extremely keen to have their new play space finished and ready for action.

I hope that you have put Wednesday 23 August, 2.30-5.00pm in your calendars. We are all so excited to welcome families and friends into our learning spaces and show casing the fantastic learning that the students have been undertaking. Class teachers will be sending home some letters asking for some children to stay behind after school has concluded on for the day to be hosts, tour guides and expert demonstrators. Thank you in advance for your support of this new initiative in our school.

God’s blessings,

Emily Sayer

Principal

In week 1, I invited all families to contribute to the Living Learning Leading Survey. It is short survey (3-5 mins) but the information that it provides us with is invaluable. It helps us know what you think we are doing well in the areas of Catholic Identity, Teaching and Learning, Community Engagement and Resourcing, and it also tells us what areas we can improve in.

In 2021 when we first asked families to complete this survey, we only had 17 complete it, last year 24 and to date this year 20. All parents who complete the survey are asked to take a screen shot of their last page of the survey and email it to Annette to be in a draw for a thank you gift of $100 voucher to Nova Palace Theatre. All surveys must be completed by the 24 August. 

www.NSIPartnerships.com.au

Code: SMPLLLP

School uniforms are worn to represent community but also equality. We aim to work with all families to ensure that the correct school uniform is worn by all students. We recognise that at times, there may be some unavoidable challenges, and in these cases, we ask you to be in communication with your child(s) teacher. For further information in regard to the school's uniform policy please refer to our website. We thank you for your support with this matter. 

Regards

Emily and Bronwyn

Keep your eyes peeled for two of our wonderful students, Elsie and Joshua, whose images have been used to promote Catholic Schools Open Week (21-25 Aug). They will be on local bus stops and Elsie has been chosen to be on the back of bus travelling around Adelaide. If you see them, take a photo and send it through to us.

On August 10, students from Years 3,4,5 and 6 participated in the Cross Country Carnival. It was a fabulous experience for all the students. All students were given a division of either A, B or C. The race distance was 2km in length and the students had to run over rocks, hills and bridges. Challenging but fun!

Xavier Turner proudly came in 5th place against Year 6 boys from other schools.        

Hear from the runners of Cross Country:

Jacob K – “ At the start of the race, it’s very nerve racking and you can get very sweaty.”

Hanz – “ It’s very hard but the experience is something you’ve never felt.”

Natalie – “It was a great race and I’m proud that I came 48th place.”

Jasmine – “It was a nice experience and I really liked running in the race.”

Ava – “It was really fun, I liked racing with my friends and I liked having my food there.”

Marquez – “I liked the race, I would definitely recommend it for others.”

Marcus – “I loved running, It was the best experience ever!.”

Annabel – “I liked the running and the race, it was a good experience.”

Matilda – “I liked the running and the race, and it was a amazing experience.”

Olivia – “I loved the coaches, it was an amazing experience.”

Jacob – “ It was good, I tried my best and I’m very proud of myself.”

Artin – “It was good, I am proud that I came 53rd.”

Charlotte – “I was really happy that I came in 33rd because it was my first time.”

We would like to announce the arrival of 
Theodore Murdoch, brother to Lina and Salvatore.

We wish the family all the best. 

The Greenacres Walkerville Parish 2023/2024 Sacramental Preparation Program for children wishing to celebrate the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist  will begin with an Information Session on Sunday 22 October 2023, after Sunday Mass at 10:30am at St Martin’s Church Hall.  We invite you to join us for Mass first at 9:30am at St Martin’s Church.

This session is for both parents and child/ren.  It is an opportunity for you to hear about what our Parish offers and then decide whether you and your child would like to be a part of the Program.

If you are considering being part of our 2023/2024 program attendance at this meeting is essential, however, coming to this session does not commit you to participating in the Program.

We hope to see you there!

Welcome back to Term 3

Just an update on the purchase of school uniforms and uniform fittings, I have provided a handout which can be used throughout the school’s communication, handout to new students, school website, newsletters, and social media.

Vinnies Uniform Shops are all located within Vinnies Charity Stores and are serviced by appointment only, by making a booking ensures we have an appropriately trained uniform staff member onsite to assist with uniform fittings, selections, and purchases.

We welcome Becky our NEW manager at Vinnies Norwood.Parents can make a booking with Becky and the Norwood Vinnies Uniform Shop Teamby scanning the QR code or visiting vinniesuniformshop.SimplyBook.Me, We encourage parents to contact us by email schooluniforms@svdpsa.org.au for consideration of appointments outside available booking times.

For parents who prefer to personally make a selection, or complete fittings themselves, we welcome you at any time during normal Vinnies Shop trading hours (refer to vinnies.org.au for trading hours) – no bookings required. Vinnies Shop volunteers will only able to assist with finalising the purchase of school uniforms, it is recommended parents make a booking if assistance and advice in uniform fittings and selection is required.

Kind regards,

David Franks

Manager – Vinnies Uniform Shops

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.